Wait, or pull the trigger?

Hey, guys, I was wondering if I could get some input. I was looking to purchase a new Dell XPS laptop. I've decided to go with the XPS M1730, even though I'm not a huge gamer. I do this knowingly for a few reasons: 1) I want a 17" screen, 2) even though I don't game A LOT, I want to get the best rig possible now so that it doesn't become obsolete AS QUICKLY (meaning, "can't even play the games out on the market because it can't even meet basic specs"), 3) I like the full keyboard, and 4) it has way better performance than the M1530. The thing is, the price has been steadily climbing since I first looked at it in late November. I printed out my make and it ran $3918 under my configurations; now, the same exact configuration runs about $4200. I have no experience with Dell before, but I always thought that as newer stuff came out, the older stuff would become CHEAPER. It seems to be almost the reverse with Dell. Do I just buy now, or will I be kicking myself in the head when they come out with a huge price-drop at the start of 2008?!

 

wait till the 8800m is released

 

*sigh* Look, I'm not trying to be a jerk, so please don't take this the wrong way, OK? (Especially since it's Christmas Day!) But how will that do me any good? A month ago, the SLI 8700MGT was standard and now it's a $300 upgrade (the regular 8700MGT is the standard option now). I realize they did this so that they could make it look like the M1730s are cheaper. But in reality, as I said, they're more expensive now. So you're telling me to wait for ANOTHER upgrade that I won't be able to get because I'm right at my budget line ...how's that going to help me?

 

you should wait for 2008 ... there is always a deal with Dell... keep watching the website.. look for current deals once they expire Dell will have new ones...

 

Hm, my only concern is that I did that and they sort of played games with their discount. Meaning, just before Christmas, they had the $200 promo card. (I think they later just turned it into a straight "$200 off" deal.) But if you factored that into the price, it was still more than the M1730 cost (comparable build) at launch. Unless I missed something. That's why I'm really frustrated because to me it looks like the price just keeps inching UPWARDS, rather than down.

 

I didn't sleep for two nights Dec 19th and 20th waiting for the deal to happen there was couple that will expire on 20th also I got to buy the new high res LCD my waiting was worth it.it did happene for the XPS 1530... I saved $700 on great computer ... see specs in photo bellow...

 

Yeah, with the newer res screens on the M1530 I was seriously tempted to get it. But they only have 8600 graphics cards, which seems to me to be a waste to get. But it's like $1000 cheaper.

 

how do u want to play games. imean at the highest resolution and setting or what

 

also if u have budget constraints u could buy a sager with similar specs and a cheaper price

 

I would get the 1730 if I can affored it.. the 1530 was as good as it get's to me $$$$ ..
I think of it this way ,, new laptop every 3 years... doesn't matter what you get you will feel that you are far back behinde in one year and ride it up another 2 years ...

I think it's okay to wait couple of weeks for good deal.. but You can't wait for new hardware .. there is a new thing every week....

 

Highest resolution.

 

Wow, do you really get a new one every three years? This will be my first laptop; I've only ever had desktops before. But my current desktop is really obsolete (and is about five years old). If I really have to upgrade every three years, maybe I'll just get the M1530 then.

 

LOL, with my current desktop, I can't even watch VIDEOS of Crysis. Ha ha ha.

 

yeah get an m1530 as u will prbably have to get a new one every 3 or 4 years. technology keeps changing very quickly. u can get an amazing m1530 for 1400 dollars

 

OK, then can I ask a really stupid question?

When it comes to graphics cards, people act like the difference between an 8600 and 8700 is enormous. Now, I REALIZE that they benchmark differently. But will you (as a human being) actually notice that big a difference? Because I don't want to get an 8600 in the M1530 and be like "WTF, I was ripped off!"

 

One other question: on cnet.com, it says that the 9-cell battery increases the thickness of the M1530 by like half an inch. Is that true?

Another thing: the benchmarking on cnet.com places the M1530 at like average. That's the biggest worry for me. The M1730 basically dominates all the competition.

 

u will notice the difference on higher resolutions . dont expect to play all the new games at the highest resolutions and settings. if u are worried about the gpu look at benchmarks done with the macbook pro as it has the same gpu

 

the battery wont increase the thinkness by will extend oout of the back a little. also dont compare the m1730 to the m1530 as the former is the best model that dell has to offer and the 1530 is for those who want preformance with portability, not a brick

 

just found score the 8700 score 4700 in 3d mark and the 8600gt scores aobut 4300- 4400

 

Yeah, but ...what does that mean? (Obviously the 8700 is better, but what is the difference between a 4700 and 4300 score?) Also, the M1730 comes with SLI, so what score would that get? Like a 5300 or something? (And what would that mean?)

 

nah that score will be about 800-8500. they sli rig will obviously preform better but with the 8600mt u can play all the latest games at mostly high settings.

 

OK, well now I have a lot to think about. (Gah!) But thank you for your help (after your initial post j/k).

 

No Problem Rep+ Would Be Apreciated Lol

 

yes... not because the laptop is not working but because the new software and new requirments and also because I feel that I want a better faster laptop... and I don't use a desktop at all...

 

9 cell battery does rise the back of the laptop 1/2 inch .... in Youtube.com there is a vedio will show you that... search XPS 1530 you will see it... when I got my first xps1530 I didn't like the 9 cell, I did return it because of monitor problem in the new order I got the 6 cell...

 

Reps to both of you because I am a rep whore. lolz.

 

Done, thanks, guys.

 

so what have u decided on gettin

 

I think I'm getting an M1530, T7800, WUXGA, 4 Mb RAM. Just put in the order.

 

Wow great setup you got there. Although your system doesn't have SLI and dual HD, I think you made a good choice. If you want the best gaming rig, get a Desktop. The notebook has came far but it will not out perform desktop. And me having and carrying 17" for a while, it isn't made to be carry around every day. Its compact (compare to desktop) and easy to move it if it's in need. 17" notebook truly ment to be DTR.

 

i think the t7800 would be overkill go for the t7500 or t7250

 

Let the man have what he wants, he obiously have enough money to do so.

 

wait for 8800m...

 

I think what that guy meant was that instead of so much money on one laptop, he'd spend that money and have 3 laptops, etc.

 

first off he doesnt want to waitand secondly there will be no 8800m in the 1530

 

then get the 1730 with the 8800m. 8600m gt will play most of the new games but forget at playing it at normal resoultions. Anything above 1280x800 with highest settings is usually enough to make any new game unplayable. It would be a shame to buy an 8600m gt and the 8800m shows up a month later...

 

Well, sure, but the issue is that if I get an 8800M in the M1730, that pushes the price over $4K with my configuration. I don't game enough to justify that. I guess if I have to lower the res with the 8600, that's what I'll do. But, no, I don't have that much money! Otherwise, of course I'd just max out every setting! And, yeah, I recognize that desktops beat laptops out in performance, but I'm getting tired of being anchored to one spot. A laptop with wireless network is going to be sweet.

 

yeah and the m1530 is a great preformer in games especially because of its gddr 3 memory

 

You can usually save quite a bit of money by getting just 1 GB of RAM from Dell, then replacing it yourself with 1+2 GB or 2+2 GB from Newegg or another retailer. It's an easy way to save money without compromising.

You understand that 32 bit Windows will only be able to use 3.2 GB, right?

 

The only option for my make was 3Mb or 4Mb. You can start with lower specs and build up if you want, but as someone pointed out on a different thread, you lose money that way. (Try it.) Also, as I said, this will be my first laptop. I'm quite comfortable opening up my desktop case and throwing in cards and RAM, but I've never done it in a laptop.