Dell XPS M1530: movin' on up
By Ryan Block 
posted Oct 7th 2007 7:51PM
posted Oct 7th 2007 7:51PM
- 15.40-inch display (CCFL up to 1680 x 1050, LED up to 1440 x 900)
- Core 2 Duo options from 1.5GHz (T5250) up to 2.6GHz (T7800)
- Crestline GM/PM 965 chipset with up to 4GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
- GeForce 8400M or 8600M GS options (up to 256MB)
- Slot-loading Blu-ray / 8x DVD±RW
- Options for 802.11a/b/g/n, WWAN, Bluetooth
- HDMI, VGA, 1394, ExpressCard, (3) USB 2.0, Ethernet, fingerprint reader, media reader
- 2.0 megapixel (with CCFL) or 300k (with LED) cameras
- Weight supposedly 4 pounds to start (which is pretty light, we're assuming that's sans battery)
I was *this* close to pulling the trigger on a 1330, but if this really is around 4lbs and comes in at a similar price point to the 1330, I'm all over this baby.
Is it made in china?
If so count me out!
as people say to every comment like this, 95% of electronics are made in china...don't you get it?
@ Steve
Natural selection counted you out long ago.
I dunno what's worse, the fact that this guy got jumped on for stating his choices, or the fact that the jumpers on got so highly ranked.. don't let anyone challenge your beliefs, hey?
This has nothing to do with "beliefs". If someone doesn't want to buy something because it's made in China, they're either really anal, or they're Amish!!
name me a laptop thats NOT made in China!
i was surprised my Toshiba r200 is made in China
My XPS m1330 was made in Malaysia
^^ My VAIO TZ190 is made in Japan.
xD, That Amish comment was good.
Considering the events prior to this post i think That was funny Steve. To extend the humor a little further, i would like my m1530 bland without the Paint scheme- Thank you. ;)
i'm waiting for them to switch to 45 nm processors when they come out and (at least) 128 GB SSD and i'm sold ... this thing is like my dream laptop
No way it's gonna way 4 pounds. More like 6 pounds.
My thoughts exactly.
This looks like a really nice laptop, but is it just me or is XPS starting to stand less for gaming and more for quality? I'm surprised theres no 8600 gt in this one.
"Way"? No weigh!
No, it is 4 lbs. They are going with new Helium Li Polly batteries that are really light.
- Roger
Helium is a noble gas. Can't store energy.
Although this looks like it's going to be an incredible laptop.....I still don't regret going with the m1330 because of it's size.
Had the m1330 not been released however, I would have been all over this one because even though it's a 15" laptop, the overall design leans towards being sleek and mobile (the exact reasons I love my m1330).
Hopefully Dell doesn't get caught up in the Motorola RAZR rut and forget to continue with innovation and design after they've found a formula that works.
Ive got an 11.1 inch wxga screen now (vaio tz) and will never go back to such a large screened-laptop, esp. when the resolution is so poor.. the 15.4 inchers should be 1920x1200. The increase in pixel density makes a huge difference.
They were following the 1920x1200's for a while, it seems though that they reserve that panel for the Latitude and Precision series now. So it would be interesting to see them return that gem to the standard consumer line.
1920x1200 on a 15" display would be way too tiny... 1680x1050 is the perfect resolution for that size display - still maintains usability. I do think that they should have figured out how to get a 1680x1050 LED display.
@RyanTV
Dell has been using 1920x1200 screens on their 15.4" screens for a while, it seems despite your attempt to say it would be "way too tiny" that they feel otherwise. Being an owner of a D800 using a Samsung 1920x1200 15.4" screen i can say the space and resolution is quite nice. If I'm paying out the nose for a quality screen I'd at least like to take satisfaction that I'm getting as much real estate as I can out of it.
What's so great about Dell laptops? I'm thinking about spending $2,200 on a Vaio FZ T7500@2.2GHz, and all the bells and whistles. It apparently has a screen resolution (according to the site) of 1280x800 with an 8400M GT, which I'm a little upset about. What could I get at Dell for an equivalent price? Is it worth it over a Vaio?
