Entered CNET Catalog: 06/01/2006
SKU: M1210S3
Manufacturer: Dell, Inc.
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User opinions
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User Rating: 
9/10
Solid, fast machine with some nice touches
Pros: core 2 duo, great screen, full size keyboard, dedicated media buttons, built in webcam, can detect wireless without powering up, displays battery power without powering up, dual headphone ports
Cons: no problems so far
Review:
my original system was the Dell 710m. I had wanted this system for several months but couldn't really justify the purchase since my 710m works like a dream. My expectations were pretty high.
I purchased on the dell outlet website-previously ordered new-because i heard vista wasn't the best OS for gaming and Dell now only sells new systems with Vista. My experience with Dell odering was good, always has been for me, and the system arrived ahead of time in spite of a wicked ice storm in DC.
My configuration: 1 gb 667ram, 80hd at 5400, built in webcam, core 2 duo processor at 2.0, nvidea 7400 dedicated graphics card with 256 mg., the 3945 wireless. ($1921) I recommend at least a 2.0 mnz processor so you can get the 4 mb cache. (though not quite sure why except everything I have read says 4 mb cache is marginally faster than 2mb)
Separately, I popped for the 100 gb 7200 hd at $348 and purchased apricorn software (for SATA) to clone the hd. upgrading the hd with apricorn was a dream, btw, finished in under 20 mins. and so far no problems. Remember when you receive the 100 gb from dell to remove it from the sleeve before inserting in the apricorn holder for cloning.
In use, the 1210 is fast and very user friendly. there are buttons that allow you to check battery life and wireless links without powering up, the screen is sharp, applications open and run smoothly, battery life is good but not as good as a lot of sites say. the dedicated lighted video buttons along the front are a nice touch. I personally like the 12.1 inch screen for the portability and love the full size keyboard. The 710m has a smaller keyboard and it does make a difference. the webcam is adequate. I have media center direct which I havn't really explored yet.
On the internet, downloads so far are fast, the 1210 picks up wireless signals that my co-workers don't (but so did my 710m), and switching from one site to another is very quick, although granted this is more a factor of the connection.
A personal note-with the core 2 duo I don't really see much difference in startup and run. Still takes the same amount of time as my 710m to start up and for the antivirus application to fire up.
Overall, a good looking, fast, portable machine with a lot of nice common sense features not available in one package at this size. I'll probably upgrade to at least 2 gb ram in the future (the 1210 can go to 4 gb max ram). Feel free to email me with any questions about the hd upgrade with apricorn at srf22204@aol.com. I had a hard time finding info about upgrading the 1210 hard drive and i'm happy to share my experience.
I purchased on the dell outlet website-previously ordered new-because i heard vista wasn't the best OS for gaming and Dell now only sells new systems with Vista. My experience with Dell odering was good, always has been for me, and the system arrived ahead of time in spite of a wicked ice storm in DC.
My configuration: 1 gb 667ram, 80hd at 5400, built in webcam, core 2 duo processor at 2.0, nvidea 7400 dedicated graphics card with 256 mg., the 3945 wireless. ($1921) I recommend at least a 2.0 mnz processor so you can get the 4 mb cache. (though not quite sure why except everything I have read says 4 mb cache is marginally faster than 2mb)
Separately, I popped for the 100 gb 7200 hd at $348 and purchased apricorn software (for SATA) to clone the hd. upgrading the hd with apricorn was a dream, btw, finished in under 20 mins. and so far no problems. Remember when you receive the 100 gb from dell to remove it from the sleeve before inserting in the apricorn holder for cloning.
In use, the 1210 is fast and very user friendly. there are buttons that allow you to check battery life and wireless links without powering up, the screen is sharp, applications open and run smoothly, battery life is good but not as good as a lot of sites say. the dedicated lighted video buttons along the front are a nice touch. I personally like the 12.1 inch screen for the portability and love the full size keyboard. The 710m has a smaller keyboard and it does make a difference. the webcam is adequate. I have media center direct which I havn't really explored yet.
