Dell adds new screen resolutions to the XPS m1530

We weren't exactly thrilled when Dell launched the 15.4-inch XPS m1530 with a lackluster 1280 x 800 display, but it looks like the cries of anguish from Dell fans across the tubes have been heard in Round Rock -- the company just announced on its Direct2Dell blog that m1530 buyers will now have two additional high-res display options. Bumping up to 1440 x 900 will cost $50, while a 1680 x 1050 WSXGA+ screen will tack on $150 to the m1530's base price. That's definitely better, but we're still wondering why 1440 x 900 isn't standard to begin with.

[Kiwi616 @ Dec 21st 2007 6:47PM]

NICE! Now if it only ran something better than Vista.

[js @ Dec 21st 2007 7:28PM]

Like Mac OS X?

[m-p{3} @ Dec 21st 2007 7:36PM]

No, Ubuntu.

[ark_v2 @ Dec 21st 2007 8:05PM]

How dumb, it RUNS everything.

[Argot @ Dec 22nd 2007 6:37AM]

check out js comment history. What a pathetic fanboi.

[Liam @ Dec 21st 2007 6:56PM]

Thrilling.

[coolant8 @ Dec 21st 2007 6:56PM]

1920x1200 would be nice for the blu-ray option, but then again it a 15.4 screen.

[Kevin @ Dec 21st 2007 10:45PM]

1920x1200 is painful on a 15 incher. 1680x1050 is the max for a screen of that size while still being able to read it.

[witsend @ Dec 22nd 2007 2:21AM]

There are plenty of settings you can change to make text and icons more readable (aka larger) without downgrading the resolution. Most people just don't know how to change them.

[chris fredette @ Dec 22nd 2007 6:10PM]

I have a Dell 6000 with a 1920X1200 screen I've been doing CAD work on for 3 years and it rules. When I saw the new 15" had only 1280X800 I laughed my ass off. I have a M1210 I like too because of the power but the screen bites so I find my self going back to the 6000.
All in all I say I would easily opt for the 1920 screen again. I would have a M1330 now too if it had a higher rez screen. The M1210 can't output widescreen formats to external monitors too with just pisses me off to no end.

[Derek @ Dec 21st 2007 7:12PM]

I haven't purchased a Dell in awhile, but do they still suck?

[Superevil @ Dec 21st 2007 7:54PM]

Yes

[carl @ Dec 22nd 2007 1:25AM]

No.

[icingdeath88 @ Jan 9th 2008 10:04AM]

Inspirons, etc. still suck, the XPS ones are awesome, especially for the price.

[Zadillo @ Dec 21st 2007 7:23PM]

That was quicker than I thought they would offer them; I'm still curious when they will offer an LED-backlit option though.

[Rob Lamontagne @ Dec 21st 2007 8:00PM]

Isn't that so typical!!! I just got my new M1530 today (and it's great...but). The first thing I did was install Windows Updates, install Firefox, and then cozied up to a little web browsing. Straight to engadget, of course... The very first post at the top of the page was this one.

I haven't even had a chance to install the 320GB HD and 4GB of RAM I purchased separately. The problem is, they are no longer running their $300 coupon or $200 gift card deals which means I can't just return this one and order another with the HiRes screen without loosing a fortune. :(

[Tyler @ Dec 21st 2007 8:01PM]

This is great for people looking to pick up this machine. But it's going to upset a lot of early adopters. Either way, a LED display at these resolutions could have a lot of people saying 'Dude, I'm getting a Dell'

[MegaZone @ Dec 21st 2007 8:24PM]

1680x1050 adds $100, not $150, according to their blog.

[tumnasgt @ Dec 21st 2007 8:43PM]

I have the M1530 and I don't find the WXGA to be much of a draw back, if anything it's a plus because I can run pretty much any game maxed out at the native res

[Seth Porter @ Dec 21st 2007 11:18PM]

Yeah I have to agree with you, my m1530 looks great at 1280 res. Alot of games don't support oddball resolutions like 1440x900 so having 1280 as a native resolution is really nice. And on a 15" screen, you barely notice that its a little bit low.

