Please HELP. Comparing DELL 630m VS 710m

The 710m is great but the keyboard is small and cramp. I have small hands and I can't type on it. If you plan on taking notes for class, then I wouldn't recommend the 710m just because of the small keyboard. You have to get the extended battery for additional battery time because the standard battery only last me 2 hours. I am ordering a M140 which is the same as the 630M. I should be receiving the M140 on monday. I have heard horror stories about the screen on the M140/630. However, the battery time on the standard cell is 4 hours and it has a full size keyboard which is great for taking notes and a 14inch screen which is exactly what I was looking for.

I have a 700m & I have pretty big hands but I can type very fast on the small keyboard. At first it does takes some getting used to but after spending a few hours on it, I'm fine. Whether the 710m or the 630m is suitable for you, only you can decide for yourself but I would suggest you go to the nearest Dell kiosk & check them out yourself if it is possible. Good luck.

The screen is not as bad as everyone says. Those are the unlucky ones. Most people are fine (like me).

I just recently had to choose between the 630m and 710m and I went with the 630m. Here are my reasons:
- Extremely long battery life with extended battery. (Over 5 hours)
- Normal sized keyboard. I wouldn't have to get used to the smaller keyboard on the 710m.
- Media buttons at the front of the laptop. I find I use these quite a bit on my recent keyboards.
- You don't have to boot up windows to watch DVD's and listen to music. Dunno if this feature works well or not but it sounds like a good battery saving feature.
- Still considered a lightweight laptop at only 5.5 lbs.
- Has slot for flash memory so I can put my pictures on it without a USB cord.
- More video RAM than the 710m so I can do some "mild" gaming

I haven't received the laptop yet so I'll have to wait and see about the screen but I don't think it'll be too much of an issue. Overall, it seems like the 630m is a better multimedia notebook than the 710m and I think it would suit my needs better than the 710m.

if you don't mind me asking, how much did you get it for?

you can get a 630m for around 650 bucks after coupons and deals

I recently purchase a XPS M140 at Dell outlet. I am wondering if it is a good deal.
Here are the specs:
1.86 Ghz
1 GB DDR2 Ram 2dimms
Media Center
Bluetooth
60 Gb 7200rpm
6 cell battery
8x dvd+rw
14.1 inch truelife
Wireless Card
Previously Ordered New

i purchase it for $861 before tax and shipping.
With shipping and tax it came to $966.

Is this a good deal or can I do better?

[quote=computerstud]I recently purchase a XPS M140 at Dell outlet. I am wondering if it is a good deal.
Here are the specs:
1.86 Ghz
1 GB DDR2 Ram 2dimms
Media Center
Bluetooth
60 Gb 7200rpm
6 cell battery
8x dvd+rw
14.1 inch truelife
Wireless Card
Previously Ordered New

i purchase it for $861 before tax and shipping.
With shipping and tax it came to $966.

Is this a good deal or can I do better?[/QUOTE

It looks like a good deal. I think the more important thing is, are you happy with it when you start using it. I bought and returned an XPS M140 two weeks ago, since mine has build quality issues. Creaking case, screen lid warped, speaker sound comes out distorted, and light leakage that washes anything you watch. Of course, I might just had a lemon and one lemon does not make an orchard. BUT, I notice that most of the M140 owners here have observed the light leakage thing and the creaking side. That to me indicates that it is a build quality issue. I so much wanted to like the M140 since I think for it has a competitive price point and alot of cool features, but I think I will order the 710M instead since based on what I have been reading here and on the Dell forums, the 700/710M has the best screen of the lot and is most stable.

I just got my XPS M140 from Dell Outlet and have no problems with it (crossing my fingers!)

Trust me, if you get a good piece, you will absolutely love this lappy. And like SpeedyTurtle said the battery life is the best feature. You might think that 3 hrs of battery life is good for you, well trust me try this notebook with 6+ hrs of battery life if you are like me (coding or word processing). This lappy is also good for weekend gaming (Max Payne 2, FIFA 06 for example). I have mine re-paritioned with dual boot option and media buttons work fine. Make sure you get the TRUELIFE SCREEN though!

I was torn between these two models as well, but in the end I chose the M140. I got one of the refurbs on the Dell outlet. 1.86Ghz, 80gb HD, 512ram, DVD burner, 9cell & truelife for $689. I could'nt be happier! The screen looks great and the battery life really is 6+ hours! If I could have got a 710m with the same features and price, It might have been a tough choice. But I'm definetly not sorry, this is a great laptop!

I have a 700m and a 630 now. Both are nice laptops. The keyboard is much nicer in the 630m and it has the faster chipset, so it's a little bit quicker. The 700m is a good bit smaller though, if you want small and light then that's your only option. the 630 IMO is not particularly small nor light. A 600m is lighter then the 630.

i'd rather a 700m, due to tis smaller size, however you could not custimze it as well as the 630m, i get mine on monday, fingers crosses its all good no build quality issues

yeah dell is basically throwing away the 630/m140's right now to pave way for the duo's.

I have a 700m and just recently got a m140. Having used an 700m for awhile the screen on the m140 compared to the 700m was horrible. Light leakage from the bottom, washed out colors and VERY limited viewing angles. You pretty much have to look straight at it. The screen on the 700m has none of this. I'm sure if I didn't have the 700m I would think the screen on the m140 was great. I'm using the newest Intel graphics driver for the m140 (not the Dell provided one) with color correction controls so it helps a little. Having used both I like them for the following reasons:

700m
Small and light.
Beautiful screen.

m140
Better keyboard.
Front media buttons.
Better speakers.
Long battery life.

Pianist718, since you're looking for something light weight, easy to carry and has a high quality screen the 710m would fit the bill exactly. You won't be dissapointed.

i totally agree, there is no comparason between screens of the 700m and the m140.

It all depends on the screen you get though. I was lucky to not get a Samsung screen in my M140, I got an AUD screen. Others are even more lucky and received the Quanta.

While others (me), have gotten a high quality Samsung screen. Must of been an off day...

hope iget a good qualtiy screeen.. should get it on monday (8th may). keep u posted

I have both the 630 and the 700. The 700 screen is far superior. The 700 gets more use because its so much more compact. The performance is about the same. The major problem with 630 screen is with pictures and videos. The colors are washed out and faces appear reddish.