M17x not only a laptop

Hey guys, I am new here, first of all i want to explain my case:
I need to renew my PC because mine it's too old to play some games.
I want to buy Alienware M17x laptop but i want to use it as desktop computer too.
Because of my work I have to travel to many sites and would like to take my laptop everywhere.
What do you think about using M17x connected to a screen and keyboard to play?
Can I have troubles if i use it for many hours?
Maybe I should buy desktop computer to play and worst laptop to travel.
Would be nice to read your opinions, thanks to all.

 

This will work fine for traveling and desktop use. That is how I use mine.

 

Okay thanks you really, did you have any problems if u use it for 8-10 hours.
After all it's a laptop, not desktop

 

Yes, the M17x will be fine connected to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse as a desktop gaming machine. However, you mention that you travel a lot for work. I don't think the Alienware M17x would be a good machine for your needs, for two reasons:

1) It's BIG. And HEAVY. And the battery life is pretty weak. I travel a lot for work, so factors like portability and battery life are incredibly important to me with whatever laptop I use. Because of that reason, I will never bring a laptop larger than 13.3" with me on the road. And I would NEVER bring a 17" laptop with me, no matter how badly I wanted to game.

2) It's very expensive for the power that you get, and it is not upgradeable. If money is a factor for you at all, then I don't think that the Alienware M17x is the smartest way to spend your money.




Here is what I would do:

Build a desktop gaming system for about $1200 - $1400 USD. You can get a great system for that budget that is upgradeable. Some time in the future, you can always upgrade a desktop gaming system to add more hard drives, more / faster video cards, etc.

If you want to play games when you travel, then buy an Alienware M11x R1. It is lightweight (4.5lbs), gets great battery life (6.0 - 7.0 hours), can game pretty well, and is relatively inexpensive (can be bought for ~$750). If you don't want to play games when you travel, then get any 13.3" laptop that fits your needs in a work computer.

By going with this combo desktop + laptop approach, you get gaming power and upgradeability at home, and a lightweight gaming laptop on the road. I definitely recommend this approach over buying a single large, heavy, expensive Alienware M17x.

 

Using it on the desk for that time is fine. Just get some sort of cooler/stand to raise the back up to allow good airflow and keep temps down. I actually prefer the keyboard on my laptop over anything else.

For mobile use, I have the R1 which has integrated graphics that I can use to get upto 3.5 hours of life. The R2 caps out around 1.75 hours since no integrated.

 

Going to have to strongly disagree with you here.

 

Well, I think it's fair to say that it comes down to how much someone values portability vs. power.

For you, the Alienware M17x seems to be "portable enough" that you are willing to carry around the weight and size, for the added benefit of the gaming power.

For me, a 17" laptop is far too cumbersome to carry around. I would be willing to give up some gaming power and buy machines that are "powerful enough", if it meant that I could carry a laptop that has smaller size and lower weight.

 

That is just my doubt: desk + cheaper laptop or M17X
I know M17X is big and heavy but i would like to play always with the same computer.
Advantages on M17X: always the same PC to play or view photos or anything else.
Advantatges on cheaper laptop: i have to expend less money on all and get lightweight laptop.
One of my biggest concern was if I can use M17 as desktop computer without having problems with temperature, battery life or something like that.

 

Ah, ok.

So - you are ok with using the Alienware M17x as a desktop computer. You will be absolutely fine using your machine in that way.

You also say that you want to play games using the same comjputer, and always use the same computer... and you know that the M17x is big and heavy. If you are ok with the size and weight, then go for the M17x. It will suit your needs just fine.

 

The M17x functions perfectly as a portable desktop. The only concern is like I mentioned, keep the back raised up to allow airflow to the laptop. All of the intakes are on the bottom and it will get noticeably warm if sitting flat on a table.

As for the weight, I STRONGLY recommend using a roller bag or backpack that will evenly distribute the weight. When this laptop first came out alot of people tried it in a messenger bag and messed up their shoulders lol. I have an Alienware Orion backpack that is a PERFECT fit for this laptop and also have a Mobile Edge Premium backpack that is outstanding for holding this laptop but also has room for other stuff.

 

It is big and heavy-but the beast will play anything out there with ease!
And-what is not upgradeable?

Me too somewhat.

 

On intergrated you should be getting 7 hours, with the Nvidia card you should get at least 3.5 hours.

 

Make sure to get 3 yr warranty with Dell products.

