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"WONDERFUL! (please read review)" on by ASkandalaris
Pros: Merom Ready,Gaming power is Amazing, System Preformance, Screen Image Quality, Build Quality, Connectivity and Wireless Abilities, Light for a gaming Notebook, Stays rather cool.
Cons: Less Battery than ThinkPad (But expected), If i had to really complain, Size and Weight is a little more than usual.
Summary: I am a Certified Tech. for HP, Dell, Apple, Toshiba, and Gateway. I have had all of those computers and i decided i would take a risk with the Dell product and I was nothing short of shocked to receive a product that was so well rounded in abilities.
Here are a couple things that i have noticed when using my Dell M1710.
The Dell Media Direct feature I am still deciding what i think of it, but I have to admit it is very nice and ultimately does do the job if you are looking for a Multimedia feature.
GPU is utterly amazing, i have upgraded to the NVIDIA Geforce Go 7900GTX. I can’t say that it is anything short of EXTREMEMLY FAST. While playing Battlefield 2 and The Elder Scrolls IV the frame speed is more than fast enough to support the games even at 1920/1280 (native resolution) while being scary fast for a laptop.
The weight is a little shocking for a laptop but realizing what is packed inside, and also that the lid is a solid sheet of Aluminum and the bottom case is all extruded magnesium. The top of the LCD panel is extremely strong; it gives no flex at all and is stiffer than at Lenovo ThinkPad.
The Notebook is extremely thermal efficient. The fans always run but are almost never heard. When running games, it runs very cool in temp, and produces just a slight hum. The overall experience here is amazing for the components that are smashed inside.
The Build Quality is extremely good for a notebook; there is almost no flex when the computer is lifted with one hand on one side of the notebook. When you apply an extreme amount of pressure on the backing of the LCD panel there is no "stress bend" that shows in the style of shadows and ripples in the screen.
The Wireless is great if configured with a A/B/G wireless card. The connectivity range is excellent and allows for extreme distances of roaming while still allowing it to connect to the way point.
There are SOOO many ports, to the extent that I don’t really know what to do with them. That’s pretty much enough said.
When Dell talks about the Xtreme Preformance System. They really mean it, it is extremely fast for both system use and also gaming use. Loads are almost instant and often doe not show slow downs.
The Battery Life which i am sure everyone is worried about is not bad at all. When gaming i can get close to 2 hrs away from the power cord which is not that bad. When being portable and moving around and with the Wireless Off. I can defiantly say that you can get around 3 Hrs if you are careful in what you do. This is great for a gaming system.
The negatives of this notebook are to a limit and i say that directly as an owner rather than a Tech. I would recommend this notebook if you are a gamer and go to a lan gaming sessions and are mobile while gaming. Overall i am extremely satisfied, and I have no real complaints for my purchase.
My System Specs are as Follows
Core Duo 2.13 GHZ
(THE CORE DUO SOCKET IS READILY REPLACABLE WITH THE 64 BIT MEROM PROCESSOR)
512MB Nvidia Geforce Go 7900GTX
2 Gig DDR2 667Mhz Memory
100 gig 7200 Rpm HD
Hi-Def Sound Blaster Audio(extra when built)
Dell 350 Bluetooth
4 yr on Site next Day and Complete Care Warranty
OOO and don’t forget they will move prices around if you call on the phone if you need to say under a certain price. For me they took off 500 dollars for the same system as I wanted and even upgraded the warranty for free.Updated
I made a mistake on the native screen resolution and would want to make sure i dont mislead anyone by my mistake. The native resolution is actually 1920x1200. I am sorry for my original mistake and want to add on thing. I checked my screen maker and i have a LG screen. While it is brighter than the old screens of the Last Generation M170 (Which i did own). The screen is very very clear but is not as clear as the Fujitsu screen for example. The contrast of the Fujitsu screen seems to be higher, but dont get me wrong the screen is nothing less of amazing and in my situation is better than my desktop LCD panel. I do not have any dead pixels on my screen so i am very happy. Please send me a comment if you would like me to clarify anything.Updated
As i have recieved many comments that questioned my pricing, i ended up looking back at the sales reciept. I want to appologize to people for being slightly off i stated that it was 500 off but that was partly due to my rushed math, and not really paying attention. The actual reduction, was 325.90 and was listed under rebate for "Manager & Company Agreement". Sorry for any inconvienence that this may have caused, as i appologize for misleading everyone. I hope this helps to solve some worries of people.
