XPS M1530 vs. PC: Convince me to take the plunge.

As a long-time desktop builder and first-time laptop shopper, I'm very weary about taking the plunge into the portable world. I've been building my own desktops for a few years now and have at least a half-dozen builds under my belt between myself, family and friends. Recently, I've become quite interested in laptops and, honestly, I'm not quite sure why.

My current dilemma is whether I should get the jump on this great XPS deal or just continue my desktop building tradition. First, you might want to know a few things about me: I am a college student currently pursuing a bachelor's degree with at least 2 more years of school ahead of me. Personally and professionally, I am in the field of motion picture and television production as well as an interest in music production and graphic design. My computer must be capable of video/audio editing and production (avid/protools), graphic design (photoshop), and at least medium gaming.

Rules: I am on a self-fixed budget of around $1500 or under. I would also like to dual-boot this computer using Windows and the OSX86 project to take advantage of Mac software. This will be my main computer. Here are the two separate configurations:

Portable; Playable; Pricey: Dell XPS M1530

CPU: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB, 4MB Cache)
OS: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
LCD: High Resolution glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1680x1050) & 2MP Camera
RAM: 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
HDD: Size: 250GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
OPTICAL: Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
GPU: 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
WIFI: Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
BT: Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)
BATTERY: 6-cell Primary Battery and 9 -cell additional Lithium Ion Battery
AUDIO: High Definition Audio 2.0
WARRANTY: 3 Years.

Sub Total $1,411.52

Stationary; Powerful; Affordable: Custom Desktop

BOARD: ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard CrossFire
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4GHz/1066MHz FSB, 2x4MB L2 Cache)
OS: N/A. Currently owned Windows XP.
LCD: N/A. Currently owned Westinghouse 27" HDTV.
RAM: Corsair 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz (2x2GB)
HDD: Samsung 750GB 7200rpm SATA 3.0GB/s Hard Drive
OPTICAL: ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA
GPU: 512MB ASUS Radeon HD 3850 256-bit GDDR3/PCI Express 2.0/HDCP/CrossFire
PSU: Thermaltake ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version 700W CrossFire
WARRANTY: Fluxuating manufacturer's warranty.

Sub Total $1,193.94

Sorry for the long post, but I need some serious convincing.

 

Well we are not aloud to talk about osx on pc's on this site.

 

I don’t see anyone convincing you to buy a M1530 over that desktop, if mobility is not a concern at all. So, the question is, do you want a portable computer or not?

 

I'd buy the desktop !

But just place yourself in this scenario:

[SCENARIO] Where would I like to edit my media?
a. At home?
b. Anywhere? [/SCENARIO]

 

you can build a ASUS c90 laptop!

 

Do some research and you'll find that the Dell XPS 1530 has major problems, from grainy screens to electric shock, and several others. You should not buy this notebook; just do yourself a favor and build a nice desktop. Now is not the time for notebooks, unless you really have to have one.

 

i am happy with my m1530

 

mine should be arriving tomorrow. ill give you my opinion on the 1530 then!

 

I have my M1530 for a month now (received 12/24/07), and I haven't found a single problem with it. Before and after I received my XPS, I have been reading each and every thread here and in other places as well, to see what problems others have faced and I checked the same in my XPS, but nothing at all is wrong with XPS, or Vista..everything works perfect - no build issues, no hardware or software issues.

Maybe I am plain lucky with Dell (this is my 4th purchase and 2nd laptop from Dell).

So, I don't find Dell or XPS a problem at all. I would always recommend the M1530 to anyone on earth. But people may not get as lucky as me.

Anyway, I would agree with most of people here - if mobility is what you want, go for a M1530. It's the best. If not, then stick to what you do best (i.e. powerful Desktops).

 

Odibil:
how did you get such a low price for your m1530 config?

 

I don't know about doing video editing on a notebook. The harddrive is slower. I mean, I do it, and other people do it, but it's far from optimal. I'd consider the 17" XPS or Inspiron for you rather than the 15". Laptops are really cool, though. They're espcially great for travel and computing in a recliner or bed. If you're pretty much going to stick on on your desktop and treat it like a desktop, then you get a whole lot more for your money just getting a laptop. It's a commonly known fact that people who own laptops have *** more. Sometimes even with other people.

 

$1411 is the price you pay for that config before tax with the EPP discount

 

I'm looking at a similar config, but wondering why you wouldn;t pay the additional $80 for a 4 year warranty and receive a $70GC? A net of $10 clams for an extra year, I am sure you'll have to replace that AC adapter in the not-too-distant future.

 

Thank you, everyone, for your quick replies -- I really appreciate the PM, bmp.

