Just got M1530, now having strong second thoughts. Your opinions please

Hello all, just picked up an M1530 with

T5800 (2.0 GHz), 4 GB RAM, 320 GB 5400 RPM HD, WUXGA display, Blu-Ray Burner, 8400 GS video card, and all the other standard stuff.

I picked it up primarily because I had some minor issues with the HP HDX16T I bought about a month ago. I loved it, but it was really about 2-3 pounds too heavy (with 12 cell battery) and the battery didn't last very long at all. It was similarly equipped, in that it had both the HD display (16" 1920x1080) and Blu-Ray drive (only a reader).

Unfortunately the battery in the XPS really didn't give me quite the performance time boost that I hoped it would, and the display looks like absolute crap compared to the HP (no offense to anyone here). I had heard all this business about the "grainy" displays from Samsung, but I hoped either I wouldn't be afflicted or just wouldn't notice. Well, turns out I do notice...a lot. What's worse is that it's inferior to the HP display in every other way too - color reproduction looks way off (everything is WAY too blue out of the box), its less forgiving of viewing angle, and overall the colors are just really muted in comparison.

Is it possible that I just got a bad one? Most of the posts on here indicate the only way to "fix" this issue is to replace your screen, which seems a bit daunting to be honest.

The other thing about it that's giving me heartache is the touchpad. The HP had a synaptics pad that, while not nearly sensitive enough (it would take a couple swipes to get across the screen on full sensitivity), was MUCH more accurate and usable. Frankly, I found the Dell pad to be unusable altogether with the drivers installed. Under simple Windows (just installed win 7 beta) control, it's far more accurate I find.

Am I doing something wrong here?

If I could fix these two issues I'd keep this thing in a heartbeat, but as it is I'm really thinking about keeping the HP and just reselling the Dell.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

what did you expect, its a dell. quality control is nonexistant

 

Im in love with my Dell display. Possible you just have a bad one. i have seen my 1530 next to some HP's and I think they are very comparable. Call Dell and complain about the display and have them replace it for you. If your still not satisfied then other options can be pursued.

I do however hate the touchpad. At first it isnt too awfully bad but I see as my laptop heats up it gets worse and worse. Have not found a way to fix it yet, so i just dont use it.

I cant say much about Battery performance as this is my first laptop and dont really have any history to compare and I leave it plugged in most the time anyways.

 

If you just got that, I'm going to say return the whole thing. Contact Dell and tell them what you are dissatisfied with and inform them that you wish to return it. Don't let them talk you out of it because since you are within 21 days of invoice, they must accept your return.

They will send you a new one, and you can send back the other. Just pray that you get the LG LCD. I don't know what resolution your display is, but if you choose WXGA+ (1440x900) you will likely get an 'LPLDF00' and that is the LG which is super sweet. Some people have specifically asked for the LG panel and gotten their wish. Maybe someone else who has done this can help out here.

If your resolution was other than 1440x900, then I have no idea what panels are available to you. Just don't let them stick you with that display. After 21 days you will kick yourself since now your only option is LCD replacement, and you now will have a 'not-new' system as a tech will come out, dismantle it, and replace the LCD. I myself don't like that idea. If you paid for brand-new then that's what you should get.

BTW: Undervolting can easily buy you 20 minutes or more on battery. It's worth doing especially for the 8c - 10c in heat reduction.

 

In this day and age, LED displays are the way to go. Though yes, Samsung does have a bit of a bad record with their WUXGA displays. I highly recommend getting a replacement as you DO get to hold on to your current system before it arrives so you have time to compare the two to make sure if its really actually a QC issue or not. If possible, try to get an LG display as they typically have excellent brighter displays and color reproduction versus the Samsung.

Regarding Touchpad, I find its the same control in both Vista and Windows 7. Maybe try reinstalling drivers? Once again, calling for a replacement will help you be able to compare.

If you do decide to get a new laptop and sell the Dell, getting a laptop with an LED display makes a world of a difference compared to even the best of the CCFL screens.

 

Really? Do you like yours? I have heard some reports that people are experiencing eye strain from the LED backlight while viewing for long periods of time. I think it has something to do with the UV spectrum of the LED, but I'm really not sure.

