Few questions about m1210 before I buy?

Hey all new to the forums here but I've been around a good while reading the laptop reviews

Anyway I would greatly appreciated if someone could take a look at my spec and offer some advice.

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7200 (2.0 GHz, 4 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium
12.1" WXGA (1280x800) TFT Display with TrueLife™ and integrated 1.3 mega pixel web cam
1024MB 533MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x512)
160GB (5,400rpm) Hard Drive
8X DVD+/-RW
256MB nVidia® GeForce™ Go 7400 TurboCache graphice card
PRIMARY BATTERY 9 Cell, 80Whr Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Intel® Pro Wireless 3945 802.11a/b/g Mini-PCI Card

I was wondering if there are any real advantages to having a 7200rpm hard drive besides quicker read/write times? For example would there be any problems watching films which I have ripped from DVD to the hard drive? There is no configuration option for a 7200rpm hard drive on the Dell website but I was thinking about picking up a 100gb 7200rpm hard drive up somewhere else and putting it in myself.

Also is the RAM easily upgradeable and would a 2GB kit come cheap if I bought it somewhere else? The 2GB option on the Dell website is ridiculously overpriced.

And Finally would anyone recommend getting the Wireless bluetooth module? I'd say its handy for using the a bluetooth mouse or keyboards with the laptop but what other advantages does it have?

Thanks for reading

 

Thats a really nice configuration, yes you can save a lot of money buy buying memory elsewhere try newegg.com they have good prices, Dell will rip you off for memory.

There is really a negligible difference between the 5400RPM and the 7200RPM drives and I personally think it's better to have 60GB of extra space then a drive that won't be noticibly faster.

Lastly, the Bluetooth module along with being able to use Bluetooth mice, you can also get Bluetooth speakers, sync with your cell phone and use accessories that would otherwise be wired.

 

Excellent cheers for the advise Airman. Twas pretty much what I was thinking just needed someone to confirm for me

 

only things i would change is up the memory to 2 gig and make it 667 mhz so it will run at full speed of the cpu bus the more memory is for vista its kinda slow on 1 gig when its shared with video also
jim

 

Believe it or not adding the 2GB 667mhz ram to my order pushes the price up by about $600
Just not worth it for me at the moment, I'll probably try and sell the ram that comes with it in a few months and get 2GB then.

 

How much are you customizing this for on the Dell site?

This may sound crazy, but there are INCREDIBLE deals on the Dell XPS M1210 on eBay. Make sure you buy from a trusted dealer (looking for high percentage positive feedback, a "powersellers" icon, or a large amount of sales - 100+, usually are good indicators of excellent sellers).

Here are some stats for an M1210 you can get for $1950 including shipping:

Core 2 Duo T7200
3 Year total coverage warranty
Vista Home Premium
2 GB DDR2 667 Mhz
Geforce 7400
Webcam + A/V Communications package
9 cell extended battery
100 GB 7200 RPM hard drive
Dell 802.11a/b/g/n Draft N wireless
Bluetooth

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-DELL-XPS-M1...yZ140080QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

EDIT - I believe Ireland is part of the United Kingdom (but I could be completely wrong because I'm an ignorant American). If the sellers don't ship to your country, I guess you're stuck buying from Dell :\

 

Very true. Get memory from a third-party.

NOT so sure that I am in accordance with the first part - there are some instances when the difference is felt, and other times when it isn't. I do agree with the second part, since more space is better than a bit more speed.

Yes, the BT radio is an essential part, and only $15-20 more.

Yes, do upgrade to 2GB if you can. Upgrading via Dell will be far more expensive than doing it yourself.

 

lol you really don't have a clue about geography! Anyway great advice about checking ebay for a Dell m1210. I have found 2 great offers from a seller with great feedback.

Offer1

Offer2

They are both fairly similar but there are a few differences between them, mainly that offer1 comes with Windows Vista Business Edition but only 2GB 522Mhz while offer2 comes with Windows XP Media Center edition, 2GB 667Mhz but no webcam. I could live without the webcam but wouldnt be to happy with MCE?
Hmmm decisions...

 

check dell outlet good deals there too most cheaper than ebay with dell warranty
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnline...line/en/InventorySearch?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh
jim

 

Thanks but unfortunately the US version of the outlet is now use to me and the UK/Ireland one is crap for selection, havent been any m1210's in a few weeks

 

Thanks for all the advice guys, just one more question

Is there much of real world difference between 2gb 533mhz ram and 2gb 667mhz? I know the T7200 is rated for 667mhz and would obviously run better with the ram that its rated for but the options for the configuration I'm looking at it will be a lot easier for me to just get 2gb 533mhz.

 

No advice for them ram then?

What about Vista would anybody recommend it over XP pro at the moment? I won't be gaming or anything just basic internet(wireless) and word processing.

 

in the real world there is very little differance between 533 and 667 a matter of a fact 533 can sometimes be faster due to lower latancy but it's a shame when the cpu runs at 667 fsb and the memory only runs at 533
if you do not plan to game go for the 533

 

Good advice, in fairness its only a 12" screen so I probably be doing my gaming on my main rig. Sure I could always overclock the memory to 667 speeds, if its capable of it?

 

there is no fsb adjustments on almost any notebooks especially dells they lock that option out of the bios pretty hard

 

Hi, everyone, I was able to get a good deal on the Dell Outlet for under $1200 for a m1210 - 2.0 Core Duo 2, 100gb 7krpm, 1gb, cam, Nvidia not to mention an upgrade (free) to Vista. Granted the Outlet may be refurbished as the one I got, but I literally took a magnifying glass to see if any markings or dings. None found, flawless, everything brand spanking new down to the plastic film on the screen.
Do your homework and go to the Dell site early am on Thursday for the new inventory. Think fast because the site sells then quickly. I saw 25 XPS m1210 sell in 1/2hr. Good luck, buy the memory later it's cheaper.