-->*OFFICIAL: Dell XPS M1730 Owner's Lounge*<--

Yes but people will have to pay extra for the upgrade. So the fac tthat we paid for our systems doesn't count.

Also Dell never promised an upgrade programme outside the US, so there is no way we can put pressure on them except by returning our systems and waiting for the 8800M SLI...

 

Well, finally got my new system....

Looks a LOT better in real life than it does in pictures....

BUT.....

Problem ONE: Why in the HECK would Dell ship a NEW system out with a Blu-ray disk drive/burner WITHOUT the software able to PLAY a Bue-ray disk?????????

Popped a Blu-ray dish into the drive and when media direct starts to boot I get a message telling me I need to "upgrade the software"....

130mb download later (media direct 3.3 from Cyberlink) I get a "very nice blank screen" and NO movie....

XPS tech support didn't have a clue and basically said they were "waiting for a patch from Cyberlink"....


Oh well.... I have to run... Maybe in the next few MONTHS I will be able to watch a movie on my NOT cheap Blu-ray drive and Hi-Def monitor..... GROAN

 

You can use the patch from the M1710. It should work on the M1730 as well since the bluray drives are identical.

Here is the link for Vista 32/64:
http://ftp.us.dell.com/video/R152426.EXE

What panel do you have? (check inthe device manager by clicking on the Plug&Play display device, it should be SEC3155 or SHP13D9 or LPL0032).

Do you have an light leaking or are you happy with the panel?

 

Ordered my M1730 the 13th.
2.4ghz, 2gb ram, 120gb 7200rpm./bluetooth

ps, Is it true I can upgrade my graphics card to the new one coming out by paying the difference and haveing them install it?

Can't wait to game!!!

 

So far, this has been confirmed for the US only.

 

kick ass, will haveing 2.4ghz instead of having an extreme effect my grhpics card game wise a lot or not really?

 

As PureMind said, I think there's a difference between "Upgrade path" and "Ability to upgrade."

Upgrade path implies that the upgrade is free, but ability to upgrade is not. I really don't understand how you can expect to get the 8800m for free, technology changes all the time and you're always going to be left behind.

You're kind of screwing yourself over by buying early when you know something new is just on the horizon.

That said, it would be good business for Dell to offer you early buyers something. I didn't buy an m1730 yet because I don't want to deal with the bad drivers and under-developed production standards.

But you guys are all doing Dell a favor by buying early--you're helping them to work out the problems with their system so that it can sell better later. They should definitely take better care of the enthusiast early buyers, and I expect that something like $100 towards an 8800m would benefit them.

After all, enthusiast early buyers are the ones posting about Dell in notebook forums.

 

Upgrade path doesn't imply that it is free. As stated by Dell (for US) there will be an upgrade program that will include a fee for the service call and I am pretty sure they are going to charge for the 8800 card itself. Now it may be possibly discounted in exchange for the used 8700 but I don't know. Guess I'll find out in Jan.

No word yet on international upgrades...

 

I agree - I am very much helping Dell out by dropping a Huge Wad of Cash for the Laptop and whilst in an ideal world I would love the 8700->8800 Upgrade to be free - Business is just not normally like that.

I really don't mind paying for the Upgrade - I just want to the opportunity to be able to have access to the upgrade. Dell are always projecting themselves as a global company and as such I would expect a path/option that was offered to customers in 1 part of the world to be available to the rest of the world.

I am just pleased that there is so much lively discussion on the point and hopefully if 'action' is required we can transfer that into our efforts for a 'positive change'.

Frag. Out.

 

Just loaded UT3 and it runs it smoothly at full res and full detail (sorry don't have the physicx card).

COD4 also runs perfect.

 

So from my sales agent telling me that they were waiting until early December for parts for my laptop - suddenly it's being delivered on Monday (I got a call from the delivery company today) - even though he specifically told me it hasnt been built yet!!! What a big steaming bucket of lolturd.

Kind of looking forward to getting it, but also wished it had been delayed - specifically for the 8800M issue - but I may return it yet depending on the screen and if it turns up with an empty space instead of an Extreme CPU....

