Dell M1330 Condition Received Thread...and Poll

Just got mine today. Good fit and finish, no problems with rocking or an uneven base. No bulge in the keyboard or dents in the palm rest.

 

I ordered my on 8/22/07 and I called them to add more memory yesterday, they told me my m1330 is already in production and will be shipped in 2-3 days. They really surprised me how fast they are shipping. The rep told me once I received my m1330, they will credit me my existing memory card and sent me the memorys I need at 30% discount. What a surprise service from Dell of everything is true.

 

Got one in today that I ordered for a friend (who is currently traveling out of the country, so that give me time to play with it).

First impressions--not wow'd by it, but it is thin (got the LED screen), and overall, the build quality is good--no dings, dents, or build issues.

There is absolutely no hissing or buzzing from the headphone jacks, as a matter of fact, the headphones are completely silent. I had to test some sound just to make sure they weren't muted!

BUT, the LCD is lousy, especially for a PC this price. It has the one with the grainy screen. Looks like you're looking through a screen door! And, like others, the backlighting, while very bright, does have some very noticable uneveness along the bottom, most easily seen when the screen is dark.

It does seem to run HOT, also. The fans seem to be running a lot, and the keyboard and palmrests (especially the left one) get warm.

That's my two cents worth.

 

RE how hot it runs...I spoke with a friend tonight who told me his fans were on ever since he got it a few days back. I told him to install the sidebar CPU monitor...turns out his cpus, for some reason, are always at 100%.

I told him I figured out why his system was running so hot.

 

I've got the keyboard bulge and uneven base and am not that impressed with the overall build quality - personally think my 4 year old inspirion 8600 is better built!
When I've looked at other brands in store (sony/hp) the build quality seems far superior, just a shame they can't match the specs.

 

They are not all like that; send it in for a replacement.

 

I have the same problem with my screen. Against white backgrounds I can see horizontal lines and some areas even look dirty or smudged. I've tried cleaning the screen, but that's not the problem. I think it has to do with a sloppy application of the glossy coating. At first I thought the weird light leakage would be a bigger concern, but after a week of use, that doesn't bother me whatsoever anymore. The grainyness; however, is a big turnoff. Especially now that I've seen how much nicer the glossy screens on other brands look. I ordered a replacement, and if it comes with a grainy screen again, I'm going to have to return both and look elsewhere. For the most part, I really like everything else about this laptop, but for a $2,000+ machine, a grainy screen is not something I should have to deal with.

 

Just receiced my m1330 today. I was told that it will be shipped today so I didn't expect to receive it, it was a total surprise. I will be play with it tonight and check everything out. One thing I did notice is the box says made in Malaysia! I thought Dell is based in Taxes? Anyway, I can't wait to be home tonight.

 

Nope...system made in Malaysia, OS Imaging/software and final testing in texas...

 

Wow, flamenko, you are here full time aren't you.

 

i received my dell XPS m1330 after ages ages and ages, and noticed the following faults so far, but if i return it, there are no guarantees that i'll get a perfect new one or it will be repaired perfectly. I've read on this forum, replacements are worse or when fixed, there are further issues.

The faults so far is:

A slight Scratch on End key - not sure if i done it, but i'm 99.9% sure i didn't.
One dead pixel - the major issue
the keyboard is a bit bumpy but no flex in it - i can live with it.

What are my options and what would you do in regards to the scratch and deal pixel?

Otherwise, base is even, no dents or CPU whine.

TIA

 

this is my problem with m1330.. (eject button not working). i found it after a voted for "system perfect"... one vote less for "system perfect "

 

I've had the same eject button problem. I pushed, touched, pushed over and over and the CD would not come out. Oddly, after doing some other things on the computer, I tried again and it worked. Seems fussy about wanting to eject.

 

I received my M1330 last week after the obligatory 2-month delay.

This machine has some, but not all of the minor niggles previously mentioned in this thread. Additionally, the Biometric Fingerprint Reader does not work & is constantly locking me out of the machine.

The main problem is with the white-LED display: it appears to have broken grey lines running horizontally across the screen throughout the screen area. This seems to be caused by unevenly lit pixels - some are very bright/white whereas others look a bit grey in comparison. Where there are a number of the greyer pixels side-by-side they create intermittent grey lines, these lines being broken up by the white pixels. The random scattering of these pixels also causes a grainy effect on the display. This is a bit like when you press 2 pieces of plastic together which have some fluid between them & you don't get a proper contact between the 2 surfaces...

