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- Stunning LCD widescreen
- Stylish design
- Good multimedia performance
- Blu-ray drive costs extra
- Glossy case attracts fingerprints
- Short battery life
The Dell Studio XPS 16 gets a host of recommendations from reviewers who say this multimedia laptop combines excellent performance at a good price. The Dell Studio XPS 16 has been updated recently, and the base model now includes an Intel Core i5 460M processor, 4 GB of RAM, 320 GB hard drive and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 graphics.
Most reviewers test previous versions of the Dell Studio XPS 16 with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, but testing shows that the new Intel processors improve performance overall. Both Laptop Magazine and PCMag.com give the Dell Studio XPS 16 their Editors' Choice awards. Reviewers love the 1080p LCD widescreen, which is now available on all models. The backlit keyboard also gets high marks. In terms of performance, the Dell Studio XPS 16 excels in most multimedia tests, but reviewers note that serious gamers should look for a dedicated gaming notebook. The Dell Studio XPS 16 also draws compliments for design, even though the glossy case is a magnet for fingerprints and smudges. If you're most interested in gaming, reviewers recommend a laptop designed specifically for gaming such as the Alienware M17x (*Est. $1,500 and up), though be prepared to spend mightily if you want to unleash that laptop's full gaming performance.
There is no shortage of reviews on the Dell Studio XPS 16, but all reviewers test older models. The most comprehensive and detailed testing comes from Laptop Magazine and AnandTech.com. We also found valuable reviews at PCMag.com, CNET, NotebookCheck.net and TrustedReviews.com.
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Our Sources
AnandTech.com has one of the most detailed reviews of the Dell Studio XPS 16. Reviewer Jarred Walton highly recommends this laptop for Photoshop users or anyone who can benefit from a high-quality display.
Review: Dell Studio XPS 16: The Eyes Have It, Jarred Walton, April 2, 2009
2. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
The Dell Studio XPS 16 wins an Editors' Choice award from Laptop Magazine, which praises the "first-of-its-kind RGB-LED screen option." Overall, Jeffrey Wilson recommends it for anyone seeking a multimedia laptop.
Review: Dell XPS Studio 16, Jeffrey Wilson, Jan. 16, 2009
The Dell Studio XPS 16 is an Editors' Choice award winner. Cisco Cheng calls it a "lavish media center experience," although he thinks it's a bit heavy.
Review: Dell Studio XPS 16, Cisco Cheng, Jan. 8, 2009
NotebookCheck.net provides some of the most detailed reviews of laptops, but this German website can be hard to understand because of poor translation. Overall, the editors recommend the Dell Studio XPS 16 for all kinds of multimedia applications.
Review: Review Dell Studio XPS 16 (1640) Notebook, J. Simon Leitner, Feb. 23, 2009 (Updated Nov. 29, 2010)
Britain's TrustedReviews.com gives its Recommended label to the Dell Studio XPS 16, saying the laptop's performance will meet the needs of most users -- even casual gamers. However, Andy Vandervell finds the keyboard oddly uneven.
Review: Dell Studio XPS 16 with RGB LED Display Review, Andy Vandervell, March 10, 2009
Jamie Bsales at ComputerShopper.com says Dell has "raised the bar for multimedia laptops." The Dell Studio XPS 16 earns an Editors' Choice award, although -- like other reviewers -- Bsales recommends paying more to get the high-resolution display and Blu-ray drive.
Review: Dell Studio XPS 16, Jamie Bsales, Jan. 2009
7. CNET
Dan Ackerman at CNET thinks the Dell Studio XPS 16 is a great choice for watching movies, especially if you upgrade to the high-resolution display. You'll need to be close to a power source, however, because the battery lasted less than two hours in Ackerman's drain test.
Review: Dell Studio XPS 16, Dan Ackerman, Jan. 7, 2009
This Australian site gives the Dell Studio XPS 16 an average rating of 5 (out of 6) stars, praising the "stunning screen" and "elegant design." As it does in other tests, the Dell's battery drains quickly.
Review: Dell Studio XPS 16, the Big Brand's Desktop Replacement Has Power and Style, Mike Jennings, Aug. 18, 2009
The Dell Studio XPS 16 gets high marks for design and style in this review from NotebookReview.com. The reviewer also loves the "gorgeous" high-resolution display and comfortable keyboard, but he notes that the laptop can get uncomfortably hot.
Review: Dell Studio XPS 16 Review, Jerry Jackson, Jan. 8, 2009
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