Dell?s World of Warcraft Notebook: Yowza!

By Rob Enderle December 4, 2007

OK, I had the chance to see this puppy in action a couple of weeks ago, and I have to admit it made me weak in the knees. This is no lightweight box, and lugging it around will likely do more for your biceps than almost any other kind of weight training I can think of.

But in terms of sheer, blood-curdling fun, the system is also so incredibly hot and wonderful that I can’t help but drool a little bit as I write about it. Words don’t do it justice – the graphic treatments on the back are pure Warcraft, and this thing looks like it was born in the game and exported though some strange portal into our world. However, the transfer did not tame the beast at all and it comes into this world largely wild, feral and uncivilized. In other words, this is not your sister’s Sony.

Now, before we go on, let me point out: If you didn’t already order one, getting one of these things will likely be a problem. Exclusive products like this tend to get sold out for the year and fast. You probably have a couple of days’ window left within which to grab it, but after that, well… You’ll be waiting until after New Year’s for delivery.

That being said, let’s take a look at this puppy.

Basically, the machine started out as a Dell XPS 1730, which many of us have grown to love, but then, just like a custom car, somewhere along the way it got pimped. The backlighting has gone from XPS to large light WOW honor badges, and the color scheme is now a burnished silver – not unlike Middle Age (or Middle Earth) pewter. On this silver surface is carved the words “World of Warcraft” and the surrounding finish looks appropriately battle-worn.

Inside, the device is nicely World of Warcraft-branded as well, and it clearly illustrates the gaming roots that have influenced this system for some time. It’s big, but it’s also stunning in a barbarian warrior sort of way, with a slight high-tech edge in the perimeter and panel lighting. The machine quite literally glows with power.

You also get a unique custom backpack with purchase, so folks know you have one of these things even if you are only using the backpack for books. The computer comes loaded with the full suite of World of Warcraft games and updates, unique screen savers and wallpapers and a large amount of hard to get stuff (collector’s edition pets etc.) as well. And, believe me, you’ll want to keep this thing close, because if you leave it around a wood elf, or someone with sticky fingers, they’ll likely swipe it and take it to their secret lair.

What’s more, the laptop also has the typical current high-performance technology you’ve come to know and love from the XPS 1730, a fast 7ms 17” display, NVIDIA SLI graphics, AGEA Physics, twin RAID 7200 RPM Drives (solid state drive option), Intel Processor choice up to Extreme, Wireless b/g/n networking, a built-in camera and an array microphone (though I’d still wear a headset if you are trying to chat in game).

So is it really worth it to spend a month’s pay or more on one? Well, that depends.

After all, this is a $4500 system and isn’t for everyone. For a lot of us, this kind of a price is nosebleed territory. Then again, those that can afford the price get a unique experience. I’m thinking attention hogs will like it best: Just carrying this into a staff meeting or classroom a couple of times and watching observers’ reactions would make it worth the investment for many of us. Given that these types of units typically sell out quickly, that also suggests that there are a lot of folks who want a computer that is both powerful and at least somewhat exclusive.

For a guy that really gets tired of me-too PCs, I’m incredibly pleased that the market is moving away from cookie-cutter systems, and this is just another indication that even cooler laptops and desktops are surely to come. Until then though, I, along with many of you, will be envying the folks that end up with one of these suckers.

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