Pastor's M17X R3 Impressions

My Stock Configuration:

2720 CPU
4GB RAM
320GB Seagate (slim)
Nvidia 460M
Blu Ray Drive
3D Bundle

OK, got mine about an hour ago, have left it stock but will be upgrading HDD/SSD, RAM and wireless card this afternoon. busy right now getting 3dMark scores before doing a fresh install and upgrade. Mandrake and Dr J are already running it through the paces, but thought I could offer some helpful insight, especially to those who might be tyring to choose between this notebook and the Envy 17 3D, as I have played with both.

Size and Weight: obviously the Envy 17 has a smaller footprint and feels lighter. Probably the thing I miss most about my Envy 17, the smaller size for a 17" and the metallic body. Still, really like the M17X, feels solid. I do like the finish and the red (no fingerprint) color.

Screen: Ok, definitely not as good color or contrast wise as the RGB LED R2 screen, and unfortunately its not as bright as the Envy 17 3d either. That said, its a very nice screen. Best feature is concerning 3D pictures, video, and games (so far) the M17X has much, much, much less ghosting/crosstalk! Really happy about this. As much as I truly loved the Envy 17 screen and miss the brightness and contrast of it, the M17X combined with NVIDIA 3d tech is just so much better. For those who just want the best 3d notebook for gaming, between the two, the Alienware is definitely the one to get. I will be testing the HDMI in for 3d compatibility by the way...

 

John, while upgrading wireless, can you please post how many antennas already in there by default? I'm beating myself up for upgrading only to advanced, not ultra. Can buy ultra later but won't be able to run the third antenna myself.

 

no problem, i'm about to open this thing up. by the way, i get 14385 stock out of the box on 3dMark06

 

Can you post the specs?

 

yes, third antenna is included, taped beneath the keyboard, installing 6300 card now.

 

YESSS!!! Thanks John. I can easily follow your example once I get mine, that is

 

which processor do you have?

Congrats on your purchase

 

If you could take a picture of the inside that would be awesome

How's the noise of the machine when idle?

 

Hot dang and a biscuit!! Can you post the link to the model 6300 card you bought (newegg, etc) if/when you have tested it. I know we have had a few different ones, but I'm sure wed all love to try one yall have verified works. (driver etc)

And thanks to all that are keeping us updated with the latest bits, I know its driving us crazy not having ours yet but it helps to live vicariously.

 

they tightened the 5 screws for the keyboard way too tight, almost stripped one of them. need a new set of micro screwdrivers. see where the wirelessHD card is supposed to go, makes me sad I don't have one to put in.

 

let me test the one i got, from newegg, and then will let you know.

 

the 6300 should work with no problems. i did this mod for my M15x and has worked very well.

 

Thanks for the impressions. I am leaning toward getting one, I just have to sell my R2 now. LOL

 

why the r2 is a beast. not really a big upgrade moving from r2 to r3.

 

My Configuration:

2720 CPU
4GB RAM
320GB Seagate (slim)
Nvidia 460M
Blu Ray Drive
3D Bundle

 

The command console surrounding the keyboard is all flimsy plastic. be gentle when removing.

 

I like to have the newest, but the real reason is because my buddy said he will give me exactly what I paid for my R2 in cash. What would you do?

 

Nice and congrats! Post your specs in the very first post. It will probably keep people from asking you a billion times as the thread grows.

Awesome 3d mark scores! That's the SAME as i740qm + crossfire 5870s!

 

Sell it and get R3 within a month from now with 6970m (As good as 5870 CF without CF issues) plus you get better CPU/easy to upgrade in the future/better battery life/slimmer device and lighter/SATA3 For SSD/etc

 

Man....you just read my mind. LOL

 

i'm telling you guys, the 3d is actually worth it. 485M would be better of course... however, if I had an R2 I wouldn't sell mine yet either. and please don't debate the merits of r2 vs. r3 in my impressions thread. will try to answer questions about the notebook.

 

Everyone is saying 3D is amazing... few days ago everybody did call 3D gimmick etc

Should i pull the trigger? i was thinking of should i get Optimus or 3D without optimus...... so far everyone is saying 3D was worth it

 

bummed out about my 12mm 1TB drive, looks like it won't fit.

 

My advice - dont listen to 'everyone'. Review the info (here and online elsewhere as there are plenty of 3D gaming reviews using the NV Glasses), make a decision which best fits with your needs/wants and then decide which way to go.

