Dell Studio Laptop

On 26th June, I had the opportunity to attend the launch of Dell’s new range of computers at Silverstone, a new brand that they are calling ‘Studio’ which will sit between their current Inspiron and XPS ranges of laptops.

Dell Studio branded computers are “designed to foster creativity and innovation” – that being the case you need a computer that will help you achieve that, one whose own design is creative and innovative.

The Dell Studio laptop brand is one that will be providing a higher performance than their Dell Inspiron range while taking some of the design and higher level functionality of the Dell XPS range. It also at the same time provokes creativity and personal expression by being available in a range of colour and design/trim options.

The Studio laptops come in two sizes, the Studio 15 (with a 15.4″ screen) from £379 and the Studio 17 (with a 17″ screen) from £469 (including VAT and delivery) and are packed with features such as the following:

Intel Core Duo Processor,
Integrated Intel Graphics or optional ATI Radeon Graphics,
High resolution 15.4″ or 17″ screen,
Up to 4GB of memory,
Windows Vista,
DVD Writer or optional Blu-Ray Drive,
SATA Hard Disk – up to 320GB capacity,
Built-in Wireless Networking,
Integrated Webcam,
Media Card Slot that can support Memory Stick, SD, SDIO, SDHC, SDHD, MS, MS Pro, MMC+, Xd, Hi-Density SD, Hi-Capacity SD formats,
HDMI port,
5 x USB 2.0 ports,
Fingerprint Reader.

As mentioned above, these laptops are available in a variety of colours and styles which you can see for yourself below:

(click on the image for a more detailed view)

I personally like the sound of this computer and have had my eye on a Dell XPS laptop for a while now and may well buy one of these having had the opportunity to have a play with them in the flesh. I particularly like some of the smaller features pf the Dell Studio laptop such as a built-in webcam (I’ve always been put off using them in the past due when they’ve been another separate item to carry around) and fingerprint reader (should make securing your laptop far easier and takes away the hassle of entering passwords ensuring a higher level of security).

The Dell Studio laptops also feature another new Dell development, namely the Dell Dock, I’ll cover this in more detail later in the week, but to summarise, this is a great new way to ensure the programs and documents you use frequently are also to hand without you having to search through a messy, untidy desktop – which I must admit is something I’m personally guilty of when it comes to computers!

In the meantime, take a look at this video which runs through some of the features in more detail and also below that is Dell’s official press release on their new Studio range of laptops. You can order one of these laptops from the Dell website now or you’ll soon be able to find them in one of Dell’s retail partners’ stores such as Tesco or Currys.

Dell today unveiled “Studio,” a unique consumer brand designed to reflect the creative individual who demands tailored technology solutions.
The Studio portfolio includes features that consumers can rely on to expand their creativity and digital horizons. The products combine smart technology with elegant design and exciting personalisation options.
“People seeking stunning design, brilliant colours, and innovative new technology will find inspiration in Dell’s new Studio brand,” said David Clifton, Director of Consumer Marketing, Dell Europe. “These products are built for today’s digital lifestyle based on the millions of conversations we have every year on dell.com, Ideastorm and community forums. With Dell Studio, we’re answering the call for personalisation, connectivity and simplicity.”

The first Studio products are two chic laptops, the Studio 15 and Studio 17. These PCs combine sleek designs, striking visual elements and features such as standard slot load drives, backlit keyboard and built-in webcam. They are available today on www.dell.co.uk starting at £379 (Studio 15) and £469 (Studio 17) including VAT and delivery. Built-in mobile broadband will be available later next month. The laptops will also be sold at Tesco, Carrefour and DSGi stores in the UK, France, Spain, Norway, Sweden and Belgium from launch.
Sleek and Unique

The new Studio products inherit design elements first introduced in Dell’s award-winning XPS™ M1330 and M1530 laptops, including a sleek wedge-shaped profile and iconic drop hinge. Taking a page from the Inspiron™ portfolio, Studio laptops also offer several options that allow a customer to colour customise a laptop unique to him or her. In addition, Dell will offer optional colour-coordinated accessories and peripherals like backpacks, slip covers, mice and ear buds so customers can assemble a mobile high-definition package that’s unique.

“One year ago today we refreshed and revitalized our consumer portfolio with emphasis on product style, design and personalisation,” said Alex Gruzen, senior vice president, Dell consumer product group. “Flamingo Pink and Midnight Blue laptops have since become regular sights on university campuses and in coffee shops. The new Studio products demonstrate that Dell is continuing to focus on design and value, delivering attractive, feature-packed mobile digital lifestyle products.”

Starting with either a 15.4 or 17-inch high-definition display, customers can pick one of six optional colour choices, including new Plum Purple and Tangerine Orange in addition to Flamingo Pink, Midnight Blue, Ruby Red, Spring Green and Jet Black (standard). For a more subtly personalised laptop, Dell has added an optional high gloss Graphite Grey choice that can be customised with contrasting Black, or more vivid Blue, Pink or Red edge trim around the display back.

While Dell Studio systems have rich basic features, they also offer customers a wide variety of options to ensure the system facilitates and enhances the user’s digital passions, whether that is being the curator of their own photo or music library or creating cool new web content. The optional Blu-ray Disc™ drives help deliver cinematic video quality on high definition displays, and from late July, built-in mobile broadband connectivity through Vodafone means users can connect without finding a Wi-Fi hotspot. For extra security, customers can avoid unauthorised access and secure personal data with the optional fingerprint reader. Entertainment buffs will appreciate the hide-away express-card travel remote and noise cancellation ear buds.

Making it all easy – Dell is also focused on simplifying the consumer digital experience with unique user interfaces like the Dell Dock, a task-based application organiser. The Dell Dock is a unique user interface that automatically sorts all of the installed software applications on the PC into simple, user friendly categories, which can be accessed by a simple taskbar, leaving the desktop clutter free. Customers don’t have to locate and open a programme by application name or icon on the desktop, but instead can locate it by task, like “email & chat,” “security,” “view photos” and “play music.” The task bar is fully customisable: users can choose its anchor location, background and font colour, and even the icons used to represent a category.

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