Dell Studio 14z: Thin and Light Done Right
by Jarred Walton on October 20, 2009 3:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
Dell Studio 14z Gaming and Graphics Performance
One of the biggest drawbacks about entry-level Intel-based notebooks these days is undoubtedly the inferior integrated graphics. Let's be clear: if you don't care about gaming performance, this really isn't a problem; the GMA 4500MHD can handle video decoding and general Windows use without difficulty. Still, Intel IGPs leave a lot to be desired. The solution for now? Why not try and NVIDIA chipset -- like Apple did with the latest MacBook offerings. Of course, this is only a temporary solution, since the latest Core i5/i7 processors will require QPI chipsets, and Intel isn't licensing that technology right now. Hopefully the next-generation Intel IGP will perform better and have the driver support necessary in order to make this a non-issue, but as you can see below the AMD/ATI and NVIDIA IGPs are clearly superior.
We mentioned in the MSI X610 review that their choice of a discrete GPU with an underpowered single-core CPU ended up resulting in lackluster gaming performance. As 3DMark shows, the HD 4330 certainly has potential, but the MV-40 CPU can't provide enough oomph. The Studio 14z takes a different route: Dell provides a CPU that is plenty fast and pairs it with a reasonably fast IGP. The 9400M combined with an Intel processor puts AMD's mobile platform to shame, delivering on average 60% better frame rates in our tested gaming solutions. Of course, the elephant in the corner is that even the best IGP still struggles to run modern games at minimum detail settings and native LCD resolutions. The 9400M does manage to offer about the same performance at 1366x768 as the HD 3200 at 800x600, with all of the settings at minimum, but you would still need something faster if you wanted to play Mass Effect or Dark Athena.
Focusing on the Studio 14z, when we change to native resolution many games remain playable, but five of the titles deliver frame rates that are not acceptable. Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty: World at War, Dark Athena, FEAR 2: Project Origin, and Race Driver: GRID (along with Mass Effect) need more graphics power, and Crysis and Far Cry 2 are right on the bubble. Take that one step more and set detail settings to medium (instead of minimum) and we find that the 9400M falls flat in every title, with the exception of Fallout 3. Also interesting to note is that the only time where the MSI X610 is faster than the Studio 14z is in FEAR 2, so we would recommend a dual-core 2 GHz processor as the minimum for any "gaming" laptop.
If you're only interested in "casual" games like the Sims or Spore, the 14z won't have any difficulty at all. Even medium detail settings at 1366x768 deliver acceptable performance in such titles.
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JimmyJimmington - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
I've owned this since this summer and it's a fantastic little laptop.I was considering going with an atom or ion netbook until I saw this thing. I upgraded to P8600, 8 cell battery, higher res screen, backlit keyboard, 7200 rpm hd, and a bunch of other bells and whistles. Total came out to ~$960 after student discount. (Take that Apple!)
Lack of optical drive doesn't bother me since I haven't used an optical drive in several years. Even if I did, I have my desktop at home. I take this baby to class.
Weight is the best advantage at 4.6 lbs. with the upgraded battery. The adapter is very light as well (didn't bother weighing it, sorry) which helps for carrying it with textbooks.
I don't understand the complaints about aesthetics, I just got black because it was cheaper. Sorry I'm doing work, not staring at the thing.
It's fairly thin, which is nice. What a lot of reviewers fail to mention is that there's a big trade off between thinness and heat. My girl friends MacBook Pro (not the new unibody, haven't tried those) sends all of the heat downwards. You wouldn't want to put that laptop on your lap. The bottom of the 14z never gets more than warm. CPU is at ~40 degrees as I type.
I never really understood the appeal of "ultrathin" laptops. Light weight is the only thing that matters to me.
I don't know about the low-res screen, but the high-res screen is fantastic. Even better than my very expensive desktop LG lcd when I compared side by side.
Track pad was a little funky until I upgraded to Windows 7 and got the new drivers from Dell's website. I will also say that some computers have problems with inexplicably slow network transfer rates on Windows 7, that doesn't happen on the 14z.
Linux was usable, but didn't like it very much if anyone is interested in that kind of thing.
I never got CoreAVC Pro working, but that doesn't really matter to me. I just used the default HD video decoder in MPC-HC. I suspect it had something to do with the fact that only the video drivers available from Dell worked, the one's on Nvidia's website didn't work. On a related note, I was having some trouble getting dxva working at all in the 64-bit windows 7, telling me direct x run time wouldn't start and it couldn't be installed. Had to reinstall with 32-bit and it went away.
I have aspirations of upgrading to a SSD at some point in the future, so it was a little disappointing to read that hd replacement might be difficult. Not a huge deal since the 7200 rpm is perfectly adequate.
Overall, if you don't care about an optical drive, this is the laptop to get. I would gladly sacrifice that for the weight, and thinness advantages.