I have a replacement machine, minus the fingerprint reader in the pipeline. I really hope that the screen is better on the replacement or I will have to consider the CCFL display or even a Sony SZ6...

 

I have to ask...is the light bleed only in the initial boot or always? I am really not sure if everyones definition of light bleed is the same.

For example, when i start Vista and just after the Dell boot screen it goes blank and there appears to be a light bleed. On different angles it even appears to get worse or better.

Just after that the screen goes black, entirely black and from that point, there is never any bleed whatsoever during my use of the system. The colours are perfect.

Again when Im shutting it off, the blank screen with what appears to be bleeding.

is this the same with others?

 

Flamenko, while it seems odd, it sounds like maybe the lamp runs at 100% before windows loads and after that windows caps it's brightness at a certain point... light bleed is a physical phenomenon due to LCD crystals having a certain level of opacity inherent to the technology. They never block 100% of the light and near the bulb may not block enough to appear "black".

Try loading a full screen of black (maybe ms paint) in windows and see what happens, it would be very interesting if you still experience no bleed with a full black screen and brightness at 100%

 

Sorry none..only on boot and exit a bit. Heres a pik but for some reason this prob wont show any bleed as it is digitally created from within...dumb.

But funny!!!

 

Hi everyone, i'm new to this forum. I got a black m1330 about a week ago have been reasonably impressed with the computer. I've learned to ignore some of the manufacturer defects such a the left hinge cover being not flush and popping right out and also my keyboard buttons sometimes stick and make an odd "tack" sound :S

My real concern is this:

I've seen some screenshots of the laptops being open and on the bottom rigt hand side are two stickers, Vista being one of them...but instead of the other one being "Centrino Duo" it is actually just a regular "Core 2 Duo" sticker.

Isn't it true that Centrino Duo means Core 2 Duo is included plus some other features....but not necesarily the other way around? Did i get screwed?

I looked on my girlfriend's red 1330 (which just came today, yay for her) and it also says Centrino Duo.

Does anyone have an answer to this? Thanks in advance =D

 

No...Centrino has to follow a specific line of equipment which is not necessarily better. For example, I have a Dell 1505 Wifi N which is a great upgrade. It therefore does not make my system a centrino.

If you go to Wiki, Im sure it explains the exact specifications.

Centrino was originally just a way to get you to pay more money for the same stuff.

 

In order to have Centrino DUO, you have to have an Intel Wireless adapter, not a Dell wireless adapter. If you have Dell Wireless, you get the Core2Duo sticker.

 

Got my M1330 yesterday, after reading all the great reviews I figured I'd take the plunge and get one. Finally ordered the machine and to my surprise it arrived 2 weeks earlier than the actual Est. Shipment Date. Heres what I went with:
Tuxedo Black, 1.8 Ghz, 2GB, 160GB HD, Backlit LED Display w/out Camera, No
fingerprint reader, Nvidia 8400M, Total price came to $1,996.

Great specs on paper for a lightweight comp, reasonable gaming device, etc etc, BUT there are some annoying problems with the machine that are leaning me towards returning the product and going with a Sony Vaio:
Noticeable Horizontal lines running across every part of the screen.
Smudgy looking screen even after wiping it clean with a soft cloth.
Strangely uneven base.
I'm not usually a picky guy but after spending 2 grand on a premium machine I expect a high quality product. I don't want to send it back and wait for a replacement. Biggest problem are the Horizontal lines, anyone know a quick fix for it? If not looks like its going back.

 

I had the same lines on my display & that was one of the reasons I returned it for a replacement. It seems that that these lines are normal on a screen which is manufactured by CMO & I don't think there are any quick fixes for it.

The slow fix is to return it & hope that your replacement has a Toshiba screen which do not have the same "feature".

As it happens my replacement machine turned up today with a Toshiba screen. I had read elsewhere about the differences between these 2 screens & some people prefer the CMO whereas others prefer the Toshiba. Having seen both for myself I can confirm that the CMO is brighter & has better viewing angles but suffers from those lines & seems to be more grainy than the Toshiba so it's a case of swings & roundabouts - neither is perfect, each has its pros & cons.

I would love to have the brightness & viewing angles of the CMO, but I can't live with the lines & graininess, so it's the Toshiba for me.

If you want to confirm that your screen is a CMO, go to Device Manager>Monitors, then expand this & select the monitor. Double-click to bring up Properties then select the Details tab. In the drop-down menu select Hardware Ids. The value shown below will be CMOxxx for CMO, for Toshiba it will say LCD2306.

