m1330 A Piece of Art?

First post but a long-time lurker...

After wanting an m1330 for a while but finally finding a pristine m1210 on eBay I had my first chance to see an m1330 in person at Office Depot recently. I can't believe this is the same machine people are calling a work or art.

It was very plasticy and cheap-looking. The wrist rest looked like it was made of cheap brushed aluminum. Not trying to get flamed on my first post but is Dell selling a different (cheaper) model at retailers like Office Depot?

 

It's nice to be able to justify your purchase

 

When you compare the design of the previous gen Dells, especially the XPS (oh, M1710 is WAY better looking than M1730 though. The M1730 is fugly), the 13" and 15" breed is very nice looking. The brushed aluminum is not sturdy - my friend dropped his phone on the palmrest of his 1530 and there was a dent . There is also hardware - the LED on the 1330 is much better than standard displays and when I watch hidef anime it's so crisp and the picture is just beautiful. Also, it is one of those really speedy machines that can give you about 4 hours of battery life, and that's nice.

Yeah, you get biased when you own something, but the way it's presented also has a huge impact - the XPSs are very nicely packaged.

Oh last but not least - it's all a matter of preference. .

 

I've used both an m1210 and an m1330 for work. I prefer the m1210 because of it's size, however I think the m1330 is a much better looking machine.

 

It is pretty nice, and the m1530 too. I have played with a few and I like them a lot more than the m1210. Sorry.

 

I admit the M121O seems sturdier, but the M133O wins hands down in design and visual appeal.

To most people, the M133O is a beautifully designed piece.

 

Yup, that's the reason I decided to get the M1330 instead of the M1210
to replace my (now sold) 700M.


.

 

I think there's some validity to the OP's comments. I saw a 1330 at my local BestBuy. Let's just say that if I had received one that looked like that, I would have been seriously p'd off! Unsightly gaps everywhere, sloppy paint job on the lid. It looked like one of the rejects astute, demanding consumers on this web site had sent back. And yes, it was a pretty basic 1330, so is that what the brick-and-mortar stores are getting? I don't know...

Now, that being said, mine is perfect and gorgeous, so when Dell gets them right (as I'm sure they do in the majority of cases), yes, they're "works of art."

 

It could be a piece of art, but a very very fragile and not well made one I'm tempted to get one (with the current sale price and all) buuuuuuuuuuuut I'm NOT impressed with the quality either. At least from what I've read you can get whatever replacement parts and replace them yourself, which is great if you run into problems.

 

The M1210 felt a bit sturdier, but it was built like a brick. a lot heavier (esp. with 9 cells on both systems) and it was chunky as hell compared to the M1330. i am a lot happier with the M1330, the design...especially with the touch sensitive media direct buttons are very nice.

 

I am very happy with my purchase but it is not a sour grapes feeling!

I am was genuinely shocked at the look of the m1330 I saw. I guess a question would be does Dell seel a 'sub-standard' version of the product through retail outlets. I have seen pictures of the m1330 and it truly looks beautiful and well-designed. That's why I was shocked at what I saw.

 

Dell users calling the M1330 a piece of art? I've seen them at Best Buy, and I have a 1530 (which from what I can tell, is just a big 1330).

When you're used to the cheapest designs possible, and dell decides to get a little fancy with the design, I can see why people would be interested...

To me, it's the same as any other snap-together dell, but with some cheap aluminum and glossy plastic instead of plain matte plastic. About the only real 'design' elements are the latch-less lid, and the way the screen hinges back, but it's not like these are new or original things. The slot loading drive is nice, though.

