M14x (upgraded) vs. M17x (standard)

I posted this in the M17x forum also. I'm just trying to reach out to as many of the owners of these machines in question as possible.

Basically to act as a desktop replacement for a year or so until I start building my own for gaming.

One big catch: current budget = $1500, and please note I'm buying directly from Dell because I have an account with them. I mean I appreciate any replies to my threads, but please consider my situation before responding with "Get a desktop/MSI/asus for cheaper".

So, all that considered, my options are coming down to a 100% standard M17x (I'm talking bare bones here. No upgrades, not even the resolution) or a slightly beefed up M14x with the i-7 2600, 6 gb of ram, geforce 555M 1.5 gb, and 1600x900 screen.

I should note that a good selling point, for me at least, is the fact that the M17x is in it's 3rd hardware revision form compared to the M14x being brand new. Maybe I'm completely wrong to think this. Let me know what you guys think.

Also, is the 17 inch screen a big waste if I don't get the 1080p? I'm more concerned about the high heat issues in the M14x more so than the size. If the performance will be no different on the M17x, I'm ok with that so long as it handles the heat better as I will be running it as my main rig and I do quite a bit of gaming.

Thanks in advance.

 

I know this won't answer your question, but you'd be better off getting this:

Amazon.com: Toshiba Qosmio X775-Q7272 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Fusion X2 Finish in Red Horizon): Computers & Accessories

GTX560m and you get a free Xbox 360 which you can just sell it for full price if you don't want it.

 

Here's the specs to make this easier:

M17x

• Intel® Core™ i7 2630QM 2.0GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
• 1GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon™ HD 6870M
• 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (2DIMMS)
• 17.3-inch WideHD+ 1600 x 900 60Hz WLED

M14x

• Intel® Core™ i7 2630QM 2.0GHz (2.9GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)
• 1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M using NVIDIA Optimus™
• 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz
• 14.0" High Def+ (900p/1600x900) with WLED backlight

 

If you just want an alienware, m14x is the best. If you can only afford the stock m17x, youd be better off getting something else which I know you said you dont want people to say but its true. I love alienwares too, but honestly unless you can get the 560M in the m17x then youd be better off getting a better specced 17 inch like the G74. But Id go for the m14x over those 2

 

I'm gonna keep checking the Outlet. I found a 'Dell Outlet New' M17x with the 6970m, 1080p screen and 8 gigs of ram for about $1300 after discounts. I started to view it and then I got an error, and now it's gone.

I might give them a call tomorrow and try to find a quality Outlet M17x and if I can't I may just go with the M14x.

I really don't like the idea of buying a refurbished system, never have, but the good price and upgradable graphics card in the M17x are driving me in that direction.

 

The outlet is a good bet especially when a coupon can be combined.

I got the following for $1517 after tax and coupon but wasn't sure whether my son would want this or m17x. He wanted the m17x so I called to return this one. Well they offered me $150 to keep it so for $1367 I've joined the m14x club.

Alienware M14x
8X DVD +/- RW Drive
Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Module
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
14.0 inch HD (900p/1600x900) with WLED backlight
8 Cell Primary Battery
256 GB Solid State Drive Ultra Performance
Intel 6250 Wireless-N (2x2) Half Mini-Card
Processor: Intel Core i7 2820QM 2.3GHz (3.4GHz w/Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache)
3.0 GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M using NVIDIA Optimus technology
RED - Hinge Up WLAN
Sound Blaster X-Fi MB Panzer software version 1.2
8 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz (2X4G)

 

That sounds like a good deal. I have this coupon code for 20% off any outlet laptop or desktop but it says it expires TODAY. I tried to place my order when I found a great deal on a M17x but the website wasn't responding when I tried to make a payment and their live chat and phone lines are closed.

I guess I'm losing out on the 20% discount.

