<p>I ordered a dell xps 1530. I'll know how it is when it ships in a few weeks so I can't tell you anything about it.</p>
<p>While I like osx, I personally prefer windows, I'm just more comfortable with it since I know it much better, where as when I use osx, I always feel like I don't have as much control, although some of that may be due to using it mostly on school comps where everything is locked down.</p>
<p>Its a matter of preference though, get whatever you prefer, OSX(and linux) certainly does provide the peace of mind of not being very susceptible to viruses, spy ware, and other malware.</p>
<p>Now os9 and prior, I have nothing but contempt and harsh words for. God I hated that operating system every time I used it. Not that this is relevant, I'm just rambling.</p>
<p>the only thing about dell laptops is that the keyboard is soo cheap and uncomfortable...you'll find yourself typing papers and having your fingers slip and you'll end up moving the mousepad...</p>
<p>the best keyboard for laptops would be sony and and macs...</p>
<p>do realize that some of us will be typing 10-20pg papers sometimes :X</p>
<p>i'm getting a new laptop xps M1530 was just recommended to me - did you guys get yours yet? any recommendations on which things you chose to upgrade from the basics and which you didn't (cpu, screen, etc.)?</p>
<p>hey! i'm having the same dilemma... PC or Mac. I would LOVe to get a mac the only problem is that i am interested in international business and apparantly having a mac is a huge disadvantage. Also, i'm in human ecology but i'd like to take classes in the hotel school, the hotel school STRONGLY discourages macs so i wannted to know from any current cornellians if you can still take classes in the hotel school with a mac</p>
<p>i'm going to get an xps m1330, but i'm waiting for dell to upgrade them with centrino 2 (will be worth it). i'm gonna dual-boot ubuntu and a v-lite version of vista, only to use when things arent compatible with ubuntu</p>
<p>Don't if you should wait for the centrino 2 since it takes awhile for dell to built the laptop and might not recieve it in time for school if you wait. But if you wait, might be good. Been waiting for their new laptops as well as the Macs. The new Sony Vaios look awesome</p>
<p>ya waiting may take too long :( i really should order soon since it takes about a month....</p>
<p>the vaios look sick, the new SR is insane. problem is that it's 2400 about with the warranty, while the xps m1330 is 1960 with the cornell discount</p>
<p>Is it really necessary to buy a $1500+ laptop? I think the $999, or the 1099 (with discount) macbook is really enough. :D
I mean... surfing the web, gaming, typing are about everything one can do with the laptop right? (Sorry if I am being ignorant...)</p>
<p>you can't possibly expect to seriously game on a) a macbook (not pro), and b) anything less than $1500+.</p>
<p>They simply lack the processing speed, RAM, and graphics cards.</p>
<p>And there is much more you can do with a laptop, especially since people use them as desktop replacements. Image editing, 3D modeling, Video editing, and so so much more.</p>
<p>RAM is not a big deal, 2gb of DDR2 notebook can be had for like $15-20 now. The processing speed is not that much different on the macbook than macbook pro (esp the one that is $100 more than the cheapest), where it lacks for gaming is graphics and screen size. I would never try to game on a laptop anyways, I have a modded xbox 360 for that. I am going to just bring a custom built hackintosh (e8400 OC'd to 4.2 ghz) with 24" monitor and an iphone instead of bothering to bring a laptop most likely. I hate them. Sure it is nice to be able to carry a computer around, but I really do not like using them at all; I love desktops and my huge monitor far too much.</p>
<p>jrcho88, It may be good enough to game with, but what I was saying is that pc gaming blows in general. I would rather play my 360 on my 60" HDTV than a pc game on any size monitor (and I have a very nice 24").</p>
<p>yeah, 2.0ghz is nothing special, ram is dirt cheap, so mainly the video would add the most cost. You could probably find something like that for well under 1200 if you shopped around. If you want a PC, lenovo is supposed to make very good ones, but they are pricey compared to the cheap brands like acer, hp, compaq (but with my experience with some of those brands it is probably worth the investment if you don't want it to break). Check slickdeals.net hot deals forum if you want to find great deals on pretty much anything.</p>
<p>I'd normally recommend a MacBook unconditionally, but rumors have it that Apple is going to release new MBs/MBPs in August with radically different exterior enclosures. So if you can wait a few more weeks or so (before school starts), I would.</p>
<p>
[quote]
i'm going to get an xps m1330, but i'm waiting for dell to upgrade them with centrino 2 (will be worth it). i'm gonna dual-boot ubuntu and a v-lite version of vista, only to use when things arent compatible with ubuntu[/quote[</p>
<p>there is a very good chance you won't be able to get it before school starts. The 1530 I ordered 2 weeks ago had an estimated ship date of 3 weeks which would mean delivery is 3.5-4 weeks(knock on wood that mine ships sometime this week). Cornell starts in roughly 4.5 weeks, even if dell were to update their line up with montevina/centrino 2 this week that is really pushing it. That said if your willing to have yours shipped to Cornell and use the computer labs for the first bit then that would probably be fine.</p>
<p>If you want a dell laptop by the time school starts you need to order pretty much now, and even then if their is a delay it would take too long.</p>
<p>I think other comparable companies are a bit quicker though but even then those that want them by the time school starts should order asap if they haven't already, don't know why dell is so slow right now at assembling them.</p>