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The 15in and 17in notebooks are available in seven bright colours, and customers can opt for "Permanent Pictaflex" artwork by artist Mike Ming to be applied to the wrist-rest.

Both versions use Intel Core 2 Duo processors and can be specified with up to 4GB of RAM and a 320GB hard disk. Optional extras include LED screen back-lighting, a Blu-ray optical drive and a long-life 9 cell battery.

However, the notebooks are far from light. Figures from Dell claim a starting weight of 2.77kg for the 15in version, which rises to a shoulder-straining 3.57kg for the 17in version.

Studio notebooks are available from today on Dell's website, with the 15in version starting at £379 and the 17in beginning from £469, both including VAT and delivery.

As well as the announced notebooks, rumours are circulating online today of a new Studio Hybrid desktop version that could rival the Eee Box. The machine is expected to use Intel's Atom processor, but feature up to 4GB of RAM.