New XPS M1330

Hello! I am brand new to this board and laptop computing so I thought I'd ask you guys/gals for advice on a new laptop.

I'm 24, so Ive grown up using computers, but I just purchased my first laptop. I'm not super smart with computers and need to know the do's and dont's of owning one, along with advice on Vista. I ordered the XPS M1330 - 2.2 Ghz/120 GB Hard Drive/2GB Ram/36 months Antivirus/Vista Home Premium/Bluetooth capability/Standard Screen/No fingerprint reader.

The XPS looked awesome and very portable when I saw it at a Dell store. Other computers where less expensive, but I was concernied they wouldnt run as fast as the XPS and they definitely were not as small.

Thank you in advance for some info. regarding the new purchase.

Cheers!

 

Well.. what would you like to know?

If you're after comments on the configuration you ordered: personally, I would order the computer with the minimum RAM (1 GiB) and then buy 2 GiB separately from a third-party vendor and install it myself. I don't know about the US, but here in England I can get 2 GiB of memory for less than what Dell charges to upgrade from 1 GiB to 2GiB. (In fact, I ordered *four* GiB of RAM for £70, while Dell's upgrade from 1 GiB to 2 GiB costs £40!) Installing the memory is very simple and will not void your warranty.

You might also want to consider removing the 36-month antivirus. That isn't actually just an antivirus product but rather an "internet security" package which includes antivirus along with other functionality. Some of that extra functionality duplicates features already present in Windows, while some is simply unnecessary or even undesirable (and it slows down your system). This is very much a matter of opinion (some will disagree with me), but I would say you're better off saving the money and using one of the very good free antivirus packages that can be downloaded from the Internet (such as AVG or Avast!).

And also: even more people will disagree with me on this one, but I personally think the upgrade from Home Premium to Ultimate is worth the money. The "Previous Versions" feature alone has saved my ass on many occasions. (Previous Versions lets you "undelete" any file you have accidentally removed from the system, or as the name suggests recover an earlier version of a file you have edited. This is probably my single favourite new feature in Windows Vista.)

You're right about the XPS, though. I agree with the reviewer who said the M1330 is quite simply the best Windows laptop in its class. It's worth the money. We might quibble about the details of a particular configuration, but at the end of the day you're getting yourself a fantastic 13" machine.

 

(As an aside: the LED display is an extra $300 in the States? Ouch! It's only £50 here - a hair over US$100. At £50 the upgrade's a no-brainer.)

 

Microsoft Vista Ultimate is the best operating system. The other versions are restricted in odd ways making it difficult to choose unless you clearly know what you need. Consider 64-bit version if you want to future-proof.

Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 4MB Cache) processor is the highest that can be installed in the Dell XPS M1330 and is required if you plan to upgrade to Blu-Ray drive (You will have to call Dell to order this processor). If you are not interested in Blu-Ray drive then, Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB, 4MB Cache) processor will serve you well. In any case, as you can always upgrade the processor, you don't have to worry too much at this stage.

200GB SATA (7200RPM) hard drive is the best you can get from Dell for the Dell XPS M1330. SSD drives are too small and too expensive to consider at this point in time. In any case, as you can always upgrade the hard drive, you don't have to worry too much at this stage.

Order 1GB Shared Dual Channel (i.e., 2x512MB) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM modules from Dell and upgrade to 4GB Shared Dual Channel (i.e., 2x2GB) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM modules for under $100 from other retailers (e.g., Transcend). In any case, as you can always upgrade the memory modules, you don't have to worry too much at this stage.

Don't pay for Anti-Virus software, the free versions from AVG or AVAST are far better than the paid versions of McAfee, Norton or TrendMicro.

Slim and light LED display with VGA webcam is better than Standard display with 2.0 megapixel webcam in Dell XPS m1330. Opt for the LED display as you can't easily upgrade to it later.

128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS video card is better than the Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 video card. Opt for the Nvidia video card as you can't easily upgrade to it later.

