M18x US Launch Info

How much were people expecting dual 6970s to cost originally? I see on the Sager, it is +$545, but that's upgrading from the stock 470 card, not the 460.

 

Upgrading in a Sager from single 460m to Xfire 6970 costs around $700

 

mmm, same casing as the r2 = fingerprint magnet.

AAFES FTW. thats the only way im affording this... and yes i think the xfire option should be brought down. but thanks for the link guys. greatly helps out.

 

well the price doesnt really matter to me
but i really wanna have the best laptop ever.
will m18x be the best laptop in performance wise?
or x7200 w gtx485m?
im not sure.

 

I noticed the M18x comes standard with the 1920x1080 screen vs. the M17x R3 ($150 upgrade price).

Also noticed the preliminary config has the Intel Advanced Wireless card ($50? upgrade on the M17x R3?).

With the 460 SLI, it comes with the 330 W power supply.

I know this was posted before, but could someone point me again to the difference between the M18x and M17x R3? (Search doesn't work that good here). I wanted to see what the premium was between the 2 machines.

Lastly, are the heatsinks/air tube flow things, etc the same on the 460 and the 6970?

Thanks!

 

the R3 only has a single GPU slot, where as the m18x has dual, so the m18x will be much more powerful in the gaming world. i didnt check yet (but im pretty sure) the r3 does not have an extreme processor option (may be wrong on this). so if u want performance and a desktop replacement, go with the m18x since it is more powerful

 

Depends on the usage profile. If gaming is the only criteria here - the M18x should be very close to the x7200. However, the x7200 proved to have an outstanding cooling system and many owners managed to OC' their 485Ms up to 700mhz core without overheating problems. We have to wait and see how the cooling system on the M18x compares, not to mention that the 485m is not yet available as an option for the AW.
The X990 can be OC'ed to 4ghz on all cores, so there should be some edge in multithreaded apps, but in games, the newer arch (2920xm) may have an advantage, especially if OC'ed to 4ghz.
The x7200 can be upgraded to high gamut and matte screens. It has 3 HDDs but only 3 RAM slots.
The M18x has a far far better battery life and possibly better sound.
The x7200 is more bulky and plain looking.


Even though I'm a reseller of both, can't decide between the two for myself.
Decisions...

 

The backlit keyboard also is an important feature to those that use their machines in the dark.

 

I had to delete a number of posts from this thread due to arguing.

If you're not interested in the M18x or have something constructive to say about it, stay out.

 

Think I am going to hold off and hope for a price drop/good coupon. Should be getting a bonus in July and will decide then if I want to get the m17x R3 or the m18x to replace my R2. Still looking forward to any reviews/impressions any of you all who decide to pull the trigger on this beast have!

Have to admit I was hoping for the new Intel Lightbridge (thunderbolt) tech in the m18x as well. Maybe in the R2

 

So after configuring an Mx18 and a similar mx17 (minus the dual card) the price difference is about 1K, seems about right to me. for 1k you are getting a second high end card, an aluminum body (not plastic like the mx17) and a 1 inch bigger screen. Don't get me wrong I am not some crazed fan boy, but I just can't seem to understand reaction to the price, did you think they were going to give it away? The mx18 is the top and newest AW, you will pay a premium to own it!
probably why the mx17 R3 is cheaper then the old R2.

 

Even though the price is high, I have a credit on my Dell Pref account from the refunded M17x-R2 that needs to be spent on the M18x. So it's just a matter of time before I crack. That time will definitely be after the link appears on the US Dell/Alienware sites. Also, I wanna see if EPP can help out at all since I bought the last one through that program.

 

EPP prices definitely don't seem to be as good as they used too. I got the m11x R3 a lot cheaper through the home site, though that was mostly do to the 350 off coupon.

 

Certainly looks like it. Then again, any small amount helps.

 

I don't know what configuration you have selected but an M18x and an M17x similarly configured with an I7 2820 and 6 GB 1333Mhz ram have a price difference of $425. Since both have the same specs, $425 is what you pay for the chassis the screen etc (I'm guessing). Going SLI costs $900 but you already have the chassis and the screen etc, you are not paying for that again. So the about 1K premium you refer to is the price increase from a single 460m to SLI 6970 only.

People here have argued (among other things) that a similar SLI upgrade for other laptops costs about $650-$700 compared to the $900 Dell wants.

 

Because you're comparing the current price of the x17 to the current price of the x18 with comparable technology.

Upon release the x17 was about $300+ cheaper than it is currently for top of the line technology that could compete with the highest end market machines, whereas the current price of the x18 upon release shows no such value, regardless of the increased inch which nobody really cares about, and aluminum which is actually kind of important to folks. The technology being used is already over a year old with the exception of sandybridge. In addition, the max configuration leaves a lot to be desired, to me specifically.

Examples -
No allowance for dual hard drives unless you're going for RAID
No brand name SSD
No next gen SSD
No 1TB hard drive options
No 485 cards
No single 6970
No screen upgrades
No writeable bluray
No ram above 8gbs

So are the x17 and x18 comparable price wise? Yes.
But they shouldn't be.

That's just my opinion.

edit: comparable price and technology wise.

 

I actually care quite a bit about the larger screen and aluminum body which is why I've already purchased the M18X. Sure it's not for everyone but this is perfect for me. I personally can't wait for this beast to show up so I can sit on the couch with my wife and game vs playing on my desktop in another room. As for SSD and RAM upgrades I'll be doing that personally via Newegg and saving a bundle by doing so.

 

I priced an M17x with 6970 and 8GB ram (I choose the same optical drive, wireless card and 1 year warranty for both) and the price difference was 950 for the m18x with dual 6970. If the price difference for the chassis and screen is 425 then the cost of the second 6970 in SLI is 525. Not sure how reasonable that is though.

