Review: Dell XPS M1530
Laptop: Dell XPS M1530
I bought this laptop around 4 months ago, for university projects, media and gaming use, yes, all the functions i need them. I had friends questioning about my experience with this model, so i’ll just type out a review here to share. I am not typing the general specifications of this laptop here, because the specifications are self-customized when you buy it online, that is, you can choose what type of windows, how much RAM, disk space, graphics card, processor etc given a minimum requirement (and the prices increase as you select upgrades, minimum price at RM 3499)
Here’s the specs i’m currently using, and my ratings:
-Physical appearance; weight: 8.6/10.0
At first glance, i just love the design. The casing is like some sort of plastic fibre, not the glossy type but is scratch resistant, and looks solid but smudgy, including the media touchscreens. And, it’s surprisingly light and slim, almost on par with my friend’s Acer 12.1in laptop.
-Performance (responsiveness, speed) at 4GB RAM, 2.0 Ghz: 8.4/10.0
Actually at 4GB RAM, this is one great performance for gaming and i enjoyed superior performance when i host the CS condition zero in a LAN. Browsing stuff, opening media applications is a breeze. My only complain is interner explorer browser and windows explorer occasionally stop responding, usually due to other running programmes like the automatic scanning of anti-virus programme/background running programme that you don’t realize, and browsing a handphone’s memory manually though My Computer, and startup is slow. Once startup is complete and you usually use hibernate mode instead of shutting down completely, then windows resume is fast. I am using only Intel Centrino at 2.0 GHz, and the max upgrade is up to a whopping 2.6 GHz. I’d better spend that upgrade cost for a Playstation 3.
-Screen (15.4 in, n-Vidia GeForce 8400GM): 8.6/10.0
Well, good resolution, no doubt. It’s n-Vidia, and no graphics card enhance needed. You have an upgrade option to the 9600 ultrasharp ver, but expensive and not necessary for me. You’ll have no probs with the latest games. As usual, you have problems using this laptop in an area that is too bright, like when there is bright sunlight. The screen appears dark even with the brightest setting, but viewing at an angle from the side is not a problem.
-Battery life: 8.7/10.0 (3.25 to 3.5 hrs in power saver mode)
Using Intel Centrino, a huge media laptop at 15.4 in can run 3.25 hrs on battery, not bad at all. My friends’ laptops can only run 1 to 1.5 hrs on battery, and a 14 inch laptop. However, the newer Dell Studio 12 in can run up to 9 hrs. Technology keeps getting better.
-Keyboard: 8.9/10.0
Very confortable and well-spaced keys with spill-proof features. Good for typing and gaming, you won’t tab on the wrong key that often.
-Speakers: 8.5/10.0
The sound is loud and excellent when playing games or listening to music although there’s no subwoofer, but playing movies the sounds are very soft especially speaking; actions and explosions are loud. That’s not much a prob, you can set your own specifications in the control panel or install storm codec. The media keys are touch screen, and you have a fingerprint reader as well.
DVD Combo drive: 8.5/10.0
Burning and reading is smooth, not bad. You have an option of upgrading to Blu Ray drive, but that’s expensive and not practical for me.
Internet browsing; Wifi; bluetooth: 8.4/10.0
Not much details here. Everything is smooth and good. But as usual, internet explorer occasionally stop responding or have probs browsing certain websites (for security reasons, antivirus/spyware programme) but you can use mozilla firefox in this case. Bluetooth connection with handphones is a headache, you can send items to a phone easily, but receiving items from a phone is a headache-difficult to establish a connection and you get pop-ups asking for trust and how safety is the external device, even if i deactivate the antivirus.
Webcam; 2.0 Megapixels: 8.7/10.0
It’s surprising that at just 2 megapixels, the webcam is pretty decent and takes good photos, not to mention chatting. Great tools for adjustments as well. In fact, many laptops use 1.3 MP cameras and only a few 2.0 MP (the more expensive ones).
Antivirus (Mc Afee included, and i added Avira): 8.4/10.0
As for McAfee, annoying. Especially during games. Pop-ups are frequent asking for updates and offers when i am not online interfere my game and i lose counter strike many times because of this. On protection side, it is good, and malwares hardly have chance because a warning pops up when you are downloading stuff or even browsing online. I might get Norton Anti-Virus 2009 Gaming Edition later to solve pop-ups during games.
Windows Vista Pemium: 8.5/10.0
While many people are complaining about Vista, i find this windows is just good. The Microsoft Works and Task Launcher programmes for my college work and powerpoint 2007 is easy to learn and use. I can organize and search my stuff easily. Maybe i already got used to it. I am just using 160GB SATA hard drive, cuz i don’t need much and i have external drives and two 8GB pendrives to save my own stuff, and avoid a big diskspace from affecting performance, cuz big diskspaces require more RAM to operate, as my experience told me.
Overall: 8.6/10.0
Good. At least it satisfies what i need now, and solves the problems that i hate the most -slow response and limited gaming support. Of course, nothing is perfect and you may just face some minor problems wih this laptop, and it excels in media and gaming. A remote control and heatset is included. At RM 3760 after an increase of 3 to 4GB RAM plus a retractable USB Targus optical mouse, it’s a reasonable price. The same specs for a Sony Vaio may be around RM 7000, and i dislike Sony for the fact they use their brand name to dig money out of our wallets, or else i’d have bought Sony. I never go for any laptop at the RM 1900 to RM3000 range because the specs won’t be good. Same goes to handphones, i don’t go for a phone below RM 1000 (i stick to Nokia N-series only), because i emphasise on quality and versatility. I am not interested in small mini laptops either because the small keypads and limited gaming is a headache, and and i hate viewing movies with a small screen. Probably my next target gadget is, Apple iphone? No. Playstation 3? No. Ipod Touch? Not either. Sony Ericsson C905? NO WAY I’ll ever use SE phones. Nokia N97. Yup. But just later… even if it is released this year, i’ll wait and see what complaints i may hear about the phone if there is and buy it later, maybe next year. I need a good result to enter degree first and avoid ‘bankruptcy’ after spending a lot end of last year.
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