EmailBest Reviewed
Ultraportable Laptops
- Best ultraportable laptop overall Lenovo ThinkPad X200 *Est. $1170
- Best for under $1,000 HP Pavilion dv3510nr *Est. $900
- Budget ultraportable laptop Dell XPS M1330 *Est. $750
- Stylish but expensive Windows laptop Lenovo ThinkPad X301 *Est. $1875
- Best tablet PC Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet *Est. $1410
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Budget ultraportable laptop
- Good performance
- Good value
- Attractive styling
- Solid build quality
- Older design
- Heavy for an ultraportable
- Some warm spots
The 13.3-inch Dell XPS M1330 is one of the oldest ultraportable laptops still offered, but Dell has done a good job in updating the system to keep it relatively fresh. Tons of customization options are offered, but even the budget-friendly base configuration is relatively powerful with a full-voltage Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a generous 320 GB hard drive, a DVD burner and 3 GB of memory. Available upgrades include an LED-backlit display that reviewers say is stunning and a discrete graphics card that provides decent, though certainly not earth-shattering gaming performance. However, those upgrades will also raise the price to the point where some other systems -- such as the very well-equipped HP Pavilion dv3510 nr (*est. $900) -- might represent a better value.
The Dell XPS M1330 gets lots of reviews, though some are now a little dated. Among recent reports, Australia's Choice magazine continues to name that ultraportable laptop as a Best Buy. Additionally, while PCMag.com's full review is older, the magazine continues to rate the XPS M1330 as a top ultraportable and an Editors' Choice winner in a recent review round-up article. Dell.com hosts tons of user reviews, including lots of recent ones. Detailed but now slightly dated reviews can be found at NotebookReview.com and TrustedReviews.com.
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Our Sources
1. Choice magazineDetails/Subscribe
Choice, which is Australia's answer to ConsumerReports.org, gives the Dell XPS M1330 high marks in this relatively recent report. While the write-up is more detailed than what ConsumerReports.org normally provides, it could be meatier still. Additionally, the full report is only available to subscribers.
Review: Laptops: Ultraportables Compared, Editors of Choice magazine, Oct. 2008
2. Dell.com
Dell's site is the best place to read user reviews of the Dell XPS M1330, and you'll find a ton of them there -- more than 850 at last look. While not everyone is a fan, most are and the ultraportable laptop earns an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars.
Review: Dell XPS M1330 Reviews, Contributors to Dell.com
3. PCMag.com
This review round up calls the Dell XPS M1330 a "great and venerable system" for those who don't demand the very latest technology, and it is the only Editors' Choice selection in this group. A link lead's to somewhat dated but long and detailed single-product review written by PCMag.com's Cisco Cheng.
Review: 9 Great Thin-and Light Laptops, Tony Hoffman, April 10, 2009
Though some details have changed, this long and balanced report on the Dell XPS M1330 remains a worthwhile read. The most noteworthy negative is that this ultraportable laptop gets a little too warm in spots. Otherwise, it's clear that the XPS M1330 impresses in most regards and is named an Editors' Choice.
Review: Dell XPS M1330 Review, Andrew Baxter and Jerry Jackson, July 12, 2007
In this older review, Andy Vandervell is completely impressed with the Dell XPS M1330, saying it is capable of satisfying business users as well as those interested in multimedia. It is named one of the site's Recommended picks.
Review: Dell XPS M1330, Andy Vandervell, Oct. 11, 2007
Ultraportable Laptops Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
Samsung X360-34G 13.3-Inch Laptop (1.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 Centrino 2 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, Vista Business)
 from Amazon.com New: $829.00
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