Mucle of Dells Vostro of the design of XPS

EKRIUQ

Hi, I'm buying a new laptop for web programming and surfing the web, photopshop and a bit of multimedia so I want as much muscle as I can afford.

I don't do a lot of multi-media but will watch the occasional DVD and unsure about a 15" or 17" Basically I want to muscle up the Vostro but not sure how it compares to the XPS and whether it makes sense to just drop €1,000 on an XPS 1530 with similar processor.

Vostro pros: About €300 cheaper for same specs,

XPS pros: cooler looking, lighter, better support and finger print

General Questions

1) What is my budget?

€750-€1,000

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

c. Mainstream; 15" - 17" screen


3) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

Probably Dell

4) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?

Web programming (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, illustrator and photoshop) and general use, no games yet

5) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?

Some travel and use on the couch, in bed, etc

6) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
NO

7) How many hours of battery life do you need?

I'm sure 10 would do while travelling

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?

No



Screen Specifics

10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Not partial

11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.



13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
glossy
Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
not too much

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
Today, want to keep for 3 years

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 160-320gb?


17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD, Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive?

DVD

==========
END

Thanks
Bingo

Voodu Child

Well, you've pretty much answered the question yourself, you already know the difference between the two product lines.

The Vostro is always going to be better value, spec for spec. The XPS line (1330 and 1530) with the brushed alloy bits and fancy design are aimed more at competing with the higher-end competitors (Sony, Asus etc) whereas the Vostro is the basic machine offering the best value for money.

You seem to have an idea of the basic differences between the two ranges so just go for the one you think is best for you.

Cyrus

10 hrs battery

let me know which laptop meets that criteria

TerrorFirmer

Cyrus wrote: »

10 hrs battery

let me know which laptop meets that criteria

And not only 10, but 10 'would do'.

If you're not worried about looks, the Vostro really is the way to go. The XPS is a nice machine, and has some minor differences depending on the hardware picked, but in general usage just largely caters to aesthetic tastes.

majiktripp

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

If you're not worried about looks, the Vostro really is the way to go. .

Am I the only one who thinks the new Vostro range looks nice?! Even people here in the office find 'em ugly...not me though

Soarer

If the OP doesn't mind, I'd like to jump in here with similar questions.

I've specced up the following machine:

InspironTM XPS M1530(N05X5308)
Date & Time: Thursday 08 May 2008 9:53 AM

SYSTEM COMPONENTS
InspironTM XPS M1530(N05X5308) Qty 1
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.40 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 3 MB L2 cache), Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English Unit Price Incl. VAT € 1,323.49

Get 50% off on Belkin F5D7632 ADSL Modem/Wireless Router
Expires 28 May 2008
- € 39.22

Save €190 (Inc Vat)
Expires 14 May 2008
- € 190.00

Catalog Number: 5102 N05X5308
Module Description Show Details
Base Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.40 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 3 MB L2 cache)
Microsoft Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
Memory 3072MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [1x2048+1x1024]
Keyboard Uk/Irish Internal Keyboard (QWERTY)
Video Card NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 8600M GT with 256MB dedicated graphic memory
Hard Drive 320GB (5.400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
Modem No Modem
Optical Devices Fixed 8x DVD+/-RW Slim Slot Load drive, including SW
Wireless Networking Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-Card - Europe - Core 2 Duo Processors
Shipping Documents English Documentation with English/Irish Power Cord - 3 PIN
Gedis Bundle Reference N05X5308
Microsoft Application Software Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English - (Does not include Microsoft® Word)
Standard Warranty 1Yr XPS Premium Warranty Support - Priority Call In and Onsite Support
Enhanced Service Packs 1 Year Base Warranty
Protect your new PC No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English
Power Supply AC Adapter 90W - 3 Pin
Bluetooth Dell™ Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0 Module (up to 3Mbps) with Enhanced Data rate - Eur
Wireless Access Point and Base Routers Belkin F5D7632 ADSL Modem/Wireless Router (802.11g) - UK
Order Information Inspiron Order - Ireland
Primary Battery Primary 6-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (56 WHr)
Carrying Cases No Carry Case
Biometric Identification Biometric Fingerprint Reader with BLACK accent
Dell System Media Kit Resource DVD - (Diagnostics & Drivers)
Colour Choice 2.0 mega pixel Camera & Tuxedo Black for CCFL Display
Accidental Damage Support No Accidental Damage Support
TV Tuner and Remote Control Dell™ Travel Remote Control
Online Promotion Option for GEDIS Configs Dell Internet Order
LCD 15.4" Widescreen™ WXGA (1280x800) TFT Display (220nits) with TrueLife™

TOTAL Incl. VAT:€ 1,094.27

I've included a wireless router above as there's 50% off it at the minute.
The total given excludes the 10% off coupon which, when used, brings the total inc. delivery to €986.80.

