Dell XPS M1210 - Any good? Is it really a portable mediahub?

[InsiderGamer]

Hi guys,

Recently, I've been in the laptop market of which I've never been. I'm not looking for a desktop replacement, but something small and somewhat portable to use on campus, rather than spend an hour getting home to use my PC (in the sense that I wanna play with MY files, not use a generic campus computer).

I have here a Dell XPS M1210, which to my knowledge, is the one of the "basic" forms of Dell's gaming lineup. In addition to that, it's quite small, just over the "ultra-portable" mark at about 8.7"x11.7"x1.2" (about the height/width of a piece of letter paper).

The configuration I'm looking at houses this:

- Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor T5600 (1.86GHz/667MHz/2MB)
- Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 [Included in Price]
- 12.1 inch WXGA Wide Screen with TrueLife? and A/V Communications Pack
- FREE upgrade to 2GB at 667MHz (2 DIMM) from 1GB - $250 Value
- 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive [Included in Price]
- 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce? Go 7400 TurboCache?
- 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
- 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Pic of Laptop, front
Pic of size comparison against 13.3" Macbook
Pic of thickness comparison to Macbook 13.3"
Pic of laptop next to Lenvolo V100

I'm looking for something that's not only easy to carry around with me, but can also game on the side. Games I'm interested in playing include all the Source mods, Call of Duty 2, Dreamfall and Psychonauts. That, and I'd like it to play movies, which I hope will look nice on the widescreen display (albeit at 1280x800 res, on a 12.1" screen).

Some questions. 1) What kinda RAM is that? I'm unfamiliar with RAM lingo, is it any good? And 2) Is there any components I should change? The CPU is a Core 2 Duo, but it's the weaker of them.

What do you guys think? I'm Canadian, and this comes to about $1720, before taxes. Thanks for any advice you guys can give, especially if one of you actually owns a notebook computer from Dell's XPS line.

 

[Zirconium]

This is not a desktop replacement. I'm typing from an Inspiron 700m, which is about the same size as this model (I can't say for certain, but I actually think that this is the successor to the 7x0m line). Many find the keyboard to be cramped. I am used to it, but I still find my desktop's keyboard to be better. If this is to be your sole computer, I'd look for something larger. Laptops with 14-15" screens are decently portable, give you more screen real estate, and the keyboards are not as cramped. You could buy this one and buy a separate monitor and a keyboard/mouse, giving you the best of both worlds though. The ram will be generic DDR2 So-Dimm. If you aren't in a hurry, wait for a coupon from Dell. I got mine a little over a year ago for $800 US total. I would not be surprised if you could get this for $1200 if you wait for a coupon.

 

[InsiderGamer]

Firstly, like I said, this isn't to be desktop replacement, but rather something that compliments my true gaming PC at home. Generic DDR2 RAM isn't bad, right? It's still DDR and I don't even know if you can OC a laptop (or if it's feasible in any way).

As for a coupon, how do you get one? Or if it involves waiting for some deal to come along, will my "free upgrade to 2 GB RAM" expire in that time? 'Cause I really would like that. And you said if I'm not in a hurry. How long do you think I'd have to wait?

 

[Zirconium]

Sorry, I misread your post (I saw desktop replacement and nothing else). Coupons periodically pop up if you go to dealnews or some site like that. How long would you have to wait? I'd guess 2 months at the most, but I'm not gonna guarantee it. Frequently you can get $750 off $2000, and that is worth more than 1GB of ram difference. Furthermore, if you buy memory separately, you will can get something like corsair with a warranty that doesn't expire like the Dell one. Also, Dell offers 7200rpm hard drives. That will cut into battery life, but will be better for gaming.

 

[lazybum131]

Dell Canada doesn't get those amazing coupons like Dell USA. I haven't really kept up with Canadian Dell deals, but they're usually select Inspiron models that are decently priced. I'd tell you to check the www.redflagdeals.com forums but it's down right now since they're undergoing a redesign of the site.

 

[andrewbabcock]

Asus A8JS is far superior, though the battery life will not be nearly as good.

