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    Dell XPS M1330

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by Redline, Jun 4, 2007.

  1. 3DViRuS

    3DViRuS Notebook Consultant

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    two usb ports are enough for ultra portable and there is a port replicator for usb which dell uses it for inspiron. it's really cool design and there are no latches!
     
  2. ss_blake

    ss_blake Notebook Consultant

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    Nope.

    It is disgracefull that Dell didnt put a simple port replicator in this great system.

    The USB/Expressport docking crap out there does NOT do video. Nor ethernet. Waste of time.

    Sony SZ wins out, simply because business users with docking needs can actually use it!
     
  3. 3DViRuS

    3DViRuS Notebook Consultant

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    ya i know but the dock isn't that important for XPS, any way I suggested at dell idea storm for it.
     
  4. Sirius_GTO

    Sirius_GTO Notebook Deity

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    kind of too late. And no, 2 usb isn't good when you compare it with it's predecessor that had 4 usb ports.

    Sacrificing function for form is a little uncomfortable. I hope that was the only area they made any sacrifices.
     
  5. 3DViRuS

    3DViRuS Notebook Consultant

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    as you said it isn't good when u compare with m1210 but they also added alot of features instead like HDMI backlite display and slot load so this isn't a big sacrifice.
     
  6. bravefire

    bravefire Notebook Consultant

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    WHat the ? and no multi card reader ? whats with the hot pink instead of red colour ????? :mad: seriously for product shots.. they suck so badly.. if the colours are not meant to be pinkish.. argh..

    ----edited----
    Oh ok thanks Jayayess1190 for pointing it out. It was at the front :p didn't see that.
     
  7. Jayayess1190

    Jayayess1190 Waiting on Intel Cannonlake

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  8. Chingyul

    Chingyul Notebook Guru

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    Anyone else find the keyboard kinda ugly?

    And is the interior for all the colours (external lid, black, white, red) going to be the same brushed aluminum? Was hoping for an all black model.
     
  9. ourru

    ourru Notebook Enthusiast

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    port replicator would have been wonderful....perhaps i must get the D630 after all
     
  10. rbg08

    rbg08 Notebook Consultant

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    Wow, can't believe all the negative posts. :rolleyes: This looks like one of the best small form-factor notebooks, period. I especially like the looks of the black version. I much prefer the silver brushed alluminum on these over the dark alluminum color on the SZ premiums. The SZ requires a port relicator because it doesn't offer Gigabit Ethernet or digital video out.

    I doubt anyone needs more than 2 USB ports when mobile. And when using at a desk, you can use a USB hub to add more ports.

    This will definetely be my next laptop unless Sony announces a Santa Rosa SZ with better specs (and a better keyboard :p ).
     
  11. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Please keep the discussion clean, regardless of how 'nice' the laptop looks.
     
  12. ckthepilot

    ckthepilot Notebook Deity

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    The MBP has only 2 USB ports and it is not considered an ultraportable :cool:
     
  13. ckthepilot

    ckthepilot Notebook Deity

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    night_2004: I'm still taking it with me into the ****pit :p
     
  14. papaia

    papaia Notebook Enthusiast

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    I was looking at getting a 17", but now that I actually stacked out 10lbs. of textbooks and carried it around a little (not that I'm not used to it by now), I was thinking of looking at something a little more portable. But I really like big screens. Does anyone know if that 8400 GeForce is going to have enough juice to power say, a 15" or 17" external monitor with the laptop screen off?
     
  15. AlexOnFyre

    AlexOnFyre Needs to get back to work NBR Reviewer

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    The XPS line has always been the most market competitive. The Latitudes are generally repeat business and Inspirons for beginning computer users.
     
  16. Sirius_GTO

    Sirius_GTO Notebook Deity

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    Of course it is,

    Heck, the Integrated X3100 on the santa rosa platform is more than capable to run two 22" monitors at a time on 1680X1050 at 32bit color.
     
  17. Redline

    Redline Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    The dearth of USB ports is somewhat dissapointing, but I assume that they were sacrificed on the alter of style. The keyboard looks the same as the M1210, except with rounded edges like on the HPs. The offcentered touchpad is there on many computers, including the Sony SZ; I personally don't think its that big of a deal. The dock doesn't need to do video or ethernet; the M1330 already has VGA, HDMI and ethernet ports on it...Multicard reader is on the front of the machine, next to the headphone jacks. The front headphone jacks are great to use with headphones, but not great for speakers. All of the HPs have had front headphone jacks for 3 generations now, so I think its not a bad compromise.

