I'm going for it: the XPS M1330

It'll probably be a number of weeks before I'm finally able to purchase the XPS M1330, but when I do, believe me, I'll definately let it be known.

I'm returning my Inspiron 1420 back to Dell for a full refund, and then I'll use that money plus some extra cash to get the M1330. I'll post the specs for my new M1330 below:

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7250 (2.0ghz)
160 GB Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
2 GB Memory
128 mb NVIDIA Geforce 8400M GS graphics card

My grandpa used to work for Boeing, so I'll be able to get the 15% discount.

Any comments on the above specs, or in general about the XPS M1330, would be great, as I'd love to see other people's opinions on it.

 

OMG!!!
This is so worth starting a Thread about!!!!!!

Anyways, nice specs. What didn't you like about the 1420?

 

Buy it with 1GB and upgrade yourself.. memory prices have come down a lot!! you will save about $80 on what Dell charges you and you'll have 2.5GB vs. 2GB.

 

lol so the 15% off like a coupon code...if so how about u share lol

 

Not a coupon code. It's an employee discount.

 

oh that sux

 

Well, the 1420 was great, but I just kind of got tired of it. Now that I think about it, the 13 inch screen sounds really nice, considering my main reason for wanting a laptop is portability. And although the 1420 is portable, the M1330 is even more-so. And it looks really cool.

As tempting as it sounds to save 80 bucks, I'd rather not install it myself. I have little experience with taking apart dekstops, let alone laptops. I think I'll just let Dell handle the installation of the components.

Well, if my grandpa says I can share it with you guys, I'd be more than happy to.

FYI, I'm opting for the Tuxedo Black color. I don't really like the red, and the white, personally, is ugly. The black looks really cool, and blends with the ovelrall design. (Does the black pick up fingerprints really easily?)

Also, the total price for my XPS M1330 comes to about $1414 before tax. Shipping is free. Hopefully by the time I'm ready to buy, a nice deal or something will be going on where I can save more money. But the Boeing discount should cut off about $150 dollars.

 

I agree, get the ram aftermarket. it's way cheaper, and you can spend the extra cash on getting some other piece of the laptop upgraded. my 2GB's we're default when i ordered so i couldn't do it, but i wish i could have.

Good luck, you'll really enjoy that laptop.

p.s. installing the ram is REALLY easy. you can find nice picture-guides showing you step-by-step. it's basically just a few screws.

 

I went to newegg.com, and they have a bunch of memory options. How do I know which one to choose/work with my XPS M1330?

 

make sure it is
PC 5300 DDr2 200 pin

and goodluck getting a perfect 1330

 

Cool, thanks.

Also, could somebody take some pictures of their Tuxedo Black XPS's lid? I'd just like to see how the lid reacts to fingerprints.

 

I don't have pictures, but it shows a lot of fingerprints.

Just returned my m1330 after not being able to get the thing to stop whining. Hope you have better luck.

 

This works like a charm on the M1330:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208323 ($39.99 for 2GB)

 

(Sorry if I'm sounding fussy)

Would that kind of memory work just as well as the pre-installed would?

And does anybody know what type of memory Dell uses when they pre-install it? (Like the brand)

 

The memory dell uses isn't any higher in quality.. Mine came with Nanya branded sticks. My old 9100 came with Infineon..

 

Ok, cool. I'll look into that a little more, and decide on what I'll do. Thanks for telling me about it. I had no idea installing memory was that easy (googled it).

 

What did your grandpa do at Boeing?

And where do all you guys live???? Don't you have to pay for restocking fees if you return the Dell even if it's within the 21 days or w/e??

I'm in the USA...

 

I also considering to buy this lappy, but so far, looks like the problem with CPU whine and some build quality problems aren't solved yet. so it kinda held me back. Do anybody here knows what about the build qualiy in Asia? because I will buy it from SIngapore

 

To be quite honest, I don't know what he did.

I live in the U.S. It's actually kind of a long story about getting the restocking fees waved...so i'll just give you the short version.
--
I was chatting with the Dell rep about setting up a return, and they told me I would have to pay a 15% restocking fee plus shipping charges. I, erm, kind of told the rep my replacement laptop was damaged, and had some problems. In truth, the only real problem is that the Hard Drive makes weird noises...luckily, the rep didn't ask me what problems it had. But in the end, they waived the restocking fee because I told them it wasn't right to have to return a 'damaged' computer and pay for it to get restocked.

 

Wow.

Anyway, good luck with your m1330. I hope to be able tp purchase one in the near furture as well. But, as of now I'm holding out until my current notebook is a little older.

 

When do you plan on getting yours Matt is Pro, besides when your current one gets older?

I know, I'm quite the scam-artist, aren't I...?

I've read reviews that you can open the lid with one hand, without holding the base down. Does the lid still stay closed securely enough?

 

Also, is the LED screen worth the extra $300 Dell charges? I look the slim design it adds, but 300 bucks is a lot of extra cash, especially when I'm on a budget...

 

I got the standard CCFL screen, because I don’t think few millimeters are going to make that much of a difference in either size or weight. I don’t know how other attributes like brightness and battery efficiency of LED compares to CCFL. But compared to my previous M1210, new screen is better (considerably brighter and no light leakage). Here are some of my first thoughts on the new notebook.

