Back in February, Dell told us "off-the-record" that there was a "sexy" new XPS product coming out in June which was worth waiting for. Come the end of July, and the Dell XPS M1330 is now here. Pictures leaked onto the net about two months ago -- generating a bit more hype than your average Dell product.
Our sister site, CNET.com may have posted their review on the day of launch, but it was a pre-production unit. We waited until the production units finally began rolling out in order to better evaluate what would actually be delivered to people's homes. So, how sexy is it?
Design
The new XPS is a 13.3-inch notebook which Dell claims is the "slimmest in the world". It's certainly quite slender at the front, and a lot more so than the Dell XPS M1210 -- though it does taper out at the rear. Build quality is quite good, with a floating hinge, brushed aluminium palmtop and a sensible array of ports within easy grasp. The colour scheme is also quite attractive with a mix of matte and piano black, and silver used. The screen cover of the M1330 comes in three colours -- red, black, and white -- and though it misses out on the veritable rainbow available in the Inspiron line, we don't think people looking for a performance notebook will mind the lack of a "Flamingo Pink" option.
However, one thing that surprised us about the laptop was the flexibility of the LCD screen. Using an LED backlight allows the screen to be thinner and lighter, but it also means that it flexes more, too. At the bottom of the screen, the surround has around 1-2cm of give, but in order to compensate the mag alloy hinges and frame are fairly robust.
Features
Being as this is a Dell, a lot of the specifications are based on you and how much you want to spend. Configurations currently start at AU$1,799, but the one we received topped out at AU$2,899. For this you get: the Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 processor, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS, the optional draft-N wireless card, 2GB of RAM, the faster 7200rpm 160GB hard drive, and a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate.
Standard features on the M1330 include an HDMI output for outputting both audio (using a SigmaTel chipset) and video, two USB ports, a slot-loading DVD drive and capacitive media buttons as standard. One of the only "hard" buttons launches Dell's MediaDirect application, which is a Windows Media Center clone. However, it's not as powerful as Media Center (which is also onboard). It's not as feature-rich as Windows' offering and has some limitations -- like region-encryption and an inability to decode 5.1 streams. It's OK, because you can just use Media Center anyway.
The options on our model included LED backlighting, fingerprint sensor, and unavailable at the moment but apparently in the pipeline -- a Blu-ray drive. The unit also features onboard speakers, but they're not much chop
In what seems like a strange move, choosing the LED backlighting upgrade actually results in a Webcam downgrade -- from 2-megapixel to a measly 0.3-megapixel, which is equivalent to the VGA camera found on most phones.
The slot-loading DVD machine is similar to the one used on the Macbook and Macbook Pro -- this shouldn't be surprising as they're both built by a third party, ASUS. At the launch we did some filming of the notebook and demonstrated a DVD loading. However, being a pre-production unit the disk got stuck. There's no reset switch or hardware button on these drives -- just a capacitive media "eject" button above the keyboard -- and if this fails we wouldn't want to have to return the notebook to the service centre if a disk became trapped.
In a thoughtful move, the Dell also includes a funky carry pouch with a magnetised fastener, which will save you having to spend extra money on one -- it doesn't have handles though.
Performance
It looks good, but how is it to use? Quite good, actually. The aluminium palmtop may be a little cool on winter evenings but the PC soon warms it up. But that's not to say the PC gets hot -- it doesn't, and unlike some other high-powered notebook, it's also fairly quiet.
By switching from a 12-inch in the m1210 to a 13.3-inch has meant that Dell is able to incorporate a full-sized keyboard. As a result, typing is comfortable, and there is a decent amount of tactile feedback in the keys as well. But the extra real-estate hasn't translated to a larger touchpad -- it's a little small, and it can grate on your fingertips if they're calloused enough. The pad also has small scroll bars , which despite their size are easy to trigger accidentally.
The fingerprint reader is a nice addition but the software included isn't the best, on a bad scan you'll get a cryptic "too short" message, until you keep trying and can get a decent read.
