Just got my M1330 today....*shrug*...

I received my XPS M1330 in Toronto today.

I paid about $2200 + Tax for this:

1 HR824 SHIP GROUP..., NOTEBOOK..., UNITED STATES..., XPS-M1330, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION...
1 01323 INFORMATION..., NO ITEM
1 J2551 CORD..., POWER..., 110V, 3F, ALTERNATING CURRENT..., 3W, PROPOSITION 65..., UNITED STATES...
1 RW506 PLACEMAT..., GETTING STARTED..., EXTREME PERFORMANCE SYSTEM..., M1330, DAO/EMEA
1 RU245 MODULE..., KEYBOARD..., 86, US-ENG, SINGLE POINTING..., DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION...
1 MU194 KEYBOARD..., 86, UNITED STATES..., ENGLAND/ENGLISH..., SINGLE POINTING..., BNTS, LIGHT...
1 U7231 BASE (ASSEMBLY OR GROUP)..., NOTEBOOK..., CMER, T7500, M1330
1 GP457 PROCESSOR..., T7500, 2.2, 4MB, CMER, G0
1 XW606 SERVICE INSTALL MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., INSPIRON..., XPS-M1330
1 DR464 MODULE..., LABEL..., MICROSOFT..., VSTA, PREMIUM..., INSPIRON...
1 DX959 MODULE..., LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., NOTEBOOK..., BLACK..., DUMMY..., M1330
1 DK903 MODULE..., EARPHONE..., BUDS, NOTEBOOK...
1 FK454 KIT..., EARPHONE..., BUDS, NOTEBOOK...
1 XK189 MODULE..., PALMREST..., MAGNESIUM-ALLOY..., W/FPRDR, M1330
1 HX105 ASSEMBLY..., PALMREST..., MAGNESIUM-ALLOY..., W/FPRDR, M1330
1 RR326 MODULE..., DOCUMENTATION..., CATALOG..., DROP IN BOX..., DIM/INSP, CANADA/CANADIAN...
1 DX914 CATALOG..., DROP IN BOX..., DIM/INSP, SNP, CANADA/CANADIAN...
1 XD717 MODULE..., DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY MODULE..., 2GB, 667MHZ, 2X1GB, 512
1 Y9530 DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY MODULE..., 1GB, 667, 128X64, 8K, 200
1 UM234 MODULE..., BATTERY..., PRIMARY..., 56WHR, 6C, SANYO
1 FW302 BATTERY..., PRIMARY..., 56WHR, 6C, LITHIUM..., SANYO
1 UM238 MODULE..., BATTERY..., ADDITIONAL..., 85WHR, 9C, SAMSUNG POWER DIVISION...
1 FW301 BATTERY..., ADDITIONAL..., 85WHR, 9C, LITHIUM..., SAMSUNG POWER DIVISION...
1 UU534 MODULE..., MODEM..., UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS..., EXTERNAL..., NO BIOS..., ERPA, WORLD WIDE...
1 NW147 MODEM..., 56K, UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS..., EXTERNAL..., NO BIOS..., ERPA
1 TY803 TECHNICAL SHEET..., MODEM..., INSPIRON..., M1330, WEST...
1 JM048 MODULE..., DVD+/-RW..., 8X, IDE (INTEGRATED DRIVE ELECTRONICS) ..., 9.5, M1330
1 RW194 ASSEMBLY..., DVD+/-RW..., 8X, PANASONIC..., 9.5, SLOT
1 XM387 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., ROXIO..., CRTR, DE, 9.0, TRANSACTIONAL LINE OF BUSINESS...
1 RW483 MODULE..., LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., 13.3WX, LIGHT EMITTING DIODE..., CHI MEI OPTOELECTRONICS..., M1330
1 GR549 LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., 13.3, Wide Extended Graphics Array..., VIDEO ELEC. STDS. ASSOC...., TLF, CHI MEI OPTOELECTRONICS...
1 GX074 BRACKET..., SUPPORT..., METAL..., 13.3, LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., M1330
1 GX081 ASSEMBLY..., CABLE..., COAXIAL ..., LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., LIGHT EMITTING DIODE..., M1330
1 XW219 MODULE..., COVER..., LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., BLACK..., .3M, LIGHT EMITTING DIODE..., M1330
1 N6704 ASSEMBLY..., CAMERA..., 0.3M, INTEGRATED..., MANUFACTURED IN CHINA..., M1330
1 RW485 BEZEL..., LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., PLASTIC..., 0.3M, CAMERA..., M1330
1 JM295 MODULE..., ADAPTER..., ALTERNATING CURRENT..., 65W, DELTA - AC ADAPT..., WORLD WIDE..., M1330
1 XK850 ASSEMBLY..., ADAPTER..., ALTERNATING CURRENT..., 65W, 3P, DELTA - AC ADAPT..., M1330
