If I buy a M1330 ...

1. Do you think I'll be screwed, and absolutely end up with overheating and killing the motherboard at a point? ((I will get a 3, maybe even 4 year warranty/accident/lojack package, but still.))

2. Or is it more of a too-frequent but still occasional issue, likely rectified by Dell now shipping with the proper BIOS version?

3. Does skipping the NVIDIA card avoid the issue?

4. Or was is more so that some of the cards were faulty?

I am SO sad after reading some of the threads on the BIOS/overheating issues. I want a M1330, and see plenty of glowing reviews still, and plenty of people never seem to encounter the issue. Of course, plenty do which makes me nervous. I am happy with Dell customer service and it is the only notebook they offer that I can configure in my price range that is the size I am hoping for.

I want to know if newer builds are not having the issue, or if it's a current build problem only ... or across the board, regardless of graphics choice ... I basically want to figure out if I can 'avoid' it somehow entirely. (By checking the BIOS immediately and making it A11 the moment I get it?)

EDIT: To save the most, I have to choose the NVIDIA. If I have it and have an issue, can I at all tell the computer to ignore it, is there still integrated graphics? Or could I physically swap it for another small but more reliable GPU?

UPDATE: I just ended up buying it without the NVIDIA. I don't want to take the risk, and apparently I don't 'need' the GPU. I'm happy with the solution, I really wanted this notebook and I am more comfortable having skipped the really sketchy GPU.

 

happy with dell cs?
dell told me over the phone, that 8600m gs and 8600m gt were the same. A-holes

 

You can always try the famous copper mod on your m1330, that combined with the A11 and the coolest 8400gs driver could solve the overheating issue.

 

I search around a lot online and there seems to be general satisfaction with Dell CS, especially compared to some of the other brands. Like I've seen things about being under warranty with Sony and having them still charge for everything. I haven't had a notebook in years, I want to know if I buy one I can have a company with useful support as needed. Their forums, their willingness to fix something, etc. It seems freaking impossible to get great service from any of them, but I'm not shocked by that. I want to know I can buy a notebook with a warranty that will be honored should anything happen, and Dell at least seems to do that.

It voids the warranty, I wouldn't be willing to do that. Hoping the A11 solves it without that? I admit the threads are too long for me to read all of them without going cross eyed on top of online class content already. LOL.

 

If you dont mind about the graphics then get the intel x3100 m1330 version, that solves the problem. But nobody likes the intel graphics .

 

Does no definitive answer mean the BIOS being A11 doesn't solve it?

Also ... I don't really game, but I do want a nice looking notebook and to be able to watch DVD's ... so I am torn on if I need the GPU or not. It seems crazy to skip it, but if it's the sole issue ... I don't know.

At least I have some knowledge of it, right? I mean, without this place I'd have no idea what to look for, etc.

 

BIOS A11 causes the fans to kick in earlier before the temperature rises too high

DVDs dont require GPUs...... the intel integrated graphics card is actually a good deal for an integrated graphics....

 

You can watch DVD's with the Intel x3100.
You only really need discrete graphics if you're playing 3D games or using applications that do 3D modeling.

 

The A11 cools down the Nvidia gpu by 5C-10C, so I fear that it wouldnt be enough for a long time of usage say 6-8 months...

 

I should also add: Use of my laptop will be frequent, but not a desktop replacement, not something that will be turned on all the time ... I have about four hours five days a week in class ... maybe trips to the coffee shop or a friends house, etc. when it could be in use. (Don't know if this matters, but this thread is so useful! I thought I'd mention, maybe more frequent use makes the problem worse.)

 

Of course it matters!!! the x3100 will give more battery, like 25min more. Also you can get the 9cell battery for extra power on the go. You would get around 5 hours...

 

lol I wouldnt worry if I was you, so what if it does overheat? you are covered by warranty anyway and Dell will come in to fix it for you.

its not worth troubling yourself over what might happen, I guess you could go for the X3100 if you dont use it for gaming etc and battery life would be better aswell.

 

It troubles me because it is a pain to have to have your motherboard/gpu replaced, let alone frequently ... not to mention any troubles in performance leading up to that. It also troubles me that when my warranty ends I can't just have it replaced, if the thing is still doing an overheating thing. LOL.