Dell Studio 15 notebook: too sexy for your work

Exactly why computer makers tend to make plain, boxy, black computers for the business user and offer sexy and sleek machines for the consumer is open for interpretation. One could surmise that the business user wants to look more professional.

Anyone who has worked in an office where a laptop was provided by the company can tell you it's because the person ordering the notebooks wants the computer to be as utilitarian as a toilet bowl. That person wants you to have the ugliest business notebook they can find that only barely does what you want. After all, if you are happy, they spent too much.

At least when it comes time to buy your own laptop you can opt for a colorful machine that suits your personality a bit better. Dell certainly makes some of the aforementioned ugly business class notebooks, and it makes some rather sexy consumer machines like the new Studio 15 unveiled this week in the US. The machine can be had in several colors including black chainlink, red, blue, purple, green, and pink.



_{Above: Dell Studio 15 -- Too Sexy for Your Work}

In addition to bright colors, the machine has a 15.6-inch screen that supports 720p high definition video but can be optioned up to full 1920x1200 high definition resolution with LED backlit for better color reproduction and battery life. Dell supplies integrated Wi-Fi in the machine, but Bluetooth and HSDPA mobile internet are optional.

Connectivity options are covered well with a memory card reader, dual USB ports, and a single eSATA port. The machine can be optioned with a slot-loading Blu-ray player and HDMI out is built-in for connecting to your big screen.

If you tend to work in dark environments, the keyboard has an option for backlighting. The machine can also be fitted with a 5.1 channel audio system and a 3-watt subwoofer. In the US, pricing for the machine starts at $US649 ($AU920). You can see the specs and new designs at the US Dell site.

The Australian Dell site is still showing the previous generation Studio 15 machines which start from $1249 (with the current $50 off offer) and only come with a 1280x800 display, however the new Studio 15 design is also available, starting from $1648.50 (with the current $150 off offer, though you have to add $49.50 to get any of the new colours).

Old designs:


New designs:



Obviously the wacky original designs were a bit too avant-guard for us Aussie consumers. In the US, Dell now offers 100 more custom designs with Dell Design Studio, printed and infused into the plastic of the lid for durability. It can surely only be a matter of time before laptop lids can be printed with a user's supplied image, just how credit cards can be now. Unfortunately Australians aren't yet allowed to order them.