XPS 1330 or 1530 - I can not make up my mind

Hello

I'm thinking of buying either the 1330 or the 1530 but I just can make up my mind... So I need your help!

I'm currently using a 14" HP dv1000 so neither of them would be a big difference in size. It has a 1280x768 display which is ok for me but I could use a higher resolution sometimes for photo retouching. Here's my pros and cons:

1330:
+Small, portable size
+LED backlit LCD display
+A bit cheaper with my current discounts than the 1530
-Resolution limited to 1280x800

1530:
+Better resolution
+Faster video card (8600 vs 8400)
-No LED backlit display
-Slightly more expensive than 1330

Any opinions?

 

What will you be doing with the laptop?

Also fill out the FAQ so that we can help you better.

 

Here are the answers for the FAQ... Skipped some irrelevant questions.

1) What is your budget?
Well the two laptops are about the same price. The 1530 would be maybe $100 more.

2) What size notebook would you prefer?
My 14" is just perfect, I find the 15" ones a little bit large but not to bad.

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Mostly programming, watching movies, some Photoshop work and maybe video editing later.

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
I travel maybe once every three months, otherwise the laptop sits in my desk all the time

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Not really, I'm not a big player but I'd like to try some games eventually.

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
More then two and I'm happy

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
1280x768 - This is what I have now and I'm happy with it but sometimes I might need larger resolution.
Not sure about 1440x900 vs. 1650x1050 though... but I think I would be really happy with a 1440x900 LED backlit screen on a 1530. DELL please

 

If i were you, i would go to best buy and check out some sony 13" and 15" laptops and compare the 2 for size and comfort of viewing the screen etc. That should help you make the 1330 vs 1530 decision easier.

 

Yeah I'd love to but I can not make it there in the next two weeks (because of my work), and I don't want to let this deal go away

 

gaborkovacs, I struggled with the exact same decision this past week. On Monday I placed an order for an M1530. Here's why:

This laptop will be for work (email, browsing, Cygwin, Office apps, and Project) and personal use (music, gaming, photos, movies). It will travel and commute, but I decided to deal with the extra two pounds in exchange for the larger screen and much better graphics card.

The weight of the M1530 is about the same as I've dealt with in my ThinkPad T43, but is a huge step up in performance.

You can't go wrong with either one. It all comes down to better portability or increased performance. For me, performance > portability

 

It is a performance verse portability issue. If your going to be moving around alot then the 1330 will be better because its lighter. If not the 1530 is just fine.

 

If you not worried about portability get the 1530

 

Thanks everyone! I will probably wait a couple of more days and decide soon.

Btw there's a 10 days 10 deals event going on on the Dell EPP site now. Hoping that there will be an XPS deal as well.

 

Ok folks, after weeks of thinking, I just clicked on the button... I ended up buying a Midnight Blue M1330 with the following config: T7500 processor, 250G HDD, 3G RAM, LED backlit screen. Came down to $1158 ($1239 shipped)... Not bad, I believe

Here's why I bougt the M1330:

- Portability
- LED backlit screen (I'm very picky when it comes to screen quality)
- I don't really play games and if I do, usualy older ones so I don't need an 8600 GT. Not even the 8400 probably
- With the current discounts it was ~$250 cheaper then the M1530. I can buy a nice external monitor from this money

The wait begins NOW... )

 

yup in performance besides games the the 1330 and 1530 are the same. You made the right choice.