How to buy your XPS 1530 smart!

I bought a XPS 1530 (as basic as they come) back in December when they first came out. The specs are as follows:

XPS 1530
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5250 (2MB cache/1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB)
Genuine Windows® Vista Home Premium Edition
Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1280x800) & 2.0 MP Camera
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS
High Definition Audio 2.0
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
1Yr In-Home Service,Parts Labor,24x7 Phone Support
Finger Print Reader XPS M1530

I paid $850 for this system (with my Aunt's employee discount, orig. $999) I do believe that there are coupons available that others can use.

Since then I've bought the following upgrades:

4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) - Kahlon $90
200GB 7200rpm Hard Drive (use the original as an external) - Newegg $130
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9300 - Newegg $320

The total price of my upgraded system is $1,390 and I can still sell my old parts! (By the way, anyone need any parts )

I realize hardware options have changed since I first bought mine but a similar configured computer available now at Dell's website:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB, 6MB Cache)
Genuine Windows® Vista Home Premium Edition SP1
Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1280x800) & 2.0 MP Camera
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
250GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS
High Definition Audio 2.0
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
1Yr In-Home Service,Parts Labor,24x7 Phone Support
Finger Print Reader XPS M1530

Dell's price - $1,649 (Dell forces a graphics card upgrade on you if you want this processor so that brings the total to $1,749 )

A lot of you probably don't care about putting up the extra money for your system and would rather buy it the way you want it. I didn't have a lot of money at the time (my system only cost $850) and it was easier for me to shell out a hundred bucks here and there for upgrades. The bonus is I saved money in the short and long run .

 

Great advice....good way to save some money. Only problem is that if you are planning on doing this, you should be aware that you are probably voiding your warranty by tampering with the CPU.

 

I realize that but Its a simple swap before sending it in for repair. No ones the wiser.

 

ROFL So true!

 

So the 8400M GS doesn't bother you?

 

I don't really game on my laptop that much but I haven't had any trouble running games either.

I've OC'd my GPU with Rivatuner to the max! It's been running OC'd maxed out since January and I haven't had a single problem. Runs slightly hotter than normal but you can't fry an egg on it.

I run the only 2 computer games I have on high (COD4 & Assassin's Creed). No lag, no complaints.

When this laptop doesn't cut it anymore, I'll give it to my girlfriend for her birthday like I did the last one. Kill two birds with one stone!

 

I believe you forgot about te 25% off coupon from Dell, which makes the system only $1311.75 after the T9300, 250GB @ 7200RPM, the 4GB RAM, AND THE 8600M GT..

So I say you didnt really do that good of a deal, but you can use the old parts or sell it, but i don't think anyone would buy the 1.5Ghz Processor and the 2 x 1GB sticks..

And without the 8600M GT, with only the 8400M GS is only $1236.75

And finally, the main thing is that you upgraded your laptop to something really good, like the T9300, the 4GB of RAM, and the bigger hard drive without paying much more than what you would spend from Dell, and you got your XPS since way back rather than buying it now with all the goodies.. Although you dont have the 8600M GT, it's not that much of a big deal unless you game hard core games..

 

I believe your the only one with access to that deal, I sure can't find it anywhere. Actually, I think the admin should take you out back and shoot you.

 

LOL dude it's right here:

http://www.notebookreview.com/dellCoupon.asp

Dont take things so seriously would ya?

 

That's 25% off my original system configuration that i bought 7 months ago.

I'm sorry I read it wrong, it still puts the system at almost $1,500. Still over mine. I have spare parts and a nice portable 120gb HDD. Quit trying to rain on my parade.

 

LOL im not trying to ruin your parade, i just want other people to know that it is NOT cheaper by buying seperate parts like the processor, Hard drive, etc... and upgrade them from a $999 base Dell XPS system.. thats all..

 

The same config as I have now was pushing $2,000 around the time when i bought my computer. You were lucky to get free shipping at the time. So $1400 instead of $2000 seems like a money saving deal to me. This thread applied to people who bought around he same time as me, not 2 days ago.

 

Also crap screen :-D

 

with the 25% off coupon..my system cost only 20 dollars or so more than if i were to upgrade using newegg.com. those few bucks were worth not having to go through the hassle of ordering and installing those upgrades.

just google "dell coupons" and you'll find them. easy. look for 30%+ ..i wasnt patient enough

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T8300 (3MB cache/2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB)
Genuine Windows® Vista Ultimate Edition
WSXGA+ Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1680x1050) & 2.0 MP Camera
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
160GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
High Definition Audio 2.0
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini Card
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
1Yr In-Home Service,Parts Labor,24x7 Phone Support
Finger Print Reader XPS M1530
Bluetooth

$1290 shipped with coupon

 

People on here seem so proud of just how little they paid for their notebook's. It is a frequent topic. Coupon talks, other rebates, EPP via friends of friends, CSR deals after complaining, special Dell sales, outlets.. People on here often compare and start threads "I got a good deal", or "Who can do better then I?!"..

I don't know why this is so important to people. Honestly, who really cares how much others paid for theirs. I paid full price for mine. I don't care about the price I paid. I care about the notebook itself and how it performs. Regardless of if is was bought for 500$ or 2500$.

Sorry, just my little Monday morning at work moody comment

 

Though I do agree, I also find it very helpful of having some examples to see what kind of deal you are getting for yourself. I've started buidling the computer at 2300 and I am now down to 2000 or 1500 after 25% rebate. So it kinda helps to see where others are at as well.

 

then stop trying to throw yourself a parade in the first place lol....

you just didnt do anything all that terrific