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    I think I found my laptop...need thoughts!

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by RiCEADDiCTBOY, Sep 7, 2008.

  1. RiCEADDiCTBOY

    RiCEADDiCTBOY Notebook Consultant

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    I think I finally found a good price and features for what I need for my work and school. Its not a 13/14 inch but, the laptop seems good. Keyboard quality is VERY important to me...and this laptop seems respectable in that matter.

    XPS M1530
    Price: $699

    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5750 (2.0GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
    Tuxedo Black
    2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
    Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1280x800) & 2.0 MP Camera
    128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS
    Size: 120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive

    Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
    Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
    High Definition Audio 2.0
    Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
    56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
    1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis

    Good deal?
     
    RiCEADDiCTBOY, Sep 7, 2008
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  2. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Is $699 your set budget? ;)
    I have the 1530 and really enjoy it!
    You will like the keyboard on the 1530..it's quite nice :)
    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Sep 7, 2008
    #2
  3. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    Pretty good I would say... see if you could get some warranty upgrade.. might be worthwhile to have at least 2 yrs..
     
    fonduekid, Sep 7, 2008
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  4. RiCEADDiCTBOY

    RiCEADDiCTBOY Notebook Consultant

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    High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 M
    Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)

    i added those two features for: 844.00

    Is the LED option really good?

    160gig upgrade and fingerprint reader was free upgrade

    The graphic card update was tempting...however, i have to keep in mind that this is for school and work.

    These are the options I skipped:
    256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT [add $100.00]
    Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card [add $35.00] or Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card [add $25.00]

    Is wireless N really needed? Or is G enough these days?
     
    RiCEADDiCTBOY, Sep 7, 2008
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  5. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    take the intel wireless....
     
    fonduekid, Sep 7, 2008
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  6. RiCEADDiCTBOY

    RiCEADDiCTBOY Notebook Consultant

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    High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 M [add $125.00]

    Is this a worthy upgrade?

    i noticed:
    Full Hi Definition, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1920x1200) & 2.0 M [add $200.00] but no LED

    128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS [Included in Price] is this ok?

    also what is: Built-in Wireless USB capability [$40.01]
     
    RiCEADDiCTBOY, Sep 7, 2008
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  7. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    I'd honestly go with a Studio 15 over an XPS M1530 with the 8400M GS... Can probably get slightly better specs in a studio as well
     
    Hep!, Sep 7, 2008
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  8. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    If you can get the LED get it! It's very sweet!!! ;) :)

    Also,
    Wireless USB is like having a port/hub that you can connect your printer, camera & other USB devices to it. (like having wifi chip in your notebook) ;) Using a wireless hub where you hook your things up to! ;) :)

    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Sep 7, 2008
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  9. RiCEADDiCTBOY

    RiCEADDiCTBOY Notebook Consultant

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    How capable is the GeForce 8400M GS? And what is Wireless USB capability? ...that option seems a bit peculiar. Last but not least...is 1440x900 respectable resolution?
     
    RiCEADDiCTBOY, Sep 7, 2008
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  10. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    fonduekid, Sep 7, 2008
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  11. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    I have the 1440x900, and its a fantastic resolution ;) :)

    Also, may want to check out this *sticky* it's specific for the 1530's and has great info!

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=238640

    Some info on Screen Resolution and DPI's
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=124093
     
    Cin', Sep 7, 2008
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  12. RiCEADDiCTBOY

    RiCEADDiCTBOY Notebook Consultant

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    Say if I wanted to play WoW or upcoming StarCraft 2 would the card be sufficient enough for medium settings? I only really play Blizzard games.
     
    RiCEADDiCTBOY, Sep 7, 2008
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  13. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    Yes... you should be able to do that...
     
    fonduekid, Sep 7, 2008
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  14. RiCEADDiCTBOY

    RiCEADDiCTBOY Notebook Consultant

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    there wouldnt be any coupons or anything anyone know of would they? lol..
     
    RiCEADDiCTBOY, Sep 7, 2008
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  15. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    fonduekid, Sep 7, 2008
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  16. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    fonduekid, Sep 7, 2008
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  17. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Cin', Sep 7, 2008
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  18. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    ^^ its the same coupons as in the dell coupon' page.... and they are expired.. (Coupon expires 9/5/2008).. would have been nice though.. 30% and stuff...
     
    fonduekid, Sep 7, 2008
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  19. deathstick

    deathstick Notebook Evangelist

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    If you get a studio notebook, you can get the ATI 3450, which is about 50% more powerful than the 8400m GS. (I couldn't price match it though)

    Overall, that seems like a great deal then. If you are patient, you can also keep checking the coupon codes section of the site for laptop specials. One just expired that could have gotten you an Inspiron 1420 with a 40% discount and free shipping (if configured to be worth over $1000)

    Also, if you have a bit more money to spend, I would suggest either extending your warranty or getting the larger battery for beter mobility.
     
    deathstick, Sep 7, 2008
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  20. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Yes, thank you...That's why I stated they were expired, etc. in my post...(also shows other applicable discounts)
    30% is/was an awesome deal.
     
