m90 vs m1710 for gaming?

The only difference between the two is the glossy screen and the video cards being called different things.

Less blingy case, too. If you've got connections, they'll be able to get you an M90 for cheaper than an XPS.

Well, the video cards for the M90 (Quadro FX 1500M and 2500M) will give you more features as they are the professional version of the ones on the M1710 (7900GT and GTX). Now, as far as gaming goes, you'll get the same performance. However, the Quadro cards will over you a more accurate image via hardware AA and other features.

As far as the screen goes. I prefer the semi-glossy screen of the M90 over the M1710's very glossy TrueLife screen. This is purely an opinion, but one thing is a fact. It yields drastically less glare and attracts far less dust than the TrueLife displays. I have posted a thread comparing both screens. Check it out:

http://www.notebookforums.com/showth...ght=m90%27s+vs.

The other differences will come in the form of cosmetics, the M1710 being a lot more flashy with its colorful case and LEDs. I like the more professional look of the M90 personally. I wouldn't feel comfortable pulling out an M1710 in class; I already get a lot of looks pulling out this behemoth out of my backpack.

One final note, the M90 is slightly cheaper than the M1710 (about $200ish). That's simply due to the different market that each line is targeting. I would check the Dell Outlet for the best deals. Most of the laptops there were never even touched and you'll save a ton of money.

I love my M90 but ...

I fully agree to the statements shown above, normally they should be absolute equal in performance. The Quadro is a 7900GTX with some driver modifications.

But, and that´s a big but: Dell is slow and lazy as hell to release new graphics drivers for Quadro. Even if Nvdidia is with their original driver already at version 91.XX, dell is still offering 84.29.

The original Nvidia drivers are not compatible and as we all know all of the modified drivers are coming with some lacks (Standby isn´t working any longer, system will not shut down and stuff like this).

Because Nvidia is not releasing a new driver version just for fun but to tune some parts of the drivers, I assume that you´ll be at max, 5% behind the performance of the 1710.

From a hardware persepctive, there is no more to say, the M90 is the better choice and as poneh already mentioned slightly cheaper.

I'd go M90 all the way.

while having an m1710 would be nice if you want to show it off as pretty much exclusively a gaming system, an m90 does just as well, though slightly less in terms of performance.

i cast another vote for the m90. though, it is becoming a bit harder to find the sort of deals that were popping up in august on the outlet (i got mine for sub $2000 with the complete care warranty). if you watch the outlet, you can find a good system from time to time, but the prices are going to be in the $2300+ (plus tax and shipping and extra warranty) range for what you're looking for that would be comparable to a nice m1710.

Michael, thanks for the support.

However, you do know that you can get all the latest drivers for the M1710 video card working with the M90 from www.laptopvideo2go.com. Those guys modify the latest Nvidia drivers to work with the M90's 1500m/2500m video cards, so that's not an issue anymore. So you should be completely on par with the 1710's performance as far as gaming goes. However, in applications such as video editing, CAD, Adobe products, etc. the M90's 1500m/2500m will give a drastic increase in performance.

I actually grabbed the system in my signature for $2170 shipped from eBay. Drawback, no warranty as the system was claimed as "lost" before. Oh well, I never go to Dell's technical support as I know far more than they do. However, if a hardware goes bad (I think one of my RAM parts might be going bad), I will be forced to pocket it myself. I still wouldn't pay the $6300+ price tag that Dell would ask have I gone with them.

All in all, Outlet and eBay will be your best source for grabbing affordable systems. Make sure that the warranty information is described well in the item's description before committing to something on eBay.

well, let me be the first to say i freaking LOVE my 1710... it simply rocks, and it's amazing for games. This is not to say that the M90 isn't good or even as good as the 1710...but no one else here has shown up to give the 1710 props yet. every one here looks like an M90 owner so far!

that having been said, the M90 will definately be less money. If I had it to do over again... it would be a tough decision. I was looking at the M90 originally but got the 1710 for like 40% off or something so I got it and haven't looked back since. Simply a wonderful machine.

Well the reason why the M90 is better is because it has looks and is cheaper, the M1710 isnt considered " Professional " I dont own an M90 either though I want one.

Basically you bought a stolen laptop?

I don't think it was actually stolen, but scammed. Someone can easily ask it to be shipped to an isolated location and simply tell Dell they never received it and therefore claim it as lost. That way, Dell sends them a new laptop, and they can sell the "lost" laptop basically covering the price of the laptop they got. It's crazy, I know, but the Dell rep told me that was quite common. He said it is more common with large shipments where they can say that 2 out of the 20 were missing and stuff. I got mine off of eBay, which is why I told him to make sure the seller is legit.

Lol should I do that?

I wouldn't say that is why it's "better" at all. First off, whether or not something is "considered professional" isn't what the original poster was asking. He simply asked whether or not it was "better" and better in this comparison should be based on performance, period. He's apparently a gamer and wanted to know which one was better for gaming.

Since they're both great gamer machines the votes are the same, although the 1710 supposedly beats the M90 by just a touch in that arena from what I've read (although I haven't done a side by side comparison). As far as looks goes... although I'm not a stock broker, I do have the 1710 and use it for business as well as work and every time i've taken it to a presentation or anything for clients they all look at it and say "wow, nice notebook", they don't say, "geez why don't you get a more professional looking machine" or "wow that's the freaking most badass computer I've ever seen"...it's not on either side of those spectrums.

Believe what you will... the machines are the same more or less performance wise, but the 1710 is geared more for gaming and the M90 is geared more for business apps like CAD/CAM and other editing. Now, if he was asking which machine should he buy if price MATTERED, then yes of course the M90 is the way to go...if price wasn't an issue, the 1710 is the machine of choice. If you want to make your xps look more "professional" then simply turn off the LEDs and it changes the appearance in a boardroom setting drastically.

We have tons of dell notebooks where I work and they're all great machines. JMHO.

Wth is a stock broker, Sorry I am still a student = ( seems fun!

Poneh, this isn't aimed at you but can someone explain the difference between this and stealing?

As for performance the M90 = M1710.

As everyone else has stated they are bot moreless equil but the M 90 is a little cheaper. As for looking or needing a more professional looking laptop lets be for real here anyone who takes a look at the M 1710 will go WOW thats one nice laptop weather you are at the office or at starbucks whoever sets their eyes on it two things will come to mind WOW thats a sharp looking laptop and the other is boy I bet it's powerfull.

Love mine it's that simple

If you do some research, you'll discover that the 6900 GTX is in the core of the 2500M without the additions in which they added such as hardware AA, etc. The only reason why some people have gotten slightly better performance with the GTX is solemnly a driver issue which is easily remedied by using LaptopVideo2Go's modified drivers. Also, the 2500M will tend to drop a little of the performance (about 5 fps or so) to provide you with the most accurate visual effects that the GTX can't even provide. Now of course, this can be disabled and will perform as well as the GTX in all grounds.

That, coupled with the cheaper price makes the M90 easily a better machine. I am not going to throw in the cosmetic appearance and the screen because those are subjective opinions and shouldn't be grounds to superiority between either machine. However, the video cards performance/features and price are quantitative and factual advantages that the M90 has over the M1710.

Now, having said that, the M1710 is not something to overlook. Some people are quite attracted to the flashy look it has and the $200 or so difference is a small price to pay for that appeal. However, if you're looking for the most value for your buck, anyone in their right minds would recommend the M90 over the M1710.

Well I must say the M1710 does look tasty and yes I would get one as I would the M90, I change my mind M1710 all ze way lol