Inspiron vs. XPS

I configured the XPS 1530:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache)
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
Memory 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
LCD, Color and camera High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 M
Video Card 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT 25686GT
Hard Drives Speed: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) with Free Fall Sensor
Combo or DVD+RW Drive Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write) 8XDVDRW
Sound Card ExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi® Xtreme Audio Sound Card
Wireless Networking Cards Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
Primary Battery 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Warranty & Service 1Yr In-Home Service, Parts Labor,24x7 Phone Support Finger Print Reader XPS M1530 FPRDR
Bluetooth and Wireless USB Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)
Media Center Enhancements AVerTV Hybrid NanoExpress ATSC TV Tuner w/ Media Center Remote Control

but the Inspiron 1720 has almost this exact configuration and it costs almost $300 less. What are the major differences between these two models?

 

Well, without actually posting the specs of the 1720, the two I can point out would be the size and the 1530 has an LED screen. Not sure what all you put into the 1720 for that price.

 

Graphics card is DDR2 in the Inspiron while DDR3 in the 1530 and Screen size, Inspiron = 17" XPS = 15.4"

 

I reconfigured slightly and got these prices:
XPS 1530: $1874
Tuxedo Black
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 M
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
Size: 250GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
ExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi® Xtreme Audio Sound Card
Finger Print Reader XPS M1530
My Software & Accessories
McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 36-months
No Microsoft Office
AVerTV Hybrid NanoExpress ATSC TV Tuner w/ Media Center Remote Control
My Service
2Yr In-Home Service, Parts Labor, 24x7 Phone Support
DataSafe Online Backup 30GB for 1 year
No ISP requested
Also Includes
Windows Vista™ Premium
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1
Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor
High Res, Black glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2MP

Inspiron 1720: $1529
Jet Black
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
Glossy, high contrast, widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440 x 900)
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
Size: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-Card
Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)
Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
ExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi® Xtreme Audio Sound Card
My Software & Accessories
McAfee Security 15-mo w/Annual Auto-Renew Fee of $79 (up to 3 addl yrs)
No Productivity software pre-installed
AVerTV Hybrid NanoExpress ATSC TV Tuner w/ Media Center Remote Control
My Service
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor,24x7 Phone Support
Included 3 GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Yr
No ISP requested
Also Includes
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1
Windows Vista™ Premium
Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor
Basic Black Matte LCD back color w Camera
No Entertainment software pre-installed

I was also wondering about the 4GB of RAM.. I have heard that the OS is 32-bit, not 64? Is there even an option to ensure you are supplied with a 64-bit OS?

 

what exactly are u getting the laptop for? gaming or just ordinary school/office work?

 

School/office work

 

Easy. Warranty. The XPS service is amazing.

 

The warranty is better on the XPS, the video card in the M1530 is better and also the optical drive on the 1530 is slot loading.

 

I'd probably say save ur $300. Since ur not intent on gaming with it. The other question is do you intent to haul it around, cuz if you are going to carry it around get the XPS since it is lighter. But if your keeping it at home most of the time then get the Inspiron.

 

Um, why do you have the LED display on the XPS? You cant really compare the 2 directly, if you decide to put a $200 premium panel(at least on dell.ca) on it.

If you want a 15", get the XPS. 17"? then the 1720. Simple as that. If you actually speced them out fairly, you would see there would be a small price difference(the xps might be $100 more) but it would probably be worth it since its graphics card and build quality are considerably better.

 

Yes, without the LED screen difference is only $150. Given the 1 Year additional warranty, better GPU, and portability, M1530 is the better option.

BTW I think XPS M1530 vs. Inspirom 1520 would be a more sensible comparison.

 

My choice would be the 1530 But if your trying to save money, then go with the Inspiron.

Your choice, though