My final Dell M1530 configuration

Processor - Intel T8100
Windows Vista(R) Home Premium
UltraSharp Widescreen WSXGA+ (1680x1050) TFT Display
3GB RAM
250GB SATA Hard Drive
DVD Writer
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Dell Bluetooth Travel Mouse

Few questions,

1. Is the processor good enough or should i upgrade to T8300?
2. 9 Cell vs 6 Cell.. I have picked the 9 Cell but it costs a good 120$ more! Worth it? Whats the battery backup i can expect for normal office apps and surfing?
3. Hows the Dell Bluetooth Travel mouse? Is it small or a normal sized mouse?
4. Any other suggestions welcome

Thanks a lot in advance

 

For the small difference in price between the T8100 and T8300 I would definitely get the T8300. The battery depends how you are going to use it. I don't run on battery that much so I opted for the cheaper, lighter, smaller 6 cell.

 

Hey, I went with both the 6c/9c...9c at home primary use, 6c out-and-about.

If, I had a choice between one or the other it would the 9 cell. I like the elevation it provides for, along with the ventilation underneath.

I use the Microsoft Bluetooth Wireless 5000, and I love it. It's small, ever so portable, and just works great for me and my *needs*!
I've heard Dell's isn't bad, I just preferred mine!

Are you just sticking with the standard 1 year warranty?

Cin!

 

Thanks for the replies..

Yes I am just getting the one year warranty for now. Will upgrade later after an year.

How much does the MS Bluetooth Wireless 5000 cost? The problem is availability here in India..

Whats the size of the Dell Bluetooth mouse? Any idea? Small or normal desktop mouse size? Also, how long do those batteries in the mouse last?

 

The upgrade later could be a good thing for you!

Here's some info on the MS Bluetooth and the Dell Bluetooth:

Dell 5-Button Bluetooth Travel Mouse for Dell XPS M1530 - $39.99
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=430-2459

MS Bluetooth W. 5000 on Dell: $34.99
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...luetooth+5000&_nks=true&c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

On Amazon: $26.99
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Bluetooth-Notebook-Mouse-5000/dp/B000TG4BA0

So you can surely get things cheaper at other places then Dell
The batt's have lasted almost 6 months for me, so not so bad
And you can see the differences in both the MS and Dell mouse, above

Good luck!

Cin

 

For the price you would pay to get it from 'places other than dell' and pay for the shipping and stuff (like amazon for example), you might as well get what is available form within India itself. It doesnt make sense to order something thats going to be shipped to you from abroad, from places like amazon and such.. its a waste of money.

If you dont have the BT mouse, go for the logitech wireless mouse.. see what is available in India. They are pretty awesome as well and function very well. Easily portable too, smaller than the desktop mouse...

Get the 9-cell but even a 6-cell is good enough if you are not going to be doing serious gaming and such where temp' may get high and you would need more ventilation. So get a 6-cell if you are going to use it normally, for work and such... and instead get those 120$ or whatever for an extra warranty right now.. instead of upgrading it later.

and go for the T8300 if the price diff is not much (I dont know the diff since I am not in India right now, but I remember it was not much when I got the laptop for my sis couple of months back)

 

Thats weird, when I got mine both batterys cost the same price.
And it said if I chose the 6 cell I would have to wait two weeks for delivery due to demand, needless to say I went for the 9.

Very happy with it, it lifts your battery up about, allowing for air circulation, keeping my baby cool

 

The T8300 costs 50$ more.. Worth it?

3 Years Dell Care Premium - $340
2 Years Dell Care Plus - $210

Am again confused about the battery now. Whats the backup like for a 6 cell battery with office apps and surfing?

Money isnt a issue.. But i need value for the money spent

 

I decided to get the Dell Bluetooth Travel itself.. Costs just 25$ here

Thanks a lot Cin

 

Hey Toocool! In regards to the the Premium vs. the Plus...How long do you plan on keeping your lappy for? For me, my 1530 is a minimum of 3 years, and it being my first lappy ~ my choice would be the Premium plan!!! Is there still not discount savings on either the Premium or the Plus plan that you can get?

The 6c vs. 9c..that's gotta be a personal choice for you!! For me when I use the 6c...the lappy is flat on the surface, give me a little more room when *packing* away..but not a huge noticeable difference! (Well the elevation of course) I can get almost 3 hours off of the 6c! I always, though carry the *brick* and adapter with me.