 

There will be more coupons down the road. Just have to be persistent. I ordered 2 m17x and one m14x over the last week or so. Kept 2 and gonna return/sell this one. I'm including it to give an idea of what's out there

Here is an example of an m17x I scored recently
$1087 + tax
-- Alienware M17x R3 Laptop
-- Blu-ray Disc (BD) Combo (Reads BD and Writes to DVD/CD)
-- 2x 320 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
-- Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
-- 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz
-- 1.5 GB GDDR5 Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M
-- Intel Core i7 2630QM 2.0GHz
-- 17.3 inch Wide FHD (1920 x 1080 60Hz) WLED Display
-- Dell 1501 Wireless-N

 

Refurbished? I guess your experience with the Dell Outlet has been positive since you keep going back.

 

Yes refurb. I only buy from the outlet when I need a new Dell. They are normally like new and if there was an issue come with same warranty. The money saved is worth it. Good luck with your hunt.

 

I'll agree with refurb. I bought one about a month ago now and it's been treating me very well. Scratch and dent I dare to say gave me an even deeper discount than usual. In theory this machine hasn't had any issues aside cosmetic blemishes and they're barely noticeable.

Have you by chance considered a 17" XPS as well? Might be able to save a little more with a relatively minimal drop in performance.

 

Yes I have, but the GPU is pretty bad in them and it's not upgradable past the 555m that comes in the M14x. That's really the main thing drawing me to the M17x is that upgrading the GPU a few months down the road is a possibility, where as with the M14x or the XPS 17 I'm stuck with the 555m forever.

 

honestly mate, there's really nothing wrong with the 555m at all, i actually think it's not a bad little mobile graphics card

if you want pure power without compromise then get a desktop

i have an m14x and a top end desktop (specs below) and at this point in time i have not found anything that doesn't run on the m14x (without just a little tweaking) but my m14x is mainly for when i go to a mates house and i don't wanna take my big beast.

Intel I7 2600k
16gig 1600mhz ram
1tb Raid 1 system disk
6tb Raid 5
ATI 6970 HD
etc etc

 

Agree on the refurbished, I also only buy from the Outlet and have never had a problem with service. Or price.

 

Thanks but like I said, I'm building my own desktop around this time next year SO I'M NOT LOOKING FOR A DESKTOP.

The problem is not the power of the 555m. The games I play would run flawlessly with it on max settings. The problem is that the 555m is soldered onto the motherboard and cannot be upgraded.... EVER. The M17x has an upgradable MXM GPU.

 

Calm down dude.. He was just saying the 555M was really powerful, not telling you yo get a desktop..

 

I'm very calm, but I was specific about my situation and the least someone replying can do is actually read my original post.

Anyway, I'm not concerned with the power of the 555m. I'm concerned that it can't be upgraded. Isn't the GPU that comes stock in the M17x (HG 6870m I believe) better than the 555m?

 

The HD 6870m is about the same as a GTX 460m. GT 555m can be OC'd to match the GTX 460m, but M14x has heat problems so I would not recommend it.

The M17x R3 standerd comes with the GTX 560m. Where did you see the HD 6870m??

 

Alienware - Custom Gaming Computers - PC Gaming At Its Best


The base model M17x R3, priced at $1499.00, has the HD 6870m. An upgrade is available to the GTX 560m for an extra $100.

Also, I wouldn't have any need to OC the 555m. I'm not trying to play like Crysis 2 on max settings or anything, I just want Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3 to look decent while maintaining a good frame rate.

Heat is a big concern for me as I play games daily and for long periods. Needless to say the heat issues with the M14x worry me, but they don't seem to be present with the M17x. At least not that I've heard so far.

 

I see the US still has the HD6870m as standerd. The GTX 460m can play Starcraft on ultra in FHD. Review Alienware M17x R3 (GTX 460M, i7-2630QM) Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

According to the review. See if you can get the GTX 560m, little better then the GTX 460m. If possible get the HD6970 /6990m, alot better then the GTX 560m.

