Dell Studio 1557 Overview

Slowly, Intel’s brand new processor generation Core i7 is also advancing into current notebook series, and promises more performance with the same power consumption. The for some time already available Dell Studio 15 has now found its way to us with an Intel Core i7 Q720 CPU and has to prove just how much it can benefit from the new little computing power station in the following test.Dell’s Studio 15 represents the mainstream notebook in Dell’s consumer portfolio. Whilst you still have to live with starting class dual-core processors and an integrated Intel GMA 4500M HD chip set graphic in the basic configuration, the higher positioned model configurations can be equipped with a dedicated ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570, a 7200 rpm fast hard disk and up to an Intel Core i7 820QM CPU. A FullHD display, up to 8 GB DDR3 RAM, BluRay, an 85 Wh Dell Studio 1557 battery and the various configuration options common for Dell can also be attained.

The heart piece, and therefore the main purchase reason, of our Dell Studio 1557 in the configuration at hand, is the built-in Intel Core i7-720QM CPU that can fall back on four computing cores.

The profoundest innovation of the current processor generation is the integrated DDR3 memory controller that is allegedly responsible for a significantly higher memory performance with a direct connection.（Dell GN752 Li-ion laptop batteries)

A further improvement should be achieved by the newly designed cache system. The level 2 cache has been notably reduced to 256 KB per core (total of 1MB), but Dell Studio 1557 AC adapter is reimbursed by a 6MB sized level 3 cache at its side which all cores can use in a shared process.

Due to hyperthreading, not only 4 cores but 8 cores are displayed in the task manager, for example. Thus, every core has option of executing 2 threads at the same time at lower load, which increases the efficiency in accordingly lower loaded conditions.

The CPU bids the option of overclocking the regular rate for one core from 1.6 GHz up to 2.8 GHz when not all cores are used or if maybe even only one is loaded, with the Turbo Boost function. Programs that only use one core and don’t have multi-core support benefit from this. On the other hand, the CPU can disable the cores or reduce the clock rate in order to decrease the power consumption at low load. We could establish a range of 930 MHz to 2800 MHz during our tests.

Dell still relies on ATI’s Mobility Radeon HD4570 that has a dedicated 512MB GDDR3 graphic memory in regards to the graphic division. The core is clocked with 680MHz and the memory has 800MHz, but can adapt itself downwards depending on the load. The main weak point of the used graphic card, in comparison to the HD4650, is the memory bus reduced to 64bit.

As already established in Dell’s Inspiron 13z, the Studio 15 also has a 2.5″ hard disk that works with a rotation velocity of 7200 rpm. It comes from Western Digital and has a capacity of 320 GB. It works almost 10 MB/s faster than most colleagues with 5400 rpm with an average transfer rate of 64.6 MB/s and demonstrates a pleasant performance gain with that. The disk can’t keep up with current SSDs but bids considerably more memory space/euro.(acer Aspire 2000 Series).

The sheer mass of various interfaces that you find on Dell’s Studio 15 simply lets you rejoice. Even many considerably more expensive business notebooks can’t keep up with this and are easily overtrumped by the Studio 15.

Aside from 2 conventional USB 2.0 ports (one with a charging function for MP3 players, mobile phones, etc.) that are suitable for usual peripherals like printers, digital cameras, memory sticks, etc., the test model additionally has an USB/eSATA combo connection. Both USB devices, as well as eSATA peripherals can be used here. eSATA has the advantage of supplying significantly higher transmission rates and is therefore predestined for connecting external hard disks. Video fans will be pleased about the existent Firewire port that many camcorders still have. An ExpressCard/34 slot for various extensions and directly underneath this, a cardreader for transferring smaller data volumes, such as digital pictures, has been placed on the right. You can use the analog VGA-out or a digital HDMI-out for image output. A gigabit LAN, a Kensington preparation and 3 audio ports (1x micro, 2x headphones) complete the picture and leave nothing else to be desired.

Right: Cardreader, ExpressCard/34, slot-in DVD burner, USB, DC-in
Our prototype bids WLAN in accordance to the fast n-standard and Bluetooth 2.0 as wireless interfaces.

The port distribution isn’t quite as rejoicing. The ExpressCard/34 slot obstructs the cardreader at use. The USB ports don’t like USB sticks with excess width because the DC-in as well as the slot-in drive gets in the way on the right. Both ports (USB and USB/eSATA) on the left have been placed on top of each other and cause a mutual blockage due to the small distance. It’s recommendable to acquire an USB extension in any case, especially if USB extensions with excess width, such as UMTS sticks, TV cards, etc., are used.

The interface’s transfer rates can be described as throughout good and usually supply over-average rates with 27.4 MB/s (USB), 71.4 MB/s (eSATA), 34.3 MB/s (Firewire 400) and 18 MB/s (SD/SDHC). The VGA output’s signal quality was satisfying at a resolution of 1280 x 1024 and has an only slightly unfocused image.

