m17x r2 good buy

I been contemplating buying m17x r3 from Dell for a few weeks now. I called Dell about 5 different time asking for a deal and I am a damn good salesman because I used to be in sales for a living for over 5 years and I broke company records, and I couldnt get more than $100 off. I tried every angle I could think of. I read the thread on here about getting a deal and none of that worked for me either. So out of frustration I was going to get something else besides an Alienware most likely a Sager. Then last night while browsing Newegg I seen they had M17x R2 for $500 off. Buying from Newegg since I am in Nevada there is no sales tax and they are giving free 2 day shipping. That is a huge savings for me. Configuration wise it seems like a pretty sweet deal compared to what I have seen while I been looking around. So I figured I would post it in case anyone else is interested. I was able to buy this: Mushkin Enhanced Callisto Deluxe MKNSSDCL240GB-DX 2.5" 240GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with the money I saved over buying R3 from Dell and I can actually upgrade to xtreme processor from ebay and still be in it for less than what I was going to pay at Dell. The only down side I currently see is the screen resolution but I am okay with that. I do have 2 questions if anyone can answer them:

1. This laptop comes with 2 video cards, do I still have enough room for a hdd and a ssd?

2. What memory can I use to upgrade? I know it says ddr3 but does that mean I can use any laptop ddr3 memory?


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...200049&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-34-200-049-_-Product

 

You do realize it isn't 1920x1200. I think the only reason to go with the R2 at this point is to get the 1920x1200 RGBLED. Otherwise, I think the R3 with 6970M is similarly priced.

EDIT: nevermind. i reread and I guess you know it isn't the RGBLED.

 

if you want to find deals, just go on ebay

 

Having the 1440x900 res on a machine this powerful isn't great.
Now that you have the lappy. look around ebay and see can you pick up a secondhand 1200p screen

 

Better deals are on Dell OUtlet combined with a nice outlet coupon

 

Can you guys give me some links to some deals or coupons if you see any? I searched and cant really find anything. I can always refuse delivery or not open the one i recently ordered. I just looked and looked and cant find anything that looks like a good bargain. Also if you spend a lot of time on the laptop what is the best screen to look at for long periods of time not so much gaming capability?

 

just google search for dell coupons or dell outlet coupons.
this forum has a link w/ coupons.
unfortunately, dell outlet has no coupon for alienware m17x at this time.
it is matter of good timing with luck and how picky you are. they had a coupon for $200 off, but none of the specs or/and color i wanted. now, coupon is expired and they have exactly what i want, but not sure i'm willing to forfeit potential savings from a coupon and get one now if i can just be alil more patient. blah...

i can look at 1200p all day and all night. it is just a matter of preference, but you can save money w/ a lesser resolution. kinda depends on your needs and wants. if you want, goto a your local computer store and play w/ different resolution laptops and see what you like. to get an idea of 1200p alienware screen goto local apple store and play w/ their 17" to get an idea, but alienware's 1200p's screen is better than apple's fyi.

decided to help out alil bit more: http://www.techbargains.com/vendor_detail.cfm/366/Dell-Outlet-coupon-code
is an example of one webpage w/ outlet coupons.

 

Unfortunately for me I am a horrible shopper. I just bought a car 4 months ago and I shopped for 6 months. I think I have a disorder. It always ends that I am better off paying 10% above retail to save the time I spend.


this any good for 2500$?

Processor: Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad Processor QX9300 (2.53GHz, 12MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
Alienware M17x Laptop
256 GB Solid State Drive Ultra Performance
256GB Mobility Solid State Drive, 2.5MM 2nd Drive
4 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)
8X DVD +/- RW Optical Drive
1 GB Single NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M

 

@overbet: why did you pick this model?
this one only has 1 video card compared to your newegg model and this nvida 260 or not as good as 285m, but single 5870 is suppose to better than single 285 anways. what are u using laptop for?
u know there is a thread on this forum, where u list your budget, your needs, etc. and the community will suggest a couple models based on your requests. try that out?

@all,
i see some m17x r2 listed on dell outlet w/ slot load blu ray , slot load dual layer blu ray, and other just w/ blu ray. is this a typo and all r2's are slot load or some are tray load and some are slot load dual layer?

thanks.

 

Overbet - here's my 2 cents worth. First, my background so that you can decide if it fits your perspective, or the advice should be ignored.
I've owned an R1 , now an R2. I use my system for both work & personal, but I'm not a gamer. I want power in my laptop for Video editing & large file crunching.

I've got the 1920 x1200 RGB Screen, but frankly I'm old & if I'm using the laptop screen for any length of time, I change the resolution to 1440 x 900. I do enjoy the 1920 x 1200, but it's on the 25.5" monitors I have at the office & at home.

So with that preamble, given the systems you've mentioned, I'd buy an R3 vs the R2 from newegg because as jywang noted, the R3 is comparably priced & you get the latest (and much faster) Intel Processor. I would not purchase the R1 you talked about in one of your later posts because that processor is now two generations old and you’d be hard-pressed to come close to the new Intel speeds. The R3 memory capacity can also be upgraded to 16 GB (the R1 & R2 max out at 8 GB)

Now having said all that, if you went with the R2, Yes you can add a second HDD (or more preferably an SSD). Memory pricing is cheap these days & you could up it to 8 GB for $100 or so if you ever felt the need. The newegg price is pretty good if you place a value on a new build vs. a refurb unit. Good Luck!