1 PN039 MODULE..., ASSEMBLY..., BASE (ASSEMBLY OR GROUP)..., NOTEBOOK..., DISCRETE VIDEO..., M1330
1 2864D SCREW..., M3X3, K SCREW HEAD..., MICROSOFT..., BLACK OXIDE...
1 U8042 ASSEMBLY..., BASE (ASSEMBLY OR GROUP)..., DISCRETE..., 128M, M1330
1 FM165 MODULE..., HARD DRIVE..., 160G, 7.2K, FREE FALL SENSOR..., SE100, INS
1 RK533 HARD DRIVE..., 160GB, FREE FALL SENSOR..., 9.5, 7.2K, SGT-GAL
1 PU575 MODULE..., REMOTE CONTROL..., NOTEBOOK..., M08
1 FW331 KIT..., REMOTE CONTROL..., NOTEBOOK..., M08, PHILIPS
1 WK528 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., GOOGLE, SEARCH..., CONSUMER...
1 FK244 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., DT-ICLNR, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION...
1 XM544 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., PC-RESTORE, TRANSACTIONAL LINE OF BUSINESS...
1 HT746 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., QUICK FIX ENGINEERING..., VHP32, INSPIRON...
1 JP927 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., DELL-WELCOME, TLOB
1 NP562 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., VHP32, INSPIRON..., ENGLAND/ENGLISH..., DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION..., NO DOCS/DISKETTES...
1 UN078 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., VSTA, HYPERTEXT MARKUP LANGUAGE..., GUIDE, WORLD WIDE...
1 WR336 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., VHP32, DIGITAL VIDEO DISK DRIVE..., ENGLAND/ENGLISH..., DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION...
1 HX425 KIT..., SOFTWARE..., OVERPACK..., VHP32, A01, DIGITAL VIDEO DISK DRIVE..., ENGLAND/ENGLISH...
1 CY416 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., DELL MEDIA DIRECT..., 3.5, OPERATING SYSTEM...
1 CY418 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., DELL MEDIA DIRECT..., 3.5, THURMAN
1 TR250 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., DELL MEDIA DIRECT..., 3.5, KIT..., DIGITAL VIDEO DISK DRIVE..., EXTREME PERFORMANCE SYSTEM...
1 GN866 KIT..., SOFTWARE..., DELL MEDIA DIRECT..., 3.5, DIGITAL VIDEO DISK DRIVE..., EXTREME PERFORMANCE SYSTEM...
1 CN819 MODULE..., MEDIA..., DIGITAL VIDEO DISK DRIVE..., RDVD, XPS-M1330
1 TK051 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., ADOBE..., ACROBAT READER..., 8.1, ENGLAND/ENGLISH...
1 KW181 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., DSPRT-CTR, 2.0
1 JP335 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., TREND MICRO..., 14, 2YR, ENGLAND/ENGLISH..., WORLD WIDE...
1 UP819 KIT..., SOFTWARE..., TREND MICRO..., 14, ENGLAND/ENGLISH...
1 YY220 MODULE..., CARD (CIRCUIT)..., NETWORK..., 4965, INSPIRON..., MOW1
1 MK933 CARD (CIRCUIT)..., WIRELESS..., MINICARD..., 4965, MOW1
1 KU312 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., WORKS..., 8.5, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION..., ENGLAND/ENGLISH...
1 PN182 KIT..., SOFTWARE..., WORKS..., 8.5, ENGLAND/ENGLISH...
1 DX476 MODULE..., LABEL..., INTEL..., NOTEBOOK..., CENTRINO MOBILE TECHNOLOGY..., SRM
1 XN190 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., DTSV, ONLINE..., ENGLAND/ENGLISH...
1 TW157 MODULE..., SOFTWARE..., DTSV, ONLINE..., 10GB-PAY
1 FW442 MODULE..., MOUSE..., BLUETOOTH..., 5BTN, INSPIRON...
1 PU705 KIT..., MOUSE..., BLUETOOTH..., 5BTN, TRAVEL...
1 HM239 MODULE..., HEADPHONE..., BLUETOOTH..., LITEON, INSPIRON...
1 TX131 HEADPHONE..., BLUETOOTH..., LITEON, INSP/DIM
1 RN536 MODULE..., CARD (CIRCUIT)..., NETWORK..., BLUETOOTH..., 355, TMA, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION...
1 CW725 CARD (CIRCUIT)..., WIRELESS..., INTERNAL..., BLUETOOTH..., 355, VSTA

