Studio 15 vs. XPS M1530

I'm at a crossroads. I can't figure out which one would serve me better. The Studio has a bunch of features, but I hear that the M1530 is better built and has more metal in it. Here are the configurations.

XPS M1530 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache)
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition SP1
System Color Tuxedo Black
Memory 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
LCD, Color and camera Full Hi Definition, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1920x1200) & 2.0 M
Video Card 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
Hard Drives Size: 320GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Software - Adobe Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1
Combo or DVD+RW Drive Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
Sound Card High Definition Audio 2.0
Wireless Networking Cards Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card



Studio 15 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB/6MB cache)
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition SP1
System Color Option Plum Purple
Memory 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2
Built-in Keyboard Options Back-lit Keyboard
LCD Panel Hi Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1920x1200)
Video Card 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450
Hard Drive Size: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1
Combo or DVD+RW Drive 8X Slot Load CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Sound Card High Definition Audio 2.0
Wireless Networking Cards Dell 1397 Wireless-N Card
Camera Module Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam

 

I dont think the 2.4ghz and the 2.5ghz is gonna have that big of a diffrence. your better off with the xps since it has a better graphics card. XPS gets my vote.

 

xps give you a better gaming advanced & better support, but unlucky, no Montelavavia.

 

Another quick question, what's the battery life on these models? Also, would Montevina make that big of a difference here? Form what I can tell, the reduced power consumption doesn't affect battery life too much, or does it?

 

The XPS is the better one for gaming.

 

definetly, the battery from Studio 15 is better, I dont know how much for sure.
I have xps 1530 9 cell battery, it give me 2 hours +++ surfing the web(highest light), which is plenty if I intend to carry this to class.

would Montevina make that big of a difference here?
no. just more battery life & smaller size& wimax, which is not a big deal to gamer.

 

Wait, 2 hours from a 9 cell? That's rather bad for a 15".

Next question, if I only wanted a 256MB GPU for CAD/OpenGL, as well as maybe light gaming(Spore at most), would the Studio 15 be better, or does the XPS still beat it out?

Also, I won't be getting the 9 cell battery due to the huge delay it puts on the system.

 

The graphics card in the Studio is good for driving a big display etc and for some light 3D work but the 8600M GT is a better card. Noticeably in games!

Also I hear the Dell Wireless N card isn't that good but the Intel N is supposed to be a lot better.

I don't know what they have but the WiFi card in my Acer in better in terms of reception etc than the one in my girlfriends mum and sisters Inspirons...which probably isn't that good of a sign since Gaycer Craptops are very budget.

I've just ordered a new 1530 so can't comment on the actual difference in build quality but one of the main reasons I bought it was for the improved build quality that people talk above. A lot of other dells are too plastic imo.

 

Well, I know the XPS has some metal in it, so it should be very solid.

I guess I'll go for the XPS. Are the any coupons coming soon?

 

XPS is still best. None of them have Montevina currently anyways.

No, its "Montelavia" not "Montelavavia"

 

Okay, final question.

It says that the ESD will be 8/18 if I get a 9 cell battery, is it accurate or is it a pessimistic estimation?

 

What I've found is that its typically an overestimate. I got mine a few weeks earlier. I also had delays because of LED, Hard Drive, and 9-cell. Thankfully I got mine sooner.

 

Hmm thats wierd as with a 6 cell and a 17in vostro I get 3 hours surfing and light multitasking. Stats in sig.

 

I was told by a DELL UK rep that it is a maxiumum and may come before then. Don't get your hopes up though just incase

 

You should get better battery life than that with the 9-cell battery. Ensure you have power saving features enabled in Vista. It will do things like slow down the CPU as and when it is needed.

On most laptops that run XP when you disconnect the AC power it will dim the screen. Unless you stop this from happening it should be the same on Vista to. It can make a suprising amount of difference when compared to always running it on full brightness.

 

multi application open & highest light possible. I dont expect anything better than that.

 

Bass, when you called the UK rep, did he/she tell you the stock for the UK or the US? Or does it matter?

 

On my XPS 1530 I get 3.5 hours of surfing with the 9 cell. That's with no energy saving settings and my screen brigtness at 80%.

But, I have noticed that certain programs I run have a HUGE effect on battery life. With a certain program open (not actually using it, just opened) I only get 1.5-2 hours just surfing the web.

For anyone getting low battery life out of the 9 cell check what you have running...

 

Yeah, the background processes is what really is big on battery life draining. If you are not using the internet or any wireless connection, disabling it helps a lot since there is a listener that is constantly looking out for wireless access points even when you are not connected to one.

 

Honestly, why didnt they just refresh the XPS line with the LED keyboard and cool button on the side of the laptop.

The Studio is like the flipper child of a inspiron and a xps

 

Id go for the xps....although the studio looks like its stacked with goodies...I've heard they are somewhat flimsy

 

Aside from the Illuminated Keyboard which might possibly work with the M1530... there is nothing that the Studio makes me drool over.

 

any probablity of LED screens in the M1530 in UK coz that's whats keeping me from buying a XPS
BTW hows the build quality of the studio ??better or flimsier than the XPS

 

Hey people check out the new designs on the studio,they were leaked earlier this month on engadget and are finally out.
My choice 'Bunch o surfer's'