[Stoner @ Dec 21st 2007 8:53PM]

this might make me even more enclined to get one

[sirnoobius @ Dec 21st 2007 8:57PM]

I just ordered an M1330 yesterday and I wasn't sure which on to get M1530 or M1330 but ended up getting an M1330 because of the screen resolution and the very next day they update this thing to a higher resolution.

the M1530 was around 150 cheaper than the 1330 for similar configuration. at any rate, I prefer smaller laptop since I already have an XPS710.

[mahonmeister @ Dec 21st 2007 9:50PM]

You can configure it to be exactly the same or better then a MacBook Pro for nearly $1000 less!

M1530: $1574
MacBook Pro: $2500

Plus the M1530 has a 250GB HDD and 3 gigs of RAM... wow. Currently I have a PowerBook that I'm looking to upgrade, too bad Apple doesn't bother to stay competitive. Vista can't be that bad... :(

[Ed @ Dec 21st 2007 9:59PM]

Still no screen upgrades for Australia :(

[Keith @ Dec 21st 2007 11:38PM]

I bought an M1530 after my Parents got one... the only thing I disliked was the screen resolution and now dell does this. I like the other guy... mine hasn't arrived yet but I'm not returning it because I'm getting the 200 dollar giftcard and I got 300 off. The screen actually looks okay... this high resolutions are going to make people go blind.

[RyanTV @ Dec 22nd 2007 12:22AM]

It's great that Dell finally realized that on a top end notebook, there should be a nice display... I wonder when Apple will finally realize that about their 15" MacBook Pros. Talk about a machine that is DESPERATELY in need of some 1680x1050 love.

[Gremlin @ Dec 22nd 2007 12:33AM]

Now all they have to do is make 1440x900 an option on the m1330, and we'll be all set in terms of resolution options.

I feel like 1280x800 limits my productivity sometimes on the m1330, and 1440x900 doesn't seem too too small for 13.3".

[Scott @ Dec 22nd 2007 2:08AM]

I'm running 1440x1050 on my three-year-old Toshiba M200 tablet PC, and that's the one thing I'm going to miss a lot when my m1330 comes in a few days time...

[Don Wilson @ Dec 22nd 2007 12:34AM]

Yea, the screen rez on these laptops were horrible... how dare them make us pay more for a baseline resolution.

[Thunder Fist @ Dec 22nd 2007 3:48AM]

Or are you paying less for the crap resolution?

[Ethan @ Dec 22nd 2007 1:16AM]

Never did, as far as I can tell.

[DP @ Dec 22nd 2007 1:24AM]

Hotdog! That's what I've been waiting for. Bump all you Dell haters, run to your pithy HPs and such. Bwahahaha!

[Michael Anderson @ Dec 22nd 2007 7:06AM]

I've got no sympathy for the early adaptors. Dell were always going to introduce better res screens in the near future. It was always expected in early Jan at the latest. If 1280 wasn't good enough you shouldn;t have bothered ordering.

I plumped for the 1330 instead and it was a cracking decision. I really don't miss the real estate and portability is superb. Once the 1530 has the LED screen then it can compete.

[Tony @ Dec 22nd 2007 10:57AM]

since when is 1280X800 considered "lackluster" ? Isnt that kind of the standard for most laptops right now?

[SES21 @ Dec 22nd 2007 2:01PM]

@Tony - well, that's exactly the point! The XPS isn't a "standard" laptop so it shouldn't have a "standard" screen with lackluster rez.

When I originally ordered my latest laptop, I got a great deal on a 1280x800. Boy, was that a mistake! Not only was the rez not up to what I was used to (1280x1024 standard aspect), I had to freakin' scroll all the time to do anything. Sent it back & got this one - I wouldn't trade my 1920x1200 15-incher for love nor money! The quality of the screen still amazes me at times.

[Craig @ Dec 23rd 2007 11:02PM]

If you want to check it out, just go to best buy since they carry dell now!