Dell XPS M1530 - Finally Loaded and Ready
The last time that I purchased a computer was 2003. I bought all the parts and built my own gargantuan desktop, which has been my faithful servant for the nearly five years. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Although my old desktop would still get the job done, it was becoming noticeably outdated. During the last few years, I have also found myself becoming more and more dependent upon the need for a laptop. It is a little difficult to drag around a mammoth desktop to code camps and user groups when I'm doing a presentation. While my employer issued laptop was adequate, it certainly left a lot to be desired.
After debating for some time as to whether I wanted another desktop or a kick ass laptop, I finally decided it was time to say good bye to my desktop. It is difficult for me to come up with many valid reasons for going the desktop route again. Five years ago, I was a fairly intense MMORPG gamer, but I have finally beaten that addiction and have no desire to return to such a waste of time (albeit a fun waste of time). My gaming itch is now satisfied via XBox 360. Games that can be paused are much more attractive to me these days. Since PC gaming is removed from the picture, a laptop was the logical choice.
After researching quite a few options and waiting for the right deal to come along, I finally went with the Dell XPS M1530. It was the perfect balance between price and power. I have spent many hours over the last several nights trying to get it setup with all of my software and various tweaks. Finally, it is beginning to feel like home rather than a stranger's computer.
Here is a photo of the model that I bought as well as the specs:
- Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2Ghz / 800Mhz FSB / 4MB L2 Cache)
- 4GB DDR2 667Mhz
- 200GB 7200RPM SATA (with Free Fall Sensor)
- 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
- 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive
- Intel 4965AGN Wireless N Mini-Card
- 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
- Integrated Biometric Finger Print Reader
- Integrated Web Camera
As I write this post, my old desktop is being reformatted and reinstalled with Windows Server 2003. It will now become a file server for my wife and me, and it will probably serve a few other experimental purposes as well. I would love to have loaded Windows Server 2008 on it, but the hardware isn't 64 bit. At least, my old companion will continue to live on in some other capacity rather than being sent to the big hardware dumpster in the sky.