M1210 vs. M1330

Is anyone still ordering the M1210 over the M1330? How do they compare?

 

M1210 has smaller screen and smaller footprint--M1330 has slightly lower weight. M1330 has less USB ports, and the webcam doesn't rotate. The M1330 adds an LED backlit scren (for a price premium) and a fingerprint reader.

 

I think there are very few reasons to pick the M1210 over the M1330. The M1330 is lighter, has a much better video card, not to mention the overall design, etc.

 

I would still consider buying an m1210. That is because it would be a lot less expensive, and I don't worry too much about having the newest and greatest. And honestly, I am not terribly impressed with the style of the m1330.

 

I think I will be happy just going with the M1210. It is a proven performer and the price is much cheaper.

 

i agree with poorboy1
i just ordered an m1210 knowing the m1330 was on its way. i chose the m1210 purely for its lower price (there is a huge dfference in the price between the two when ordering from australia).

 

I got an m1210. Turned out to be $900 cheaper than the m1330 configuration with the only difference as far as options unavailable on the m1210 being the led-backlit screen with the low resolution camera. I like the m1330, but it's too expensive (The comparably spec'd and sized Asus SX is $500 less at PortableOne). It's also important to point out that the m1330 isn't that much lighter than the m1210, since Dell's weight specs are for the 4-cell battery and LED-lit screen. If one compares the upgraded 6-cell m1330 to the base 6-cell m1210, the gap in weight is partially closed.

Overall, I think that they're different models and each one has its qualities. One thing that I don't like about either is that they're both too thick. Beyond that, if I were in the market for the m1330, I'd hold off until people got their production versions and reviewed em. Let the early adopters get screwed over, I say. I only lament the lack of XP Pro on both the m1330 and the late-model m1210s.

 

you are one of those who makes sense about M1330, or possibly you are a notebook consultant for one of the competitors!!

which one is correct?

 

m1330 is alot better so if you can afford it I would take it over the 1210

 

Ok, lets compare the BASE m1210 compared to the BASE m1330. In this comparison for the m1210 you get a dedicated video card, 1 gig of ram, and 1.83 C2D for 999. With the BASE m1330 you only get a 1.5 C2D, no dedicated video card and the equivalent 1 gig of ram.

Comparing sizes. A lot of people are spewing that the m1330 is somehow smaller than the m1210, which dimension wise and , in cubic centimeters is completely untrue. The 9 cell battery elevates the m1330 to be TALLER on the thick end than the m1210. As far as weigh issues go, aside from the useless 4 cell battery. the m1210 is equivalent on weight in the 9cell region, and LIGHTER with the 6 cell. As for issues, well the m1210 has some, but overall most people are very happy and have few problems with it. The m1330, has no user information at all whatsoever.

As to processor speed, the santa rosa is marginally better (as in not noticeably faster since 667 ram is the fastest that exists) and a 1.5 SR would be noticeably slower than 1.83 c2d. As for power consumption, benchmarks show that the Santa Rosa is indeed *slightly* more power efficient during high load. Conversely it is *less* efficient during low load (the majority of battery work for most people).

Odds and ends: Have you seen the 9 cell battery? it lifts the computer even higher and creates an incline. Some might like this, i find that storing this would be ... irritating.

So, weight... same, dimensions: 1330 is bigger, thinner in part of the odd wedge shape, not in another. Power in the base models, the m1210 is MORE powerful. The m1330 can be customized up to a roughly equal powerful model at 50% more cost than the m1210. The 1330 has the ability to have a marginally more powerful video card that is DX10 compatible.

I looked at these issues as a photographer and journalist and decided to go with the m1210. Admitted the m1330 is more stylish, and if that is your concern in the computer I would recommend the 1330. I find the m1210 stylish enough for my tastes. The m1330 also has an opportunity for an LED backlight which comes at a premium and will save some battery life. It remains to be seen if the LCD in front of those LED's is any better. An LED backlight does not automatically mean better contrast or saturation. The same LCD could be in front of both (baring size difference)

That being said, I should disclose that I am defending my purchase and you could *possibly* accuse me of buyers remorse... although I decided to get the m1210 in full knowledge of the m1330.

I simply would like to correct a lot of the mis-statements or general complete disregard for the facts that a number of non-technical people have made on this forum. Make a smart choice and go for what you think serves you best, but be properly informed.

 

8400M GS is better than 7400, but not much better.
1210 does have one big advantage, price. a $999 m1210 is much better equiped than a $1299 M1330.
M1330 is 1/2 a lb lighter than the M1210.

 

If we are basing the GPU on benchmarks, the 8400m GS isn't merely marginally better than the 7400. But rather the 8400m GS shows approximately 50% boost in benchmark performance over the 7400.
The only 8xxx series with marginal difference over the 7400 would be the 8400m G.
With that said, the 8400m GS is quite a bit better but I wouldn't go out and claim it to be far superior.

