Yet another XPS M1530 Born!

Ordered an XPS a couple days ago after much comparison to the 17" macbook pro, which I found to be a bit pricey @ $1k more than what I got (even with an external monitor and tax!). It should be here on the 26th!

Details:

Computer
1 223-3529 XPS M1530, Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB 2M L2 Cache)
1 313-5825 Alpine White Casing with High Gloss Finish XPS M1530
1 311-7822 3GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm, for XPS M1530
1 320-6078 15.4 inch Wide Screen WXGA+ TrueLife LCD with 2.0 MO Camera for XPS M1530
1 420-7715 Camera Software XPS M1530 2.0MP
1 320-6082 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
1 341-6256 200G 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor
1 420-6813 Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, English
1 420-7590 Media Direct 3.3
1 420-6995 DELL SUPPORT 3.4,DIM/INSP
1 420-5769 Internet Search and Portal
1 420-5924 Icon Consolidation Application
1 420-6436 Vista, PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 463-2282 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
1 310-9764 DELL RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP, XPSM1530
1 412-1056 Turbine Lord of the Rings Online
1 420-7468 ADOBE ACROBAT READER 8.1 DIM/INSP
1 313-5820 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive for XPSM1530
1 420-6464 Roxio Creator Basic
1 313-4783 Integrated High Definition Audio 2.0
1 430-2590 Dell Wireless 1490 802.11a/g Mini Card
1 461-8389 No Virus Protection Requested
1 312-0638 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion P Primary Battery, for XPS M1530
1 412-0148 No Internet Service Provider Requested
1 412-1397 No Productivity Software requested
1 412-1397 No Productivity Software requested
1 412-0359 Soft Contracts - Qualxserve
1 950-3339 3 Year Limited Warranty
1 960-3652 Warranty Support,2 Year Extended
1 960-8710 Warranty Support,Initial Year
1 988-5618 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Extended Year(s)
1 983-5942 Type 15- Third Party At HomeService with Nights and Weekends, 24x7 Technical Support,2 Year Extended
1 988-5617 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Initial Year
1 984-2360 Type 15- Third Party At Home Service with Nights and Week ends, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year
1 410-1196 Adobe Pepe,English
1 467-2337 Finger Print Reader XPS M1530
1 430-2566 Dell Wirless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0+EDR)
1 310-8319 Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
1 310-8628 You have chosen a Windows Vista Premium System
1 420-7091 DataSafe Online Dim/Ins/XPS
1 420-7095 DataSafe Online 20GB for Dim/Ins/XPS
1 987-7459 XPS,Datasafe 20GB,1YR,DHS
1 988-0089 DataSafe included with DellCare Service bundle

Monitor:

1 320-5123 Dell E207FP,Wide 20 Inch Flat Panel,20.0 Inch Viewable ImageSize,OptiPlex,Precision and Latitude,Customer Install
1 983-2847 3YR Limited Warranty Monitor, Advanced Exchange

In '03 I bought a Latitude D600 for school, which I'm still using even though one of the screen hinges is broken and the power button doesn't work. Yea, it's been running for about 2 years now. I've got it hooked up to a 20" crt, an ergo keyboard/mouse and I really like the desktop use. It's really time to be able to be portable though!

1st upgrate to the XPS is downgrading to XP, unless I'm convinced to stay with Vista.

The main purpose of this computer will be music production/recording. Being that I'm a DJ it was essential to have an audio line input (for on the road recording), and enough processing power to run several production programs at once, such as:

Native Instruments KOMPLETE 5 + Kore 2

Ableton Live 7

and more.

I have been reading various reviews/concerns about the 1530, and feel that I opted for the best reviewed specs.

Current DJ setup:

 

If you ordered a couple of days ago why not just get a penryn chip? ? why get older gen chip?

 

I basically just got the dell recommended top line spec'd version. That, and I don't know much about the penryn chip. That and I ordered it on the 15th, if that makes a difference.

 

penryn is a bit faster a bit cooler and more energy efficient... need i say more?

 

When you get your new XPS Check out the sound with AND Without the Creative Software. I found I got cleaner output with the software removed. Running the Audio through an Outlaw 990 Pre/Prop and 755 Amp to paradigm Speakers.

 

Just out of the headphone jack?

Is creative software part of the unecessary bloatware?

I used to have an external soundcard with optical out, worked AMAZINGLY.

 

If I were you bro I'd re-order with a penryn T9300 . Amazing for any kind of music/movie encoding. good for your line of work. You can realize gains anywhee from 10-20%. MOre time saved the better IMOP>

 

the penryn for xps makes you pay $150 extra for upgraded graphics... for people with a budget it's not really worth it

 

do you guys think the difference between the t8300 an t9300 will be that noticable if you are just using the laptop for browsing/downloading and occasional photo editing? the first m1530 w/t2750 i had didnt satisfy me compared to my year old toshiba stellite m105-s3064. the repkcaement m1530 w/t8300 and LG lcd surpass my expectations.

 

The Sigmatel Control Panel Lets you set what the two Earphone Jacks and Micropohone jack can be used for i.e. Front Speakers, LFE, Rear Speakers, Headphones, Mic and so on.

The creative software isn't nessessarily Bloat ware but is a software sound matrixing/processing solution that either suits your needs or doesn't. In my case my Outlaw processor is far superior so I wanted as clean a sound as possible coming out of the Laptop.

Most Likely an External soundcard, or an X-Fi Express card may be the superior solution however I have not Crossed that bridge yet

 

Just found out I got the KR515 screen, so that ease's my mind a bit