Now, it’s important to note that the Dell Studio 17 does not support Intel Centrino 2. However, it is still a solid laptop as it has a 17-inch screen, comes in a multitude of colors – black, grey, blue, green, pink, orange, purple and red.

Ok, so now you know the Dell Studio 17 does not come with Intel Centrino 2. Is that a problem? I’d say no. Think about what Intel Centrino 2 processor technology offers. It touted to give blazing performance, amazing battery life, as well as up to 2X greater range and up to 5X better wireless performance.

But to be honest with you, I think some of these features are just marketing hype. You do not really need an Intel Centrino 2 platform on your laptop. I’ve used my existing non Centrino laptop for ages and it has worked fine.

Given the form and function of the Dell Studio 17, I’d say it functions as a great laptop in and of itself. It has a beautiful design, and has a solid selection of available configurations. It also has reasonable battery life, a great keyboard and a very good value for the price.

You also will be glad that the price point on the Dell Studio 17 is ideal – it starts at $799. Given the components you get in it, this is an amazing price. You get components such as an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of RAM, upwards of 320GB of HDD space, as well as the rest of the works –8-in-1 multicard reader, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth, gigabit Ethernet, an optional Blu-ray drive and the usual assortment of ports.

If you need constant broad access, you can also opt for a Sprint / Verizon WWAN car. The battery life is good, with an optional 9-cell battery if the standard 6-cell does not give you the life you need.

On the whole, although the Dell Studio 17 does not support Intel Centrino 2, I find that it is still a great laptop. So if the lack of Intel Centrino 2 support is holding you back from purchasing the Dell Studio 17, don’t be too concerned.