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    Alienware m14x First Review

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by wii, Apr 19, 2011.

  1. wii

    wii IPS Rules

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    wii, Apr 19, 2011
    #1
  2. Leminator

    Leminator Notebook Enthusiast

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    Seems a good laptop! I'm a bit concerned about the heat though...

    I'd like to see a review of the stock price model, 'cause that's the one I'm gonna buy. :)
     
    Leminator, Apr 19, 2011
    #2
  3. redbalrog

    redbalrog Notebook Consultant

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    Looks good! Glad that Dell is aware of the heat issue though!
     
    redbalrog, Apr 19, 2011
    #3
  4. stevenxowens792

    stevenxowens792 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Only 1400 3dmark11 score... OMG. Yeah, you may want to hold off on this one a bit. I am wondering what the difference is between the nvidia 555 1.5 vs the 3.0?

    StevenX
     
    stevenxowens792, Apr 19, 2011
    #4
  5. Belowzero78

    Belowzero78 Notebook Enthusiast

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    How did they review the M14x so fast? Was it a Demo product for these reviewers to try?
     
    Belowzero78, Apr 19, 2011
    #5
  6. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    It probably needed a simple repaste as maybe it was done by the same guy who leaves post-it notes under heatsinks :p
     
    katalin_2003, Apr 19, 2011
    #6
  7. Mackan

    Mackan Notebook Evangelist

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    Already an issue with the fan behavior needing a firmware update. :rolleyes: And it's big and heavy for a 14 incher, no surprise. I hope people who are considering M11x or M14x for portability are aware of that.
     
    Mackan, Apr 19, 2011
    #7
  8. chewietobbacca

    chewietobbacca Notebook Evangelist

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    m14x is a bit dissappointing... not on the fan issue (seems all AWs have it, sigh) but for its size/weight, a GTX 460M class card at least should have been put in, not the 555M
     
    chewietobbacca, Apr 19, 2011
    #8
  9. abaddon4180

    abaddon4180 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Disappointing battery life as well.
     
    abaddon4180, Apr 19, 2011
    #9
  10. kidio007

    kidio007 Notebook Consultant

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    I'm hoping the screen is better than the M11x r2 which is waaaaay too reflective to be used outdoors or places with lights and windows everywhere.
     
    kidio007, Apr 19, 2011
    #10
  11. SaosinEngaged

    SaosinEngaged Notebook Evangelist

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    6 lbs is really not that heavy. I have never and will never understand how people think ~10lbs is heavy. I routinely carried around an 8lbs Envy 17 (with extended battery) in a shoulder bag and it was the farthest thing from "heavy."

    "No surprise" about the weight, well it's AW my man, and part of the price you're paying goes to their exceptional build quality and sturdy cases.

    Every manufacturer has QA issues, Alienware is no exception, but on the whole AW build quality is far above everyone but Apple, and Macs are a totally different kind of animal.
     
    SaosinEngaged, Apr 19, 2011
    #11
  12. Inkjammer

    Inkjammer Notebook Deity

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    I'm really disappointed mobile broadband/4G options aren't available with the M14X build. Only thing that stops me from clicking "buy" right now.
     
    Inkjammer, Apr 19, 2011
    #12
  13. Kevin

    Kevin Egregious

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    100C on the palmrest is pretty terrible.
     
    Kevin, Apr 19, 2011
    #13
  14. Nick

    Nick Professor Carnista

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    It would be melting at 100C ;)
     
    Nick, Apr 19, 2011
    #14
  15. SaosinEngaged

    SaosinEngaged Notebook Evangelist

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    100* F on the palm rest IS pretty terrible.

    I'm infinitely more concerned about this than the "zomg m14x is teh heavy!!11!" thing. It could easily be a shoddy paste job, but you never know. I'd be surprised if it wasn't the paste job, because usually AW cooling is spot on.
     
    SaosinEngaged, Apr 19, 2011
    #15
  16. Kevin

    Kevin Egregious

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    Right, Fahrenheit. That's very, very concerning.
     
    Kevin, Apr 19, 2011
    #16
  17. AMDgamer

    AMDgamer Notebook Evangelist

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    Is that graphics card at 3GB really that strong?
     
    AMDgamer, Apr 19, 2011
    #17
  18. Kevin

    Kevin Egregious

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    There's zero reason to buy the 3GB version. It's a total farce, and Dell should be ashamed for pulling it on the customers.
     
    Kevin, Apr 19, 2011
    #18
  19. AMDgamer

    AMDgamer Notebook Evangelist

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    Have a macbook pro and a macbook air and I agree...apple is a different world for build quality, but there are two sides to every story. apple doesn't offer the customizability that AW does, its a one stop shop with a FEW options...I think apple laptops are the best of the best, but they are much less fun than AW thats for sure...coming from someone who's owned both.
     
