XPS 1330 vs. T61

So I still haven't gotten my T61 yet that I ordered May 13th but I did get another email today saying it would be delayed a little longer (not surprised at all)! Anyway, a friend of mine got his brand new T61 and also got a pre-production Dell XPS 1330 late last week. I got to play with both of them for a little bit and I have to say that the XPS 1330 is by FAR the superior machine. Anyone who thinks the T61 has the better build quality is DEAD WRONG. The 1330 is tight all around with both aluminum and very hard plastic finishes. I don’t believe it has a roll cage like the T61 which might be a detriment to some but I don’t think that it affects me that much. The one thing that I did notice however is that the 1330 did get a little bit warmer than the T61 which stayed quite cool while I was using it. The screen on the 1330 is MUCH brighter and the battery lasts MUCH longer (both had dedicated graphics card). The 1330 was also significantly lighter than the T61. The one thing I wish the 1330 had that the T61 does have is a latch for the monitor when closed. The hinges seemed to keep the screen in place but I would still worry a bit.

Anyway, those were my initial impressions of each and I’m kinda thinking about cancelling my T61 now and switching to the 1330. Everyone keeps saying that it’s not a business machine but what does that really mean? It is more powerful than the T61 and the build quality is superior.

 

The T61 was built like wolverine. I have yet to hear another laptop get the same analogy. The 1330 seems to be pretty fly looking, but I'd be a little cautious before jumping the gun.

 

It's true the T61 has some bells and whistles under the hood (ie: roll cage and shock management for the hard drive) that cannot be seen when just touching a unit. But my analysis was based on what I could actually see and feel. Also, to be honest, the T61 is def NOT built as well as my T42 (again, on what I could see and feel).

 

The m1330 also costs a lot more too. And the m1330 BETTER be lighter- it has a smaller screen (with lower res to boot).

 

I know...that's a fair point but I walked away having a bad taste in my mouth about my purchase of the T61.

 

You mean the delays?

 

Well yea the delays as well as seeing what is available from Dell now for a similarly priced machine.

The screen on the XPS was SOOOO much brighter that it really bothered me and made me notice how dim the T61’s screen really is in comparison.

 

The XPS 1330 uses an LED backlight. It is expected to be brighter than T61 screen which uses traditional flourescent backlighting.

 

Wow I know I'm gonna be sounding like a Dell fanboy with this next comment but the things pushing me towards the 1330 just keep coming...

"...the company is now offering an obviously named Dell Online Backup service to the tune of 3GB for Inspiron owners and 10GB for XPS users."

-Engadget

 

How reliable is your internet connection? How reliable is that Dell server where all the backups are going to be stored?

If I were you, I would rather dish out the money for an 8GB USB flash drive. They are quite cheap nowadays.

 

Come on are you really going to tell me that free 10GB of online storage wouldn't be tremendously helpful? I also think a Dell server and my internet connection would be VERY reliable.

 

If I can store my stuff locally, I prefer local storage. And a USB flash drive hardly takes up much space.

I am using cable modem. Even so it would still take a LONG time to download 10GB worth of stuff over the net. Plus, when you are on the go, you will most likely access the internet through you cell phones. Can you imagine how long it would take to download 10GB worth of stuff over your cell phone connection?

So I think an 8GB USB flash drive is preferable to 10GB of online storage.

 

i was ready to jump for the m1330. but after spec'n it out to a similar T61, it was $900 more than what I paid for my T61. thats a deal breaker

 

Wow I didnt realize it was THAT much more expensive. That would be a deal breaker for me too. Are there any discounts or coupon codes (or upcoming sales) on XPS machines?

 

But I do admit the XPS 1330 does look sexy. If I was given a choice, I would choose an XPS 1330 over a T61

Ever thought about the X61 or the X61s. The X61s comes with an ultra bright LCD.

 

I did look at the X61 but no widescreen and lack of a DVD drive in the actual machine are deal breakers for me.

 

I actually have thought about t61, x61 and m1330. But finally the price of m1330 is the thing bothering me the most. It's good but too expensive...

 

The X61 has a standard aspect ratio 12" LCD. When you are in the 12" neighborhood, I prefer standard aspect ratio. Wide screen aspect ratio in a 12" is just too vertically challenged.

You can get the DVD drive if you purchase an ultrabase. It's quite small really. These days I hardly ever use the built in DVD drive.

 

I just looked at Dell's configuration page. Wow, Dell has the balls to ask $199 for a Vista Ultimate upgrade.

 

there is a AAA 6% discount, for members.
then 3% fatwallet, but cant figure out how to get both. still it hardly makes a dent in the near or over $2000 price

 

Why only "kinda" thinking about cancelling, if the difference is so stark? Price? I mean, thinkpads cost as much over the circuit city sunday specials for a reason, so you should expect to pay as much again over the cost of a thinkpad, for such a far superior machine.

Yeah "business" notebook is kind of a loose term that's thrown around here. But whether it is or isn't, 1330 certainly has plenty of style. Very elegant- hey, which color did your friend opt for btw? And is it TrueLife display only? Or will there be a matte option? Also, how was the keyboard compared to his 61 in your opinion?

