Poll: Considering an M1330 - Comments / Suggetions? How has it been improved?

For school, I am considering a Dell XPS M1330. I get a gift card from the school to purchase a machine, and I really want a 13" since I already have a 17" and an Asus netbook. The Dell falls right in the price range I'm looking for ... $1000US.

I can get it configured with the following for $948 shipped:

T6400 2.0GHz
4GB DDR2
320GB 7200RPM HDD
1280x800 screen
8400m GS 128MB
Wi-Fi N
Bluetooth
9-cell battery
DVDRW
Vista Home Premium 32-bit

I have considered the Asus F6Ve-X1 (same as B1 except with 2.4GHz CPU instead of 2.66GHz) which costs $1114 shipped, but I don't know if newegg accepts multiple forms of payment (will call Monday), and they are the only place that sells the "X1".

With the M1330, I like that I can get a 9-cell battery, and the CPU would probably suffice just fine, but the GPU might be a little on the light side, if not aged a bit.

That being said, has Dell improved on any quirks the M1330 might have had, and if so what were they and were they really fixed? And what is your general concensus on the M1330 if you own(ed) one for a while?

 

avoid the m1330. it's total BS because of the 8 series gpu

 

Well, is there another 13.3" notebook better for around $1000?

 

The vostro 1320 is an option. You definitely dont need the 7200rpm 320GB hdd.

 

Lenovo IdeaPad U330 starts at $1049 without coupon. I'm sure you could get it down around $900.

 

Have you considered the new Studio XPS 13? It starts at $1099 on the Dell website, but Best Buy has it for $899- LINK

Check out the Lenovo IdeaPad U330, too- LINK

 

I don't like the Studio XPS 13 for the fact that it has only ONE USB port. I use a Logitech VX Nano mouse, and that takes up that port.

The Studio XPS at Dell's website doesn't come with the 9500m GE but only the 9400m G integrated.

I just configured the Lenovo U330 - well there's no configuration really, just added to cart. I got a 15% coupon too, so total is $891.65 shipped! Looks like a great deal. But it sounds like the battery life sucks.

But does anyone know if it is upgradeable to 4GB?

 

I just took a look at a few reviews of the U330. Battery life seems to be about four hours in integrated graphics mode and 2:45 or so with dedicated graphics enabled.

The U330 can be upgraded to 4GB of DDR3-1066.

 

There's no detailed specs on the U330 that I can find anywhere, even at Lenovo's site where I'd expect it.

 

Have you personally owned a 1330?? Everyone knows that the XPS 1330 and the 1530s, are prone to the problem. But not everyone that is made, is going to have it. My 1530 hasn't had the issue!

And, why haven't any 1330 owners stepped into this thread to give their thoughts and opinions to help out htwingnut, with his questions, etc?? Cmon' peeps!

When I purchased my 1530, I was torn between the 1330 and the 1530 back in 1/08! I really liked the 1330, but I went with the 1530, because at that time it just felt like the right *choice* for me

Cin

 

Thanks Cin'!

I own a Vostro 1500 with an 8600m GT DDR2. It has run well without issue. It has since been replaced with my monster Gateway P7811-FX with Asus N10J as a counterpart early last year.

I just found out though that my AmEx gift card is only $750, which sucks, as my instructor kept saying $1000, but looking at my documentation (and checking with AmEx) it is definitely $750. So anything over $750 I still have the issue of using two cards with any vendor besides Dell.

 

The link for tech specs is on the U-series Main Page (which shows the U330 and U110)- LINK (at the bottom of page)

 

Exactly i know exactly what your talking about. People told me not to buy an 1330 due to the gpu but i bought it anyway and have had no problems and because of people like that people don't buy it and they miss out on a good thing. Same with the 1640 everyone is like " Oh its got heat problems it will burn your lap " People exagerate so much its rediculus. Another thing they say about the 1640 is " The screen covers the vent thats a design flaw " the apple macbook does the same thing and runs alot hotter then the 1640. People will always bash a products and people shouldnt just listen to other people when buying a product. Yes they should take there comment into consideration but when it comes down to the end of the day you have to ask yourself is this really a good choice for me no matter what anyone says.