    AMDgamer, Apr 19, 2011
    #19
  20. Serephucus

    Serephucus Notebook Deity

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    The battery life thing actually fits. Dell say around six hours, but taking into account that that'd be the base spec, sitting at the desktop, it makes sense that the review unit with a higher power processor, and a bigger LCD, would get around four.
     
    Serephucus, Apr 19, 2011
    #20
  21. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    Now its correct
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    Karamazovmm, Apr 19, 2011
    #21
  22. Serephucus

    Serephucus Notebook Deity

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    I'd love to know your reasoning behind that.
     
    Serephucus, Apr 19, 2011
    #22
  23. HisSvt2

    HisSvt2 Notebook Consultant

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    HisSvt2, Apr 19, 2011
    #23
  24. ggcvnjhg

    ggcvnjhg Notebook Evangelist

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    One is a 15 inch laptop that weighs 10 pounds....the other is a 14 inch laptop that weight 6.5

    Should we pull out the M17X and say how shameful the M15x #'s are?

    ....
     
    ggcvnjhg, Apr 19, 2011
    #24
  25. Thierry19

    Thierry19 Coffee enthusiast

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    Oh is it? This is a non-overclocked run, people have almost broke the 15k mark in 3dmark06 with a 555M in the Dell XPS 17. Wait to see actually valuable benchmark before getting your minds set!

    Bah, this is what bothers me the most. 4 hours is pretty poor compared to the M11x's 10 hours and the M17x 5.5 hours..
     
    Thierry19, Apr 19, 2011
    #25
  26. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    too heavy
    too large
    (mind you, I didnt expect a thin and light here, like the e420s, but it weights the same as my lenovo 14'' from 2006, and that thing is a tank)
    Not that powerful
    Config options are too expensive (not that every OEM dont get a lot of $$ from the ctos, but this is another level)

    Those are it. I was waiting for something close to 2.5kg, and a little bit smaller. With those dimensions they could have fitted something that you could say its worth the added weight and size, just like the m18x, its godly huge, but it packs a huge amount of power. No AMD option for me is also a no go, I use linux.
     
    Karamazovmm, Apr 19, 2011
    #26
  27. HisSvt2

    HisSvt2 Notebook Consultant

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    The weight has nothing to do with it the fact is it is a second gen Intel CPU with a mediocre gpu that is the shameful part.
     
    HisSvt2, Apr 19, 2011
    #27
  28. revdiesel

    revdiesel Notebook Evangelist

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    Also remember that the review of 4 hours battery life was with the i7 2820QM
     
    revdiesel, Apr 19, 2011
    #28
  29. AboutThreeFitty

    AboutThreeFitty ~350

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    AboutThreeFitty, Apr 19, 2011
    #29
  30. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    so what higher binned processors usually give more battery life
     
    Karamazovmm, Apr 19, 2011
    #30
  31. Benchmade 42

    Benchmade 42 Titanium

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    The red soft touch is starting to get boring since m17x, m14 and m11x r3 has it.
     
    Benchmade 42, Apr 19, 2011
    #31
  32. Dalli

    Dalli Notebook Consultant

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    I do not understand you guys....

    My m11x r2 gets 4~5 hours without wifi.

    Can you please tell me how the m17x gets 5.5 hours? does it have optimus?
     
    Dalli, Apr 19, 2011
    #32
  33. Adroc88

    Adroc88 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well ive ordered my m14x (see Sig) and cant wait to get this baby. A little worried about temps but will have to wait and see
     
    Adroc88, Apr 19, 2011
    #33
  34. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    It has optimus (non 3d models) or the AMD version of it.
     
    Karamazovmm, Apr 19, 2011
    #34
  35. Benchmade 42

    Benchmade 42 Titanium

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    The palm wrist area heat is not good. Holding on my money until the first buyers guinea pigs and test dummies test it thoroughly.
     
    Benchmade 42, Apr 19, 2011
    #35
  36. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    First of all, M17x-R3 does NOT get 5.5 hours of battery life during normal web usage and half brightness, it's more like 3:40 mins. If M14x is getting 4+ hours on battery, that's good enough. It could be better and probably will be as more optimized drivers are released by nVidia. You have to remember that HH likely have pre-production samples.
     
    5150Joker, Apr 19, 2011
    #36
  37. Adroc88

    Adroc88 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hahaha ya I have been waiting too long, but will defiantly run this thing through the gauntlet and let everyone know, if it is that bad will return it for m11x r3.
     
