About to order a 1530.. a couple of questions

Hey all. I'm about to order a 1530, but I have a couple of questions. If anyone could give any input, I'd appreciate it.

1. Is anything about the black lid different from the other colors? (besides the color, obviously) Is it just cheaper because it's the standard one, or is something else different? (like the material, etc) How good does it look btw?

2. Is the midnight blue the same color as the inspiron one?

3. What does the ExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Sound Card do? Is it worth it?

4. Is there a way to order it with a 64 bit OS? If not, is there a way to order it without an OS at all and save some money, so that I can buy it myself and install it?

Thanks guys.

 

#1 I have no idea. Black looks really really nice tho.
#2. The XPS blue is darker, a little more attractice. The Inspiron blue looks kinda fruity. I'm a dude and wouldn't get it.
#3. If I'm not mistaken, the ExpressCard Sound Blaster is a Sound Card alltogether. It might produce better sound. I don't think it would be worthwhile.
#4. There is no way to order a 64 bit OS. Dell does not support a Vista 64. U kinda have to do some extra work to get all the drivers to work. I'm pretty sure you can use the CD key given to reformat your 1530 with Vista 64. What I usually do is grab the Vista DVD off Bit Torrent or something since dell won't provide them.

 

I am lazy - I just ordered the comparble Vista 64-bit DVD disc for $15 from the Windows Store (digital river).

 

Thanks for the info. So you can use the CD for the vista given with the laptop to install the next, 64 bit one?

bubbatex, would you mind linking me there, please?

Also, anyone have any more input on my first 3 questions. Thanks all

 

No, you need a Vista 64 disk to install 64.

http://store.digitalriver.com/store/wmp_phy/en_US/DisplayHomePage

for the store. Bit torrent is much faster tho

 

Fear beat me to the link. I thought all versions were on all discs and your keycode unlocks the proper one? Or was that just the older Anytime Upgrade disc?

1. Black is the most popular and the easiest to manufacture (the toughest to see defects in) - so it is the default cover.

 

Tuxedo Black is a regular matte paint without a rubberized finish, while Midnight Blue has a microsatin finish that feels soft like rubber and Alpine White is a hard glossy finish.