My Dell XPS M1210 order and questions

Hey everyone. After reading through several reviews about the M1210 on this site (great reviews, by the way) and several comments from users on this site, I decided to press ahead with this as my laptop.

I'm configuring a system with these parts. Do any of them sound a bit over the top? The cost is about $2677 CAD.

• PROCESSOR: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7400 (2.16GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB)
• OPERATING SYSTEM: Genuine Windows Vista™ Ultimate
• AV COMMUNICATIONS PACK: FREE A/V communication Pack - $80 Value
• MEMORY: 2GB Dual Shared Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
• HARD DRIVE: 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
• OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
• GRAPHICS CARD: 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7400 TurboCache™
• BATTERY OPTIONS: 9-cell Primary Battery and 9-cell additional Lithium Ion Battery

• WIRELESS NETWORK CARD: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 Internal Wireless
• MOBILE BROADBAND: FREE Telus embedded moible boardband card - $179 Value (not sure how I will be using this one... hmm.)
• SOUND OPTION: Integrated Audio (interestingly since Dell offered Vista as an installation option the Audigy HD software upgrade has been dropped)

• WARRANTY: 3 Year Return to Depot Service, Complete Care and Technical Support
• Network Card: Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem

I also have two additional questions:

• I've heard about XPS owners in the States requesting original driver discs for their XPS systems, and they have the ability to get the original OEM Windows (Vista) discs for a fee. Is that also available for me up here in Canada?
• I also heard about people requesting not to have any bloatware installed on their laptops. How do I request this?

Thanks in advance.

 

You do not need that 2.16 processor, I would not get anything above 2.0 ghz, the difference is so minimal you would not notice a difference. Also check prices for 2 gb of ram from newegg to see how big of a difference it is between there and dell, it might save you some money. Also not sure if you need two 9 cells. That will give you at least 8 hours so make sure you will use it.

Im not sure about your questions. I dont think you can request dell to have no bloatware. You can do a fresh reinstallation of windows. I think getting the discs is one of the options when configuring your system.

Lastly, if dell outlet is in canada I would strongly recommend checking it. I have seen systems similar to yours for $500+ less.

 

Uhhh.... I highly doubt you'll find the same specs for $500 or less.

that's way over board.


p.s.

Don't get 2 Gigs of ram and don't get that processor. I am sure a T7200 is fine enough.

thanks


ninja edit-

I apologize. I misread. I understand you're saying $500 less than what he's buying it for. Makes sense!

:thumbsup

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

Dell Outlet: the Canadian Dell outlet's site is down at the moment. :S

Initially my reasoning for those two 9 cells were for an upcoming trip, but after thinking about the very scarce occasion of me requiring 8 hours of laptop power, I decided to knock it down just to only one 9 cell.

Unless someone else here can justify a 166 MHz difference for $150, I'll also knock the processor down to a T7200.

Memory: I've heard people complaining about BSODs and pinpointing it to aftermarket RAM. For the sake of hoping my first out-of-box-experience with my first laptop doesn't erupt into troubleshooting hell, I might hold off on buying aftermarket RAM. I'll probably check NCIX (or unless newegg ships here without any customs related taxes).

Those changes shaved off an extra $300. Anything else?

@jtom: For getting the discs, is that option available while configuring your system, or after you added it to the cart?

 

I believe Jtom meant $500 or more less than the price originally quoted, not a system for $500. The t7200 will suit you just fine, the price premium to go higher wont pay off right now. The ram is your call, I personally wont pay that much for it, but go with whatever is the best fit for you. I highly suggest you do a clean install, even if you can find a way to have trial software and such not installed, some crap will be there, they get paid to include it. All in all it looks like a fine system, I'm sure you will enjoy it, I know I wont part with mine for quite some time.

 

I think all XPS systems still come with Windows installation CDs... Can anyone confirm this?

 

yeah, i dont think in anyway an increase of 166MHz is worth 150....thats just crazy. the 2.00GHz processor will keep you busy. also regarding the memory option, i would suggest getting the 2GB of ram from dell. i would suggest getting 1GB then buying an additional 1GB from another store which would be cheaper, but with Dell Canada 1GB comes in 2 Dimms (2x512mb), so you would have to replace both with 1GB memory.

depending on how you use your laptop, the 9cell will last anywhere from 2:30-5:30, if you are wondering this for your trip.

 

I have almost the same configuration that you posted, except I have a 100GB 7200rpm hard drive, and no Telus Broadband card. I also didn't get the extra 9-cell (one is more than enough for my needs). I got mine with a 3 year completecare NBD warranty as well. The Vista Ultimate is nice though. Mine totaled just a little over $2300.

I would suggest waiting for another week for a potentially better discount.

 

Thanks for the responses.

I'll probably wait until tomorrow for the current deals to clear out. That free Telus card seems almost next to useless for me.

 

Sorry for this bump, but:

My order for this laptop, which I placed last Tuesday the 6th, now comes up as "Shipped." Where do they ship from: some international factory out in Asia, their US headquarters in Texas, or their Canadian offices just a handful of blocks away from me?

 

I'm pretty sure they ship from Malaysia.

What are the specs that you ordered? exactly the same as your first post? I thought I would need the 9 cell and the 6 cell but it ended up being that I only use the 9 cell.

What was the total price?

good luck it should arrive within the next 5-7 days I believe.

 

Pretty much the same as the first post, except for the processor (now a T7200), the RAM (free upgrade to 2 GB 667 MHz), the A/V package now reads "Integrated Webcam and Mobile Broadband Antenna" (how this one is different, I don't know), no more Telus card, two 6-cell batteries (originally I was going for just one 9-cell, then decided on two 6-cells for both aesthetics and battery life. It might be a bit of a PITA to hibernate the laptop just to switch battery packs, but I'll live with it.), and a backpack (just for the hell of it).

Final price is $2387 CAD, without taxes. With taxes, nearly $2721.18.

 

Mine was built in Malaysia, but first point of shipment was Nashville, TN (for delivery to Columbus, OH).