Advice Purchasing a Dell XPS M1530

Hello NBR community. This is my first post in these forums.

I am planning on purchasing a Dell XPS M1530 Thursday morning, as I already have my quote ready. I was wondering if you guys could go over my specs to make sure everything seems right. Should I keep the 64 bit system I have or go down to a 32 bit? Pros/Cons? Add/Remove specs?

Also, I was wondering if I can could combine EPP discounts. I am already using one for Employee Payment Program and was wondering if I could combine a Education Payment Program as my university has a 7% discount to all laptops.

Specs:

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista with SP1 Home Premium Edition 64-bit Edition
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800MHzFSB, 3M L2 Cache)
Memory: 4GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm, for XPS M1530 (311-7823)
Monitor: 15.4 inch Wide Screen WXGA+ TrueLife LED LCD with Camera
Video Card: 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
Hard Drive: 500G 5400RPM Samsung Hard Drive
Wireless Card: Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card

 

You may have some driver issues with the 64 bit. Otherwise your computer is plenty powerful. Be careful about your gpu though. It gets hot like hell. An alternative to your laptop would be the dell studio xps 1640 but if this m1530 is done according to your budget, this is a pretty good laptop except that you need to buy that additional warranty. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the reply Luke. So the Studio XPS 16 is a higher end/better laptop than the M1530? Any more information on it in relation to the M1530 would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

My issue with the M1530 is that it is a bit long in the tooth now. The Studio XPS 16 has much newer components and is around the same price.

 

I have the 1530, have had it for well over a year now. I am one of the lucky peep's that hasn't had any of the GPU prob's (I have the 8600)..no heating probs whatsoever.

I still consider the 1530 to be a high end lappy. I think is it sexy and sleek as as all *get out*!

Peoples opinions will always vary on everything. That being said, I also like the looks of the SXPS 1340 & 1640!

My 1530 has 32 bit...you can get it with 32 bit..try it..and if you want e-mail or call Dell and request the 64 bit CD..They will send it to you at no cost.

On the EPP, usually you can only use one or the other, thru your Employer EPP discount, or your schools applicable EPP discount. Whatever one will give you the most % off. Don't forget if you use the DPA you will also get the addl 4%. And, sometimes, with EPP..if you add any type of warranty..it will increase your discount %. Well, at least mine does!

Your specs are not to bad...what you need to do is keep a few config's saved in your cart and when you speak with your EPP Rep have them handy so that he/she can..match or beat those that you have configured already!

Cin

 

It depends on who you talk to, I guess. I had to haggle with my customer service rep for a good 20 minutes before she agreed to send me a 64-bit Vista disk when I bought my Studio 15 with 32-bit.

I recommend you just get the 64-bit disk. If you decide you want 32-bit, I will personally mail you my old 32-bit disk and pay for postage.

I agree. It does look pretty nice, but the one thing I would change is the hard drive. Instead of 500GB 5400RPM, try and find something a bit smaller (maybe 320GB, it's still plenty, trust me) at 7200RPM, perhaps with a free-fall sensor to prevent damage to your hard drive if you drop the notebook.

 

Hey Cin, thanks for the input. Do you think I could do it the other way around and order a 64 bit and request a 32 bit later? Why should I consider doing a 32 bit over a 64 bit? I am a novice when it comes to the two OS. Also what is a GPU and how may I fix this "problem"? (What is the problem?)

 

Yes, I think if you order the 64 bit and request the 32 bit later they would send it to you..I just didn't know if would benefit any cost savings do it it with the 32 bit.

The 1530's suffered a faulty GPU Video Card made by Nvidia...Here is a link
w/some information: http://www.geek.com/articles/news/ten-dell-laptops-suffer-nvidia-gpu-problems-20080729/

If you were to do a Search on the forum here regarding this, you would bring up a Ton of information Dell has extended a 1 year warranty on the Models containing the Nvidia GPU's due to this issue. The one you are looking at purchasing, would cover it.

Here is information on what is Dell is doing to warranty the additonal year of coverage for the GPU issue:
http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/...ate-limited-warranty-enhancement-details.aspx


Cin

 

Thanks Cin! I thinkg I am going to try and get a Studio 16 now. I will be back shortly with the specs I am considering. I really appreciate all this help.

 

32-bit has been the standard up to the last couple of years. The biggest problem with 32-bit Windows is the lack of support for more RAM. Vista 32-bit will only see 3.4GB or so of RAM, no matter how much you have physically installed. 64-bit versions can see much, much more than that. I don't remember the exact number, but it's definitely unrealistically high.

64-bit is excellent. It sometimes has issues with drivers for older hardware, and it's not compatible with really old 16-bit applications, but it's just the direction computers are going. It's absolutely necessary if you want 4GB or more of RAM, and more and more applications are being natively coded in 64-bit these days.

I would get the 64-bit disk for now. If you don't like it or it's somehow incompatible with something, then talk to Dell and get them to send you a 32-bit disk. And if they don't cooperate, I fully stand by my promise to send you one of my 32-bit disks.

 

I lost my connection with a Dell Agent, I will have to post tomorrow concerning the specs.

Thank man, I appreciate the offer. If needed, I will surely PM you.

 

No prob's let us know how it works Remember, the EPP Reps are supposed to *match and/or beat* Dell home pricing

If they want a sale, they are usually willing to work with you!