I have a 6 month old 15.4" dell laptop with the best display that was offered and it's 1680x1050. I've never seen one with a denser display at that size. I have 20/10 vision and it's small for me.
Yeah... But its still a Dell
Thanks Captain Obvious! You're bloody brilliant!!
Any more tidbits of invaluable knowledge you want to share?
Actually, there is a possibility that it is a Samsung. A couple of the slicker dells in the past have been rebranded samsungs, and this has a striking resemblence to some of the samsung models available overseas. I can't say for certain that it is, dell might just be taking design cues from the korean company, but considering the reason that samsung doesn't sell directly in the US is because they have OEM agreements with some of the US manufacturers, Dell among them, it wouldn't be surprising.
Thats hot and sexy!
15.4 in screens should most certainly not by WUXGA. The DPI is so high by that point that it would be hard for most people to do anything practical. 15.4 WSXGA is where it is at!!! If that thing is really around 4 pounds, that is absolutely amazing. Beats the pants off of Apple's comparable Macbook Pro.
How can you dictate what is practical? You do realize that people use their computers in myriad ways? I have a 15.4" 1680 screen now and find it claustrophobic. 1920 would be great, I had no idea it was available. One of my main criteria for choosing a laptop is screen real estate, which rules out the Macbook Pro among others.
All of this is a long winded way of saying, STFU.
15.4 WUXGA+ screens have been available for at least 4 years, as all three options were available for my presario x1000 when I bought it 4 years ago. But I can certainly say that for the vast majority of people with normal to less than normal vision, WUXGA 15.4 inch screens are not practical. That's all I was saying. No need to get confrontational.
I have a 14.1 inch 1600x1200 older Toshiba 5200.
The screen is super sharp and I hate it when I have to work on it for more than 15 minutes doing regular stuff like surfing, word processin etc.
Such sharp small and high density screen are only good for specific work (I love the photoshop on it).
For more stuff I actually need higher density and larger screen 1920 24inch two of them side by side and even then at times I find they should be bigger as the density starting to hurt my eyes after working on them for a while.
I've worked with several 1920x1600 15.4" dells, if you are uncomfortable, just change your OS dpi setting, you end up with the same size fonts, but they are simply smoother, what's wrong with that? Just because you don't know how to adjust your system settings, don't state that these screens are impractical. An ideal screen would be able to display 300dpi+ and let the OS scale the fonts and images to a comfortable size for display. Don't let the limitations of the default XP theme be your guide for proper hardware evolution.
Uhm, Mii, I most certainly do know how to adjust my OS settings. But that doesn't fix all the problems that such a high DPI cause, and until we have true resolution independence, 1920x1200 on 15.4 inch screens will not be practical for the vast majority of users on Windows. If you like it, that's fine, just know you are in the minority.
Max of 2Gb??????????
Not good enough these days..
Yeah, I really hope it is a mistake. How can you make it part of the XPS line and limit to 2 GB?. Even the 1330 can go to 4 GB.
Its gonna weigh more than 4 lbs.
4Gb of RAM is a waste of time.
No 32-bit OS can address it properly. Better off saving your cash.
http://www.dansdata.com/askdan00015.htm
@ reticulate - who's forcing you to run a 32 bit OS? And even if you were, 3.6 Gb of usable RAM is much better than 2.0 Gb so it's hardly a waste of time.
Sorry, mistake! Copy / pasted the wrong data. It's 4GB.
Is this replaceing the 13" XPS or just adding a 15" form-factor?
I hope it doesn't replace the 13". I really do. Let's pray it doesn't.
It's quite impressive that dell could get the weight of a 15" laptop down to 4 lbs and still have the mainstream performance. Not even Apple can do that yet. If this thing is really going to be that light, i'll definitely going to get one. Just please don't tell me the price is going to be over $2000.
I disagree. I prefer such a high DPI personally, and all Dell needs to do is ship with large fonts and icons turned on by default to accomidate those who don't realize they can increase those attributes themselves. The OS can scale up, but you can't make a crappy screen look better.
Proud M1210 owner here. It good to see Dell evolving the line...but it looks like its just 2USB ports. Plus I've seen the slot loading M1330's and they're loud. If I wanted 2USB ports and a slot loading DVD I'd get a lobotomy and just MacPhagBook.
