I may be the last person on earth to own a laptop (sound so ulu) but I don’t care. I still want to blog about it. Haha I’m still a pc person at heart you know?
I wanted a HP laptop for the longest time but I don’t want to spend unnecessary amount of $$ for stuff that I can get cheaper elsewhere and for this case I can get higher and better specification too (except the Nvidia part). So that’s why I choose to get Dell as my first laptop. Though a bit reluctant at first to order online since this is biggie $$ stuff but that’s the only way to get a customize Dell. So no choice.
I placed my order on 12th December last year. And every day since then I check for the ETD date at the Dell website. First they mentioned the delivery date is 5th January (WTF??) and then it was changed to 1st January. I was like HUH?? HUH?? Do they need that long to build a laptop? Then on 23rd December I received a SMS informing me the laptop will be delivered the next day. True enough I got my laptop on 24th December. Still it took 12 days. Haii. It was delivered from China. But I still want to Haiii…
Okay so here’s my review on Dell Studio 14 laptop (after 12 days of usage haha):
My camera capture the color plum purple as this but in actual it looks more to rustic, rusty and grunge.
Appearance
The laptop cover which I thought is glossy plum purple turned out to be rusty plum purple. What a stark contrast from the picture from Dell’s website. Truly a shocker for me. It’s like al-cheapo sprayed color. But you know what? I started to like the rusty~rustic purple a day later. Hahaha It’s actually so me. I love rustic, rugged & grunge style. And I don’t have to be careful when I bring this baby anywhere. Remember I’m a super klutz? What happened if the cover is glossy and I accidentally knock it? Mameee! But not when it’s already grunge style. Haha
Attention girls: If you’re the girly girl type I don’t think you will like this cover so better don’t choose this ya. The official name is X Color with Black U-Trim. (X being any color)
Dell Studio 14 Laptop (back view) with 9-cell battery.
Features
The features of Dell Studio 14 are common with every other laptop brands I guess.
On the right side of the laptop, we have audio out/headphone, audio in/microphone, USB port, Slot load 8x DVD+/-RW with DVD+R double layer write capability, AC adapter port, battery status light & power button.
On the left side, we have security cable slot, network port, USB port, eSata/USB combo port with USB PowerShare, VGA port, HDMI port, ExpressCard slot & 8-in-1 media card reader.
I have nothing to complain about. All’s good.
Software (Operating System)
The Dell Studio 14 come bundles with Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit). I would have chosen 32-bit if I have a choice. Because of 64-bit, I have 2 Program Files folder (one for 64-bit and one for 32-bit). Thankfully you don’t have to break your head to decide which programs go where and where. Windows 7 will decide for you.
I’m starting to get used to the new features especially the bundle taskbar and just yesterday I found where the ‘Show desktop’ button is located. Guess where? Beside clock/date.
Windows 7 is easy to learn. More like once you know what’s in it, it’ll be like a snap in the finger. Dum dee dum.
My Dell laptop with own personalized desktop background. A photo from my house’s window.
Hardware
Here is the main spec for my Dell Studio 14 laptop (customization in bold):
Processor: Intel Centrino 2 Core Duo Processor P8700 2.53GHz/1066 FSB/3MB Cache (original was 2.13GHz)
Memory: 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM (original was 3GB)
Hard Drive: 500GB 5400RPM Sata
Video Card: 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4530
Display: 14″ High Definition 720p WLED (1366×768) with TrueLife
Battery: 9-Cell (original was 6-Cell)
Weight: 2.5kg (including 9-Cell battery)
Price: RM3347.00
Overall:
Windows 7 start up time is really fast. Faster than my old PC using Windows XP or laptop using Vista. Shutdown time is really fast too. Wowza!
No hiccup when using heavy programs (such as image processing; still very fast when I use both Photoshop & Lightroom at the same time)
It has Facial Recognition feature which I’ve yet to try.
Keyboard is sensitive (unlike my sis’ HP laptop… really insensitive)
Graphics is good. (who needs Nvidia? hehehe)
Sound system is okay too.
There’s no keyboard light indicator when cap locks is ON and I find it no problem at all. Though I’ve read in the reviews quite a few complain about it. No problem because it will show on the screen telling you the caps is ON ma. Same goes with the Wifi key.