And obviously, the m1330 is newer and it's meant to be replacing the m1210. Thus the prices for the m1210 being significantly lower. So if you want an ultraportable notebook for a decent budget, then the m1210 is still a very good option to pick.
There's no need to be feeling buyer's remorse.

 

I only got a xps1210 base model because it was so cheap with the $500 off $1,000 amex tailormade deal. But I still have a 1330 on order right now thru drake deal.

 

Well I was getting interested in the M1330 and found some very good pricing.
So I went down to one of the Dell Stores.

Currently I have the M1210 - which I brought along with me for a side by side comparison.

Yikes!

Everything I had read about M1330 "poor" build quality seems true.
The M1210 is built much better in assembly quality (at least the one I have had for 1 year)...the M1330 at the store/kioso seems to have all the issues people have pointed out in various posts/web sites. Also the paint quality of the one I say (Red) was not good...the fit/finish just seemed poor....the screen did seem a bit brighter than my M1210 -- but only slightly.

Checking the Vista performance #'s I noted only 0.3 better for the T7300/800GS vs my M1210/T7200/7400 GPU (I do have 4GB RAM (or 3.25GB)).

Well being a fanatic for the latest and greatest I really wanted to justify the M1330...but the poor assembly killed it for me. The M1210 seems like a "rock" compared to it.

Also went over to the SonyStyle store (across the way in the mall). Well any of the Sony laptops (and I am not a big Sony fan) seemed to be way better quality assembly. Alot of cool products...only problem was the graphics ranked pretty low in Vista "performance" benchmark compared to M1330. But I must say, from the short time I tried them, they seemed to be pretty repsonsive. But again I looked at my M1210...size is good, screen is pretty good, I can run Vista, Office 2007, Photoshop CS3, Illustrator CS3, InDesign CS3, etc. and a whole bunch of other intensive apps when needed (use dedicated desktop with 24" display for heavy lifting). Do not use M1210 for games.

In summary, M1210 seems like very rugged laptop with good fit/finish.
M1330 seems like a fragile laptop with poor fit/finish.
As well I frankly was a bit dissapointed in the look of M1330. I had higher expectations I guess. But it seems the plam pads on the front were very deep. The LCD/LED hinge a little akward looking (yes those side cover pieces do pop off very easily). No back cable connections (M1210 I have power + Ethernet out the back which is nice for me from a usability standpoint in typical office environment).

Lastly the price...well it simply seems too high for me.
The best thing going is the 8400 GPU. Everything else is pretty much the same. The size is not a big deal...there are plenty of laptops comparable...do not buy into that BS. The LED screen, will bright, was a bit grainy IMHO. And in fact I liked the Sony screens better.

So I am sticking with the M1210 and would recommend anyone who is looking for a very mobile laptop to find a good deal on craigslist or elsewhere on a M1210 and pass on M1330, at least for now.

Well I wanted to upgrade to satisfy my itch -- and despite ignoring many signs -- in the end, side by side, M1210 won.

 

very nice and thorough review. thanks for posting that.

 

Nice detailed review.

I think the typical configuration of an M1330 is a 6-cell with an LED. That's lighter than the M1210, and mostly smaller all around.

I worked on an M1210 for a long time, and currently own the (slightly but still unacceptably, defective) M1330.

The screen on the M1210 is terrible. I cannot see a serious photographer really using it for color correction. In fact, I know one that does when he travels, and he has the color chart GIFs on his desktop so he knows when his screen is on the right angle. The M1330 LED is beautiful and bright (I have a Toshiba 2306), though it is a tiny bit on the yellow side compared to my Dell SP1908FP LCD.

The fingerprint reader is a very useful toy, though you can encrypt files with no backup password, and if the file is copied to an unauthorized location, you'd have to work really hard to get at what's in there.

BTW, the slot load DVD is great if you have kids that always try to open your CD tray for the heck of it.

The 8400GS (DX10) has a 128MB of Dedicated Graphics RAM, vs. the M1210's (DX9) 7xxx series which has, IIRC, 64MB + TurboCache.

As for the processor, I have 3.5 GB showing up in my M1330 (due to its Santa Rosa innards); the M1210 would only show 3.25. With M1210, you're almost better off just saving the extra $100 and getting a 2+1 GB, rather than getting 4 GB=2+2. I am sure that the processor is more efficient even is the memory is still 667. Incidentally, if you do any video editing or gaming, the CPU would probably be "under load", and therefore you'd get better performance on a Santa Rosa vs the older one.

The M1330 also has DVI, which I use to connect it to my flat panel, and which I can also use to connect to a 42" HDTV, when those come down to about $300 (they will, eventually). M1210 only has analog.

All that being said, if you can get an M1210 for $800, and the M1330 for double that, if your needs are basic, you may as well save some money. But if you get any sort of deal and/or plan on souping up the machine anyways, you'll get more bang for your buck with the M1330.