Hxx - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
Why don't they include the optical drive? Is it because of its weight, cost, or what? I find this ridiculous since an optical drive is just as necessary as a keyboard. Since I was thinkin about gettin one for school, not everything i need comes on a flashdrive. I find the lack of optical a deal breaker for me.andrewaggb - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
Really? I almost never use an optical drive, I have a usb dvd burner that I use to backup my dvd's, and then I never use the optical formats. I find them too prone to damage, too annoying to swap in and out, they take up too much space, and optical drives are noisy....But that's me. Obviously everybody uses their computer differently. Still if you only occasionally need an optical drive, you could get an external usb drive that you can leave at home.
Hxx - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
I completely agree with you about optical drives being inferior to usbs but they are still very much in use. Once they are ditched out of mainstream use then we're talkin. Gettin an external optical drive would defeat the purpose of buyin a laptop with one in the first place. Blah, maybe i'll just go with the new macbook even though i hate the idea of gettin featureless windows with overpriced hardware, i'll get used to it ... eventually.mindless1 - Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - link
Well they are inferior, but I can accept software is far more often distributed on optical media than USB flash.The real question is, how often do you REALLY need to real an optical disk in a mobile environment, right then instead of later?
I would much rather have the notebook price lowered, save on weight and size, and have a USB optical drive at home or the desk at work.
To most people it does not defeat any purpose, the purpose of a laptop being it's mobility and let's face it, optical media is not tailored to mobility at all.
However, I like having more battery capacity/runtime than many people seem to, so I have a compromise proposal similar to how many laptops used to be made. I propose a slot that can take either an optical drive, 2nd hard drive, or a 2nd battery, that slot having an included cover plate if the user wants none of these in the slot.
Even cooler would be if the slot had more purposes, for example to fit a bluetooth mouse of reasonable proportions, or if the AC-DC adapter fit in the slot so the only thing external you needed for basic use was a power cord with a plug on the end that plugs into that AC-DC adapter in the slot, or perhaps it had a retractable cord so you had nothing at all external to carry with you.
I would easily accept a slightly larger notebook if it meant less loose separate items to take with it, it's just that of all possible separate items, the optical drive is the least likely to be needed.
gstrickler - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
...a Windows laptop that is competitive with the MacBook. It's not a MB, but it's close, and it's not from Apple, and a lot of people will consider that an advantage. However, those same people generally aren't big fans of Dell or HP either, so.......a Windows laptop with a decent combination of performance, battery life, and weight. As noted, no where near the 6.5 hours Dell claims, but perhaps with the low end CPU (lower clock speed and slower FSB), no backlit keyboard, and Windows 7, it might hit that at idle. Still, it got 3+ hours in all your tests, and that's where I set the minimum baseline for a machine that is intended to be mobile. 9400M G, C2D, and under 5 pounds with the 8 cell battery.
...a laptop with decent gaming performance that can run for 2+ hours when gaming. Resolution and detail may have to be stepped down, but those frame rates and resolutions are definitely playable.
Regarding the display. I haven't seen it, but based upon your review, looks like it's got two main issues: It's glossy, some consider that an advantage, I don't. The black level is pretty high (resulting in a poor contrast ratio). That's really only an issue when using it in low light situations, so it's an issue, but probably not a killer one. Max brightness, gamut, color accuracy, etc. are all good.
The single SO-DIMM slot and difficult HD access are tolerable, but definitely limitations. 3GB is enough for most users, 5GB covers almost everyone, but it would be nice to have 8GB as an option.
With the P8600, 5GB RAM, an SSD, 1600x900 display, and the backlit keyboard, it sounds like a nice machine. But, at that point, you're getting really close the price of a MacBook Pro.
The0ne - Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - link
Anything beyond 4Gig on laptop will cost and arm and leg. Let me rephrase that. It will cost an arm and leg if you are purchasing 4GB dimms :D I would love to have 8Gig on my laptop but I cannot justify the hundreds of dollars for an extra 4gig that will benefit me little.gstrickler - Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - link
But prices on 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMMs are coming down, and will continue to do so, it would be nice to have the option when prices aren't outrageous.Guntherman - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
I ordered mine with the 1600x900 and couldn't be happier with the screen. I do think it is a higher quality than the "720p" one.Also, I changed my color from black to blue. The blue has a matte finish which, is very nice. I believe it was a $40 upgrade but, well worth it.
Overall, I am very pleased with this notebook and I have Windows 7 Pro on it and it runs great! It's also nice to watch Hulu and other HD content via HDMI on my HDTV.
fokka - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
im very interested in this laptop and cant wait till it arives in europe. dell is always a little slow with that.imho the most attractive features of this laptop are the cheap keyboard backlight (25$), the hdmi-out in compination with the 9400m and the 1600x900 screen. also the speakers should be quite good in comparison to the competition and for those who need a cardreader, there is an expresscard-option for 25$, too iirc.
after reading your article, the biggest turn-offs are the battery life, which i think is poor for a 70+wh battery and the poor contrast ratio.
also i would like to see some metal-cases from dell, but i think in the budget-sector this will remain a dream.
i now own a dell vostro 1310 and the resolution, grafics, hdmi and speakers would be a welcome upgrade for me, but with only 4 hours of runtime i dont think the 14z will cut it for me. also im dieing for higher contrast and better colours and looking at your measurements i doubt this one will deliver.
i think the best option for me is the 13" macbook pro, although it still is very expensive.
however, keep up the good work!
thanks!