I will order this M1530 in the next 10 mins...

Is this a good final answer?:

- Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB, 6MB Cache)
- 6GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz (2 Dimms)
- High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 M
- 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
- Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-bit
- Size: 320GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
- Slot Load Blu -ray Disc (BD/DVD/CD read/write)
- 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (I don't like the shape ofthe 9-cell)

Opinions? I will still be able to make changes.

 

How much is it? If you are not worried about the price, then that's a good setup. Pretty similar to mine (CPU & graphics wise - MOST IMPORTANT!). 6GB ram with 2 SODIMM? Hmm is this really available?

 

I guess it is (6GB on 2 DIMMS). It's 'cos of Vista 64-bit.

Regarding the price, it's rather steep, but I live in Canada. The -25% coupon code doesn't work on the Canadian site. It's at $2,200 with taxes, but it seems fair enough to me. If I got that spec. with Alienware, I'd be eating PB & J's for the next month.

 

Not bad, but try this Alienware config:

Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Onsite Service and 24/7 Toll-Free Phone Support
Design & Display: Silver Ripley Design
Display: 15.4" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD (1200p)
System Lighting: Alienware® AlienFX® System Lighting - Blue
Video/Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® Series - 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 9800M GT
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz (6MB Cache 800MHz FSB)
Operating System (Office software not included): Windows Vista® Home Premium (64-bit Edition) with Service Pack 1
Notebook Tuners and Remotes: Without Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner
Memory: 4GB« Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz – 2 x 2048MB
System Drive: 320GB 7,200RPM (16MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
Optical Drives : 8x Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW) w/ LightScribe Technology - View Demo
Wireless: Internal Intel® Wireless 4965 a/b/g/Draft-N Mini-Card
Sound Card : Internal High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Keyboard Options: AlienFX® Illuminated Keyboard – Exclusive Design
AlienRespawn: AlienRespawn v2.0 Recovery DVD – Windows Vista® Edition
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mesh Cap
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mobile Binder
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Personalized Nameplate
Alienware Extras: Owner Identification Card
Alienware Extras: Area-51® m15x Protective Cloth Sleeve
Alienware Extras: Area-51® m15x Keyboard Diagram Overlay
Alienware Extras: Area-51® m15x Smooth Mylar Touchpad
Avatar: Alienhead 3D
Window Style: Default Window Style
Mouse Pointers: Standard Mouse Pointers
Power Plan: Standard Power Plan


$2700

You can get a smaller hard drive and lower the RAM to 2GB then upgrade it yourself to save some money, maybe take the price down to $2400.

 

Very nice, but that's roughly $3,000 with tax. And I don't believe I can finance alienware.

 

Of course I don't know what it will be used for since you didn't specify, but unless you are running some memory hogs, 6gb is overkill. If it was mine, I would back it down to 4gb and opt for the ssd (but it's not mine, so do what you like )

 

Hmmm, if you can give me around 15 more minutes, I can pretty much find every single laptop that would kill the Dell for the same price...

The search starts now....lol

 

I understand that there are many. However, Dell is the only company that finances in Canada. HP would be nice, or even Alienware, but they don't offer that service to us.

The M1530 is good enough, and I can finance it so it works out. However, if I had the ability to actually save money, that would be a different story... Alienware!!!

 

The 6Gb will not run dual channel. it is a 4Gb and a 2Gb stick. I personally would just run 4Gb. I run 8Gb on my desktop and I see no improvement over 4Gb.

 

Sager NP8660 (Built on Clevo M860TU) Sager NP8660 (Built on Clevo M860TU)
- 15.4" WUXGA "Matte Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Screen (1920x1200)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® T9600 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.80GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 35 watt
- nVidia GeForce 9800M GTS 512MB PCI-Express DDR3 DX10 (User Upgradeable)
- None Standard
- ~ 4,096MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (Requires Vista 64-Bit to recognize Full 4GB)
- None Standard
- Standard Finish
- ~ 2X Blue-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
- ~ 320GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
- None Standard
- None Standard
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link
- None Standard
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- None Standard
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Carrying Case Optional (Select if desired)
- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)


