M1330 vs. M1530

Hey,

I'm looking to order a new laptop, hurrah!

So I'm pretty much torn between the two in the title - They both look pretty damned fantastic.

On the one hand, the M1330 has the LED Screen and is smaller, lighter. (In the UK, the M1530 does not have the LED screen avaliable) It's also going to cost slightly more to get speced how I want.

Then on other the M1530 is slightly cheaper, has a higher resolution, but is heavier. It has a better GPU too.

How big is the difference in size/weight? Is the M1530 still easy to carry around and use as a travel laptop? That was the main pull of the M1330, as I previously had a DTR which was a pain in the ass, and I don't wish to repeat the experience. If the M1530 is too big, I don't want to end up buying it and regretting it.

Any advice at all? The main reason I'm thinking this over is the GPU, the specs otherwise are nearly identical. Is the difference between the two cards worth getting the larger laptop? (The most demanding game I'm likely to be playing on it is City of Villains, which is a bit of a brute, it has to be said.)

 

I am also having the EXACT same problem as you. I can't decide. Portability or GPU.

 

I would not consider the 15" portable by any means although others may have no problems toting a 15" lappy around. Your best bet is to go to a brick and mortar store and compare a 15" (of any brand really) to a 13". Pick them up if possible and imagine lugging that around with you.

Personally, I feel that if portability is essential, you want 13" and smaller.

 

In reality, if you order the m1530, it will be plenty portable. Plus it has a better gpu and is pretty cheap for good quality. i'd go for the 1530.

 

Since I already have a desktop system I built with a overclocked Q6600 Quad-Core CPU and an 8800 GTS, I chose the M1330. I figure I'll almost never play games on the laptop, I barely even play games on my desktop system.

I'm concerned about the resolution of only 1280x800 but I figure I'll get used to it. This is the first laptop I've owned. I have used mostly 15.4" notebooks in the past and they can be a little much to carry for long periods of time. I bought the 13.3" to complement my powerful desktop system. Size is more important to me than graphics power in a notebook.

My M1330 is supposed to be delivered on Wednesday, so I'll know if I made the right choice then.

 

Tee Hee I have both of them.
I made a thread comparing the size of both systems
here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3089577#post3089577

 

I just came from BestBuy and looked at an m1330 sitting next to a 1525. The 15" laptop is considerably larger looking than the 13 incher. The size of the m1330 actually looked "just right" -- not too big, not too small.

 

I purchased the m1330 about two months ago, and couldn't be happier!

i've been in Best Buy and seen the m1530, and while they look nice, I LOVE the size of the m1330!

I purchased an HP 22" monitor, so the majority of time, when I'm at home, the display from my external monitor is amazing!

Yeah, I give up some in the graphic processor department, but I'm not a big gamer, and I've loaded the Orange Box on my machine (more for my son then for me, but I play it as well) and it runs great!

The m1330, again, for ME, is the perfect size (I was looking originally at the Sony SZ, which is even smaller. I didn't want to move up in size/weight more then the m1330 for the times I travel)

You'll probably be thrilled with either one.

 

I really wish the m1330 had options for a black keyboard and a matte screen. Oh well... maybe the next version?

 

Well, if you put them side by side - the size difference isnt really that much nor is the weight (I have a 9cell in the M1330, 6cell in M1530). But I have to say that the M1330 is easier to carry around, particularly with one hand.

 

Tricks, since you have both, I have a specific question for you:

When looking at text on the same web page, how does the text size on the m1330 (13.3" @ 1280 x 800) compare with the same text on the m1530 (15.4" @ 1440 x 900)?

Which text is larger/smaller -- or do they appear to be similar in size?

Thanks!

 

They seem to be about the same from what I can see!

 

Okay, thanks. I had always wondered, since one has a larger screen but with higher resolution... the other has a smaller screen, but with lower resolution. I had a feeling the text would end up being about equal on both.

 

can you tell me what temps you are getting from the 8400GS card?

 

if this is your only computer i'd get the 1530 with at least 1440x900 rez. i have a 1330 but i also have a large custom desktop that i use as my main computer.

 

I have owned an M1330 for 3 months now (T9300,LED,Nvidia128,320gb,4gb) and love it. I just recd my M1530 as a desktop replacement (T8400,LED, Nvidia 256, 320GB, 4gb) and the first thing I thought when I opened the box was "holly _rap what a monster! It just seems so much bigger than the M1330 than the numerous comparisons on the web indicate. After the initial shock I remembered that I ordered it as a desktop replacement.
If there was only a 14.1 inch XPS - now that would be perfect.
The M1530 runs cooler than the M1330.
The 1280x800 and the 1440x900 seem about the same.
The M1530 runs all my videos smoother.
Its not that the M1530 is heavy - but the M1330 is a great size for taking any where ( I use it 8hrs/day at work on excel, word etc)

 

Or get a 1330 plus an external monitor.

Is that due to the difference in the video card?

 

I dont really know - but my videos run smoother without question on the M1530 - especially when running full screen. I have mitigated the heat issue on the M1330 by updating the bios to A11 (fan kicks in earlier )and I found a $2 plastic triangular ruler that I set the back of my M1330 on at work. This seems to lower the GPU temps by 4 or 5 degrees.
If I could only keep 1 laptop I would choose the M1330.
I have already watched some downloaded rental movies on the M1330 ran through the HDMI port to my 32" LCD - worked great.

 

get an 1530. it's not that heavy compare to 1330. you can use it for gaming sometimes.I have no problem carrying my books & 1530 in my backpack. (I'm not a big guy!)
buying 2 will be a waste.

 

The size difference is significant, I've put my M1530 beside my friend's M1330 (LCD screen not led) and in terms of weight and size, big diff.
But then there is also a big gap in the performance of the GPU. Since I game I would take the additional bulk and weight anyday. The 8600 GT is a decent gpu.

 

People do overcritisise the 8400m though, I can play UT3 on my m1330 with reduced graphics. I faced the same dilema, and came to the conclusion that ultraportability was key... but I've been pleasently suprised with this things gaming capabilities. It's not going to be good enough for the hardcore PC gamer, and no doubt the 8600m is miles better, but right now I've got UT3, Devil May Cry 4 demo, UT1, Phantasy Star Online: Bkue Burst and Final Fantasy XI installed and loving it. Depends how much of a demanding gamer you are, I guess.

No complaints with the 1280x800 resolution screen, it actually seems like it has more screen real estate than my 1360x768 HDTV, and the lower resolution is better for playing games at native resolution anyway.

 

I think a 13" screen at 1280x800 is a perfect combo for a laptop.