Top 10 Questions about the M1530

Many thanks

I've been building and overclocking rig's for 6 years now so I can do that without issue but as this laptop cost £1,000 I want to know exactly what the right way is, thanks again for the links I'll take a look at those tonight

 

First post - I'm looking hard at the M1530. My Dad gets my hand-me-down computers and his current laptop is a relic so he's going to get my MS-1029. This seems to be one of the best, future-proofed systems out there and Dell has some specials right now.

Questions:
- does it come with operating system media (DVD/CD)? I prefer to wipe and install a new machine minus all the junk.
- I currently have a 1280x800 laptop and hate the limited vertical resolution. Is 1440x900 much of an improvement or should I go higher?

I know there's probably a discussion somewhere on my first question but I thought I could get a quick answer here. I know the second question is subjective, but I'm looking for an opinion from someone who's made the move from 1280x800 --> 1440x900.

Thanks!

John

 

Yes, my 1530 came with a Vista OS disk.
Also, i went from 1280x800 to 1440x900. There is a difference, and obviously for the better. I've been using 1440x900 since April of last year so i am used to it and looking at 1280x800 looks horrible.

Here are some screen shots of the differences in resolution.

 

Hi Sterr,

Thanks for the helpful reply. That's good the OS is included. I've decided I'm going to go all out and get the hi def screen. Hopefully I won't go blind but from everything I've read with the adjustments you can make in Windows, the smaller native details are not an issue. I'll be ordering later tonight.

Thanks again,

John

 

Hey! You will like the 1530 its a great lappy! I've had mine since 1/08..and it runs nearly perfect!

You should read thru this thread right here, it's a great thread and answers lot's of questions! And, also be sure to check the whole forum!

Yes, it comes with a OS CD...Are you planning on doing your own clean install? There are a few good threads here for doing a clean insall and some tweaking on the Dells!

Dell Vista Laptop Reformat and Bloatware Removal Guide
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=157838

NBR Member Vista Tips and Tweaks Guide
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=166532

I was going to get the 1280x800, but after checking and playing with the 1440x900 res. I liked it much better... bett. res. and viewing for me and things I would be using my lappy for!

Good luck!

Cin

 

Ok thats great then It was a general suggestion I give everyone, to be careful, since as you said, such premium laptop need the utmost care even from a professional, IMHO Anyway, good luck and have fun... and get back with any feedbacks as such

 

Was taken any other way

I'm sure I'll be around more once it arrives! lol

Many thanks

 

Got my order confirmation, and I got 3 years XPS warranty put on for nothing too.....

Estimated delivery date is 22nd of October!!

 

Awesome! 3 years warranty for $0 cost...WooT!....

10/22 a little over a week...and that will fly by!

Then, alll yours! : )


Cin

 

I'm hoping it may be this week sometime, we'll see

EDIT: Got the pre production mail just now too

Now in production? lol

 

You just got it! LOL....Well, at least they are covering their bases!


Cin

 

Wow, with the 25% off coupon you can get a great system: $1,345.50

I'm not sure I can help but not buy this . . . anything glaringly missing from this config?