The M1330 may boast some powerful components, but the weak link in the performance chain is the NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS. Though this graphics adaptor it will decode HD video and accelerate your "Windows Vista Aero experienceTM", it's fairly average for gaming.
This translated in the benchmarks, with a score of 1448 marks in 3DMark06 (at the default 1280x800 resolution). In PCMark05, though, it was a different story, with the powerful 2.4GHz dual-core processor able to push the laptop to an excellent score for an ultraportable -- 5653 marks.
Battery life using the six-cell battery was good, with the laptop lasting 3:02 hours using our BatteryEater Pro reader test. You'll also be able to watch most movies on one charge, with the battery lasting 1 hour and 51 minutes at full brightness on a run-through of King Kong -- using a set of headphones. A good result.
If you're looking for a rugged laptop, then the M1210 would a better and cheaper option. The relative fragility of the LED-backlit screen could be an issue over time, and it may even be worth saving AU$400 and going for the original version with a better Webcam. The downsides are that it would be thicker and heavier, and battery life would also suffer. In conclusion, if you're in the market for a portable under two kilograms, the 1.78kg Dell XPS is both stylish and a pleasure to use.
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Brennanc
26/09/2008, 02:16 PM
rating
9/10
Anyone concerned about the graphics overheating issue of the xps m1330 read this article to understand it more: http://apcmag.com/nvidia_disaster_thousands_of_gpus_faulty.htm
Hopefully Dell extends the warranties for affected customers. a BIOS update has helped to try and reduce the likelihood of the problem occurring.
Pros: They come out to replace the part instantly. I know because it happened to me. Assuming your warranty hasn't run out. That's where it gets tricky. I'm not sure whats happening with the warranties.
Cons: 8400m GPU is flawed. Nvidia's fault. Not Dell's.
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disapointed_in_dell
06/09/2008, 08:28 PM
rating
1/10
everyone, wake up and smell the coffee as they say.
we all know this is a great machine BUT it is FATALY FLAWED wit NVIDIA GPU (graphic chip), yr motherboard WILL die and need replacing, that assumes you still have waranty. so many posts on this nvidia GPU issue with DELL but they just wont fix it.
do your own google search.
Dell only recently anouced 12mnth extra waranty for these M1330 custoimers(big deal)
I would never buy this again!
IF you can buy it without the NVIDIA GPU, its worth it.
If it has NVIDIA GPU, stay away like the plague.
Dell solutions todate, upgrade BIOS so yr fan works most time (drives you crazy fan noise), and promised extension of waranty by 12months.
So as you can see NO REAL FIX , so when waranty expires its NICE PRETTY EXPENSIVE DOOR STOP this laptop.
Serverly disapointed with DELL , especially at the way they are handling this issue, not fixing it, and just waiting to get their insurance money payout from NVIDIA, and in the interim, leaving their customer to hang.
I
f you must buy DELL, buy a different model or one of these WITHOUT NVIDIA chips.
all the best.
This is to provide honest objective feedback.
Pros: great machine, BUT do not buy if it has the NVIDIA GPU, get it with the Intel or ATI GPU only.
Cons: FAULTY NVIDIA GPU (graphics chipset) almost certain to fail in 6months and then needs motherboard replacements.
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unknown
05/09/2008, 10:30 AM
rating
1/10
This laptop have overheating issue
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brain
04/09/2008, 08:09 PM
rating
10/10
I've read some blogs about this probelm and find out that the probelm is the graphic card. It will be death sometime whatever you do and Dell do nothing even after many complains. So, since I have Dell M1330 which have the same problem, I would like to invite you all, to inform this problem to all medias (newspaper, magazine, etc) all over the world. Could be changed dell's mind. see also the following links
http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2008/08/18/nvidia-gpu-update-dell-to-offer-warranty-enhancement-to-all-affected-customers-worldwide.aspx
http://www.cnet.com.au/laptops/laptops/0,239035649,339279170,00.htm
http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:QjX3GzV01jcJ:forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php%3Ft%3D204772%26page%3D75+m1330+graphic+adapter+problem&hl=id&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=id
Pros: nothing
Cons: Dell just want your money and never care about you after all
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Berci
01/09/2008, 09:38 AM
rating
1/10
DO NOT BUY THIS MACHINE WITH THE NVIDIA GPU.