On the internet, downloads so far are fast, the 1210 picks up wireless signals that my co-workers don't (but so did my 710m), and switching from one site to another is very quick, although granted this is more a factor of the connection.
A personal note-with the core 2 duo I don't really see much difference in startup and run. Still takes the same amount of time as my 710m to start up and for the antivirus application to fire up.
Overall, a good looking, fast, portable machine with a lot of nice common sense features not available in one package at this size. I'll probably upgrade to at least 2 gb ram in the future (the 1210 can go to 4 gb max ram). Feel free to email me with any questions about the hd upgrade with apricorn at srf22204@aol.com. I had a hard time finding info about upgrading the 1210 hard drive and i'm happy to share my experience.
Updated
upgraded ram to 2 gb. kind of a pain since one dim is located under the key board. to access you must remove key board, which was time consuming but really much simpler than it sounds.
Found out that while dell advertises the video card is 256 mg in actuality only 64 mg is dedicated to graphics and the rest is shared. This should have been disclosed up front. NOT COOL.
upgraded ram to 2 gb. kind of a pain since one dim is located under the key board. to access you must remove key board, which was time consuming but really much simpler than it sounds.
Found out that while dell advertises the video card is 256 mg in actuality only 64 mg is dedicated to graphics and the rest is shared. This should have been disclosed up front. NOT COOL.
User Rating: 
8/10
nice hardware
Pros: small , light , blazingly fast
Cons: dell sales support SUCKS , lots of crap loaded
Review:
very very nice hardware , with a core duo 2.16Gh and 2 G of ram , this replaces my entire work bench (got vista running with 2 servers in vmware virtual machines) when i go to client sites ,this is a breeze to pack and carry , fits well even in an eco class folding tray .
this is an amazing system once you format the hd and install your own operating system, something funny : the pci driver from winXP pro distrib crashes the install but vista RC1 looks great in aero (and still have plenty of ressources to run 2 win2k3 servers in VM .....wow
on the bad side , had to fight with dell sales support to get the order going (and the delivery date got pushed a week), ABSOLUTLY no feed back on order status , poeple from dell calling multiple times for the same thing (credit card check up ) ..... communication people , i know english is not your primary language , but i think everyone down there speaks indian no ?
this is an amazing system once you format the hd and install your own operating system, something funny : the pci driver from winXP pro distrib crashes the install but vista RC1 looks great in aero (and still have plenty of ressources to run 2 win2k3 servers in VM .....wow
on the bad side , had to fight with dell sales support to get the order going (and the delivery date got pushed a week), ABSOLUTLY no feed back on order status , poeple from dell calling multiple times for the same thing (credit card check up ) ..... communication people , i know english is not your primary language , but i think everyone down there speaks indian no ?
User Rating: 
5/10
Take a closer look before you buy
Pros: Graphics card
Cons: To many to list them all here
Review:
It has been marketed very well by dell, but behind the apparent exellence is sub par quality componants in many cases. I was lead to believe that by choosing the sound upgrade, that I would be getting a sound blaster audigy sound card. Nope. Was the much cheaper Sigmatel soundcard which was made to try and run the Soundblaster Audigy drivers. This only caused System instability on my computer, and from what I have heard, may other people are experiencing this problem. So ask yourself, do you want a system that takes 10 min to shut down from time to time like I had. Dell is also shipping many of these laptops with very poor quality Toshiba screens. I saw one and is was the worst quality screen I have ever seen. I'm glad I didn't get that one. And no you can't request which screen you get. You also get a bunch of dell try before you buy software which is a hassle. These systems are only new. Time will tell just how long they last with the cheaper alternitives to the quality components that Dell could have chosen to use. The webcam that comes with the av package is about as clear as, well...Mud. Just another example of Dell putting in the bare minimum and marketing it as if it is on a level of perfection like never before. So remember reality won't you all!. My advice is look at what Asus has to offer.
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