- XPS M1530 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache) H83DHN [223-5880]
- Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-bit VHP64E [310-9764][420-5769][420-7590][420-8223][420-9100][420-9319][463-2282]
- System Color Midnight Blue BLDMSAT [313-6441]
- Memory 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) 4GB2D [311-7823]
- LCD, Color and camera Full Hi Definition, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1920x1200) & 2.0 M DUXGAC [320-6694]
- Video Card 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT 25686GT [320-6082]
- Hard Drives Ultra Performance: 64GB Solid State Drive 64GSSD [341-6671]
- Software - Adobe Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0 ADOBER [410-1883]
- Combo or DVD+RW Drive Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write) 8XDVDRW [313-5820][420-8183]
- Sound Card Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition ISBAHD [313-5014]
- Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card TM1395 [430-2680]
- Productivity No Microsoft Office MSONO [412-1397]
- Software - Antivirus McAfee SecurityCenter 15-months VMCAF1Y [410-1184]
- Primary Battery 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery 6BAT [312-0638]
- Warranty & Service 1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis S1OS [412-0360][950-3337][950-9797][960-8710][984-2350][988-5607]
- Accident and Theft Protection LoJack for Laptops Theft Protection DHSLJ1 [420-8655][991-1179]
- Datasafe Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year DOB2GB [420-9518][988-0099][988-7707]
- Dial-Up Internet Access No ISP requested NISP [412-0148]
- SECURITY Finger Print Reader XPS M1530 FPRDR [467-2337]
- Bluetooth and Wireless USB Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate) H355I [430-2566]
- Doms Camera and Color High Resolution, Blue glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1920x1200)&2MP Ca BUXGWTC [320-6808][420-7715]
- Processor Branding Intel Core 2 Duo Processor IC2DNB [310-8319]
- Dell Printer Driver Windows Vista™ Premium

 

^^ Go for the Intel wireless instead of Dell.. Intel is a *lot* better... and for the AV software, can't you get NIS? If yes, I would highly recommend going for NIS instead of McAfee... (and even if its NIS '08, its fine, since u can gte a free upgrade by getting on Symantec Chat and NIS '09 is only much better!) Otherwise it looks fine, IMHO... Warranty would be much better with 2 or 3 yrs, but not a big worry since u can upgrade / extend later

 

Not a lot of hard drive room on there once Vista is installed along with the normal day to day applications and packages? It will fly though

My order is in "Delivery preparation"

 

Thanks for the replies. My ISP (Comcast in the states) gives free McAfee to all of its users so no worries on AV (free wins in my book). Frankly on my current laptop I have an 80GB hard drive and 64GB is free after 3 years. I have a massive RAID5 array on my desktop (800GB) where I store my data so my laptop I'd rather have the fast but small SSD drive since Dell makes it so affordable to get one. I'll look again for the Intel wireless but it was not offered as an option - I may have to start with a "different" M1530 when building.

 

The Intel Wireless-N is no longer a configuration option that I can find...

Am I screwed going with the Dell 1505 N?

 

well you are not screwed, but just that Intel is a lot better

 

OK, the issue is that I preferred the 64-bit O/S but apparently there are no drivers for that card and so they don't offer it. Hmmmm . . ..

 

But Intel *does have* 64 bit drivers...

Guess the OEM (Dell) doesn't have one to give away themself.... (and as Intel themself recommend using OEM drivers, for cards that come with the laptop manufacturer!!!)

 

I guess then I'll just get the 32-bit setup and go from there, or I can plead with them to build me a 64-bit system with the intel and tell them that I'll sort out the drivers myself . . . ?

I just finished a chat with someone there (good service) and she's the one who told me that they don't offer the intel with the 64-bit install.

 

Well I am sorry I don't know if u can make them build a system with a component that was not listed in the configuration area...

You could try, since you could always get the drivers and install them yourself... ask them if they would get the Intel card for you.. or at least try to convince them to send u one separately, which u can swap later!! But I don't know about this, mate.. so just try or see if any one else here have a better suggestion / tip. Cheers.

 

Delivery preparation....nice, very nice!

I remember when mine was in the boxing stage, then to shipping...I was so excited!


Cin

 

I bought it with the Dell 1505 N wireless card and 64-bit O/S. If it gives me trouble I'll deal with it later. Estimated ship: 10/29/2008.

 

Well it now on Delivery stage (final stage), I assume I have to wait for an email to say it's actually left the depot?

 

When did Dell start offering the m1530 with 64 bit online? What do you do with your computer that you are only using about 10GB? I almost have that much storage on my keychain.

 

I think the "Build as 64-bit" appeared since I started shopping for a new laptop because I don't think it was there last weekend.

Are you saying Vista takes up 54GB? It's not nearly that bad is it?

