If not an XPS M1530, then what?

What would be a comparable alternative to an XPS M1530, outside of the Dell lineup? The important variables to me are a 15.4 inch 1680x1050 display, graphics comparable to or better than the GeForce 8600M GT, and a slim form factor. Obviously the price should be in the same ballpark as well.

My estimated delivery date hasn't rolled around yet, but I'm pretty disillusioned by the ridiculous delays I keep seeing here. No way I'm waiting a month or 6 weeks for a commodity like a laptop. I understand that Dell may have supply issues, but as a consumer that's not my concern. I'm hoping they'll meet my ship date, but I'm also shopping around for an alternative in the event my date gets pushed back like so many others.

So if you weren't buying the XPS, what non-Dell machine would you be looking at?

 

asus m50

 

I think the closest thing is an MBP 15.4". Over the M1530 it has:
- 512mb ddr3 8600M-GT as opposed to 256mb ddr3
- Slightly thinner/lighter form factor perhaps

But it loses out via:
- Rip off price for specs you get
- Rip off + not as thorough warranty (here in Australia anyway)
- Has garbage mac keyboard layout

It's not even a viable alternative given the pricetag in my book, but if I had to pick a nice M1530 alternative (with portability and performance as key points) that would be high on the options list. I can't really think of anything else that matches the M1530 in performance, aesthetics, and form factor... let alone price. Personally I'd wait it out, I'm waiting for mine also... only been a week so far, hopefully won't be much more!

 

That ain't happening.

Well, I'm certainly hoping to wait it out. And I will at least through my original ship date. But if they miss it and give me another 2 or 3 weeks (with no assurances that they'll make that) then I'll give serious thought to something else. Maybe I'll get lucky and it won't some to that.

 

yes.. ASUS M50 series.. comes with T9300, 3GB RAM, 250GB HDD, 9500 GS [ ~8600 GT ] .. and waay cheaper than the xps 1530..

btotech.com has the lowest price .. ~ $1290 !!

 

Udi, im pretty sure 512mb ddr3 8600 gt does not exist

 

There are some good msi's out there. The gx600 comes to mind

 

The macbook pro has it.

 

I'd also recommend the asus m50 or the f8 as alternatives

 

The ASUS G1S is a great alternative, which is slightly thicker, but has the same specs as the 1530 and MBP, as well as looks. If you took aesthetics out of the equation, I would suggest an HP 8510p/w or Lenovo Thinkpad T61p, both being better built than, as well as having better keyboards than the 1530 and MBP.......and more customization than the G1S. The M50 is a decent alternative, but isn't as well built as the others. Also, the version of the 8600M-GT it has is DDR2, with a 300mhz-slower memory clock.

Actually, in the 15.4" it's the 256MB GDDR3@ 375/502 memory, slightly underclocked from that of the other GDDR3 versions.

 

Whatever the case, don't even think about getting a system with 8600GT DDR2, it is highly advisable that you'd wait it out. Sure the Macbook Pro is close to it, but PC users must stand firm!

 

The ASUS G1S is intriguingly spec'd, but I can't get past the goofy green sidelights. I use my laptop for business as well as personal use, and it has too much of a "game system" look to it...which I guess is fair since that's what it is. And too many ports (including all USB) are on the back.

The ASUS M50 might be worth a look though. Anyone here owned an ASUS notebook?

 

Absolutely. My friend just got one, and I wish I had gotten that instead of my M1530

 

I've been looking at the specs on the M50 on Newegg for the last hour, and other than Vista Premium instead of the Ultimate I ordered on my M1530, it looks pretty darn good. But since I've never laid eyes on an ASUS notebook in person, what specifcally was it that you liked about your friend's ASUS over your M1530? Looks? Feel? Performance?

 

My friend has one. It really doesn't look as sleek and professional as the M1530. If you have laid eyes on an M1530 and an ASUS M50, you are almost guaranteed to have buyers remorse. It feels kinda bulky. Design is kinda quirky with Webcam sticking out a bit, the overall look is not great at all. :/

 

I'm pretty much in the same boat. From what I've read, though, the battery life of the M1530 is way better than that of the M50.

 

Yeah, that's kind of the impression I get from the photos. Doesn't quite have as sleek and sophisticated a look as the M1530, though I suppose that's sort of a personal preference. Still, it's unquestionably chunkier and quirkier-looking.

I guess that's why the XPS is so popular...no one else makes a notebook that looks as good and has the same options.

 

You know I never even considered an Asus. I always was looking at the Dell's and other than that, the HP line

And, I am so glad I went with my 1530 choice

 

The speakers for one thing, as you know the ones on the M1530 are absolute garbage. The only thing I like better about the actual look of my M1530 is the silver keyboard.

Overall, it is obviously a much better value to go with the M50 over the M1530. VRAM is quadruple that of the M1530, the speakers kick ass, the fingerprint reader is in a better place (between the touchpad buttons), the touchpad has tap on/tap off media options and it glows, better processor (T9300), and the led's are white which I think looks really cool. The webcam also rotates to face outward which is nice too. Asus warranties are also amazing. You get two years accidental insurance automatically with the purchase of the laptop, you just have to send some paperwork in. I think that I really overpaid for my M1530, and im now kicking myself b/c I impulse bought with Dell. Go with the M50.

 

Thanks for that report. It's definitely an impressivly spec'd machine for the money. I just wish there was somewhere I could actually see one.

Oh well. The XPS is already ordered and I'm not likely to cancel for a sight-unseen M50. But if Dell can't follow through with their ESD on my M1530, I'll give serious consideration to the M50.

An aside...does anyone else think that the process of shopping for and comparing notebooks (or other gadgets) is half the fun? It's almost disappointing when you actually get it because you can't keep shopping.