Do you guys think it's worth it?
From what I know, Vista 32 bit will only recognise 3gb RAM, so there's no point in getting anymore. Correct?
Also, I'm using this to replace my desktop (1gb single core processor, 512mb RAM, 1x40gb hdd, 1x8gb hdd ). Surely this laptop will have enough grunt to do most things I ask of it?

majiktripp

Yes that machine has plenty of grunt for replacing your desktop machine, good size hard drive, good processor , plenty of ram (your right about the 3gb limit on Vista 32) so I thnik you've got a pretty good spec there.

Soarer

Woohoo!
That machine might help the OP too.

While I have your attention, how do I find out what ports are on the machine? Can't find that info anywhere.
The reason I ask is I'm wondering if it has firewire.
The most labour intensive thing I'll be doing is transferring hd recordings from my camcorder, and firewire is obviously the best way to do this.

majiktripp

After some googling I found this site
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4135
Lists the firewire port as being there so I think you should be ok.

Soarer

Thanks again.
Didn't expect you to go googling on my behalf though!

Strange that dell don't list these things on their site.

Edit: The ports are actually listed under Tech Specs on the opening XPS page.

EKRIUQ

Soarer wrote: »

Woohoo!
That machine might help the OP too.

Thanks, that's similar as the machine I'm looking for.

But at the top price including vat its English Unit Price Incl. VAT € 1,323.49 and at the bottom its TOTAL Incl. VAT:€ 1,094.27 just wondering which is the price

The Vostro 1700 with the 17" screen and nearly the same specs look to be costing

€679 + vat = €821

€1,323 - €821 Difference of € 502

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.40 GHz, 3 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium - English
1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day Included - No Upgrade Selected
17.0" Widescreen WXGA+ (1440x900) TFT Display
Matte Jet Black with 2.0 mega pixel camera
3072MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (1x1024 + 1x2048 MB)
320 GB (5400rpm) SATA Dual Hard Drive (2x 160GB)
256MB nVidia® GeForce® 8600M GT
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including Software
Primary 6-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (56 WHr)

Please correct where I'm wrong before I purchase

Soarer

Hi Bingo.
The English Unit Price is the starting price.
I customised the unit by upping the processor to 2.4, and added a Belkin Wireless Router as it had 50% off.
I added the unit to my basket, and it comes up with the unit being discounted €190, and there's free shipping.
On top of those discounts, the coupon R9TCV0W0BJP945 knocks another 10% off!

So I just ordered it, including the upgraded cpu and the wireless router, for €986.80 delivered.

I'm hoping I haven't been ripped off!
I'm sure I haven't though, as before all the discounts, the unit should be €1333.90 + delivery.

P.S. From what I can tell, your Vostro is the same except you have a bigger screen. Don't know the exact specs of yours though.

Edit: Just received my confirmation there, and the total came to €986.15

Edit 2: Just specced up the Vostro to include the Belkin Router, so we're comparing like for like, and the total comes to €892.29. So the Vostro is €94 cheaper and has a bigger screen.

pwd

Another difference is that the XPS has a hdmi port, while the vostro does not (nor a dvi afaik). This is a big difference if you want high quality picture on an external display. It's irrelevant if you're not going to use it in that manner though.

EKRIUQ

Soarer wrote: »

Hi Bingo.
The English Unit Price is the starting price.
I customised the unit by upping the processor to 2.4, and added a Belkin Wireless Router as it had 50% off.
I added the unit to my basket, and it comes up with the unit being discounted €190, and there's free shipping.
On top of those discounts, the coupon R9TCV0W0BJP945 knocks another 10% off!