The primary heavy lifting will be running Nikon's Capture NX software for digital photo editing. Once photos are edited the raw NEF files and refined JPGs will be moved to my desktop's RAID5 storage where they will also be backed up. I do all of my iTunes stuff on my desktop as well since I can have my FLAC/MP3's on a RAID5 array as well as backed up to an external drive. I just don't use much disk space on a laptop, and Capture NX is the mother of all I/O intensive apps so having a really fast disk drive trumps having tons of storage. My current laptop has 1GB and is crushed by Capture NX. As prices come down on SSD's I'll consider buying a larger one, but for now the 64GB one was really a good deal.

 

No you said on your old 80GB you had 64GB free so with format loss you were only using a little over 10GB and that includes your OS. I can't even imagine that. I just did a clean install a couple of weeks ago and have only put on a few basic programs so far and I am using about 30GB already and I still want to put on Photoshop, Lightroom, Sony Vegas, some games etc. I like just getting a big drive and then I have my pictures, music, etc with me on the go and it gives me another backup too. I have a 1TB raid on my desktop and it is full. I am ready to get a bigger one. I already upgraded the laptop to a 320GB 7200 HD.

 

What can I say? I guess I just wasn't using much space . . .

Frankly the one thing I wanted to put on my old laptop was Microsoft's Visual Studio but I just don't think it was fast enough to make it an even remotely pleasant experience. I think the M1530 will be plenty fast enough for that. I really can't wait to get it. The 1920x1200 will be excellent for digital photo work as well which is a huge step up from the 1280x800 on my current laptop.

 

WooT delivery stage!

Any updates??

Cin

 

Yes

It's being delivered Friday this week, paid for Monday and delivered Friday the same week, very pleased with the service so far, not going to bother with dual boot I'm going to rebuild it with Vista Ultimate 64bit Friday and get all my application and a few games on then take an image of the drive and tuck that away somewhere safe.....

Just been looking at the links to update all the drivers on these forums...

 

Good good!

Looks' like you are going about things the right way...Well, you already know a lot about computers!

And, you shall surely find almost everything you need here on the forums!
Tis a good thing! :yes:


Cin

 

It's arrived


A few beers and a reformat tonight followed by some gaming if I get it finished in time


Will post back thought's in another thread later! If I'm not too drunk that is

 

Congrat's, congrat's to you!! :yes:

That's awesome news! Welcome to the XPS Posse! hee hee!

Have fun with the reformat, and *owning* it!

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it laterz.....


Cin

 

OK done a format, whats the best (correct) modded graphics drivers for my lappy guys?

 

There is no such thing as 'best (correct)' modded graphics drivers.. in any case, why do u want a modded driver? Isn't the one from Dell being fine?

Are you seeing any issues with that? If not, there is no real reason why you should go for a modded one, unless u want the latest drivers out there, in your system..... and on any day, most of the time, OEM driver' work just as well.

Or may be see if other's who know about these things here might have a better or different answer to your Q....!!!

 

Can't seem to see the 64bit graphics drivers on their website to be honest?

 

Ahh... you with 64-bit??

For example > http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=248523

A good place would be laptopvideo2go

Though, you might need to search around for the 'best' drivers!!

 

Hi fonduekid

Got the basic drivers for now.....

really loving the laptop so far, no marks or scratches as I got it from the outlet!

Just gonna load a few games and see how it performs

So far.... really pleased with my first high end laptop purchase, after years of pc building......

Well pleased!!

 

Ah good.. what driver version are you using? And have you checked the temperature'? Also its better you do some stability testing, just to be sure...

By the way, strange there are no other suggestions from other' here regarding this.... I was interested too, to know of some good 64-bit drivers..

Anyway, cheers.

