Dell XPS M1710 Notebook: $2,400.00
Dell has put just about everything you could think of into what it calls the ultimate portable computer for gamers.
The M1710 packs a 17-inch widescreen LCD with an impressive default resolution of 1,900 x 1,200 pixels. Its computing engine is powered by an Intel Core Duo T2400 processor chip, clocked at 1.83 GHz, and the superfast Intel 945PM chipset.
The XPS M1710 is undeniably cool to look at, with its pulsating clamshell lid (available in metallic red or black) and illuminated slots that emit up to 16 colors of light. These light slivers also ooze from side vents and speaker vents.
Performance really rocks. Dell provides a generous amount of memory, with 1 GB as the default level and configurations that can go as high as 4 GB, and adds a top-of-the-line Nvidia GeForce Go 7900 GTX graphics processor with 256 MB of dedicated video RAM (expandable to 512 MB).
The most stunning aspect of this notebook is its 17-inch LCD. The superfine native resolution makes playing graphics-laden games and watching the latest DVDs a joy.
The default configuration includes a 100-GB hard drive and a DVD�RW/CD combination optical drive. Dell offers an option to upgrade to an optical drive with dual-layer write capability, a much better choice. We also suggest bumping the hard drive to 120 GB.
This laptop is large, and it might prove a chore to carry it around comfortably for very long. If you’re a gamer looking to throw your own weight around, though, then this is your dream machine.
Dimensions: 15.5 x 11.3 x 1.7, 8.9 pounds.
Alienware Aurora mALX: $4,499.00
Graphics professionals and world-class gamers will drool over the performance of Alienware’s Aurora mALX notebook. It’s loaded with high-end components that are surrounded by one of the biggest, heaviest, and baddest cases around.
An AMD Turion 64-bit chip provides ultrafast processing power. Memory configurations start at 1 GB and can be doubled. You have a choice of a 100-GB hard drive that runs at 7,200 rpm, or a 120-GB hard drive that runs at 5,400 rpm.
Alienware goes where few competitors dare in its graphics support. The Aurora mALX uses dual 256-MB Nvidia GeForce Go 7900 GTX cards, and each takes advantage of a new technology called SLI to increase the available processing power. The 19-inch widescreen LCD produces absolutely stunning images at a resolution of 1,680 x 1,050 pixels.
The sound system is similarly enhanced with four Creative speakers and a subwoofer.
No doubt, this is a laptop that looks like no other. The clamshell’s dark exterior features an airbrushed “chameleon” finish that changes color depending on how the light hits it. And, of course, since it’s Alienware, there’s the ever-present glowing E.T. head on the cover to intimidate other gamers.
Dimensions: 18.75 x 13.5 x 1.4 inches, 15 pounds.
Toshiba G35-AV600 Qosmio: $2,399.99
One of Toshiba’s newest high-end entries, the G35-AV600 Qosmio, might give other notebooks in its class a bad case of performance-envy.
The Qosmio’s processing engine is optimized with an Intel 1.83-GHz Core Duo T2400 chipset configured with 1 GB of RAM (expandable to 4 GB), making this model one of the quickest and most memory-rich portables on the market.
The 17-inch LCD has a maximum resolution of 1,440 x 900. The video engine is an Nvdia GeForce Go 7300 TurboCache graphics card with 256 MB of dedicated video memory, which makes for splendid images.
The Qosmio has two, count them, two 80-GB hard drives and a standard combination optical drive that supports DVD�RW (�R dual layer)/DVD-RAM and of course CD.
The inclusion of a TV tuner makes this notebook a true multimedia powerhouse. The included DVR software lets you pause live TV and record shows for later viewing. Stereo speakers, a Bluetooth antenna, and Wi-Fi support round out the impressive list of features.
The Qosmio promises “entertainment on demand.” If you’re looking for a notebook that’s serious about its multimedia-friendly features, you should demand the Qosmio.
Dimensions: 16.0 x 11.6 x 2.1, 10.1 pounds.
