What is the ideal setup?

I can't find any good dock stations for the XPS m1530. Dell doesn't even have one -- I hope they make one that supports the XPS m1330/m1530 line.

Anyway, I am planning on getting an external monitor (22") to use while I am at home. The XPS doesn't have any ports on the back, so I will have to attach it from the side which is okay.

Here is a mockup I created of my desired look:



I bought the XPS as a desktop and notebook replacement. I will do light/moderate gaming on it, but will be doing a lot of graphics.

My question is:

• Does this setup look feasible -- personal experience?
• What is the best wireless keyboard (slim look preferred) with a laptop power on function?
• What is the best wireless mouse (I have a wired Logitech mouse right now and I like it)?

Thanks for viewing my thread and any suggestion is appreciated!

I only own the 9-cell battery so I am aware of the laptop raising.

 

That is about how my setup is right now except I have the monitor to the side and use both monitors are once. You shouldn't have any problem working like that unless your desk is not deep enough for everything to fit comfortably. Also if your going to be at your desk and everything is plugged into the laptop why do you need wireless keyboard and mouse? You can get better and cheaper with wired.

 

Thanks for your reply!

As for wireless, I've been "wired" until I bought the XBOX 360 (wireless controller). I guess the mobility and clean (less clutter) aspect of it is why I'm wanting to go that route. To be able to take my laptop without me having to mess with all the USB cords. I'd like my desk to look as clean as possible.

 

@Lord Egregious: do you mind if I ask for a picture?

 

I love how you mocked up your idea. Its perfect and clean. I'm gonna try myself that one

 

I dont think you can get the laptop to power up without the docking station...which are only available for the latitude and precision laptop lines.

 

Yea you won't be able to. In order for a USB keyboard to function it needs to get power which it won't if the computer is off. You could go with a studio because the power button is conveniently on the hinge (which seems almost ideal for your situation). If you're set on the m1530 though, you're going to have to live with opening and closing the lid of the computer when you want it to turn on. Or you can just never really turn it off and use Vista's sleep feature which is very similar to turning it off.

*Some* BIOS setups allow for PC power on by the keyboard, but I don't think the XPS BIOS is one of that few. I don't know if it exists on a laptop actually, it's probably just desktops.

 

I just finished setting up as seen in the mockup and my desk has never been cleaner like this before

 

It seems a waste not to use the laptop screen in tandem with the external since it's there, so I'd position the laptop beside it and open.

The dual screen functionality works great for browsers and IM's, docks and palettes*

*So long as you have the monitors colour calibrated.

 

That mockup is pretty nice looking. I think that is a fairly ideal setup if you are going the simplistic route. I would opt to utilize both monitors though, maybe put the laptop on a stand so that they are about the same eye level.

 

The only crappy thing with that is you have to deal with two different resolutions. Unless you have the WSXGA+ on your laptop.

 

I planned on doing the same thing, but I ended up letting my wife use my external LCD monitor on her desktop, so she could run a dual monitor setup, and I just use my notebook like a notebook.

Good luck. I like your mockup. Looks nice.

 

I've never found that to be an issue to be honest.

 

Sorry I am not answering your question but i cant understand why u got the M1530 laptop if you wanted to have this setup...wouldnt a XPS desktop be a better option coz it iwll have much better specs+chepaer ??

MnVn

 

Thanks all for your inputs. I really hope the laptop can wake out of sleep mode from the keyboard. That would be a real bummer if it can't.

I may try the dual monitor setup, but does that honestly look nice when next to each other? 22" and 15"? I want to go with the mockup because I don't really care for a dual monitor setup when the difference in size is that large -- plus, I can imagine myself being distracted by it while doing graphics designs. But I can't say for sure as I haven't tried the dual setup myself.

Yes, like I said in my post: I wanted a NOTEBOOK replacement and a DESKTOP replacement -- basically killing two birds with one stone. I like the slim form factor and looks of the XPS -- I don't do much gaming at all, maybe once in a blue moon, and if I do this laptop has more than enough power to run that game.

 

I have used dual monitors like that and I can tell you it got a little annoying for certain tasks, but it was cool for other tasks. It was convenient that I could have a text document on the 15" and be doing some graphic editing on the 20". The resolution was sort of annoying though, but it really depends on what kind of things you plan on doing. You could also just go get the dual monitor expresscard or USB adapter and have 2 22" monitors at the same res side by side .

 

You can wake Vista out of sleep mode by pressing the spacebar. You just can't turn them on through the keyboard.

 

Here are the best pictures I could take with my crappy camera of my current setup. I use to have a 17" monitor next to the 20" but i moved it off when i got the laptop and moved the 20" over. They are nowhere near level or color coordinated. I use to keep the 17" fullscreen and my 20 at the same height and their resolutions width wise were near identical so it worked out well. I only use the 20" for instant messaging and for video playback while on the internet. And please not everyone die at once when they see the 20" monitor. It was the best I could do last year. Hopefully I can get a more legit brand 24" soon.