Options

Hi Guys,

Sorry to just hit and run but I need help quickly. I have ordered a XPS m1730 on 27th of last month and have been messed around. I ordered and paid via direct deposit on the basis that it would be a quick turn around. The thing is not even built yet.

After many questioning emails/phone calls they have offered me a refund. The problem is that I need a desktop replacement for work and until I get one, my websites are not being updated. They can supply me with an XPS by next Monday 12th Jan but I want to know are there other options worth considering.

Can I ask for opinions. Is it worth waiting for this machine or is there a better unit on the market available over the counter for up to 4.5k Australian. I need to get something ASAP so if there is another option I would love to hear about it.

Build specs to follow.

Thanks
boli

001 Dell XPS (TM) M1730 Notebook 1
1 TV Tuner Card (ExpressCard) 1
2 Dell(TM) Remote Control for Media Center 1
3 17.0" UltraSharp(TM) Widescreen WUXGA (1920x1200) TFT Display with TrueLife(TM) 1
4 320GB SATA 7200RPM Performance Hard Drive 1
5 Intel IMSM SRV 1
6 4GB (2x2GB) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM 1
7 Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9500 1
8 Inspiron(TM) Handling & Insurance Charges (Australia) 1
9 230W Primary AC Adapter 1
10 Power Cord, 2m, 250V AUS (Australia, New Zealand) 1
11 Shipment Box with No Case 1
12 Smoke Gray LCD display with Integrated 2.0 mega pixel web cam 1
13 Dell's Terms and Conditions apply 1
14 Laptop Batteries Carry 1 Year Warranty Only From Invoice Date 1
15 2-year XPS Premier Service with 1-year CompleteCover 1
16 # Yr 1 Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis 1
17 # Year 1 Standard POW 1
18 # Includes Yr 2 Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis 1
19 # Includes Year 2 Parts Exchange Service 1
20 2 Years Priority PC User 24x7 Support (Round-The-Clock Technical Assistance) 1
21 24x7 Telephone Technical Support Hotline: 1300-790-877 1
22 # 1 Year Complete Cover Accidental Damage Protection 1
23 CompleteCover/ CompleteCover Guard Technical Guide included 1
24 2 Yrs Value Night & Weekend Onsite Service (M-F:0800-2100, Sat-Sun:0900-1700) 1
25 320GB SATA 7200RPM Performance Hard Drive 1
26 Microsoft(R) Works 9.0 (Does Not Include Microsoft(R) Office 2003/2007 Software) 1
27 OEM-Word Processor/Spreadsheet/Database/Calendar/Powerpoint viewer/Email Tools 1
28 McAfee(R) Security Center(TM) - 24 Months OEM 1
29 Dell Backlit Keyboard with Touchpad and 10-numeric key 1
30 NO 56K MODEM 1
31 Dell(TM) Travel Remote Control 1
32 ANZ Return 1
33 Dell(TM) Connect Software 1
34 8-in-1 media card reader 1
35 Dell(TM) Support Center 1
36 Regulatory Label 1
37 Shipping Mod with Powercord 1
38 Google Toolbar 1
39 LightFX perimeter lighting 1
40 Logitech GamePanel 1
41 Binder KIT 1
42 Dell(TM) MediaDirect 1
43 Dell(TM) MediaDirect DVD Kit 1
44 Integrated Fast Ethernet 10/100/1000 1
45 Dual 512MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) 8800M GTX with NVIDIA(R) SLI(TM) Technology 1
46 DVI to HDMI Cable 1
47 Base Assembly (Discrete) 1
48 Intel(R) 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini-Card 1
49 Limited time promotional offer only. No further discounts apply 1
50 Blu-ray Combo Drive (BD reader & DVD/CD burner w/double layer write capability) 1
51 Roxio Creator 10 1
52 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery 1
53 Discount is only valid if the corresponding upgraded item is selected above. 1
54 Genuine Windows Vista(R) Ultimate 32 bit SP1 Edition (English) 1
55 Vista QFE OS (Ultimate SP1) 1
56 Genuine Windows Vista(R) Ultimate 32 bit SP1 (English) DVD Media Included 1
57 System Driver DVD Kit 1
58 Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Software Driver 1
59 Vista(R) HTML Guide Included 1
60 Dell(TM) PC-Restore Included 1
61 Dell(TM) Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module 1
62 Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio Software 1
63 Genuine Windows Vista(R) Ultimate SP1 COA Label 1
64 PC Restore will occupy some HDD capacity. 1
65 The capacity varies with preloaded material and operating environment. 1
66 eBay Web Access Software

 

The only notebooks that are better than this would be either a Sager NP9262 or an Arima W840-DI (aka OCZ Whitebook). However, I'm not sure how fast you can get either in Australia.

 

Hi Hirohata,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I had a look on their sites and wished I'd seen them earlier but as I have little time, I will probably have to confirm this order and go with the XPS.

While I will use it for very little in the way of gaming (hopefully company of heroes will work on it) I hope to use it for Photoshop, Dreamweaver and basic office 2007 functions. Will leave video editing and encoding to my more powerful desktop machine. Would you be able to confirm that this machine will handle the sort of things outlined above given its specs? I have read very mixed reviews on this unit since paying for it ..!! and am starting to worry that I have purchased an overpriced light machine.

Any advice would be appreciated as given Dells delays to date and their willingness to offer a refund, I might be better off with a different machine.

Thanks
boli

 

Should definitely handle the programs you've outlined above, though it was specifically created as Dell's gaming laptop (before Alienware). All that remains after obtaining it is to remove the "bloatware" on it by reinstalling Windows.

 

This Setup will Handle all the latest you throw at it pretty well mate so i don't see why you should get this Model but if you're not into gaming / Production then Get XPS M1530 ??

 

Thanks for the feedback. The reason I am getting something overspec to my needs is that I have been using a rather slow laptop for sometime and am totally sick of waiting for apps. Also my desktop which should is quite fast with tons of ram and the nvidia 7950gx2 has a hardware problem that has yet to be identified causing it to shut down at random. Some times will go for days on end without being switched off and is fine. Other days it will reboot 50 times before successfully loading windows. Most of the time it works pretty good and occasionally reboots at random.

Its getting to the stage where I just want something that was factory built and will work. Hopefully this puppy will do the job.

Are there any threads that explain the tricks and tips i.e. what to do when you to set up a new 1730? I would be interested to hear what others have done to get the thing running better, including whether I should ditch VISTA Ultimate and install XP pro instead?

Hope to get some feedback and thanks to all thus far.

Cheers
Boli

 

Hi Guys,

I have a further question. Have any of you formatted and reinstalled XP on this machine? I am having a hard time coming to grips with some of the fundamental things in VISTA e.g. connecting to my wireless modem!!! and am thinking about going back to XP pro as I know it well. Any thoughts? Has anyone else done this or there driver issues I need to be wary of?

Thanks for the help to date.
boli

PS - no jokes about not being able to connect to my wireless modem please. I have set up/built dozens of XP machines and they all were simple and worked straight up. VISTA is foreign to me....

PPS- If anyone knows of a good thread where this is already discussed, could you please just post a link up to it? Thanks again.