HELP: Good price/config. for new XPS M1530?

Hey everyone...new to the forums. I've been a loyal DELL customer and purchased my last two computers with them. Both desktops that have lasted 5-6 years each. Needless to say, it is time to get a laptop.

My computer is about to burn out and I HAVE TO get one soon. I wanted to ask two questions of help from all of you experts out there.

1) I can get the 2.2 GHZ 4GB Cache Intel Duo processor for the same price as the 2.4 GHZ 3GB Cache Intel Duo processor. Which one is better?

2) Is $1,633 + Tax a good price for the following configuration:

SYSTEM COLOR
Tuxedo Black

PROCESSOR
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache)

OPERATING SYSTEM
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition

LCD AND CAMERA
High Resolution glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1680x1050) & 2MP Camera

MEMORY
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)

HARD DRIVE
Speed: 200GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor

INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)

VIDEO CARD256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT

WIRELESS CARDS
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card

BLUETOOTH AND WIRELESS USB
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)

BATTERY OPTIONS
6 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

SOUND OPTIONS
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition

FINGERPRINT SCANNER
Finger Print Reader XPS M1530


THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ALL THE HELP!!!

 

Price seem to be Ok..but, I think if you can drop your ram down to say..1gb and upgrade urself else where, that would be cheaper. Better for you too as well.

 

Welcome to NBR Silvergator!
Yea, the laptop looks great... But drop the ram to 1gig, and then go to NewEgg.com and buy the ram as an aftermarket upgrade as save alot of money.

 

For that built it will only allow me to drop it to 3GB. The Upgrade from 3GB - 4GB is $50.

Using that build gets me $599 off.

If I built it with 1GB, I would not get that type of discount.

 

Looks good, go for it.

 

Call dell instead of ordering online and give the csr your config... then ask for 1gb of ram. That's what I did.

 

He still may not get that $599 off though.

 

While on the topic of buying new...

I read probably 50 of the 128 pages of the thread about the LCD screens and had one easy question I didn't see recognized.

Can I request UPON ORDER the LG LCD instead of the Samsung? Will they fulfill that request?

 

yes, and no.

 

anyone else have input on the three different questions? esp. the monitor one?

 

Well, they might...but it won't have anything to do with your request just your luck.

 

silvergator, are you a student or work for a company that uses dell?

if so, go here: http://www.dell.com/EPP

you will get an additional discount and get that total to about $1450 dollars

 

No, you can't. I tried and failed about a month ago, and I don't think they've changed their policy since. I received a 1530 with a grainy Samsung and was told by customer service to hang on to it while they shipped me a replacement. The order kept getting cancelled so they finally had me do a refund. While I was waiting for that to happen, I joined the Dell forum and asked a moderator about requesting an LG-specific build. Here is the response:

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=Tech_Talk_XPS_Laptop&thread.id=9090

YMMV

 

DROPPED MINE $200!!!! THANK YOU

Next question: How concerned should I be about this screen issue? Is the Samsung terrible? Does it help to get the 1440 as opposed to the 1680?

 

I think this is a question of a personal preference. I, for one, find 1680x1020 to be overkill for a 15.4" screen, so I opted for 1440x900 instead. My laptop should arrive tomorrow, the screen will be LG
KR515 LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., 15.4WXGA+, TLF, LGP, V2

 

How do you know the screen will be LG? Did you request that? If so...how?

Thanks again all of you guys...you've been a big help so far.

 

Once my system was shipped I requested the invoice that contains the service tag. The service tag allows you to see all the components that went into your system.

 

Screen res is defintely personal preference. I LOVE 1680x1050 on my 1530 but HATE my Samsung screen. The fact that I can read an entire 2 page spread on my screen is frickin awesome. I am still in the fight for the LG screen. By the looks of it 1440 has a better chance for the LG but this can change depending on inventory levels at anytime. So it's hard to say.

The samsung is ok for most people but I am soo picky about my screen as I do design and photoshop for a living. I am rarely happy with any screen except my s-ips 2007wfp

 

Looks like I'm going for the 1440 screen. I'm going to double check today at Best Buy to do some comparisons. I don't do much photoshop and am not a designer or anything.

It seems besides this screen issue the M1530 is a GREAT computer. I was at first considering the T61 from Lenovo but scrapped that idea.

Anything further I should inquire about before purchase? Have I missed something?

I ONCE AGAIN appreciate the help from everyone. Especially those that have PM'd me.

 

Pre purchase I am not sure what else you can do. Just be sure to go over the unit with a fine tooth comb when it arrives/ Check all your inputs/outputs, setup the webcam and fingerprint reader etc... And test for the shocking palm rests

It is a great machine, enjoy.

 

Shocking palm rests? LOL Explain please?!

 

It's another known issue and yes mine had it too. On some units you might feel a very slight tingling in your hands when resting them on the palm rest area while typing. This is easily fixed with a 3 prong power adapter as opposed to the 2 prong that ships with the unit. If you notice this problem just contact Dell and they will arrange to send you a new adapter and you send the old one back, all under warranty and no shipping charges.

 

Oh OK...at least that one is easy!

I am probably going to buy any day now. For the EPP discount...do I need a employer ID number or can I just enter the size of the business on the bottom and that is it?