Need input with my XPS m1530 config!

Hey all, I'm going to buy the m1530 by tomorrow, but I can't decide on a few things. I'm going to be playing lots of games such as World of Warcraft, Call of Duty 4, Starcraft 2 on release, and a couple others, which means I'll need something moderately powerful and fast. I'm also going to be surfing the internet alot, multitasking, and writing essays/doing schoolwork. My computer will be sitting at my desk for the most part, but I still want something with reasonable portability in the event of a LAN party, a trip, or anything else that would come up. I'd like to keep the price range around 1400$. With all this in mind, please post some suggestions, comments, or any improvements I could make with my build.

Midnight Blue
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache)
Genuine Windows® Vista Home Premium Edition SP1
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900) & 2MP Camera
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
Speed: 160GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
Free Upgrade to a 9 cell Battery
High Definition Audio 2.0
Finger Print Reader XPS M1530

In total, with discounts and taxes, the price is a manageable $1,356.77


Some questions that came to mind while posting my specs:
1. In order to stay in my price range, I'm going to have to either sacrifice a Duo Processor T9300 or the High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900) . If I stick with the better screen, I'll have to downgrade my processor to T8300. If I stick with the T9300, I'll have to downgrade my screen to the standard 1280x800 LCD screen. Which condition would you suggest, keeping in mind that I'm going to be playing alot of games and doing alot of internet surfing? How big are the differences between the T9300 and the T8300, and the 1280x800 and the 1440x900?

2. Do I have a fast enough hard drive and a large enough memory to play the games that I listed above?

Thanks in advance and I hope to get some helpful responses soon =)

 

1. u should go with T8300 because .1 ghz difference btw. 8300 and 9300
is really minimal about 3~6% i heard. (9300 has 6mb L2 cache) Also,
the price of 9300 is kinda expensive so why not sacrifice 9300 and
get a better screen?
So if i were u i would lose the 9300 and go for 1440x900 resolution.

2. u might want to change the capacity of HDD however, u could upgrade ur HDD later when HDD price drops so I guess 160gb 7200rpm is fine for now.

 

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...&oc=DYDEHF3&s=dhs&dgc=EM&cid=31676&lid=723088

Free upgrade to 9-cell battery, has better specs, and is $150 cheaper than your config.

 

didnt he already get the free 9 cell battery upgrade though?

 

hey just make sure you checkout the Deal of the Day today on the XPS. I was reading some posts this morning and others were saying you can't be it. Its only today I think (Day 7 out of 10 days of deals).

I think the specs are a bit better...and cost a bit less than your config...maybe not...maybe so...just wanted you to be aware.

And stick with the 8300 over 9300...also you did get the 256MB GT card right? Sorry...I can't see your original post while I write a reply.

Good luck..I'm jealous! : )

Happy Game Playing too...

Okay, I'm an idiot...I think someone else further down the thread already informed you of the fact. Apologies...

 

What is "Deal of the day" that I keep hearing about?

 

im assuming this deal of the day thing is only in america? =.= sucks how the UK gets nothing...

 

The only problem I seem to be having with that is the screen size. Isn't a 1920x1200 screen too big for a 15 inch notebook?

 

Here's the build i was looking at with the 25% coupon its $1202.25 so essentially the same price as the other build, differences being in the 1440x900 LED LCD screen, 2GB instead of 4GB memory, 250GB instead of 320GB HDD, and no option for a free 9cell battery.

I'm trying to decide however if the trade offs are worth it I would rather the lower resolution with LED LCD display and as for memory and HDD size, 2GB is plenty for running vista and playing games assuming you don't need every app open at once and 250GB is more then enough for me.

Curious how the battery usage of the LED display with the 6cell compares to the usage of the high resolution display with the 9cell. I've read the LED display gives around 30% better battery life which would balance decently with the smaller battery and better fit as you wouldn't have the step from the large battery.


SYSTEM COLOR Tuxedo Black edit
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® Vista Home Premium Edition SP1 edit
LCD AND CAMERA High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 M edit
MEMORY 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) edit
HARD DRIVE Size: 250GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive edit
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write) edit
VIDEO CARD 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT edit
WIRELESS CARDS Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card edit
BLUETOOTH AND WIRELESS USB Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate) edit
BATTERY OPTIONS 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery edit
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0 edit
FINGERPRINT SCANNER Finger Print Reader XPS M1530 edit

 

Yes. It probably will be...big deal..just change the screen resolution...system will probably complain its not optimal...but you'll never notice. Plus you are getting the a great resolution. Go for the deal...we bought a 1720 awhile back with the largest resolution and yes it is small...I changed the resolution to something smaller and everything is just fine.

ps. to others...well Dell has 10 days of deals...maybe not in every country I'm sorry...but certainly here in the States...

 

Too bad I didn't see the "Deal of the Day" sooner. I just placed my order a couple hours ago. Could have saved a little money and got more.

 

Umm...just call them...tell them...cancel the order...it won't be a problem. They'll work with you. You are not doing anything wrong by doing that. But hurry...that offer really does end at the end of the day.

 

Agreed. I ordered a 1530 yesterday, saw today's deal, called them up to cancel and went with the deal instead.

 

Ok, I just canceled my previous order and changed to the "DEAL". I got some guy with an accent, so I had to really listen close to understand him. It took about 30 minutes for him to go over the details but I'm glad he did, to make sure we got the order right. The ship date isn't for another month. I also saved $16.

 

did you guys get 3 years complete warranty as well with that ?

if you get that then it is definitely good price. Like I got one. if not try to get that.