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Thread: Laptop Advice

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    Senior Member kasavien's Avatar
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    Laptop Advice

    Slightly different request to the other Laptop thread that is floating around.

    I'm sorely tempted by the Dell XPS M1330, the top end one, but I have a few questions about it's specification. for home use I'm intending to use it with a docking station, but for on the move I want something powerful and small.

    1. Would I notice much of a difference between a CCFL (What even is that) and an LED backlit Screen?
    2. How much difference would I notice between a P8600 at 2.4Ghz and a P9600 at 2.66Ghz for tasks such as programming, picture editing, light gaming etc.
    3. How would a 9500m gfx card compare to a 7800GTX (my current gfx card) would I be able to play new games at the screens native res?
    4. Are there any other similarly featured 13.3" notebooks around?

    Thanks in anticipation.

    Andy

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    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Re: Laptop Advice

    have you thought about a different laptop at all or is this the one you want? i say this as i have a hp media center laptop which i can play the latest games on, and it cost a hell of a lot less then those stupid dell laptops....also why dont you just get a 15.4 inch laptop? have you looked a reviews for the cpus? there your best bet on answer there chap

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    Re: Laptop Advice

    For the screen CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamps) are not as clear and use more power than LEDS so you should get a bit more battery life with LEDs. I ordered my gf an inspiron with the LED backlight rather than CCFL (didn't cost any extra to change) and there is a noticable difference compared to an identical inspiron with CCFL. As for the graphics I would probably say that the 7800GTX is more powerful than a 9500m but should be ok for light gaming.

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    Senior Member FatalSaviour's Avatar
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    Re: Laptop Advice

    Quote Originally Posted by kasavien View Post
    Slightly different request to the other Laptop thread that is floating around.

    I'm sorely tempted by the Dell XPS M1330, the top end one, but I have a few questions about it's specification. for home use I'm intending to use it with a docking station, but for on the move I want something powerful and small.

    1. Would I notice much of a difference between a CCFL (What even is that) and an LED backlit Screen?
    2. How much difference would I notice between a P8600 at 2.4Ghz and a P9600 at 2.66Ghz for tasks such as programming, picture editing, light gaming etc.
    3. How would a 9500m gfx card compare to a 7800GTX (my current gfx card) would I be able to play new games at the screens native res?
    4. Are there any other similarly featured 13.3" notebooks around?

    Thanks in anticipation.

    Andy
    As the owner of an M1330, I can answer at least the first question .
    As has been mentioned, CCFL backlights are used in the majority and feature either 1 or 2 cold cathodes to provide the illumination.
    I can't remember offhand how many LEDs the M1330 uses (16 rings a bell?), but the LEDs do lend themselves to a higher maximum brightness than their CCFL equivalent, it's also thinner, and you should get some extra battery life out of it.

    (I've read, although can't indepently confirm this, that unlike if the backlight goes on a CCFL, you're left with a completely dim screen, if one LED goes, you'll still be left with a (mostly) functional display? )

    3. You can play some games on the M1330. TBH though, realistically you'll be relegated to playing most at the lowest graphics settings and sometimes not at native res (esp for modern games). The dedicated GPU is better than the integrated Intel equivalent, but still will not beat any high-end graphics card

    As to the fourth question...a Macbook? (That was the only other that I had to make a serious choice between at the time of my purchase!)

    Bear in mind that the XPS series don't have dedicated docking ports/stations, but I'm guessing you know that?

    And don't forget Quidco/any relevant promo codes for the Dell site!
    Quote Originally Posted by Noni
    What the hell does "WTH" mean


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    Senior Member kasavien's Avatar
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    Re: Laptop Advice

    I've had a look at some of the hp laptops too. I like the general design of the dell laptops and I'm keen to get something with a smaller screen so that I have more mobility, although I haven't really convinced myself that mobility is what I need. My main reason for wanting mobility is for travelling around so I don't want something big and cumbersome, but at the same time I'm not sure how much on the go computing I'll need to do in the future.

    I've looked mainly at dell laptops under the assumption that dell provide good customer service and that their machines are generally reliable. Also I can't find anything else with a spec to match.

    The other problem is that I like the idea of an all in one computer like the hp touchsmart, but then I get zero mobility :s

    I guess one of my biggest requirements is to have something that will be quiet during operation, I'm always very aware of the noise my current pc makes and it gets more annoying as time passing. I also want something with very few cables, hence laptop or all in one.

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    Senior Member kasavien's Avatar
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    Re: Laptop Advice

    Quote Originally Posted by FatalSaviour View Post
    Bear in mind that the XPS series don't have dedicated docking ports/stations, but I'm guessing you know that?
    Oo i didn't know that, so thanks for the heads up! What's your experience with the M1330 been like so far, would you recommend it?

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    Senior Member FatalSaviour's Avatar
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    Re: Laptop Advice

    Quote Originally Posted by kasavien View Post
    Oo i didn't know that, so thanks for the heads up! What's your experience with the M1330 been like so far, would you recommend it?
    TBH, as I've had no problems with the laptop, I may be somewhat biased, but I'll try to be as objective as possible.

    I've had my M1330 for about a year and half now - I managed to get a cracking deal on mine at the time (2.2GHz CPU, 8400M GS, 250GB HDD, 4GB RAM, WLED screen, 9-cell battery) for approx £750 inc vat, so it's held its value incredibly well - if you can find any 10% vouchers, then they're useful (I can currently find one VRF918P4?7BK2V for 5% off, in addition to any other promotions). Quidco currently stands at 5% too.

