Dell XPS M1530 Notebook Starts at $999

Dell's new XPS M1530 notebook features a 15.4-inch screen, a Core 2 Duo CPU, Nvidia GeForce graphics, HDMI output, a 2 megapixel camera...and a $999 starting price.

Dell has taken the wraps off its new XPS M1530 notebook computer, a slim new system with a 1-inch profile and a design largely inspired by the XPS M1330 Dell introduced earlier this year. But it’s not so much the similarities to the M1330 that might attract customers to the M1530: instead, that’ll be the 15.4-inch display range of Core 2 Duo processors, Nvidia graphics controllers, storage updates, a 4 GB RAM ceiling, an optional Blu-ray drive…and a starting price of just $999.

“The enthusiastic reception of the XPS M1330 demonstrates that Dell’s focus on design and performance resonates with customers seeking a premium notebook experience,” said senior VP of Dell’s consumer product group Alex Gruzen, in a statement. “We’re building on that success by broadening the product line, and the XPS M1530 will bring the XPS experience to the most popular 15.4-inch widescreen market segment.”

Under the hood, the XPS 1530 is available with a range of Core 2 Duo processors (from 1.5 to 2.6 GHz), up to 4 GB of RAM, 200 or 320 GB hard disk drives (or an 64 GB SSD), HDMI and VGA output, three USB 2.0 ports, an 8-in-1 media card reader, an ExpressCard slot, and an integrated 2 megapixel Web cam. Dell is also offering a range of wireless connectivity options (including Dell and Intel 802.11g/n Wi-Fi, Dell long-range HSPDA and EVDO options, and Bluetooth 2.0), 6- and 9-cell batteries, and either a slot-loading DVD±RW drive or a slot-loading Blu-ray writer. The systems ship with Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate, and can be configured with either a 128 MB Nvidia GeForce 8400 GS graphics controller, or the 256 MB Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics controller.

Outside the hood, the XPS M1530s will be available in either alpine white, crimson red, or tuxedo black, and they offer Dell’s MediaDirect 3.3 functionality with external media buttons so users can tap into DVDs and media without booting Windows.

Prices for the XPS M1530 start at just $999, but a system with a Blu-ray writer, 2 GB of RAM, and a speedy Core 2 Duo processor is going to run around $2,000.