Dell XPS M1330 costs more because of its design and features. It is worth the money.

If you have changed your mind, call Dell and alter or cancel your order. If is too late for that, return the system within 21 days and reorder your system.

Hope this helped. How else can I help you?

 

I didnt get the upgraded video card because I really dont play games. So the LED is really worth $300? That's gonna make the system very expensive.

 

In the case of Vista Ultimate think of how much the previous versions backup feature is worth to you and make the decision based on that. That is pretty much all Ultimate adds for a home user.

 

Hmm! I guess you can skip it.

 

Thanks for the replies! Got some cool info from the software forum about quickening startup and shutdown times. Anyone have an opinion about that thread?

 

I agree with the sentiment, but at the moment Dell have their fingers in their ears screaming BLAH BLAH BLAH I CAN'T HEAR YOU on the matter of posting 64-bit drivers to their website. Getting a fully functional 64-bit M1330 right now involves a fair bit of driver hell and I wouldn't really recommend it for a novice. (Hell, I'm a grizzled veteran and I couldn't be bothered; I'm running 32-bit on my M1330. For now.)

I love the LED screen. I really, really love it. I've had way too many laptops with dim screens over the years; this one shines brilliantly (no eyestrain!). The lower power consumption (and so extra battery life) is a nice bonus. At the UK £50 upgrade price there was absolutely no question. At the US $300 upgrade.. I, personally, would still spring for it. But dim screens are an especial irritant for me.

sinstoic's comments are right on, except that I do disagree with him mildly on the graphics card. This is a question of personal preferance and usage patterns. It's not an upgrade you should get automatically, as it does carry a small penalty in battery life. If, like me, you consider mobility a priority (you want to extend battery life as much as possible) and you're quite certain you won't be using your M1330 for gaming, get the integrated graphics. The X3100 is more than adequate for general desktop use (office productivity applications, web browsing, watching DVDs) and will remain so for at least a couple of years.

There are two and a half features in Ultimate that I think worthwhile for home users. One is, as we've said, Previous Versions. The second is the built-in backup software. Get a big external hard drive for your laptop, set up a weekly backup and between that and Previous Versions you've got yourself a very nice data protection system without having to buy any additional software. And the half is Windows Fax & Scan, which I've found very useful for the scanning utility - I use it in preference to HP's own awful, execrable (and crashy) scanning application.

As for startup and shutdown times, the single best thing you can do is wipe the pre-loaded Windows that comes installed on your hard drive and reinstall it yourself from DVD, then individually install all the hardware drivers (you'll want to check the Dell support site for versions that have been updated more recently than the driver DVD they provide). This will eliminate some of the bloatware Dell so considerately provide and give you a leaner, more stripped-down starting point.

 

Have you any thoughts about the new M1530? am very interested in your
input.

All of the above is incredibly clear & right-on. I love my M1330 but am sending back because of CPU whine. My big decision is whether to try another M1330 or seriously check out M1530. If there was some way to be sure a replacement M1330 would have latest MB and bios revisions, i'd reorder it in a flash. thx.

 

Judging from the specifications, the M1530 is basically the same machine as the M1330, but in a larger package. At first glance this makes it look like a winner (if it ain't broke, don't fix it) but the screen resolution is quite disappointing. One of the most important benefits of a larger laptop is having more pixels to work with, but the M1530 has the same resolution as the M1330. 1280x800 is just about perfect for a 13" display, but I'd want a 15" machine to be at least 1440x900. (One of the gold standards of laptop design, the MacBook Pro, uses a 15" 1440x900 LED-backlit display, so Dell can't plead unavailability of parts here. The M1330 stands up very well indeed against the MacBook; it'd be nice for the M1530 to take on the smaller MacBook Pro.) As things stand, the only thing the M1530 really offers that the M1330 doesn't is the 8600 GT graphics.

 

Oh, and Blu-ray. Ho hum.

 

I can't thank u enough for u'r input. I've been researching this all
morning and am probably going to reorder the M1330 and pray
I get a good one.