I would also like to say, that due to the current replacement of batteries and recalls, that have been placed, i have also recieved comments about my battery, i would like to state, and i was lucky and my battery is totally fine, but i will soon be buying a new battery as i pretty much have used its life cycle up. I hope that in total this helps to clarify all questions, and best of luck you everyone. -
"Best Laptop Ever Made" on by thefox84
Pros: 4 GIG Ram, Awesome video cards, Great Design, So Many Ports, Ridiculously Fast in Multimedia and Gaming, Amazingly good battery life
Cons: CNET gave it a .1 lower score than it's predecessor?
Summary: This laptop is the best laptop ever made. It is ridiculously fast, looks awesome, has mediadirect for watching DVDs, has an awesome lineup of graphics cards, plays games so well, has up to 4 gigs of ram(which is insane for a laptop), and looks awesome. I would take this laptop over ANY other laptop on the market today and already have. Mine has 2 gigs and Core Duo 2.0 ghz processor with the GEForce Go 7900 GTX and it is even faster than my one year old Alienware PC(This is a first for me a laptop that outruns my desktop). It is well worth the price of admission and I highly suggest that if you have the money you pick up the best laptop ever made.
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"Poor Reliability, Bad Customer Service, very long..." on by Vorais
Pros: Very fast machine for a notebook, exceptional screen
Cons: Tech support, warranty, reliability, price for what you get
Summary: I purchased a new XPS M170 from Dell in April of this year, 2006, right before they released the new M1710 and had almost all of the high end options installed. I realize that my machine is the previous generation, but same issues would apply if I ahd wated 8 days to place my order. I had purchased this notebook as a game machine. I choose this particular model because I was going to Japan for 6 months for work starting the end of May and I wanted something that was decent and that I could take with me. I realized this was not going to be the best performance as it was a notebook but it seemed like the best alternative that I had at the time.
When I received the computer things seemed to be good except for the standard software bundle that Dell loads onto their machines. However, after I loaded on the first game, my problems started. After about 10-20 mins my screen would show some graphical glitches and then my computer would completely lock up. A hard reset would be required to restart the machine. If I turned off all anti aliasing and turned my graphic settings to bare minimum I could get some games to run about 1 hour before locking up. This is with the nVidia 7800 GTX go video card as well. Talking with Dell support they had me do a bunch of diagnostics (which I had already done plus more prior to calling them) and then tell me that it must be a software issue. I kept telling them it seemed to be hardware related.
After several reinstalls of the operating system, several different programs, and many, many calls back to Dell (over 4 weeks I had logged 27 calls with Dell) they finally agreed that it might be a hardware issue. However, at this time I only had 4 days left before I needed to leave to Japan and my standard 1 year hardware service warranty said it would take 1 to 2 weeks to fix my notebook and send back to me. They also could not send it to me in Japan, but would have to send it to an address in the US and from there I could have a friend forward it on to me. I asked if I could have my roommate replace the video card instead of having to send it back to the Dell Depot since he is a Certified Dell Replacement Parts Technician for his company but was told no as he is not a Dell Warranty Service Technician (he is basically more qualified, but isn’t a direct employee of Dell). They said they would send me the video card but my warranty would be void after that if he replaced it. I was not going to do that as I was already having troubles with the machine and did not want to have other things fail later and have no recourse.
I asked what else I could do and was told I could pay $450 for a Gold warranty and get next day service which also included international warranty service. I said fine as I had no choice as per timing and the international warranty would be a good option. Sure enough, Dell sent out a technician the day before I left, replaced the video card and everything worked wonderfully. Until 1.5 months later...
My video card has died again. Any semi graphic intensive program (And by semi I mean even Starcraft which was designed for video capabilities back in 1997) again freezes and locks up the machine. I once again called the main Dell Tech Support line as I have the international warranty and was told they can not help but instead was given 2 other numbers. One for international warranties and the other for Japanese Dell customer support. Well, the international warranties number I was supplied with is only for Government and large corporate accounts, and the Japanese support line was for sales only, no tech support.
I called back to the main Dell Tech Support in the US and asked why they gave me those numbers and what we needed to do now. After many diagnostics again (repeat of the exact same they had me do back in May and same results) they once again told me it may be software related or maybe a bad fan on the CPU. It is hard for them to grasp the concept that I on a technical stand point I am above the average user and that I have already the troubleshot the main issue back to the video card again. The CPU is fine as extensive mathematical computations do not hinder it, only anything that uses moderate graphics. Granted, their may be some other problem that is causing the video cards to blow, but it is definitely hardware related and not software. Finally I have re-convinced them that yes, it appears my video card is again bad. However, they said they can not send me a replacement as I am overseas even though I have a international warranty and that they will get back in contact with me in 1 to 2 weeks via email. Thus far I have paid over $3000 for a computer that I have been able to use 6 weeks of 13 and counting for its intended use, and am once again left hanging with frustration due to Dell's customer service. I have decided at this point to never again buy Dell and not let any of the groups under my direction purchase Dell equipment again. My friend that tried to help me before, who is also an IT manager for one of the Emerson subsidiaries has also been put off by Dell from this whole episode as well. -
"Everything you need and more! Value People! Value!" on by lumber29
Pros: Amazing GFX Card, awesome upgradability, Vista Ready, Huge Screen, Dell Support.
