The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Some questions before buying XPS M1530

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by ad_vlad, Jan 26, 2009.

  1. ad_vlad

    ad_vlad Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi all, I've been watching for a long time the XPS M1530 line and now I'm almost 99.99% decided finaly get mine. ( the laptop will be purchased in Romania ).
    However, I have some small questions if anyone can help me.
    First, the model I choose is http://www.emag.ro/notebook_laptop/...0-25ghz-4gb-320gb-vista-rosu--pNBKDLLIXPS0054
    If anyone looks at the price, it's about $1364.
    The use is for programming, some web design, and a little gaming (world of warcraft mostly).

    1. Can hardware acceleration be used on the secondary monitor? Meaning that if I attach a second screen, can I have 3d full screen acceleration on it instead on the primary laptop display ?

    2. I've been reading alot about the Nvidia GPU problems. Has it been solved with newer produced models, or the only amelioration is the new bios version with faster fan startup ? Also, in case the thermal paste is exchange with an artic silver will it last longer, or damage still occures. ? I will have 3 years warranty on it, but it will be sending it back for repairs and so on, no on-place service is possible

    3. Is the M1530 line beeing discarded in favour of the new studio XPS m1640 ?

    Thank you very much for any answers.
     
  2. fiddlesticks1

    fiddlesticks1 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I have an older XPS M1530 which I bought at a local computer store ( It was a demo model). After buying it, I discovered the power supply is a problem. ( Google it). The backlight only works when plugged in so it has a very unimpressive display when not plugged in.( This is compared to an old iBook G4)

    The biggest problem is that it ships with VISTA. It is not easy to get drivers to convert to XP, although someone on the forum says he's done it.

    My suggestion would be to find a sale on a notebook that ships with XP Pro even though it might be higher expense. Dell has a line of business laptops with this option (vista business downgrade). Go to the Dell website and look at their business laptops. These also may have docking stations which XPS line does not!
     
  3. fiddlesticks1

    fiddlesticks1 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I sent a previous post. Check out the problems with Nvidia GPU. I don't know if they have any bearing to current products.