The good: HDMI output and a mini remote control; full keyboard with discrete numeric pad; full-HD panel option; fingerprint sensor; aesthetically pleasing touch-sensitive buttons; attractive design for a desktop replacement.

The bad: No S/PDIF digital audio output or subwoofer; TV tuner not an option; no eSATA port.

The bottom line: The Studio 17 is much lighter and sleeker than the high-end XPS M1730 while retaining a competent multimedia feature set and high-end graphics performance.

Read full review of the Dell Studio 17 »

By Darius Chang, CNET Asia
Jun 27, 2008

The Studio 17 is the larger brother to the Studio 15, with the same curved chassis which takes after the XPS series. The backlit keyboard and mini remote control are also present, though Dell has made use of the extra space and incorporated a discrete numeric pad. Asia pricing details have yet to be released, but in the US this Studio starts at US$999 (S$1,363.18), which makes it very competitive compared to other entertainment desktop replacements such as the Toshiba Qosmio G40,

Fujitsu LifeBook N6460 and HP Pavilion dv9700. However, to keep costs down, Dell had to cut back on some common features such as S/PDIF output and integrated subwoofer, which make the multimedia capabilities of the Studio 17 merely competent at best. But for those who want a desktop replacement for work and play, this Studio fits the bill nicely without looking like a concrete block.

Design

The Studio 17 looks almost exactly like the smaller Studio 15, save for an a slight different port placement and the addition of a discrete numeric pad. The unit weighs in at 3.97kg with the extended cell (3.57kg with the normal battery), and a footprint of 392.6 x 288.6 x 43mm. Fortunately, the curved body makes the unit look sleeker than most other desktop replacement models.

The rubberized top cover is available in seven different shades and is surprisingly hardy and easy to maintain. The grey palm rest has a unique topology pattern, which resembles a map of a small island or hill.

On the surface, the full-sized keyboard with a discrete numeric pad looks just like those on any desktop replacement machine. But Dell has hidden LED lights under the keys which light up at a touch of a button. The glow is just bright enough not be be too glaring, yet usable in the dark. The LED lights will dim in a few seconds after the last keystroke, but will resume service once any key is pressed. They can also be disabled manually. The Studio 17 follows the trend of touch-sensitive multimedia controls which are attractive as well as functional. A wireless switch is located on the side which turns the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radio on and off.

There is a battery level indicator located on the cell which displays the charge level in 20 percent increments. Our unit came with the high-capacity option which tilts the laptop slightly from the rear. This makes typing a little more comfortable and increases the heat ventilation of the Studio 17.

Features

As an entertainment desktop replacement, we fully expected to see features such as remote control and HDMI output. However, the Studio 17 provides only a mini remote control which stores in the ExpressCard slot. Considering one would rarely want to commute with a laptop this size, we would have preferred if Dell had offered a full-size remote control instead. Another gripe is the lack of a S/PDIF audio jack and built-in subwoofer, features which are common for entertainment desktop replacements. Though the starting price is attractive, we can only consider the feature set of the Studio 17 average at best.

The 17.1-inch display has a nice level of brightness and our review unit has a full-HD panel capable of 1,920 x 1,200-pixel resolution. The underlying graphics engine is an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 card with 256MB of video memory. Barring dual-graphics machines like the XPS M1730, the Studio 17 should be able to handle the latest gaming titles with the best of them. External displays can be linked via the VGA or HDMI ports. Despite being an entertainment laptop, there is no integrated TV tuner which is a little disappointing. A 2-megapixel Webcam with dual array of microphones is available for video conferencing as well as impromptu snapshots.

As previously mentioned, the unit lacks a subwoofer which is an expected feature for an entertainment desktop replacement. There are two headphone jacks available for private movie viewing for two, but of them are S/PDIF-capable so only external analog speaker systems are usable. For an multimedia desktop replacement, these omissions may be a deal-breaker for those seeking an all-in-one device to replace their home entertainment setup.

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