 

I cannot find the thread I originally posted this question in so let me try one more time, I have been in this thread before and it's easy to find.

okay I ordered my M1530 the day before yesterday(thursday) but the guy messed up and put the wrong monitor. so yesterday I cancelled and re ordered it with him. I just called the check up number and found out I am in the build stage, although I don't know when I went into the build stage from kitting. Any guessed on when I will get it shipped out? I know shipping times vary to much so I am just wondering when dell might put it to the packing or shipping stage. Stats are in the sig

 

Well I got my laptop Monday morning. No complimentary items, which was a little disappointing, but I was ready for that. Shot off an email to my rep anyway. Who knows.

Anyway, this is the first laptop I have ever ordered that I did not do a clean flatten install of the OS. I deleted some items, like Dell's online backup, mainly because it doesn't seem to work at all (can't make an account, can't even get on the **** site through the program), and my 15 month sub to Mcaffee is getting really close to uninstall, but other than that, I am very pleased with the software.

Overall, I think my being pleased with the software is because they didn't throw any trial software on the laptop. Maybe this is an XPS thing, but this made me quite happy. *edit* Forgot about the google toolbar/desktop/etc garbage. You know, I like google, but jesus christ, that is just overkill. That was first to go.

Sure, took a few hours to tweak the laptop to make me satisfied, but after putting all of my design software, office, and other crap on here, I was ready to go. I even like the dock, and spent a few minutes integrating my regular software to work through it.

Ok, about the laptop: I read all of the stuff about the HDD noises... mine is silent. LED LCD screen looks good, no floating mis-installed screws in the keyboard, and well, overall, this laptop is pretty sweet. Not a big fan of the slot loading drive, but since this came with a 3 year warranty including accident coverage, I think I can manage.

Trying to think of some negatives, and I really can't. I'm just glad I didn't get sent a lemon. Oh wait, the speakers sound pretty bad, but I'll live.



Now I have to figure out how to keep focused on my Indesign project rather than Spore.

 

Hey..congrat's on your order!

Thats too bad about the monitor situation..but at least you got it reordered!

Regarding shipping, you should have an Estimated Shipping Date that was given to you?? The fact you are in the build stage, thats a good thing!

Check your ESD...alot of times the ESD is over-estimated ~ and that means you could get it sooner.

Here is a helpful thread to also read about the Build process, etc:
Dell Laptop Order Stages Wiki
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=156489

I cant tell you when you wil receive your 1530 but once it's shipped..it doesnt take that long for the arrival!

Hope that helps!

Cin

 

I understand you already posted once, but still, its better you post such Q's in the "shipping order status and customer service issues" forum... You'd get lot more replies there... Further, it helps in keep this forum as well as all the threads in line with the purpose it was created with, in the first place.

No wonder, of late, this thread has turned into one of those shipping order status threads...

Anyways, hope you get your system soon. The best place to clarify everything would be Dell, though, IMHO... they would be the one' to give you specific details on your order, and possible date's too. Good Luck.

 

Congrat's those were nice and positive things to hear a fellow forum member say! I think there will always be things we have to say about something we own that we wish had improvements...so I understand your feelings, on those points! But, all in all your happy that's all that matters!

Again, glad your lappy is working out for you!

Cin

 

I also changed on my recent order the dell network n card to the intel. is it really that much of an issue with the dell ones? I read in this thread to try and change to the intel so I did. Anyone have bluray with the full HD lcd?

 

Guys I need help, I have all my drivers installed, by how the hell do I setup my biometric finger swipe???

Feel like a noob for asking but with my work laptop (T61p) I swipe my finger and it springs into live???

Whats the crack with the XPS?

Many thanks

 

Have you entered your fingerprint first?

If not, then you can do it in the "fingerprint reader suite"..

 

Hi fonduekid

That suite doesn't appear to be on my laptop, thats part of the issue then, I have drivers but no software package?

Can some kind soul link me to the latest version please?

Thanks

 

For Vista 64bit try the link on this page...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=255232

 

Strange? I swear that's the driver I installed I just can't find where to start the actual application on my laptop?

Will have another check!

Thanks