Cons: A little big, a little heavy.
Summary: I hear everyone ranting about how expensive this computer is but you are all making stupid assumptions.
Firstly, no one needs 4GBs of ram! Im sorry, but unless you plan on running Oblivion and Doom 3 (or some other combination of benchmark quality games) at the SAME time, its just not necessary!
Secondly, a 512mb geForce 7900 GTX? Ok, I know all of us nutty computer fiends just crave having the most spanking new, top of the line, make your head spin and turn into mush Graphics Cards but be reasonable. It will be another 5 years atleast before any game actually 'Requires' such a delicious piece of engineering! So suck it up and live with the much cheaper, yet rediculously powerful 256mb Geoforce 7900 GS.
So in conclusion, you can all see, that if you settle for what will be sufficient, actually more than sufficient for the next several years, you can end up with a beautiful, versitile, if not slightly large computer for about $2700. Suck on that MacBookPro!
As a side note, did you know you can hagle with dell? Now im not very good at it, but I did manage to get $200 knocked off the build price of my M1710, give it a try, then you can stop whining about the price!
Further side note: Yes we would all love to have a tiny laptop that is only about 1" think like a MacBookPro or a Sony Vaio. But then you'ld have to sacrifice both upgradability, performance and support. The 3 year warranty for a Mac is 399$! Thats rediculous! And it doesn't even come with accidental damage protection (aka I droped it :S)! And if any of you complain about the weight to the point that you feel it is a legitimate reason not to get the laptop, then you all have gangly baby arms and need to exercise once in your lives!
--Alexander -
"The Dreams laptop baby." on by elghool
Pros: Hmm, What about Every thing?!!
Cons: Non up till now.
Summary: Ok!! Now it is my Turn.
Bragging part:
Hear me well as I am an MCP, MCSA, MCSE, Compaq ACT, and for who doesn't know what is that, these are IT and Technical Certificates :P
How I made my mind:
I've got this lovely babe after a month of researching, reading, forums, bla bla bla ..
Honestly I was getting worried with every bad comment I see here in C-net by users. But the way they were really nailing the laptop to the ground and giving it very low score, was suspicious and didn¡¦t look realistic at all. So I was thinking well .. lets give it a try, if I don't like it well .. simply will return it
.
Now .. I called Dell, and I have to say it, Dell Sales Suck big time. I've done the order, provided my Credit card number, done. After 10 days of following the delivery status and it was in the preparation status. All of a sudden, I found no Online status, called them to find out the order has been cancelled?!! Bad credit number .. I flipped .. what the &*^%&^ .. It is not my mistake if the Sales didn't get it right .. And why the Hell didn't you call me to get the right CC number?!! Sorry Sir it is another department etc, So I had to start all over and it is a pain.
I would really like to thank all the guys in here that suggested calling Dell and not to purchase online. I¡¦ve done that, and I've got my self a very nice deal, Not as wonderful as 500$
but I still got 350$ worth of upgrade .
I got the 1.8 processor. 1GB RAM. Upgraded my HDD to 100GB Sata 72 rpm.
And I got the 512MB Display for less than half the price. The upgrade worth 450$ Extra, I've got it for 200$ also I've got the upgrade to 1 year complete care kit for free, worth 100$ .. Bottom Line .. I got 350 Off Bluetooth as well.
Ops, almost forgot .. During calling to order the first time, second time, and when I was complaining for canceling the order without getting back to me to correct my credit card information, they were trying to push a sale for a Plasma TV, I said no thanks politely and they didn't insist or tried to push any farther.
Now, I was following the order online, and this time it took 1 week, came on time it was just good.
The interesting part starts here:
Firs impression:
When I opened the box, got the laptop out, it was very solid as steel, you can feel the power just by looking at it, it looks exactly IMO like the Hammer Car stiff and full of muscles . It arrived before going to work, so I was thinking .. for sure the battery is not charged, but lets give it a try, I turned it on, and it worked, it came charged!! The battery was fully charged. This was amazing .. the lights came on and you rock my world baby ..
Played a little with Windows Media Center '' and btw for those who are hesitated which one to order XP pro or the Media Center, Media Center is based on XP Pro, so don't worry, it still has all the advanced networking of the Pro and it is not like the XP home edition '' I liked the Media Center as well.
After the First impression: Let the Testing begnissssss:
After I got back from work. I started to look more deeply at the laptop, It came as every one said with lots of Junk Software, and it was only one partition. So I had to reformat it, re partition it, and re install the operating system.
