Time to buy a new laptop/netbook... $1500 budget...interested in the dell xps 1330

[lefrenzy]

Hey guys,

so my emachines M6805 is turning 5 years soon in a few months, and I desperately need a replacement asap. I will mainly use this new laptop for schoolwork (I'm a senior at Ohio State University), and for music. I want to hook it up to my midi keyboard, and do DJ stuff with it as well. I sure wouldn't mind playing a few pc games such as Fifa 2009. If it doesn't run Crysis, I won't cry though.

I have a ton of music on external harddrives, so I'd like to have everything on the internal hd of a laptop, therefore I want a laptop with 500GB internal drive.

I am really interested in the Dell XPS 1330 (Product) Red.

13.3inch widescreen
2.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
500GB HD
4GB RAM
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 8400M GS

$1454 (with discounts). it comes with 2yrs warranty!

I thought about getting a macbook, sadly they're too expensive, and still don't offer a 500GB HD.

What do you guys think? Is there a good 13.3widescreen laptop out there that you recommend under $1500?

[comhcinc]

my wife is looking for a new laptop as well. you should check out HP. they have some awesome ones that are cheaper that dell.

[chuckles]

Hey guys,

so my emachines M6805 is turning 5 years soon in a few months, and I desperately need a replacement asap. I will mainly use this new laptop for schoolwork (I'm a senior at Ohio State University), and for music. I want to hook it up to my midi keyboard, and do DJ stuff with it as well. I sure wouldn't mind playing a few pc games such as Fifa 2009. If it doesn't run Crysis, I won't cry though.

I have a ton of music on external harddrives, so I'd like to have everything on the internal hd of a laptop, therefore I want a laptop with 500GB internal drive.

I am really interested in the Dell XPS 1330 (Product) Red.

13.3inch widescreen
2.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
500GB HD
4GB RAM
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 8400M GS

$1454 (with discounts). it comes with 2yrs warranty!

I thought about getting a macbook, sadly they're too expensive, and still don't offer a 500GB HD.

What do you guys think? Is there a good 13.3widescreen laptop out there that you recommend under $1500?

The Dell XPS 1330 is an outstanding machine. Just ask our CEO, he'll tell you as much.

-chuckles-

[tokenuser]

Want an Apple? Get an Apple ... upgrade the hard drive and RAM.

500GB Samsung M6 HD (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152114&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Hard+Drives+-+Notebooks+/+Laptops-_-SAMSUNG-_-22152114) - $105 (I am looking at this drive myself).
Refurb Macbook 2.4GHz (http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB403LL/A?mco=MjE0NDk5Mw) $949 (nothing wrong with an Apple refurb - they have same warranty as a new machine ... its not the new unibody style, but so what it has the same performance).
2x 2GB RAM Upgrade (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000551+1327924738+1328023882+1327823918&Configurator=&Subcategory=551&description=PC2-5300+DDR2&Ntk=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=) ~$50

You might want to add in VMWare or Parallels as well and a copy of XP or Vista for dual booting so you can play games.

$1200 +tax, and you have the Apple you want.

====
I also have a 15" HP laptop (HP Compaq nc6400) for work that travels with me. Its onboard graphics are acceptable, but not great, and the lack of Firewire make video editting a chore (but not on the Macbook). Check out the DealFTW! podcast form late last year for a ruin down on some of the HP models.

My wife has a IBM (Lenovo) Thinkpad (cant remember the model, but its the 15" widescreen model).

Both of these are more business than entertainment oriented, but there are a number of HP laptops that are more gaming/consumer focused, and the Lenovo IdeaPad series will have an appropriate model as well.

Dell laptops get mixed reviews. People either love them or hate them (or love them until they die, then hate them), but that is much the same for any laptop. Biggest piece of advice I can give is that you get an extended warranty with it - laptops ARE prone to failure because they are portable devices and do get some abuse.

[rabidbadger]

Apple refurbs are actually more trustworthy. Usually they are returns of presents to folks who wanted a different configuration, and they still get the total testing by folks at cupurtino instead of just "hoping" you didn't get one that just got a once over on the assembly line in china.

[chuckles]

Apple refurbs are actually more trustworthy. Usually they are returns of presents to folks who wanted a different configuration, and they still get the total testing by folks at cupurtino instead of just "hoping" you didn't get one that just got a once over on the assembly line in china.

Are you insinuating that my cousins don't a good job?

