Dell explains XPS m1330 delays, discontinues Pearl White models

Dell looked to have a sure winner on its hands with the sexy XPS m1330 laptop, but customers have been complaining of shipping delays ever since the machines were made available to order. A new post on the official Direct2Dell blog tries to explain some of the issues causing the delays and provide some insight into why some orders have shipped and others have been severely postponed -- although no time frame was given for clearing out the queue and getting back on track. While supply of those oh-so-hot LED backlit displays is definitely affecting production, the major problem appears to be the m1330's colors -- Dell says that painting these lids is much more difficult than anticipated, and that only Tuxedo Black units are coming off the line with acceptable results. As a result of these difficulties, the company is discontinuing Pearl White as an available choice -- customers who've already ordered Pearl White units will still receive them, but that'll be it. While we're not certain how an issue like that slipped through during development, we're definitely wondering why no one at Dell has just called up Colorware and asked them how they do it.

[Homeboy @ Aug 3rd 2007 7:47PM]

This is one freaking sweet computer and probably the best one for on the market today. If it had come out before I bought my HP Pavilion I would have been typing off it right now.

The big problem though it the delays. I have spoken to a few people here in Sweden who want to/ have ordered one of these babies but will have to wait at least a month until they take delivery. IMO that is a bit unacceptable and hopefully Dell will get their act together before their customers look elsewhere for a laptop.

[Nate @ Aug 3rd 2007 7:49PM]

If I were Colorware and Dell called me, I'd tell them to pony up the cash and have me paint their damn cases.

[ed @ Aug 3rd 2007 7:53PM]

Or they can cancel and just get a MacBook or a
MacBook Pro.

[Homeboy @ Aug 3rd 2007 8:20PM]

The Macbook doesn't have have HDMI support and doesn't come with a proper GPU like the m1330, and is even a tad bit more expensive. The Macbook pro is out of the question for many m1330 buyers since it's twice as expensive.

[mattstl77 @ Aug 3rd 2007 8:17PM]

Not smart... why pay quite a bit more for an inferior system and OS? You get more bang for your buck with Dell...even with the delays.

[john @ Aug 3rd 2007 8:31PM]

Yes but the MacBooks come in white! And for cheaper then the black model, too! Dell has a lot of catching up to do.

[Zadillo @ Aug 3rd 2007 8:45PM]

Homeboy, once you deck out an XPSM1330 with a serviceable CPU, LED-backlit screen and an 8400MGS, it's price isn't really all that different from a $1999 MBP. The only way I can get an XPSM1330 at a really low price (like $1200 or so) is with a 1.5GHz CPU, non-LED backlit screen and GMAX3100 graphics. Pricing wise, I think a decked out XPSM1330 and an MBP aren't that far from each other (of course, you have to decide which you want more at that point.......... 8600M GT vs. 8400MGS, 15.4" screen vs. 13.3" screen, etc.).

[ed @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:34PM]

I'll admit that it is VERY nice looking but it's still has a piece of shit OS named Windows Vista.

[Damien @ Aug 4th 2007 7:30PM]

@mattstl77

"Not smart... why pay quite a bit more for an inferior system and OS? You get more bang for your buck with Dell...even with the delays."

speaking of 'not smart'...

[Chipwich @ Aug 3rd 2007 7:54PM]

I was about to order one last night, but the red has a month delay. Now I have time to think about the m1330 vs the Sony SZ6. Decisions, decisions.

[mbslrm @ Aug 3rd 2007 9:55PM]

That's not even a question worth asking.

Get the VAIO SZ6. It's a better than the XPS M1330 in terms of build quality, lighter, best screens ever, hybrid GPU (you can switch between the 8400 and the Intel GMA), WAN, and it's made of carbon fiber.

And, high-end Dells cost as much, if not more, than VAIOs.

[Chipwich @ Aug 3rd 2007 10:18PM]

thanks for the suggestion, I have been trying to figure out the true differences. And yes, once you pimp out the Dell it's a wash in terms of price.

[nj @ Aug 3rd 2007 9:40PM]

in response to homeboys comment..
ahh actualy if you take a macbook pro and a 1330 and configure them as similar as possible you will find that the macbook pro is cheaper. $1999.99 for the base and a equal 1330 is $2059. not to mention the easier os and better graphics card. ohh and it ships in 7-10 days... and iv owned dells and loved them and never owned an apple but just wanting to get the truth out because it is well, the truth. i do wish dell would stop pulling a ps3 with the 1330 because it has alot of potential.

[Silver_Ghost @ Aug 3rd 2007 8:51PM]

I had configured a beautiful "Pearl White" M1330 yesterday afternoon at work and I decided to wait for the EPP coupon before sending over the payment. I received the coupon code around 9pm last night but also found my saved cart had been wiped out. I was heart broken when I found out that "Pearl White" option has been pulled!

Last I want to dedicate a song "Last Beautiful Girl" from Matchbox 20 to Dell: "It won't be the first - heart that you break / It won't be the last - beautiful girl."

[AlexP @ Aug 3rd 2007 9:06PM]

Inspirons are affected by the same issue - I sent you guys the news a few hours ago.

[nj @ Aug 3rd 2007 9:41PM]

sorry to ondra, have no idea why my last comment was posted as a response to yours

[zainali @ Aug 3rd 2007 9:43PM]

there might not be a difference in retail price but dell runs specials all the time anywhere from 10-50% off msrp whereas apple stuff never sells below retail.

[AlexP @ Aug 3rd 2007 10:09PM]

Um, you do get (if you're a student) a $100-$200 discount plus a free 4GB Nano plus a free $100 printer, a superior OS and no crapware.

