XPS 1530: how's my configuration?

Hi! After extensive research (and lots of reading on this site), I've decided to go with the M1530. The only thing is that I've never owned a laptop before, so I'm not really sure how I'm doing on picking out the specifics. I'll be in college next year; I have a ton of music, but other than that I'm a really basic user (Word, internet, Powerpoint) and I don't play any games beyond Age of Empire. Opinions, anyone?

Tuxedo Black
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5750 (2.0GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 M
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
250GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
Built-in Wireless USB capability
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
High Definition Audio 2.0
Finger Print Reader XPS M1530

 

I would of went with a 1300 series myself, 1530 is supposed to be a little more powerful.

 

I personally think you should go with the M1330 for the form factor since you don't really game. it will stand out to be the sleekest of the bunch, even compared to the high and mighty M1530. Your specs seem alright, though I highly recommend getting the Intel N wireless for the sake of reliability and stability compared to integrated Dell cards. Judging by your specs you might be alright with just a 6-cell battery unless you really want 5+ hours with 9-cell.

 

delluniversity.com

probably should opt for a penyrn processor(>T8xxx), better battery life
upgrade ram(if it costs too much to upgrade from dell, shop @ newegg/amazon/.... for better deals on ram)

8400M is okay for normal gaming

EDIT: M1330 might be nicer, but theres a price premium over m1530( at least $100)...

Wireless-USB is crap, dont get it... waste of money, low speed and low range

 

I was going to say to go for the penryn processor, but since your processor is only 2.0ghz, I dont think going to penryn will give you that much of a boost in battery life. Plus if you decide to stick with the 9-cell.. well... yeah, you definitely don't need to worry about it.

Instead of getting Wireless-USB, get the Integrated Bluetooth EDR for only 20 bucks if you truly think you'll use it. Though it is only 20 bucks, so why not.

 

Alright, for what you've got there, you could get a much more portable system like the M1330 for about the same price..

A M1530 is for multitasking and extensive high graphic gaming..

You didn't choose the 8600M GT, you choose the 8400M GS which you can get in a M1330 if that is ALL you need..

If you decided to get this M1530, i would suggest a T8300 at LEAST and maybe a 8600M GT, if you dont want the 8600M GT then there is no point getting the M1530..

 

Thanks for the advice! So how about this, if I went with the 1330:

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
LCD AND CAMERA Slim and Light LED Display with VGA Webcam
MEMORY 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
HARD DRIVE Size: 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW Drive)
VIDEO CARD Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
WIRELESS CARDS Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
BLUETOOTH AND WIRELESS USB Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)
BATTERY OPTIONS 6 cell Primary Battery
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0
FINGERPRINT SCANNER Biometric Fingerprint Reader

 

That looks like a hell of a setup to me for a 1330. Should get really nice battery life with the Penryn and the integrated graphics. I would say this is much better for you than the 1530 you had previously configured. Your change netted you a gain in performance and portability.

 

Like Fort said, I'd also go with the Intel N wireless card, no more dedicated graphics card?

 

Go with a Intel Wireless N card and get Nvidia 8400M GS so you could still play SOME games...

 

nice.... personally I would start to go mad if I was constantly working on a 13" screen... for me, it's 15" or nothing! I personally would get the 8400 graphics if only for just a little more power in games.
The LED display will be nice as well.