-chuckles-

[chuckles]

Apple refurbs are actually more trustworthy. Usually they are returns of presents to folks who wanted a different configuration, and they still get the total testing by folks at cupurtino instead of just "hoping" you didn't get one that just got a once over on the assembly line in china.

Upon further thought, that is quite insulting. :(

-chuckles-

[skyz]

Upon further thought, that is quite insulting. :(

-chuckles-

prejudice wears many faces

almost no one is entirely prejudice free it is an insidious disease

if you happen to have as ancestors the sages who compiled the I Ching please note they have my deepest appreciation

much honor and respect is due them

men of true wisdom

[rabidbadger]

Upon further thought, that is quite insulting. :(

-chuckles-

Oh dude. Sincerely sorry. I didn't mean anyting biased, racist or nationalist or anything, I just meant they roll off an assembly line and don't get tested thoroughly, just cause of the process, not the nationality. I blame Apple from Cupurtino for that.

[tokenuser]

Oh dude. Sincerely sorry. I didn't mean anyting biased, racist or nationalist or anything, I just meant they roll off an assembly line and don't get tested thoroughly, just cause of the process, not the nationality. I blame Apple from Cupurtino for that.Same for all electronic. Random batch testing. If "x" out of "y" are good, then all "y" pass.

The refurbs are individually retested and certified, so you know it is going to work out of the box.

[lefrenzy]

what about those netbooks? anybody fond of those? I won't be able to do all it is that I want with them, but I guess for class it'd be perfect. I was looking at the aspire one at microcenter yesterday...$380

[lefrenzy]

I was wondering what people thought about netbooks...these little mini-laptop that usually come out with a 8.9'' LCD screen.

Are they worth the bang for the buck? Are they convinient if you just need one for school to take down notes? Or are they too slow?

I somewhat have my eyes on the Aspire One which is $380 at Microcenter.

# Intel® Atom(tm) Processor N270
# 1GB DDR2-533 RAM
# 160GB Hard Drive
# Multi-in-1 Card Reader
# Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
# 10/100 Network
# 802.11b/g Wireless Network
# 8.9" WSVGA CrystalBrite Display
# Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

I tried typing on the keyboard...it seemed like it would get some time to get used to it...and the mouse trackpad is tiny...

Anyway, does anybody have a netbook and can speak from experience???

[comhcinc]

my wife had a EEE and she loved it. i have try hp's and i thought it was all right.

[tokenuser]

what about those netbooks? anybody fond of those? I won't be able to do all it is that I want with them, but I guess for class it'd be perfect. I was looking at the aspire one at microcenter yesterday...$380Netbooks should not be viewed as a computer, but as a peripheral. ie, they supplement the work you do on a larger machine.

Netbooks are all about compromise, and don't do anything particularly well, but they do things well enough that they are great as a portable machine.

You wont be playing games on one, and hooking it up for music will be limited.

[rabidbadger]

I'd like one for surf/chat in the backyard next summer. Don't need a expensive laptop for that.

[samureye]

How serious are you about the gaming? I have an Inspiron 1520 over a year old now and I can do some decent gaming. Fallout 3, Dead Space, Bioshock, Fifa was too choppy for my liking but I am not a big fan of PC gaming so lowering settings and getting drivers turned me off a lot. If you know what comes with the territory, then certainly get an upgraded model, the 1525 seem like thinner versions of what I have. I don't care for PC gaming really.

I was going to suggest what Token did, white or refurbished MB, DIY HD upgrade and RAM upgrade.

I also have access to the 1330 in the house here and I like the machine a lot. If you want to be moving around then yeah this is what you want to get, but if you are planning to not move around with the laptop, not go to class, get something bigger so you can allocate funds to more bells and whistles.

I'm thinking of getting a refurbed MB to carry around anywhere and put money into a cheap, custom built desktop myself.

[scoobydiesel]

not for me...like too small or something. Im a big guy so i have a 17inc laptop

[AlaskaLoneWolf]

I think that it's going to be the next evolutionary step in portables,
prior to them being on a wristwatch using a usb eye-tracked goggled
display/pointing device, with wireless usb headphones. I love the small
compact size. Almost a disposable computer, does everything well, for
me at least. Just imagine those stats you plugged doubling in a year.

[ratabora]

To me, if it can't play WoW its not worth it.

Although, I think a lot of other students might find it worth it. Just being able to browse the internets and take notes is enough for most kids. The price and portability make it perfect for them.