GPU and screen upgrade is the only thing you need for the M17x R3.

NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M - Notebookcheck.net Tech

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M - Notebookcheck.net Tech

There are no discounts right now, just wait for them and call a rep. for even more discount.

 

What if I hook it up to a 23" external monitor? Any point in upgrading the M17x screen then? I mean I'd use it on the rare occasion that I take it somewhere, otherwise it's going to be rooted on my desk and probably connected to a desktop monitor.

 

If you have a external you could use that yes. But the screen upgrade isnt that expensive. Screen is what you look at using a laptop most of the times so it better be good.

I watched blu ray movies on my M17x R3 and the FHD screen was amazing!!

 

I bet blue ray looks awesome. Thing is I don't plan on using it for that at all. I have a really nice HDTV and a PS3 for blue ray. As I said I don't plan on taking the laptop out of the house much if at all.

It's $150 for the screen upgrade so on a tight budget that's a considerable amount.

 

Bro, I'm a new m14x owner here (just got mine 2 days ago, see specs for sig).

I was debating the same thing as you: M17x r3 vs m14x, though I had enough $$$ to buy an upgraded m17x.

From an anal, perfectionist and meticulous person like myself, now that I have received my m14x, I think I have determined the biggest selling point and deciding factor: The size.

Ok, ok ok, well, in your case, since you can only get the stock m17x, that's a pretty big issue. Most people would atleast get the 2620 i7 and uprade the screen and GPU on the m17x atleast to save money, but you can only get it stock...hmmmm.

anyway, easy, if you are NOT going to move it around, without a doubt get the m17x r3.

If this machine is going to need to be moved around and you're on the go a lot, with out a doubt the m14x. The m14x is actually quite heavy and built like a tank. And it's bigger, same size as any mainstream 15.6".

Now, if that didn't narrow it down, the fact that you can only get a stock m17x is kind of lame IMO. I know, It's judgemental, but, If I spent that much money, I want atleast want it partially upgraded. Not saying you should get an m14x because of this, but maybe wait and save more $$$?

Other than that, I would get the m17x if it's a strict non-mobile desktop replacement, or if you're only going to move it once in a while to a friends house etc...

If your in college or a grad student or travel alot and carry it in a backup, I would never get the m17x r3, and after getting my 14x in the mail 2 days ago, I frankly don't even know how people on here can suggest such a huge machine to people who are mobile or travel alot. It really makes me second guess how many people on here actually own an Alienware.

 

Well I think most people who have the M17x actually don't move it around a lot. It's meant as a desktop replacement, at least most 17" laptops are.

I understand that most people will consider it lame for me to get the stock M17x, but you have to understand the circumstances.

1) I won't be moving it around.
2) I'll have it connected to a 23" LED monitor most of the time.
3) The CPU in the stock M17x is the same as the upgraded M14x (my other option). Also this is upgradable if I choose to do so a year from now or so.
4) The GPU in the stock M17x > 555m in the M14x AND it can be upgraded down the road where as the M14x's GPU cannot be upgraded. I'm stuck with the 555m for life if I go with it.


In response to your suggestion of saving more money and then getting it upgraded- is it worth it based on the above points I've just made? We've established the screen upgrade isn't worth it for me, the graphics card is superior either way and also upgradable, and the CPU is the same. Also people have reported so many accounts of the M14x heating up very hot. At this point I don't see any reason to go with the M14x.

 

You could upgrade the M17x R3 later yes but it will cost you more in the end. A GPU will be 600 dollars or so, while upgrading it when ordering is about half or less.

From a money point of view I would save some more money and def. not buy now since there are no discounts. I got about 300 euro's off, now they Del will only give me 50 euro's. So I'm waiting a couple of weeks for the new CPUS.

With a good bag you can even carry a M18x.

The M17x R3 has 4 RAM slots and 2 HDD bays.