Dell releases XPS Gamer laptop - Page 2

It appears the Dell can also handle a second battery, which would be nice.

To me, it's looking like a tossup at the moment. I'm hedging my bets with Alienware's upgrade technology and upgrade policies vs what appears to be a slightly more powerful machine.

Realistically, taking advantage of Dell's video card upgrade isn't going to save you any money vs. Alienware's, since you're still going to have to pay for the new card. Alienware might even charge you less for it, since it's supposedly at "cost".

Oh. And Alienwares are MUCH better looking.

I agree, you can also get 2GB of RAM in there(although its a crazy 1400$ add on!)

have you seen the skull snap on? its pretty sweet. although AW still looks better.

I didn't like the skulls, myself. Then again, I tend to like stylish but subdued, so none of those snap-ons really appealed to me at all.

If I'm not mistaken, you can put 2 gig of RAM in an Alienware, just not through them.

I don't know that Dell has fewer DOA's than anyone else, as I am typing this I am looking at about 30 Latitudes in a large pile outside of one of the deskotp suppot guys cubes. All of them have yellow stickeys on them saying DEAD, and as we know it around here if your Dell breaks be prepaired to wait a few months for the more commonly replaced parts, like screens and mobos. Some of these stickeys date back to November stating "parts hold."

Even if you only get one upgrade on the graphics, it seems like that would be enough. How many times do you plan to upgrade it? What is the typical time between ATI products? Figure 2 years on the 9700 and then 2 years on the next and you've got 4 years already.

Got a feeling this thing is going to clean up on the market. One of the biggest points of AW is getting the latest. Performance freaks can get all the latest with the Dell.

would you be proud saying Im hadcore gamer, and i play on Dell. YUK!

I know it may be a good LCD, but why in the world would Dell go with a widescreen for a gaming computer? Almost all games require a 4:3 aspect ratio, so unless you're watching a DVD, screen space is being wasted. I know some people prefer a widescreen, and that's fine, but when you play games that play in 4:3, the black bars on the side create what's basically a 14" monitor. Maybe some of you widescreeners can enlighten me on how it's not that bad.

I believe they stated the next card they're expecting to come out in April, which I thought was odd. Perhaps they mean to say they have the 9600 card in current models?

And my point isn't necessarily the number of times you'll be required to upgrade, it's the fact that you're not actually saving anything by going with the Dell, even though it's "free". You still have to pay for the upgraded card.

Perhaps Dell will clean house with this new machine. I've owned Dells before and I'm not a fan of the workmanship, the support, or the metric tons of proprietary software. Then again, I'm a bit ill-at-ease with Alienware at the moment, considering some of the stories I've heard even on this forum.

To me, it sounds like a tossup. I'm going to stick out this order and see which one I like better through experience.

It does state it contains a 9700, and it didn't sound like you could only upgrade it once, it sounds like that was all that was guaranteed. Below is the info. One thing that does kinda bite is that where I live I normally do not pay tax and would not with AW, however for whatever reason Dell does charge tax, that's like an extra $300

From Dell Site
With the Graphics Card Upgrade Program, every customer who purchases the InspironTM XPS with the ATITM RadeonTM 9700 Pro will have an opportunity to have their graphics card upgraded by Dell once a new graphics card is launched.

Customers who purchase the Inspiron XPS will be notified by email once the new graphics card is available. At that time, customer can choose to purchase the upgraded graphics card or continue with the ATI Radeon 9700 Pro.



Frequently Asked Questions
Q
What does the Graphics Card Upgrade Program provide me with?
A
Customers who purchase an Inspiron XPS with the ATI Radeon 9700 Pro graphics card are eligible for a ONE TIME ONLY graphics card upgrade in the future for an additional fee.

Q
How do I purchase the upgraded graphics card for the Inspiron XPS?
A
Inspiron XPS customers will be notified via email once the new card becomes available. Customers can also periodically check the Dell Home and Home Office website for updates. At that time, customers will be prompted to call a Dell sales representative to purchase the upgrade kit.

Q
Will I need to install the new graphics card on my own?
A
No. Customers who purchase the upgraded graphics card will be contacted by a Dell-certified technician to install the graphics card. This technician at-home visit is free to the customer. Dell does not recommend that customers install the card on their own. Failure to follow the instructions outlined with the receipt of the new card may void the notebook warranty.

Q
When will the new graphics card become available?
A
While new product launches are susceptible to change due to supply/demand issues, we anticipate the new card will become available in May or June 2004.

Q
How much will the Graphics Card Upgrade Program cost?
A
Exact pricing will be determined at product launch.

Q
How long will I have to upgrade my Inspiron XPS graphics card?
A
Customers will have one year from the date of purchase to take advantage of this special graphics card upgrade program.

Q
How many graphics card upgrades am I eligible for?
A
The Graphics Card Upgrade Program is available One Time Only and only to those customers who purchase an Inspiron XPS with the ATI Radeon 9700 Pro graphics card. Once the new graphics card becomes available, all new Inspiron XPS models will ship with the upgraded card.

LurkingJayHawk -

Yes, they state it's a one time only upgrade which, I assume, means you may upgrade for free once, having only to pay for the component. By definition, the Alienware user upgradeable system is always free, thus you only have to pay for the component. That is what I meant, not that the Dell system could only be upgraded once regardless. The additional times will require you to send the machine back and pay for the service as well as the component.

The point of contention regarding whether or not they meant 9700 or 9600 was their estimation that the new graphics card upgrade would be available by May or June 2004. That sounds a bit early for the 9800 (speculatively, but whatever the next upgrade is) to come out, doesn't it?

On the subject of Dell, if any of you want one of the sweetest 20.1" LCDs out there, check out the Dell 2001FP:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...4&sku=320-1578

It's one of the first 20" LCDs with a 16ms response, and has a 1600X1200 native resolution. Every now and then, they'll do a 25% off promotion, and you can get it for $749.95. I got one the last time they did the promotion, and will never go back to a CRT. This thing is LOADED with pixels, and has unbelievable color reproduction.

Anyway, not trying to change the subject of the thread...just a little insert for those who are interested.

Agreed on all counts!
The next available date struck me funny as well.

I thought along the same lines as you before I tried gaming on a widescreen. It's quite impressive, and most games that are being released offer widescreen options. Older games can be tweaked to fit widescreens, but some look better than others. I've run the Unreal Tournament 2004 demo, Far Cry demo, and a few others in 1920 x 1200...it's amazing how good they all look, especially UT2004. What's more, Half-Life 2 and Doom 3 will have widescreen capability. Yummy!!

Maybe they know something we don't?

A review with some numbers!

http://www.techtv.com/news/products/...616572,00.html

This review say s the subwoofer is in the battery? Thats weird!

Gotta see the results when the XPS takes on a fully-decked out Alienware, Sager and Voodoo!

Dell has so much of a better warranty.....

CompleteCare provides extensive protection against the rough and tumble world of mobile computing. It covers most non-intentional, accidental damage including electrical surges, drops and liquid spills1

AND an option for a 4 year IN HOME service warranty.... A battery with a subwolfer

man I'm becoming jealous....

The XPS is one ugly mofo. I mean ugly ugly...who would ever buy that???

Got to thinkin', when is the Nvidia due out, no one ever said it would be an ATI?