 

[AlgaeEater]

It's a solid unit, but it's really heavy for it's size. The footprint may be small, but the weight definitely isn't. I think it was 4.5 lbs last time I checked.

With that out of the way, I can't find a better gaming 12" notebook than this one. Ram in a notebook is a tricky thing since in reality, I always feel more ram is better than faster ram. The odd (and highly debateable) ram topics always say that faster ram is always better, but I think that's only for overclockers on a desktop. Laptops are just different.

In any case your question about the ram, most likely it's going to be HYNIX memory. Out of all the Dell Laptops I've seen, these mostly show up. Especially the non-business class lines.

You can't overclock a Laptop without serious consequences. First of all, heat is already a problem as you can imagine, and voltage is highly limited to what the motherboard can dish out. Unless someone out there has created a volt modding guidd for this particular laptop, overclocking isn't feasable at all. The best you can do is squeeze some FPS out of software OC'ing your video card, but that's it. Even then I don't recommend it.

 

[InsiderGamer]

You seem to be highly knowlegable about this particular model, AlgaeEater.

Some questions though, since you raised the concern about the weight for this particularly sized laptop, do you think it's an issue considering what's under the hood? Would it be too cumbersome just whisk into a laptop bag or take out easily without so much as a second thought? Basically, I'm asking, do you personally recommend this model for my needs?

And I totally hear you on the RAM debate as I hope to multi-task quite a bit along with the dual core processor goin' on this machine. But this RAM should be sufficient for my needs, right? It's just when I saw the whole "free upgrade to 2 GB RAM", I immediately thought to myself, "this must be some pretty horrible quality stuff."

To go off on a little tangent, some concerns I have are with buying the laptop at this time. Right now, I'm enthused enough about this as to buy the laptop almost right away (crazy, impatient me), but with Windows Vista on the horizon (when IS that coming out?), I hear companies will be giving away Vista coupons? How will that work? I don't seem to wanna miss out on that chance.

As for my other concern, I hear a new revamp to the Core 2 Duo is coming out in April 2007? Is this true? To my knowledge, it's apparently a BIG difference over its predecessor, but I don't think I can wait that long.

Basically, I'm just wondering if this is a bad time to buy a laptop, period, although it can be contested that there's ALWAYS something new on the horizon and to wait for these things would be silly. Especially, when I want this laptop to, in part, help me out with schoolwork, which would appreciate a solution now, rather than later.

 

[Funyuns101]

i have a 700m, like many other ppl... and when i briefly checked out this model at a dell kiosk... it looked just like it only better.

as you've mentioned, there's the graphics card, sata HD, and more ram (possibly even the webcam).
anyway, it really does seem like the successor to it... from the casing and even the layout of all the connections.

the keyboard has improved and is no lnoger cramped like the 700m.
i'd say get the 2.0ghz just to make sure that it'll last you awhile.
my new laptop came w/a sticker "vista ready" but did not come with a coupon as you had described

you can always buy more ram online (not sure how newegg works for canada)... tho vista will probably only come out sometime in early 2007. if you really need it, go ahead... otherwise you may be able to wait another 6 months (long time).

that being said...and as how i used mine in college for 2 years or so, i'd recommend it as long as it's not your main pc.

 

[AlgaeEater]

Originally posted by: InsiderGamer
You seem to be highly knowlegable about this particular model, AlgaeEater.

Some questions though, since you raised the concern about the weight for this particularly sized laptop, do you think it's an issue considering what's under the hood? Would it be too cumbersome just whisk into a laptop bag or take out easily without so much as a second thought? Basically, I'm asking, do you personally recommend this model for my needs?

And I totally hear you on the RAM debate as I hope to multi-task quite a bit along with the dual core processor goin' on this machine. But this RAM should be sufficient for my needs, right? It's just when I saw the whole "free upgrade to 2 GB RAM", I immediately thought to myself, "this must be some pretty horrible quality stuff."