Here check this thread: (older but still helpful)
6-cell or 9-cell battery for Dell XPS M1530
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=203461

and of course the Battery Guide itself!
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=91846

It all just depends on what you want!!!

I hope this helped you!

Cin!

P.S. I'm glad you have chosen a nice BT mouse ~ and a nice price to boot!

 

I would suggest you to get a BT Mouse in local shop than buying from Dell ... and about Processor i would suggest you to get T9300 or stick with T8100 bro

 

the battery time for 6-cell, with office apps and surfing should easily give you min 3 hrs on average... and even more may be when you get down on the screen brightness a bit and stuff like that...

Try to call the Dell Customer Service, and see if you can bargain for a discount on the warranty upgrade and try to get at least 2 yrs warranty.

 

I think the bang for the buck is way bigger going from T8100 to T8300 than going from T8300 to T9300.

 

The performance diference between the T8100 and T8300 is miniscule. But if the price is tiny then do it.

I have the 9-Cell and for web browsing i've reliably had 5.5 hours out of it or more if I run it right down. I like the elevation it gives too. But I only chose it because it was at no extra cost as there was a shortage of 6-Cell's in the UK at one point.

 

Thanks a lot everyone.. Especially fonduekid and Cin

Did a lot of research here.. But the research has created yet another confusion.. Should i wait for Dell to launch Montevina? Should i give DV5t a thought? Is latest good with laptops or does it mean higher changes or hardware faults / issues?

 

You could wait for the 16" laptop that is going to replace the XPS M1530 if you want, but montevina is more about power saving than speed increases.

Plus it will cost you more to buy a laptop that is as fast if you wait. Dell won't just release the new line and not adjust the price to reflect that it is newer. It's totally up to you though. The XPS M1530 is a gorgeous laptop which is slim and light for a 15.4". I'm glad I bought mine anyway even if just to not miss out on having what is IMO one of the best looking laptops on the market

I'm sure whichever you choose will make you happy. I'd bear in mind the 16" widescreen version they are planning to replace the M1530 with MIGHT be heavier, but it depends if thats important to you. Dell will want to keep it as light as possible.

 

You can wait....however, we don't know when it's gonna be released.

So, if your getting a good deal now..you may not get one later!

Everything changes so much....both technology and great deals...

It also depends on your *sense of urgency* with getting a lappy!


Cin

 

For sure it will cost you more than what u having now with the montevina...

And oh btw, how much does a similar spec cost on the dv5t?? Its a pretty good alternative too... so I think you have to factor in stuff like when u want your laptop, is there any limit on your budget etc etc..

One thing - never let yoursef be confused. There are a 100 different super cool models out there.. and 100 more would come out soon.. So if I were you, I would go for a good, popular choice model existing right now, with as much latest spec., components as possible.. or u wanna wait, nothing is stopping u as well... Dell might come out with some new models either in Oct / Nov (I dont remember the details, but I remember seeing some graph like this from an article on engadget).. anyways, good luck.

If you wish, give this a quick read through >> http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=251256

 

Thanks again for the replies everyone I finally decided, as i cant wait for 2 -3 months, to get the M1530 now!

There is good and bad news..

First the good.. Am getting the 9 cell battery for just 35$ extra!

Now the bad

I had asked for two quotations.. One with the 1440 x 900 screen.. and the other 1680 x 1050 display.. Below are the code numbers..

XR860 -15.4" UltraSharp(TM) Widescreen WSXGA+ (1680x1050)

M809C -15.4" Widescreen WXGA+ (1440x900)

While the M809C is the great LG screen it is lower res.. The XR860 is the crappy Samsung with horrible reviews here.. There is no 1920 x 1200 res screen available here (and i wouldnt get it either, too small for me)

Now what do i do I would love to have the addtional screen space.. But i dont want the Samsung.. Ill try talking to one of the Dell reps here.. but am confident he wont know much about it..

Is there anything i can possbily do?

 

Yep, you could ask for a LG screen, if you are firm but polite with your demand.. probably they might take a bit more time to make your laptop if they don't have the LG in stock.. but try.. ask the rep that you want just the LG, if you really want only LG.. else go in with Samsung.. its not bad either.. and with the bad reviews thing, well I don't know.. I got mine with a Samsung.. and I have absolutely no complaints and the screen is awesome..