Created 3 Partitions '' Never keep your Data on the C partition, if you lost the C, you lost everything '' Now the driver installation was easy as well, created my wireless network and joined the XPS to my wireless network. I have to mention here that the Wireless performance of this laptop rockssssss, I like the Utility as well.
Installed my software, and here I had an idea, lets try to get this laptop angry I was running office 2003 update, Windows update, started both updates installation, while doing another download, installing the Adobe Photoshop CS2 in the same time and performing a virus scan, and the Fan wasn't even on. Wawwwwwwwwwwww, if it turns on, then for sure I didn't hear it. Never gets hot, and for sure I didn¡¦t succeed to get this beast angry The Entire reformatting, reinstalling, remove my backups from the other laptop updating my software took me 8 hours, no over heating, I didn't hear the fan ''Btw I am only 29 no hearing problems :P ''.
The reason I bought this laptop is not because of games, it is because of Photo Editing, I am into photography and I need a beast to handle my work in CS2 and other applications, when you start working with a RAW Images, add layers and more layers, the computers start running extremely slow, I managed to get my old laptop Compaq 1.2 Proce 512 RAM to run out of Physical and Virtual memory in 3 min
With this computer, the picture is amazing. Advance control over the monitor, Sharpness, Contrast, lighting bla bla bla .. If you are into photography like me or 3D's, well don't look any farther, this is your beast.
I am not sure if C net will allow publishing this URL, but any way here is my Photography site as well: http://www.usefilm.com/photographer/31917.html
I ran the computer on the Native resolution 1900x1200 Mannnnnnn, it took my breath away, but it is just too much space, this makes me remember that guy who rated this laptop 4 or 5 something like that for not being able to run this resolution and he clamed it is not a true native resolution and that you have to scroll up and down to see the full screen, well he doesn't have a clue what he is talking about, I ran the native 1900x1200 and it ran like silk, I had to change the windows icon size and the font to be able to see it
Now the only problem I am having, is whenever lowering the computer resolution lower than 1900x1200, the display gets a little bet blurry hmm can't say blurry, but you can say less sharp, I am sure there is a solutions for that and I will call if I have to. But right now I am running it the full resolution and trying my best to get used to the 17inch space with its Native resolution. So I am not really worried about less resolution.
To answer some of your concerns, that I was thinking of before getting it.
Is it expensive?: Yes .. you get what you pay for and this is for sure.
Is it heavy? Yes, and Big to, I work out so for me it is not a problem at all to carry it, and guys .. please stop the whining about the how heavy it is Either work out and build some muscles, or buy a 14inch laptop.
Games performance: I don't have a clue, maybe I will try solitaire on it :P
Digital Manipulation: Honestly, I didn¡¦t know how to over load or over clock this beast.
Plastic? It is magnesium and very solid. I would recommend you to get the complete care just in case. I wont afford to get another laptop in the coming few years.
Audio: It is just wonderful and more than sufficient as a laptop, the Subwoofer is a wonderful add, don't expect miracles, but it is for sure one of the best sound systems I've heard on a laptop. Want more, buy a home theater 500W.
Now the rating, I would definitely give it 10 out of 10, Sales and Customer service are not up the to the computer¡¦s Standard, but I wont take points of because of a bad experience with the sales. It would be unfair.
If anything came up in the next few days, I will update.
Kind regards all,Updated
Update:
As I mentioned before, the only thing I wasn’t sure about in this laptop is, when you lower the resolution below the native one 1900x1200 you get less sharpness.
I called the tech support for the XPS, and she told they know about this problem and there is nothing to be done or a work around it, she also blamed NVIDIA for that.
Another question I had for the rep, and it was regarding the Windows Media center. When I got my laptop I reformatted my computer and created 3 partitions, C, D, and E. I save all my media ‘’ movies, pictures, MP3s ‘’ in the E, but when I start the media center while the operating system is off. It only sees the C partition, nothing else, of course it is out of the question to save my movies and media in the C, she consulted her senior and told me there is nothing also to be done about that ‘’ which I doubt ‘’ . I am not blaming Dell regarding the Media Center, it is Microsoft, But I was really disappointed regarding the resolution, the native resolution is amazing, but if you need a lower resolution you will have to live with less sharpness, which is not noticeable when viewing movies or gaming, but only noticeable when surfing the net and viewing the windows and internet fonts.
This would change my rating to 9.
If anything else came up, Will let you know.
Cheers.Updated
Regarding the Less Resolution = Less Sharpness issue, I found the explanation regarding this issue in this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_resolution
It seems it is the technology and not the laptop,
Now I am taking my rating once again to 10
Cheers,
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