New M1530! Ftw!!

[kamehame]

Well, I bugged everyone about whether to get the M1530 or the M1730. I finally decided to go with the M1530, but loaded it up. I have a T7800 processor, 4 Gb RAM, WXSGA+, and a 8600M video card. It's my first laptop ever, so I'm really clutzy with the touchpad -- gotta get a Bluetooth mouse soon. Also, I'm paranoid because everyone talks about how you can "rub away" the brushed metal finish on the handrest area. It just arrived today and I've had it for all of thirty minutes, so there's not much substantive I have to add, but if anyone has any questions I'll try to help out.

First of all, the screen rocks. The resolution blows me away. No graininess. Thank goodness, no dead pixels (at least to my untrained eyeball). So I would say that any concerns about resolution can be laid to rest. (I have a 7 MP camera and if you guys REALLY want, I can probably get a picture of the screen res up at some point.)

Second of all, I didn't have any uneven chassis or keys that were falling off or anything. Reading the threads, it sounds like people have to return their laptops twenty times. Maybe I'm just less picky, although I dropped about $3500 on this thing. (I also got a docking station, 20" flat screen panel, and wireless router.) The only thing that ticked me off was that there's a small strip across the top of the keyboard area where the Media Direct buttons are. It was scratched up a little and the entire area scratches really easily. I ran a thumbnail over one of the scratch marks to see if it was deep or not ...and created a scratch. Whoops. Also, the areas around the Media Direct launch button and the Power button also have some paint chipped off. Finally, the Power button appears a tiny bit recessed (dunno if that's their design or if something happened, but it still functions). Since those are MINOR cosmetic problems, I'm not planning on returning the laptop.

As far as performance, I was scared because I got an initial BSOD on boot-up, but after restarting everything ran fine. I looked at the Start Menu and it's filled with crap from Dell, so I guess I have to reformat. Does anyone have the link for the clean boot? Also, I've used XP for years and this is my first experience with Vista. Dude, as far as pure "looks," it's awesome. My OPINION is that it is the equal of any Mac OS interface. Don't bother flaming me, it's an opinion.

The HD was quiet. Every now and then the fan would kick in, but it's honestly not that loud. Maybe a tad louder than my desktop fan.

I have yet to transfer over my MP3s, so I cannot attest to the speakers other than the brief sound file it plays when you boot up (yeah, I know, I'm just saying). They seemed fine. It wasn't tinny, but I bet there won't be a lot of bass. Which is fine with me because I don't listen to (c)rap, lol. I also have the Sound Blaster Express Card, which I'll try out later.

They gave me two Media Center remotes. Dunno why, but they did.

I purchased the holiday blue Timbuk2 messenger bag. It looks ugly. I mean, so ugly that I'm considering returning it. Seriously, don't get it. This thing is so ugly I almost vomited on my awesome XPS. The only problem is I'm lazy. I had to drive 30 minutes to my local DHS pick-up center to GET the thing, so I don't really want to go there to return it, then go back to get the new one. Thoughts?

OK, that's my new-owner review. Hope it helps. I'm really busy, unfortunately, so I'm not going to be as on-the-ball as other people -- probably won't bust out the 20" screen until this weekend. But I'll try to help out if I can, since you guys helped me!

[imar3l]

hey Thanks, waiting for mine right know,
could post the specs and the price...

[pstrisik]

Did you take the protective plastic off the media direct buttons? (Look close).

[kamehame]

One more thing, regarding price.

I talked to a great Sales Rep guy, but he told me flat out that he wouldn't lower the price because I was already getting the $650 or whatever off on the "Best" option. He told me that the new Penryns coming out soon will NOT affect pricing because "Dell is not a retail-type operation." They don't "clear out" inventory ACCORDING TO HIM. The only time he says they try to actively move more product is Christmas, but otherwise he says they basically sell themselves. Now, I'm not a great bargainer, so take that with a grain of salt, but that's just to help save some time for you guys.

He did give me an extra $100 off for signing up for a Dell Preferred Account. That was all he could do, after "speaking with his manager."

[kamehame]

Did you take the protective plastic off the media direct buttons? (Look close).

Um ...no! I'll do it tomorrow and let you know if that's why the paint looks chipped and scratched. Tee hee hee.

[kamehame]

hey Thanks, waiting for mine right know,
could post the specs and the price...

Specs are above, price was $3600. I got the discount for the "Best" option and an extra $100 off for Dell Preferred Account. But I loaded up a LOT of extras, so that's why it's so freakin' expensive. So I realize that my price looks outrageous.

[Relativity17]

Man...

You got reamed on the extra gig of RAM.

[sonicwind]

Very cool, I'm jealous, waiting for mine to get shipped.

It's my first laptop ever, so I'm really clutzy with the touchpad -- gotta get a Bluetooth mouse soon.

you'll get used to the touchpad and keyboard after a while.

talked to a great Sales Rep guy, but he told me ...blah, blah, blah

ha ha, typical salesman talk (and bull****.) Next time tell him, "OK, well this is what I want, but at that price I'm going to have to check with HP to see if they have any better deals going on, thanks." (But don't hang up until you hear his reply.)

[kamehame]

Man...

You got reamed on the extra gig of RAM.

Yeah, but like I said, I have no experience with laptops. I've said in a different thread, if this was a desktop, I'd open it up and throw in the RAM. But I'm really pathetic with the laptop. I can barely take out the battery, lol. So my bad.

[kamehame]

Took off the protective plastic from the Media Center button area and I take it all back. The "chipped paint" was just areas the plastic was non-adherent and the scratches were indentations on the plastic. Thanks, pstrisik! (Although, now, in a fit of stupidity I'm thinking I should have left it on for protection. LOL. Oh, well.)