Dell Studio 17 - A Good Deal?

[jp_bl_68]

Currently considering the £629 Dell Studio 17:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40Ghz, 3MB, 1066MHz)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 - English
17.0" Widescreen WXGA+ CCFL (1440x900) TFT Display with TrueLife™
4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]
2.0 Mega pixel Integrated Web Camera - CCFL
320GB (5.400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
256MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3650
Fixed Internal DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive including Software
Primary 6-cell 56 WHr Lithium Ion battery
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module
Intel WiFi Link 5100 (802.11 a/b/g/n 1X2) 1/2 MiniCard


I've just spoken to someone who told me that this isn't great value for money, what do you think?

I'm looking to get a new laptop, something reliable that'll last (current laptop's 5 years old), mostly for the internet, movies and some light gaming. Not really sure what to go for but I thought this one looked good, not too sure anymore.

 

[jp_bl_68]

Sorry to hear you've had so many problems. I've never had a Dell before but the ones I've seen always look a little bit cheap. I'm tempted to spend a little more on a HP but I've heard some of them have overheating problems (which my current Pavilion also suffers from).

The battery life doesn't bother me as it'll almost always be connected to the mains. I've got a media panel on my current laptop that has never been used so I'm not sure that'll be an issue either.

Could the wireless problems be with your router rather than your wifi card?

The audio problems you've had are worrying but I would imagine this is an isolated event, perhaps they sent you a dud.

Since getting your Studio 15 have you looked at other laptops to replace it?

 

[jp_bl_68]

Hmm I was about to order a Studio 15. Reading the above posts is quite scary actually. I think I will still go through with it though and if there are problems then I can just keep returning it and getting a replacement or repair.

I was thinking the same thing. I assume that laptops bought from the outlet can be repaired under warranty but what happens if they're beyond repair? Wiii Dell still replace it?