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(Source: NotebookReview.com)

You might call the XPS M1710 one of the most powerful notebooks in the market at the moment. I call it one of the most reviewed notebooks this year. Here’s the latest review of the 17-inch powerhouse by BIOS Magazine.

They loved the Intel Core Duo processor, the GeForce Go 7900GTX graphics card and the great display. But the fact that the M1710 was supposed to be a top-of-the-line gaming notebook prompted them to question why it comes only with a single graphics processing unit, no integrated camera or dual-layer burner on default.

Despite their objections, however, they arrived at a 9 out of 10 overall rating - one of the most favourable to the machine so far. Did I say that it even got BIOS’ Editor’s Choice award?

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(Source: NotebookReview.com)

Here’s yet another review of the Dell XPS M1710 notebook - this time from About.com. As usual (that is, with respect to About.com), it’s only a tech. specifications review (i.e. no benchmarks, pictures, etc.), but it follows the downwards trend begun by BusinessWeek Online by awarding an overall rating of only 3 out of 5.

So, it shouldn’t be surprising to see a reasonably positive, yet very qualified bottom line: “Dell’s XPS M1710 is certainly a very stylish and high performance system, but the high cost and recent drop in Dell’s support make this a very specialized system that will appeal to a very specific audience.”

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(Source: NotebookReview.com)

Perspective counts. At least, that’s what BusinessWeek’s review of the Dell XPS M1710 gaming notebook reminds me.

While early reviews of the XPS M1710 gave Dell’s gaming luggable unrestrained praise (think 9.0 out of 10 kind of praise), we’re looking at a “mere” 3.5 out of 5 from BusinessWeek. Why? Simply because BusinessWeek now has comparable top-of-the-line laptops, such as Fujitsu’s Lifebook N6410, to compare with.

It’s something we tend to forget when reading multiple reviews of the same product, even though we all know how fast the PC world moves at. At least, it’s something I tend to forget.

Anyway, here’s BW’s conclusion: “Overall, Dell has drawn a serious line in the sand for rivals in the PC gaming business. There are indeed some nice flourishes, but also evidence of some lack of attention to detail. Having shown the rest of the industry how to cut prices, it could still stand to learn from its competitors how to really build a top-flight machine. But it’s clear that Dell is coming along. ”

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(Source: PC World)

The Dell XPS M2010 is expensive. As PC Magazine concluded in their review of the 18-pound desktop-ish notebook, “…you’ll need a rock star’s income or financing from a bank to afford one of these wild media center rigs.” Not that you needed anyone to tell you that given the US$3,500 starting price of the M2010.

But why is it that some consumers will still get one of these babies (or similarly, the 20″ Acer Aspire 9800)? Well, USA Today says that it’s precisely because these notebooks are big, and thus, unique.

Don’t think that Dell is only after the price premium though, as niche notebooks such as these can apparently serve also as “market-openers” and “reputation builders”.

Want a more in-depth explanation? Check out USA Today’s entire article.

More information and reviews on the Dell XPS M2010 here.

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(Source: PC World)

The unique Dell XPS M2010 that launched around a month back gets reviewed by PC Magazine. Even now, I’m still not sure whether to classify it as a semi-portable desktop or a desktop-ish notebook, but since everyone seems to be calling it a notebook, I’ll follow the flow and do the same.

Anyway, getting back to the review itself. PC Magazine, while impressed with the unique design, form factor, as well as first-class 20-inch LCD screen, wasn’t at all thrilled with the super-high price tag or weight attached to the XPS M2010.

So, unless you’re an early adopter or gadget freak, it’s probably best to wait a few more months, or even a year until we get a cheaper and more mobile version of this baby - whether from Dell or its various competitors. At least, that’s what PCMag’s 3 out of 5 overall rating of the M2010 indicates to me.

More information and reviews on the Dell XPS M2010 here.

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(Source: NotebookReview.com)

I missed this review of the Dell XPS M1710 by CNET a while back, so given that it’s been a rather slow week, I thought it would be okay to bring it in. We’ve seen two reviews of the same machine already, so I’ll skip the basics.

For its strong points, the reviewers identified its excellent gaming performance, stylish illuminated case, and large array of ports and connections, while its high price and relatively low-brightness display were deemed its minus points.

So, the bottom line? Well, the XPS M1710 gets an 8.2 out of 10 overall rating, the Editors’ Choice Award for April, plus an undeniably favourable verdict: “If you’re a hard-core gamer looking to play the newest games at the highest settings, this is the best system that (a lot of) money can buy.” Of course, this was in April, so it might not hold now.

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(Source: NotebookReview.com)

PC World has compiled a couple of Top 5 notebooks lists in its August magazine issue - one for desktop replacement notebooks and another for all-purpose notebooks.

In both lists, Dell notebooks rank third - with the XPS M1710 representing Dell for the desktop replacement segment, and the Inspiron E1505 for the all-purpose notebook segment. Despite the rankings, however, both notebooks were actually extremely close to their higher-ranked counterparts, with only 1 or 2 points separating them from the top notebook in the lists.

Not surprisingly, battery life was quite a weakness for both of Dell’s offerings, with the Dell XPS M1710 trailing by around 30 minutes compared to the No. 1-placed HP Pavilion dv8000z, and the E1505 trailing by over two hours compared to the Pavilion dv5000z.

In my opinion, these lists serve as an indicator of sorts that Dell has to up its competitiveness just a little more - especially in light of the fact that its most dangerous rival, Hewlett-Packard, is at the top of both lists.

Read more news and reviews on the Dell XPS M1710 and Inspiron E1505 notebooks.

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(Source: PC World)

It was recently announced that Dell would introduce its XPS series for the first time in India with the recently launched Dell XPS M1210 notebook.

But given that the M1210 isn’t a gaming notebook, but rather a high-end ultraportable (12.1″ screen and 1.98kg), it isn’t really surprising to see Dell introducing it to the Indian market.

Now, if Dell were to introduce the XPS 700 there… That would be something.

More information and reviews on the Dell XPS M1210 here.

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The first review on the XPS M170 we found was by BIOS. Today, we have one from Hard OCP - a traditional source of truly in-depth reviews.

For those who have forgotten what the Dell XPS M170 provides, let’s go through a recap of some general specs. On average, the M170 will come with a 2GHz Pentium M processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a nVidia GeForce 7800 GTX Go graphics card and a black-red-silver finish. So, you’ll definitely be getting a strong, though relatively dated, entertainment notebook.

And what do these specs translate to? Well, an 8.9 out of 10 overall rating from Hard OCP should answer that question. But that probably won’t mean anything to most consumers given that the XPS M170 can no longer be purchased from Dell. That’s right, it’s not available any longer. But don’t worry, there are still many more XPS-line notebooks and mobile PCs to get your grubby hands on.

More information and reviews on the Dell Inspiron XPS M170 here.

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What’s football + Dell? Well, apparently the answer is Dell Football Fever - an incentivized online football game offered by Dell just in time for the World Cup. Just by entering the game, you get a chance (albeit a small one) to win the grand prize of a Dell XPS M1710 notebook at the very end of the “season”.

More realistically, you can win a Dell Axim handheld in a daily prize draw held throughout the duration of this promotion. And even if your luck doesn’t hold, your skills alone can get you some hefty discounts on selected Dell products.

Since the aim of the game is to score as many goals as possible in two minutes, if you reach a score of 750 or more, you’ll get an e-voucher for 20% off any Dell Axim handheld. And if you manage over 1500 points, you’ll get 30% off on a Dell Photo All-in-One printer.

So, if you happen to be interested, check the game out.

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