I'm also among those who got fried together with the motherboard.
Dell has known about the problem, but still keeps selling the M1330 with the nVidia card, shame on you, Dell.
Go to youtube for details, or google m1330 design flaw for more.
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raebo70
23/06/2008, 10:14 AM
rating
1/10
Don't buy a Dell XPS! This machine has a serious flaw. The graphics card dies every 6 months. Dell are now replacing my motherboard and graphics card for the second time - the whole motherboard needs to be replaced. Sadly I only purchased a 12 month warranty - After my warranty runs out in 2 months time I will have to foot the bill for replacing the motherboard every 6 months as Dell have no solution to this problem and are offering customers no ongoing protection.
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kk
18/06/2008, 03:28 PM
rating
5/10
still waiting on mine
But mine was for aus 1876
2.5 ghz 6 mb cache
4 gb
200 gb 7200
windows ultimate
rest is all da same any way
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brennanc
27/04/2008, 01:24 AM
rating
9/10
What is up with the first review? how wrong very wrong they are! The m1330 looks stunning. Maybe it isnt the sony vaio "eyes on you" equivalent but its pretty darn close. Oh yeah it works really well too. My impressions when i opened the box were generally impressed. Opening it is even better. The metal palm rest and glossy black touch sensitive button panel look great. Build quality on mine is excellent and trust me... i'm extremely fussy. The keyboard is fantastic to work on and gives an excellent firm response without being annoyingly loud. The pros certainly out weigh the cons. This really is a premium high quality product. very impressed
Pros: -Stunning looks
-Power
-Size
-Build quality
-Touch sensitive media controls
-Keyboard
-Extensive amount of input ports
-Slot loading dvd drive
-Dedicated geforce 8400 graphics
-Heaps of included accesories
-Relatively low price for the specs
Cons: -Can emit a quiet yet irritating high pitched buzz. This is apparently not unusual on laptops with Core 2 processors but is aknowledged as a problem.
-DVD drive can be a little loud when loading or ejecting disks.
-The screen could be bigger. Theres a fair amount of space around the screen.
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kris
13/03/2008, 08:06 PM
rating
5/10
does not look so good
Pros: specs are great
Cons: its supposed to look good but it just dosent cut it
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Blah
20/02/2008, 05:03 PM
rating
8/10
great laptop with the best to date balance of portability, perfomance and price (esp the price). a little bigger than i had expected, but it's still pretty portable. nice touch controls for volume, play, stop etc. glossy screen isn't too reflective. full sized keyboard (without num pad)
Pros: -good value
-nice design
-lightweight
-speakers are loud, and not tinny sounding
Cons: -bluetooth has short range (approx 3 m) and is very prone to interference
-although not glossy, the lid is fingerprint prone and is a little difficult to remove
-screen attracts dust
-sound a bit jittery when playing from speakers
-my system is sometimes a bit laggy (just a bit) but i guess that's normal (2.2ghz C2D T7500, 2gb, 250gb, nvidia 8400gs, vista home premium)
-gets a little hot (maybe a little warm)
-screen not really bright enough (i don't have LED backlit)
-battery life is normal (2-3 hours) when LCD is at brightest
-mediadirect is stupid
-heaps of redundant space on lid around the screen (perhaps screen could be bigger, or the chassis made smaller)
-dual array microphones suck, it makes me sound like i'm gay
i think i've said enough. i've got more cons than pro, but it's actually a very good and good value laptop.
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