Put simply, the XPS M1210 is the most powerful and feature-packed 12.1-inch laptop have seen. This elegant 4.8 pound system combines dual-core processor with a 256MB card with a separate graphics card, plus integrated mobile broadband and integrated webcam. Throw in better service for Dell XPS customers first and has one of the best thin and light notebooks this year, albeit at a price of $ 2356th
Sexy Dell thin and light is the perfect combination of style and power. Pop black gray on the top of this mini-notebook media center, and with a dazzling and silver color scheme is welcomed. Despite its modest (11.7 x 8.7 x 1.2 inches) in size, the M1210 provides a keyboard layout that you avoid feeling overwhelmed by the write. The only thing I like is the fact that the Page Up button to close is too close to the right shift key.
You will reside above the keyboard are three buttons for Power, Dell MediaDirect (which you can access media files without booting into Windows), and the 1.3 megapixel Logitech QuickCam. A touchpad with a built-in scroll bar below the keyboard. The front panel includes a series of illuminated multimedia keys for volume, play / pause, stop, forward and back, which really comes in handy while on a crowded flight or while sitting in another.
DVD movies on the 12.1-inch TrueLife was a delight as the bright colors and sharp images. The screen makes a wide viewing angle so that two people can watch a movie in this system at a time. Dual headphone jacks on the front of the M1210 (Dell XPS M1210 battery) can simultaneously listen to two people, too. The speakers provided below the screen metallic sound, which was disappointing for a notebook with multimedia features so strongly.
The connectivity options include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but (the M1210 Compaq Presario R3000 battery), the main attraction is the Dell Wireless integrated mobile broadband card, which combines Verizon's EV-DO. (A number of Cingular HSDPA card should be an option for the time) you read this. Travelers who do not want to deal with tedious hunting hotspot will love this feature because it can access the Internet at broadband speeds from anywhere within range get in touch. We have a very good average of 563 kbit / s, corresponding speed Internet surfing. However, we noticed some dropped connections during the trip from New Jersey to Manhattan.
The rotation of the Logitech QuickCam 1.3MP sits on the display and works with an omnidirectional microphone for voice or video conferencing using the included copy of Skype. Video quality not as good as an external webcam, but it should have on board. Face tracking technology is still a topic in the center are such that you move freely, without ruining anything to the shot.
The M1210 is a master of productivity growth as the 2.16-GHz Core Duo T2600 with 1GB of RAM combined achieved a net of 286 blisters on our MobileMark 2005 benchmark test. As expected, this machine does not hiccup when we scan the computer and a DVD simultaneously. Which lasted, despite all this power, the M1210 battery an impressive 4 hours and 29 minutes with Wi-Fi enabled.
What makes it unique among the Dell laptop is 12.1 inches, which has an Nvidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics card with 256 MB dedicated video memory, a rich houses. The M1210 in a 3DMark03 value of 4456, which is for a notebook in this weight class just fine. When we ran our F.E.A.R. Test gave the XPS M1210 26 fps at 800 x 600 pixels, which is certainly playable (and better than 23, the Sony VAIO SZ / s), but less than stellar. Notches until the clarification of 1024 x 768, is simply not an option because the collection system, only 5 fps.
In addition to a one-year warranty, the M1210 (HP Pavilion zd8000 Battery) Dell XPS with white glove service. The package includes a 15-month subscription to security software and fast access to a special group of specialists from XPS-training support.
Integrated mobile broadband services, a webcam, multimedia controls make sense, the excellent battery life and DVD recording in a lightweight package that is elegant, the Dell XPS M1210 a winner on several fronts. If you spend looking for a strong all-round performer laptop with money, you can not go wrong with this system.
Audio & Speakers
This is usually the part in a review that say "get a pair of external speakers." But I will not say. I was surprised by the sound of the M1210 is made available. On a laptop of 12 "as a rule number" Luckily for the system sounds from a loudspeaker at the bottom of the laptop. playing music, and movies seen in the M1210 and also for us to shoot positioned 4-ohm speakers generated very good audio quality. I am so impressed, I tell you, if you are traveling, except in the most and leave the external speakers in the country - the volume and clarity of these speakers is more than enough. Bravo!
The two headphone jacks is a kind of cool thing. In an airplane or in the back of a car, shoot a movie and your traveling companion may each with their own headphones.
Wireless Communications
Dell has brought out all the stops to make the XPS M1210 (Dell Inspiron 9400 Battery) wireless capability. Here is a brief overview of the wireless options:
Wi-Fi Options: Intel Pro / Wireless 3945 WiFi 802.11 a / b / g, Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g, Dell Wireless 1490 802.11a / g
Bluetooth (Dell Wireless 350 Bluetooth internal wireless card)
WWAN (wireless broadband Internet access) to choose from: o Dell Wireless 5500 Mobile Broadband 3G HSDPA (Cingular U.S.) or Dell Wireless 5700 Mobile Broadband CDMA EVDO (Verizon Wireless USA)
The broadband cellular communication addition to the M1210 (Dell Inspiron 9300 battery) is very welcome. Dell offers the option of configuring your M1210 with an internal antenna for either EVDO or HSDPA. M1210 My review unit was configured with the Dell Wireless 5700 EVDO modem. Dell antenna on the screen, no ugly antenna. An important consideration when using the web-cam of AV communications package such as select ($ 100-) option, you do not choose EVDO service at the time of purchase, you can add, update, and WWAN later since it only Mini-PCI card would be needed to plug-in
With Verizon's EVDO is a pleasure if you are already a Verizon Wireless is $ 60 per month for unlimited data transfer, and if not, then the price is $ 80 per month. You also have the option of paying $ 15 for 24 hours access to Verizon's EVDO network. If you can be a very mobile EVDO person to be a blessing and keep you from worrying about where the next access point.
Speaking to find wireless hotspots, Dell has a unique feature called "Wi-Fi Catcher" is included on the left side of the notebook. You can use this option to all wireless radios by going into the off position, but much colder than push all the way and blinks green while the search for a Wi-Fi, and if any lights solid green when none is found in orange. The Wi-Fi Catcher works whether the laptop switched off or in standby mode. So there is no need to start and search for wireless networks, just press this button to find out.
Battery
Instead of running benchmarks battery that has a real world battery drain test used. 100% charge I set the screen at half brightness and stopped making the XPS M1210. I then had a variety of tasks such as downloading and installing Half Life 2 and played a little web browsing, downloading and installing 3DMark05 and saw 10 minutes in front of a DVD, edited some photos for the review and the wireless turned around and let that the M1210 (Compaq Presario V2000 Battery) for some time inactive. In the whole 9-cell battery ran for 5% of the windows closed and use the laptop in 58 minutes to 2h. Since the M1210 (HP Pavilion DV1000 battery) is here with the video card and a faster processor and Wi-Fi set I left, this time is not bad. If you have a integrated graphics, Wi-Fi and adjust the screen brightness lower you could easily achieve 4.5 hours. My test was very abusive in terms of using demanding programs while on battery power.