I am looking at the 1330 and 1530 seriously now and have been pleasantly surprised by most of the reviews floating around. I have found some acceptable ones in the 1.0-1.2K range at the outlet and will probably pick one up if dell puts out a coupon.

I already have 4G RAM and a 200G/7200rpm drive that will migrate over, so I am going to skimp in those areas. I will dual boot with Ubuntu being the primary OS for work. Windows/Vista for games only. I have a copy of XP Pro that I can install.

What I am wondering is:

**Other options? Pretty happy dell customer, but it doesn't hurt to look around.

**2.4/2.5/2.6 CPU. I would like the 2.5, but think I would be happy with the 2.4. Does the extra cache really help out moving up to the 2.6?

**Which "N" wireless is better. My router is the dlink DGL-4500 which seems to work well with atheros chipsets. I am not sure on Dell vs Intel.

**Wireless Bluetooth/USB. I have Bluetooth and have seldom used it. Does the wireless USB have more functionality? I could see using a USB hub as a ghetto docking station and possibly add a USB headset. My bluetooth one is disappointing at best.

If your happy with Dell,I'm sure either of these won't disappoint.

Couldn't agree more about bluetooth,don't like it,never really have,especially anything with toshiba or MS stacks

Wireless USB sounds good looking at the wiki article,does have a couple of connection disadvantages compared to BT according to the article.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_USB

I very much doubt you would notice any difference between the three cpu's without running a benchmark.

I have intel 4965AGN but my router is a "G" so can't really comment on N speeds.....seem to have stronger connection than the older intel 3945's though.

Just something to think about before you pull the trigger, the successors to the 1330/1530 will probably be introduced this summer, but if you get a good deal on the current models, go for it since the new XPS models will cost more at first.

Went with a 15% coupon. $1050 after tax/shipping.

2.2 Processor (wanted more, but should be happy)
LED screen
1490 wireless (prolly will switch with my atheros in the 1210e)
6 cell (wanted 9 cell, but happy with this since I carry it each day)
1G ram (already have 4G ready to go)
Camera
Fingerprint reader
Bluetooth 355
Travel remote
250G/5400rpm HD (will swapout as backup and use my 200/7200)
8400 video

I missed out on the wireless USB, but there weren't any avail at the time. There were some better deals out there over the last 3 days, but I am pretty happy provided everything works well. /crosses fingers

My only real disapointment in the laptop is the 100TX network and only 2 USB ports.

Thanks for the help.

i don't knw about the wireless n thing but i have an older wireless router and it works find around 400kb download at max but normally around 30-60kb.