As far as design is concerned... My 2 1/2 year old PowerBook has an aluminum shell that has no dents so far, no scratches, and does not easily show fingerprints. The 'drop back' screen has been on this PowerBook, my 12" PowerBook before it (that thing's got to be 6 years old by now, and was essentially identical to my current PowerBook as far as design goes, just smaller), and an even older iBook. My PowerBook is also smaller in every dimension compared to the 1530. I don't have the 6 year old 12" PowerBook or a M1330 to compare, but I imagine it would be similar to the design of my 15" PowerBook compared to the 1530 (a.k.a. brutal)

Dell builds cheap computers. That's what they do. They managed to pull off a somewhat more sophisticated look with the 1330 and 1530, and they didn't do too bad of a job (although they could have done better...) I wouldn't expect for cool designs to keep coming out of Dell, however. They don't make so much money off of hip looking expensive laptops. Their cash cow is the bare bones, minimum cost PC market, and they're cutting quite a bit of their 'design' staff.

Dell is the Wal-Mart of computer makers: value and quantity, not so much quality.

 

I disagree with much of what the last writer had to say. Let me state clearly, I am the worst thing to happen to a laptop as I make a habit of ripping it apart over and over again as anyone here already knows. I have been through pretty much every make and my Dells have lasted through them all. There are times in my office that I would have 3-4 laptops on the go at the same time.

Would I call it a piece of art? No, I wouldn't venture that far but it is one of the hottest 13" laptops on the market and has been since its announcement.

The reasoning for this is simple. Its price is great, specially for those smart enough to combine discounts and wait until it has deals. Dell's approach to building after purchase makes this laptop the most user configurable you can buy. If you want a basic M1330, so be it but if you want it to be the powerhouse it can be (as I have) its there for you. My system returns a PCMark05 score of 6224 which I still am amazed at because this blows away many newer more powerful laptops.

Next, look at the warranties available which again are untouchable by any other but to accompany that, their customer service is right up there as well. I dont know how many threads of things such as complete care I have read where people totalled their machine only to have a new one compliments of Dell within a few weeks.

Am I pwned by Dell? Well lets just say after owning and going through customer service experiences with every other major brand, I will stay with Dell for years to come.

As for durability. I still have two systems a 2650 (386) as well as a 700m that are several years old and have never had a prob. My nieces both happily use these at home and school.

Now, for a new buyer...check and see if any other manufacturer will do this...

Dell has a 21 day Total Satisfaction program that returns all of your money if you simply don't like the system. Yes, someone will jump in and say but there is a return fee and shipping at which time I will tell you I know of only one person they have ever levied that against and thats because he refused delivery. If you don't like it, just call and send it back...simple as that.

On top of that they carry a 30 day customer satisfaction replacement policy. If something is wrong with your system and you don't think its feasible to have fixed on a new system, call in and they will have another built for you immediately. I know of a few who have been through 3-4 replacements before getting the perfect one. I don't know of any other company that will go this far to keep you as a happy customer.

If it is repairable and you want to follow that route...next day in home service is there and they will be there the next day so have coffee ready.

To close, you will here war stories for all points I have brought up but lets face it, they come from many who come here after receiving problem systems looking for help. They seem more than others because Dell sells more than others, especially with this laptop. Very few come here to brag what a great system they received. We are all here to help quite simply. This is an extremely small slice of the pie.

 

I didn't mean to imply that Dell doesn't make good computers. As I said, Dell offers the best value for your dollar. Durability and longevity are not a problem for Dell, because although their computers are 'cheaply' built, they are also 'simply' built, meaning that there's not much to go wrong. They are also very good with warranty support (Even with AppleCare, if there's water or gravity involved with damage your computer, too bad so sad...)

I just wouldn't go so far as to call it 'art'.

I do like my 1530 more than any other PC laptop I've ever used. I just wish it had a better touchpad, speakers (they are probably about 1/4 an inch thin), webcam, and better XP support

 

Although you would like better XP support, its important to realize that this machine was designed to be sold with Vista. XP unfortunately is an aging operating system and I don't think this should be a point against Dell...

 

I had an M1210 for a year and the M1330 is superior in every way but size...Even then the sizing doesn't bother me as it still fits right in my North Face Surge with Zero Shock III.

 

How would you guys compare the looks and build quality of the Sony SZ series to the m1330?