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    Help me configure...

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by bottoj, Jun 3, 2008.

  1. bottoj

    bottoj Notebook Guru

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    So I am just about to order an XPS M1530, and need help getting the cheapest price possible while maintaining an excellent system. The laptop will be used at college this year (freshman year!), so I am looking for something very good as it will be my best companion (just kidding, maybe :p).

    The system I configured:

    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB, 6MB Cache)
    Tuxedo Black
    3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
    High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 M
    256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
    Speed: 160GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor
    Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
    Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition
    Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
    85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
    2Yr In-Home Service, Parts Labor, 24x7 Phone Support
    Add Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 2Yr Warr.
    Finger Print Reader XPS M1530
    Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)
    Windows Vista™ Premium

    Unit Price $2,206.00
    Sub total: $1,654.50 (with 25% off)

    Is there anything I can do to get a better deal for my money, or do you think I should just place the order? Thank you for you input everyone!

    Best regards,
    Jeff
     
    bottoj, Jun 3, 2008
    #1
  2. hydralisks

    hydralisks Notebook Consultant

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    Just get 2GB ram and order the rest from a different source (ie. Newegg) - Dell overcharges for ram.

    Although if you have money to burn and are feelin' lazy about sticking in your own ram, that should be fine
     
    hydralisks, Jun 3, 2008
    #2
  3. The_Observer

    The_Observer 9262 is the best:)

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    Get a T8100/T8300 instead of T9300.
     
    The_Observer, Jun 3, 2008
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  4. bottoj

    bottoj Notebook Guru

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    Doesn't the T8300 only have 3MB L2 Cache? Is that enough as opposed to 6MB?
     
    bottoj, Jun 3, 2008
    #4
  5. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    I agree with the getting only 2GB of ram and upgrading to 4GB yourself. Other than that, it's pretty much how I would configure it. Nice system!
     
    Hep!, Jun 3, 2008
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  6. jonhapimp

    jonhapimp Notebook Virtuoso

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    its a good configuration upgrade the ram yourself and i would keep the t9300
     
    jonhapimp, Jun 3, 2008
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  7. bottoj

    bottoj Notebook Guru

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    Any specific reason?
     
    bottoj, Jun 3, 2008
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  8. jonhapimp

    jonhapimp Notebook Virtuoso

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    its faster and the 8300 has 3mb and the 9300 has 6mb
     
    jonhapimp, Jun 3, 2008
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  9. bottoj

    bottoj Notebook Guru

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    I thought I read somewhere that the cache doesn't do that much for real-world performance :confused:
     
    bottoj, Jun 3, 2008
    #9
  10. jonhapimp

    jonhapimp Notebook Virtuoso

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    probably not but its still faster probably not Huge but enough to keep it
     
    jonhapimp, Jun 3, 2008
    #10
  11. f4ding

    f4ding Laptop Owner

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    Stick in a quad :p
     
    f4ding, Jun 3, 2008
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  12. booji

    booji Notebook Deity

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    Do you do a lot of gaming? If not, dropping the video card to a 128 MB would save battery while simultaneously leading to a cheaper cost. Also, for additional discounts, check if your university qualifies for Dell EPP ( www.dell.com/epp). That will save you between 4 and 12% in addition to the usual promotions, based on the warranty level that you choose.
     
    booji, Jun 3, 2008
    #12
  13. bottoj

    bottoj Notebook Guru

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    I thought EPP could not be combine with coupons?
     
    bottoj, Jun 3, 2008
    #13