To go off on a little tangent, some concerns I have are with buying the laptop at this time. Right now, I'm enthused enough about this as to buy the laptop almost right away (crazy, impatient me), but with Windows Vista on the horizon (when IS that coming out?), I hear companies will be giving away Vista coupons? How will that work? I don't seem to wanna miss out on that chance.

As for my other concern, I hear a new revamp to the Core 2 Duo is coming out in April 2007? Is this true? To my knowledge, it's apparently a BIG difference over its predecessor, but I don't think I can wait that long.

Basically, I'm just wondering if this is a bad time to buy a laptop, period, although it can be contested that there's ALWAYS something new on the horizon and to wait for these things would be silly. Especially, when I want this laptop to, in part, help me out with schoolwork, which would appreciate a solution now, rather than later.

Whoa, lots of questions at once lol. I'll try and answer them as best I can.

<First Question>

First of all, "whisking" this thing out and into a bag is subjective. Some people are used to carrying a lot of heavy things all day long, while others aren't. I won't get into the weight of the product much, but I can tell you that the laptop is pretty small, so there's something called "Focused weight".

It's the same principal as a 2lbs dumbell versus 2lbs pillow. Even though they are the same weight, the dumbell is cumbersome and feels a lot heavier than the pillow since it's not distributed across a wider area. If you lifted a 5lbs 12" inch notebook versus a 5lbs 15" notebook, the larger notebook actually feels lighter!

Also these things get horrible battery life. So there's more luggage to carry around (Like all gaming laptops). You're going to have this thing plugged into a wall outlet with Dell's notorious FAT AC adapter. This is a reality no matter what brand you choose, but the Dell AC adapter is really fat and big.

<Second Question>

Ram is ram. As long as it's not malfunctioning on you, it's ok. But yes, this is going to be HYNIX memory, which is pretty much sub-standard memory. I told you my part on OC'ing a laptop as near impossible, so ram isn't as important this time around. Expect timings to be very not spectacular.

<Third Question>

Bigger and better is always around the corner for technology. When April comes around and a new line of revamped processors hit the market, they'll also announce a new line that will come out after that for X-mas season. It's an endless cycle of waiting. If you wait until April to get the laptop, you're probably going to end up waiting again, and again... etc.

But yes, indeed a revamped line is coming April-July, mainly from AMD's camp. Intel might have quad cores sooner. Desktops are also hinting Quad Cores around the nearby future, and laptops are sure to follow. These things are coming quite soon, so indeed you have reason to be hesistant with that respect alone.

(Proof in the pudding)
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/index.php?p=330

<Final Question - Is this laptop for me?>

I can't tell what laptop to buy, because it's up to you to figure out what you really want. I can tell you that right now we're going through a highly transitional phase of processors. Windows Vista is right around the corner to boot, but I wouldn't be so worried as to not hit the new OS on the head when it comes out, because I can gurantee you that it's going to have A LOT OF PROBLEMS at launch. I've never heard of a coupon release, unless you probably have a newly purchase Windows XP Pro Service Pack 2, in which they will probably give you a discounted update package for Vista.

It is in my honest opinion that you get a basic laptop for school and focus on your desktop for gaming at the moment. There's too much technology right now that is being phased out. I mean if you look at 3 months ago, AMD 64 Chips and their prices were still pretty high, but now you can trade in your pennies and get a motherboard + chip combo out the door anywhere.

IF YOU MUST get a laptop and want it to game properly, all I can say is that you can get a lot more power if you go with a 15.1" inch laptop. They weigh about 6.5lbs on the average, so it's not a huge jump on the weight factor. But you can squeeze in a lot more bang for your buck for the price you're willing to pay.

If you must have a 12" notebook now, the XPS 1210 won't dissapoint you in anyway. But I'm just warning you that you will be having that "Buyer's regret" soon due to the rapid technology pace right now. But there's no other 12" screen that I personally think as valued as this right now.

Schoolwork can be done on any laptop, you know that.

