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Dell finally reveals heavily leaked Studio laptop line

Two new Dell models --the Studio 15 and Studio 17.

Dan Ackerman Editorial Director / Computers and Gaming
Dan Ackerman leads CNET's coverage of computers and gaming hardware. A New York native and former radio DJ, he's also a regular TV talking head and the author of "The Tetris Effect" (Hachette/PublicAffairs), a non-fiction gaming and business history book that has earned rave reviews from the New York Times, Fortune, LA Review of Books, and many other publications. "Upends the standard Silicon Valley, Steve Jobs/Mark Zuckerberg technology-creation myth... the story shines." -- The New York Times
Expertise I've been testing and reviewing computer and gaming hardware for over 20 years, covering every console launch since the Dreamcast and every MacBook...ever. Credentials
  • Author of the award-winning, NY Times-reviewed nonfiction book The Tetris Effect; Longtime consumer technology expert for CBS Mornings
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Dan Ackerman
2 min read

It sure is hard to keep a secret in this industry. After leaks, leaks, and more leaks, Dell has officially announced the new Studio line of laptops, sitting somewhere between the budget Inspiron line and high-end XPS line.

The Studio and XPS hinges compared.

The two new models are the Studio 15 and Studio 17, which as you might expect, are 15- and 17-inch laptops. They have a tapered design and big side hinge that is similar to the XPS M1530, although the Studio models curve the screen down at a sharper angle, while the XPS has a more rounded look.

You do give up the brushed metal look of the XPS M1530 for plastic, but, according to Dell, personalization is a big part of the Studio experience, and these systems are available with a variety of colors and lid imprint patterns, including trim colors for the sides of the lid. Also available are a series of optional color-coordinated accessories and peripherals, including backpacks, slipcovers, mice, and ear buds.

The different color and spine options. Dell

Dell's vice president of consumer sales and marketing, Michael Tatelman, said in a news release, "These products are built for today's digital nomad based on the millions of conversations we have every year on dell.com, Ideastorm and community forums. With Dell Studio we're answering the call for personalization, connectivity and simplicity." Part of that simplicity includes a software application, the Dell Dock, which, much like Apple's software dock, places commonly used application on a bar right on the desktop.

The Dell Studio 15 and 17 are available starting today from $799 and $999 respectively, and available upgrades include Blu-ray drives and mobile broadband from Verizon and Sprint.

Check out our review and video of the Dell Studio 15 here.