M11x R2's get about 4+ hours of battery life while R1's get about 6+.

 

I use the M17x as a desktop replacement. For travel if I need something light I have the M11x. But if I need to take everything with me, I have the Orion Backpack which, as scook metioned, is perfect for the laptop. I've tried it in a messenger bag and that is a no go for the most part. But When my M17x is on a desk, it sits on the NZXT Cryo cooler. I don't neccessarily have the Cryo running, but it raises the back and keeps temps down. But I leave my laptop on for a week at a time. I pretty much only shut down to reinstall stuff or when my power goes out. Or when I crash the system benchmarking.

 

This aint no MBP. I have a quad core cpu as well as 2 hard drives. The AlienFX lights do not make a huge difference in battery life. The discrete cards are about 2-3x the power of yours as well, thus shorter battery life. It is also possible that your battery is higher capacity than ours. I am guessing Dell did not bother trying to make a super high capacity as long battery life in this laptop just is not happening. It is also possible that your screen (being LED backlit) is more efficient than mine.

 

I think he's talking about M11x's.

 

Hope so lol

 

Yes, I was for some reason when I saw R1 I thought m11x, even though the thread is about m17x

@ OP: it depends on how frequently you travel and how long you stay in each place. If you travel just overnight I'd get an m11x, if you stay 4+ days in one place I'd get the m17x(or m15x).

Have you considered a m15x? More power than a m11x, and more portable than a m17x.

 

In that case your estimates sound right lol

 

x2 for disagreeing with you on this one

The laptop is not that bad to travel with, and it is a hell of allot better than a m11x.

I travel about 200 days a year, and take about 40-50 flights or more year and I do not mind lugging this beast with me. and with my backpack it fits on all the planes I been on from the 16 seater Turbo prop and up

 

Twas thinking the same thing.

 

Well, as I mentioned in a later post, "better" is a very subjective idea.

The fact is that the Alienware M17x is heavier than the Alienware M11x, larger / bulkier, and more expensive. It also has much more power and performance than something like an M11x.

So, the idea of "better" is very subjective. Personally, I value portability and battery life in my laptops more than I value raw power. So the M11x is a "better" laptop for me.

For most people in this thread, they value raw power more than they value the smaller size and weight of the M11x. So for them, the M17x is "better" for those people... which is probably something I should have seen coming a mile away, given that I am coming into the Alienware M17x sub-forum and having my first post basically tell someone not to get the M17x.

 

Really thanks to all.
Considering all you said I'll get M17X because I prefer more raw power.
I'll use it as desktop computer too connected to 21` screen.
Price of "my" M17X is about 2800€, don't know in $.
I'm going to read more threads on that page, thanks again

 

Thats $4373.88, seems kinda steep unless your m17x is totally maxed out.

 

There really isn't any country that gets stuff as cheap as we do. You can't compare any other countries pricing scheme to the US.

 

True, I think US technology is really cheaper than European not funny.

 

It is just that most of the companies are based here and therefore have to pay import and export taxes in the US and then the destination country. Then they also tax the end buyer for importing something. And it all adds up

 

Not to mention, the parts are sourced from China (manuf.; almost everything), Taiwan (GPU; some parts), Korea (RAM), Japan (battery Cell), Germany (CPU), & Malaysia (CPU die packaging).

Then sent to some facility in Tennesee (iirc, around there is where Dell ships everything from?), then moved over to Europe.

Unless if I made too many skips through the loop, there

 

Alienwares are built in Texas.

lol

 

I fails and fell on my own face/


Well, I can at least beg to atest for current GPU dies being made in TSMC or UMC in Taiwan

 

You should also probably add the screen to korea haha

Samsung dominates the lcd world right now

And alot of the intel cpus come from costa rica or israel

 

i dont think all alienwares are built in texas. i think those in asia have theirs built in penang.

ive been using my r2 as a desktop literally since i got my y460 6 months ago. i use external keyboard,mouse,screen and speakers.

it serves really well as a desktop despite it being a laptop. i have left it on for 7 days in a row before and though the adapter got hotter than usual, nothing seemed to go wrong anyway.

 

mine was built in Malaysia

 

I bought two Alienware computers at the same time. The M17x is my luggable desktop. My M11x is the computer that goes with me everywhere. I do have a Targus rolling computer bag that is for an 18.5" laptop. You need a large bag for the M17x.