Put simply, the XPS M1210 is the most powerful and feature-packed 12.1-inch notebook we’ve seen. This sleek 4.8-pound system combines a dual-core processor with a 256MB discrete graphics card, plus integrated mobile broadband and a built-in webcam. Throw in Dell’s top-notch service for XPS customers and you have one of the best thin-and-light notebooks of the year, albeit at a steep price of $2,356.
Dell’s **** thin-and-light is the perfect combination of style and power. Pop the black top on this mini Media Center notebook, and you’re greeted with a dazzling gray-and-silver color scheme. Despite its demure (11.7 x 8.7 x 1.2 inches) size, the M1210 offers a well-spaced keyboard that doesn’t leave you feeling cramped when typing. The only thing we don’t like about it is that the Page Up key is too close to the right Shift key.
Above the keyboard reside three buttons for Power, Dell MediaDirect (which allows you to access media files without booting into Windows), and the 1.3-megapixel Logitech QuickCam. A touchpad with a built-in scrollbar sits beneath the keyboard. The front bezel contains a set of illuminated multimedia buttons for volume, play/pause, stop, fast forward, and rewind, which really come in handy while on a flight or when sitting in other cramped quarters.
Watching DVDs on the 12.1-inch TrueLife screen was a pleasure, as the colors were bright and the visuals sharp. The screen maintains a wide viewing angle, so two people can watch a flick on this system at once. Dual headphone jacks on the front of the M1210 (dell xps m1210 battery) mean two people can listen simultaneously, too. The speakers below the display delivered tinny sound, which was a letdown for a notebook with such strong multimedia features.
Connectivity options include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but the M1210′s ( compaq presario r3000 battery) main wireless attraction is the integrated Dell Mobile Broadband Card that connects to Verizon’s EV-DO service. (A Cingular HSDPA card should be an option by the time you read this.) Road warriors who don’t want to concern themselves with tedious hotspot hunting will love this feature, as they can connect to the Web at broadband speeds from anywhere there’s coverage. We averaged a very good 563 Kbps, which equated to speedy Web surfing. However, we did notice a few dropped connections when commuting from New Jersey to Manhattan.
The rotating 1.3-MP Logitech Quickcam sits atop the screen and works in tandem with an omnidirectional microphone for voice or video chats using the included copy of Skype. The video quality wasn’t as good as an external webcam, but it’s convenient to have on board. Face tracking technology keeps a subject centered in the frame, so you’re free to move about a bit without ruining the shot.
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