Configure Dell - XPS M1710 or XPS M2010

Which is better? XPS M1710 or XPS M2010

I am trying to help my brother buy his new laptop. He plays Warcraft and other online games. He also travels frequently for work. Price is not an issue. (Well anything under $5k.) I mean if it can be much less, that would be great, but he really just wants to get a great laptop for serious gaming that will hopefully last a few years.

Can anyone help me configure the best laptop for a serious gamer? There are also a lot of accessories. I don't know which ones are important. He wants to watch and record TV, he burns many DVD's, and wants to watch videos from his laptop on his big screen TV. He needs to use headphones/mic occasionally. They offer so many choices that it is hard to choose which are the best.

So basically, I was hoping that the pro's here could tell me what to put in the cart at Dell. We pretty much narrowed it down to Dell but will look into other laptops if you feel another is better. He doesn't want a Toshiba. His last one burnt up and had other problems. So it is really just a bad experience with the brand. He has put off buying a new one for 2 years and is ready to buy an awesome laptop.

Also, he wants an Ole Miss skin if he can get one. I realize that there aren't any coupons out there for the XPS laptop, but aren't there some for the accessories?

 

The 1710 is more ideal for gaming.

However, for frequent traveling, I gotta say neither machine is that great. They're both huge machines, and therefore they're gonna be heavy and stuff.

 

The M2010 isn't at all suited to a travelling profile. Something that weighs upwards of 9 Kg, cannot even be lugged around the house frequently, unless you are an ex body builder. If you are looking at a gaming laptop which is moderately light, and has a 17" screen, have a look at the Sager models too. Otherwise, the XPS M1710 is better, of the two models you had shortlisted. Besides, a gaming laptop isn't going to last more than a couple of years, with DX10 just around the corner. Since you've waited so long.. se if you can stretch another couple of onts, till the 8800Go, 8900Go gpus are released.

 

Even though DELL classifies M2010 as a notebook/laptop it is not. At 18.3 lbs with 18.5 x 15.9 x 2.9 dimensions it is actually a movable desktop / desktop replacement. M1710 is the fastest actual notebook available at DELL.
As sesshomaru has already mentioned notebooks are not good for gaming, and they wont be able to keep up for long. For a serious gamer desktop is the best option because of upgrade ability and superior graphics capabilities. If he waited 2 years then I suggest wait another few months because, a whole new mobile platform with Direct X 10 VGA cards are coming out very soon. It is pointless to spend so much on a DX9 gaming notebook when the DX10 is around the corner.

 

The M2010 is just massive, and it becomes hard to consider it a notebook.

I think for most people looking for a Dell gaming machine, the e1705 and the m1710 are good choices.

 

I would go with the 1710. In addition to all the points made by the other posters, the 7950GTX is by far the best mobile video card available, and will totally trounce the X1800 of the M2010, the 1705 isnt a bad choice either, and much cheaper, the 7900GS will best the X1800 as well. http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

 

The 2010 is like a damm desktop I wouldn't carry that thing around if you payed me to

 

I agree with the comments above. The M2010 is not exactly a notebook. Go for the M1710.

 

I would go for the M1710 notebook you can get the 512mb video card, 2gb ram (can upgrade to 4gb) you can pretty well load this model up and stay within your budget , although it is a heavier notebook at least you can take it with you, the M2010 in my opinion is not a notebook.

 

I would also go with the 1710 and did LOL.
Should be here tommarrow or monday.

 

Maybe it wouldn't hurt for you to fill out the FAQ and post it in the 'What Should I Buy?' forum to give you more options as to what models would make a good choice for your Brother. I agree with Sesshomaru that you should give the Sager NP5760 a chance to. The M2010 is more of an all in one Desktop than a notebook no matter what Dell is trying to make it be. That is a model with identity issues. The M1710 is a much better choice and is one of the best gaming notebooks around (The Sager NP5760 would be the best alternative without going up to a model equally as massive as the M2010). The E1705/9400 is also a fine choice for a gamer and would be cheaper than either. But not as powerful at the M1710 or the 5760.

 

Thanks I will do that. I appreciate everyone's advice. I will cross off the heavy 2010 off the list and consider more suggestions after I fill out the FAQ. I am glad that I asked because I didn't know that a new type was coming out in a few months. Can anyone give me a link to read about it? You all are great to help people like me out.

 

Search for "Centrino Pro" or "Intel Santa Rosa" in google .