Dell XPS M1330

Full specifications | 1 Comment

Review

The launch of Dell’s new XPS branded laptop was a flamboyant and sun-drenched affair. Journalists congregated from around the world in Marbella and with the echo of the M1330’s marketing mantra, “the thinnest 13.3” laptop in the world”, ringing in our ears, we waited in eager anticipation, jaws poised and ready to drop.

Our jaws didn’t quite touch the floor, even though Dell unveiled a good-looking laptop with an admittedly slim front edge. Indeed, the calculated presence of 13.3” in the XPS M1330’s marketing bluster sounded more than a little like a careful marketing disclaimer (cue the battle to produce the slimmest 14.1”, 15.4”, or 17” laptop in the world), and the XPS M1330’s proportions certainly weren’t anywhere near as anorexic as true supermodels, such as Toshiba’s dainty R500 Portégé (reviewed las issue).

But as the M1330 does have a 13.3” display, it is, we grant you, more than a little unfair to compare it to the sveltest, most obscenely slim 12.1” laptop available. Place the M1330 next to Samsung’s slightly flabby 13.3” Q70 (also reviewed last issue), and by comparison the Dell’s physique begins to look impeccably toned.

Upon opening the M1330’s unassuming packaging, we were pleased to find the laptop ensconced in a protective slip case. The light, silver-trimmed and barely-padded sleeve isn’t enough to single-handedly protect the M1330 from damage, but partner it with a high quality laptop bag and it’ll certainly help keep the exterior free from scratches and dings. Dell’s decision to provide a sleeve also goes someway to making up for the lack of physical lid clasps on the laptop itself.

You might not spend much time looking at a laptop’s lid, but the Dell’s is certainly eye-catching. Our model was finished in Dell’s striking ‘Crimson Red’ and as that may not be everyone’s cup of tea, you’ll be glad to hear that the M1330 is also available in a more subdued ‘Tuxedo Black’ livery. It doesn’t just look good though, and thanks to the MicroSatin paint Dell uses, the lid is luxuriously silky smooth to the touch.

Stop gazing adoringly at the lid long enough to flip it open and you’ll find an interior that looks smart without making any compromise in usability. The large brushed aluminium wrist rest not only looks good, but also helps to make the most of the M1330’s superbly spacious keyboard. Unlike Samsung’s Q70, which suffers from a cramped keyboard (in fact, one borrowed from its smaller sibling, the 12.1” Q45), Dell makes no such compromise and the full-sized keys stretch to the edges of the case.

The extra room afforded to the keyboard leaves no need for strange layouts or aggravatingly shrunken keys, and the firm, positive action makes typing surprisingly comfortable for such a compact laptop. Perhaps belying the M1330’s entertainment leanings, a strip of touch-sensitive media playback buttons above the keyboard allow you to quickly shuffle through tracks or pause playback, as well as adjust or mute the speaker volume.

It has to be said though, that the M1330 is designed as a mobile computer through and through. The graininess of the screen is undeniably aggravating, but take it outside and you’ll be glad of every inch of that generously bright display. Equally, the limited gaming capabilities of nVidia’s 8400M might frustrate serious gamers, but then this is no gaming laptop and modest capability is far more welcome than none at all. Factor in the neat slot-loading DVD writer, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, the optional HSDPA networking and the impressive battery life, and it’s difficult to criticise Dell’s vision. Well, until you look at the price.

If you don’t mind losing the option of integrated HSDPA as well as suffering a slightly heavier bag, then Samsung’s Q70 comes in at not inconsiderable £479 cheaper, but if price is no object, the M1330’s trim figure and sprightly performance make a highly desirable mobile companion.

Specifications

Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz), 2Gb RAM, nVidia 8400M GS, 160Gb hard disk, DVD±RW DL, 13.3” screen (1280 x 800), PC Card, memory card reader, 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, HSDPA, Windows Vista Home Premium Part code XPS M1330 Size 318 x 238 x 34mm Weight 2kg Battery life 4h 26 DVD playback 2h 58 Recharge time 2h 01 Warranty 1 year on-site

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