 

Hi Blinder, I've just ordered a 1730 too, but what's the problem with the screens and 'empty space' bit? Cheers. I'm UK based, is it worth handing on for the 8800s - any idea when this will be - will it cost more?

 

Grab a mug of tea or ten mate, start at page one of this thread (seriously) and read through it - it's the most informative thread on the web (that ive found in English) regarding many experiences with the machine so far - from driver issues, to customer service, to delays, to light leakage from Samsung panels, to returning the machine, right up to the fabled 8800M chip and it's will it/wont it/when will it/ status...

 

lol, ok I'll get to that some time! In a nutshell though - I take it that it's still the way to go laptop wise?

 

MrMajic, just go for it, it is the daddy on the block.

 

Here is my opinion,

Im getting my m1730 sometime today, Ill post more when i get it but,

I know that alienware is about to release a 15" and a 17" notebook, From what it looks like they have red and blue backlit keyboards that look rubberized. And they are All sliverish aluminum, With alien like characters all over them.

I dont have the choice of getting the Alienware, Im getting the m1730 as a free upgrade from my m1710 because 4 replacements in on my m1710 and I'm still having problems. Im guessing the 17" will have the option for dual 8800 256mb and dual 8800 512mb cards, and the 15" will have the options for both cards without SLI.

With the recent merge between dell and alienware i really think alienware is about to set the standard for a crazy ass laptop, and we will soon see.

Think macbook pro Style aluminum, With bolt like pronounced screws, with EL lighting all around it. And Markings From "the fifth element" all around it.

Take a look here
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9818566-7.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1040_3-0-10

 

Just to note, DELL never said in any of their videos or press announcements that the M1730 would have an upgrade path to new graphics cards, if you lived in the US only either. It would be really arrogant for them to exclude every other country and its customers who purchased (and so supported) that notebook.

I have not been able to fully test out my new machine yet since ive been stuck on the "touchpad" which is not exactly ideal for anything except minor desktop usage. My new mouse arrived today though (Logitech G9) so hopefully i can try out some games.

Just to note (UK buyers) the "Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7700 (2.40 GHz, 4 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB)" appears to have gone up from £90 to £219.99. For some reason.

The £150 off Inspiron is not available anymore and has been replaced by a new offer, Save £90 inc Vat on Selected Systems! (Expires 28 November 2007). However the base price is still £1599, so they must have reduced the original price to £1689 from £1749.

I'm still within my 7 day grace period, so im going to wait for Monday and see whats announced. However someone on the forums said they spoke to AW sales and they said the new notebooks wouldnt start shipping till next year. If thats true then they wont be an option for me. Even though, from the looks of the leaked specs, the new Alienwares are basically just catching up with DELL's offerings (using santa rosa at last) and giving simular options to the M1730, like the extreme CPU. I did not see the AGEIA PPU mentioned either (which was speculated to be in the new systems) so apart from the slightly redesigned case (of the M9750) and the 8800GTX (or whatever its called) i dont think AW are going to be offering anything amazing to make the M1730 look poor value. We'll see.

 

What res are you running CoD4 at? I'm running at 1600X1200 with everything at max, no aa and no "sync every frame". Are you running it at the native res?

 

Also, is anybody else having problems with MSN MEssenger? Mine keeps logging off without me telling it too. Might have absolutely NOTHING to do with the 1730, but just wanted to make sure

 

Aren't we all getting a little paranoid? I mean it seems like everytime somebody posts something about DELL's upgrade path existing or not existing, we all doubt a little more on their sincerity.

I personally have faith in Dell being a good company for customer care and support, and therefore (even though i would hit down on them like a hawk if the rumours of no upgrade path are true) have no doubt that if its an option for the US customers, it will also be an option for everybody else! It has to be. They would be losing out on so much profit, if we EU citizens weren't able to buy the 8800's.

 

Indeed - This is very true - We shall see what happens on Monday.

So Mine is now scheduled for the 19th as a Delivery Date.

Arriving on Monday the 19th
DELL XPS M1730 (Smoke Grey)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Extreme Processor 2.8Ghz
4096MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2
Dual NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 8700M GT
Ageia PhysX 100M
2x160GB (7200rpm) RAID0
Windows Vista® Home Premium
and a HUGE Grin.