 

Hey gang, mine just came in today. Generally i'm quite pleased with it. No real serious issues other than the cpu whine and the sd card sticking out a bit but other than that no real complaints. I won't even use the remote so i'll just leave it in the box so the slot will stay flush but i did notice the 2 buttons on either side of the remote slot are loose but not really an issue for me. The DVD is a bit noisy ( Matsheeta? Never heard of it, i know it's not spelled that way but you're not allowed to put the real name) but not really a concern i just like that it's a slot loading dvd drive. Ok, now i can cross out cpu whine since unchecking that Bluetooth feature that allows windows to turn off the device to save power i don't hear the whine anymore. So overall i would have to say that this one is definitely a keeper. The only drag? Vista!

 

Just got mine... Really one of the worst pieces I've received. The keyboard is too stiff, the keypresses aren't crisp and take too much force. Wi-Fi Catcher and Wi-Fi Radio switches are very loose. CPU whine is very bad. Clicking sounds on HDD access. And then the worst issue of all, the Express Card slot is completely screwed up. It takes in the remote, and then just doesn't give it back out. The slot is either warped or the spring-loading mechanism is defective. Set up a replacement within fifteen minutes of opening it. Pathetic, really.

 

I selected System Perfect, CPU whine, uneven base.

Overcoming CPU whine:
For some reason I don't really know, it only happens when I'm in Windows Vista, it doesn't happen when I run Linux.

Uneven base:
Brainstorming for potential solutions...

 

You never heard of Panasonic?

 

The replacement black XPS M1330 that Dell sent to me which i will be sending back to them (wrong colour) is absolutely perfect. The build is 100% perfect. Everything is how it should be. My notebook was pretty perfect but it had a small scratch on the lid it is quite minor I was offered a replacement and took it but like I said that was the wrong colour.

I don’t have the CPU whine, uneven base or any of the other reported issues.

The screen is glossy not matt and marks will show more i bought some iKlear Apple polish to clean mine and now it looks as good as new.

 

If its perfect have them come and replace the colour of the lid as i here they can do that now...

 

They don't have any more white lids in Europe in stock that is why i was sent a black one. They should have kept some behind for this sort of thing but Dell i was to build to order and do not keep spare parts around.

 

if you still have the old system, get them to swap out the lids between the two

 

Hello, I thought I am new to this site and thought I would make this my first post. I have read most of the posts on this thread and with a M1330 on order I am slightly concerned. While there are many legitimate concerns I think that some of the expectations that have been documented are unrealistic in the buisness context. As all of you know engineers create specifications for each and every aspect of the computer. The computer is a selection of parts put together. The closer the tolerance the higher the cost. You will not find a consistantly perfect notebook nor probably any product because perfection is simply too expensive. I know that I will see posts saying Dell should take less profit and make a better quality laptop. Ask yourself this, if your boss asked you to work 20% more each day for the same money would you. No you would not because we all do what we do for money (at least from the practical standpoint).

Having said all of this if you receive a laptop from Dell or anyone else that has significant flaws send it back. It is important to note that perfect does not exist however. Engineers and management have to make compromises to bring a product to market. Sometimes elements of the design will be embraced or rejected but that is not always a flaw it is engineering.

 

I see what you are saying but there have been some very glaring issues experienced. We also understand that this is a very specific and small portion of all sales, most of which come here for help because of their problems.

I have received several systems for myself and others; no problems except a battery which was replaced because of a small nick on one.

 

Hi,

Poll-wise, I checked off the cosmetic issues box, but internally, everything's solid. I'm however probably too old (anyone over 25 is "too old") to detect the CPU whine, should my unit have it... .

As I don't want to double-post, you can find more details in my 'Guinness' post and/or detailed pics over @ my Flick acct.

It's not all bad news though - I did manage to correct the two most annoying cosmetic problems, a bowed panel-bezel & protruding HDD without the need for a Dell Tech

Next project, that buldge-in-the-keyboard issue

 

I have bulge on the keyboard, but cheap things like that don't bother me.

My first unit did have horrible CPU whine loud enough to cause me headaches though - I'm 31!.

Most important (IMO) thing I would look for is the LCD quality since that's the part I would be looking at when I'm using the laptop.

 

Agreed, however if a buldging KB manages to scuff / scratch or in any other way, affect the LCD panel then I imagine it would be an issue for you, no?

