XPS M1710 question

thechamp87

I am buying a new laptop and like the look of this one.
In some reviews that I read a lot of people said the LED lights which are visible on the outside look tacky and use lot of battery power.

Are they on all the time or can you just switch them off?
Also, I have decided to go for Windows XP instead of Vista...any opinions?

Thanks in advance.

AlmightyCushion

You can turn the lights off using the dell quickset program.

I'd go with vista. I've heard countless people complain about how slow it is but these people are running it on a computer with crap specs. As long as the laptop has a fairly decent spec (dual core, 2GBs ram) it'll run quite nicely.

Voodu Child

What's the price and spec on the M1710 you're looking at?

thechamp87

The following are the specs that I feel suit me best...

BASE Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7200 (2.00 GHz, 667 MHz FSB, 4 MB L2-cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® XP Professional - English
HARDWARE SUPPORT Base Warranty - 1 Year Hardware Support, Next Business Day
LCD 17.0" UltraSharp™ Wide Screen WUXGA (1920x1200) TFT Display with TrueLife™
MEMORY 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024] edit
HARD DRIVE 160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
GRAPHICS CARD 256MB DDR3 nVidia® GeForce™ Go 7900 graphics card
OPTICAL DRIVE Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including software - XP
PRIMARY BATTERY 9 cell Lithium-Ion Battery (80 Whr)

Works out at €1200 ex. Vat.

I will be using the laptop almost exclusively for online poker. I have heard that Vista sometimes struggles with Poker Software but maybe it's just that other laptops dont have as high a spec as the XPS.

This XPS that I am looking at is one of the lower end ones but it seems to have everything I need.

AlmightyCushion

Would poker be the main use for this? Would you be playing any other games? If not then leave out the 7900, it's a great card but it's adding a lot to the price. If you don't game much then it's a waste of money.

thechamp87

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Would poker be the main use for this? Would you be playing any other games? If not then leave out the 7900, it's a great card but it's adding a lot to the price. If you don't game much then it's a waste of money.

7900?

yeah poker would be the main use.

Voodu Child

thechamp87 wrote: »

The following are the specs that I feel suit me best...

BASE Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7200 (2.00 GHz, 667 MHz FSB, 4 MB L2-cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® XP Professional - English
HARDWARE SUPPORT Base Warranty - 1 Year Hardware Support, Next Business Day
LCD 17.0" UltraSharp™ Wide Screen WUXGA (1920x1200) TFT Display with TrueLife™
MEMORY 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024] edit
HARD DRIVE 160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
GRAPHICS CARD 256MB DDR3 nVidia® GeForce™ Go 7900 graphics card
OPTICAL DRIVE Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including software - XP
PRIMARY BATTERY 9 cell Lithium-Ion Battery (80 Whr)

Works out at €1200 ex. Vat.

I will be using the laptop almost exclusively for online poker. I have heard that Vista sometimes struggles with Poker Software but maybe it's just that other laptops dont have as high a spec as the XPS.

This XPS that I am looking at is one of the lower end ones but it seems to have everything I need.

If you're going to be getting a big, heavy, 17" gaming laptop, for that kind of money i'd go for one of the M1730s they have on the Dell outlet page (about 1275 ex vat).

The M1710 is a fairly old machine at this stage, and the 7900 card is a poor relation of the 7950GTX - by the time you come to sell it, it's going to look like a dinosaur.

The M1730's i mentioned on the outlet only have the 8700M cards, but they're in SLI, and for the same kind of money. Whether you game or not, it's just going to look a bit more sell-able when the time comes.

All that said though..... if you just want something for poker with a big 17" screen, have a look at the Vostro 1700. Should be cheaper than the XPS, and the 8600M is as powerful as the old 7900GS.

thechamp87

voodoo_child wrote: »

If you're going to be getting a big, heavy, 17" gaming laptop, for that kind of money i'd go for one of the M1730s they have on the Dell outlet page (about 1275 ex vat).

The M1710 is a fairly old machine at this stage, and the 7900 card is a poor relation of the 7950GTX - by the time you come to sell it, it's going to look like a dinosaur.

The M1730's i mentioned on the outlet only have the 8700M cards, but they're in SLI, and for the same kind of money. Whether you game or not, it's just going to look a bit more sell-able when the time comes.

All that said though..... if you just want something for poker with a big 17" screen, have a look at the Vostro 1700. Should be cheaper than the XPS, and the 8600M is as powerful as the old 7900GS.

thanks, i'll have a look.

AlmightyCushion

The 7900 is the graphics card. It's a great card but it will bump up the price and is overkill for what you need. Check this. Upgrade the screen to the 1900x1200 and upgrade the battery to a 9cell and it works out at just under 1200 including delivery and vat. It has a slightly better processor, more ram and a bigger hard drive than the one you've specced up. The graphics card is the 8600 it should be more than adequate.

AlmightyCushion

This vostro either. Upgrade the screen to the 1920x1200, upgrade the battery to the 9 cell and upgrade the graphics card to the 8600. It comes out at €820 excluding vat. It's got a better processor and a bigger hard drive than the one you specced up. I'd probably get this one if I was you.

Voodu Child

Yeah, that Vostro looks to be good value.

Another thing, check out a 1920x1200 screen before ordering...even on a 17", things can get pretty small. 1440x900 is very clear and legible on a 17". Depends exactly how much screen-space you'd like, everybody has a different opinion but it's something to think about.

And if you did decide to go for the lower resolution, you might be happy with the 8400M graphics card. Honestly, ive no idea what kind of graphics poker games have these days..the 8400M will run HL2 great, so i'd have to assume it'd be grand for a poker game..

So a Vostro with the 1440x900, 9-cell and 8400M would come in at e630 ex vat. That's very cheap for a nice-spec 17"er.

AlmightyCushion

I remember reading a thread before. The high res screen means they can fit more tables on without them overlapping.

RoyalMarine

dont get the m1330. display isnt amazing and graphics card is pants.

get a vostro. ive got the m1710 and since i re-build mt desktop its only used for surfing and watching the odd movie at work.

bit of a waste really

thechamp87

thanks for all the replies. looks like ill get the vostro 1700.

Just one more question...
If I opt for the 9cell battery is it true that it sticks out the back? And if so how much?

RoyalMarine

it does stick out the back. about - 1.5 inches.

its nothing hideous or awkward but if you want the laptop to be prefectly symetrical then get a 6 cell.

personally, id get the 9 cell and just deal with it.