Dell XPS notebook details leaked

Dell is reportedly planning a follow-up to its 12-inch M1210 ultraportable notebook which will update it to Santa Rosa standards and include a 13-inch screen and a weight reduction.

According to leaked reports, the new M1330 will weigh as little as 1.8kg, down from the original's 2kg, and reportedly includes new features such as a slot-loading optical drive, fingerprint reader, HDMI and an optional LED backlit screen.

Local Dell representatives have been unable to comment on the details -- and say the local name and specifications are yet to be announced -- but have suggested that the screen size will be 13 inches and the notebook could be "available in a few months".

The details are apparently part of a leaked Dell marketing document, but according to Engadget, the US specs are as follows:

• 13.3-inch screen, configurable with LED backlight (300cd/m2, or 220 with CCFL backlight)
• Core 2 Duo processor (up to 2.4GHz), Santa Rosa chipset (965PM/GM)
• Up to 4GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 32GB SSD drive or spinning-platter drive options up to 250GB
• Slot-loading dual-layer DVD±RW drive
• Optional Direct-X compliant NVIDIA GeForce Go 8400M GS / 128MB
• Ethernet, 802.11a, a/g, or n options, Bluetooth option
• Integrated 2 megapixel Webcam (VGA only on LED-backlit display)
• HDMI, VGA, 1394, (2) USB 2.0, integrated media reader (MS, SD, xD), dual mini-PCI slots, fingerprint reader
• Dimensions with LED 318 x 238 x 22.1 - 33.8mm) / with CCFL 12.5 x 9.4 x 0.97 - 1.43-inches (318 x 238 x 24.6 - 36.3mm)
• Weight starts at 4 pounds (1.8 kg)

It's also unconfirmed whether Santa Rosa's Turbo Memory upgrade will be offered, but based on initial conversations with Dell a 512MB mini-PCI could cost as little as AU$60 extra. However, HP have announced that they are not including Turbo Memory on their own laptops as it "represents poor value and that it limits flexibility".

The existing Dell XPS M1210 has experienced several price cuts in the past few weeks, and is now available from AU$1399.