Frag. Out.

 

There is a new optional vista update called nVidia - Video - NVIDIA GeForce 8700 GT available for download and installation through Windows Update.

I downloaded it ... and it does not want to install on my XPS 1730. I am getting failed installation message, Code 80070103. Does anybody else have this problem, too?

 

How long should a refund take?

My M1730 was collected on Wednesday last week and I've yet to get the money.


How long for the rest of ye who have returned?

EDIT: Oh wait... there is now... .

 

Hey guys, First post from the new M1730


The thing is huge, The power brick is huge, the front media buttons are huge, but its worth it.

The audio Visualizer LightFx Plugin still blips some of the time, really annoying.

Anyone worried about the subwoofer?
Dont worry The 4 speaker array, Is LOUD, and CLEAR, I actually wont beleive that there Isn't a subwoofer until someone takes the thing apart.

Seriously i really think there is a subwoofer, its just recessed inside the case.


Which screen did i get? LG!!! YEA!! I could tell as soon as i got it out of the box, Completely uniform lighting, Perfect colors, AWESOME lcd. lpl0032.

I havent updated drivers or anything yet so im going to do all that and get back to you guys with a more legit review of performance.
Ill also take some pictures of the m1730, m1710, and inspiron 1520 all togethor so you can compare.

 

ivealwaysgotmail - whereabouts are you in the world?

 

What video drivers did you use? Or better yet, can you put together a list of all the drivers you used?

Also, did you buy Vista Ultimate x64 retail?

I've been thinking about going to 64-bit for a while now; but I've been hesitant because until now, I have not heard a single person get it fully working.

 

bubbles, do u have a modded inf for the 169.04 driver?

 

it shipped
should be here tomorrow
FINALLY!

 

There is no sub woofer inside it. I have seen the tech open it up to replace my motherboard, no sub in sight, to be honest the sound is good enough without the sub

 

Not sure if anyone has seen this yet but here are the Alienwares with the 8800's

http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/16/alienwares-area-51-m15x-and-m17x-specs-laid-bare/

 

the alienware is nice

tbh...i prefer the 1730

would LOVE to get the keyboard on my 1730,,,,,HMMMM

and a fully speced delienware is just a boutique looking 1730

and the skullcap lid is just getting old.
i expected more, plus the 8800's are EXACTLY as much as i paid for my 8700's
so ill be talking to dell.

meh sexy 1730.....get here already......im tired of waiting.

 

I called dell asking a question and saying how excited i was to get my 1730 and they said "for your conveinence hwo bout we upgrade your delivery mode to Overnight.".....for no extra charge!

wow i'm in love....

 

Alright so i really hate to do this to you guys waiting for your 1730's But here are the pictures of my system all skinned up..... all im saying ... is this is the sexiest laptop alive, period. Dont worry about the fact that im currently getting a 1.0 1.0 in graphics for windows experience scores because of faulty drivers. None of that matters, Look how sexy 25$ for a skin made this beast look.










Ill post my experience after i get the bugs out, Will someone post a link to that beta driver? or any other driver then the one on dells site? I cant find any.

 

Nice post were did you get the skin. The link is http://support.dell.com/support/dow...-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=6&fileid=226577

 

i tried the 169.09 driver but could not set SLI. Did anyone else try it yet?

 

Hi, finally mine is sheduled to be delivered on next Thursday


If you are looking for backpack images here you have some: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=310-9526&cs=19&c=us&l=en&dgc=SS&cid=25682&lid=585553

 

Anyone else get 2 different hard drive brands on their RAID config? Mine lists a Fujitsu and Hitachi, same size, just different brands. Kinda strange...

Still pondering on what to do with mine.

I'm playing HL2: Ep2 at the moment. Using the new 169.09 drivers, and running at about 1400x with everything maxed out. It runs smooth for the most part. But i have found myself wanting to run at native resolution in games (for best clarity) and the 8700's dont seem up to the task.