I got the MAT****A DVD drive, the CHI MEI LED screen.

The DVD drive is pretty loud with ejecting/inserting, but quiet otherwise. Also, it freezes my system for ~3 second when I eject it.

At first I couldn't see the graininess that people were talking about with teh CHI MEI, but now I can tell, it's definitely grainy, but now sure if it's anything to worry about. I have a reasonable left-hinge gap with that little piece of plastic being crooked. I have no wobble with teh 9-cell, btu haven't tried the 6-cell yet.

I have BIOS A07, and Mobo revision 04, and I can't hear an obvious 'whine'...although i have only used it at my desk, beside my desktop which is quite loud.

One thing that is good is I don't feel any tingling...although my AC adapter is 3-pronged, didn't they used to ship these with 2-prong cables?

I called today about getting money back for the new deal (the price now is about $200 cheaper for the same system plus 3GB of ram), and they offered to give me an extra year's warranty to make 4 years. Do you guys/gals think I can do better than that? I was on hold 3 times while the CSP talked to people about it....

I'll probably end up keeping the system as I love the looks, the specs are great, and I don't want to wait for a system that is likely the same or wrose. Also, I want a new laptop now and this seems to be the best in this 12-14" category, excepting maybe the Sony SZ, which is much more expensive for the same specs....

Just thought I'd share my thoughts on my new M1330. Comments, of course, are welcome.

 

Hmmmmmm.... I would for sure keep the laptop! It sounds like you got a great system. As for the grainy thing.... I see neverending posts about it here. I am currently using a E1705 and always loved the screen. I have been using it for a year and never worried about the screen.

Now that I look closer I guess it could be considered grainy. However it never bothered me before, why would it bother me now? Nu-uh. I love it just fine the way it is.

Anyway looks like you got a great system. I would hold on to it. You for sure would not want something less-awesome!

 

What I think it comes down to is: Are you willing to live with the few things you mentioned? If you are, then keep the system as is and enjoy your new "toy". If you're not, then return it for a replacement.

Don't get too worked up from what others say. I love this forum and can't speak highly enough about it. But, on boards like this, you are always going to have people picking on every aspect. I started coming on here when I got my m1330. I loved the system, but after reading everyone's comments, I started to get wrapped up in and started to become dissatisfied.

But, when it come down to is, I love my new toy and am willing to live with the few issues. For instance, I have awful audio static, but it isn't worth going through the hassle to return it.

So, use your own judgment since you are the one that has to live with it.

As for returning it and reordering for a cheaper price, I think what Dell did for you is pretty generous. Same thing happened to me - I ordered my systems for $2000, then a week later a $600 coupon came out. I was upset at first, but realized it happens. It isn't Dell's fault. They come out with deals all the time, and it is a matter of catching it at the right time. So, I forgot about it and didn't pursue it. But, I am a total goody-goody and don't believe in returning and reordering to get the cheaper price. Plus, I am lazy and didn't want to go through the hassle...even though the money back would have been nice

Just my two cents...please take it with a grain of salt

 

If you are happy with what you got, just keep th system. I may negotiate for like free gift card or something like that, but I will definitely take extra warranty.

To melliet

I do agree with you that if I read the forum too much, I will become dissatisfied with my laptop. For example, I thought I made a good choice on picking WXGA because it is perfect for me. I began to hype up about WXGA+ and wanted to return my current laptop. Anyway, I made up my mind later that I got a good deal and nothing wrong with WXGA. The screen is beautiful, and I don't want to strain my eyes by looking at small fonts anyway. I just decide to keep what I got.

There is no best deal on purchasing the computer. New things are comming out all the time, so I think I finally find my inner peace.

 

Thank you very much for the input. I still haven't decided. I'm using it right now in lecture and I like it a lot. It makes me want to just keep it as I don't want to have to wait again.... plus, I already formatted and loaded Vista Ultimate 64-bit and customized everything.

I'm going to pick up 4GB of DDR later today and it will make this a smoking machine.

A couple more bad points, however...I'm not totally impressed with the battery life. But this could simply be due to my over-expectations. I have been using a 600M, with a 1.4 Intel pentium M, for 4 1/2 years and I still get 3-3 1/2 hours with wireless use, and office use. I suppose i was expecting a big incease, but I can't complain, the machine is obviously faster and it has similar battery life with the 6-cell battery.

One more issue, I have noticeable backlight bleed. Notably, there is a bright, symmetrical strip right along the top of the screen (very similar to my Dell 22" LCD actually).

I'll post some pics later tonight....Can anybody post pics of their backlight bleed?

Thanks again

 

Yeah, once I got my new toy, I couldn't bare to part with it either And, since you have customized it, that would make it even harder to send back.

I am not sure about the "backlight bleed". I have never heard of this before. Mine looks fine. A

In terms of battery life, check out the battery guide posted on this thread. You can also google "laptop battery care" and you will find lots of tips. Basically, they say that before using your battery, to drain it and recharge it a few times. This will give you a longer charge.

I never did that before. But, after reading it, tried it on my battery yesterday. It actually worked. I got more time out of my battery. So, you may want to try that.

The battery guide also has lots of other great tips too. Sorry...I am all excited about it ebcuase I never knew any of this stuff before

 

Thanks for the tips and comments.

I've decided to keep it. It's a really nice computer and quite fast, and it's all customized with Vista Ultimate 64, and WMware with XP pro 32-bit (mainly because the Send to OneNote print driver doesn't work for 64-bit).

PLUS, I called Dell back and politely noted the minor quality issues with the laptop and the recent price drop. They offered me a 1-year extension on my warranty plus $150 cash-back. I was pretty happy with this, but then I mentioned possible upgrades....she said she would give me $400 towards upgrades, but I couldn't think of anything that I need to upgrade for my laptop.

So, she (the Dell CSR) told me to go on Dell.ca and pick something...so I picked the Logitech Z-5500 speaker system for $350, and she put me on hold while she talked to her manager and she approved it! So they are sending me te speakers today, PLUS I get an extension to a 4-year warranty.

Now i'm quite happy