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    Alienware Alpha vs M17xR4 Speculation...

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by LinkRS, Aug 25, 2014.

  1. LinkRS

    LinkRS Notebook Consultant

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    Hello Everyone,

    I know that the Alienware Alpha isn't a notebook, but due to its price point and "advertised" specs, it seems to closely match my 2012 era M17xR4. So, I was wondering what some of you thought on the performance of the Alpha vs an Alienware M17xR4 (or R5, or 17, etc...). The specs indicate either an Fourth Gen i3, i5 or i7 with "up to 3.0 GHz" speed, 4 or 8 GB of DDR3 Notebook RAM, standard hard drive (up to 2 TB), and a 2 GB "NVidia Maxwell" GPU. I am thinking that even my "dated' M17xR4 with a 3rd Gen i7 (up to 3 GHz Turbo), 16 GB of DDR3, and 2 GB Radeon 7970M will outperform the Alpha. The entry level Alpha (with Core i3) is $550, but if you upgrade it to the "max" it is $900. For me the wildcard is the Maxell NVidia GPU. Nothing is known about it other than it is a "custom" design built for Alienware, and that it is not upgradeable. Thoughts???

    Thanks!

    Rich S.
     
    LinkRS, Aug 25, 2014
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  2. Screenio

    Screenio Notebook Consultant

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    The GTX 750 Ti is a maxwell, so I'm thinking the Alpha would have a watered down mobile version of it. Not trying to get it confused with the GT 750m which isn't a maxwell.
     
    Screenio, Aug 25, 2014
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  3. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    Its going to be on par with a 860 from what I can tell.
     
    ejohnson, Aug 25, 2014
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  4. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Assuming it's based on the current maxwell the 7970M would be faster yes.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Aug 25, 2014
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  5. CryoBolt

    CryoBolt Notebook Consultant

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    Really at that point, I don't know why you wouldn't just buy the x51.
     
    CryoBolt, Aug 26, 2014
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  6. LinkRS

    LinkRS Notebook Consultant

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    The same thought had crossed my mind. When you try to get prices close, the X51 has "lower"- end parts, but can be upgraded. All you lose is size, and the custom Alienware interface.
    :)
    Rich S.
     
    LinkRS, Aug 26, 2014
    #6
  7. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    People looking at the alpha probably have a desktop already, Such as me, I will be streaming from my desktop. So base model all the way!

    But, my thoughts are that its going to be more based on the new 14 models than the 17s.

    If they could make it a mxm gpu instead of a bga that would be great.
     
    ejohnson, Aug 26, 2014
    #7