Couple of Questions Before Buying m1530

Hey so i think I have narrowed my notebook search down to the XPS m1530 and am likely going to buy a pretty standard package just upgrade the chip to a t7500 and the graphics to a 8600gt. My questions though are this:

1. Can I easily upgrade the graphics card in the future to say a 8800gts?

2. I was thinking about just getting 1gb of RAM and then picking up 3gb of Ram myself later on, should I do this and also will 800mhz ram work with the xps line?

3. The version of Vista with the XPS is 32bit right. If so can I upgrade it in the future to 64bit so I can take advantage of new technologies?

4. I am buying in Canada, my timeframe is probably right after xmas, but I may be able to wait to mid january/end of january if it is worth it but I cant see a reason to do that.

Thanks,
eric

 

AFAIK the video car is not upgradeable.

800MHz memory will work, it is overkill as 667 is all you need. Memory is always expensive from Dell.

Apparently the 32 bit key works with 64 bit Vista, so you can reinstall later.

 

1. You can upgrade your video card if dell releases that model specifically for your model laptop, and its not super easy either.

2. If it is cheaper do it yourself. And dont bother with 800mhz ram, it will run at 667mhz anyways in your laptop so it would be wasted money.

3. You can order it with 64 bit, you just have to call them up to get it.

4. Find out when you NEED to have the laptop, and dont order way before that time frame. Prices in technology drop fast.

 

According to the Dell video dated November 27, 2007 at:
http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/11/27/36410.aspx
http://media.dellone2one.com/dell/November2007/XPS_M1530.wmv
http://media.dellone2one.com/dell/November2007/XPS_M1530.mp4
http://media.dellone2one.com/dell/November2007/XPS_M1530.ogg
the M1530 should have additional lid colours, displays and software (what could that be?) "after the holidays."

According to Sinstoic, all the displays have since come out, apart from the LED, which will be slimmer and have a lower-resolution camera, and should be available in the January to March 2008 timeframe.

Also, the 1525 and 1526 will probably be launched on January 6, with deliveries sometime in January. They will be like the 1520, but slimmer (they look wedge-shaped to me) and with headphone jacks on the front to avoid the noise. My understanding is that the 1525 will have a Santa Rosa Refresh motherboard with faster, more energy efficient Penryn procesors available (possibly as a higher-priced option).

I wouldn't be surprised if the m1530 also got Penryn processors as a higher-priced option.

 

1. Don't count on it.

2. Good idea, but as mentioned before, stick with 667Mhz RAM. 800Mhz will work, but is unnecessary.

3. Yes.