Pentium M processor

Its absolutely true . A PM 2.0 will easily match a 2.8GHz P4.

i still think a plain p4 is the best, most cost-effective solution for gaming ...  but dell will offer what dell will offer

This is almost exactly what I have been looking for. I'm looking for a gaming laptop as well. However I will be traveling a lot in the future, so battery life is important to me. Here is my definitive answer...

If you want a laptop that won't be moving around much, will be able to be plugged in almost all the time, and has plenty of power. Get the Inspiron XPS. In terms of pure power it is the best laptop that Dell offers. Especially with the upgraded 9800 graphics card, P4 3.2 ghz, and say...1 gig of ram. (7200 speed hard drive as well).

However, if you need long battery life...go with the Inspiron 9200. The Pentium M chip at 2 ghz will give a drop in performance from the P4 at 3.2 but not much...BUT...the battery life is increased substantially. Also, beef up the 9200 a bit with more ram and a higher rpm hard drive and you're almost competing with the XPS. The only disadvantage really is the fact that the 9200 only offers the 9700 graphics card.

In light of all of this...since I will be moving around a lot and will want to be able to have a good amount of unplugged time, I bought the 9200. If you don't care about battery life...get a pimped out XPS.

I hope this helps you figure out what you're looking for.


(Of course there are many other competitive laptops out there as well, but since this is a Dell forum, I felt it prudent to stick with Dell products.)

It should be noted that the XPS doesn't use a mobile processor - it uses a desktop P4.

Intel clearly has plans to phase out the mobile P4 entirely before too long, so the current generation of Dells using it (the value chassis models - 1150 and 5160) - are likely the last of their breed.

All future Intel mobile CPUs on the map use the Pentium-M architecture.