Heat- well tough to keep a 13.3 as cool as a 14.1. Plus if it's a bit thinner, that just further amplifies the volume differential. Meanwhile T series actually got thicker over previous gens, and apparently bigger fans.

13.3" screen is THE sweet spot for me- as small as you can get and still have (what I consider to be) a real full size keyboard, and not as hot as 11-12's. Used to have a sony s series 13.3", coolest notebook I ever owned (probably the slow processor). It'd be sweet if they started offering at least wxga+ on them, though wxga is not bad for that size. And I actually like these latchless lid designs I'm seeing more of lately, for some reason.

Anyways, if you have your heart set on it after getting WOWed like that, anything less might disappoint now. Especially since your friend has one! I'd cancel and mull at the very least.

Thanks for sharing your impressions btw. Snap any pics?

 

Hmm as soon as I return my mbp, I am going to either buy a T61 14.1 W or the Dell M1330. As for configurations, I will be loading it up to NEARLY max. Can you guys help me pick. Since the M1330 just came out, I want to wait if it actually is a reliable machine.

 

I am not sure why, but I prefer the Latitude D630 to the XPS M1330. I think it is the price of the M1330 and it lacks WXGA+ resolution. (I know that no 13.3" laptop offers WXGA+ resolution, but it would be nice)

 

The XPS 1330 shouldn't be compared to the T61. It should be compared to the X61. I don't understand how someone who was looking at the T61 could be persuaded to go with the XPS 1330. They're two different form factors. On one hand you have a 14.1" and 15" and on the other an ultraportable 13". Personally I would tempted if the 1330 was larger but I don't see how it cuts into the T61 market. I would however say that it's a direct competitor to the X61. For people like me looking for a decent portable desktop replacement the XPS 1330 doesn't even come to mind as a viable option.

 

This is a fair statement but I don't see why the 13.3" XPS cannot be compared to 14.1" T61! I think the X series is actually less compatible bc of the lack of a DVD drive and widescreen monitor. In fact if you throw out the word ultra portable for the m1330 I think it is MORE comparable to the t61. Dedicated graphics card, widescreen, built in dvd burner, same processor chip etc. etc.

Just b/c one has a screen that is .8 inches smaller and the industry classifies it as "ultraportable" doesn't mean it can't tap into another market if the specs are there for it to do so!

 

Sorry no pics but I'll see if I can get some for you guys. Also, if it weren't for the price I would switch right now but I just can't justify spending so much for it.

 

Would it be possible for you to make a video review? I would appreciate it since I want to see some videos but only one up so far.

 

Can't be, I spec out the same today (except Go8400 & Nvidia® Quadro NVS, i dont know which one cost more), M1330 r cheaper than T61 by US$275.00.

P/s I config from the Asia website.

 

No i priced it out as well and while it wasn't "$900 more" it def WAS significantly more expensive. I even tried calling and getting a quote (as recommended earlier in this thread) but no such discount over the phone.

 

Well, the XPS was tempting me a bit but then I configured the same as my T61 and it was sitting at right around $500 more and that was before tax and shipping (probably could get free shipping anyways, but tax is a lot as well).

Also, imediate build quality is one thing, but longevity is another. It may feel tighter and better today, but which one in 6 months will still feel tight and well built. My experience with most notebooks including dells is that they LOVE to loosen up over time and that is a key reason for me picking a business notebook. Also like I said it was way more expensive for the exact same specs.

 

Yeah, I think there's a difference b/t "fit and finish" and "build quality". Sometimes gear that is tighter, put together with lower tolerances, doesn't always = more durable, or higher "quality", depending on how you want to define quality. Generally nicer though.

Also, smaller a case is, the tighter it feels usually all else being equal.

 

I'm waiting to see side to side comparisons between the 1330 and the X61. I want to see visually how much bigger the 1330 is to the X61.

I'm wondering if the 1330 is more comparable to the Lenovo v200?

 

I have been looking at the T61 since it first was released. It seemed to be almost perfect. So much so, I almost purchased. Two things really bother me about the T61 though...the brightness (or lack thereof) of the screen and the fact that the screen is off-centered.

On the Dell side, the durability is reported to be better with the Latitude (business line) than with the Inspiron and XPS (consumer lines) and more in line with the Thinkpad (rigidity, parking HDD, spill-proof keyboard, etc.). The recent first looks of the XPS m1330 and even the Inspiron 1420 seem to indicate that build quality and/or durability is better in these consumer lines than in the past. It is a purely speculative remark, but I believe that as laptops become more and more mainstream (over desktops), features in the consumer and business laptop lines will converge.

As of now, I am leaning towards the m1330. I don't know that the durability on the T61 will suit me as much as the lightness and other features available on the m1330.

 

AFAIK I prefer the 1440x900 resolution of the T61 but not the brightness or viewing angles, regarding the sturdiness, I was surpised to see the screen flex in the m1330 video review here :
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=134513&highlight=m1330+video+review

 

thats because its using an ultra thin LED screen, not too dissimilar to the Sony SZ premium. people complain about it, but do not realize that when bending the screen, there are virtually no ripples in doing so. thats a big difference between say, bending an Averatec lid where not only the screen bends, but much ripples are produced.

 

Thank You for saving me the anquish and torment of debating on sending my T61 back I will read no further and forget the M1330 doesn't exist from this point further.