Dell has comprehensive supplies as optional configuration features, as usual. BluRay drive or burner, backlit keyboard, up to 8 GB RAM, up to 500 GB hard disk memory and a FullHD display, just to name the most important ones. Support, warranty and service extensions can be added in a Dell-typical way.

The case of Dell’s Studio 1557 prototype at hand is equal to the forerunner model, Dell Studio 1555, and accordingly doesn’t have any novelties. The wedge-shaped straight design looks a bit massive but convinces with a solid quality and an extensive configuration. It’s still within a good field with a size of 372mm (w) x 39mm (h) x 252mm (d) and a test weight of 2.6 kg (4.8 lbs). even for current standards.

As already mentioned, the employed ATI HD 4570 suffers especially under the 64bit memory bus. The efficiency is enough for most of the tested games anyway, if you’re willing to take cutbacks in view of resolution and/or image display. You can also expect a somewhat better result in the native display resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels than what is shown in the 1280 x 1024 resolution applied in a few tests. Only Need for Speed Shift is to be viewed as marginal because even minimum graphic details at a minimum resolution of 800 x 600 in our tour through London caused sporadic jolts and the game only is fun for a short time.

The keyboard emits a somewhat louder key noise than usual, but isn’t yet annoying. The good keyboard layout with an also good contrast-strong lettering bans the original F-key in the Fn area and allows special functions to be called upon directly. This feature, for instance, only reached across the visible area on Dell’s Inspiron 11z, but didn’t change anything about the actual alignment. Otherwise, the stroke, stroke length and stability are well-suitable for frequent typists.

The Dell Studio 1557 has a solid multi-finger suitable touchpad with smooth touchpad keys and good response. The gliding traits are good and the sensory surface is limited by a slight depression towards the wrist rest. The multi-touch gestures include the usual array, such as zooming, scrolling, etc. and are simple to use.

The prototype has a smaller 56 WH Dell Studio 1555 battery that can be replaced by a bigger model with a capacity of 85 Wh during the order process. Dell currently takes a surcharge of 85 euro for it and is supposed to ensure a battery life extension of about 50%.

Despite strong components, the minimum power consumption stays agreeably in lower fields with a minimum of 18.5 watts and is to be ascribed in particular to the Intel Core i7-720QM CPU’s energy savings functions, aside from the LED display and ATI’s Powerplay. This has received the capability to both reduce the clock rate, as well as to simply disable whole cores at minor load. The power consumption without load increases to 20.9 watts in a balanced energy profile. At maximum performance, and still without load, it rises to 25.6 watts.

The power requirement rockets to an enormous 73.8 watts at medium load in high performance profile and all consumers enabled. The system turns up even more at maximum load and treats itself to 90.2 watts. This seems to be even too much for the adapter because it heats up to a too hot to touch 82.6°C in this condition.

As usual, the Studio 15 can be individualized according to taste and wallet size. Dell has a number of colors and designs to upgrade the display lid for a surcharge of 49 or 99 euro. If you don’t want to make such an investment, then you will receive the standard color, Black Chainlink (high-gloss black with a faint structure), as can be seen on our item on loan. The silver colored wrist rest has a fine line and circle structure and slightly breaks up the interior look.

The easily twisted display lid and the connecting display hinges of the latest Studio aren’t really convincing. They appear to be especially stable, but can’t reach the desired stiffness in the end. Whilst the lid fulfills it protective function well – merely pressure applied to the frame provokes image distortions – the hinges have difficulties keeping the screen stable especially on moving ground. This isn’t, of course, negative in stationary use as a desktop replacement and thus shouldn’t be cause for restrictions. The hinges replace a separate closing mechanism for the display and base unit in a closed state as a side job and are completely sufficient for an occasional transport. The Dell Studio 1558 battery integrated in the rear doesn’t sit quite as tight as known from other Dell notebooks, but shouldn’t lead to disadvantages in most application fields. The Studio 1557 has a stable stance even with a removed battery because the support feet are placed on the rear left and right corner independent of the Dell Studio 1535 battery.

The Dell Studio 1557 with Intel’s Core i7-720QM processor is interesting for everyone who needs a high measure of processor performance. Both one-core, as well as multi-core software benefit from the new processor generation. In view of this, the current price also seems to be very low in relation to performance, which is very attractive for the complete package at hand.

However, potential buyers should be aware that the emissions take their toll with a peeving soundscape within a short time and partly alarming temperatures moving in a marginal field.Above that, the basically good manufacturing quality Dell Studio 1537 battery suffers under the somewhat instable display lid and the not quite so tightly gripping hinges.The graphic performance is sufficient for occasional gamers with low demands and manages all other usual multimedia tasks more than sufficiently.The connectivity is exemplarily circumferential, but suffers again under a partly unpractical distribution.

Unfortunately, improvements on the used display, in comparison to the Studio 1555 reviewed last, couldn’t be established. Particularly, multimedia fans will be upset about pallid colors and low contrast values. The effects of the reflective surfaces can be reduced indoors but prevent an intended outdoor usage.