Pulled the Trigger: Dell XPS M1530

[mcs328]

Item Number Quantity Item Description

223-3526 1 XPS M1530, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2GHz/800MhzFSB, 4M L2 Cache)
467-3107 1 Crimson Red Casing With Microsatin Finish XPS M1530
311-7822 1 3GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm, for XPS M1530
320-6288 1 15.4 inch Wide Screen WSXGA+ TrueLife for XPS M1530
420-7715 1 Camera Software XPS M1530 2.0MP
320-6082 1 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
341-5631 1 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive for XPS M1530
420-6813 1 Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, English
420-7590 1 Media Direct 3.3
420-6995 1 DELL SUPPORT 3.4,DIM/INSP
420-5769 1 Internet Search and Portal
420-5924 1 Icon Consolidation Application
420-6436 1 Vista, PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
463-2282 1 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
310-9764 1 DELL RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP, XPSM1530
412-1056 1 Turbine Lord of the Rings Online
412-0946 1 Dell Travel ExpressCard Remote Control, IR
420-7468 1 ADOBE ACROBAT READER 8.1 DIM/INSP
313-5820 1 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive for XPSM1530
420-6464 1 Roxio Creator Basic
430-2449 1 Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini-card
461-8389 1 No Virus Protection Requested
312-0639 1 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for XPS M1530
412-0148 1 No Internet Service Provider Requested
412-1397 1 No Productivity Software requested
412-0360 1 Soft Contracts - Banctec
902-0941 1 Warranty Support,1 Year Extended
950-3338 1 2 Year Limited Warranty
960-8710 1 Warranty Support,Initial Year
988-5608 1 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Extended Year(s)
970-2321 1 Type 3- Third Party At HomeService, 24x7 TechnicalSupport, 1 Year Extended
988-5607 1 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Extended Year
984-2350 1 Type 3- Third Party At HomeService, 24x7 TechnicalSupport, Initial Year
986-3557 1 LoJack Theft Recovery Service - 1 Year
410-1196 1 Adobe Pepe,English
430-2566 1 Dell Wirless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0+EDR)
310-9348 1 Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor
310-8628 1 You have chosen a Windows Vista Premium System
420-7091 1 DataSafe Online Dim/Ins/XPS
420-7285 1 Datasafe Online 10GB,1 Year Free
987-7449 1 XPS,Datasafe 10GB,1YR(Incl w/price)
988-0099 1 To activate your online backupaccount, go to Start, Programs, DataSafe Online
Dell Members save $549 off this select XPS System! - $549.00
Product Subtotal: $1,383.22
Shipping and Handling: $0.00
Tax: $66.69
Product Total: $1,449.91
Order Number: XXXXXXXX Estimated Ship Date: XX/XX/200X
Item Number Quantity Item Description
A1165160 1 EXPRESSCARD SOUND BLASTER X-FI XTREME AUDIO Laptop
A0973377 1 Absolute - Computrace LoJack for Laptops 1 Year
Product Subtotal: $44.64
Shipping and Handling: $0.00
Tax: $2.24
Product Total: $46.88

ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS AND COUPONS
AAA members receive an additional 6% off purchase (before tax, shipping & handling) - $91.14

Order Subtotal: $1,427.86
Shipping and Handling Total: $19.99
Shipping Discount: -$19.99

Tax Total: $68.93
Total Charges: $1,496.79
===============================================================

Well my current rig is a several years old desktop I built circa 2003. Athlon XP 2500+, 1.5 gig ram (I just upgraded from 512) and an aging AGP 4x Video card that supports DirectX 8 although my computer says 9.0c. I need the space that it's taking up since I live in a condo.

This laptop was on sale for 100 bucks less as part of the 10 days of deals. I could apply my AAA discount. I've looked at HP and Lenovo and Apple and they are less bang for the buck. They finally upped the resolution as an option from 1280x800. If you spec out the Vostro or Inspiron line to the XPS specs they are hundreds more. They only thing that gnaws at me is Vista!! I'll try to install XP SP2 but failing that I'll do the usual Dell decrapifier.

Opinions?

[DarkFury]

Honestly, I'd also try to configure a regular lappy with the same specs as the XPS up there to see if you can save a few more dollars that way.

I did this with my Dell Inspiron 9400/E1705 and basically built an XPS comparable lappy but at about $400 less than what the XPS was selling for at the time.

