I don't think there's an XPS refresh on the way :(

Dell's recent track record leads you to believe that if there were to be an update, we'd have heard of it already.
I think they'll phase it out and eventualy integrate their Alienware brand into the site...

 

Nah. I'm guessing you'll see an XPS refresh, at least in the 15 inch and 13 inch size. Now, I really could see the 17 inch XPS getting whacked. While the smaller sized XPS' appeal to an audience aside from gamers, the M1730 really has gamer-only appeal. Might as well move them to Alienware.

BUt there's still a spot (I think) for a moderately game-capable notebook that's also suitable for the board room. (Read: No glowing Alien heads.)

 

They won't remove the XPS brand. It's too valuable for the company. Dell will always retain their "premium" line of laptops. Don't worry

 

They will probably get the Montevina chipset and that's about it.

 

I was thinking the same thing but there is a post on one of Dell's blogs saying that they will continue with xps. It came out after a Wall Street Journal article saying that xps will be dropped. I think that might have been before the Studio line was introduced though.

 

Yeah, I was bummed out about how ugly and different the m1730 looked compared to the XPS m1530 and m1330.

Why couldn't they just keep the same look?
Oh well, I've already ordered the m1530.
Now I need to purchase an LCD Monitor for whenever I'm at home.

 

I think the M1730 looks pretty sharp, though I haven't seen it in person yet. I am torn between getting it or the M1530 though.

 

It does look sharp, and more so if you're a hardcore gamer, but for someone who will be using it for more than gaming and on-the-go, it looks way too flashy (read: hi, I'm a hardcore gamer) for my tastes. I never understood all those flashing lights... whenever I see them it artificially brings me to see the quality down to toy-line level.

If you're a hardcore gamer, you should definitely get it over the m1530. I am more picky about the aesthetics than most people are. The XPS m1530 looks really nice and slim to me, but the m1730 looks really bulky and plastic from the pictures I saw.

 

I'm not really a hard core gamer, the M1530 could fill my TF2 needs. I just like it because it is a desktop replacement machine. I like the dual hard drives especially with RAID ability. But the M1530 would perfectly fill my needs too.

 

As a desktop replacement, the m1730 will definitely fill the void better.

I bought the m1530 to fit both desktop and notebook replacement. I am thinking about buying a 22" Acer monitor at Newegg to hook up to my laptop whenever I'm at home.

 

Yeah, that is what I want to do when I get my next laptop. Use my desktop as my media server then use a laptop + monitor at home.

 

We'll be getting a XPS refresh this summer with new die-shrink 9 series or ATI video cards to replace the "defective" 8400M GS/8600M GT video cards as well as Centrino 2 & new penryn CPUs.

 

Unless you've source links to back up your opinions please don't be so arrogant as to script them as facts.

 

I dont think so, they would redesign the entire laptop.

 

@damp, ever since you have read that article that seems to be the only thing you can talk about. YES, some nVidia M series cards are flawed. That doesn't mean every single one in every Dell is.

You won't see an XPS refresh until Fall when the back-to-school rush is over. At least, that's how it always seems to work. Companies want to release the latest and greatest when sales start slowing down (which is definitely not right now) and the holiday season is coming around.

 

I suppose that depends on your life stage.

As a college kid or recent grad, I'd probably like it too. As a 40-something professional, there's no way I could plop that ridiculous thing down at a client's office and be taken seriously.

But like I said, it's a hardcore gamer's notebook. Which is why I think it's vulnerable to being discontinued in favor of the Alienware line, far more so that the 1530 or 1330.

 

... and there was me thinking that avatar was from some movie. Nice hat.

In all seriousness though, as a 20-something professional I'd be laughed out of the office too with that monstrosity. I also don't understand the logic of a laptop being used as a 'hardcore gaming machine'.

What's 'hardcore' about having a top of the range rig for all of six months and then not being able to upgrade it to keep it competitive? Not least when you're having to spend twice as much in the first place as the same config strapped to a standard desktop chassis that was open to modification down the road.

That's not 'hardcore' in my opinion, that's nucking futs.

 

To some people it's worth it. Personally, if I saw an m1730 for $3000, I'd go buy an m1530 for $1200 and build my own desktop for $1800. You get two computers...one portable, one not. The m1530 will be easily carried around with you, the $1800 would have your C2E processor and SLI'd 8800GTX/S or GTX280 which seriously outperforms the 8800M GTX.

But if that's not your thing, I guess the m1730 falls "right in the middle." And now, after that comment, I'm waiting for the rush of 1730 owners to come in here and pwn me. Sorry guys, it's my personal opinion, I'm not trying to insult the computer or your decision in any way.

 

I think a hardcore gaming notebook might make sense for (a) a college student with limited space, or (b) someone who wants something to easily tote to LAN parties. But yeah, you'd think a hardcore gamer would want a desktop rig.

And you know of course that the Avatar is Moe from the Three Stooges. And it's not a hat.

 

no, it would look stupid on a campus too.