M1330 or alternative?

I'm looking at the XPS M1330 and/or any other laptops that are comparable in size/weight/specs. For example, a Lenovo Thinkpad T61 with 14.1" screen. I'd consider T8300/T8100 for cpu, Intel wireless 4965agn and probably Intel integrated graphics X3100 but Nvidia will also be considered (however, it increases the price).

Some reasons I like the Dell is the included HDMI and LED screen option. Do you recommend adding the LED screen option? Is it a significant difference/upgrade? If you get the LED screen, is it still acceptable/practical to order the Intel graphics? I don't think Lenovo (Thinkpads) have either option. Is there any laptop out there that is similar in specs to the M1330? I can't get the LG P300 unless it's available somewhere other than Futureshop. I'm in Canada so it helps if laptops are available/sold in Canada.

I am considering Dell and Lenovo since I want a notebook that has good compatibility with Linux. I also want something portable/light but hopefully, sturdy and somewhat common so that I can easily look up any solutions to issues/problems/tasks.

I'm concerned about some of the M1330 issues. It seems that people/buyers are divided over the quality of the M1330 but it does seem to provide the specs/options I'm looking for but if there is a better/safer alternative, I'd like to hear about it (the Lenovo?).

Can anyone answer or comment on any of these questions? Any recommendations?

Thanks.

 

Not that this will be a great deal of help but I've just spent the last 6 months (I kid you not) persisting with software solutions (*) to my OAP laptop while I was looking around for a replacement. I just ordered the M1330 half an hour ago. After reading around I did go for the LED option. In regard to the graphics it depends entirely on what you want to use the laptop for. If you are not going to be doing any heavy gaming or using any graphics intensive programs then the onboard will be fine.


* I challenge anyone to spend 6 months having to use a software solution for every individual mouse click.

 

LED Screen option is recommended for the m1330, since 1330's supposed to be b/w the ultraportable and mainstream sections in regards to its light weight, but large footprint...LED = lighter a few hundred grams

 

Thanks for the feedback! It's a bit expensive, isn't it? I am wondering how it compares to the Lenovo Thinkpad T61 series. I suppose the M1330 is way lighter but is it less expensive? The LED option sounds like the way to go but adds to an already high price. However, I've been customizing using the T8300 cpu.

I would hope to avoid the quality issues like the lid closing and the keyboard supposedly doing something to the screen?

 

I bought my wife a 1330 back in Feb and got a fantastic deal. Excellent little machine. Got the LED screen and it is BRIGHT! No deal breaker issues for me or her.

So I set about looking for a lightweight notebook for myself. I have poured over all the other 13.4 - 14" notebooks out there and I keep coming back to the 1330. The T61 has some interesting specs but I have never liked the looks of IBM notebooks.

Since cash was a consideration I took the plunge and purchased a 1330 from the Dell outlet store at a good price. It should be here in a week and I will eval how it compares to a new 1330. I saved about $300 buying it from the outlet.

-Funk