Otherwise its looks sweet but M1210 owns all the current iteration is size and form factor.
3 USB ports (2 on one side, 1 on the other).
As for the slot load drive being loud......do you live in complete silence? Out of all the things to potentially complain about, whining about the volume of the slot-load drive really takes the cake.
First people whine that they want a slot-load drive......then they complain that it's too loud (which it really isn't).
Then again, you could offer some of these people the EXACT laptop they want, but they would still find something to complain about because they aren't happy unless they're complaining.
I like how you cunningly inserted a homophobic slur into your Apple insult. You're quite a clever one! Not only that, you decided to switch it up a bit and spell it with 'ph' instead of just plain old 'f'. I applaud your originality.
I could go on and mention how the sentence containing that ever so diabolical Apple insult also has somewhat blatant grammar/syntax issues, but I won't.
@ Blah
WTF are you babbling on about? Homophobic slur?? Apple??
I really hope your comment wasn't directed to me because it would REALLY be ironic for me to be making homophobic slurs since I'm Gay!
@ Khris...
The remark by Blah was very clearly aimed at Lauren the Ghoti, who said "MacPhagBook".
While I don't agree with Lauren the Ghoti's use of the slur, it's a fake (phake?) WORD. Look past your blind, injured gay pride and read a little bit next time before jumping to conclusions. Half the reasons those words and their permutations even hold any power is if YOU LET THEM.
Btw, you had a nice comment on people who complain. Bravo.
To be honest, I COMPLETELY missed the "MacPhagBook" comment. Probably for the best otherwise I could have erupted into the Pink Gay Hulk and assaulted you with a backhanded compliment!! ROFL
@ Blah, you have my sincere apology. I'm sorry.
Fafnir_Lux:
Who says the word has any power and who's to blame if it does? What makes you think Khris's legitimate comments constitute "blind, injured gay pride" and what, exactly, is Khris to read that he failed to? Since when can't a "fake" word or a stupidly spelled one not be homophobic?
Sadly, literally everything you said was wrong yet you call others blind. "Read a little bit next time before jumping to conclusions". While you're at it, think a little bit too.
@ Khris:
Like Enola Gay, or just a little gay?
Hope it's not a Samsung, just look how much trouble the Macbook Pro's LED 15.4 inch screen has been in lately. Yellow bottom 3rd? yuck! I really don't want CCFl's, we should have been past that like we should have been past 5400 RPM drives LONG ago. *Sigh* I guess cheap is cheap.
Opinions are like a$$holes.....some are just larger than others!
There's *NOTHING* wrong with CCFL screens. I bought my m1330 with the CCFL as I didn't the the extra $150 (at the time I ordered) was worth it. I have no regrets and everyone who's seen my laptop loves it....screen and all.
Because YOU have no use for CCFL screens, or 5400rpm drives, doesn't mean that everyone else has to agree.
You should consider yourself lucky that the world hasn't outlawed stupid comments.....I'm sure you would have been removed long ago.
Why does this seem like it's just a 15.4" version of the M1330? 3 USB ports and only an 8600M GS? And how come the memory maxes out at 2GB? I'm guessing some of these details are inaccurate. At least I hope so!
Making it bigger and heavier and calling it a successor? That doesn't make sense at all.
except for those of us who want a 15" screen?
Oh my, this is sexy
8600m GT standard with an option for the 8700 and its a winner
If it's a 4ib 15.4" laptop, that's mighty impressive. It's in a different size class from the M1330, so it won't dethrone it, though it will eat into its sales somewhat. The 8600GS makes sense since they probably removed some cooling to reduce weight.
That is the coolest looking laptop I have ever seen. Would have been a bit nicer if they offered a 8600M GT, but I guess I can live with a GS. Dell is on fire lately, and the designs of the new 1420/1520/1720 and the new XPS line is very impressive.
any info on the release date?
Ha, this is not replacing it. It's just a 15" XPS laptop. The m1330 came here to stay.
Take out freakin' dead Blu-Ray which will take off $500 of the price, upgrade to 8600GT or 8700 I agree and the laptop is a winner.
