Dell Studio 15

I have had over 6 Dell Laptops over the last 10 years. Now I have 3 studio 15's and Have to say they are awesome! For some reason only computer idiots are writing reviews of late. the problems described… that I have read are software based and or minor problems for the most part. The Studio 15 has the most amazing LED screen, sexy design, good processors and good performance. The standard Battery holds a 3 hour charge surfing the internet. Also one review says that this laptop only comes with one video card choice, in fact this is wrong, from dell you can choose 3 different cards, 2 are ATI one with 256mb another with 512mb. Also a blue ray option and backlit keyboard. While it's true Dell uses refurbished parts to fix problems, this is in their commitment to be green and renew parts that have nothing wrong with them. These refurbished parts are not used in the real sense, they are pulled from new returns that are not repairable and these parts had nothing wrong with them. When you read a negative review on a good system think about the source and their knowledge. The funniest review said a "Printer" would not work with the laptop, maybe its old, maybe there are not drivers for vista for it, if the printer did not work with the laptop its not the laptop's fault but the printer.

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Okay, where should I start? Maybe that after 3 months of use, very minimal I might add, the hard drive crashed. So, for over a week it didn't work while I had to wait for a REFURBISHED hard drive to be… sent to me. I didn't realize I would be an unpaid employee for Dell when I bought this laptop. (I had to install the hard drive myself). This whole process with the phone call and all was a good 10 hours. (Not counting time to reinstall all software, etc.) Then, after 5 months of use, the laptop started shutting down on its own after about 30 minutes of use. Needless to say, another lengthy call to Dell Support at which time they sent a technician to my home. (I had to wait a couple of days and he showed up 5 hours late. I was more than a little irritable since I had left work early to meet him at my home when he as supposed to show up.) Come to find out, he replaced the mother board and AC adaptor. (I mentioned the fact that the optical drive was acting up as well, issue not addressed) (Again, not to mention I had to reinstall all software again.) Well, a WHOLE month later, the computer wouldn't boot, so after 5 hours on Dell Support, the technician had me reinstall the operating system and all drivers. (Not to mention after that, I had to reinstall software AGAIN, getting the picture???) Well, AC adaptor is acting up again, optical drive still trying to eject a disc that is not in the drive, and the computer so slow I can't hardly stand to use it. Called support again, she told me the previous technician incorrectly instructed me on how to fix the problem. Had me take the computer to the original settings. So guess what I'm doing now?? You guessed it, reinstalling the software for 5th time in 6 months!!! So basically, unless you have the time and want a hobby of being on tech support and installing hardware/software, do NOT buy this laptop. I'm just wondering, does Dell ever have the policy of if the computer is a piece of crap, that they will replace it? I keep getting denied for my request. Hope this was helpful.

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I could sum this up in one word. Crap. Yes, it does more or less everything that a PC is supposed to do. It's the little things... Like the AC Adapter and batteries not being worth a darn after 9 months.… Like that annoying media thing button that you only have to come near touching to make it come on. Like it not waking up out of standby for several minutes. Like, for some reason, the keys popping of the keyboard WAY too easily. When it's working right it works and does what it's supposed to do... which in the case of Windows Vista is be a complete PITA. I also have a Dell Latitude for work. Keys stay on keyboard but battery/AC adapter are also crap. Sound sucks. I'm on a Mac like a hobo on a ham sammich after the Studio dies.

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I received this product as part of the Dell warranty program when another computer failed. I've had the 1535 for three weeks and the panel with the capacitive media buttons has already failed. I like… almost everything about this laptop except for the media buttons failing so early (a quick Google search shows that this is a common issue for the 1535). I'll give Dell a call back in a day or so and see what they can do for me. Pros:relatively stylish and slim, especially so for a Dell, excellent WiFi range, has a webcam and multiple recording inputs / headphone jacks, great graphics card, better-than-average battery life Cons: reliability, the media touch sensors are hard to find in the dark, case attracts fingerprints, webcam quality is so-so, sleep mode does not work well for Kubuntu.

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