    Cin', Sep 7, 2008
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  21. RiCEADDiCTBOY

    RiCEADDiCTBOY Notebook Consultant

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    i was under the impression that the xps m1530 was a better overall laptop (build and quality) then the studio 15 (was taken from the xps line to a more budget version).

    can someone please clarify this for me...

    and i am ordering this through a military aafes dell store. i am a medic in the air force.
     
    RiCEADDiCTBOY, Sep 7, 2008
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  22. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    I would prefer the XPS M1530..... and it is a better overall laptop IMO...
     
    fonduekid, Sep 7, 2008
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  23. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Ok...you are going to get lot's of opinions on which is the best, the better, and the worst....In the end it's up to you. ;) :)

    Both the S15, and the 1530 are good notebooks...it's what you are comfy with. I have the 1530....I love it, it has never failed me ;) :)

    You already have a good config going there....And it sounds like it's the 1530 that you want!!! So maybe, stick with it? If you are still confused..you may want to check out the reviews and owner comments on, both the 1530 and S15 ;) :)

    Also, remember technology changes daily.... ;) as do the deals that you find!

    ;)

    Cin!
     
    Cin', Sep 7, 2008
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  24. RiCEADDiCTBOY

    RiCEADDiCTBOY Notebook Consultant

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    i suppose the only advantage the studio would have is the ati - not having a potential graphic card issue.

    how is dell handling the 8400gs and 8600gt card issues...is only a driver patch the fix? to increase the fan speed seems like a band aid issue to only last through the warranty...or are the cards being fixed entirely?
     
    RiCEADDiCTBOY, Sep 7, 2008
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  25. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    It is a bandaid solution. I think they have agreed to extend the warranties a year as well.
     
    atbnet, Sep 7, 2008
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  26. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    No one knows for sure but I would the cards are being fixed (and there were even some dates like June / july from when the proper cards are being shipped).. in any case, the warranty would cover it and u have a 12 month extension too from dell probably coming soon.

    Also I have had this system for around 5 months now, have not seen any issues.. not even any indication... but with a warranty active, I wouldn't worry much because this is a wonderful system overall.....
     
    fonduekid, Sep 7, 2008
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  27. RiCEADDiCTBOY

    RiCEADDiCTBOY Notebook Consultant

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    i did recognize something i didnt notice previously:
    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5750 (2.0GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache) [Included in Price]

    ...much different "standard" Core 2 Duo than the one on the Dell Store.

    is the 2MB cache going to really cause much of a bottleneck?
     
    RiCEADDiCTBOY, Sep 7, 2008
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  28. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    That is the older Merom processor. The newer ones, Penryn, use less power and are a die shrink. Probably not a large difference in performance.
     
    atbnet, Sep 7, 2008
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  29. deathstick

    deathstick Notebook Evangelist

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    No, not really. GPU will usually be the bottleneck of the system. With the 8400m GS, it is definently the bottleneck of the 1530 system.
     
    deathstick, Sep 7, 2008
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  30. tential

    tential Notebook Consultant

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    Sure if you want an old laptop with old out dated hardware and a faulty graphics card.
     
    tential, Sep 7, 2008
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  31. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    I think he's *tweaking* his config ;) :)



    Cin.
     
    Cin', Sep 7, 2008
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  32. RiCEADDiCTBOY

    RiCEADDiCTBOY Notebook Consultant

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    how is this an old laptop? the m1530 isn't that old. and the only really outdated hardware would be the processor..which really isnt bad. im still debating on if i should do the 8600 gt upgrade. i already decided on upgrading to the LED screen. i don't really need the card upgrade though.

    is the LED option though really worth it? or is the regular screen good too?
    High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 M [Included in Price]'
    High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900) & 2MP Camera [subtract $75.00]
     
    RiCEADDiCTBOY, Sep 8, 2008
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  33. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Oh...Just get what you are comfy with..it's what you want that matters. ;) :) And, if you don't need the graphics card..... :)

    Get the LED it's a good screen, worth it....


    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Sep 8, 2008
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  34. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    The card choice would depend mostly on whether or not you plan on playing games. If you do, then it would be suggested to go with the 8600. If you don't or play them rarely then the 8400 will work.
     
    atbnet, Sep 8, 2008
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  35. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Nice explanation! Thanks! ;) :) :cool:


    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Sep 8, 2008
    #35
  36. RiCEADDiCTBOY

    RiCEADDiCTBOY Notebook Consultant

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    this may sound like a dumb question...but, can the wireless n cards still use g networks too?
     
    RiCEADDiCTBOY, Sep 8, 2008
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  37. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Yes it can...Wireless N has backwards compatability with all the previous specs..... ;) :)
     
    Cin', Sep 8, 2008
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  38. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    fonduekid, Sep 8, 2008
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