$2257






ASUS G50VT-A2
- Choose Your Discount Coupon Code
- 15.4" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- None Standard
- ASUS Zero Bright Dot (ZBD) Pixel Guarantee
- -Intel® T9400 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 35 watt - ASUS Default Processor
- nVidia GeForce 9800M GS 512MB PCI-Express DDR3 DX10
- None Standard
- - 4,096MB (Corsair, Kingston, Major Brand) DDR2 800 (2 SODIMMs) Dual Channel Memory
- Standard Finish
- - 2X Blue-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
- - 320GB 7200RPM WD or Seagate (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s) - Default Hard Drive
- - 320GB 7200RPM WD or Seagate (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)
- None Standard
- None Standard
- Internal 8-in-1 Card Reader: MMC/SD/Mini-SD/XD/Memory Stick/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5100 802.11 a/g/n
- None Standard
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- None Standard
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Asus G Series Matching Backpack made by Targus
- Smart Li-ion Battery (6-Cell)



$1839





http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...E&N=2034940032 103980226&bop=And&Order=PRICED


already configured at newegg, as well.




Newegg Canada:


same price as Dell XPS 1530:


http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220405

 

There was no other RAM config for the system. The T9300 only comes with 6GB, can't do 4GB.

I'll be running games like Oblivion and Fallout, Perhaps R6: Vegas and COD.

 

Hmmm, can they finance like Dell?

 

Yeah, XOTIC pc has you covered, check out the reviews round the forums and just the internet itself. Otherwise, Newegg has some pretty good deals. A 9800 will smoke an 8600GT 3 times and around.

 

xps 1530 is getting refreshed in january, so if you can't find the current generation for cheap than I suggest you wait

 

Refreshed with what???

 

Not concerned about the nVidia card?

 

I would go for a Montevina chipset and a better GPU than an 8600, preferably one with 512MB of dedicated.

:3

 

Amazing what recommendations people come up with out of ignorance.

Here are some questions that are relevant to your choice; what will you use the computer for? Are you a heavy gamer? Are you going to be carrying the thing around a lot? Are you going to be primarily plugged in, or on battery? Primarily outside or indoors?

 

I believe that this is "gaming" enough and shows what the use of the computer will be for. A Dell XPS 1530, so the poster obviously wants a lighter 15" laptop as well with moderate battery life.

So, actually you are ignorant.


And an 8600 will not suffice for those games at all. I have Vegas 2, and this thing requires some heavy loads.

And by the way Thimk, when you do get Vegas, PM me and we can get a session running online.

 

Thimk:
If you do order the 1530, you will be very pleased. I wish other owners in this, the Dell forum would step forward and tell you it's a great notebook.

All notebooks have their own issues and problems..not one is 100% perfect!

I think you should go with what will suit you well, and what you know that you can afford w/in your finances and such.

Go with what you want out of a notebook, how long you want to keep it, and with what budget, moneywise you want to stay within.

I have the Nvidia on my 1530, and I am one of those that hasn't incurred any problems, nor am I looking for any.

If you want to wait for the new XPS line to come out, you may want to do that. But no release date is *set in stone* per se.

Technology is everchanging. If you can find a good deal now on what you want...go for it.

Cin

 

Thimk:

I've had my xps 1530 for about a week and it has been an excellent system. I play quite a bit of games (EVE Online, World of Warcraft, BF2, ect) it handles them all at almost the highest setting. I would consider that excellent for a 15" laptop as light as this one is.

 

The original config is fine. The XPS line has better support than the Inspirons. Usually your first choice is the 'one'. Try not to look at others it'll just confuse you and then you're back to square one.

 

Nice! I dont' do games on mine, but I could if I wanted! That is one of the other great things about the 1530!
(I have a friend trying to get me too)

That is how it was with me, in the end it came down to choosing between the 1530 vs. 1330. And, I should've just stayed with my original config' with the 1530, as in the end....I ended coming right back to that config!

You, have had your 1530 for nearly a year now, if I remember correctly? About the same time as when I ordered last year

And, it's still a powerful notebook!

Cin