How much is this gonna cost?
I was gonna get a new Macbook if they come out. But this looks interesting also. If its gonna be around 1,000-1500.
I would expect this one to be around $1700 or so without Blu-ray with the fastest 2.6 processor. Around $1500 with mid-line CPU is probably possible.
uh ... how about an 8600m GT STANDARD.
.. AT LEAST.
Wonder why it took this long for DELL to catch up and make a halfway decent laptop design? It's a little silly that they're totally pumping up their "color" inspirons though. No one is impressed.
OM0RZ!! COLOR LAPTOP FACEPLATES?!?!! AMAZING!!
Well this is disappointing. They don't even offer the 8600GT video card like the Inspiron 1520 has.
I really don't know why someone would buy this over the 1520...
Besides the fact that its trimming off close to 40% of the 1520's weight, and doesn't look like a boat? Even as a Dell fan, I think the current (and last) gen Inspirons are bloated.
@ Dan
"I really don't know why someone would buy this over the 1520..."
You're kidding right? Please tell me you're kidding.....then at least I can forgive you for such a silly comment.
4 pounds??? Wow...that IS impressive
Are you positive about the weight being 4 pounds? Considering many 12 and 13" laptops don't even get under 4 pounds, that seems remarkable for a 15.4" laptop. If it is true, it would certainly justify having only an 8600M GS, compared to the MBP's 8600M GT, as the MBP is 5.4 pounds.
I'm just wondering though, over at notebookreview someone posted this tidbit about the XPSM1530, which says the weight is about 6 pounds:
Product Overview
The XPS™ M1530 system is a premium thin and light XPS offering evolved from the XPS M1330 feature set. It is used primarily for entertainment, communications, and productivity functions. The form factor is 15.4 inches wide, sleek in design, and weighs less than 6 pounds.
The XPS M1530 targets consumer and small business customers who demand a thin, richly featured, stylish, lightweight notebook. XPS products traditionally carry a higher margin and revenues than entertainment and mainstream products, so it is acceptable if the XPS M1530 draws customers from Dell's 15.4-inch entertainment and mainstream offerings.
Discrete graphics are an option for customers who want advanced performance as well as support for new technologies. Intel’s Santa Rosa technology brings parity with competitive products in the marketplace and facilitates the use of Crestline GM/PM chipsets and Merom processors. This platform is ready to accept Penryn processors.
These were the priorities during the development of the XPS M1530:
Form factor (size and weight)
Design
Premium features
Battery life
Cost
This thing will give the MBP a run for its money - if it isn't a traditional dell. Because if i tis a traditional Dell it will have an OK processor and ok graphics card and tiny battery. Then it will cost a lot more for the good 2.6Ghz and 8600GS. Plus the LED display will more than likely be $175-$200 option. And if this is anything like the m1330-the battery will be a tiny one having a short life. Of course you could upgrade to a bigger battery but this makes the machine thicker and heavier.
Oh and I doubt this thing will be 4 pounds. More like 5 or slightly under - which is pretty impressive, but this requires the extra $$ for an LED display and a small battery.
Personally I prefer the MBP at 5.4lbs with a big battery better graphics card and more room for ram (though it is like that 2GB is an error)- Oh and I expect the prices to be similar Dell being a bit cheaper.
i'm currently on a 17 inch dell inspiron 9200 (1.6 celeron), had it for 3 years now. Refurbished, no break downs.
This dell looks like a beautiful replacement, but i don't like how the audio jack is in the front, especially since i would always be connecting my stereo to it... other then that, great laptop.
What's so great about Dell laptops? I'm thinking about spending $2,200 on a Vaio FZ T7500@2.2GHz, and all the bells and whistles. It apparently has a screen resolution (according to the site) of 1280x800 with an 8400M GT, which I'm a little upset about. What could I get at Dell for an equivalent price? Is it worth it over a Vaio?
Well, the main thing I've seen with Sony's among friends was reliability and Sony's reluctance to fix the problems. Dell is usually pretty decent in both aspects.
You might also be able to get a dell more custom and with an employee/group discount (ie university)
I bet that apple will get its line updated on the day of 10.5 release!
