Even though I champion Dell as the best go-to company for most consumers wanting a computer from a well-established company, my single largest complaint about them is the constant shifting of model names; it confuses the crap out of people.

Classic example: Inspiron. This should have never been made a desktop model name. Inspiron was known by everyone as “Oh, okay. That’s a laptop model.” Surprise! Not anymore! Now it’s a desktop and and laptop model name (groan…) Dell, seriously.. you gotta stop doing that.

So anyway, Dell now has a new laptop model called the Studio. You can see it now @ dell.com. I think ZDnet pretty much nailed it when they said “…offers a good mix of features for the price, but we’d be tempted to save up a few extra dollars for a thinner, lighter XPS.”

Yes, exactly. This model seems to have been shoved into the mix because… I don’t know. The 15-inch model is 6 frickin’ pounds (for a modern laptop that’s too heavy). and the processors used are nearing the end of their generation (tip: wait until September for the faster Centrino 2’s).

The Studio series is “cool” looking but it’s a mystery why Dell had to introduce yet another model into the mix. If this is the model destined to phase out Inspirons then I can understand that. But if it sticks around it makes no sense.

I’d pass on this one. If you were looking to buy a new Dell laptop, stick with the Inspiron or XPS models for the time being until Studio gets some more horsepower under the hood and goes on a diet.