Laptop and Computer Reviews

XtremeNotebooks, a US custom gaming rig supplier announced its new Xtreme 917V laptop, featuring an Intel Core 2 Quad processor. Options on the Xtreme 917V include RAID 0, 1, or 5, dual SLI nVidia 8000 or Quadro series graphics cards (with support for Microsoft DirectX 10, of course) and triple SATA hard disk drives up to 300GB each. Targeted at people that require high-end graphics and storage as well as gaming, this is definitely one extreme laptop. Think of it as the desktop you lug around - it’s as simple as that.

Want to work with 3D Studio Max on the go? No problem, the 917V laptop can handle it. Three models are available in the this series, including Fusion, Reactor and Accelerator. Each model offers a 17″ display (1680×1050 Super Wide Angle Glass View LCD) with the base configuration featuring a 60GB SATA 150 hard drive and an 8X DVD+/-R/RW burner. RAM can be expanded up to 4GB.
The 917V Accelerator’s desktop processor reduced its battery life to just 43 minutes on our DVD battery drain test. The Dell XPS M1730’s mobile processor, meanwhile, ran for 1 hour and 27 minutes. Nevertheless, we hardly expect a system of this size to spend much time at all away from the power outlet. Should you actually want to carry the 917V Accelerator around, you’ll have to schlep its 3-pound power brick–the size of an actual brick–with you.All Xtreme computers come with a one-year parts-and-labor warranty as well as 24-7 toll-free phone support. Available upgrades extend coverage up to three years and include LCD damage protection. There’s not much support to be found on the company’s site, though there are driver downloads and a user forum.

XtremeNotebooks 917V Reviews From retrevo

The most expensive notebook to come through our labs, the Xtreme 917V didn’t post world-beating gaming scores to match its record-breaking price…But the Xtreme 917V from Xtreme Notebooks is the first portable we’ve seen to cross that price threshold—our $5,673 review unit was the most expensive laptop we’ve ever tested…Still, the Xtreme 917V’s productivity punch might make it worth a look for graphic designers or other creative pros…The Xtreme 917V delivered better 3D scores than the similarly configured, quad-core-based Phantom-X, and it performed well overall for a single-graphics-card system..

XtremeNotebooks 917V Reviews From computershopper

Pros:
Lots of high-end configuration options, including quad-core CPUs and SLI graphics; customizable design options; top-notch multimedia performance; attractive display; decent gaming scores

Cons:
Most expensive notebook we’ve seen; bulky case; no media-control buttons or HDMI port; OS costs extra; gaming performance isn’t good enough to justify the cost

XtremeNotebooks 917V Reviews From cnet

The good: Quad-core CPU, fast and ample memory, and dual SLI graphics mean it’s a strong performer; unparalleled frame rates among laptops; 10-key number pad is useful for gaming; built-in subwoofer and optional integrated TV tuner.

The bad: Expensive, especially for our fully-loaded configuration; though the 3D gaming performance is outstanding, laptops that cost considerably less aren’t that far behind; lousy battery life; uncomfortable for typing; lacking multimedia extras such as media control buttons and instant-on playback; the albatross that is the massive power brick.

The bottom line: The Xtreme Notebooks 917V Accelerator is an unquestionably powerful laptop, but impressed as we are with its performance and 3D frame rates, it’s hard to justify the sky-high price. This quad-core laptop seems suited only for those who want a true desktop gaming rig that’s still moderately portable.