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Dell Notebook with Blu-ray Announced

by , 3:40 PM EST, December 11th, 2006

Dell announced that it has added a Blu-ray 50 GB drive to its XPS M1710 consumer notebook computer on Monday.

Dell stated in a press release, "Configured with Blu-ray technology, the XPS M1710 supports read/write capabilities across CD, DVD and Blu-ray Disc media. Using Blu-ray Disc technology, M1710 users can burn up to 50GB of data or author up to 50GB of theater-quality video on a single piece of media."

Dell cited some of the specifications for a Blu-ray enabled computer.

  • Blu-ray video throughput of 48 Mbps and 1080p resolution
  • 7.1 channels of uncompressed surround sound
  • Backwards compatibility with DVD and CD playback, Blu-ray authoring, and CD, DVD, Blu-ray data burning

The M1710 uses an Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.33 GHz and an NVIDIA 7950 GTX graphics card with 512 MB VRAM. The computer can be purchased with up to 4 GB of DDR2 memory and a serial ATA drive up to 160 GB.

Availability was announced for the holiday season and priced starting at US$3669.

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Observer Comments

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Close Name:Tiger Posts: 1018 Joined: 17 Jun 2003
Subject: misnamed

Should be a deathray for that price.

Close Name:brett_x Posts: 322 Joined: 24 Jan 2006
Subject: 1080p on a notebook?

Is anyone else not excited about a 17" high definition picture?
I don't know what it is about people and their laptops. I don't want to watch movies on mine unless I am stuck traveling somewhere.

[edit]
But wait, I'm confused... it says it has a UXGA display (which I think is 1600x1200 pixels).. but the 1080p specification is 1920x1080 , isn't it?

Close Name:Mikuro Posts: 457 Joined: 15 Jun 2002
Subject: VideoObserver? TechObserver?

Are you testing the waters for a new spin-off site, а la iPodObserver? First the PS3 Blu-ray story, and now this. This isn't only not at all Mac related, but it's actually about PCs. Seems odd.

I don't mind expansion, but covering Dell's new systems is pushing it a little far even for me. Just my 2Ñž.

Close Name:horvatic Posts: 102 Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Subject: Should be made out of 14k gold for that price

Should be made out of 14k gold for that price.

Close Name:jimothy Posts: 612 Joined: 04 Jun 2004
Subject: Dell servers

What about Dell's new servers? Can we get some news about them, too?

Pardon the sarcasm, but what is the purpose of this article? Is this what we get from the move to Intel servers?

Close Name:Edison Carter Posts: 228 Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Subject: I would love one

But Windows PCs are too expensive

It looks like the Blu-Ray drive is adding about $1200 to the price of the Dell Notebook. Even without the drive the Dell price seems high for a "consumer" laptop

Close Name:LaurieF -   TMO Forum Mod Posts: 3547 Joined: 15 Jun 2001
Subject:

IANAJ(ournalist), but this is not a blinkered bulletin board which only reports on Macs. There's obviously a very heavy slant towards Apple stuff, but the Blu-ray situation is an important one, since it's the route that Apple is going to be taking (or already has taken, FAIK).

If more and more other manufacturers are going to be using Blu-Ray, and fewer HD-DVD, or vice versa, it will affect us all.

As for Dell's servers, that would be irrelevant up until the point that Apple licensed OS X to run on them (flying pigs...). Dell's use of Blu-ray is relevant.

Close Name:Jonkun227 Posts: 238 Joined: 02 Mar 2004
Subject:

Agreed. Windows isn't allowed in my home. And I don't have any use for Dell products (well, maybe a display if the quality and price are right). Yet I found this article highly informative and relevant. I've been wondering when Blu-ray would make advancements in the computer world.

As mentioned in another thread, I am a Sony rep "on the side". A Blu-ray player (home theater component variety) is in the neighborhood of $800-1200 US. I've certainly wondered what it would do for the price of a computer. Now I know. And now I have a better idea when Apple (who is part of the Blu-ray Disc Association, last I checked, which makes this highly relevant) will incorporate it. Doesn't give me a date but it gives me an idea, whereas before today I wasn't aware of any computer offerings with a Blu-Ray player.

Let me know when someone releases a computer with Blu-ray with chasing playback and HDMI interface.


- Jon

Close Name:Biff Posts: 1479 Joined: 08 Apr 2004
Subject:

I also appreciated seeing this article. I personally think Blu-ray is going to lose, but either way, those who care about the next gen optical formats might find this news of interest. Or how about the competitive aspects? Dell is beating Apple to market with a Blu-ray equipped laptop.

If you don't care about Blu-ray, why would you even click on this story to begin with? And why on Earth would you take the time to post a comment? In need of a hobby?

Close Name:the wedge Posts: 15 Joined: 10 May 2006
Subject: Rumint of HD-DVD/Blu-Ray Player

Was talking to a guy that said Best Buy is pulling all their Blu-Ray players for a new one that's going to play Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. Checked at the local BB and noted they, in fact, had no Blu-Ray players on the floor. Anyone else heard anything?

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