    Adroc88, Apr 19, 2011
    #37
  38. Benchmade 42

    Benchmade 42 Titanium

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    Adroc good choice on the Soft Touch Black color. For some reason the red is starting to get played out and boring if you noticed lol. Like m17x m14 and m11x r3 reviews are all shown in red. Like it no longer has the exclusive aura about it. Just common now.
     
    Benchmade 42, Apr 19, 2011
    #38
  39. EviLCorsaiR

    EviLCorsaiR Asura

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    6.5lbs is NOT heavy. That's around the weight of an average notebook. Granted this is meant to be 14", not the 'average' 15", but this is also packing a lot more.

    Honestly, I feel sorry for anyone who finds 6.5lbs too heavy. The amount of weight I have to carry around every day is around 5 times that, and I don't have any issues.

    This one is down to opinion. As many others have said, they believe 6.5lbs is not heavy.

    Considering this is significantly smaller than the M15x, and pretty much all 15" gaming notebooks for that matter, no it isn't.


    You're not going to get an SLi config into a 14" notebook, and as others have said the 555M will easily pull figures that meet the 460M with a little tweaking. Considering that was the most powerful option for the M15x (and most 15" gaming notebooks), no, it is not weak.

    Okay, no arguing there. RAM and HDD upgrades are unreasonable. However, these are extremely easy to change aftermarket, and it won't void the Dell warranty.


    Personally, I really hope I can get one of these. Looks like the perfect notebook for me.
     
    EviLCorsaiR, Apr 19, 2011
    #39
  40. Laxxi

    Laxxi Notebook Evangelist

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    The 5850 is a better performer than the 460M. It's an udisputed fact.
     
    Laxxi, Apr 19, 2011
    #40
  41. Kevin

    Kevin Egregious

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    Even the most extreme GT 555M overclock will not reach the stock GTX 460M's performance.

    I'm talking 7500 in Vantage GPU score.
     
    Kevin, Apr 19, 2011
    #41
  42. itcomic

    itcomic Notebook Consultant

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    It does not have optimus but have switchable graphics. Igp will be used instead of 460/6970m to achieve long battery life.
     
    itcomic, Apr 19, 2011
    #42
  43. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    It is, the HP dv6 pack the same thing and is much lighter, didnt want ot go for the HP debacle, since the build quality is worse. But I do think that 3kg is too much, I dont have to only carry the notebook, I usually have to carry some 800 pages books with me, and those things are, well, heavy.

    I dont care about the m15x that thing is more close to a 17'' than to a 15''




    I also dont care for sli/xfire, why would I want to pay the price for sli/xfire? I said that with the added size and weight we could have put there a 460m or a 6850m. Im sorry but I will use caps on this:

    YOU NEVER COMPARE A TWEAKED/OVERCLOCKED SYSTEM, WITH A STANDARD ONE, IF YOU ARE GOING FOR OVERCLOCK COMPARE THE RESULTS OF BOTH THAT WAY



    Indeed, I think I was just frustrated with it, so I was too anal about it.


    Good for you
     
    Karamazovmm, Apr 19, 2011
    #43
  44. revdiesel

    revdiesel Notebook Evangelist

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    revdiesel, Apr 19, 2011
    #44
  45. itcomic

    itcomic Notebook Consultant

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    It is switchable graphics. Not optimus. Optimus technology is Nvidia patented technology.
     
    itcomic, Apr 19, 2011
    #45
  46. kingp1ng

    kingp1ng Notebook Evangelist

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    Just to add, the aim of the M14x, if you haven't guessed already, is to offer a MIX of gaming performance with portability. It's not meant to best the road warrior MBP or the desktop replacement Sager 8150.

    Have you ever seen a light Alienware machine that matches up with its screen size?
    Have you ever seen a thin Alienware?
    Have you ever seen a cheap Alienware on its launch day?
    Are you going to get a similar spec'ed $800 Asus or HP with the standard 1366x768 screen?
     
    kingp1ng, Apr 19, 2011
    #46
  47. mb67

    mb67 Notebook Evangelist

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    I suppose you would like to see a 485 in a 14" chassis, huh? :rolleyes:
     
    mb67, Apr 19, 2011
    #47
  48. revdiesel

    revdiesel Notebook Evangelist

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    LOL you mad bro?
     
    revdiesel, Apr 19, 2011
    #48
  49. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    shamefurr dispray of reading comprehension!
     
    Karamazovmm, Apr 19, 2011
    #49
  50. yun

    yun Notebook Deity

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    The HDD is located at the right wrist rest
    It's the reason why it get 100 F. Buy a SSD instead of HDD
     
    yun, Apr 19, 2011
    #50
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