 

Err...as I got my M1330 with WLED as a replacement, so I can't tell whether it worths USD 300 or not...What I can tell is the WLED is really cool. It's thinner, lighter, and brighter. (I compared mine to my frd that has the normal CCFL side by side)

 

Yes, LED screen would look cooler, and it should also produce a better picture (even color distribution with better viewing angles); but $300 extra ? that’s like 1/3 rd of the total cost !

 

That's a lot of money for the LED...

Do you think it's possible to argue with the sales department about taking off $200 instead of shipping me the $200 gift card? I've been trying to get Dell to do this for me, but they don't seem to want to comply.

 

Wow the optional LED in USA is so expensive. In Singapore, you can get it forS$194 ( around US$135). Is the LED used in USA have better quality than one used in SIngapore? I'm kinda worried about this

 

I bet your base 1330 price is higher than the US (which in turn will offset the cost of the LED screen).

Same parts, BTW. There will be absolutey no differences as you'll either get a CMO or TMD (pray you get the latter)....

 

Ow now I am scared. Is the difference between CMO and TMD screen is so much? and from the people here who have bought 1330, are there more people who get CMO or the TMD?

 

so uh gunner...how about asking ur grandpa about sharing the link/code or w/e for that discount...

 

Dell is just trying to control demand by keeping price high on the components that have supply issues. When the M1330 was initially introduced there was so much demand for the LED and the colored backs (Red/White) and Dell had big issues building fast enough (as many NBR members will attest)...

 

I know, I've been meaning to ask him. I'll see him today at church, so I'll ask then.

Do you guys think Dell will have better deals for the M1330, like discounts, closer to Christmas?

 

Ok, I've replaced my 1330 twice and it's almost perfect..

When I bought it, the base price was $1399!!! And as stupid as I was, I ordered it with the Intel X3100(which i really regret) and now I've been nagging Dell to upgrade it to the 8400. Anyone know something I can say to Dell to upgrade?

Btw, that black ld gets a lot of figerprints, but you can clean it pretty easily,

 

You could probably try the old, "my original M1330 was damaged when I recieved it. I'd like something for the trouble of having to send it back for a replacement. For instance, a free graphics card upgrade..." At the very least, you'll probably get a free messenger bag or something.

 

Unfortunately don't think its upgradable without replacing completely...

 

Prices have fallen quite a bit the current $200 coupon is really good I think.. it can't be applied to employee purchase orders so the price really comes about the same .. to get the 15% off you have to purchase the 3 year extended warranty....

Prices could fall more but since it's already at $999 and if you configure over $1399 you get $200 off + additional $200 gift cards.. dont think it will fall that much more... just my guess

 

I've been trying to convince Dell to take $200 off my total order, and in turn, not send me the $200 gift card.

 

I hope so. And I pray that the build quality issues has been solved in Christmas.

 

I hope so to. I don't want a faulty laptop right before Christmas.

 

Update on the Boeing discount code: My grandpa doesn't want me sharing it. He doesn't think it's right to give out the code so other people can pretend to work for Boeing. At least I tried!

 

I was about to pick up the M1330 as well until I saw it had some build quality issues and other problems, so paid an extra $300 for a Sony SZ6.

Anyway, I would definitely get the LED backlit LCD as opposed to the CCFL. Gives more battery life and it's lighter. It has better color saturation, brighter etc etc. Not to mention, CCFL loses its brightness overtime while the LED will retain its brightness for a much longer period of time.

Good luck with it.

 

Only issue with the SZ is the lack of HDMI and the fewer configurable options.. and obviously Price...

 

You paid an extra $300 for a Sony SZ6?

I think I will get the LED screen, as I like the slim look, and the idea of it saving battery life and improved brightness.

 

Well from a consumer perspective, it may not have been a good choice but the build quality is excellent, better than Dell's, and has a good design but I guess I'm a sucker for these things. But the fact that Sony SZs come with hybrid graphics, 8400M GS for power and X3100 for battery life is what really sold me. Since I'm a student I really need the battery life.

 

the 8400gs on the SZ only has 64mb vs the 1330s 128mb

 

sob. unfortunately Sony SZ 6xx series don't available here in Singapore. Maybe I would go for xps m1330. Hopefully I won't get a defect unit. I will buy it on Christmas. Hope Dell Singapore have a good service support if somehow I get a defect unit. Keep my fingers crossed . I couldn't find 13,3" notebook with better configuration than xps m1330 here in Singapore. I think I will go with the red one

 

Sorry if I sound like a "noob", but what are hyrbird graphics?

I hope I don't get a defected one either.

 

It has both integrated and dedicated GPU chipsets. You can switch between the two dependant on task and battery need.

This added functionality on the SZx would be a real alternative to the M1330 if it wasn't for the lack of HDMI for me.

 

Both the Dell and SZ's 8400M GS comes with Turbocache and shares around up to ~800MB+ with the system memory so having only "64MB" doesn't really make a difference.

 

System memory is DDR2, graphic memory is DDR3...NO difference?