That's my only concern as I don't even notice a thing when typing. I'm using a protector ( The SLIP from Crumpler) but I'd prefer doing without one...

 

I inspect/clean the screen quite often for now since the system is pretty new to me, and didn't notice any scratches.

 

Lol, straight out of Dell's own Service Manual:

"Pay special attention to the routing of the cables in steps 14 through 17 so you can route them the exact same way during reassembly. Misrouting cables will not allow the keyboard, central control cover, and hinge cover to fit properly."

 

I know it's the misrouting of wires though.

It's kind of hard to misroute to begin with since there's routes that are made for wires.

Misrouting will not only make bulge, but the bulge itself wouldn't even be flexible.

It seems like the bulges are caused by keyboard manufacturer's end, making it seem like it was almost rolled(not all the way btw) for shipping purposes, or down right wrong packaging methods.

I pretty sure I can ask for new keyboard, but I really don't want to open up the brand new laptop just for that reason.

 

After reading this thread I was a little nervous about recieving my M1330. I wasn't sure what to expect. On top of that I got mine sealed in the box off of Ebay. I saved $600 that way but I realized being the second owner I could have warrenty issues. Anyway it is perfect. I went through this puppy inch by inch and it looks very good.

 

Had to collect mine from the parcel company, checked the state of the laptop in the car.

I basically have all issues and some new ones, except the uneven base.

I have the hinge gap, and the left side hinge cover coming off.

The right side on the back of the computer have a similar gap issue.

The bottom panel covering the screen is all wobbly and loose.

The lid gives way when you pinch and open it between the smaller panel and large piece on the top of the computer.

The lid covering the memory has a bulge.

The teeth at the top are showing.

Some of these things I could care less about, but some makes the whole thing feel like a cheap copy of a real machine.

Oh, I forgot the wine.

Ps. Do any of you get a weird vibrating sensation when sliding your finger ever so softly on the palm rests? I suppose it's just the "brushed aliminium" surface, but it's creepy. EDIT: It is indeed the tingling sensation others have experienced. When I remove the charger it stops.

 

Practically my first post in NBR. Lucky me, my XPS M1330 came in perfect condition

 

Omg, the screen cover just came of the top part of the lid?! It comes off the whole upper part when I open the laptop and hold my fingers in a particular way?!

 

I'm wondering if anyone who ordered more recently than the previous posts can say what condition their laptops came in. I'm thinking about getting it but for the amount of money I'm going to pay I want to make sure I get something that's worth the money.

 

my replacement has just been dispatched finally.....

Just wondering if these issues have now been ironed out?

 

Not for me. I have every build quality issue that has been listed in this thread including crooked corners, keyboard flex, cpu whine, wobble wobble, hinge gap, and so on. I ordered 10/31 received 11/2, replacement ordered 11/9.

 

Ordered Nov 1, received Nov 9th.

I can't tell if what I have is the CPU whine, it's intermittent, almost like how modems used to make noise, but fainter and higher pitched.

I have the slight gap in the left side of the hinge. It's not huge but looking at all the parts and sizes, I can't see how they can build this machine without that gap.

Other then that, it's perfect

I don't feel at home with this machine yet, I had a desktop for so long and am a wiz with XP.

I'm also a bit confused. Are Dell Media Direct and Microsoft Media Centre the same thing essentially? Seems like the Microsoft may be better?

Kristina

 

I just received my M1330 and so far so good. I pickup it up from DHL at lunch so I was only able to check the system physically. I like the direction Dell is going with the XPS systems. The lines are clean, not particular large gaps... of course there is a slight gap on the left side hinge but that doesn't bother me. When I took the (9-cell) battery out I did notice only 3 stubs in contact with the table and there is a gap of 2mm on the top right corner... hopefully that can be corrected with a adhesive in that area.

I will do the full gambit of tests after work (school can wait til tomorrow) so I can play with it.

 

Kristina...Torrona Girl. We r close.

MediaDirect and Mediacentre perform the same function except MediaDirect starts on its own from the MD button.

Got the system to match the car eh???

 

Yup! Guilty....I can't help it, I am just drawn to that styling I suppose, the whole white/clean-looking thing. I love my car, I'm sad she goes into winter storage in a month

I even used to have this, but sold it in June. I swear I don't intend to match!


PS - back on topic, do you think the noise I can hear with my laptop is the 'whine'? It's not that loud, and intermittent (sp?)

cheers,
kristina

 

It may be like a low morse code...if it doesnt bother you dont look.

And hey!!!!! I gotta see a pik now.