I know a few readers are keen on all M1210 news.

Dell have updated the bios to A04

This is an optional update and dell have list the changes as.

1. Updated Support for Microsoft Vista.

2. Updated Support for Intel Processor T5200.

3. Improved High Definition Audio Device performance.

Link: http://support.euro.dell.com/support/downloads/

Lots of visitors to the site either have a Dell XPS M1210 or are interested in this super laptop.

Here are some links you might be interested.

Forums
http://www.notebookforums.com/forum237.html

Dell XPS Support
http://www.support.dell.com/

Alternative Video Drivers.
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/

Video Clips
http://www.youtube.com/

Reviews
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?

Please leave some your links in the comments section.

This is the tool that tells you how your computers performance is rated by Windows Vista

These results are using Beta Drivers on Windows Vista RC1 Build 5728

Machine: Dell XPS M1210 2.0Ghz Core 2 Duo
100gb 7200 RPM Hard Disk
2.0 Gig Ram (533Mhz)
Nvidia GeForce Go 7400

Component: Subscore out of 5 (Higher is better)

Processor: Subscore 4.9
Ram: Subscore 4.5
Graphics: Subscore 3.1
Gaming Graphics: Subscore 3.4
Primary Hard Disk Subscore 5.0

Base Score 3.1 (Determined by Lowest Subscore)

The Windows Vista RC1 (Build 5600) the Graphics: Subscore was 2.5. So some improvements have been made in the 25 days since the builds shipped.

My Notes
Although the Nvidia 7400 video card is pretty amazing by 2006 standards in a small form factor laptop its also the weakest link in the chain. I have fast CPU and Hard Disk the bottleneck has to settle somewhere.

I am very pleased with how Vista is performing, but I would not be in a hurry to install it on anything other that the fastest hardware I have access to.

So my other Windows XP machines are all staying on XP.

The Dell XPS M1210 is a great little computer.

I heard the Core Duo/Core 2 Duo had some new instructions to speed up multimedia, so I did a quick test.

The Test: Ripping a 54min Audio CD to iTunes @ 192k Mp3

For comparison I tested the Dell Latitude X300 which had a 24 speed CD Drive against two Dell XPS M1210’s with DVD+RW drives, which for these tests were treated as a 24 speed CD Drive.

Dell Latitude X300 PentiumM 1.2Ghz took 8m4s

Dell XPS M1210 Core Duo 2.0GHZ took 3m54s

Dell XPS M1210 Core 2 Duo2 2.0GHZ took 3m42s

So the difference between Core Duo and Core 2 Duo is very small.

Link: N/A

Ok quick things.

Q) Do you notice a difference between Core Duo/Core 2 Duo (at the same clock speed 2.0ghz)?

A) No, on paper core 2 duo is superior but in the real world – not much in it.

Q) Do you notice a difference between a 5400 rpm / 7200 rpm hard disk?

A) Yes disk access feels quicker.

Q) 1gig Ram or 2gig?

A) In Windows XP it doesnt really matter that much, it will in Vista though.

More XPS M1210 and Core Duo stuff soon….

Link: http://www.dell.co.uk