Dell Studio vs Dell Vostro

[ReggieDunlap]

**UPDATE POST AT END OF THREAD***


Which would YOU buy:
Dell Studio 17 configured via their web site with the i7 quad core processor and 4GB of the DDR3 RAM (other specs can be provided but these are the primary basics for me)

Or the

Dell Vostro 1720 configured with a Core 2 Duo P8700(2.53Ghz, 3MB L2 cache, 1066Mhz) with 8GB DDR2 RAM

Studio is €962,99 euro (discounts exp Jan 20)
Vostro is €1042,80 euro

OR

Studio 15 for €878,02 vs Vostro 1520 for €1008,00 (includes a printer)


Review from notebookcheck.net on the Studio 1747 basically slams the heat and the noise of the product, otherwise gives it good numbers (81% rating)

I use a Vostro 1510 at work but with a 2Ghz Core 2 and 4GB RAM (32bit OS Vista)


Just looking for opinions if any are interested in providing.

 

[Rottie]

Dell Studio replaces aging Dell Vostro so the bottom line is new and latest CPU is better than old CPU a future better investment.

 

[boomhower]

I would be wary of the i7 studio. They have been having horrible throttling issues that have yet to be resolved. It has been thought of being an issue with the PSU to an issue with heat. At any rate the issue is still there. I had been looking at them myself but right now I am now leaning towards an i5. Take a look over at notebookreview.com forums for some more insite.

 

[ReggieDunlap]

I had read about the issues with the i7. Essentially, this is going to be used as a home computer (me and wife): web browsing, web mail, some video-voice chat (skype), and home management (wrod excel, etc). Maybe do some burning of music and movies, but not really using for watching movies. Wife just wants to maximize the euros spent.

I figure the issues with the i7, for me anyways, probably wouldn't come into play as it really wont be taxed too hard or run under heavy load.

Also, I'm wondering how far along in the future before design changes on laptop motherboards change to allow for more than 2 memory slots. Or will they just focus on increasing the memory chip density? This is the main reason Im looking more towards DDR3 rather than DDR2, expecting the DDR2 to become more difficult to find and more expensive to buy in say 2 or 3 years.

 

[Dark4ng3l]

If you don't think that the cpu issues are going to affect you because you won't use tax it enough you might as well save money getting a cheaper machine and keep the money you save for you next laptop purchase. For 99% of what most users will do with their computer you won't see a significant difference between a mid range Core 2 duo and a high end cpu anyways and if you do it probably won't be worth the price difference.

Also since laptops are really limited as far as upgrades (pretty much only RAM and hard drives can be upgraded) It's probably a better idea to just buy a whole new computer when you feel you need something better.

Really for a laptop the most important things are the keyboard, trackpad and the screen. You are better off investing in a better screen than a faster CPU.

 

[ReggieDunlap]

OK. So Dell basically helped somewhat with the decision process as the discount expired on the Studio I was looking at. So now Im looking at 2 machines: a Studio 1558 and an Inspiron 1764. Unfortunately, here in Europe, the Core i5-520M processor these have was only just released this 1Q 2010 so there isn't much info, if any, in the way of reviews of either laptop.

I need some Anandtech feedback with regards to the recent versions of the Inspiron in general. I know it's more the "Entry" level laptop, with the Studio being the next step up, but I wanted to know if anyone out there has any feedback regarding their ownership, use or experience with an Inspiron 17" in the last 6 months to a year. Basically, what were/are your impressions with workmanship, aesthetic, functionality etc?

Here is what I've narrowed my choices to:

Inspiron 1764
Core i5-520M (2.4ghz, 4thrd, etc)
4GB DDR3 1067mhz RAM
512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330
500GB 5400rpm HDD
17.3" TFT HD+ WLED w/TruLife 1600x900
6 cell battery 48Wh
1.3 megapixel Integrated Webcam
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
€847,01 euros total

Studio 1558
Core i5-430M (2.26ghz, 4 thrd, etc)
4GB DDR3 1333mhz RAM
512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570
500GB 7200rpm HDD
15.6" WideScreen Full HD WLED w/TruLife 1920x1080
9 cell battery 85Wh
2.0 megapixel Integrated Webcam
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
€853,00 euros total

Any and all feedback/opinions are appreciated.

 

[Emulex]

dell laptops suck. chunk every drive for the cheapest SSD you can get in there even if aftermarket.

1600x900 sucks butt on 17". i think my hp is 1920x1200 on 17 and the envy 15 hp is 1920x1080 at 15.6"

skip the discrete graphics - it will haunt you will failure and its already too slow to play most games like a desktop - games on desktop - lightweight fast ssd laptop for business/mobility.

just my opinion