Dell Studio 14: Defining Solid
by Dustin Sklavos on August 19, 2010 2:49 AM EST
The Studio 14 LCD: It's Bright at Least
Of course, if there's one part of mainstream notebooks that threatens to remain utterly unexciting, it's the screens. While the 14” TN panel used in our review unit sports better-than-average viewing angles, it's still a glossy TN panel.
One thing the display does have going for it is raw brightness. With a maximum output of ~325 nits, this is one of the brightest mobile displays we've seen. That's the good news; the bad news is that contrast ratios still suck, with black levels coming in at a grayish 1.7 nits. So once again we have a bright display with a contrast ratio well shy of the desired 500:1 (or higher) mark set by the likes of Apple's MacBook Pro line and other higher quality laptops.
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bijeshn - Thursday, August 19, 2010 - link
Thanks for the 'to-the point' review.However I would really like to see how the Studio 17 fares in comparison...
shamans33 - Thursday, August 19, 2010 - link
Same here....I'd like to see Studio 15 and Studio 17Dustin Sklavos - Thursday, August 19, 2010 - link
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVEActually finishing up a review of the Studio 17 right now, but here's where I stand on the issues:
1. I bought mine a month ago, and love it.
2. It's a little noisy but it's POWERFUL.
3. Best speakers I've ever heard on a notebook.
Voldenuit - Thursday, August 19, 2010 - link
Too expensive - this should be $650-700 as configured, not $900.Slow GPU.
Too heavy - should be 4.5 lbs.
No Blu-ray drive - at $900, it should come with one.
Low resolution LCD - just because everyone else sucks, doesn't mean Dell should be left off the hook.
Unexceptional battery life - it's not bad, just "adequate", which sums up the Studio 14 really.
Agree with the conclusion that it is a thoroughly bland and unremarkable notebook. Where I don't agree is that it is a solid contender. "Don't be the best be like the rest" should be Dell's motto.
vol7ron - Thursday, August 19, 2010 - link
agreed.seanleeforever - Thursday, August 19, 2010 - link
with all due respect. no one pays retail price for dell.. what happen to those 20~30% off coupons? and 699 out of 1500 dollar coupons?900 retail price nicely translate to 600~700 street price.
neothe0ne - Thursday, August 19, 2010 - link
You can get the Envy 14 with Core i3-370m (probably faster than the i5-430m) and Radeon 5650 + switchable graphics for $1000. Not to mention the Envy's base Intel 6200 wireless is probably leagues better than "Dell" wireless by their own component upgrade pricing. This Studio 14 for $900 is a crap deal.djjazzyjeff - Thursday, August 19, 2010 - link
The Envy 14 is an overpriced, gratuitously branded piece of crap. Hideous styling, downclocked GPU and abhorrent trackpad make the Envy 14 a non-starter for most.zoxo - Thursday, August 19, 2010 - link
what's wrong with the style of the Envy14? My only problems with that machine is the lack of matte screen option, and general availability (especially in Europe)neothe0ne - Thursday, August 19, 2010 - link
You haven't actually configured and used the touchpad, have you?