 

I don't plan on purchasing my new laptop until the July/August period and I've started to look around to see the likely candidates and monitor them. So far, I'm interested in both the M1530 and M50. I had a look at the M50 today at a local computer store, and really like the way it looked. The one thing that's tempting me to go with the M50 is the numberpad that it provides you with. My next laptop purchase will most likely be a desktop replacement and I find myself using the numberpad from time to time. Like others have said, the M50 provides you with Altec Lansing speakers, and it's position on the keyboard can be compared to that from the Toshiba laptops. The one thing that's keeping me away from the M50 though, is the lower battery life, as I'm taking it into classrooms in university where there is no outlet for me to plug into. I guess I'll just keep monitoring how these 2 laptops progress.

 

You could just monitor both until... Montevina comes out. You will have a true laptop that outperforms any Desktop in the market. Though it will be slightly more costly.

 

CyberpowerPC laptops are really good for the price, maybe little thicker, heavier, and uglier lol, and about the same price

 

I don't trust CyberpowerPC or IBuyPower.. Although their prices are decent, I have not heard good things about their support. They also are very plain and ugly.

 

That's what i said about them.. My friend bought a Destop from them 3 years back and he is still using it and it has been great.

I have another friend who bought a laptop and it works great.. Just doesn't look good..

 

LOL. Hold me back before I order two.

That M50 is really intriguing though. The more I read the more I like. Someone talk me out of it because honestly, I'd feel more comfortable with the XPS M1530. But that ASUS...

 

Well if you want more battery life, you may want to reconsider. Aside from that, lemme know what you think about it when you get it

 

Toshiba Satelitte A305-S6845 would be a good choice.

 

If I am not mistaken, it is only 1 year accidental with 1 year normal warranty.

 

Go on you tube and type in XPS M1530 and watch some of the videos, you will fall in love with the M1530 if you look at them.. I did

 

Ha ha. I mentioned earlier in another thread that I'd taken to doing just that. But when I ran across this ridiculous video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D1KN9GgQ38&feature=related ) of some dude unpacking his M1530 with a "Sweet Child O Mine" soundtrack I realized that watching strangers unbox their notebooks was just a little sad.

I'm off it now.

By the way, our ESD's are the same. Wanna race?

 

Oh really? Yeah sure lol, when did you order yours?

 

I ordered Monday morning May 12, and was given and ESD of May 28. So you've got a 3 day head start. The phone order status had it in the Build stage Monday afternoon (whatever that really means) and it's stayed there since. I'm hoping for some action later this week, but I'm not really expecting any movement.

 

I think we should be getting our's towards the end of this week

OMG i can't wait already lol!

 

Well, I refuse to be optimistic. In situations like this where the outcome is out of my control, optimism usually leads to nothing but disappointment.

I see it this way...some guys in that other thread ordered the same day as I did and had the same ESD, and theirs have already shipped, 10 days early. Since mine hasn't followed suit (day 8 in the Build Stage today) I can only assume that I'm STILL WAITING ON SOME STUPID PART THAT WILL DELAY MINE UNTIL JUNE 15 OR WHO KNOWS WHEN!!!!!! This way, if it actually does ship on time then I'll be pleasantly surprised.

I'm still eyeing that ASUS M50 though, if Dell drops the ball here.

 

Lol... Yeah well im thinking positively, i think it will be here soon..

But you never know since now they say that the 6 cell batteries are on back order..

 

Yeah, I've been following that particular news. If that's the case (I may call Dell and see if they'll confirm that...they probably won't.) then I'll likely cancel now and order an ASUS M50sv. I can't imagine how long the queue will be for a 6 cell battery.

 

da macbook pro (performance wise) asus m50 (price and specs)

 

read this:
http://skattertech.com/2008/03/dell-xps-m1530-vs-apple-macbook-pro/

 

that link shows that the M1530 kills a mac book pro

 

Well heck, no way I'd buy a mac book pro anyway. Does the stupid thing even have a right mouse button? How do you pull up context menus on a MBP?

I have an iPod. That's as much Apple as I need.

 

so you guys think this will do ok for COD 4?? Like what fps should i expect??

 

easily around 30-50fps. You can get 150 with optimal settings under COD4 . I just beat COD4 and it's great! You'll love the m1530 for that.

 

It does have a right mouse button. tapping on the pad with two fingers instead of one acts as a right click.

 

I called today and the rep I talked to said that the 6-cell batteries are, indeed, on backorder. No word on how long it'll take to get a shipment in.

 

A guy in another thread says he was told late May or early June.

I don't know if these batteries are specific to the M1530 or used in other Dell notebooks as well, but even if they're just M1530 specific I can't begin to imagine how long the assembly backlog will be once they get them. Probably the VAST majority of M1530's purchased are configured with the 6 cell battery.

 

My order was delayed for 5 days due to the same battery issue. One of the CSRs I talked to mentioned something about a fire in one of their warehouses, maybe that's why... who knows.

It was supposed to be shipping on the 14th but delayed and delayed and finally shipped on the 19th. 5 days... not too bad in my book.

 

Doesn't make much sense, bu I ordered a M1530 on May 13th. Estimated ship date is June 12th! I sure hope it comes in earlier, at least by two weeks. Did you guys get your orders prioritized?

 

I don't think Dell actually does such things. I think sometimes the reps claim they're "prioritizing" someone's order to appease them. Just a hunch.

I ordered May 12, and my ESD is May 28. I'm doubting that they'll hit that though, given what I'm hearing about the battery shortage.

 

That sucks.. Stupid battery shortage.. I hope I will get mine soon..