 

If you do decide to go with the XPS M1330, the April catalog has the following configuration for $899-

Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit
2.2GHz Intel T6600
4GB DDR2
500GB 5400RPM HDD
1280x800 screen
8400m GS 128MB
DVD RW
Dell 1395-G (upgrade to 'N' for $25)
(add Bluetooth for $20)
6-cell battery (upgrade to 9-cell for $40)
2-Year Warranty with In-Home Service
Use e-Value Code- 6F973-DYPCTR3 or LINK

 

Thanks guys. I think going with an 8-series nVidia GPU is just buying older technology, and considering neither the ATI or nVidia GPU are powerhouses anyhow in the notbooks I'm considering, I don't think there would be much difference in performance no matter which game I decide to run on it.

The notebook's primary purpose is portability, and something to beat up a bit as I do repeat installs of multiple OS's, run virtual PC's, and surf the web, with gaming being a small % of my time.

Either way, at this point, I'm leaning towards the Lenovo, but if they won't take my AmEx gift card + my other credit card for the difference, then I'm going with the M1330.

I believe the "issues" with the 8-series nVidia GPU were addressed IIRC.

Allfiredup - Thanks for the heads up! +Rep

Cin' - +Rep for you too for being my cheerleader!

 

Well if you are going for portability and battery life you are better off with an IGP.

 

Except I need some performance for the occasional gaming session. The Lenovo is switchable between IGP and dedicated GPU.

The costs are nearly identical with 6-cell battery if you consider I'd probably put 4GB in the Lenovo, and add the Wi-Fi N and Bluetooth in the Dell (+$45 approx).

So here it is:

Dell / Lenovo differences comparison

Dell / Lenovo
CPU: T6400 2.0GHz 2MB cache / P7350 2.0GHz 3MB cache
Hard Drive: 320GB / 250GB
Memory: 4GB DDR2 / 2GB DDR3
GPU: nVidia 8400m GS 128MB / ATI 3450 256MB with switchable IGP graphics
LCD: Anti-glare 1280x800 standard backlight / Anti-glare 1280x800 LED backlight
Battery: 9-cell (option) / 6-cell

This is a tough one.

I've had good luck with Dell in the past, despite other people's headaches (fortunately), and it is what our school works with and recommends, and I know will work with my gift card.
Although the Lenovo has the faster FSB speed (& CPU with larger cache), "newer" gen video card, and LED backlight.

I guess I'll talk to Lenovo tomorrow and see what they have to say!

 

Seriously m1330 is a good choice.. but with centrino2 out i don't see why you need to spend on an old technology laptop. So far so good for my gpu, since November 2007.

Lenovo U330 is the laptop you should look into. High performance with super light weight.

 

I don't know if mine is worse than most, but my M1330 has an incredibly annoying CPU whine noise. I can't wait to get rid of it but I am waiting for the new core processors.

 

If this helps with the decision making at all- the nVIDIA 8400M GS has a 3DMark06 score of 1350-1400 and the ATI Radeon 3450 is in the 2040-2060 range.

The P7350 is about 5-7% faster than the T6400 according to Passmark. The P7350's TDP of 25W vs. the T6400's 35W could be useful in situations where the CPU is highly utilized (less heat is a good thing)!

The U330 has a stadard 300-nit LED-backlit display. For comparison, the LED display on my Latitude E6400 is 250-nit and the standard LED on the IdeaPad Y430/Y530 is only 200-nit. So it's super-bright.

 

Well, I did it. I ordered the Lenovo. The sales rep was new, but courteous, and a Michigan State University fan (Go Spartans!) despite being in North Carolina. So that helped (I'm an MSU grad and they are playing for national championship in basketball tonight in case you didn't know).

Just hope there's no hiccups with the AmEx gift card.

Anyhow, I'm anxious now to get my new lappy!

 

Well you got a lappy, grat's to you htwingnut! And, you ordered from a Spartan grad'! WoOT! WoOT! Sparty' will be happy with you!~ hee hee.

I'm happy you found something...!

You personal cheerleader!
*Yes, I'm a STATE fan.

Cin

 

Just wanted to add my two cents. I have had the M1330 for almost a year now. I was looking for a 13.3 and I think this one is great laptop. EXCEPT, of course, for the heating/videocard issues. In all honesty, it was an ordeal when it happened. But after I got the mobo replaced, I did the copper mod and I'm very happy again. Heating/nvidia problems aside, it is a very reliable laptop. Also very portable, sleek, and fast. Good luck!

 

TBH I considered the M1330 a year or so back before I got my Asus N10J. I needed something small and light but powerful enough to do real work and play some games.

This lappy is pretty much free... well except for the $20k in college tuition