Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
It's been just over two weeks since I received my XPS, with the difficulty I had deciding I thought I'd give my real world experence, without the benchmarks.
First my configuration:
Dell UK
Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 (2.4 GHz)
2Gb Ram
Nvidia 8600m GT
15.4" Glossy LCD CCFL 1280x800
250Gb Hard Drive (5400rpm) - Manufactured by Western Digital
Vista Premium
8x DVD+/-RW Slim Slot Load drive - Optiarc Model
Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-Card
4 Year Warranty
9-Cell Battery
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0 Module
Fingerprint Reader
2.0 Mega Pixel camera
Dell Travel Remote
Additition Notes (Bonuses if you like)
My XPS came with a Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet port, whereas other don't.
The SD Card reader supports SDHC cards (High Capacity 4Gb up).
Ordering & Delivery
Ordered Monday, delivered Friday. 5 day turn around.
Shipped on the Wednesday, received a call from the courier to arrange delivery. Arrived 10am Friday morning via Business Post.
Looks
I had my choice narrowed down to either a HP Pavillion or the XPS. I think I still prefer the Pavillion, but for price vs performance the XPS wins hands down. The black looks brilliant.
Build Quality
There was a slight bulge in my keyboard that seems to have gone now. The screen has no latch, the hinges are well designed and hold the screen in place well, open or closed.
The screen does however block a small portion of the rear exhaust when open, design fault?
Screen
I've tried to identify the manufactuer of my screen to no avail, it's not grainy, some light leakage, but nothing you notice unless the screen is black. Screen is suitably bright for me.
Keyboard, Touchpad & Touch Buttons
Keyboard is excellend, no complaints at all, Fn key in the right place (for me at least).
The touchpad is where it all falls apart, it's an Alps touchpad, I spent an hours playing with setting getting it useable, but it's no match for any Synaptics pad.
Dell, please please please ditch Alps. If Dell offered an swap from Alps to Synaptics I'd take it at the drop of a hat.
The touch button controls are responsive, pressing them quickly doesn't really work, I use the remote to adjust the volume quickly.
Speakers
Noticebly tinny compared to even my old £300 Acer, bad bad Dell. Nothing more to say here.
Graphics
Enough to play most current games on Medium settings. If you want true gaming power, rock direct or alienware.
Battery
I chose the 9-cell battery and I'm glad I did. I can get 4 hours easily browsing the web, email and a couple of other programs, with the screen on full and runing the Dell Recommended power setting. Screen dimmed and power saving active wouldn't surprise me to get 5-6 hours. The 9-cell creates a bit of weight when using it on the lap, but the raised position keeps the notebook running cooler and your lap cooler.
Temperatures
The CPU runs at around 40c, lowest is usually 35. The fans kick in around 50c drop it to 35c and the cycle starts again. Fans are relatively quiet.
Graphics idles around 60c, haven't seen how high it can reach.
HDD & Optical Drive
Both of these are quiet in mine, the DVD drive only writes at about 4x not the rated 8x, I jogged the notebook while writing which caused a coaster.
Network Interfaces
I'd of loves to have tested both the Wireless-N capability & Gigabit Ethernet capability of the notebook, unfortunatly I'm limited to 54mbps wireless and standard 100mbps lan. Both of which are fine, the wireless hasn't dropped out once. (Buffalo Airstation Router).
The bluetooth works fine, tested with a Motorola Razr v3 to transfer a few pictures.
Web Cam
Once again fine for purpose, comes with some neat effects
FingerPrint Reader
Always wanted one of these. Works brilliantly, had a time when it just kept coming up "Too Short". After rebooting the problem went away. Have not tried website log in yet, mainly because I jsut get them to remember me, and if there important enough for me to not want them to remember me then I'm not sure I want the program storing my password.
Conclusion
+
- Everything apart from the damn touchpad
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- The touchpad
It's just awful, I can use it, but I'm very aware I'm using a touchpad. I'll pay to get a Synaptics in this thing.
Thats my experience, 45 minutes in the making. I hope it helps one person with their decision.
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How that happen?
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i see you're in a process of ignoring it.
One question!
When you close the lid and lcd goes down - is there any contact between that bulge and the screen! If yes , this can be a real reason for some dead pixels after time.
First 2 Weeks With my XPS M1530
Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by SAJAX, May 19, 2008.
