Is the XPS M1330 my best bet?

Hello,
I haven't decided to buy a laptop yet especially since the Centrino 2 laptops are supposed to come out next month (Aug.)? Also, I am still uncertain of which laptop to choose and also, I like the Dell but in Canada, they are still expensive (at least, the XPS line) and I like the XPS M1330 for the 13.3" size of screen. I wanted something portable and I like that you can customize the Dells. I also would like the LED screen since it makes it even lighter and better power efficiency (right?).

I guess I am interested in hearing from XPS owners and they can be positive and/or negative comments/opinions. Perhaps, you know of other alternatives now or you're happy/disappointed you went with the Dell instead of another similar laptop?

I also want to install Linux (distro) on the laptop and I understand that it quite compatible with most Linux distros. I don't know which graphics card to choose either but I think either the Nvidia or Intel card is good and only means a difference of battery life time?

The only thing holding me back right now is the price. After taxes and if you customize towards the higher end, it's almost $2K. I was also wondering if the T8100 cpu is worth the price reduction? It does make the price a lot more cheaper and the T9500 upgrade really increases the price. What do you think? I really want to go with the LED screen, though. I was thinking it's worth the extra cost. I think I won't miss the higher processing power but it would be a significant difference of having the LED screen v.s. the traditional LCD screen (found in most laptops). What do you think? Agree? Disagree?

Anyway, if you have anything further to add about XPS laptops or anything else regarding this topic, please feel free to share. I don't know if I should wait another month or commit to getting this one some time soon. Afterall, the new Centrino 2-based laptops might be even more expensive?

 

T8100 is definitely enough

LED.... i guess skip it?

 

Dude....you should have ordered on July 14th like I did....they had:
T8300 2.4ghz 800mhz
3g RAM
7200RPM 250gb HD
wireless N
Nvidida geforce 8400
ALL
for 1299$

 

I would go with the T8300 instead of the T9500. The LED is worth the upgrade in my opinion.

 

I feel the LED upgrade is worthwhile, because you're going to be spending a hell of a lot of time looking at that screen! It was only £30 more here in the UK, I'd imagine it's something quite similar in Canada.

 

Hi, I certainly love my 1330; I think, even with Dell Canada's inflated prices, that it is well worth it. As far as I know, there are two other 13 inch led laptops, one from LG and one from Sony. Both are about 2 grand and are not worth it in my opinion unless you are needing the options that they give you. I think the led screen, even at $150 (75 pounds; I am so envious of Britsh Dell consumers!), is worth it as it is simply a better screen (many different threads here discuss the led). As for your processor, you need to tell us more about what you want to do with this machine. If, for instance, you just want to go on the internet, email, maybe some word processing, the 8100 is absolutely fine. If your needs are more cpu intensive (like photoshop, I believe) then maybe an upgrade is worth it. Dell.ca still has the deal whereby you get $290 off and your starting price is $1300. Start from there and see what your price might be, if you have not looked at that configuration already.

 

I think the T8100 CPU will be sufficient (for Canadian customers, the T8100 and T9300 are the two choices in the M1330).

My main concern now is the possible Nvidia chip cooling/overheading problem. Do any of you know about the issue and what do you think about it?:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=268081

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=250129&page=34

If I went with this laptop, I'm convinced to go with the LED screen. So, the last remaining concern is the nvidia card.

I had no idea about this but I am not too enthusiastic about hearing a fan go on high 24/7 to cool down a defective or problematic video card.

Also, I think the best price seems to be around $1450 with all the options similar to your computers.

M1330,. T8100, 4GB RAM, 250GB HD @ 7200RPM, 128MB Nvidia GeForce 8400M GS, Intel wireless card, 6 cell battery
price: $1449

Comments?