[hapoo]

I really want to get a new laptop but for some reason I can't find all the features I want in one machine. Dell used to offer a 15.4inch WUXGA screen on the laptops which I LOVE but for some reason they decided to discontinue it on most models. LED backlight would be nice too. Let me know how you like the machine. I might just settle for the WSXGA+.

[ShawnLee]

Tempting - I'm not going to be in the market for a new comp for at least a year, so I'm not read up on specs that I'd like. I think this thread would be a great starting point.

[Jeffbx]

I really want to get a new laptop but for some reason I can't find all the features I want in one machine. Dell used to offer a 15.4inch WUXGA screen on the laptops which I LOVE but for some reason they decided to discontinue it on most models. LED backlight would be nice too. Let me know how you like the machine. I might just settle for the WSXGA+.

Latitude D830 - SOLID machine & still available with WUXGA

[mcs328]

I got an automated call on my cell from Dell thanking for my purchase of the XPS laptop and they gave me a phone number if I needed technical support.

Projected ship date is mid to late February. I've noticed Crimson Red is not an option anymore since they offer it as part of Project(RED) which by the way is a rip off.

[hapoo]

Latitude D830 - SOLID machine & still available with WUXGA


yeah, but it lacks certain comforts like media buttons and an sd reader. Otherwise your right, it looks really solid.

[mcs328]

Grrr. My exact config above but with a 3 year warranty and a 320GB HD is $1542.17 now. I'd pay $50 more for another year and double the HD space. I hate it how Dell has these mysterious paths to configure the same PC at different prices. I somehow configured the notebook with their regular $619 off promo + another mystery 12% off. It seems if your total is over $1600.00 and you have 3 or 4 year warranty configuration, they tack on the 12% discount automatically.

[mcs328]

The XPS M1530 isn't too bad. Things I like so far are:
1. I got a XPS sleeve that fits it like a glove I wasn't expecting.
2. A pair of creative noise isolating earphones that sound great when I hooked it up to my ipod shuffle.
3. A cd case/booklet thing to store the cds and user manual.
4. A cleaning cloth for the LCD screen.
5. The 9 cell battery raiases the laptop up so the underside is about an inch off the table from the back. Give me a slight typing angle.

My gripes so far are:
1. Speakers are pretty bad sounding compared to my wifes Inspiron from two years ago. It's noticeable.
2. Slot loading DVD doesn't have a phsycial eject button so it's annoying to eject from the OS.
3. The webcam built into the top is nice if the blue indicator light next to it was toned way down. It's blinding.
4. I feel the touchpad is too small and I find my finger sliding over the up and down scollbar thing.
5. The media buttons look like they are supposed to be touch sensitive but they aren't very responsive at all.
6. Vista!! OMG HOW I HATE THIS THING. I thought I keep it and try to know it and love it. How does anyone expect to use this thing intuitively? Oh and the crapware...mah goodness. Dell decrapifier here I come.

[hapoo]

I'm waiting to see what the new latitude series E is going to be like

[Jeffbx]

When is that supposed to launch?

[rajatQ2]

Wow. That is a serious laptop!!!!!

I just got one i'm very pleased with. Lenovo Ideapad y510. It has an intel dual core at 1.6 ghz, 250 gig hd, 2 gig ram, same 15.4" screen at 1280x800 (nice widescreen).

I'm really happy with it. ~$580 after rebates. Sweet deal last week at officedepot. It was on the deals page for a short bit.

Two things though-
Definitely De-crapify it. I used Vlite (vlite.net). It is freeware. It'll take your Vista installation disk, let you pick what crap to remove, and create a new iso. You'll reinstall from the ISO, then put back the drivers. Smooth as butter. My vista laptop screams now. I removed Aero.

Why spend so much on a laptop? I keep an incredibly souped up desktop, where i keep adding ram, swapping GFX cards and hard drives. I control it remotely with LogMeIn free (logmein.com) the best remote management software. The laptop is lighter and does most things i need. Save money on this, get more bang for the buck out of my desktop. Laptop is light enough to travel with.

Most of my activity though is downloading, photo organizing, and mixing music. no games.

[ramazank2]

I like that is has a expresscard slot instead of a PCMCIA slot. I would go with a 1330.