Dell XPS M1330

The Dell XPS M1330 is a notebook that is designed in a wedge shaped form factor, going from 0.87 inch in the front to 1.3 inches in the rear. Weighing less than four pounds, the notebook is touted as one of the lightest 13-inch laptops. It features a keyboard tray that is brushed silver with black accents, while the lid is available in black, white, or red. The Dell XPS M1330 also features touch-sensitive controls for volume and media playback, an eject button for the slot-loading DVD drive, and a quick-launch button for Dell’s proprietary Media Direct software. Other features include a Webcam on top of the display and a small, credit-card-size remote control that pops into PC card slot on the side. The LED-backlit display has a native resolution of 1,280 x 800 and the unit is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 with 2 MB Cache, 2.0 GHz/800Mhz  front speed bus. It also supported a 160 GB hard disk drive and is powered by a 2 GB RAM. All this is mounted on a Intel 965 chipset, and the video capabilities is supported by a 128MB Nvidia GeForce Go 8400 graphics card. The Dell XPS M1330 measures 12.5 x 9.4 x 0.87-1.3 inches and weighs 4.3 / 5.1 pounds with AC adapter. The unit supports an array of input and output interfaces, such as VGA, HDMI and S-Video for video interface; stereo speakers, headphone (2x)/microphone jacks for audio; two USB 2.0 ports, a mini-FireWire, and a multiformat memory card reader for data; type I/II PC Card or ExpressCard expansion slot and Modem, Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth, optional WWAN wireless connectivity. The Dell XPS M1330 also comes with a DVD burner. There is also an optional mobile broadband antenna, with service from Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint. The Dell XPS M1330 is covered by a one-year warranty, which provides free parts and labor with on-site service, 24-7 toll-free tech-support number, with special reps exclusively for XPS owners. Dell also provides users with a set of support tools on the actual laptop, including 10 GB of online backup space and the new Automated PC TuneUp utility, which can either show users how to perform basic performance optimization or take care of it automatically (for a small fee after the 30-day trial).

Specifications
Form factor
The Dell XPS M1330 is an Intel Centrino Duo notebook that features a built-in Devices Wireless LAN antenna in its 12.5 in x 9.4 in x 1.3 in / 4.0 lbs form factor.

Processor
The Dell XPS M1330 is powered by a dual core Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 / 2.0 GHz 64-bit processor with 667.0 MHz data bus speed. It is supported by a 2.0 MB L2 cache, and a 2.0 GB / 4.0 GB (max) DDR2 SDRAM – 667.0 MHz memory (RAM configuration features 2 x 512 MB).

Storage Controller
The Dell XPS M1330 features a serial ATA hard disk drive with a 160 GB capacity, integrated DVD±RW optical drive, and a 8 in 1 card reader.

Display
It has a 13.3 in TFT active matrix display with 1280 x 800 (WXGA) pixel resolution support and TrueLife™ technology. The display is powered by a NVIDIA GeForce 8400M graphics card with 128.0 MB video memory

Other features
The Dell XPS M1330 also supports high definition audio, an integrated 2 megapixel camera, a keyboard and touchpad input device, 56.0 Kbps modem and fax speed, NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG wireless connectivity that supports IEEE 802.11a, Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, and Fast Ethernet protocols.

Expansion / Connectivity
The Dell XPS M1330 supports the following input and output interfaces: 1.0 x Display / video – Line-out/headphones – Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1.0 x Network – Input – 19 pin HDMI Type A, 1.0 x Hi-Speed USB – HDMI – Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1.0 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) – Phone line – RJ-11, 1.0 x Modem – Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX – Mini-phone mono 3.5 mm, 2.0 x Display / video – Line-in – RJ-45, Microphone – VGA – 4 pin USB Type A, Audio – 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15).

Battery
It is powered by a 4-cell Lithium ion battery with 37.0 Wh capacity.

Operating System / Software
The Dell XPS M1330 comes pre-installed with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition operating system and is bundled with McAfee SecurityCenter (15 months subscription), Microsoft Works 8.0, Adobe Acrobat Reader 7 and Drivers & Utilities.

Manufacturer Warranty
It is covered by a one year Service & Support Details Limited warranty – Parts and labor – 1 year.

Reviews

“If you’re looking for a dedicated gaming machine or a budget laptop, look elsewhere, but if you’re like me and want something portable for a fair price, the M1330 should be on your short list.” – (Notebook Review, 2007)

“the new 13-inch XPS M1330 such a pleasant surprise. From our first behind-closed-doors peek at it last month, we’ve been impressed with the emphasis on the user experience in this superthin, high-end laptop, from the slot-loading DVD drive to the touch-sensitive media buttons and HDMI-output jack. At $2,000 and up, it’s definitely a premium product, but worth it if head-turning design is as important to you as specs and performance.” – (CNET, 2007)