XPS M1330 or XPS M1530?

[JaggedOne]

I am in the market for a new laptop. I heard that dell will be shipping the XPS M1330 with Ubuntu, however I fail to see how that is a big deal. It is easy enough to install Ubuntu on most machines. That press release did get me looking at the XPS M1330 though. It is a very sexy machine. Then I noticed the M1530. That comes with a better graphics card and a higher resolution display, (which is lit by CCFL instead of the M1330's sexy LEDs.)

Do I get the lighter, thinner more portable 1330 with Ubuntu pre-loaded, or the more powerful higher resolution 1530 and install Ubuntu myself? (Side question: Is there any benefit to getting Ubuntu pre-installed other then to save time installing it myself?)

I am using this laptop both for school and some gaming, however I have found myself gaming less and less in recent months. I want something I can carry in my backpack.

Also, are there any laptops worth looking at? I want something with a sexy case design that is light enough to carry in my backpack and packs some decent graphics.

[Gigamo]

When you get ubuntu from dell, you'll be able to get support for ubuntu through them (and then canonical) aswell.

It basically depends if 15.4" is small enough for you or not. The WLED screen of the 1330 is certainly a big bonus, and if you aren't planning to game alot the 8400m gs will generally be good enough. If you want extreme mobility, get the 1330, else get the 1530, IMO.

[gn2]

An Asus Eee could be the ideal machine for your needs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOaMAI0jFCM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASUS_Eee_PC

And it's cheap, cheap, cheap. But excellent build quality.

[JaggedOne]

The Eee is great except for the 7 inch 800x480 screen. That is too small for doing anything with more then one window at a time and even to small for a lot of single window tasks.

[gn2]

Acer Aspire 2920Z?

[JaggedOne]

That thing is kinda ugly looking. :-/ Im looking for somthing beautiful.

[gn2]

Yes it's not pretty but it is smaller and cheaper.

If you have lots of money there's the Toshiba Portege R500..... (drools)

[Crashmaxx]

Get the M1330 with Ubuntu loaded. First, this way you have no chance the hardware will be incompatible or any similar problems, not to mention the lack of Microsoft tax. Second, I think you will quickly realize how much more import mobility is than anything with a laptop. You want good battery life and easy to carry. Otherwise, it will quickly become a pain to bring with you and you won't use it.

[JaggedOne]

I am definitely leaning towards the 1330. However i am afraid to wait for Ubuntu to be released on it. There is currently a great deal on the dell website for 800 off the machine which ends jan 31. I am very tempted to order it now to catch that deal.

Does anyone know if dell keeps deals like that running constantly or if this is a rare special I should grab now?

[x0as]

, not to mention the lack of Microsoft tax.

You mean ubuntu tax?


Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5450 (1.66 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB) - N-Series
Ubuntu Edition version 7.10
No Ubuntu Support
Base Warranty - 1 Year XPS Premium Hardware Support (incl. Gaming and On-Site Support)
Tuxedo Black & 2.0 mega pixel Camera for CCFL Display
13.3" UltraSharp™ WXGA (1280x800) CCFL Display (220nits) with TrueLife™
No Biometric Fingerprint Reader
1024MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x512]
120GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
Integrated Intel® Graphic Media Accelerator X3100
Fixed 8x DVD+/-RW Slim Slot Load Drive - N-Series
Primary 4-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (37 WHr) Lightweight

£598.99


Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5450 (1.66 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
Base Warranty - 1 Year XPS Premium Hardware Support (incl. Gaming and On-Site Support)
Tuxedo Black & 2.0 mega pixel Camera for CCFL Display
13.3" UltraSharp™ WXGA (1280x800) CCFL Display (220nits) with TrueLife™
Biometric Fingerprint Reader
2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]
160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
Integrated Intel® Graphic Media Accelerator X3100
Fixed 8x DVD+/-RW Slim Slot Load Drive, including SW
Primary 4-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (37 WHr) Lightweight

£598.99

[gn2]

Double the RAM, bigger hard drive and a Vista Licence for the same price as with Ubuntu, that's a total rip-off.