I really really like this m1330!

thank you again !

 

M1530 also has S-Video out ..
Hey some folks use this ..just a pointer.

 

yep.. usually dell s-video port's allow digital audio out through an adapter.. something you cant do on the M1330.. that is if you dont have a receiver that accepts audio through HDMI

 

It is the 7-pin S-Video port and does not carry audio.

 

Benefits of Dell XPS M1530 over Dell XPS M1330:

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo T7800 (2.60GHz, 4M L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 (2.40GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)

Display:
15.4 inch widescreen
1280x800, 1440x900 or 1680x1050 CCFL backlit
1440x900 LED backlit
(Higher resolutions available in 2008)

Video Card:
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT

Optical Drive:
Slot loading Blu-Ray

Ports:
Additional USB 2.0 (3 on M1530 vs 2 on M1330)
S-Video

Dimensions:
Weight: 2.62 kg and above (M1330 is 1.8 kg and above)
Width: 357 mm (M1330 is 318 mm)
Height: 23.7 mm to 35.1 mm (M1330 is 23.1 mm to 33.8 mm)
Depth: 263 mm (M1330 is 238 mm)

 

i think every1 should wait for the higher resolution displays

 

Seriously, just forget about the m1550. If you want a 13" screen you go with the m1330, if you want a 15" screen you go with a Macbook Pro. Macbook pro 15" have the same kind of backlight LED display that the m1330 have but the same specs (minus the blue ray) as the m1550.

 

You could flash the bios yourself given the most up to date source files. It's not difficult.

With regard the mobo, make it a part of your order by buying over the phone. If your verbal contract and subsequent build confirmation e-mail incorporates the text 'A04 revised motherboard' or something similar, they would have to ship it as such.

 

All of your input is greatly appreciated. I am so so grateful!

 

Yeah me too!!! I just hope I dont regret not getting the LED screen. I think itll be fine though.

 

Jd, i didn't get it either. to pricey.

 

Awesome, our comps are still gonna kick ass! Cant wait to get it, hopefully they will properly function.

 

Yeah, you have a much better chance of getting a decent screen with the CCFL option.

LED is 50-50 since it's either CMO (CRAP) or TMD (GREAT)....

 

You sleezy bastard! lol Is 120 GB hard drive sufficient?

 

It really depends on your own need...I just chose to give up 200GB 7200rpm HDD for a 64GB SSD...as long as I calculated out that I would still be fine with 64GB, except I will have to delete my games more frequently...

 

is there a quik and easy rule of thumb to follow:

i.e., u can't have more than 3.25 gigs memory w/32 bit vista.

just some guidelines to follow? i'm learning these as i go along
but its always after the fact--i.e. my purchase! ha ha.

 

alexzeon, what did u mean by...being fine w/64GB. waht do u mean?
still early on the learning curve. thx.

 

Mt9, I mean 64GB SSD will be enough for me, as long as I don't keep every game in my lappy after I finished them. As I don't store a lot of movies, music in my lappy and I have a 470GB-in-total desktop as the final resort, actually I don't need a 160GB or 200GB HDD for the lappy. After using 2xGB for vista+1xGB for applications and documents, I still have about 20GB for games, which is pretty enough for me...

 

got it, and thx for explaining so clearly. thx.

 

This is really a great website...these forums are the most informative I have found on any subject.

 

My M1330 with the Intel X3100 graphics sees 3574 MiB of memory - just a hair over 3.5 GiB. I think the results should be similar with the 8400 GS (can anyone confirm?).

 

do you guys have anything to say about the 9cell battery. Are there lots of issues with it being wobbely or not properly put in?

How much more battery life do I get with the 9 cell?

 

My battery sits perfectly and the battery life is just amazing.. i have used Excel for over 5 hours and then I shut down it still said there was well over an hour left on the battery (with wifi, BT on etc)...


3.5GB is what I see as well (of the installed 4GB of ram)