I'm buying a M1530 but what features should I get?

Hi guys I'm new to the forum and thought I'd post this topic after doing some research on this site. After an exhaustive search for a new laptop (one night trawling through sales and marketing crap) I have decided on the XPS M1530.

It seems to have enough GFX power to handle some light gaming and should fulfill any internet/video/word processing needs with ease for the coming 2.5 years.

I do however have some concerns about the various options, particularly the screen which I understand has some rather hit and miss quality issues.

Enough blather, my questions:

1. I want to get a higher res monitor than stock because I'm tired of side scrolling internet sites and generally like more visual real estate. In Australia there are three available, 1020, 1440 and 1680. Is there a way I can minimise the chance of getting the grainy screen? Have they recently fixed this quality issue or is it still going strong?

2. All the benchmarks I've seen so far were for the original spec CPUs. I'm thinking the extra money for the T9300 is worth it but the T9500 is just too much money. Can anyone provide an indication of the increase in performance between T8300, T9300 and T9500? A 3dMark score would be great since that's what I have used to compare other laptops like the Asus G1S etc...

3. Is there anything I should know about this model? Other quality issues? General comments on it's loved/hated status?


Thanks for your help in advance. I know it takes time to reply to these sorts of noob posts so I really appreciate it! I don't usually fork our AUD$2000 every day so this is a big step for me financially.

Cheers y'all

 

1. The 1440x900 screen has the least chance of a grainy screen(if any), and the LG screen is beutiful. However, if you get the standard 1280x800 screen, there's no way you'll get a grainy screen. Don't get the 1680x1050, there's a big chance of getting a grainy screen.

2. You should see a fairly large difference between the T8300 and 9300, but 99.9% of the population won't notice a diff between the 9300 and 9500.

3. You won't regret your purchase.

 

I would say the difference between the T8300 + T9300 is not that great, maybe 3% for the extra cache and the 100Mhz is absolutely minimal.

 

Thanks guys. I just found out that Dell are offering a free upgrade to the T9300 so the CPU question is a bit moot (it's the cows opinion).

I've just signed on the dotted line so to speak... and now to play the waiting game...

Wish me luck!

 

I haven`t heard much about the 1280 resolution, are they the best bet for not getting a grainy screen?

 

Yes. However, most 1440's are LG's now, but can't gaurantee it.
Still, 1280 for modern gaming.

 

Fwiw, I've got the 1680x1050 screen rez and it's absolutely fine.

As for a gaming example, Crysis runs well and looks good at native res with all settings @ medium.