question on worth of M1530

First time poster but, a frequent lurker!

I've found a XPS M1530 on Craigslist. Called the guy and found out details of the system.

This laptop is a replacement unit for an older lappy he had bought about two years ago, which means the M1530 is a refurb unit. The price he's asking seems reasonable - I'd like to get others opinion on what you'd value the system at.

Here is how the ad reads:

He's had this system since April this year. The warranty of his original system expires April 02, 2010. He called Dell to confirm it could be transferred to a new owner... they said yes.

I purposefully left out the sellers asking price, hoping to not sway anyone's opinion/judgment.

Thanks in advance...

Steve

 

Sadly it depends on his asking price. I would never recommend anyone to purposely buy products that are end of cycle. When the processor and gfx card aren't going to be sold in 2k10 I wouldn't recommend getting it as dell will charge you ridiculous amounts to repair.

If the price is really low and is a good deal buy it. If not buy something that has the latest such as LED screen, The new lower power consuming processor, the nonfaulty gfx card.

Depends on what you are doing with the laptop too. Many people buy xps because they think they will play games and don't really know the specifics and in and outs of the components they buy so they are fine with it. I generally find that most people buy laptops/computers and hardly use any of the power of their PC. If you aren't going to game a lot and you just need a PC and the price is right do it. If you demand the best out of your PC and want to take it around don't get this.

 

What screen option does that come with? If assuming it will be the standard 1280x800 CCFL LCD (due to everything else being the base standard options), then the MSRB would be $999, and there are tons of coupons and deals that would drop the price even more. If it was me, I probably would not pay more than $600 for a used M1530 with those specs.

 

@ tential - Thanks for your input!

@ loman - Thanks for your input as well. I don't know the exact screen that's in this system. I feel your assumption would be correct on the type of screen, due to the other items being the base standard options.

You're actually spot on with what I originally thought to offer for the laptop @ 600 bucks. He's asking 700 though and I just can't justify it. In fact, I'd probably low ball him at 550 and max out at 600.

I've been reading reviews all over, lurking here (reading what's others are finding/doing/putting up with), for nearly a month now. I'm in no rush. Just like to make informed decisions when I spend my hard earned money.

 

Our original conversation ended with this last question for him to ponder... "How flexible are you regarding your asking price?" At that time, the CL ad was only a few hours old and his reply was, "not much at this point, with the ad just being posted but, as time passed I may become flexible."

Sure enough, true to his word... the very next day his asking price dropped to 675.

I just talked to him again and he voluntarily explained he'd be willing to take 600. Without prompting, he's at 6. Unless I find an extraordinary deal in the new sunday ads and/or deals posted, we'll see just how low the price can go.

 

good luck. it hasnt been modded or had anything to void the warranty though, right?