Dell beats down the competition (Dell XPS M1330)

Member Name: jodyv

Product:	Dell XPS M1330
Date:	14/04/09 (96 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great spec for the price

Disadvantages: Can struggle with harder tasks

I've owned my Dell M1330 for just over 12 months. My previous laptop was a 15" Sony Vaio which was a superb computer, just a bit too heavy in weight and electricity consumption.

I looked for another Sony Vaio, but quickly realised that reducing the size greatly increased the cost. Looking at other more portable laptops I explored the Samsung range and Toshiba, but when I spotted the M1330, I was very surprised by the price tag.

Reading the reviews on the internet showed that the laptop was cheap, good looking and full of the latest technology. I hunted around on eBay for a few weeks, but the price of the reconditioned ones weren't that competitive when compared to Dell's deals.

I called up Dell and haggled a fair bit... I managed to get a free upgrade on the processor and a fair discount on a graphics card. £750 later, Dell began building the laptop...here's the spec:

Intel Centrino Duo - 2.2ghz
4 GB RAM
128MB Nvidia GeForce 8400M GS graphics card
320GB (5400rpm) SATA hard drive
13.3" UltraSharp WXGA (1280x800) LED glossy screen with 0.3MP webcam
Slot loading 8x DVD+/-RW slim slot load drive
Wireless 802.11b/g card
6 cell battery
Remote Control
Bluetooth

When the laptop arrived, I promptly opened the box and commenced set up. In the box I found the laptop, power pack, manuals (in a black imitation leather folder), drivers and OEM copies of windows, creative headphones, Dell laptop sleeve and the infa red remote control.

I ordered mine in red having seen how easily the black marks, however this seems to be the same anyway.

Opening up the laptop lid revealed the glossy screen lit by a number of LEDs, a slightly squashed keyboard and some touch sensitive buttons. The screen provides an impressive display; movies are a pleasure to watch and simple games are handled by the average graphics card.

The touch sensitive button are a bit irritating; they work but not without a delay. Volume control is a big issue here, the touch sensitive button just don't provide the same experience as standard buttons.

Battery life is decent, you can squeeze up to 5 hours out the 6 cell battery if you put the brightness right down and turn off things like Bluetooth.

The keyboard seems a bit cheap, a couple of the keys will move the entire board when pressed, however it is responsive and enjoyable to press.

The general build quality was good with the exception of the Intel and windows stickers....both have been stuck on at strange angles making a bit of a mess.

The remote works well when watching a film and the camera seems clear.

Performance isn't earth shattering considering the spec; it copes quite happily with simple tasks, but more pressing requests take a bit of time. I was expecting a little better than the performance I've received, especially since Visual Studio 2008 isn't really a massive resource killer.

I'm please with the Dell M1330, however in hindsight I would've stretched to the Sony if it was a better performer.

Summary: A great little laptop which will keep me happy for a few years

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