Cin

 

Hey everybody, great news: I found a Dell rep to talk with and we built a Studio XPS 16 together.

Is this a good deal and a fast computer for a university student?

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8700(2.53GHz/1066Mhz FSB/3M L2 Cache)
Memory: 4GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz 2 Dimm
Display: 16.0 inch Wide Screen 16:9 720p HD WLED LCD, W/2.0 MP, XPS 1640
Video Card: ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3670 - 512MB
Hard Drive: 500GB 7200RPM Free Fall SensorSeagate Hard Drive
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista with SP1 Home Premium Edition 64-bit Edition English
Optical Drive: 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive for XPS1640
Wireless Card: Intel WiFi Link 5300 802.11AGN Half Mini Card
Sound Card: Integrated High Definition Audio 2.0
Security: NEED HELP CHOOSING: either A) McAfee Security 9.0, 3-Year Subscription or B) Norton Internet Security 2008 15 Month Subscription.
Battery: 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion P Primary Battery
Office Software: Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition

They also included two additional items for free:
V220 Midnight Blue Cordless Optical USB Mouse
*****$150 Dell Promo Gift Card***** Any recommendations as to what I should use this gift card on? Add more memory or what?

All for around $1,440.32

Has anybody else heard of Dell not supplying customers with the software for the webcam? I heard you have to request it...not entirely sure...

 

Cin: I don't exactly understand what you mean by Dell home pricing? What is that?

I have been speaking will Dell reps and I tell them to add on the EPP discount and they do so...am I doing something wrong/could I be doing something smarter?

 

That looks like a pretty good configuration to me. Is that promo card only good for accessories? If then, maybe get a case for it. The laptop will come with Dell's Webcam Central software installed by default. Also, anti-virus wise I personally just stick with Ad-aware and Avast. Those two in conjunction have worked very well without costing me a penny.

 

Thanks for the input Theros. I am getting the 15 month Norton because it comes free with the computer. Then once I go to school in the fall, my university offers free Norton Security so I will use that. The promo card, I believe, is good for anything. You are right, I do need a case...

 

I would avoid Norton at all costs, but that's really just personal preference. I would much rather have a good free AV like avast!, or AVG.

 

I have heard numerous complaints about Norton too. On my desktop I roll with Bitdefender, and I love it.

 

Or, simply try..Avira AV...that's a FTW for me
And, I also run Windows Defender, and SuperAntiSpyware..and I'm good to go!

It always a personal choice, though!


Cin

 

Dell's EPP site is a separate site from the main Dell Home site (for regular Dell Customers), and that is what I refer to when I say Dell Home pricing: www.dell.com.

Also, when you receive that gift card..you may want to think about investing in a 9 cell battery, perhaps? Or, a case? Sleeve? Portable HD?

Cin

 

That sounds really good. However(this is just me and my prefeance, you may prefer what you got) but I would try to see if instead of the $150 giftcard, if they could give you the rgbled screen and Blu-ray instead.

 

UPDATE: I have ordered the Studio XPS 16, excepted ship date is 05/05/09!

 

Congrat's! to you! I'm sure you will be very happy!

And, hopefully it will ship before the ESD of 5/5/09 for you!


Cin

 

Thanks! I truly appreciate your help and advice Cin, you have been instrumental in my first laptop purchase.

I will probably make a new thread in the next several days figuring out how to spend $150 of credit on a gift card. I know I need a case, but I am sure I will have left over money.

 

Aww..no problem! I am glad your are getting a laptop that will work for you!

Ohh..you will be creating an Accessories thread ~ nice! I have a few ideas of what you can spend that left over money with, on!

I look forward to seeing that thread!

Belkin makes good Neoprene cases~!

Cin

 

Hey man, congrats on your purchase!

as for your "extra" gift card, i got the zalman NC 1000 laptop cooler from dell's site, and i would recommend the HABU gaming mouse from microsoft, since its simply awesome and accurate as hell ( you will feel your computer a lot more snappy if you get an accurate USB mouse, trust me ) and some headphones or earplugs (i only had 70 usd on mine so the cooler is the only one i got from dell )

best of luck!

 

Thanks for the suggestion Koer! I agree a laptop cooler is a wise investment; however, I need to get a laptop case and a printer first...

 

oh, so i recommend the belkin sling bag : http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Carrying_Cases/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=A1157866

i bought it and its a very nice laptop bag, not much space for much more than the laptop, and extra battery, some cd's, and charger, and maybe even a thick book if your into reading, its light and wont hurt your back, and small enough to travel comfortably

as for the printer, i really dont know, since mine came with my sister's hp laptop, but i recommend you look more for a brand that sells ink in your area, because it can be troublesome to get those sometimes..

 

I purchased the m1530 last Nov. with pretty much the same specs and am very happy with the unit. I would strongly suggest you look into the DELL OUTLET, I picked up a "Scratched and dent" for $719.00. A savings of over $700.00. There are two very small, what appear to be scratches on the black cover, which in reality is paint from the grey edges. Otherwise the laptop is new and clean. (Any cosmetic imperfection, and it can't be sold as new.)
Installed XP PRO in a dual boot configuration without a hitch thanks to all the invaluable tutorials and links on NBR and am very pleased with the results. One of the best kept secrets is going refurb or scratch and dent as opposed to buying "new".... the warranty is the same, and as in my case, you can really get a "bang" for your buck. More than half the price of "new".