    Does anyone know what the red dot type thing is on the left side of the headphone jacks?
     
  18. illmatic2609

    illmatic2609 Notebook Deity

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    Does anyone know the possible price range, if from a trustworthy source? I'm of course expecting it to be more than the XPS M1210, but it will be less than $2000 I hope, with warranty, tax, and everything.
     
  19. Redline

    Redline Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    It should be about the same as the M1210 was when introduced: $1400 base price, $150 for the dedicated graphics card. I would think $200 for the LED screen as well. For the rest of the upgrades costs, it should be the same as it is now.
     
  20. JayJayL

    JayJayL Notebook Enthusiast

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    That red dot is probably just some indicator light.

    I don't see why only having 2 USB ports is a problem. You could always just buy a USB port replicator to use at home if you need more ports. When on-the-go, 2 USB ports should be enough (flash drive, and a small mouse [if you don't have a bluetooth one]).

    Does this have an Expresscard port? Though, the specs don't list it and its not on the left side (according to the newer pictures) I can see a slot that looks like its for an expresscard in the pictures on the first page (it's to the left of the slot loading drive).

    Do you think the 8400GS will meet the requirements for games and other software that's due to come out in the next 3-4 years or so?

    Is it possible to buy the M1330 with a normal hard drive and upgrade to an SSD in the future? I waiting for the 64GB drives to come out.
     
  21. illmatic2609

    illmatic2609 Notebook Deity

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    @ Vivek: Thanks for that info. It looks like my bro will be saving money from his budget then. :)

    How well will the 8400M GS run Crysis and Bioshock? I know obviously not high settings, but how?
     
  22. chuck232

    chuck232 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    The 8400GS won't be optimal for DX10 games. The 64 bit memory interface really cripples it, along with only 16 stream processors. Crysis? Maybe 640x480 with low to medium details.
     
  23. CheddarTrek

    CheddarTrek Notebook Geek

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    Any chance this computer might come with an anti-glare screen? I despise the TrueLife screens Dell seems to want to force upon us nowadays. Seems like the only laptops to have a viewable screen are some of the business notebooks, but I'd like to see the option here.
     
  24. Sirius_GTO

    Sirius_GTO Notebook Deity

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    I understand that it has a vga port. But it's annoying to have to connect and disconnect everything. But I guess with only two usb and the VGA, that isn't as big of a problem as it was on my M1210 (when I had 4 usb devices plugged in along with the Monitor). And another thing is I like to run two big externals at once, and that isn't possible without a triplehead or dualhead splitter. Docking would make it so much easier.
     
  25. Redline

    Redline Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    Cheddar: this is going to be TrueLife (Glare type/glossy) only. No matte screens on XPS models.

    Sirius: For the two big externals, run one on the VGA port and the other on the HDMI with an HDMI to DVI adapter (~$5).
     
  26. Sirius_GTO

    Sirius_GTO Notebook Deity

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    you know... I forgot all about the HDMI, I was still relating to the M1210. Hahaha, but still I think I would find it a nuisance to plug and unplug.
     
  27. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yep, I do. I much prefer a black keyboard.
     
  28. Topspin14m

    Topspin14m Notebook Consultant

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    Sirius or others - Is this graphics card capable of fully powering the Dell 27" LCD at 1900X1200 (native) res?

    Also...after installing Windows Vista how much usable space do you think will be left on the SSD drive? 20 gigs?
     
  29. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    I agree. I just ordered an external monitor for my D420. The first thing I did after that was order a Media Base (docking station) for it. Why? It'll be a heckuva lot easier to just slap the laptop into its station, rather than deal with plugging in the monitor, mouse, and anything else I'm using. Then unplugging everything each & every time I wanna move the laptop.
     
  30. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    I'm sure it's gotta be. Even my little D420 can do 1900X1200.
     
  31. Topspin14m

    Topspin14m Notebook Consultant

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    Ok. In looking for a laptop I'm just looking for something small and fast. I'm not interested in graphics design or gaming. I just want something that will boot up very quickly and have good battery life primarily because this will be my laptop I take to class every day. It should also be quiet...I am assuming fan noise won't be an issue on this machine.

