So my Inspiron 1520 screen crapped out and they want to replace it with...

a Studio 15 Laptop. I was really excited at first, but on second thought I read that the Studio 15 graphics card is really bad compared with the 8600GT. I'm not huge on gaming, but I think it'll be a pretty bad upgrade if it rolls back on performance. Any input? I know that the 1520 has DDR2 memory so it isn't as fast as other 8600GT cards, but I don't know if it's still better than HD 3450.

 

If the problem is only the screen, I think you should insist that they simply fix it; especially if you've been happy with the 1520 so far.

 

I think the sad thing is that I have an LG 1440x900 screen and it crapped out. I called them and asked and they tell me that they don't have ANY LG ones left in inventory, only AUO, which is why they offered the replacement. so it's quite a conundrum, good screen or good graphics card

 

I'm pretty sure the Inspiron 1520 only has the DDR2 version of the 8600M GT, which performs noticeably worse than th GDDR3 version found in the M1530.

Usually people compare the one in the Studio (ATI Card) to the M1530 GDDR3 version as oppposed to the DDR2 version, so there may not be THAT much difference.

However maybe it is the GDDR3 version you have, but pretty sure it was the DDR2 version only no matter when you bought it.

 

Ugh, i just checked the stats, apparently Studio 15 gets ~2000 3d06 marks and 4.0 windows index.

does anybody have a studio 15 want that has ran tests?

 

Tell them you want an XPS M1530!

 

Yeah, I wouldn't take a downgrade, its not your fault your computer died. They should replace it with something greater or equal to it in performance. Although I don't know how much the difference is between the DDR2 8600 GT and the 3450.

 

Lol, I'll try, but I highly highly doubt that's possible

 

Yeah, the 3450 only gets about 2/3rd of the 3dmarks of the 8600M DDR2. The 1520 might be older, but it's definitely a better laptop in video performance. I wouldn't take the Studio downgrade.

What about a screen of a different resolution if AUO isn't adequate? 1680x1050 or 1280x800 might be available in LG, and perhaps you could convince them to give you some Dell store credit or something for it not being the one you want. I doubt you'll be able to convince them to move you all the way to XPS 1530, but Studio 15 is definitely a step down and you shouldn't accept that.

 

They're technically upgrading my processor to a T9300 (not that much faster) do you think that'll make up for the graphical deficiency?

 

No, the CPU and GPU serve totally different functions; additionally, almost any dual-core CPU nowadays is sufficient for the majority of users. I doubt whether you'll even notice such an upgrade.

 

yeah... you need to demand a 1530 since your warranty guarantees a computer of at least equal specs.

 

Well, you are lucky they are offering to exchange the system when they do have screens to replace it with. I think your asking a bit much.

 

Can somebody fill me in on why the LG screens are more desirable?

 

LG screens are not greasy. If you've seen a screen from any other company and a AUO screen you'd see a WORLD of difference.

 

Actually the reason they offered you a Studio 15 has little or nothing to do with the screen. The studio 15 uses the same resolution LG 1440 * 900 screens that the 1520 did. It appears that the 1520 is end of life cycle and they don't actually seem to be making new ones.

The 1720 went out quietly like this (they never bothered to mention it was no longer available) and I know of at least 1 person who has ordered a 1720. So far it has been delayed about 4 -5 times now. No-one he is dealing with at Dell customer services is clever enough to work out why the system isn't being built and shipped. I had to speak to them on his behalf, go to a manager and finally he got an email saying that they could replace his order with a 1735 instead for the same price but, specced up fully by way of an apology.

Ask for an XPS 1530 as a replacement, on the grounds that is most closely matches your existing laptop. Be warned however, that the 1530 is also end of line and may simply not be available for them to send one.

 

i'd take the offer if it was me XD

 

they're replacing it with somehting else now after i complained, hopefully it's a lot better

 

They didn't say?

 

they never say and i don't know why

 

Not if you're playing games! To be frank, the graphics card sucks. The card in the studio is a low end card and isn't meant for gaming. I would say push them for a M1530, as that is basically the equivalent of what you have now (probably a bit better, but who's to complain?).

 

So I kept pushing them and complaining about all the CSR's that helped me and they finally agreed to upgrade to an XPS M1530!!. They won't let me change the color (always wanted to red), but I"m still happy. Tuxedo black is pretty hot stuff. Just wanted to elt you guys knwo thanks for your help and that Dell is pretty nice about it when it comes to end of the line products.

 

Great news! And yeah the black does look really good on that laptop...the red is a bit too much for me