Suggestions? Honestly, I think there are a lot of good recommendations from here

http://www.notebookreview.com/reviews/

<Closing Comment>

I would just get a ugly, used, old laptop to hold you over for school until April. Save your money and upgrade your rig at home if you need to. When next Spring comes around, you're going to have a lot of new toys to buy, so it's going to be very exciting.

 

[InsiderGamer]

I've been reading forums and user opinions of the M1210, and one of the things they like most about it, is in fact, the battery life. Dell advertises about 8 hours using Integrated Graphics, of which is never true, but it can be used as a starting block to gauge the *true* battery life of the notebook. My initial impression, via others in forums, is if you abuse the heck out of a full battery (switching tasks, Wi-fi), you'll get around 3 hours. Think this is alright for the components onboard and the price I'm paying?

I've seen pictures of the Dell AC Adapter and yeah, you're absolutely right. No way to get around that "fat" thing.

If the earliest "new" tech to come out is January (Vista), it looks like I'm gonna buy one now. A month or so is probably the most I'll wait, so if you foresee something happening within that timeframe, perhaps I'll let the "crazy, I wanna laptop noow" phase come to a halt.

I took your advice and went to notebookreviews.com and in their forums, I saw this message:

"There has been reports from digitimes that in the fourth quarter, notebook venders will offer a totally free upgrade to Vista Home Premium only if u buy MCE and a discount coupon for xp home."

I barely know what that means, can you elaborate if possible?

My only other questions (I'm sooo sorry, I'm just swarming you with stuff! You're awesome for putting up with it so far though!) are to deal with battery charging and warranty.

I'm new to laptops, so I'm assuming if you plug the laptop with its AC Adapter, you also charge up the battery as well? For example, if I had a dead battery on me, I could go to a campus laptop "spot", plug the thing in and not only check my e-mail on the lappy, but the battery would be self-charging? Please say yes, I'm not sure how this very basic concept works for laptops.

As for the warranty, I'm looking to get 1 year of "Complete Care", which basically covers "accidental" drops, spills, screen cracks, etc. It's an additional $100, but since I won't have the safety of it staying in one spot like a desktop, would you agree that the price is worth the coverage?

Thanks so much man, you don't know how much I appreciate your help.

 

[AlgaeEater]

What's up

In any case, the battery life you have read may be "Great" but that's subjective. I own Dells, Toshibas, Compaqs/HP and IBM's. (No Acers or Gateways yet though, should try them out eventually) and for 12" notebooks go, the Dell Battery isn't anything to write home about. When IBM batteries STANDARD average operating times are 6+ hours on full load, you can imagine I'm not too impressed. IBM business class notebooks know their batteries, believe it, and thus I have become very spoiled on the matter.

Windows MCE is Windows MEDIA CENTER EDITION. Basically it says that manufacturers may give an update if you have bought a system with MCE as the operating system and you additonally purchase a XP Home/Pro serial code. I think they might just strait out offer it if you have MCE, but I'm not sure about that because it's all up in the air right now.

Laptops charge their batteries even when they're turned on while plugged in. As long as the AC adatper is connected, your laptop is charging regardless of its state. (Off or On)

Accidental care is tottaly up to you. Personally I would invest in a nice laptop case/sleeve with that money instead of buying it, but that's just me. Reason being is because 1 year isn't enough time for a laptop to break down enough. It's usually somewhere on the average during the 18th month (Subjective, but on the average) that people start having small problems with their laptop. Can be anything minor from battery life dwindling to full blown problems like keyboard malfunction and broken USB ports. Hard drives are known to fail too, but they are easily replaceable.

If you're going to treat this thing like a folder you throw into a backpack, then pick up the warranty. It's going to be dinged a lot I can imagine. I would still invest into a laptop sleeve though, regardless. If you're wondering, a laptop sleeve is a thin neoprene like cover that wraps around your notebook. It will help cushion a lot of the abuse I'm assuming you're going to be putting your laptop through. Dell external shells aren't made for quality unless it is their business line of notebooks (The Latitudes) so it would be wise.

 

[InsiderGamer]

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea with the laptop sleeve. I didn't want to just "throw" it into my bag, but at least have some layer of cushioning. I don't like blemishes on me electronics and I hear the top cover of the M1210 can get scratched easily.

