Been awhile.. again. Wanting to upgrade!!! Need some help.

I am looking into the 2013 MacBook Pro's as well as the new Alienware's. I was really hoping for a 15 or 16 inch to be out by now... but they completely done away with the 15"!! ha

Anyways, I won't be playing SUPER gfx intensive games, not that I know of. BUT. I do play some games... I will seldom use it for Photoshop editing... but I want to try and get into DJing and video editing. Not big time... just to fool around with some things.

So far my 17x has been "okay"... aside from drivers never updating and my speakers sounding like ... lol

I have upgraded to 16GB of RAM on the 17x

Anyways. For my new computer.

I am torn between the MBP's and the Alienwares... I kinda want to try out a 14" but I am afraid for the times I do game, it will be too small for my liking. I was looking into getting the highest end M17x R5 with the RAM upgraded to 32GB and the 256GB mSATA with the 750gb HDD... the GPU I am still not sure as to what I really need. I am fine with the GTX 770M(I think)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

The AW 17 is much better than any MacBook Pro, especially if you're looking for a machine to game with.

Edit: You may be better off posting in this board: What notebook should I buy?

 

Honestly, I am most likely to get an Alienware... haha

I was wondering about peoples experiences using the mSATA boot drive mostly.. as well as the performance gains I will be getting from my current 17x R3, as far as GPU's go. Since there is no ATI option anymore.

 

I'd say take a look at the 780M, if you can afford it. It is much better than the 6970M. I think the 770M is about 30% - 40% better than the 6970M, correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm actually awaiting the arrival of my new AW17 laptop. Spent most of my savings on it, so, it better be awesome. I could have gotten an Alienware Aurora for less with a GTX 780, so, yeah... But I need the portability, not just want it.

 

Same, if I could I would rather buy an actual desktop, but I need portability.

 

The new 17 is solid, you have options on boot with the mSata or platter with the mSata as cache or put a ssd for boot and cache a platter for storage, whew. Answer your other questions go with the best GPU you can the 780 will do everything I want a really top performer. Any of the CPU's are just fine for what you need they all even the 4700 is much better than what we use to have. All said the 17 is a Huge step up from my 17xR3 a much more refined piece of gear. Memory wise 16g is plenty for most use I only hit 3 to 4g's at most on games and you can always upgrade your self.(cheaper) :thumbsup:

 

So the mSATA(256gb one, I think that is with boot) that one is the better of the two?

I may take out the 32GB of RAM... just sounded awesome to say my laptop has 32GB of RAM... lol

 

If money is not an issue, then go for the 32GB. But if I was you, I would go with best GPU (780M) / CPU (Even 4800MQ is a beast) / and more warranty if possible. All the other parts, including SSD's can be bought later and upgraded in time. I have as boot mSATA Mushkin 240GB SSD and it runs smooth (I had a problem with the msata drive and was giving me errors as raid, had it replaced by manufacturer with no questions asked - it comes with 3 years warranty, most of drives have that - 3 to 5 years warranty).

 

I am seeing what they can do with the M17 with the 4900MQ(why not? lol) as well as the GTX 780M with the 120hz screen... then I will get a VERY large SSD from newegg to slap in there...

 

Is the 3D screen REALLY worth it?

I never will use the feature but I hear the 120hz screen is good.

Is there anyone here who actually has a 3D screen and likes it? And or can see an actual improvement from a regular screen??

 

Yes i have seen it and i say i prefer my RGB LED 100 times more.... 3D is crap...for me.

Also my Girl says she gets a headache when she is watching on a 3D screen.

 

Coming from a Macbook pro 15 retina, while the laptop is super nice, sleek, quiet, fast on an apple OS. I bought a alienware 17, this things a beast, big, but worth it, i havent looked back....

 

The 120Hz screen is better not necessarily for the 3D features but for the refresh rate it provides. The higher refresh rate works better with films because it is smoother and the frame rate is more consistent. With games, it allows the frame rate to surpass 60fps and it is noticeable. For lower frame rates, the higher response time also helps prevent tearing. Although the colour obviously won't be as good as RGBLED, it is still good and to me it is better than the 60Hz one. If you get it, I can give you a calibrated ICC to make things accurate for photo work.

 

Hi Widezu,

I'm in the middle of a decision between the Alienware 17 and a GT70 barebone.

The only reason I'd choose the Alienware 17 would be for the 120hz panel... if not I'll get the much cheaper ms-1763

My question is its the semi-glossy 120hz panel good enough? And how it is finished? With a tempered glass coating or just plastic?

Thank you for your answer!

PS: I'd love to have a copy of that ICC file if I go Alienware

 

The only other laptop I found with a 120hz display is a shenker: mySN.co.uk | XMG | Schenker Technologies - XMG U702 17.3" Ultra Gaming Notebook. They only list the 6xx cards but you can get an SLi 680 at a good price

 

Man that thing is uuuugly.

 

Yeah but well cheaper. I'm not liking the look of the new AW's though - boring and same-ish IMO, no AW magic, light up grills and the alienhead power switch are what defines an AW for me. Which is why I started looking around. If I have to get a laptop that I don't like the look of I might as well go for function and low cost over form . And you get to decide the components, not like dell's latest policy of standard models with very little options.