Dell aims at MacBook Pro with XPS M1530
updated 09:05 am EST, Tue November 27, 2007
Dell XPS M1530
Dell today completed the overhaul of its XPS notebook line by introducing the XPS M1530. The system is one of Dell's few high-end 15-inch notebooks and is aimed at the same audience that would otherwise seek slim, stylized portables such as Apple's MacBook Pro: the minimalist system is 0.9 inches deep at its thinnest point and uses a slot-load optical drive (like the M1330) in place of the usual tray-loading option. A minimum 128MB GeForce 8400M GS graphics chip provides dedicated 3D acceleration even on the least expensive model, which also includes a 2-megapixel webcam and a fingerprint reader.
A base system starts at as little as $999 by using a 1.5GHz Core 2 Duo, 1GB of memory, and a 120GB hard disk backed by a DVD burner. Buyers can custom-order the notebook, however, to use as much as a 2.6GHz Core 2 Duo as well as 4GB of memory, 250GB of storage, a Blu-ray burner, and faster 256MB GeForce 8600M GT graphics. The M1530 can be colored with a black, red, or white outer shell and is available to order today, but should ship by mid-December.
Not really that similar
11/27, 09:18am reply
One the one hand, this has a paltry 1280x800 resolution on that 15 inch screen (HUGE pixels) making it a MacBook competitor, and on the other hand it has dedicated graphics making it more of a MacBook Pro competitor.
Other than that, it doesn't fare very well. Against the MacBook the processor speed and integrated features are lagging - the only advantage is the screen size and a slightly larger hard drive. Against the MacBook Pro, you have to jack up the built-in processor significantly, and you'll never be able to match the screen.
As usual, the PC crowd will crow "$999 for a 15-inch laptop - Macs are expensive!", while it's far from comparable.
diamondsw
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
@diamondsw
11/27, 09:34am reply
I agree... I don't see how this is aimed at the MacBook Pro crowd at all. If you crank it up to the high end (2.6GHz, 2GB, 256MB VRAM, Vista Ultimate), you're comparable pricewise... but the display is trash compared to the MacBook Pro's (and it's running Vista).
lockhartt
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Joined: Apr 2000
Let's not forget
11/27, 09:36am reply
the most important missing characteristic- IT DOESN"T RUN MAC OS X. And yes, hardware specs are hardly comparable.
danviento
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Joined: Dec 2005
Not a Good Shot I guess
11/27, 09:47am reply
Dell might want to get some practice at the firing range to improve their aim. This one totally misses the mark, with its still very plastic ordinary looking laptop with little in value add that a person considering a MacBook Pro would want to decide to buy this instead. This laptop is really not at all similar. Did you know that the MacBook Pro runs OS X and Windows?
digiprod
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Joined: Sep 2007
"At its thinnest point"
11/27, 10:01am reply
Why not just chisel the case down, and claim that it's 0.0001 inches at its thinnest point?
jimothy
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Joined: Sep 2000
Dimensions
11/27, 10:09am reply
----- Macbook Pro / Dell (in inches or pounds) ______________________________
Height: 1 / .93 to 1.38 (Dell is a wedge - odd) Width: 14.1 / 14.06 (virtually identical) Depth: 9.6 / 10.34 (3/4 inch deeper) Weight: 5.4 / 5.78 (almost 1/2 lb more)
For a Dell, this is not too bad. Usually they're as thick as a Dagwood sandwich, and weigh enough to cut off circulation to your legs.
Like all things wintel, quite content to be watching apple be the best from a distance.
Rezzz
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Joined: Jan 2006
Pls use a dictionary
11/27, 10:14am reply
At least from time to time:
"aimed at the same audience that would otherwise seek slim, stylized portables such as Apple's MacBook Pro"
stylize |ˈstīˌlīz| verb [ trans. ] [usu. as adj. ] ( stylized) depict or treat in a mannered and nonrealistic style : gracefully shaped vases decorated with stylized but recognizable white lilies.
stylish |ˈstīli sh | adjective having or displaying a good sense of style : these are elegant and stylish performances. • fashionably elegant : a stylish and innovative range of jewelry.
/pedant
brlittle
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Joined: Jul 2006
but...
11/27, 10:20am reply
maybe this won't burn my lap the way my mbp did.
JohnnyFive
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Joined: Feb 2003
Not even close
11/27, 10:22am reply
If a consumer cannot tell the difference between this dell offering and a MBP, then they really deserve the Dell. They should also compliment their purchase by getting a zune.
Monde
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2004
No Leopard for this
11/27, 11:12am reply
laptop. Might as well buy a computer that can run both Windows and OSX for the same price. I'm not condemning the Dell, but why bother to compete with Apple. Dell should target HP since they are in nearly the same class and HP is moving up fast.
Constable Odo
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Joined: Aug 2007