m17x or L702x? Build questions.

As you can see in my signature I have a new dell L702x. Purchased the 120hz 3d screen as that was the only one available at that time. Dell advertised nvidia optimus for this but turns out the integrated hd3000 gpu is disabled so I don't get optimus or the intel visual technologies (widi, video encoding, etc). That is a major let down. However, if I got the non-3d 60hz panel and gain optimus and intel VT I lose the 4 dimms for memory and drop down to only 2. It is 2 dimms on every other configuration. I am within my 3 weeks return time and considering the m17x.

1. Does the m17x come with 4 dimms in every configuration or only certain ones?

2. I believe the m17x doesn't support optimus with the gtx460m and 3d panel as well. What config supports optimus?

3. Is the ati switching technology any good? Basically how much better is battery life when using integrated vs discrete for standard stuff?

4. I wasn't very impressed with the panel in the L702x. The wled panel isn't quite up to the caliber of the rest of the pc. Is the panel in the m17x any different?

Main reason I wanted 16gb ram was the ability to use vms. I'd use it more for development reasons not so much for gaming as I really don't play games much but it would be nice to have the option now.

 

You can't use optimus with 120hz panels, the fact they still are falsely advertising this (or at the very least, misleading advertising) is disappointing.

1) 4 (yours should too, it's the same motherboard Dell falsely said that the non-3D option didn't include 4 as well if you didn't purchase enough ram to cover the 4 slots)

2) 60hz panels only

3) ATI switching, when it works, seems to be a lot better on battery life. I personally don't recommend ATI since they can't seem to fix their X-Fire issues anymore.

4) Not sure, BUT, with ATI or NVIDIA you can raise the digital vibrance up to 100%, it looks amazing. Default is 50% and when you drop from 100% to 50% you see dull colors...It's amazing what a tweak option that is I do it on all my PC's now

 

Can you elaborate on that quote? Are you saying the mobo in my version of the xps 17 is the same as in the alienware m17x with just a different gpu? I know every other config besides mine on the l702x only has 2 dimms. 4 dimms on that l702x require i7 + 120hz FHD 3D panel + GT555m.

So I have to give up the 120hz 3D panel on either to get 4 dimms. However, it seems the alienware m17x with the 60hz panel can still provide me with 4 dimms for ram whereas the l720x most definitely will not.

 

No I am saying the motherboard SHOULD be the same for the options with and without the 3D...

In the AW for example, same board, same card, different LCD...BUT the AW board does have 2 LCD connectors....maybe yours does have 2 different models...

Makes me wonder now if I can mount a second monitor with that connector