 

Yes, I love mine. Having had a Dell Inspiron E1705 before, making the switch to an LED display with the M1530 is literally a world of a difference. LED provide better color reproduction, contrast, brighter, and uses less power. If you feel battery life could be better or your M1530 could be lighter, having an LED screen will help with that. Though yes, M1530 only has a 1440 x 900 LED display.

People who complain about eyestrain typically are older people who feel that the "brightness is too bright". It has nothing to do with the UV spectrum of the LED. In fact, I find my LED display lessens eye strain as other laptop displays are noticably dimmer, color reproduction, and contrast are all inferior to LED display.

Even if you think its too bright, just knock down the brightness of LED display. I used to be worried too, but trust me, it makes a WORLD of a difference. Everything looks lifelike.

Dell's new Studio XPS 16 does have a LED WUXGA display.

 

I just got mine about a week ago and am extremely happy with it. Try getting yours replaced and see if you get a better screen. I have the 1440x900 screen and it's beautiful. I also have the 9-cell battery and can squeeze 6 hours out of it on battery saver mode while in classes. As far as the touch pad, just play with the options in your control panel until it suits you.

 

Just a heads up if you want to increase battery life, on the right side of your M1530 closest to you, there is a Wifi switch. Moving it towards the circle will disable Wifi and help increase battery life in additon to other things. Of course, if you plan on playing Assasins Creed with your laptop.... your not going to get good battery life obviously.

 

Send it back and get a better computer

Hurry before the 21 period is up

 

I have had the 1530 for a year now. I had one problem with it, and Dell fixed it. Since then, I have been very happy.

If you are having all these issues, and you just received your lappy....You are still within the 21 days of invoice for either a return for a new replacement, or a refund.

The choice is yours...but you need to move on this fast.

Good luck to you and keep us advised as to what has happened.

Cin.

 

Thanks for all the quick replies. I didn't intend to come off too negatively, overall I love the laptop, but I'm waffling over whether those couple items are really dealbreakers.

Unfortunately, to save some cash, I bought this laptop refurbished from someone on Ebay for just over $1k. Equipped how it was I think it ran about $1500 on Dell.com, so I thought I was doing pretty well.

So if I don't like it, it's got to go back up for sale, sadly. Hopefully I could still get reasonably close to that kind of cash for it.

I have given some thought to the LED LCD display, but I really wanted the extra desktop space the 1920x1200 gives me. I think I could tolerate settling for WSXGA+ (1680x1050 I think), but I lose too much real estate with 1440x900.

I guess I'll give Dell a call. Problem is that I pretty much have to make this decision by this Thursday, since that's when I have to return my HP by if I decide to. Of course, I got a smokin deal on that one, so I might be able to just wait and sell it privately later if I can't decide by then.

 

No, you didn't come off *negative* at all. You, were expressing your thoughts on a purchase you just made.

I'm sorry you had these troubles, and wished it could've worked out for you.

If you are able to get any recourse on the 1530 thru the Seller or Dell. I don't know if this helps or not..But down the road you may want to take a look at a purchase thru Dells outlet. You can get some really good deals on nearly new Dell laptops, etc.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

Cin.

 

WSXGA+ is not offered for the M1530 unfortunately and is not available in LED either. Unless you are in one of the countries that still over it, but they are no longer available in the USA for some time now since they had even worse problems than the WUXGAs... I remember now!

WSXGA+ had Samsung or LG, but WUXGA's were only Samsung. So if you chose WUXGA, your getting a Samsung regardless. Though with WSXGA+, you had a chance to get LG. Regardless, no LED for either, LED is only for the 1440 x 900. Or Dell's newest Studio XPS 16.

 

Hello, I have a dell on order with screen that is listed as 15.4 inch WXGA+ LED Laptop Screen with code TR426. Does anybody know which screen would be supplied? Thanks!!

 

Be optimistic. The suckiest thing after a purchase is buyer's remorse. And you can just adjust the sensitivity of your pad in the control panel.

 

Strange how the WXSGA+ screen isn't offered with the XPS M1530, I got an LG one off EBay as a replacement for the WXGA panel that my XPS shipped with and am shocked by how much better everything looks!

 

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TROLL ALERT!!