That's very unlikely (and not really relevant to this article anyway). Until Penryn comes out, there wouldn't be anything to upgrade the current MBP too anyway, unless it was just a chassis update (which Apple would probably save for an architecture upgrade).
I dont really give an iCrap if they do
If it's really 4lbs, they probably weighed it with a SSD hard drive and whatever the smallest available battery is.
Can you say HP dv6000 + a slot load and firewire?
15.40 inches? Why the fourth significant digit? Are they trying to say that this is very, very accurately designed?
Oh joy, another crappy american made computer. We brits are years ahead when it comes to computer technology, not to mention cellphone technology (3g anyone?). Thats why british technology is the best in the world.
Christ, I'm British and I don't think that. Are you having a laugh?
when did the british start making computors and cellphones, shoot I remember the warning we got when we bought british vehicles back in the 60's and 70's - "Lucas invented darkness" (Lucas was the british company that produced the electrical systems for british cars and motorcycles)
I can't think of any cellphones, but they're not a technological backwater. How about british technology in every cellphone?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_Ltd
LOOK AT THE AUDIO SOCKETS!!!
They right next to the touch pad :-/ It's the worst place to put them IMO.
I've an ASUS F3Jm with a similar design and I've almost broken the sockets with my hand constantly resting on them.
Heaven forbid someone actually uses the touch pad primarily to control a cursor rather than a Mouse :@
Is it just me or does it look like up can upgrade more than just the HDD and the ram because those bottom panels look awfully big.
Well - technically you can't upgrade any of that (or even open the panel) without voiding the warranty as far as I know. But like most high-end laptops, yes, opening the panels would give you access to the CPU, GPU, PCI cards, HDD, and RAM.
Yah as far as you know...which isn't much because it DOESN'T void the warranty. As long as all you are doing is removing a panel (Vs removing the palmrest, screen, etc.) and upgrading with parts from Dell you are safe.
Dear god! We are finally seeing HDMI and as a result, DVI in PC laptops. So what? Its going to take another 10 years for the VGA port to disappear altogether? Dear PC industry....KILL THE FUCKING THING ALREADY! The fact that systems are still shipping with that port is a testament to the fact that the PC industry moves slower then sludge. DIV\HDMI is compatible with VGA. Throw in an adapter and call it a day!
I dont know what you are smoking John but every projector I have ever wanted to connect to had a VGA port so as a user if you ever want to connect to a projector you would pretty much need the VGA port.
Sorry but imo you do not need to advance technology for technologies sake. Practicality goes a long way in my book!!
There are lots of numbers on the images but no descriptions of what the numbers mean.
Adding a description to each number will result in a 10% levy on the laptop
no kidding
Dell = BMW of laptops, they charge you for every little thing.
Why on earth have they chosen the white/silver look?
If this is done in all black then i would be interested, if not i'm going for a ASUS F3SV
It has a fingerprint reader, but doesn't seem to have a Momentus fde.2 (or whatever the name is) encrypted hard drive...or does it?
Why don't you guys take a break?
Find more information about computer by visiting the links at:
http://www.accessories-1st.com
I'd consider if it came with the 8600m GT or 8700m.
I love this laptop it isn't as bored as other 15 incher! I wonder what if... Dell can build a Dell XPS 17 inch model look like this one but with the numerical keypad, flashy led lights that has 16 different colors and appears on the lid, vents and speakers, backlit qwerty keypad with numerical keypad and with the AGEIA PhysX Accelerator! I am craving for this one already! Craving! Craving! CRAVING!!!
Wow...Khris...pink hulk...nice one...not (and what's up with the k? trying to be special?) Fafnir...fake word? Injured gay pride? please. regardless of the different spelling, phag is still f ag and in any case, the use is clearly negative. Sure the comment wasn't intended to go after gay people but the word is still inappropriate. Its the same as if I applied nigg.. to all my insults. The negative association is there. Which is why the phrase "that's so gay" is still so damn annoying to hear (why not say that's so stupid...which is what you're really trying to say?).
All that crap aside (good job Lauren), anyone know the price range of this thing?
[comment directed toward previous posts...] sorry bout that.