 

Sorry John I'm not quite familiar to the wireless card thing. Just want to know what wireless card did you get from DELL? The default Wireless 802.11 g/n or the Intel Advanced N+ 2*2 MIMO?

Just wondering if I just get the default Wireless 802.11 g/n, will I still have the third antenna or I need to go at least with the Intel Advanced N+ 2*2 MIMO.

 

That's a fantastic question, which I am also curious about! I'm probably the only idiot that ordered default wireless though haha

 

I ordered the default wireless and bought a 6300 off newegg for $40. Finally got the 6300 Ultimate to work with the Alienware, kept getting BSOD with it. The trick was to download the dell driver for the 6300, extract it, then go to device manager, select network adapter and install the driver manually. Using the setup and installing the whole thing will cause problems. And again, yes, mine came with 3 antenna connectors, but the grey one was taped down. Glad I could put it to use.

 

doing a fresh install of windows again on my SSD, will but up late tonight and try to post some comments. Again, really ticked off that this notebook doesn't accomodate 12mm high drives. I mean, a 13" macbook pro does, and its only an inch high, but this beat doesn't? actually I bet I could jury-rig an interposer and make it work somehow if I was that adamant. At any rate, 750GB drive on the way via newegg. Will use my 1TB drive as a USB 3.0 external.

 

I'm really planning on running some 3d tonight, see how this handles a couple games and videos.

 

oh okay. That's what i get for skimming - I was under the impression that you had a 2x2 card shipped with system. Thanks again.

 

Oh, that clears my concern. Thanks John

BTW, what do you mean the grey one was taped down? Do you need to do something to it (Untape it?? ) to put it to use?

Sorry for the newbie question again.

 

Id take the cash and wait for m18x

 

no, its just regular not super adhesive tape, comes off clean. just to keep the wire from jiggling around i guess.

 

wow, definitely glad i returned my Envy 17 3d now. Better 3d framerates of course. And, I get less ghosting (if any) on this screen than I do on my Sony Bravia 55" 3D TV!

Also, Arcsoft TotalMedia Theater works great. Using it to watch SBS 3D Blu Ray rips.

 

LOL... He is coming by Friday after work with the cash. It's less than months old, and I am giving him a BT mouse and backpack too.. Time to window shop my R3.

 

u dont have the wirless hd thing?

 

The SIBeam wireless hd card was not (and still isn't) an option at the time of purchase. But it looks like it will be an easy install job for later. Unless it needs separate antennas or something (dunno)

 

Ok, HDMI in works well with my Pocket 3d Camcorder, but alas, will not do 3d. Did not expect it to work. So 1280x720 video works fine. I'm wondering what resolutions the HDMI in will accept, beyond 1080p and 720p.

might do a 3d video review with my camcorder later on.

 

Does the laptop have to be powered on to use HDMI in, or does it work like a tv (on/off button for the monitor only)? Also, does HDMI in work in the 6870? I've got less than 1.5hours to order.

 

Yes, the laptop has to be powered on, using a FN key combo (its labeled). I'm sure HDMI in works for the 6870 as well.

 

Ah. Does the computer shut off then? Or does it remain on?

FYI, I ended up getting the 460M, so I hope it'll work the same way as the 6870 would.

 

Do the speakers work with the HDMI in?

 

It should. Folks said that you have to turn on the computer to actually use that feature, which kinda bums me out. I was hoping for more of a tv, where I could just power on the monitor and use it independently, kinda like a monitor that has speakers.

 

Unfortunately this makes sense...The glasses need some receiver to connect to. Did you boot up to Windows before you switched inputs to HDMI-in?

 

You have to boot to windows to do HDMI in, and then you can disable it pressing the same FN/F8 combo, returning to Windows. Windows never shuts down. When I get back from the hospital I will test the audio-in with hdmi. Would be nice if it works. then hooking up my new PSP2 one day will be a breeze.

 

So does the computer go on standby or something when used with HDMI in? Is the HDMI-in a port that's independent of the mobo/the computer, and only associated with the monitor (like a tv w/ hdmi holes)?

 

i don't know if it goes in standby (don't think so). Maybe they keyboard and trackpad are disabled except the combo key. sorry, will look into it some more when i get back from the hospital.

 

No prob bob.