Like you've all said, it's really just a matter of mobility vs. performance. I guess that's my dilemma here: I really want a mobile computer to take with me when necessary, but I fear that I'm so used to being stationary that I will just treat it like a desktop most of the time.

Mobility (pros and cons):
- I'm a college student, so this will absolutely help me concentrate my efforts onto one portable machine that I can take virtually anywhere without thumb drive incompatibilities between PCs.
- On the other hand, I've managed just fine with the combined use of my own desktop at home and school lab facilities when on campus.
- It would be really nice to have projects (avid, protools, etc.) in their entirety on a mobile platform, rather than rendering the entire project and burning it onto a disc or throwing it on a thumb drive.
- It would be really nice to have a mobile media center for DVDs, music, and hopefully HDTV with a tuner.
- It is, unfortunately, double the cost of its stationary counterpart at any given time. It is even quite a bit more expensive than even a more powerful, top of the line desktop.
- It does not have much upgrade potential outside of RAM and HDD. The 1530 has the potential to support a Penryn chip, but probably will not support newer technologies that follow.
- There is a 3 year warranty with this model that will protect my depreciating investment for most of its lifespan.
- I know I will not carry this at every waking moment and will definitely not demand its full potential in terms of mobility. I have all intentions of making this a standard desktop setup when I'm at home.

Performance (pros and cons):
- The overall performance of an equal system will be more reliable* and much cheaper. Even a high priced performance desktop still sails in well below the lowest price of a notebook.
- Being a stationary system means that all transfers between work and school systems will have to be done sluggishly and time consumingly, through discs or thumb drives.
- Being stationary allows the use of more energy and more room: overclocked cores, large hard drives with high RPM, dual graphics cards, and seemingly infinite RAM (with Vista 64).
- Computers in general do not have very long lives, but desktops have a lot of upgrade potential. A typical X38 motherboard will have: LGA 775 sockets with technologies reaching up to Quad and 45nm; CrossFire/SLI platforms allowing cards to share the load when the going gets rough; RAM expandable up to 8GB; and much more.
- *There isn't much in the way of affordable warranties outside of manufacturer's warranties. Newegg offers extended warranties on products whose manufacturers don't have much faith in their product.

I guess it's just a rhetorical question -- a psychoanalysis of my own reservations. Believe it or not, all suggestions help me in my decision process and I appreciate everyone's help. Keep them coming if you feel so obliged.

 

How about the ol'......


Everybody's doing it!


Thank you
TERP
For choosing Dell
Your order has been submitted.

I just pulled the trigger...though they inflate the prices substantially, I was a sucker for the $619+$206.09+$71.56 discount.

Plus, my wife asked what we were going to do to free up some room in the finished basement, now that we are converting it into a kids room for the little monster...huge desk is taking up too much room.

"Hmmm, what about getting rid of the desk and the computer, move the scanner and printer to the bookcase, and you could use the 9300 upstairs while watching Lifetime and I could get a 'smaller' one with more battery life to make it to work without running out of juice?" She says, "That's not a bad idea, I'd go for that." That was less than 48-hours ago, so I had to strike while the iron's hot (and before she could sleep on it again).

 

Yup , if you mobility doesn't bother you, then buy a pc.
That pc rig seems pretty good imo.

 

Will you be doing video editing, Photoshop and gaming outside your room? If not, the laptop could be a small cheap basic model, just for notes, music, etc, and you could keep your desktop for the demanding stuff, paired with a non-glare external monitor, which is better than a 15" glossy screen for Photoshop. For transfering files, you might use a fast USB drive.

It appears that there are quality control issues with the 1530. And I am not sure how well it would survive two years of regular backpacking.

 

Surely you are joking?

 

Please take the fear mongers like scooberdoober with a grain of salt, Odibil. The vast majority of M1530 owners are very pleased with their units and reviews from cnet.com, zdnet.com, Laptop Magazine, and even right here at notebookreview.com reflect the amazing machine that is the M1530. For the handful that have experienced a problem, Dell's warranty and on-site service take care of it in a snap (or even give a full refund!).

As to your quandary, it all comes down to whether or not you need portability. I've also been a desktop fan for years and have built a dozen or so over the years. But with my current combination of personal and professional commitments, portability is desirable. And it's possible given the amazing price of laptops these days and the fact that units like the M1530 are a suitable repalcement (for gaming too) for a full fledged desktop machine.

Good luck!

 

LIke a few people said... If you need mobility get the laptop. if not, get the PC for it's higher gaming potential.

 

No he is not. Installing OSX on non apple computer is a direct violation of Apple's EULA, therefore it is illegal !

 

So discussion about the OSX86 project is forbidden here?

 

If it involves breaking Apple's EULA agreement it is.

 

Thanks for pointing out the obvious. So if OSX86 isn't in violation of the Apple EULA, discussion on this topic should be OK.