That actually makes up for the difference between a Macbook Pro and a comparably equipped Inspiron... But I haven't taken any of this into account when I ordered the Inspiron... Oh well, I needed a copy of Vista anyway and I'm ordering an iMac Tuesday.

[zainali @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:57PM]

not everyone is a student.

[AlexP @ Aug 4th 2007 8:41AM]

Well don't get one if you're not, jeesh (I said "if you're a student" for a reason).

[bob e @ Aug 3rd 2007 10:28PM]

I ordered the crimson one for my gf's birthday. Too bad about the delay... strange they are having problems painting the covers.

Still I see those XPS 1330 ads on the TV all the time. Dell is starting to really advertise, just wish they had product to back it.

I would never consider an Apple product. I do love Dell.

[Allen @ Aug 4th 2007 2:22AM]

I got on Tuesday of this week, guess its a good thing I ordered black.

[ebichu @ Aug 4th 2007 3:07AM]

No delays for this model in Japan - I ordered a red lid WLED 2.2 GHz Duo with 8400 on the 27th of July and it was delivered after just six days.

[Denus @ Aug 4th 2007 7:31AM]

Mine (red CCFL & 2.2GHz, 200GB 72K rpm, 8400) was ordered on 5 July and will be delivered on monday 6 August. My wife ordered a white version with almost the same specs: according to Dell, the white covers will arrive at the factory on 17 August.
She will have to wait till the end of the month I guess.

And yes, the white perl covers have been removed from the Dell online store...

[Denus @ Aug 4th 2007 7:52AM]

No issues with Vista here: got 3 systems running fine on it.
Stop bashing Vista if you can't handle it.

And we are talking about the color issues of the M1330 here, we don't care about Macbooks...

[natejh88 @ Aug 4th 2007 2:21PM]

i just got mine in on tuesday. i ordered it july 15th but since it was the LED screen it was delayed. luckily i got the black case instead of red or white...but the black just looked so sleek. im typing on it now actually and i can say that this is one of the few laptops ive been so anxious to use everyday.

[Mohamad @ Aug 4th 2007 5:32PM]

@aron I was complaining about the fact that Microsoft is nickel and diming its customers who just paid for its office suite, not that I couldn't figure out how to set it up my email. Trust me buddy: I'm much smarter than you. You obviously don't even know how to read.

Oh and if Vista is so amazing as you say, why are so many people complaining? Are they all a bunch of liars? And why is Apple's market share in computers increasing? Why is Firefox stealing Microsoft IE market share? Why won't my 80 dollar state of the art wireless microsoft mouse configure on vista without 15 minutes of troubleshooting? This is 2007 not 1996 old man.

[Mohamad @ Aug 4th 2007 5:37PM]

I ordered in June and they wouldn't ship. I bought a 15 inch macbook pro to put vista on. After a few hours of running vista not being able to get rid of "My personal folders" an that you have to pay the hotmail subscription fee to get it delivered to outlook (keep in mind I just payed 400 for office suite) and dealing with the ass fucking that is called vista I switched to mac os x. It took me 30 seconds to set up "Mail". I only switch to vista for Word and powerpoint.

Let me just say: Vista is bad. Windows ME bad.

[aron @ Aug 4th 2007 11:09AM]

I don't know what's so difficult about seeing up e-mail on outlook; enter your pop3 server, your smtp server, your password, and you're done! Takes me 30 sec max. And since hotmail doesn't have pop3, it was impossible to set it up on OSX either! Is it too difficult to actually type out your own password?

[oh_wise_one @ Aug 6th 2007 10:07AM]

Saw something the other day that sums up folks like you -

"MACs are great because the general population does not have any technical savvy. This is why these folks should buy MACs - because they have built-in 'IDIOT PROOFING' which keeps them from hurting themselves."

And lose the potty-mouth. It'll add years to your "apparent IQ."

[Mike Stump @ Aug 5th 2007 7:10PM]

I ordered the black one almost a month ago and it still won't ship until aug 28th. Mind you I decked it out, just under 3100.

[Mike @ Aug 6th 2007 9:31AM]

I am using a decked-out black one as I type this... granted I got it through work and not the consumer channels. Best laptop I have owned to date.

[Sith @ Aug 6th 2007 4:59PM]

I don't know what these people with estimated ship dates in August are complaining about. I ordered mine back on July 15th and the estimated ship date is October 9th. That's right October!

[Niece Still Waiting @ Aug 17th 2007 2:05AM]

It's not just the m1330--they are missing ship dates on many systems with color choices, including the Inspiron 1521 in Flamingo Pink I ordered for my niece to take to college. Ordered on 7/18, with a reasonable ship date of 8/6, no wait, 8/12, no wait...8/19, no, hold it...8/28, the day she leaves for college. Nice job on the old supply line Mr. Dell. I ordered a MacBook Pro for me on 7/5. Got it on 7/12. Shoulda gotta Mac for her too.

[kev @ Aug 24th 2007 3:42PM]

Mac is CRAP. There are very few people who need to use them. I know a handful of them and they wouldn't give up their home PC's for anything. Everyone has to be trendy and get an "I" product... They suck, get over it.

[Ondra Soukup @ Jun 24th 2008 11:58AM]

You know what happen to ordered Lenovo T61 when it got delayed due to the fu**ing frames missing ? Client opted for a MacBook Pro and is REALLY happy with it. "How could I ever work with windows when this is all so seamless ?" he asks :)

Delays are good ;)