Dell Studio 17 Laptop Computer

Good laptop with one major flaw

By Didi D  Apr 29, 2009

Pros: graphics, sound, options

Cons: keyboard

I was so excited to get this laptop, and I have been pleased for the most part. The graphics is better than my TV and the sound is clear and loud enough that I can crank it up loud enough for people in the next room to hear. I have been pleased with ...the performace of this x64 system, and have had very few problems with drivers. I thought I would love its keyboard, large enough for a 10-key on the side. I can't decide if the problem is the placement of the touchpad, or if it is simply the fact that the keyboard starts 3" in from the edge. It is very challenging to use this as a laptop. I type and the screen changes magnification in mid-type. I turned the feature off and it still happens. I continue typing and accidentally hit ctrl instead of shift and all kinds of weirdness happens. I frequently lose my writing on web pages, because the page clears or goes to a previous page or goes forward to blank. As I type this, I stop and copy it all every few moments to ensure I won't have to start over from scratch. The star review options did not have any place to really make it clear, but I HATE this keyboard. I plan on purchasing an external and will use that instead of the native one. If you plan on using this as a desktop replacement with a dock or external keyboard, I think you will love it. If you want to use it as a laptop, I can only hope that you adjust to this keyboard easier than I do. I will not be recommending this machine to anyone else. Read more Less