M17X R3 or R2? - CES 2011 news

I’ve been waiting an age to buy my (first) M17x – was waiting patiently for the R3...

Now feeling like a rake has been dragged through my brain (though, in truth, that would likely hurt a little more)

I’m hoping that somebody may be able/willing to help in clearing up a few issues for me (genuinely wondering if I should order an R2, sharpish, before it’s too late).

If anybody could give an opinion on some or all of the following questions, it’d be much appreciated:

1. CPUs - In real (general – gaming & media-player) terms, how do you reckon the 940XM stacks up against the new ‘Sandy Bridge’ offerings?

2. Regarding GPUs, do any of the new offerings come close to the performance of the ‘Crossfire’ or ‘SLI’ options for the R2?

3. Do you view the RGBLED to WLED as a major issue (I’ve no experience of using RGBLED screens) – Is the difference immediately evident?

4. Does the FHD designation in any way compensate for this loss?

5. Please forgive my total ignorance on this one… but how significant are the 120Hz display, and P67 Express chipset specifications?

6. Is there any reason (beyond the provided image) to suspect that the R3 will have a plastic casing?

Once again, advice greatly valued on this one. Cheers.

 

We don't actually know any of the specs of the system. We only know SOME of the specs. For all we know... the RGB LED is still a option. We don't know.


Kind of pointless to try to decide before you know.

 

#1 We'll have to wait for gaming benchmarks but might not be noticable under normal conditions.
#2 Same answer as #1.
#3 Depends who you ask. To me the glare is a bigger issue.
#4 No, just means 1080p
#5 120hz is needed for 3D and P67 is needed for Sandy Bridge, dual GPU and other Intel specs.
#6 in previous releases the anodized aluminum was a main selling point. That and the "soft touch" lid as also described with the M11x is know to be plastic but it's a sturdy plastic. Doesn't feel cheap.

 

Thanks... appreciate the replies

In response to Irrational23:
True enough, but after 10 or 11 months, impatience tends to get the better you

In response to Mandrake:
You mentioned the 'soft-touch' lid (a feature of the M11X)... Is there any info that connects this with the M17X R3? (appreciate the detailed response)

Any further replies to the listed questions (or any related comments) much appreciated

 

Yes, from this video.
Alienware M17x Hands-on: Stream Games to Your Big Screen in 1080p

 

Yep... spotted that a while ago, and compared to M11X descriptions and related reviews/discussions - it does look like it's going to plastic.
This is becoming harder and harder to call (from an ordering point of view):

Pros:

• Faster CPU
• Fefreshed design
• Wireless HD (of little use to me, currently)
• 3D (in some fashion - perhaps likely to become obselete quickly)
• USB 3 (maybe)
• Intel P67 Express chipset (can't say that I yet understand the significance of this )

Cons:

• Possible plastic casing (as opposed to 'Anodized Aluminum'... mmm...)
• No SLI/Crossfire options for GPUs
• No RGB display option
• Reduced screen size (16:10 - 16:9)
• DRM embedded in 'Sandy Bridge' chips (though this point may be a bit sensationalist - don't fully understand the implications yet)

Not an easy call. Any and all advice required and appreciated

 

Wait 4 more days and see what the online configurator shows. If there's no dual graphics option available immediately at release (could be added later if the laptop is capable of it) then decide. My interest in the M17x-R3 as of right now is zilch.

 

I personally bought multiple R2s and kept returning them because xfire was so glitchy. Don't know if it's gotten better but I ended up getting the M15x and don't bother with xfire now.

 

So, thus spoke Zarathustra... ( mean, Joker...) and I'm behind this perception... I was waiting 4 the Joker insights... IMO, The lack of a 1920x1200 among other 'things'... will be sensible (specially 4 those that had being enjoing it for the last 7 years).