So I just ordered it, including the upgraded cpu and the wireless router, for €986.80 delivered.

I'm hoping I haven't been ripped off!
I'm sure I haven't though, as before all the discounts, the unit should be €1333.90 + delivery.

P.S. From what I can tell, your Vostro is the same except you have a bigger screen. Don't know the exact specs of yours though.

Edit: Just received my confirmation there, and the total came to €986.15

Edit 2: Just specced up the Vostro to include the Belkin Router, so we're comparing like for like, and the total comes to €892.29. So the Vostro is €94 cheaper and has a bigger screen.

Thanks, that seems like a great deal for the XPS, I'm going to purchase soon me head is wrecked.

Soarer

I hear ya on the head being wrecked thing.

I've been meaning to purchase for ages, but could never bring myself around to doing it as there was always better uses for the money at the time.
Saw the Aldi one on offer today, and decided to bite the bullet and go for that.
Before I did though, I decided to check Dells website, and since I'd already decided to spend €800 on the Aldi machine, I decided to have a look at similar priced machines.
Granted the XPS has gone slightly over budget, but I think I'm after doing ok getting a well-specced branded machine for less than €1000 delivered.

Voodu Child

Soarer wrote: »

I've included a wireless router above as there's 50% off it at the minute.
The total given excludes the 10% off coupon which, when used, brings the total inc. delivery to €986.80.

Go through the EPP website and you'll knock another 6% off the final price. The above mentioned voucher works fine in conjunction the EPP scheme.

Do a quick search if you need info on the EPP scheme, there's been a lot of posts about it, especially in the bargain alerts forum.

Soarer

Balls!

That advice is too late for me, but hopefully the OP will make use of it. Brings it down to <€930.

Redisle

OP, I hope you know that with the laptop you have spec'd up there is not going to have a very long battery life with that 6cell Battery. Id say you would be lucky to get 2 hours.

I have an Inspiron 1720. 2Ghz/2gbRam/8600M/250GB HD and the max I get is about 2 hours (albeit using Wifi and with teh screen brightness up). Your laptop there has a faster processor than mine (Generally means more power comsumption). It also has more ram and a bigger hd but Im not sure how that would affect battery life. You mentioned in your op that you wanted 10 hours. With a laptop this powerful you haven't got a hope.

Oh yeah one more thing.Its not a very comfortable experience using a laptop with a 17" screen in bed. These things are quite big and heavy and its an awkward enough thing to do.They are great for desk use and the screen makes watching dvd's on a laptop pretty enjoyable.. On a desk.Just bear that in mind. You may be better off going for a 15.4" if your concerned with mobility.

EKRIUQ

Redisle wrote: »

Oh yeah one more thing.Its not a very comfortable experience using a laptop with a 17" screen in bed. These things are quite big and heavy and its an awkward enough thing to do.They are great for desk use and the screen makes watching dvd's on a laptop pretty enjoyable.. On a desk.Just bear that in mind. You may be better off going for a 15.4" if your concerned with mobility.

Thanks some good advice there, I'm edging back to the XPS 15" for the reasons you said above and I've watched some reviews on You tube and there's some nice features on it and with the coupons I will be able to get the spec I need:)

Dartz

Buy the Vostro, unless you really like the XPS. I looked a a Vostro 1700 myself, but there were space and weight issues... I couldn't carry one around on my back all day long for one... So I bought a high-spec 1530XPS. It has stuff I'd never use as standard, like Bluetooth or MediaDirect, which could be considered a waste of money because of this.

At around the 1 grand level though, you are paying more for the shininess of the XPS than you are the equipment. If you really want an XPS, go ahead, but you'd be better of speccing up a Vostro. They're right customiseable, more so than the XPS, so you can find yourself a nice sweetspot of bang -v- buck if you're clever.

that said, my XPs does feel very well put together. It doesn't buckle or flex... and it does look the mutt's nutts.

If you do want an XPS, buy all means buy one, but you'd get a technically asuperior Vostro for that price.

Rowley Birkin QC

I have a Vostro 1700, fantastic laptop but by no means portable. It weighs a tonne!

Got the 9-cell battery and with wireless turned off and brightness down it lasts for about 4-5 hours, grand for most journeys.