 

i wasnt sure, are you comparing between the m17x..? because i do think that the r3 will have a much better battery life since its a single.

just wanted to double check, lol. but im not sure if you were comparing it to the x7200 or the m17x.

 

Competition currently has it at about $388 from a single to SLI 6970m. Aikimox might want to correct me on this, though.

 

I'm sure some people do, but the impression I've gotten is that most people hold that extra inch lower on their priority list. I agree about the aluminum tho, and I'd love to get an m18x myself, I'm just very disappointed in price for value. I'd like some more options, mostly a newer nvidia solution, since as you said, ram and harddrives are upgradeable for cheaper. I was hoping to get a 1TB from dell since I have to get a harddrive anyway, and then switch that to my storage drive, but they don't offer 1TB drives, so the base drive is a complete waste of money for me unless I suck in up and get the 750. Seeing as how I already have a 7200rpm 640gb hdd thats near full, it's a barely noticeable upgrade, making the 750 less appealing for the cost.

Really hoping options improve soon.

 

Given the drive cage this machine uses I'm not sure there is a 1TB drive that would fit out yet. All the ones I have seen so far are 12.5mm.

 

Looks like they're still tweaking some final details - the starting price is now $1999 as opposed to 2049 or whatever from yesterday. Here's hoping they reconsider the other options too to make them a bit more affordable.

Hope this means it's getting ready to launch!

 

Whats the difference between the Wireless HD video transmitter and the Vizio XWH200 kit?

 

I was comparing it to the x7200. But even compared to the M17xr3, with proper optimization and 6970M's, we should be able to get 5-6 hrs of battery life when manually switching to the IGP. The M18x has 12-cell battery, ~25% more juice.

Seems to be about right.

 

Not 100% sure, but I think the Vizio XWH200 kit comes with the wireless HD receiver and the other option is just the transmitter?

 

This feels like when Nvidia launched the GTX480 and everyone said "? We waited for this and it costs how much?"

Seems like the M17x R3 is the best bang for the buck and my contact at Dell believes it is being refreshed in May with new options.

 

I would think the new refresh will just be the 920 xtreme, with the dell mark up on GPU's the nvidia 485M would just be crazy priced...if it ever got offered

 

And now the speculation on what those new options will be begins.........

 

haha I didn't want to start a new speculation thread, but he gave it steam by saying "I can't really talk tomorrow I'm in a top secret training all day."

I dont think you'll see 485M in this generation of AW. My guess is they'll wait till the 500 series rebadging. I speculated with him that they'll offer better sound options, new hard drive options, maybe a motherboard refresh?

 

so anyone go with m18x?

 

I want one for review and possibly to keep so if I can get a decent discount from an EPP rep I may get one.

 

Will wait for your review!

Look at this spec almost 6k.

i7 2920XM Overclocked Turbo Boost to 4.0GHz (8MB Cache) edit
Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate, 64bit
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz (4DIMMS)
Dual 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon™ HD 6970M - AMD CrossFireX™
HARD DRIVE 256GB Solid State Drive SATA 3Gb/s
Intel® Ultimate N WiFi Link 6300 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO Technology edit
VIZIO XWH200 Universal Wireless HD Video and Audio Kit with Internal 60GHz
(BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW) with Roxio Creator 2011
Internal High-Definition 5.1 Performance Audio with SoundBlaster MB Software
Space Black Anodized Aluminum
ALIENFX COLOR Quasar Blue
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 4 Year Basic Plan edit
Adobe Reader Acrobat SW Adobe Acrobat X Reader
LCD PANEL 18.4-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 WLED
POWER ADAPTERS Alienware M18x 330W A/C Adapter

$5,921.98


Do m18x actually support SATA lll 6Gb/s

 

My EDD is 5/24. I've got a 5/3 EDD for the bag lol.

 

Mind sharing how much that cost? Your siggy spec

 

The EPP discount as of yesterday was 2%. They also gave me an additional $100 off after working with my reps manager. They said they could give me another $50-$70 off if I signed up for a Dell credit card but I was not interested in that.

 

OOOOOO prices dropped today CF upgrade is only 700 now

 

I'll be buying RAM & SSD mentioned in my sig from Newegg and installing them myself. Below you can see what I paid Dell for my M18X and backpack using EPP and some additional discounts my sales rep pulled for me. Keep in mind I paid an extra $70 or so for accident protection because I break stuff. :/



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Nope still shows $900! I think you selected duial 1.5 gb NVidia GTX 460M thats the only it shows $700

 

Jesus if these are the Dollar prices wait for the european prices...
For the specs of Jack above you will have to pay the same amount in Euro which are 4972 US Dollar. Argh...

 

Yeah, I don't understand why you guys end up paying way more then the US. Take a vacation to the US and buy one here... I bet the savings will pay for the trip!

 

Still the same, it's $700 from SLI not from single 460m

edit: Conjuredevil beat me to it

 

They call me Mr.speedy

 

Mr. speedy it is then

 

This is a slight let-down....I guess if these end up being the final prices than a 2720qm will hold me over.....the 6970m CF are a must if I am going to get an M18x though...no point without it. Wanted that 2920xm though!

 

Scook, what makes you want to replace your desktop with this? Wouldn't it make more sense to get a great deal on a M17x and keep the desktop?

 

Actually I agree with you!
@Scook - You can just upgrade your graphic cards from what I can tell.

just a suggestion though

 

Probably the same reason as me. Benchmarking a new powerful notebook like M18x is too hard to pass up.

 

I like benchmarking laptops more

Also the desktop is watercooled GPUs so upgrading them is really a pain. I also have my M17x and desktop and do not use them both enough to justify keeping. Time to consolidate and while I am at it, upgrade.

 

oops, never mind...wrong upgrade..