Please rate my PROPOSED xps m1330 - opinions wanted

XPS M1330 (PRODUCT)RED CORE 2 DUO T9300 2.50GHz,800,6MB L2 cache
13.3" WXGA (1280x800) White-LED Display with TrueLife (thinner, brighter & lighter)
Memory Dual Channel 2.0GB (2x1048) 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive 200GB Free Fall Sensor (7200RPM)
8xDVD+/-RW Slim Slot-Load Drive, including SW
128 MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
For Vista only: Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio
TV Tuner- AVerMedia AVerTV Hybrid NanoExpress DVB-T
Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-Card - Europe - Core 2 Duo Processors
Dell™ TrueMobile 355 internal Bluetooth Module - European
Primary 9-cell 85WHr Li-Ion Battery
Optional 9-cell 85WHr Li-Ion Battery
Crimson Red XPS M1330 (PRODUCT) RED & 0.3mp camera for White-LED Display
Fingerprint Reader Biometric for XPS M1330 (PRODUCT) RED
English/Irish Ship Accessories - Power Cord & 90W AC
AC Adapter 90W - 3 Pin
Kensington - 120W - 3 Wire - Auto/Air - DC Adapter
Carry Case Nylon Black (H:40xW:32 xD12) Fits up to 14.1'' Screens
Modem Not Included
Dell Black 5-Button Bluetooth Travel Mouse
Uk/Irish Internal Lightweight Keyboard (QWERTY)

Software Drivers XPS M1330
English - Vista Ultimate (32Bit OS) - (PRODUCT RED)
English Microsoft Office 2007 Home + Student
English - Adobe Reader 8.1
Dell Support Center 2.0
English Documentation XPS M1330
Resource DVD XPS M1330 - (Diagnostics & Drivers)

English McAfee Security Centre 9.0 - 30 Day Trial Version
4 Year Consumer XPS Premium Hardware Support
Base Warranty - 1 Year XPS Premium Hardware Support (incl. Gaming and On-Site Support)
4 Year Consumer Accidental Damage Support - Theme Package
** Accidental Damage Module (4 Year)
** Complete Care Accidental Damage (4 Year)
** Keep your Harddrive (4 Year)
** Vista introduction Online Training (30 Days)


Do people recommend getting two 9-cell batteries or a 9-cell primary and 6-cell spare?

Is the AVerMedia TV card useful all over the world? Does it have the regular TV-style socket for input/output? (I'm from Ireland but I live in Japan, so if it won't work there, then I don't need it)

The system will mostly be used for research and paper writing (so internet browsing and MS Word) but I will also use it for some gaming (Football Manager), some video conversion (avi to mp4) and sometimes audio conversion.

Opinions would be greatly appreciated as I hope to order this system tomorrow....after the St. Patrick's Day binge drinking has ended!

 

I do not not konw how about Japan.my friend bought it from CHINA home then take it to Korea and AV card disxxbled after that.maybe you can or ask DELL about this.and M1330 is made for your work

 

Thanks d-max.

I tried contacting Dell about the TV card, but I was chatting with an out-sourced India based rep and as per usual they weren't really very useful in providing information that I didn't already know.

Though, the one good thing I have discovered is that if I get up at 6am (Japan time) I ALWAYS get chatting with a Round Rock, Texas rep and they are ALWAYS able to answer any question that I have.

Went to a local Dell Real Site today to compare the m1330 against the m1530 and I must say that i LOVED the feel and weight of the m1330, although they are admittedly aimed at slightly different markets. Also the screen on the 1530 was ccfl and man did it sucked major b*lls.

I'm looking forward to reading more opinions/comments on my outlined system spec as given above.

 

I believe in Ireland, you have PAL video and Japan uses NTSC (like the US) so I don't think the TV card will like that. Some can switch back and forth, best bet is to check with the TV card manufacturer.

Your config looks fine, I would recommend getting a 9 cell and 6 cell batteries rather than 2-9 cell. This will give you the option of less size/weight when you know you won't need the extended run time. My 6 cell battery will run me nearly 3 hrs w/ wifi which is probably enough for most situations. You can always carry the 9 cell for an additional 4.5 hrs for ~7.5 hrs total.

Also I'd pass on the Dell bluetooth mouse, BT mice are just plain flaky. I'd recommend one of Logitech's mice instead (VX Nano) and its USB receiver is so small you can just leave in the USB port all the time.

 

Thanks Snork.

Was trying to decide between the usb wireless mouse and the bluetooth one. After reading some forum posts, it does look like there may be issues with the bluetooth mouse. so may indeed go for the usb wireless one.

the battery thing is a good point too. i can see myself needing more than 7.5 hours mobility without having access to a charger, if i get two chargers, i may just leave one at work and one at home and that way i could live with the 9-cell and 6-cell set-up.

i was looking at a site yesterday, and i think that the tv card may work for both europe and aisa. but that will need confirming before purchase.

Please keep the comments and opinions coming as i hope to place my order in the next 12 hours or so!

 

I would reocmmend getting a 6 cell and a 9 cell battery instead of two 9 cells. The 6 cells offers more portability than the 9 cell...

EDIT:

Sorry...for some reason this message posted really late because I didn't have Internet over the afternoon and I thought the message got posted prior to me leaving the connection. It looks like someone else has noted my recommendation as well....

 

everything looks fine except i wouldn't get office 2007 and Tv tuner from Dell. there is always cheaper locally or on huge website like newegg.com

 

i checked office out on both newegg and amazon but when you factor in the cost of shipping, there is basically no difference in the price to get it as oem or from a retailer.

although, i imagine that the Dell oem version wouldnt ship with a manual, would it? so maybe getting it through amazon (UK) would be a better option as it also comes with 3 user licenses.

i think i will go with the 9-cell/6-cell config.


edit: just discovered that NewEgg don't do international shipping.....that sucks as I wanted to buy Crucial RAM from them....damn...

 

Yeah get office HOLY crap The new microsoft word is AMAZING! and I dont usually get excited over word processing documents

 

why is the new word so good?

also, do people recommend i buy it through dell or through amazon? (newegg dont do international)

also, is there a European NewEgg online store equivalent?