Im not sure if its drivers, or just lacking raw power. Since we dont know what DELL are doing with their upgrade plan, and nothing is set in stone im thinking about maybe returning it and ordering an AW or Rock notebook after the 8800M is announced.

If im not mistaken, with the leaked specs of the 8800 GTX, a single 8800M would outperform 2x 8700's in SLI even if they were working at optimal speed. Which kinda means at the very least i could get a slimmer notebook soon with more graphics power.

EDIT: Btw i have that backpack, its very well made. Good stuff. Not used it yet or anything but ive looked it over, somehow though it seems like it was made for the "Crimson Red" color.

 

Are you able to enable SLI with the 169.09 driver?

 

Yep, well, it let me turn it on so i assume its working ill do some more tests. I will run 3DMark06 as well i guess.

Has anyone noticed in the BIOS in the system information it claims that the 8700 has 512Mb of VRAM? It appears to add them both together.

 

Which backpack is that? Is it the Dell backpack or is it the Targus or something else?

 

Got the Skin From GelaSkins.com They have some ridiculus designs, that one was "ink pond" I just sliced out the wings and the logo.

I bought the 17" pc one and sliced it out, but their all the same skin, for the macbook 17 and the pc 17. So it doesnt really matter.

 

Those are some sweet covers... I think I'll be investing!

 

The DELL XPS backpack, its about £40 if i recall correctly.

Oh and about SLI & 169.09, here is a screenshot i took with the SLI indicator on.

 

Just got my system turn up today, and im very impressed with everything apart from....

my bad screen !!

it sucks, really poor quality, the brightness is very very low and theres alot of leakage from it, i guess i must have had a LG on my old m1710 , i will 100% be asking for a change on this screen. I have the Sharp one , and i havent heard much feed back on them atm , but my comment abou them is definately negative !

 

Well...

Got my system in on Thursday and have been trying to get everything set up on it since...

BUT...!!

1) Blu-ray drive will NOT play Blu-ray movies.... Tech support said it's because "they changed the specs on movies in October... I only have 2 movies and they both came out in November.... I guess I will have to buy an "older" movie and try IT...

2) ** This screen SUCKS **.... It leaks light from EVERYWHERE, worse on bottom, but running basically around at least 3/4 of the entire screen.... AND...

Even when I play regulare DVD's the picture is VERY GRAINY and of extremely poor quality.... Plus it plays the movie at a very small size, even when I maximize the window....

I have been reading about the various screens and I suppose the the "LG" is supposed to be the best... I THINK that even though I "might" have an LG, I still have a bad one....

When I tried to look up which screen I saw a designation that started out with LP00 "something"

Does anyone know for sure which one that is?

The tech is supposed to call me and arrange a time to REPLACE this one, but who knows when THAT may happen....

Won't even mention all the OTHER problems the system had, including having to use the Dell restore function to restore the system to "factory setting," which meant *I* had to update the software the tech who put it software on the machine did because the system updated to the WRONG software when I connected to the internet.... LOL

However....

This system is a LOT better looking in real life, AND this thing ROCKS!

When I get updated software to play the new Blu-ray movies and I get a screen that doesn't function as a NIGHT LIGHT in screen save mode, I will be satisfied.... GRIN

 

I did see the SLI radio button, but it didn't stick... when i went back, it was not selected... and therefore, I couldn't choose SLI related 3d options either... but it's ok because I plan to wait for later drivers since 169.0x seem to be unstable on my machine every which way I try them... plus, I'm pretty happy with the performance of 163.75... Still, faster is better, so can't wait for newer, stable drivers

 

Yes the sharp is the dimmest one. People who haven't had an LG or a Samsung before find the Sharp panel good. It has mild light leakage, but the dim colors are an issue...

 

Did you change the region to your region in the bluray player? You need to enter the region that matches your films, otherwise the software uses the wrong DHCP and you get a black screen...
So far the references panels are LPL0032 (LG), SEC3155 (Samsung) and SHP13D9 (Sharp).

Check what your exact label is...

 

I have the sharp screen and love it .While I love this site it can make you worry about stuff you would not normally worry about .

 

not following this m1730 but has dell fixed their sli issues?