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    Newbie to XPS...hoping for help

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by sk8er_J_5tephenB, Nov 30, 2008.

  1. sk8er_J_5tephenB

    sk8er_J_5tephenB Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey All,
    I'm searching for a very good laptop that will hopefully last me for the next 4 years of college (mechanical engineering major). I have been searching for about a month now (browsing and review-reading) and the XPS (M1530) has kept coming to my attention. I was thinking about getting the 1530 with this "setup:"
    C2D T8300 (2.4GHz)
    4GB DDR2
    320GB SATA hard drive (or 250GB) at 7200rpm. (possibly a solid state drive)
    nVidia 8600GT
    (9-cell batt.)
    Dell wireless-N mini card
    (possibly the High Res LED LCD screen (1440x900)
    I want a laptop that will really perform! I will be needing speed and lots of memory. Engineering requires the use of CAD programs as well, so I'm keeping that in mind. i Basically want the highest quality I can get, but I don't need the "unnecessary fancies" (blu-ray, 17" screen, etc...). (If they come with it, great, but I don't really care!)
    Anyway, I've been hearing that the XPS 1530 is overpriced for what you get and that it has several uncommon errors (uncommon to most laptops) and defects; the high temp and constant crashing being two of them. You all seem to enjoy your XPS, and I hope I will too if I get one, but is there another laptop out there that will better suit my needs and not contain all the negatives. I also hear that Dell is not doing so hot right now...is that an indicator to stay away from their products?
    Basically, what do you guys/gals think about my above set up and what would you advise me in my laptop search? I love the look of the XPS and the fact that it has the memory and speed I need, but I want to be very careful since it's not exactly the cheapest notebook out there. Whatever you could tell me would be most appreciative.
    Thanks in advance.
    Josh :)
     
    sk8er_J_5tephenB, Nov 30, 2008
    #1
  2. PhoenixFx

    PhoenixFx Notebook Virtuoso

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    XPS M1530 is a good notebook, but unfortunately it is outdated. A new Intel platform (Centrino 2) with a much more power efficient CPU (+faster FSB), and faster RAM is already out along with Geforce 9 series graphics cards. Therefore I would recommend one of those instead. HP dv5t is a good place to start. If you want a DELL then take a look at the new Latitude series (has NVIDIA Quadro series gfx = good for AutoCAD ). Or wait for the next XPS refresh (however, I don't know when it is going to happen)
     
    PhoenixFx, Nov 30, 2008
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