Decided on XPS M1530

Okay, so I’ve decided to get an M1530. I configured the system below for $1,399.

I had a couple quick questions about some of my options.

There are two options for wireless cards. They both cost no extra money.

Does it matter which one I pick? Is one 'better?'

Second I was thinking of either taking the processor down to a Core 2 Duo T5550 1.83GHz or downgrading to 2gb of ram. That would save me some money I could maybe use to get a larger hard drive. I was leaning more towards downgrading the processor. I figured more ram would be better with it running Vista and all. Would I be able to tell the difference between the T7250 and T5550 processors? Should I suck it up and pay for the upgrade?

It's going to be used mostly for gaming when I'm not at home. But it will probably see some use out of Photoshop, Office, and maybe some other stuff since it will pretty much be better than my desktop. I really only play WoW right now which isn't very demanding but I'd like it to be able to play current games (not at the best settings, but just play them). Anyway, thanks in advance for any insight any of you might be able to give me.

 

downgrade to 1 Gb of ram, then buy ram from newegg, you can get 4 Gb for like 80 bucks.

i would go with the intel card.

 

Definately downgrade the RAM!!!! You can buy ram at a store dirt cheap compared to what dell wants for it. As for the wireless card i dont know. I got Intel Next Gen Wireless card (it works on 2.4 and 5GHz routers) you want the best processor.

I got 2.4GHZ Dual Core and 250gb 5400rpm....I will buy an external hard drive from future shop or buy an internal hard drive somewhere else if it is not fast enough. Basically dell way overcharges ram. I got a deal and got free upgrade to 3gb....not a bad deal...but call them up and request 1gb, buy a 2gb stick of G Skill or Corsair 200pin 667MHz DDR2 Laptop memory from www.newegg.com or www.tigerdirect.com and install it yourself. If you don't know how theres a video on youtube on how. Processor is more expensive and difficult to upgrade so get the best offered off the bat. That's what I did (2.6 was not offered in the deal i got)

-Get least RAM
-Most processor
-Any hard drive really. If you don't want to buy a new one soon after your purchase go with 7200rpm and chose an appropriate size. I didn't care i just wanted to have the initial cost down so my parents would order it for me with their credit card and let me pay them back since im only 15 so i got 5400rpm. I will go to future shop at lunch at school and buy a new one....they will never know... lol

Also you should get internal bluetooth. More and more devices are becoming bluetooth capable and it is nice to not have to buy a USB bluetooth adaptor and have it hanging off the side of your laptop.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

Here's the thing to do: get the lowest amount of RAM you can, and get the faster HD. Then buy your own RAM from Newegg or something. Dell rips you off for RAM.

I don't really know about the wless card.

 

huh. it seems dell is not charging so much for ram anymore. from 1 to 3 Gb it's 97 bucks. 4 Gb is 146. still a better deal through newegg, though.

 

Still a rip off....they're making like 200% mark up on it. lol (they buy it for like 70 and sell for 140 they're making twice what they spent)

Edit: They're not even buying it for 70....especially because they buy such large quantities....

my guess is between 200-350% mark up. I work in a retail store. Mark-up is sometimes an aweful lot and the consumer doesn't even think of it most of the time

 

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB, 4MB Cache)
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900) & 2MP Camera
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
Speed: 200GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
3Yr In-Home Service, Parts Labor, 24x7 Phone Support
Finger Print Reader XPS M1530

$1319 USD before taxes

Are you a student, alumni, parent of a student?

Start with the highest priced one and configure it-it is $599 off to start.

 

How do I get to the student section?

Edit:
Nevermind I found it. I'm not enrolled this semester, but I'm starting back up again the summer. Can I get this discount now or will I have to wait until I'm all signed up for my classes?

Edit 2:
I get a "Receive 6% off systems priced $1600 and up with 1/2 yr At-Home service." discount of $98.94 off of the $1649 laptop I configured there. However the coupon I had to save $350 on a $1,599.00+ M1530 doesn't work in this section of the site. Are there any other similar deals or coupons that stack with this section of the site?

Also, If I opt to upgrade the ram myself I will void my warranty, correct?

 

Upgrading the RAM doesn't void the warranty.

If you go to the education section and select the highest priced XPS M1530, you will start off with a decent machine and $599 off the top. You can then add on stuff and when you go to the cart, you will save 12% as long as you go over $1600 system. That is how I got the system in my post at that price.

Your coupon will not work on the EPP or Premium member sections, usually. There are a few that will stack in those sections, but I have only heard about them.

The trick is to get it just over $1600 or you only get 8% off.

Try several different combinations of coupons and discounts in the Home section and the Educational section and see what you can get it down to. The least expensive price with the most system that I have been able to come up with it to select the $599 off system and then play around with it in the educational section.

Now, if you or your family worked for an employer that has a discount, you might be able to go a little lower in the employee purchase sections.