Dell launches notebooks with lower prices but higher resolution

Dell first launched the Studio 15 at a New York City press event last June, at a $799 beginning price tag. Now, newly updated models are available starting at $649.

In stepping up resolution on the laptops from XGA+ and UXGA to High Definition (720p / 920p / 1080p), Dell has also grown the screen size a tad, from 15.4 to 15.6-inches. The LCD panel also includes a 2 megapixel built-in camera, according to Anne Camden, a Dell spokesperson.

On its Web site, Dell is marketing the latest models in "Good," "Better," and "Best" configurations, although a lot of additional customizations are also offered there, including Windows XP and Bluetooth options, for example.

All three of the advertised configurations come standard with Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 processors, Wi-Fi cards, 720p hi-def video, 8X Slot Load Super Multi Drives, 6-cell lithium ion batteries, high-definition Audio, and a one-year limited warranty and mail-in service for hardware support.

But the "Good" and "Better" configs ship use a Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini-Card for Wi-Fi and an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator for graphics. The "Best" config -- priced from $949 -- throws in an Intel Wi-Fi card and 256 MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 graphics card.

With a $649 start price, the Good config offers a 250 GB SATA hard drive and 3 GB 8000 MHz shared dual channel DDR2 memory. The two higher-end configs, on the other hand, come with 350 GB SATA hard drives and 4 GB of DDR2 memory, along with in-home service and remote diagnosis.

For a limited time, however, Dell is offering a $148 instant rebate on the Better config, which is ordinarily priced at $799. This means that, essentially, users can get the larger hard drive, extra 1 GB of memory, and additional hardware support services for free.

In another offer, users can get a $224 instant rebate plus a $100 gift card on purchases of the Best config.

Dell is now selling the Studio 15 in a choice of six colors: Black Chainlink, Midnight Blue, Ruby Red, Promise, Plum Purple, and Spring Green, Camden said. According to Dell's Web site, the blue and black flavors carry no extra charge.