Dell Studio XPS 16 is most powerful laptop

            Currently the most powerful laptop offered by Dell short of an Alienware, the Dell Studio XPS 16 is a sleek, performance-class machine. Recently, Dell refreshed the machine, adding Intel's new Core i-series processors and a more powerful ATI graphics card. However, depending on the selected options, it can also bear a hefty price tag.
Dell Home Systems$949.99

See all pricing for the Dell Studio XPS 16 (320GB HDD, 4GB)

Specifications:

• Obsidian Black
• 16" 1080p (1920x1080) RGBLED screen w/webcam
• Intel Core i7 720QM (1.6GHz/2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Intel Smart Cache)
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-bit
• ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4670, 1GB
• 6GB DDR3, 1333MHz (4GB + 2GB)
• 500GB 7200RPM hard drive with freefall sensor (Seagate Momentus 7200.4/ST9500420ASG)
• Intel Wireless WiFi Link 5300AGN
• Slot-loading Blu-ray Rewritable drive
• 9-cell Li-ion battery (85Whr)
• Weight: 6.3 lbs (as listed on Dell website)
• Dimensions: 15.15" (W) x 10.02" (D) x 0.95"/1.34" (front/back H)
• MSRP: $2,124

                              The Studio XPS 16 starts at $949 for a base, 15.6" model. Unfortunately, getting the 16" RGDLED screen is a bit tricky lately, since many configurations do not seem to offer it. The other available 1080p screen is the 15.6" WLED LCD.

Build and Design:The Dell Studio XPS 16 is a study in contrasts: sleek but large, and stylish, but bulky. The silver trim and black gloss paint make it classy without being garish in the least. Unfortunately, since the finish is high gloss, it attracts fingerprints like crazy. In addition, oil from your hands (and anything else on them) rubs off on the finish and is transferred to the screen when you close it

             The build is mostly plastic (even the metallic-looking trim), but it is reasonably robust. It creaks a bit if you grab it by the sides, but it doesn't feel like it will fall apart. Some of the trim near the screen doesn't line up perfectly, and tends to put a tiny scratch at the very bottom of the screen (hard to see unless you really look for it). The hinges are quite strong, and the screen takes a bit of effort to open. Ripples show up on the screen if moderate to heavy pressure is applied to the lid, a consequence of having such a large screen. Being a 16" machine, the Studio XPS 16 has a bit of heft, necessitating the use of two hands to carry it.

Screen :This is quite simply the best screen I have ever seen, and it has spoiled me horribly. The native resolution is 1920 x 1080 (1080p, full HD) Color saturation is extremely high (maybe a bit too high, particularly for the reds), and the contrast is excellent. While the backlighting is ridiculously bright, it has the upside of keeping the screen usable even under bright indoor lighting.

Keyboard and Touchpad:The keys are fairly flat, with a ridged shape. This permits the keys to be spaced very closely together while keeping your fingers sufficiently spaced apart. The keys have a fairly short throw and are fairly quiet unless you strike them with a fair amount of force. Pressing very firmly on the keyboard yields no discernable flex. The Studio XPS 16 lacks a numpad (unlike my E1505, it is not even embedded in the middle of the keyboard and activated by the FN key), and the Home, PgDn, PgUp, End keys are positioned just to the right of the backspace and enter keys. A nice bonus is the backlighting, which has three settings (high, low, and off).

                   The Studio XPS 16 sports touch-activated media controls above the keyboard. Their white backlighting remains on regardless of the keyboard backlighting settings, but I found it tasteful. One nitpick is that I often hit the 'eject' button by mistake when attempting to press 'Delete.' The touchpad is almost completely smooth, with just a tiny bit of texture. The buttons require very little force to press, but are recessed enough to prevent accidental clicking. Like the keyboard, they make little noise when pressed.