Lappy Happy Review

DELL XPS M1530.... here is the configuration:-

-Intel Core 2 duo T8100 2.1 GHz, 3 MB Cache
-4GB (2 x 2048) 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
-256 MB Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT
-250 GB SATA Hard Disk
-15.4'' widescreen WXGA+ TFT display

well thats the main config part apart from that loads of other things such as a 2MP cam, Biometric fingerprint reader, DVD+-RW, etc.

DELL makes the XPS look sleek n compact, a thing DELL wasnt famous for with its earlier Lattitude and older Inspiron models. Design asthetics have been given a lot of thought in the XPS series, and the result is fabulous. The top has a nice matte finish with chrome thrown here and there, like the Dell logo, the XPS logo and the opening grip. The silver side trimmings add a dimension to the look. The silver keyboard looks amazing and gives a feel of those alien,futuristic sort of systems, typing is really a pleasure on the keybord, the keys are well spread and provide easy access to most hot key buttons. Just above the keyboard are a few touch sensitive media buttons which are really cool to use and look familiar to the quick launch buttons found in HP notebooks.

Connectivity with Dell is not an issue, there are ports for all kinds of connections, we have USB, HDMI, Firewire, a monitor port, ethernet port, S-Video. In the front there are 2 audio jack ports and a mic plugin. Theres an 8 in 1 memory card reader too in the front and apart from this there is also an Express card reader which doubles up as a storage area for the remote. The placement of the power on and processor in use indicators is not convenient though. They are placed right next to the mic port in the front and one cannot constantly see if the processor is being used at the time.

Coming to performance, man... i tried so hard to give the processor a rough time.. but no luck.... imagine, theres simultaneous data tranfer taking place from a DVD, a pen drive and a Wireless network. But nope, no glitches. All i had heard about Windows Vista being slow and stuff.. nope, not with this configuration atleast. The aero features are nice and smooth and browsing windows is a treat, thanks to the Nvidia graphics card. The screen display is decent and good enough for indoor use but really not meant to be used outdoors, loads of reflections. The viewing angle is decent enough though it could have been better.

The battery performance is average i feel, fully charged it provides you anywhere between 3 to 4 hours depending on what you are doing at the time. The heat management is excellent, and the heat distribution is great.. the unit heats up evenly and the whole unit feels warm rather than just a few localised burning parts. The fingerprint reader is absolutely fabulous and easy to use and provides great features, right from locking the computer to keeping private certain files and folders you dont want others to access. And the next time you visit a website and they ask you to enter your username and password, you just show them the finger!! i mean u swipe your finger, bcoz the reader also links your password with your fingerprints.

Dell provides a host of accesories with the notebook. A bluetooth wireless headset which is really too good! Noise cancelling earphones from creative, a classy case in which the notebook fits in perfectly,embossed with the XPS logo. A well padded spacious backpack. The laptop came with all the connectivity cables one could ever use with the system, All the driver CDs n DVDs, plus an original Windows Vista DVD.
One thing which really impressed me about dell is there customer care service and support staff, i mean the people really know their stuff man, unlike other customer care centres. And they make you feel like you are the supreme authority, you wont ever be doubted about the fault in your system, and they wont make you feel like..."its ur mistake". Plus they guarantee to repair any possible fault in your system by the next working business day, and you dont even have to step out of your house!

Overall, really a nice experience having a dell notebook. And the system performance is excelent i feel, apart from the minor upgradations which should be done, like improving the battery or the display and everything!