Should I switch my vostro1500 with 1530?

Hello everyone,

A little less than a month ago, I purchased a Vostro 1500 for $845 with the following specs:

T9300
2.5 gb ddr2 memory
120 gb 5400 rpm HD
8600 gt ddr2
1440 x 900 samsung lcd

...and no webcam, vista home basic, minimal warranty (1 year), 6 cell batt, dell wifi (the cheapest one)

However, now there is a XPS m1530 deal for roughly $960 floating around with these specs:

T8300
4 gb ddr2 memory
160 gb 5400 rpm HD
8600 gt ddr3 ----------------------> notice the ddr3
1680 x 1050 lcd (may be LG or samsung)

...and with finger print reader, web cam, better sound than vostro, intel wifi, same 6 cell batt, slightly better optical drive than vostro, vista home premium, and 2 year warranty


I've read a lot about grainy screens on these boards but have yet to see what a grainy screen really looks like. Because the Vostro replaced a really old 4 year old hp, I knew I'd be impressed by the laptop, even if it's crappy by many of your standards. In other words, I'm more or less satisfied with the crappy samsung on the vostro because I've never compared a LG with a samsung.

Supposedly the build quality of the XPS is very good. But judging by many comments, the grainy screen on the XPS receive much more complaints than vostro grainy screens. Also, many people talk about disfigured keyboards and various other issues on the 1530 to a much greater frequency.

Here are my questions:

Just how good is the XPS compared to the vostro (in terms of build and screen quality)? And how bad is the grainy screen on the XPS compared to the vostro? Maybe people complain about the XPS much more because people expect more? Or maybe because more people on these boards have 1530s?

And finally, since I'm still within my 30 day return period, should I trade my $845 vostro with the $960 1530?

Thanks for reading through my post, any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

What are you going to use it for?

I am biased towards the Vostro since I returned a M1530 and bought it. I was not happy with the M1530 construction and quality.

However, there are many folks who are thrilled with their XPS M1530 machines.

You have to ask yourself if you will be happy keeping the Vostro and wondering what the M1530 would have been like or will the Vostro do what you want it to do.

Vostro is heavier and is not a slick looking as the 1530. I think that the Vostro is better constructed. You will miss out on approx. 10-15% graphics performance keeping the Vostro and that is why you need to decide what you are going to use it for.

I like my Vostro and have never looked back to the M1530 that I returned, but that is me!

 

Well I'm a moderate gamer. Although I don't expect the laptop to play crysis, I do expect it to play slightly less demanding games such as oblivion, cod4, etc. an hour or two at a time. I am aware of the fact that a ddr2 8600gt is more than capable of handling the fore mentioned games, what I'm more curious about is if the extra $115 is worth it.

And I rarely take the laptop out of the house, so weight and even warranty isn't really a concern for me.

So Jakpro, you're saying that there's a higher percentage of sub-par 1530s than improperly assembled vostros?

And could somebody please tell me exactly how bad the samsung 1530 screen is compared to a samsung vostro1500? Cause my vostro 1500 samsung doesn't seem that bad.

 

is dell steel offering samsung screens?

 

I cannot tell you which computer has a higher number of problems. I can only comment on my own personal situation.

I liked the M1530, but the one that I returned had a poor screen which I got replaced after several tech visits and numerous calls and chats with Dell. When the tech swapped out the panel, he shorted the motherboard because he took it upon himself to remove the insulators from wires that were not being used for devices that were not configured on the machine. I lost confidence in that one machine. However, after studying the manner in which it was constructed and the overall fit and finish, I opted to try the Vostro.

The Vostro is built like a brick sh**house! I felt pretty good about it when I received it. I still ended up doing the panel exchange dance with it due to the poor Samsung monitor. While the tech installed the new panel, I noticed the manner in which it was constructed and I felt very good about it lasting for several years. It is built very solid.

Read all of the posts and you will get an idea of the overall feel for both machines. However, you need to keep in mind that a higher percentage of dissatisfied people will post than the ones who are happy with their machines.

You could get an excellent M1530 and the chances are that you will. If you do not, then you can still return it. If your Vostro makes you happy, why even consider getting the M1530?

As far as the panels--Dell is using the same ones in both, except the LED which is, so far, not offered on the Vostro.

$115 over the life of the notebook is really nothing! Break it down by month over 48 months! Is it worth it, probably.

 

Yes, yes, yes.

 

I am thinking of changing my Vostro for a M1530 too, but for other reasons for what I need your answers guys:

1. I know XPS has HDMI interface. Question is: will I be able to hook it up to my LCD LG TV screen so that I can watch movies? The TV has 2 HDMI inputs.

2. Will I be able to switch the LCD from Vostro to XPS, in case the XPS comes with a Samsuck screen? OF course I will be ordering the same resolution screen on XPS. By the way, how much would the LED screen cost if Dell decides to put it back on the options list of XPS?

 

Hey i was thinking of swapping my Vostro too lol! But is it just possible to ring up Dell and say "I would like to exchange my Vostro for a 1530 and pay the difference"?

 

I doubt it, that will totally screw up their book if everyone decided to ring dell up for exchanges of one to another without the return process.