New M1530! Ftw!!

Well, I bugged everyone about whether to get the M1530 or the M1730. I finally decided to go with the M1530, but loaded it up. I have a T7800 processor, 4 Gb RAM, WXSGA+, and a 8600M video card. It's my first laptop ever, so I'm really clutzy with the touchpad -- gotta get a Bluetooth mouse soon. Also, I'm paranoid because everyone talks about how you can "rub away" the brushed metal finish on the handrest area. It just arrived today and I've had it for all of thirty minutes, so there's not much substantive I have to add, but if anyone has any questions I'll try to help out.

First of all, the screen rocks. The resolution blows me away. No graininess. Thank goodness, no dead pixels (at least to my untrained eyeball). So I would say that any concerns about resolution can be laid to rest. (I have a 7 MP camera and if you guys REALLY want, I can probably get a picture of the screen res up at some point.)

Second of all, I didn't have any uneven chassis or keys that were falling off or anything. Reading the threads, it sounds like people have to return their laptops twenty times. Maybe I'm just less picky, although I dropped about $3500 on this thing. (I also got a docking station, 20" flat screen panel, and wireless router.) The only thing that ticked me off was that there's a small strip across the top of the keyboard area where the Media Direct buttons are. It was scratched up a little and the entire area scratches really easily. I ran a thumbnail over one of the scratch marks to see if it was deep or not ...and created a scratch. Whoops. Also, the areas around the Media Direct launch button and the Power button also have some paint chipped off. Finally, the Power button appears a tiny bit recessed (dunno if that's their design or if something happened, but it still functions). Since those are MINOR cosmetic problems, I'm not planning on returning the laptop.

As far as performance, I was scared because I got an initial BSOD on boot-up, but after restarting everything ran fine. I looked at the Start Menu and it's filled with crap from Dell, so I guess I have to reformat. Does anyone have the link for the clean boot? Also, I've used XP for years and this is my first experience with Vista. Dude, as far as pure "looks," it's awesome. My OPINION is that it is the equal of any Mac OS interface. Don't bother flaming me, it's an opinion.

The HD was quiet. Every now and then the fan would kick in, but it's honestly not that loud. Maybe a tad louder than my desktop fan.

I have yet to transfer over my MP3s, so I cannot attest to the speakers other than the brief sound file it plays when you boot up (yeah, I know, I'm just saying). They seemed fine. It wasn't tinny, but I bet there won't be a lot of bass. Which is fine with me because I don't listen to (c)rap, lol. I also have the Sound Blaster Express Card, which I'll try out later.

They gave me two Media Center remotes. Dunno why, but they did.

I purchased the holiday blue Timbuk2 messenger bag. It looks ugly. I mean, so ugly that I'm considering returning it. Seriously, don't get it. This thing is so ugly I almost vomited on my awesome XPS. The only problem is I'm lazy. I had to drive 30 minutes to my local DHS pick-up center to GET the thing, so I don't really want to go there to return it, then go back to get the new one. Thoughts?

OK, that's my new-owner review. Hope it helps. I'm really busy, unfortunately, so I'm not going to be as on-the-ball as other people -- probably won't bust out the 20" screen until this weekend. But I'll try to help out if I can, since you guys helped me!

 

hey Thanks, waiting for mine right know,
could post the specs and the price...

 

Did you take the protective plastic off the media direct buttons? (Look close).

 

One more thing, regarding price.

I talked to a great Sales Rep guy, but he told me flat out that he wouldn't lower the price because I was already getting the $650 or whatever off on the "Best" option. He told me that the new Penryns coming out soon will NOT affect pricing because "Dell is not a retail-type operation." They don't "clear out" inventory ACCORDING TO HIM. The only time he says they try to actively move more product is Christmas, but otherwise he says they basically sell themselves. Now, I'm not a great bargainer, so take that with a grain of salt, but that's just to help save some time for you guys.

He did give me an extra $100 off for signing up for a Dell Preferred Account. That was all he could do, after "speaking with his manager."

 

Um ...no! I'll do it tomorrow and let you know if that's why the paint looks chipped and scratched. Tee hee hee.

 

Specs are above, price was $3600. I got the discount for the "Best" option and an extra $100 off for Dell Preferred Account. But I loaded up a LOT of extras, so that's why it's so freakin' expensive. So I realize that my price looks outrageous.

 

Man...

You got reamed on the extra gig of RAM.

 

Very cool, I'm jealous, waiting for mine to get shipped.

you'll get used to the touchpad and keyboard after a while.

ha ha, typical salesman talk (and bull****.) Next time tell him, "OK, well this is what I want, but at that price I'm going to have to check with HP to see if they have any better deals going on, thanks." (But don't hang up until you hear his reply.)

 

Yeah, but like I said, I have no experience with laptops. I've said in a different thread, if this was a desktop, I'd open it up and throw in the RAM. But I'm really pathetic with the laptop. I can barely take out the battery, lol. So my bad.

 

Took off the protective plastic from the Media Center button area and I take it all back. The "chipped paint" was just areas the plastic was non-adherent and the scratches were indentations on the plastic. Thanks, pstrisik! (Although, now, in a fit of stupidity I'm thinking I should have left it on for protection. LOL. Oh, well.)

 

Two quick questions:

1) I can has link to clean install?

2) Will they accept the return of my Timbuk2 bag with the reason being "ugly as s**t"? I'm being serious.

 

Well now prince Ellianth has given you a reason to bust out your camera. From the low resolution shots i saw on Dells site, the timbuk2 bags looked kinda nice. I always did want to see what they were like 'in person.' If it wouldn't be too much trouble would you mind taking some pictures and helping my majesty out?

 

I will do that, but give me a few days. I got the "Holiday Blue" bag. It looks totally crap. I'll show you, just be patient.

 

what docking station did you get? i didn't think the 1530 was compatible with docking stations - would be interested to know...

i have similar specs to yours - and loving it!

 

I think it's a Logitech. You can get it with one of the "value pack" options when you order. It's the "dock/1 Gb USB/travel surge" one. I looked it up on Dell's website and the dock appears to be the Logitech Alto Cordless. The link is: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A1282207.

I haven't received it yet because that part of my shipment is delayed. I'll let you know how it is, but it has good reviews.

 

thanks - so it's not a true docking station, but more a laptop stand/keyboard. i was hoping it was the type which replicated perfectly with the laptop...

 

I think some of the other "value packs" have docks that are more like what you are referring to (meaning, with USB ports and so on). But, yeah, I was looking for a keyboard station.

 

that's one of the downsides to this laptop - my old one had the fully integrated docking station, where i could plug in the printer, external speakers, wireless keyboard/mouse and other things - and leave it all in one place - and then stick the laptop in/out when those peripherals were needed.

the xps can't do such a thing...

 

Great! Gives me a warm fuzzy feeling!



I've read that leaving the plastic on those buttons interferes with their operation, particularly the volume controls.

 

I didnt get any plastic on my buttons!! not fair....

 

Maybe Kamehame will send you his/hers.

 

doubt you would ever rub off the brushed aluminium texture with normal use... i'd say aluminum is much harder than the skin on any humans' palms.

 

I have a 3 year old I 9200 which has a palmrest/touchpad very similar to the M1530. While the brushed texture is not worn away, the silvery metal color is worn away a little bit on the touchpad buttons. The palmrest is fine, though, and I use my laptop a lot, rarely if ever use a mouse with it.

 

It's not so much rubbing off the aluminum that's the problem, but some people's sweat is more corrosive than others. On my Asus W3V, the aluminum palmrest turned dark after 1 year where my hand rested. Guess I got strong sweat?

 

Here are the images of the (ugly) Timbuk2 bag:





Note that it is not the same in appearance at all. But if I return it, since there was no defect, I guess I have to pay S&H and a restocking fee? Does anyone know?