    Anyway, I'm leaning this direction now with the SSD drive and the LED screen. I figure I can get an external USB 2.0 HD drive when I am home to serve my media or just use my current desktop which has 300+ gigs of space. My Ipod will hold my tunes when on the go.

    The lack of a dock is disappointing because that is one feature I really wanted. It is really keeping the SZ in the game...
     
  32. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    The SZ is certainly a worthwhile opponent.
     
  33. Topspin14m

    Topspin14m Notebook Consultant

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    Yeah. I just need to buy this for a delivery in mid to late July, and I don't think the SZ will have the santa rosa platform by then. I also like the idea of an SSD HD. I wish Sony would get it together and update the SZ soon.
     
  34. unitydisconnect

    unitydisconnect Notebook Enthusiast

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    yeah i whole-heartedly agree with you. If Sony would just hurry up with their SZ update, we could really compare and decide. But right now its such an awkward time.. I need my laptop by late july..

    i might end up getting the current SZ because as of right now this isn't looking like what it was hyped up to be. I dont know, i guess we will see.
     
  35. Impulse

    Impulse Newbie

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    Is there a reason behind the off-center touchpad? Also is there any advantages/disadvantages to it?
     
  36. staffsMike

    staffsMike Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm pretty sure its off centre so that is below the main typing area of the keyboard..thats the only reason I can think of as it is more comfortable to work with when they are positioned in such a way.
     
  37. Jayayess1190

    Jayayess1190 Waiting on Intel Cannonlake

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    Look in the Sony section, people, inlcluding me, believe the SZ6 is coming at the end of July with Intel X3100/ Nvidia Go 8400M.
     
  38. rbg08

    rbg08 Notebook Consultant

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    A better option for you may be the Sony TZ. It has all the features you want in a smaller form-factor. It has already been released in Japan and should be available worldwide in the next couple months.
     
  39. 3DViRuS

    3DViRuS Notebook Consultant

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    what is the need for dockstation!!!
    the beast has an HDMI port you can connect it on big screen also you can conver it to DVI. and also to note blu-ray option will be available.
     
  40. ckthepilot

    ckthepilot Notebook Deity

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    well the TZ is pretty expensive. I mean it looks soo sleek, but when it comes to functionality, the SZ is a better choice imho.
     
  41. unitydisconnect

    unitydisconnect Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yeah but the i might not be able to wait that long....



    oh the pain lol
     
  42. jrmurtaugh

    jrmurtaugh Newbie

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    Where did you read about a blu-ray option? I just saw that it had a slot-loading drive.
     
  43. Sam_00k

    Sam_00k Notebook Geek

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    What does a dock means? Could you please explain this to me, cos I didnt understand what does it mean!
     
  44. staffsMike

    staffsMike Notebook Evangelist

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    They are reffering to docking stations.

    Some laptops have a port on the bottom to attach a dock or port replicator.

    It means you can have a monitor..keyboard..printers attachted to the dock at home and then when you want to use them..rather than plugging them all into your laptop seperatly you just plug the laptop into the dock.
     
  45. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    Very useful if you have a "main spot" for your computer stuff, but like to move the laptop away from that spot -- which, of course, is the whole point of a laptop.

    It's kinda like having a desktop computer and a laptop computer.
     
  46. Bona Fide

    Bona Fide Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    I can't wait for this to come out...it looks soo good.
     
  47. Sam_00k

    Sam_00k Notebook Geek

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    thanks for the explainin guys. But I dont know , I think its not that important for me to have it.
     
  48. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    I thought that at first too, but now that I've ordered an external monitor I want the dock. It's one thing to deal with plugging usb cables in and out all the time... but I don't want to do that with the monitor's cable.

    Once I have the dock I'll probably permanently plug in some other stuff too, just to make things easier. :)
     
  49. Sam_00k

    Sam_00k Notebook Geek

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    Actually, there are some stupid things that I really do not understand and makes me really angry.

    Like what kinda of problems they would have if they would add this dock and put other extra 2 USB ports. I mean its just small things they could just find a way for it. In the same time it makes you angry that you find a good laptop like this and you think that its what you are looking for,then you find these small stuff annoying you.....
     
  50. Bona Fide

    Bona Fide Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    You're right, they are small problems. You could always get a USB hub if you have multiple devices, and universal port replicators are not hard to find. Hell, Targus has one that plugs right into the Expresscard slot.
     
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