[AriaStar]

Oh dude. Sincerely sorry. I didn't mean anyting biased, racist or nationalist or anything, I just meant they roll off an assembly line and don't get tested thoroughly, just cause of the process, not the nationality. I blame Apple from Cupurtino for that.

Badge wasn't being racist or nationalist or any of the other numerous-ists out there. Fact is most computers are made in China in an assembly line. He was speaking the truth that they're rolled off the assembly line and not individually tested. No one needs to take offense at that. I swear people are becoming too sensitive these days and often look for insults where there are none (and then suing for personal opinion, such as that doctor is doing who got a bad review on Yelp).

[AlaskaLoneWolf]

To me, if it can't play WoW its not worth it...

Dude, there's this little help (http://www-usr.rider.edu/~suler/psycyber/supportgp.html) group that meets on Wednesday night,
jus' a bunch of guys like you and I. Nice guys. Really great guys.
And think, I jus' got my one month chip. You should come.

[lefrenzy]

I wonder how the hell I will install Office 2007 on the netbook though if I buy it on CD...will I have to buy an external CD player???

[samureye]

I wonder how the hell I will install Office 2007 on the netbook though if I buy it on CD...will I have to buy an external CD player???
Office runs fine on the m1330.

[lefrenzy]

well, forget the 1330...it looks like the 1340 is out now! :D

http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/09/dell-studio-xps-13-and-16-hands-on/

It looks mighty sweet. I want it.

[lefrenzy]

I ordered the 13 Studio XPS (the brand new one announced at CES)...I can't wait to get my hands on it! :D

[xibalba]

Cool those look good

[lefrenzy]

I still don't see any reviews online of the XPS Studio 13 (1340)...I may have to do my own review and post it online! I still haven't got my laptop and it's been 20 days since I ordered it!

[lefrenzy]

has anybody have had any problems with Dell recently? I just got an email saying that my order has been delayed by another week. It's been over 3 weeks already. :(

[comhcinc]

yeah that has been happening with a lot of people from what i hear. i told you to go with hp my friend.

[xibalba]

I plan on getting a new laptop after I get my camera. Probably will go with a dell or hp. Maybe another brand if I can get good specs cheaper. :D

[xibalba]

Hows this sound for 999.
2.0Ghz Processor
13.3-Inch
ATI Radeon HD3450 DDR3 256MB VRAM
4GB RAM
250 GB SATA Hard Drive
DVD Super Multi
LAN and Modem
802.11b/g/n WLAN Card
Bluetooth V2.0+EDR
Finger Print Reader Built-in 2.0M Pixels Webcam and Mic
3-in-1 Card Reader
USB2.0 Port X 2
Mic-in Port X 1
Headphone Output X 1
eSATA X 1
HDMI X 1
8 Cell Battery

[samureye]

Looks might fine. What brand is it?

[xibalba]

Msi ..

[samureye]

Never had any experience with one, if you get it let us know how you like it.

[xibalba]

Probably won't be til end of summer or end of year. May find something better by then.

[-=JediBitch=-]

I need advice...

My lap top has become un-transportable. I have a desktop that I do most of my computer stuff on, but my laptop was for school, group meetings etc. I can't fold it now cause the screen is like splitting apart on the sides... It still works I just can't take it anywhere.

So, I was thinking about getting a new laptop...maybe a netbook but I am not sure.

The only things I do on my laptop are:


Check my email
Surf
Some word processing



I am leaning towards netbook... anyone have any suggestions?

[ArmpitOfDeath]

has anybody have had any problems with Dell recently? I just got an email saying that my order has been delayed by another week. It's been over 3 weeks already. :(


I get the feeling they've not been able to keep up with the orders. The M1330 was one of Dell's best-selling notebooks, warts and all. The XPS 13 should be built better after the lessons they learned so should if anything be even more popular.

@JediBitch, depends on your budget. The Sony TT is my idea of a netbook, but I realise most people are looking to spend considerably less. Unless you go for something like the Dell Mini 12 though a budget netbook is kind of cramped in all respects. It may not be the best thing to spend all day with. Personally I'd advise getting something less built-to-a-budget which is still all-day portable. Once again, you'd need to dangle a budget before I mention anything.

[lefrenzy]

well, it looks like my studio xps 13 finally shipped. Now I have to wait a few days 'til it gets here! :eek: