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Entered CNET Catalog: 06/18/2008
SKU: X1330-126B
Manufacturer: Dell, Inc.
Manufacturer description
Love great art? The XPS M1330's sleek lines and elegant form elevate it from PC to icon. Opt for Crimson Red or Tuxedo Black and enjoy the surprisingly sensual look and feel of MicroSatin paint. Select high-gloss Pearl White for the ultimate in simple sophistication. As one of the thinnest and lightest notebooks in its class, the XPS M1330 is a truly portable notebook. How did Dell get so thin? Dell's optional LED display uses 32 tiny, white LEDs for a super bright, super skinny screen. Projected weight starting at just under 4 pounds (1.8 kg) and featuring next-gen technologies like optional embedded mobile broadband, slot load optical drive, HDMI connection, Biometric Fingerprint Security, the XPS M1330 is the last word in leading edge high tech. True mobile freedom is about more than just the size and weight of your notebook. The XPS M1330 offers an exclusive set of wireless options that help you stay connected wherever you go. Enjoy a wire free environment.Product summary
The good: Thin, sexy design, decent battery life.
The bad: Older CPU, overly glossy screen can be hard to read, touch pad is too small.
The bottom line: Dell offers a suitable competitor to the 13-inch Apple MacBook in its XPS 1330, but we wish this retail version had some more recent components.
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 08/26/2008
Note: This review is part of our Back to School 2008 roundup, covering specific configurations of popular laptops that can be found in retail stores.
While 13-inch laptops make up only a small part of the market, Apple's popular MacBook has made this form factor, which we call thin-and-light, a staple of college campuses and coffee shops everywhere. Just small enough to carry around and just big enough to use as your main computer, the 13-inch is the perfect choice for many students.
One of the few competitors to the MacBook is Dell's 13-inch XPS 1330, which we first saw in the spring of 2007. The system hasn't had a serious overhaul since then, but this fixed-configuration retail model, the $1,149 1330-126B, offers a decent mix of components and features for just north of the $1K mark, along with more than three hours of battery life.
It's still hard to beat the best-selling 13-inch MacBook, but XPS 1330 at least offers a stylish Windows-only alternative.
| Price as reviewed | $1,149 |
| Processor | 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 |
| Memory | 4GB, 667MHz DDR2 |
| Hard drive | 320GB 5,400rpm |
| Chipset | Intel GM965 |
| Graphics | Intel GMA X3100 (integrated) |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Premium (64-bit) |
| Dimensions (WxH) | 12.5x9.4 |
| Dimensions (Thickness) | .87-1.4 inches |
| Screen size (diagonal) | 13.3 inches |
| System weight / Weight with AC adapter | 4.5 / 5.2 pounds |
| Category | Thin and light |
Physically identical to the first XPS 1330 we looked at last year, the system is slightly wedge-shaped, going from 0.87-inches in the front to 1.4-inches in the rear. It also manages to come in about a pound less than the Apple MacBook.
The brushed metal keyboard tray has 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. We'll repeat the complaint we made in the original 1330 review--the tiny, 2.75-inch touch pad is too small, especially given that there's plenty of room on the wrist rest for a bigger pad.
With a 1280x800-pixel native resolution, the same as on the 13-inch MacBook or a lower-end 15-inch system, you get the decent mix of screen real estate and readability. This version, however, does not have the LED-backlit display you can get as a $125 option when you use Dell's online configurator. The LED screen is slightly thinner, lighter, and better for battery life, but the trade off is that there's only room for a VGA-quality Webcam, instead of the 2-megapixel model built into the standard display.
One issue we ran into was that the overly glossy display was very hard to read in natural light situations, and made off-axis viewing especially difficult.
| Dell XPS m1330 | Average for category [thin-and-light] | |
| Video | VGA, HDMI | VGA-out, S-Video |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, headphone (2x)/microphone jacks | Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks |
| Data | 2 USB 2.0, mini FireWire, SD card reader | 3 USB 2.0, mini FireWire, SD card reader |
| Expansion | ExpressCard/54 | ExpressCard/54 |
| Networking | modem, Ethernet, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | modem, Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Optical drive | Slot-loading DVD burner | DVD burner |
With only two USB ports, some users may feel shortchanged, but the HDMI output and twin headphone jacks are welcome additions, and we're finding them on even the cheapest laptops these days. Bluetooth is included, a feature many retail laptops cut out, but the only way to upgrade to built-in mobile broadband would be to configure a version of the 1330 directly from Dell's Web site.
Many of the back-to-school laptops we've looked at in the $1,000-plus category have CPUs and chipsets from Intel's new Centrino 2 platform. The XPS 1330 was one of a handful with older parts, including a 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 CPU. That's still the non-Centrino-2 medium-to-high-end default, and gave us decent performance all-around. Going forward, a refreshed version of the 1330 selling for the same price should have Intel's new P8400 CPU.
The XPS 1330 ran for 3 hours and 16 minutes on our video playback battery drain test, which tied for best performance in our high-end back-to-school roundup (although several of the other systems were 17-inch desktop replacements, which we wouldn't expect to have long-lasting batteries). We might have expected impressive power performance if the 1330 used Intel's Centrino 2 platform or a power-saving LED screen, but this system lacks both, so the battery score is even more impressive in that context.
Dell includes an industry-standard one-year parts-and-labor warranty with the system. Support is accessible through a 24-7 toll-free phone line, and an extensive online knowledge base and driver downloads.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
Find out more about how we test laptops.
Sony Vaio VGN-FW140 E/H
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1; 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400; 3,072MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 128MB Mobile Intel GMA 4700MHD; 250GB Fujitsu 5,400rpm.
HP Pavilion dv5-1015nr
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350; 4,096MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 256MB Nvidia GeForce 9200M GS; 320GB Western Digital 5,400rpm.
Gateway P-7811FX
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400; 4,096MB DDR3 SDRAM 667MHz; 512MB Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTS; 200GB Seagate 7,200rpm. HP Pavilion dv7-1025nr
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400; 4,096MB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz; 512MB Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT; 320GB Western Digital 5,400rpm.
Toshiba Qosmio X305-Q701
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350; 4,096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1,066MHz; 512MB Nvidia GeForce 9700M GTS; 200GB Toshiba 7,200rpm.
HP Pavilion dv5-1004nr
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.1GHz AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core ZM-80; 4,096MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 256MB ATI Radeon HD3200; 250GB Western Digital 5,400rpm.
Dell XPS M1330-126B
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7250; 4,096MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 128MB Mobile Intel 965GM Express; 320GB Western Digital 5,400rpm .
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 User Rating: 
2/10
HORRIBLE!!!
Pros: Lightweight, fast -- when it works!
Cons: Power supply failure requiring motherboard replacement, need to reinstall windows every few weeks, video failure, blue screen of death
User Rating: 2/10
Dell computers come with Pubes!
Pros: http://gizmodo.com/378075/dell-tries-to-mend-fences-with-a-laptop-full-of-pubes
Cons: http://gizmodo.com/378075/dell-tries-to-mend-fences-with-a-laptop-full-of-pubes
I do not want pubes in my computer thank you very much!
User Rating: 2/10
Former Dell fan - now wouldn't take one if it was free.
Pros: It is light, attractive, has a solid feel to the keys, seems fast enough for normal business computing needs.
Cons: Mine did not work - right out of the box. Two failed hard drives; potential motherboard issues, USB port failed, software would not load. In other words, it would not work.
User Rating: 
1/10
"The grafic card died after 13 months !!!
Pros: good while lasted ...
Cons: gets really hot , and melts the mothearbord !!!!
User Rating: 2/10
video error!
Pros: looks nice, great size
Cons: video card problem!
don't like the flat touch buttons for volume control etc - can't see them in the dark and then i hit the wrong one.
User Rating: 
4/10
slick but faulty design
Pros: nice size, good keyboard, bright (LED-backlit) screen, handsome case
Cons: similar to other posts - major overheating problem. had motherboard replaced twice within first 13 months due to videocard damage caused by overheating. Also, DVD player often does not recognize discs.
User Rating: 4/10
Have to Agree with the Graphics Accelrator Issue
Pros: Cool looking, reliable out of the box
Cons: Driver upgraded in 9/2008, most recent resulted in issues, screen breaks up, goes to black to white with verticle lines, forces shutdown, restarts
User Rating: 
10/10
Its been perfect so far
Pros: small size, fast boot up, fast operation
Cons: It does get warm on my lap and the keyboard.
User Rating: 2/10
The Dell XPS-M1710 is ALSO involved here!
Pros: It's very attractive and has a beautiful screen
Cons: This powerful Laptop was NOT designed properly and was supplied with faulty Nvidia chips.
User Rating: 1/10
Dont waste your mony
Pros: Lightweight........
Cons: dvds dont play consistently (same for music CDs). Ive had to contact Dell 3 times since purchasing this crappy maching in Oct 2008. Keyboard isnt as fluid as the Inspiron that I previously owned.
User Rating: 1/10
DELL ABSOLUTELY BLOWS
Pros: The product is visually appealling... that's about it.
Cons: I have never been on the phone with a computer company so many times as after buying this inferior, over-priced piece of junk. I will never be stupid enough to buy from DELL again.
User Rating: 1/10
Class action lawsuit waiting to happen
Pros: This will be my last Dell
Cons: The fact the product exists
User Rating: 2/10
The grafic card died after 13 months
Pros: Used to work well until just after warranty expired.
Cons: The grafic card died after 13 months. Would cost about EUR 430 to repair (grafic card cannot be replaced alone...)
User Rating: 
8/10
Has run Perfect for 9 Months
Pros: Size/Form factor, looks great, lightweight, fast system
Cons: Gets hot in the lap, Battery life is not great, noisy DVD when loading
User Rating: 
9/10
Excellent laptop
Pros: Fast-Fashionable-Light-Thin
Cons: Noisy Disc Reader
Personally, i purchased an Refurbished XPS M1330 (Red product). Mine is running well so far. Honestly, this computer will be perfect if DELL improve its Heat Fan and DVD READER.
First of all, the laptop is easy to be heat up when using for a while such as using at home. However, i got a sexy laptop cooler. Now, mine BABE-XPS 1330 is not heat up anymore. I bought this 3 LED 3 FAN cooler on amazon for $9. I believe you will not complain any more.
Secondly, the CD-DVD Slot-Reader works like a running TANK. It is so noisy. I was so surprised when i used it at the first time. I thought it was broken and called DELL for help. They said nothing with that. I have read some reviews and seen many complain about this point. Well... DELL, If you are listening to your costumers, please make this CD-DVD Slot Reader works well like Macbook's.
In conclusion, i have to say this XPS-1330 is a perfect choice for whom wants to enjoy the high-tech laptop such as 2 Mp Webcam with Dual Microphone, HD 13" LCD, Multimedia Touch Buttons, CD-DVD Slot Reader...I believe you wont be disappointed.
Extra Info:
Over heat: Buy one sexy KOOL cooler which only costs you 9 dollars on Amazon (3 fans, 3 Blue LED lights)
Scratch: Buy a skin protector for it. It might cost around 19.99 dollars on Amazon
Protection: Buy Extra Screen and Keyboard protectors on Amazon or EBay (Around 20 dollars also)
Price: If it is expensive for you, Lets buy Refurbished one. personally, i bought Scratch-Dense at DELL OUTLET on DELL.COM for 699 included shipping. Its original price is 1350. What a WOW!!! right. Mine is totally fine so far. Actually, it is almost 99.99% new on the Refurbished one. So, do not loose your chance to save money
User Rating: 
3/10
Not worth the price
Pros: - The product is small and portable
- In home tech support
Cons: I have had a new motherboard, graphics card and LCD card installed. This is all due to the overheating issue. Now it appears I may have to reinstall my operating system since it has been faulty since I purchased it.
If you are going to use this unit for minor processing and light online surfing it may function fine. Anything more and it will start breaking down on you.
User Rating: 2/10
Overheats--Lives only Six Months
Pros: Fast, sexy looking
Cons: Shiny screen hard to read, runs too hot and burns out
User Rating: 4/10
Dell XPS M1330 LAPTOP
Pros: FAST GOOD SIZE GREAT COMPUTER
Cons: OVER HEATS ALOT. PROCESSOR GET TO HOT OVER TIME AND HAS TO BE REPLACED.. DELL MADE IT SO ONLY HEAT CAN GET OUT 2 BY 2 SQUARE.. NO AIR VENT THUR OUT LAPTOP.
User Rating: 2/10
Bad graphics card and drives
Pros: Nice looking computer and light.
Cons: The NVIDIA graphics card, mounted on the motherboard was miscast. Also the graphics card driver is buggy. I have had the motherboard replaced twice after more and more frequent system crashes.
User Rating: 9/10
Awsome laptop, Great Size, DVD Slot load, slick.
Pros: Size, Weight, Screen Quality, Features, HDMI, Remote, Camera, Silent..
Cons: Vista option only, Only up to 4GB ram (I want more), 9 Cell battery kills the look of the design. Not happy with vista home premium!
4GB - Vista Home Premium
320GB HD
Bluetooth, WiFi ABGN
13 inch, 2.0MP Webcam
Lightweight!!!
Even with vista this laptop is nice works great. I came from a maxed out version of the inspiron 700M.
User Rating: 2/10
Serious hardware flaws
Pros: size, screen
Cons: keyboard is sticky, touchpad
Motherboard has failed once, and 2 harddrives have failed in 6 months
User Rating: 1/10
Very bad hardware
Pros: Size, dvd slot, web cam
Cons: Too slow to run on vista, slow or poor tech support online, no international warranty
User Rating: 8/10
Awesome laptop with lots of features
Pros: Built in web-cam and fingerprint reader and remote-control for media player. Fast speeds and a well-sized hard drive. Battery lasts a long time! Small and lightweight! Really crisp and good display. HDMI output is a plus!
Cons: Only 2 USB drives. Audio jack for speakers is located on the front of the laptop so it looks funny plugging in my bose speakers to the front of the unit.
User Rating: 
7/10
great laptop
Pros: perfect size
Cons: unit over heats badly mother board burn out
