M1530 vs current computer

Hey

Just recently I've been tempted to upgrade. The thing is, I may be going to university next year, I might not be, so depending on that, I may need a degree of portability. Anyway, basically, what I wanted to know is if it would be worth getting the XPS M1530 as a "desktop replacement" of sorts? My current system is three years old:

Pentium IV 3.0ghz
2 gb RAM
GeForce 7900GT 256MB
250 gb HD
XP Home Edition

The XPS M1530 I ideally would be getting:

Pentium T9300 2.5ghz
1440x900 display
Vista Premium
3 gb RAM
GeForce 8600

I tend to play a fair amount of older games (the sims 2, which this computer I'm using- the Pentium IV- lags on, morrowind etc), but I surf the net a lot, listen to music etc.

I'm also a little concerned about the "future-proof" ability of the M1530. I'm not sure if the specs have been released yet, but I would ideally want to play some more up to date games like Red Alert 3, The Sims 3, C&C Tib Wars etc on the M1530. Would I see a noticeable difference in performance between my current desktop and the M1530?

Also cause for concern: the GPU. Are all the NVidia GPUs going to eventually fail, even if I buy one of the later XPS M1530s?

For the same price as the M1530 I've listed, I could get a 1710 (albeit with a slower 2.0ghz processor but more RAM, HD space and a 7900 card. For the usage I've listed, might I be better off getting one of those?

 

wait for the revision the XPS is going to get in a few weeks.

 

Revision, eh? Any more information on that?

Will this be available in the UK...and will it cost more?

 

The XPS would be a lot faster than your desktop


You don't really need the 2.5ghz intel...you can get the T8300 2.4ghz, it costs a lot less and you will not be able to tell the difference with what you (or just about any regular person) will use it for.


The revision will cost more...that's just how it goes dude, like cars..the newer the pricier...but you might also get a nice rebate with the "older" ones

(BTW: i'm assuming that Price is a concern)

 

might NOT be the same look anymore though, nobody really knows how dell plans to refresh all its lines

 

Agreed

And, the 1530 is a very nice lappy, if you decide to purchase one!


Cin

 

Revision would be the new Centrino 2 platform (faster Core 2 CPU with 1066MHz FSB, New P/GM45 chipset with next gen graphics and Wireless adapters). HP, IBM and many others already have the new platform, for some reason DELL was late to pick it up. But now they have it on their Latitude series, so it is just a matter of time for it to be available on XPS.

 

yea but they are combining the xps line into the inspiron and studio lines and going more mainstream and budget level so it might not have as high of specs as the current ones have, compared to other laptops out now with centrino 2 already.

 

That's kind of what I'm a little worried about. Decisions decisions!

So there's really no big difference between the T83 and the T93? Would the system be okay for a couple of more modern games? (ie late this year/early next year release?)

 

A lot of modern games will play quite happily on it, its just you mightn't be able to play at maxed settings,

This a midrange laptop, its not tied to a plug socket but then you can't expect massive performance without being so.

Personally I'd wait and see, if you don't really need it till next year then there's no point buying till then.

 

No laptop is future proof! Only buy one when you need/want it. I'd keep gaming on the 7900 for a little while longer.

 

Would I notice a difference between the T8100 2.10ghz and the T8300 2.40 ghz processors?

 

not a huge difference, but its less expensive to go from the T8100 to T8300 than it is to make the leap from T8300 to T9300