Dell XPS M1730 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Meet 'The Beast' -- Dell's XPS M1730. It's the first laptop ever to use a dedicated Ageia PhysX processing unit alongside two separate high-end graphics cards, making for one incredible gaming experience. Graphics is what this laptop is all about, and ...

Pros: Ageia PhysX processor ; SLI graphics ; high-resolution screen

Cons: Design is a bit tacky ; comparatively small hard drive options

Verdict: The XPS M1730 lives up to its nickname of being a beast of a laptop. It's a complete brute to take anywhere, and the battery life is shocking, but it's the fastest laptop we've tested

Review summary: The Dell XPS M1730 is the latest high-end gaming notebook from Dell, replacing the aging M1710. Packed inside you also get dual 256MB NVIDIA 8700M GTs running in SLI alongside the Intel Core 2 Extreme X7900 processor making this notebook a force to be ...

Pros: Stunning exterior, Impressive gaming performance, Overclockable Extreme processor available, Gorgeous screen, LED backlit keyboard, Customizable LED lights, Runs cool and quiet

Cons: Some gaming performance issues, Keyboard could feel more solid, Vista Home Premium and bloatware on a machine starting at $2,700?

Verdict: Dell has respawned its flagship XPS gaming notebook into an even bigger and more powerful beast.

Review summary: The latest revision to Dell's flagship line, the massive XPS M1730 features a redesigned case that combines familiar touches, such as flashing LEDs beneath the speaker grills, with newer elements, such as the integrated Logitech GamePanel LCD and 10 ...

Award: Editor's Choice!

Pros: Dual SLI graphics ; strong mobile gaming scores ; 10-key number pad ; integrated Logitech GamePanel LCD ; multicolored, built-in LED lights play along with music and games ; backlit keyboard ; can play media files without booting up

Cons: Similarly configured laptops are faster on some tests ; plastic lid and creaky hinges don't scream (or sound like) luxury ; the albatross that is the massive power brick

Verdict: With a redesigned case that's chock-full of cutting-edge technologies, the Dell XPS M1730 tops our list of our favorite gaming laptops.

Award: Editor's Choice!

Review summary: dell xps m1730 review: When most desktop replacements tend to target power users or entertainment seekers, the Dell XPS M1730 makes no bones about being a gaming machine.

Pros: Excellent gaming performance, Inexpensive for a high-end dual graphics card system, Options for Intel Core 2 Extreme processor and Blu-ray drive, Backlit keyboard, GamePanel LCD as a secondary data display, High-resolution 1920x1200 panel

Cons: Barely portable, No subwoofer, Lacks TV tuner, Noisy particularly when running full load

Verdict: When most desktop replacements tend to target power users or entertainment seekers, the Dell XPS M1730 makes no bones about being a gaming machine. At under AU$3,000 for the base configuration with dual graphics cards, it offers great value for the ...