Need advice & experience - trying to decide between the following laptops

My current 5-year old laptop is on its last legs, so I really need to get a new laptop shortly.



I am currently debating between the following 3 Dells:



Dell XPS 1530 (new model), Dell Latitude 830, Dell Precision Workstation 4300



I would like the following configuration:

- 2.2 or 2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo Processor

- Windows Vista Ultimate

- 2GB of RAM - is it worth it to upgrade to either 3 GB or 4GB?

- At least 256MB video card (would get the 8600GT with the 1530 or the Quadro 140M NVS with the 830) - I'm not a hardcore gamer, but I don't want graphics to suck.

- 160GB 7200rpm hard drive

- DVD R/W drive

- 15.4" widescreen with at least WSXGA+ (which would take the 1530 off the list if this isn't an option)



I travel regularly, so I don't want a flimsy cheaply built laptop that easily breaks.



Do you have any thoughts on the above three options? I'll consider a non-Dell provided that it fits the above criteria and is not super $$.

[opinion]
dells stink. (completely my opinion) i know some people aggre with me but if your looking for a laptop that will not last for 1-3 years max, look for a comp. that is not based off crappy parts and some comp. that actually makes specific models.
[/opinion]

Why do you say that Dells stink? I haven't bought a computer in a while, so I'm not sure what brands are good. So if you say that Dells stink, please offer better alternatives.



I'm looking for a computer that fits the criteria in my above post; however, I need the computer to last at least 3-4 years. That is very important.



Also, I'm not into Macs or Linux, etc.

I've heard that Dell Inspirons suck and are made of cheap parts, but I've heard that their business lines (Latitude & Precision Workstations) and possibly their XPS lines are substantially better.

Any thoughts? I need this thing to last me at least 3 and ideally 4 years, to get me through my part-time grad school.

My old Dell laptop (Inspiron 8200) lasted 5 years, but the last year or so has been painful.

well yes, there "under 1500$" mark are cheep, then they are a bit better above.

some good ones i find are hp, gateway, and some others.

Does anyone else have an opinion on the issue?

go for the XPS with the 8600gt. brainmay27 is right, cheap dells are not good

I would get the XPS. I have heard that some kinds of Dells are cheap, but it depends what kind you get. I know that Dell makes some not-so-high-quality computers, but with their XPS, even though I have never used one personally, I have heard great things about them and know two people that own them. I would recommend the XPS-definitely.

Thumbs up.

Also, you should just buy ram separately if you are going to go more than 2gigs. 4gigs for $375? Thats just outrageous. Its only $50 for 2gig stick online.