    Anywho, I'd definitely recommend the WLED screen if they're similarly priced (it is a better screen, although you'll be hard pressed to see either that or the CCFL in bright sunlight outside - the bane of glossy screens).

    When I originally got the laptop, I could get around 6 hours general usage out of the 9-cell battery, which I found really impressive, given the dedicated GPU. I've just bought another 9-cell battery (approx £80), as this has now dropped to 2.5-3 hours, but then, that's carrying it to York uni's CS department and depleting the charge almost every day .

    If you're really looking to game on a laptop, then I would probably advise you to look elsewhere (and away from 13" models in general). The M1330 will suffice for light gaming, but realistically, that's about it.
    Programming and photo-editing (two things I also do) are fine on it (the high clocked CPUs help with this).

    I also have a much higher-spec'd PC (not the 1 in my System - that needs updating!), but since getting the laptop, I have found myself using it less and less (I would go so far as to say rarely now, apart from to play the odd game of FarCry or Total War).

    One last thing, the GPU died in mine (it was common with the G84 GPUs - not a Dell fault), and the DVD drive started to make loud noises a little while ago. On both occasions, I rang the Dell support line, and spoke to techs immediately, who sent engineers out to fix both issues the next day. Although there was one time where I spoke to a guy in India who didn't have a clue what he was on about, the XPS support is supposedly separate from the Inspiron line, so you should receive better customer service in this respect.

    I wouldn't bother buying anything more than the 1 year XPS warranty initially if you do decide to go for it. I was contacted by Dell as my 1st year's warranty expired, offering me a further 3-years warranty for £100 - something which I went for, as it seemed like a very good deal.

    As a two-line conclusion, what I really needed was a powerful machine (at least in the CPU department even if it means sacrificing some gaming potential) but which was easily portable. If you need a good balance of mobility and speed, then the M1330 should certainly be in your shortlist at least.

    I hope that helps?
    Any other questions, I'll do my best to answer them
    Last edited by FatalSaviour; 21-09-2009 at 09:05 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by Noni
    What the hell does "WTH" mean


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    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Re: Laptop Advice

    ok dell support = rubbish, honestly i have a dell mini 9 and it took over an hour to get hold of someone...there really bad there so i dont personaly belive there support is that good...but thats down to personaly experience, the hp laptops....now there is only really 1 i would recommened and thats this model....

    http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/r...H681UA%2523ABA

    its the pavilion dv6, the model i have has a dual core amd athlon 64 running at 2.2ghz, a radeon hd 4530 (great for games) a 25gb hdd and 3 gb of ram....pretty much all you could want! although...its larger then what you wanted, id suggest going abit larger i mean its a very silent laptop, and can play games a decent RES's plus it has touch button and a fancy design lol, sound is great aswell, and if your an intel fan there is that one 2! before you jump in you might want to shop around, there is alot better then dell my friend
    Last edited by razer121; 21-09-2009 at 09:04 PM.

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    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
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    Re: Laptop Advice

    Just food for thought, my XPS M1330 (same spec as above) has blown 3 motherboards.. I have 4 years warranty so it was fixed next day but still.. it's taking the mick.

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    Senior Member FatalSaviour's Avatar
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    Re: Laptop Advice

    Quote Originally Posted by kasavien View Post
    Oo i didn't know that, so thanks for the heads up! What's your experience with the M1330 been like so far, would you recommend it?
    I also use a Dell Precision M4300 at work.
    The docking station and high-res screen are two things that I would love in my M1330. Personally, I feel that it would be great to have a 1440x900 or 1680x1050 screen. The docking station option would negate that need to a certain extent, as you'd be able to use it as a normal desktop on a 20" monitor with your usual peripherals.
    Unfortunately, this is where I had to make compromises, as I really did need the mobility of a smaller laptop (and at the end of the day, I do HAVE a workstation if necessary .
    If you're in a similar position, you'll probably be ok
    Quote Originally Posted by Noni
    What the hell does "WTH" mean


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    Re: Laptop Advice

    Quote Originally Posted by staffsMike View Post
    Just food for thought, my XPS M1330 (same spec as above) has blown 3 motherboards.. I have 4 years warranty so it was fixed next day but still.. it's taking the mick.
    Dedicated GPU?
    Quote Originally Posted by Noni
    What the hell does "WTH" mean


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    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Re: Laptop Advice

    did i forget to mention the hp comes with a media center remote? well cool

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    Senior Member FatalSaviour's Avatar
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    Re: Laptop Advice

    Quote Originally Posted by razer121 View Post
    did i forget to mention the hp comes with a media center remote? well cool
    So does the M1330
    Although admittedly, the HP's does work with MCE a bit better!
    Quote Originally Posted by Noni
    What the hell does "WTH" mean


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    Re: Laptop Advice

    Yep same spec.. 8400gs, 2.2Ghz, led screen etc..

    GPU first time, 2nd total faliure, 3rd power failure (wouldn't charge)

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    Senior Member FatalSaviour's Avatar
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    Re: Laptop Advice

    Quote Originally Posted by staffsMike View Post
    Yep same spec.. 8400gs, 2.2Ghz, led screen etc..

    GPU first time, 2nd total faliure, 3rd power failure (wouldn't charge)
    In which case I can only absolve Dell of the first problem (this was a widespread Nvidia-caused problem across Dell, HP and Apple among others).
    Sounds like you've had a bad run with the MBs, and I wouldn't blame you for not trusting them in that case!
    Quote Originally Posted by Noni
    What the hell does "WTH" mean


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    Re: Laptop Advice

    I'm fairly sure it's mostly down to dell using cheaper manufacturers for parts now. The first board took some serious abuse before the gpu gave up, those since have lasted months not years.

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