Need help customizing Dell XPS M1530

[mchen01]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a Dell XPS M1530. I'm going to be playing games on it, and travelling quite a bit with it. I just need help deciding what specs I should get (price is not really a concern--just need to know if its a good idea/worth it):

SCREEN:

1. High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900) & 2MP Camera
2. High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 M
3. Full Hi Definition, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1920x1200) & 2MP Camera

- No idea here. Is the LED based screen any good? Anyone have experience with it? And what about the 1920x1200? Seems awkward they could do it on a 15.4" screen.

HD:

1. 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
2. 250GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor

- Is the 7200 RPM drive worth it? It would sacrifice battery life right? But by how much?

BLUETOOTH:

1. Dell Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Bundle
2. Dell Bluetooth Travel mouse
3. Dell BH200 Bluetooth 2.0 EDR Stereo Headset, VOIP Capable
4. Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate), for XPSM1530

- My question is, does the 1530 come with built-in bluetooth so I can add bluetooth devices later without picking any of the 4 options?

BATTERY:

1. 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
2. 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

- Is choice 2 worth $169 more? Not sure how much more battery life it would provide. Maybe the 56 WHr 6-cell is already good enough.

Thanks!

 

[rflcptr]

Screen:
2. High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 M
LEDs actually are more efficient and lead to a longer battery life. And higher resolution leads to more processing power required to draw the screen, which in turn, leads to more battery consumption.
HD:
2. 250GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor
If you need the performance, this is what you want. It doesn't affect battery life too much; how much hard drive use do you expect on battery?
Bluetooth:
4. Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate), for XPSM1530
This option will ensure you have the Bluetooth module in your system. You can then go from there.
Battery:
The 6 cell is good enough, most of the time I assume you'll plug in where you go, but I personally have the 9 cell on this system and it really gives me a lengthy life. It also props the notebook up a half inch or so in the rear giving the system as a whole more cooling underneath.

 

[mchen01]

Thanks for the response!

So, does the LED screen look just as crisp? How is the viewing angle btw?

I think I'll just get the 6 cell. Roughly how much uptime does your 9 cell give you?

 

[mchen01]

Also, is it true that you can get shocked with the 2 prong AC adapter?

 

[SouLXIV]

get the 320gig drive, there's little to zero in performance difference and it's cheaper/less loud

 

[rflcptr]

Thanks for the response!

So, does the LED screen look just as crisp? How is the viewing angle btw?

Yes, it is actually brighter at the highest setting.

I think I'll just get the 6 cell. Roughly how much uptime does your 9 cell give you?

Average 5 hours doing programming work.

Also, is it true that you can get shocked with the 2 prong AC adapter?

It has never happened to me. It does create a tingle along the palmrest and the girlfriend, while I was typing, touched my back and felt the tingle; but still, never a shock.

 

[mchen01]

Is the DVD eject/system stutter problem still happening? Did you experience it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ4bYynnqq8

Finally, I plan on getting a new HD for it to put in myself (cheaper this way). Would it be hard to reinstall with the Vista DVD that the laptop ships with? Would I be able to partition the drive like the way Dell shipped it?