Just because a model gets discontinued doesn't mean Dell instantly cuts off support and drivers for it. They still have drivers available for some pretty ancient computers, and discontinued models sometimes still get updated, like the Studio 1537.
However the resources that are available will be weighted towards currently shipping product. Of course I can hit up Nvidia for some graphics drivers as well, but that wasnt my point.
Dell was supposed to have a special streamlined driver "team" to certify high end laptop gaming machine drivers but if you look at the update releases there has not been much. Anyway, I digress.
Heres to hoping it hangs on for awhile, but I'm still curious as to whether its the end of the road for the M1730.
Fair points, but to be honest, you're probably better off with nVidia's own drivers anyway. Their mobile driver support is miles ahead of Dell's own. Heck...the last time Dell updated my notebook's ATi graphics drivers was December of last year. >_<
For a desktop, sure, I'm with you 100%, but for laptops a lot of companies will tweak / optimize the driver for performance with thier specific machine. You know how it goes, ATI or whomever releases a generic driver, then HP or (insert companie here) will play with it and release it on thier site.
I find with desktop GPU's the manufacturer will put out a very "safe" driver that works with all thier machine configs and is not optimized at all. I just picked up a medium end gaming machine for one of my sons (grade 8 graduation) and WoW picked up 10-15 FPS simply by updating to Nvidias latest 9 series drivers.
Another drawback is for the poor souls that have to call tech support (shudder). First thing they usually do is make you reinstall all the generic drivers..."Oh, you are running a non dell approved release? THERES your problem". Sigh.
Anyway, if they do kill the 1730 no biggie, I'll survive. i am very happy with it (Except for MEDIA DIRECT / CYBERLINK debacle) and sort of lucked in to a fantastic configuration / price point in April.
Mastershroom
43 Posts
0
July 7th, 2009 23:00
Just because a model gets discontinued doesn't mean Dell instantly cuts off support and drivers for it. They still have drivers available for some pretty ancient computers, and discontinued models sometimes still get updated, like the Studio 1537.
peterdollery
48 Posts
0
July 8th, 2009 02:00
Agreed.
However the resources that are available will be weighted towards currently shipping product. Of course I can hit up Nvidia for some graphics drivers as well, but that wasnt my point.
Dell was supposed to have a special streamlined driver "team" to certify high end laptop gaming machine drivers but if you look at the update releases there has not been much. Anyway, I digress.
Heres to hoping it hangs on for awhile, but I'm still curious as to whether its the end of the road for the M1730.
peterdollery
48 Posts
0
July 8th, 2009 02:00
Oh, forgot to add, there is a big difference between old drivers still being available and current, modern releases.
Mastershroom
43 Posts
0
July 8th, 2009 07:00
Fair points, but to be honest, you're probably better off with nVidia's own drivers anyway. Their mobile driver support is miles ahead of Dell's own. Heck...the last time Dell updated my notebook's ATi graphics drivers was December of last year. >_<
peterdollery
48 Posts
0
July 8th, 2009 12:00
For a desktop, sure, I'm with you 100%, but for laptops a lot of companies will tweak / optimize the driver for performance with thier specific machine. You know how it goes, ATI or whomever releases a generic driver, then HP or (insert companie here) will play with it and release it on thier site.
I find with desktop GPU's the manufacturer will put out a very "safe" driver that works with all thier machine configs and is not optimized at all. I just picked up a medium end gaming machine for one of my sons (grade 8 graduation) and WoW picked up 10-15 FPS simply by updating to Nvidias latest 9 series drivers.
Another drawback is for the poor souls that have to call tech support (shudder). First thing they usually do is make you reinstall all the generic drivers..."Oh, you are running a non dell approved release? THERES your problem". Sigh.
Anyway, if they do kill the 1730 no biggie, I'll survive. i am very happy with it (Except for MEDIA DIRECT / CYBERLINK debacle) and sort of lucked in to a fantastic configuration / price point in April.
Cheers