XPS M1530 or Studio 15

So now I am in a debate. I am not sure if I should go with the XPS or the Studio 15. I can get these for both 1500 out the door. Which one do you think would be better? Is the screen on the studio HD as well? How is 64-bit Vista? Not sure if I want 64-Bit.

Studio 15 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9550 (2.66GHz/1066Mhz FSB/6MB cache)
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium, 64-bit edition
Memory 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
Built-in Keyboard Options Back-lit Keyboard
LCD Panel Hi Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1920x1200)
Hard Drives Speed: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Video Card 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450
Combo or DVD+RW Drive 6X Slot Load Bluray (BD) Combo Drive (BD Read Only)
Sound Card High Definition Audio 2.0
Battery Options 85 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
Hardware Support Services 2Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis

OR

XPS M1530 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB, 6MB Cache)
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
Memory 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) 4GB2D
LCD, Color and camera Full Hi Definition, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1920x1200) & 2.0 M DUXGAC [320-6694]
Video Card 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT 25686GT [320-6082]
Hard Drives Speed: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) with Free Fall Sensor 320G72 [341-7083]
Software - Adobe Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0 ADOBER [410-1883]
Combo or DVD+RW Drive Slot Load Blu -ray Disc (BD/DVD/CD read/write) BD [313-5819][420-7759][420-8164]
Sound Card Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition ISBAHD [313-5014]
Wireless Networking Cards Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card IP4965 [430-2449]
Primary Battery 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery 6BAT [312-0638]
Warranty & Service 3Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis SQ3OS [412-0359][950-3339][960-3652][960-8710][983-5942][984-2360][988-5617][988-5618]
Accident and Theft Protection Add Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 3Yr Warr. CCLJ3 [412-0358][420-8653][476-7773][980-5877][991-1159]
SECURITY Finger Print Reader XPS M1530 FPRDR [467-2337]
Bluetooth and Wireless USB Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate) H355I [430-2566]
Doms Camera and Color High Resolution,Black glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1920x1200)&2MP Ca KUXGTC [320-6798][420-7715]

 

The only negative regarding the M1530 is the GPU and the associated failures due to heat. Other than that the M1530 has more than enough style and oomph to allow you to do some nice gaming and everything in between. Plus an aluminum laptop looks way cool.

 

While the xps's gpu is more powerful, it has issues that nvidia never fixed.

The studio is a saver bet, i have it and its good. You do know that the 9 cell sticks out the bottom and looks really weird/bad, right? you might want to get 2x 6 cells instead.

 

so the Studio will perform just as well as the XPS? I know the GPU failure is there, but I did upgrade to the 3 year warranty for that reason

 

No, the GPU in the studio is worse for gaming, but if you dont domuch gaming you should be fine. If you are getting the warranty anyways go with the xps. It is better built and faster. Else, get the studio...but i think 1500 is a lot to spend on a studio.

I would nix the lojack though, and get rid of the soundblaseter audigy software- its a joke and a waste of money. And you put wireless usb in there too? maybe do with out that, do you know what it is and how slow and terrible it is?

That should save you some extra cash maybe you could put that money towards a faster processor on it. Just suggestions.

 

Ya i was thinking just going with the XPS. I put the 3 year accidental. Which is the wireless USB?

 

In addition to the XPS Nvidia GPU issues previously mentioned ... the Studio is the better machine in almost every performance category ... see below.
Also the XPS line may be phased out in favor of the Studio XPS

 

I would agree with the studio being the better choice. The XPS is a sweet rig, but is def showing its age. Although I love my 8600mGT penryn dell I wouldnt buy it now if I was given those 2 options.

 

perfect!go for the xps m1530. drop the studio. if your gpu fails, you'll be under warranty.

 

I sure hope they phase out the 1330/1530 line. Ive been thru 5 motherboards, and 3 led screens. Thank goodness I opted for the max extended warranty!

 

I don't. I really like my 1530, though...I think the phase out is inevitable.
The XPS line was my first investment in a lappy, and I am so happy with my choice. I have a friend who has the S15, and he also likes his very much!


Cin

 

I was in the same group as you and was waiting to get enough money to buy an xps m1530. But my sister then told me to hold off for the new macs and she was willing to pay the rest for a new macbook pro. i couldn't resist the temptation. The m1530 is a pretty powerful machine!!!Go for it!!