Dell's Memorial Sale--Is the M1530 Good Buy?

Hi everyone, I was scared to post here but after reading here for about a week now, I figured I'd give it a shot =)

I have been scouting out Dell deals ever since my Inspiron 6000 has taken...ill

Anyway, I was interested in this XPS version and it seems a good deal; but is it for me? If someone could indulge me with advice I'd REALLY appreciate it!

I do want an XPS for something new and playing with them at Best Buy, I couldn't help but fall in love. Now here's what I need my computer to be doing:

I use Photoshop
I have Kaspersky Anti-Virus (it KILLS my Inspiron and heard I need more memory xD)
I use vid sites like Youtube, Veoh, etc
Word, Powerpoint


I don't do gaming or any of the sort, so would this XPS be good for me or something else? Is the processor adequate for me since I think the memory is good for Vista.

I know these posts get annoying but I had nowhere else to turn since my friends are all pro Mac and anti Dell.

Anyways, thank you all for help in advance <3

Edit: oops um I'm speaking about the one XPS M1530 that is on sale for 1099 with all that Dell has picked out already for specs

 

You could stick with an Inspiron to be cheap since you don't do gaming or any of the sort, but... if you can get the XPS, then yeah. The sleek design is sure to slaughter the competition and the power will last you for the years to come. I don't see your processor that you chose, but you should be fine with any, though you will want a Penryn one just so that you have power saving capabilities.

Macbook.... blech.. I don't like them either.

 

Yes the M1530 will fill your needs though I would suggest 2 to 3 GB of RAM for Photoshop and for a smooth system. How soon do you need this laptop? There is a new platform release coming June 3rd so no one really knows how Dell is going to implement it in their laptops.

 

I think you mean "need more memory"?

Since you don't game, you are probably better off with a 4GB upgrade, a T8300 or T9300 and the 8400M GS at most. The problem with the memorial day model is that getting the T8300 or T9300 requires you to get the 8600M GT, which you don't need.

 

Sorry! I meant the M1530 that's on sale for $1099 It has all this!

Midnight Blue
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2MB cache/2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1280x800) & 2.0 MP Camera
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
Size: 320GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
High Definition Audio 2.0
Finger Print Reader XPS M1530


So this is not a good processor? Well, I thought about the Inspiron again but by the time I added things to make it equal to the XPS the price was so close to being the same!

 

Really? But I did like the XPS and would like the computer as soon as classes let out. Are you at OSU too! I was going to use the school coupon which takes off like $44 xD

 

That's a pretty good deal actually, considering they start at $999 and come with a lot less. That processor isn't the latest Penryn, but it is still good.

 

Yeah, I'm down at OSU. What school coupon?

 

LOL thanks I am so out of it!

Anyway, thank you for the input since I don't want to get stuff I don't need

 

Well not really coupon, just that 12% off..which equals to only $44 =/

 

Keep in mind there is a 25% off coupon. Google it, use it. You might get it for cheaper!

 

Are you buying it through Dell University online? I'm sure you could tweak it a bit if you wanted, but that standard config is pretty nice considering you would get a integrated card, 160 GB hard drive and 1 GB for $999.

 

I've tried using the coupon with the student discount but, they don't work together...

 

Still, if the student discount is only 12% off and the coupon is 25% off... you get my drift.

 

Yeah it won't. Configure the same machine in Dell University and the Home/Home Office store with coupons to see which is the better deal.

 

I would get at least a T8300 and i would get the 8600M GT instead of the 8400M GS..

Look how i spec'ed mine, it is pretty much the best you can have the XPS and it is not even that much more than your's

 

He doesn't game, so the 8400GS is fine. Anything in the T8000 series is fine since it has power saving capabilities. I think your config is fine.

 

But it is only $75 more for the damn 8600M GT, why not lol... only 75 BUCKS..

 

I did the student discount with the Memorial Day savings...that stacked. The coupon didn't work. Memorial Day savings is still nice, though, it was like 450 or 599 off, I forget which.

 

I have the same processor as you listed and it is perfectly good. It may not be Penryn, but I still get 3 hrs of battery life with wireless on and screen dimmed on a 6 cell battery and prob 4.5-5 hrs with my 9 cell. If you're not doing anything graphically intensive, you'll be fine.