Dell offers inexplicable Xbox 360 Elite bundle with certain XPS M1730 purchases

There's just one problem with this, the way we see it: most folks with $3000 earmarked for a gaming laptop probably already own an Xbox 360. Just a thought. Other than that we see little to dislike about this little promotion. Dell is offering up its top-of-the-line XPS M1730 system with an Xbox 360 Elite bundle tossed in for good measure. The bundle includes, a pair of faceplates, two game and of course the Xbox itself, and while it's not exactly "free" -- you're looking at a couple hundred dollar premium over a similarly specced M1730 -- it's still a savings of over $300, and should be eBayable, if nothing else. Offer expires July 24th.

[Thanks, Cezar]

[From My Cube @ Jul 21st 2008 10:35AM]

"mom, this is the laptop i need for college....no, not that cheaper one..this one!"

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Jul 21st 2008 10:39AM]

It was nice of Dell to offer "two game" as part of the bundle.

Soljah boy soljah boy, two game five dollah.

[tom @ Jul 21st 2008 10:52AM]

There is a mandatory first year course called XBOX101

[DssTrainer @ Jul 21st 2008 10:36AM]

Engadget says: "There's just one problem with this, the way we see it: most folks with $3000 earmarked for a gaming laptop probably already own an Xbox 360. Just a thought."

Shame on you Engadget. The reality is, most people who have $3000 earmarked for a gaming laptop are likely "anti-console" all together.

[giuliop @ Jul 21st 2008 12:06PM]

Yup, I really like Engadget's sagacious inferences. I can never tell whether they come up with them on the spot or they thoroughly ponder them before delighting us with their wisdom.

[Paul Miller @ Jul 21st 2008 12:42PM]

Apparently I need to try a bit harder, and start considering all the miniscule sub-groups of the consumer electronics industry that will be offended by my statements. Today's special guests: hardcore PC gamers. But seriously, let's get some Engadget Counter-Strike going sometime. CS is still cool, right?

[Jake @ Jul 21st 2008 12:48PM]

"sagacious", +1

-jp

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jul 21st 2008 1:33PM]

Not really. I own a PS3 and Xbox 360(used to have a Wii, but traded that in for a brand new PS3) and a gaming computer at the same time.

There are different games on each system that make it worth it.

[teej @ Jul 21st 2008 2:01PM]

Paul:
CS 1.6 is still cool. Q3 is still amazing as well.

Also, I disagree with DSSTrainer. I have a bunch of hardcore gamer friends, and they're just that, hardcore gamers. We all have 360's and $3k computers.


"If one wants to truly pwn, one must pwn in all games."

[its420 @ Jul 21st 2008 3:56PM]

I believe engadget's inference to gaming laptop buyers being 360 owners was appropriate because 360 is mostly a hardcore gamer's console. Casual players get wii and everyone else a ps3. I am a hardcore gamer who owns a gaming laptop and 360, my only current gen console.

[Kamokazi @ Jul 21st 2008 10:43AM]

Actually I bet the people that get the m1730 are a lot less likely to own a 360 than you think. The graphics and flexibility of a high-end PC like that are considerably better than a 360 and there aren't enough exclusive titles to get them to buy one. Halo is something of a joke (it's decent, but compared to HL2, Far Cry, FEAR, Crysis, etc. it's less than impresseve) and the good ones like KOTOR, Gears of War, Mass Effect, GTA, etc see PC releases at the same time or pretty soon afterward.

[jason @ Jul 21st 2008 10:47AM]

I originally thought halo sucked, i went off and played CoD 4 as well as many other games online for the next 7 months. then i came back to halo and realized that the online experience is really great compared to others.

[Dave Bergschneider @ Jul 21st 2008 10:46AM]

It almost makes me want to go buy one.

[Chuck @ Jul 21st 2008 10:49AM]

I wouldn't mind a free media center extender for my bedroom. Only engadget can turn a free 360 into a complaint.

[kal326 @ Jul 21st 2008 11:38AM]

Not exactly free, but it is discounted a bit still nothing to scoff at. Now if it was a free iPod Touch they would have been heralding it as the best marketing plan of the century.

[Brian @ Jul 21st 2008 10:57AM]

"most folks with $3000 earmarked for a gaming laptop probably already own an Xbox 360"
You can never have enough 360's! Especially when they are all prone to the red ring!

[joe blow @ Jul 21st 2008 11:04AM]

Can somebody spot me 3 grand?

[thedesolate1 @ Jul 21st 2008 11:34AM]

Well most people are gonna give the xbox away or sell it on ebay. I mean at $3000 the notebook probably plays crysis and thats all any1 needs...