And as long as you allow sufficient space for the heat to dissipate, everything’s good.
I’ve yet to try playing hardcore games but I’m sure I will find no problem with the graphics (movement, etc).
I guess the only con is the noise during loading/unloading CD/DVD but I don’t really bother about it. It’s just a moment ma. I was mortified at first. But I get used to it pretty quick (see? I’m cool haha). The sound makes me think I have a robot inside the laptop working for me. Hahaha (what an imagination!)
Ok so all in all I’m very satisfied with the laptop performance. If I were to take this spec and put into a HP (with Nvidia) do you know how much I need to pay? over RM4k or maybe RM4.5k above. DUH!!!
So if you’re looking for a laptop, I say go Dell. 
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
sweet!!!
I have been a laptop user for almost 8 years already
my first notebook was compaq, then dell, then acer and now lenovo at work. ^_^ other than this lenovo notebook, my most exp purchase would be my dell then, it was a 12″ and cost me ard 5k in year 2004/2005 (father paid hehehehe). 12″ was the super mini back then. LOL. it is still functioning fine now but since i bought a new acer, i passed it to my sis alreaydy
Dell FTW!
A~lar, don’t show off lar. LOL
Congrates Che-cheh! :p
Nope, you are not. I don’t even have a lappie ler.
Your new lappie is gorgeous.
Xin, wah you’ve used so many laptops already. Which brand is the best?
Jason, haha
Tekkaus, nah not showing off. Just wanna review it so that whoever is looking for this will find some good information.
Your first laptop? Congrats!! Must be enjoying it daily now! Haha!
I’m still using my very first laptop which is HP which I bought last year. So far so good! : )
I am using an Acer and had been using it for 2 years now. Quite satisfied with it but there is some problem recently. I may visit the Acer centre next week to get the problem fixed.
Foongpc, not really enjoying it. Feeling is just the same with using a pc haha.
Jam, my desktop pc was an Acer and my previous desktop was an Acer too but they hang quite a lot. So I didn’t choose Acer this time. Enough for me liao.
Congrat to your new laptop! It’s really a good bargain for the spec you’ve got with DELL!! I think it’s even cheaper than an ACER Aspire Timeline. The biggest problem of my HP is battery life. How long could your DELL’s 9 cells battery last?
i am going to get my first laptop soon also… toshiba or fujitsu…
The color is modern.RM3347? Good value for money
Nice, like it much. My first lappie was a Compaq (2000)..that thing sucks. Then hubs and I bought a Dell 2 years later and we are still using it albeit tons of upgrading!
Cecil Lee, I’m very satisfied with the spec. DDR3 somemore. hehe
My 9 cells batt will last about 5 hours.
Fufu, What’s the laptop price in Germany? cheaper or pricier?
Bengbeng, I purposely choose purple. Didn’t realize it’s the same color with my blog. Haha Yes definitely value for money. I’m very satisfied with the spec I got.
Dawn, ooo so Dell is good eh.
hmmmmm i don’t know which is the best for me, but the most ergonomic keyboard has to be lenovo’s one.
I am still waiting to buy my very first laptop and trust me it will be a Dell as well. Kudos on Che Cheh for picking a Dell Lappie because Dell provides one of the finest after sales service in the industry.
Oh yeah Che Cheh, you are not the last… I also don’t have.. Pinjam n using my sister’s laptop at the moment! wakaka
Xin, ohhhh
Kampunginvestor, but I heard the after sales service is $$. Is that true?
Haha ok thank god I’m not the last one to own a laptop.
Your laptop is more keng chao then my PC lah! LoL…
64bit + 4GB RAM, that’s a good combination to bring out the power of 64bit!
Bryan, yes good combo. I’m happy with the spec. Hehe
Dell, cheap, affordable, high specs. I am also using Dell but mine is red color. Purple is romantic le..
Nice laptop… the best think about Dell is their onsite service. Nobody can beat them in this department!
Keeyit, hehe I thought red is romantic? Purple no lomantic la.
Totally agree with your points.
Irenelim, oh yeah I’ve heard about it… but $pricey$ wor.
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