Though IBM, as you say, clearly has the market cornered in terms of battery longevity, I think I'm pretty much decided on the XPS M1210. I want something small with much under its hood for a variety of things, and like you said, there's no better combination of the two on the market right now.

I'm relieved the battery charges up when the AC Adapter is plugged in. Very convenient. Though I think not only will I get a 9-cell primary battery, but elect to get a 6-cell as backup. Are these things heavy and cumbersome to carry around, an extra battery? I wouldn't want one to leak or something, nor would I want it to be stored, never used and be depleted of charge or whatever (I'm never sure of the validity of myths surrounding Li-Ion batteries).

This would be my first time owning a laptop, and while I generally try to keep my electronics very well kept, I'm a newb when it comes to laptops. And when you're moving the notebook around as much as I plan to, sometimes I might not have a say in what will happen to it. Things happen in probably such a dynamic environment. So I think I'll stick with the warranty, but also go with your sleeve idea.

So, I THINK I'm decided now. I just need to find as many coupons and deals to bring the cost down . I think I'm pretty much approaching $2,000 CAD here. That can't be good.

 

[AlgaeEater]

The 9-Cell battery is going to add some bulk to the laptop, not really by weight, but by girth. It may stick out a bit on the back.

Here's my take on extra batteries. You either take the battery and not the AC adapter, or you take the AC adapter and not the battery. An extra battery poses a solution as well as a problem for two reasons.

First, batteries (Li-Ion Rechargeables) degrade with heat. The hotter the battery, the faster it will discharge. If your backpack is going to be exposed to a lot of heat, the charge in it is going to dissipate a bit, not much, but a bit. Over a span of a sunny day, probably 6-10%. Doesn't sound like much, but that's in reality maybe 30 minutes to an hour lost.

Second, the adapter and the battery is really a lot of spare weight to carry around. Are you honestly going to find yourself away from an outlet? The logistics of it make it seem to me that the battery is probably going to be loosely thrown around in your bag, so it might suffer some damage to boot. You're already buying an extended battery, I think that's good enough. A spare battery is really just overkill and an extra cost you don't need. You can always buy an aftermarket battery later, and for a cheaper price.

I can only think of a situation where you're in class/buildings without available outlets where a spare battery will come in handy. But I think that's your call, and I'm not too sure about it, cause it's your decision on that matter.

Take a deep breath and think rationally. It's easy to be excited now since it's your first laptop, so there is the novelty factor, but also you're in a "buying mood". Take a step back and analyze what you already have and perhaps you might find it's really good enough.

 

[RedWolf]

I would suggest getting the extended warranty. I have a 700M and the 1210 is based on the 700m design. Google 700m speaker or 710m speaker and you'll find a lot of people with problems with the speakers. Basically the wires that go to the speakers are small and not reinforced (that may have changed on the 1210). My wires broke after about 14 months of use. Dell doesn't sell the speakers just the lcd which is $500. I was able to fix the speakers by soldering new wires to the speakers (with thicker wire that I reinforced). The keyboard is starting to go, the case is getting creeky from holding it at the corner, and the paint is peeling off of the left mouse button. This is about 18 months of ownership. I am against buying extended warranties because I have experience with fixing laptops. That said if I were to buy the 1210 I would think hard on the warranty.

I also have a 9300. The 700m has a cramped keyboard. It isn't terrible once you get used to it but it is not the most comfortable thing around.

For other options you might look at the Sony S series and the Asus mentioned above. The S series is kind of unique in that it has two graphics cards. It has an integrated Inteo 950 and a discrete 7400 (same as dell's). When running games it uses the 7400 but will use the 950 the rest of the time to save on battery life. Nice machine but pricey. Similar weight to the 1210 but slightly larger and thinner.

As far as I know there are not any other 12" laptops with a 7400.

 

[alphonsus]

Dell usually doenst offer discounts on their XPS systems (I dont know why). So if youre waiting for a good deal it might be a while.