[chefgon_ign @ Jul 21st 2008 11:38AM]

If you can afford to drop three grand on a gaming laptop and don't already have an Xbox 360, then it's probably because you're an anti-console PC gaming fanboy and you really don't want one.

This bundle doesn't make any sense at all.

[Ken @ Jul 21st 2008 11:43AM]

It'd be cooler if the XBOX 360 was built-in to the laptop.

[Phoenix @ Jul 21st 2008 11:45AM]

It would also be hotter, larger and heavier...

[Down @ Jul 21st 2008 12:04PM]

That's what she said.

[Ricardo @ Jul 21st 2008 11:57AM]

Maybe they are releasing a new version of the 360 and need a way to get rid of the current stock...

[yode @ Jul 21st 2008 12:53PM]

Well the Elite doesn't really sell all that well

[xValentine @ Jul 21st 2008 12:04PM]

Oh wait a Gaming Laptop bundled with a Game Console ?

Something's not right here.

[voodoo @ Jul 21st 2008 12:12PM]

There are a lot of Dell deals ending on the 23rd/24th. Most likely, a new Centrino 2 based model will be launched shortly after that date.

[John Blain @ Jul 21st 2008 1:29PM]

I am the Gaming Liaison for Dell, and I wanted to drop by to thank Engadget for pointing this great deal out to its readers. Having been at Dell for a few years, I have to say that this is one of the most exciting promos I've seen.

Also, for those who are interested, this promo is also available on the XPS 630 systems as well. I blogged about it here:

http://yourblog.dell.com/2008/07/21/you-are-correct-engadet-but-wait-theres-more/

Yes, it's true. Sometimes you can have your cake and eat it too.

[fistpittingnork @ Jul 21st 2008 2:36PM]

A free Xbox with a XPS is like a free Hyundai Tiburon with purchase of a new Corvette.

Don't get me wrong, it's awesome to get a free Xbox, or a Tiburon, but when you're coughing over money for a XPS then you probably already have a Xbox or just don't want one.

[rawd @ Jul 21st 2008 4:10PM]

Does it come with a free RROD as well?

[Jake @ Jul 21st 2008 1:43PM]

Suppose they have to get rid of the crap somewhere, like the cheesy free gifts you buy with boxes of stationary....

Suppose I could flog it on ebay, but the priced of used Xboxes on ebay is dire due to RROD...

[Adrian Williams @ Jul 21st 2008 3:07PM]

Maybe just maybe some gamers have real friends that come over without their rig who would enjoy playing CoD4 on that 360

[Crooked Style @ Jul 21st 2008 6:05PM]

i have fake friends that never come to my house.
Infact I live in an apartment, i work at mcdonalds, im a dropout, im virgin, have acne from my puberty years and critize other people's suff, like SUVs or better gaming rigs better than my atari.

[Evan @ Jul 21st 2008 3:40PM]

It really shows the price difference between a gaming console and a gaming PC, when the console is thrown in for about the same cost as the TAXES on the PC!

[isdnelson @ Jul 21st 2008 4:55PM]

Here's my review having used one for a while now.

Warning: Dell XPS m1730 is not really a laptop.

It will, however...

1) Burn a hole in your crotch if you put it on your lap, saving you hundreds of dollars in birth control for the remainder of your life

2) Include a power supply that is bigger and heavier than an Asus EEE PC

3) Blind you with its ultra shiny/reflective screen

4) Give you quite suitable performance in today's hottest games (assuming the video drives are updated unlike the XPS m1710)

Over all, a great system for a LAN, but definitely not something I'd dream of replacing an at home gaming PC with. Especially as someone who still enjoys the DIY gaming PC upgrade/build every year or so 15 years later.

[Phoenix @ Jul 21st 2008 7:14PM]

Sorry, but... Nobody's spotted this?

"The bundle includes, a pair of faceplates, two game and of course the Xbox itself"

Shouldn't it be "The bundle includes a pair of faceplates, two gameS and of course the Xbox itself" or "The bundle includes: a pair of faceplates, two gameS and of course the Xbox itself"

That's 2 grammatical errors...
Or is it just me?

[kingdom2000 @ Jul 21st 2008 8:06PM]

I noticed the deal for the XPS 630 last week and the "deal" breakdown is essentially the cost of the computer + 360 (for $450) - $488. So its basically a free XBox with purchase of a computer. If your in the market for both, its a good deal. If your like me, and don't want an XBox, not so much.

[Don @ Jul 21st 2008 8:12PM]

You guys are missing it here. Dell is doing this because they know people who work at large companies will order this "Dell" laptop on their companies dime and keep the 360 for themselves.

Brilliant move! To bad I just ordered a new laptop...

[Allen @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:59AM]

If it doesn't have a red ring on it, it doesn't have a built-in 360