Is the M1330 worth it?

I would like a small, light laptop for all purpose use. The MacBook Air just doesn't seem to be powerful enough.

Currently, Dell Home has 25% off the M1330 $1499 or more. This brought the $17XX priced configuration down to $1325. Seems like an awesome deal but many of the posts regarding poor reliability scare me.

The fact that people are still having GPU overheating issues 8 months or so after it was released indicates to me that Dell has no intention of correcting what appears to be a design flaw.

Are people really having many problems with their M1330s or is it just the fact that the forum is going to have many more complaint or problem posts?

Thanks!

 

im just here to post for the happy majority. I ordered one of the first m1330s and had to have a motherboard replacement 2 weeks in, but i made the call and the technician was there the next day, and fixed it within an hour. Since then, no complaints at all. I really like it

 

If you order it with the X3100 onboard card, I don't think you'll have a problem with overheating. If you're going to game, maybe you want the Nvidia card, and you might consider choosing a brand that isn't having the overheating problems.

 

Oh lord, do not buy a macbook air. Actually, don't buy a mac at all. That's just me. But anyway, the m1330 is a very good portable laptop, very powerful and a great price. As for the issues with it, anything that was a problem from Dell right from the beginning will be replaced if you complain, later on issues maybe covered by warranty, again, if you complain enough. The thing you need to think about when you hear about these problems is that when anyone has a slight problem, they will go online and complain on every forum they can and spread the word of how such and such company sucks for build quality, customer service etc. Now on the other hand, how often does someone buy a computer that works flawlessly and then go on every forum and talk up how amazing it is and how everyone should buy it? Not often, because they are just sitting around enjoying their awesome new laptop.
You can't boycott getting a computer because you hear about the horror stories people have, otherwise you should also never go outside since on the news you are constantly hearing about murders, thefts, wars, all that stuff, but you never hear about the people that are helping out society and that are being good humanitarians. My point is, you often hear the bad, rarely the good.

 

I think the 1330 is worth it. While the build quality is not 100% perfect on mine it is quite good and better than what I expected after reading all the issues on the forums.

I didn't go for a high end specced version but I got a good price for a nice machine.

$934 CAD from Dell Canada for:

T5450, 2 GB Ram, LED screen, X3100 graphics, 120 GB 5400 HDD, Intel N, Bluetooth, Fingerprint, 2 yr mail warranty.

Not bad at all and I'm not a gamer so I skipped Nvidia.

 

Thanks for the quick responses. I really don't game either so I think i'll forget about the NVidia chip and go with the x3100 chip instead.

 

Yes. Yes it is.

 

You should check out the VAIO SZ series. I have a M1330, it's okay for the price. I ordered an SZ a couple of days ago. I don't know what I'll do with this M1330. They don't have any re-sale value because of the history of build quality, even if those issues have been corrected.

 

Yes...well worth it. I still get alot of attention over this machine when taking it out in public.

Great look, very configurable, light, great warranty and on and on...

Build quality is something that many seem to mention however, apparently, the build quality is no different than any other system. The satisfaction rate of the M1330 always has been and remains to be over 90%. Eight separately purchased systems have come through my hands for inspection. Only one has had any issues as there was a very small crack in the replacement battery. Got lucky I guess.

You will find alot of discussion here on the M1330 and many other brands because sites like this are where people turn when they have a problem and need an answer.

You might want to to consider if any other company will go so far out of their way to ensure that you are a happy customer. After you received it, any problem whatsoever allows you the opportunity to have another system built for you and exchanged with the one you have for 30 days. Aside from this, you have a 'Total Satisfaction Warranty' which allows you to send the system back for a complete refund within 21 days.

To add to that, you might want to ask if other companies will stretch their service to allow a battery exchange up to a year later simply because you think it isn't holding an appropriate charge...or if other companies send you complete replacement disksets with the OS Master Disk included. I recently tried to get a replacement diskset from Compaq for my sons system in order to reformat it. I found out, after almost having to cut my thumb off to get the replacement disks, that they are simply a complete system replacement set and I could not reformat with just the OS. I had to reinstall all the bloatware.

I don't have to also add the XPS binder for your manual and disks, the microcloth for cleaning your system, or the fact that the OS Manual is extremely detailed to also assist you in doing your own hardware upgrades, something I have never seen from another manufacturer.

Ok...finished...oh wait.... or that only Dell XPS sends a XPS system carrying sleeve with each system...

K.. done... I didnt even have to mention that the system still remains to be one of the mosts configurable and powerful ultraportable laptops available and I don't think it can be compared to in price for the identical system by any manufacturer.

Can someone please correct me if I am wrong?

 

I ordered an m1330 last August when they first came out and I've been very happy with it overall.

Recently however, I bought a new MacBook and have been even happier with it and so will be selling my m1330.

I would have to say that my MB is build like a tank in comparison to the m1330, which feels flimsy. Overall the build quality of the m1330 is good, but after feeling how solid my MB is, I'd have to say there is definitely room for improvement with the m1330.

 

If only I could Les. You've given a pretty bullet-proof testament.

 

Why do you like the SZ more than the 1330? What do you like better on the Sony over the Dell?