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    M18x already reviewed on HardwareHaven....

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by tangonaninc, Apr 19, 2011.

  1. tangonaninc

    tangonaninc Newbie

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    tangonaninc, Apr 19, 2011
    #1
  2. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    No Crossfire and they did single GPU benchmarks but gave it a gold rating..hmm.
     
    5150Joker, Apr 19, 2011
    #2
  3. Tapakidney

    Tapakidney Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah, that irked me a bit, too.

    I don't understand how a site can do such an in-depth review, yet leave so many common questions unanswered. It'd be nice to know the machines ACTUAL performance potential.

    Good pics though...I don't see a subwoofer!
     
    Tapakidney, Apr 19, 2011
    #3
  4. GetFound

    GetFound Notebook Evangelist

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    IM seeing dual gtx460's.
    But at the end they say single, not sure now.
    M18x
    Intel Core i7-2720QM
    2x GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB - 675/625MHz
    6GB Samsung DDR3-1333 9-9-9-24-1T
    Seagate 750GB 7200RPM drive
     
    GetFound, Apr 19, 2011
    #4
  5. Tapakidney

    Tapakidney Notebook Evangelist

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    If you read through you'll see all the tests they did were on a single GPU.
     
    Tapakidney, Apr 19, 2011
    #5
  6. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    Usually hardware heaven has better reviews. This one left me very disappointed and what was Dell thinking sending them a midrange configuration?
     
    5150Joker, Apr 19, 2011
    #6
  7. SaosinEngaged

    SaosinEngaged Notebook Evangelist

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    The users of this site give far better reviews than most mainstream websites anyway.

    I'd rather read what 5150 Joker has to say about the m18x over Hardwareheaven anyday.
     
    SaosinEngaged, Apr 19, 2011
    #7
  8. alexUW

    alexUW Notebook Virtuoso

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    It's called "Brownie Points". They're all hoping Dell gives them m18x for free in exchange for a good review [my outrageous guess].
     
    alexUW, Apr 19, 2011
    #8
  9. redbalrog

    redbalrog Notebook Consultant

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    Apparently they are adding SLI results later because they need to replace an early revision SLI bridge?
    I personally would have waited until I had the SLI results before publishing the review ^^
     
    redbalrog, Apr 19, 2011
    #9
  10. HSN21

    HSN21 Notebook Deity

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    Almost Useless review without Dual GPU results
     
    HSN21, Apr 19, 2011
    #10
  11. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    I would have asked Dell to ship me 6970M Xfire + 2920xm so I could do a proper review. Not a system with a pre-production SLi bridge and a 2720qm processor. And they gave it a perfect rating for performance? Really? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
     
    5150Joker, Apr 19, 2011
    #11
  12. redbalrog

    redbalrog Notebook Consultant

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    Or that, yes lol. I don't know why companies ship out their models to reviewers without the highest specs - especially in this case where performance is the M18x's main selling point.

    It's like...sending out a Ferrari to a car magazine for review but having a Mini Cooper's engine in it (terrible analogy I know considering Mini's engines aren't an option in a Ferrari)
     
    redbalrog, Apr 19, 2011
    #12
  13. PsiPr0

    PsiPr0 Notebook Evangelist

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    Did you see the bottom when they removed the cover? It's right there. I swear that's the sub. Glossy little speaker sticking out.
     
    PsiPr0, Apr 19, 2011
    #13
  14. redmango

    redmango Notebook Enthusiast

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    So there is an "unpopulated mini-PCIe". I'm wondering if the bios allow booting from a mSATA?
     
    redmango, Apr 19, 2011
    #14
  15. elevul

    elevul Notebook Consultant

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    I agree. :(
     
    elevul, Apr 19, 2011
    #15
  16. blaster

    blaster 1 tequila, 2,3,4,5, floor

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    I'm relieved, i thought that it was going to weight 16lbs, on the review it says that it actually weights weighs 5.4kg. Therefore, i don't think that an extra gpu and hdd add up an extra 5 lbs :D :D I'm definitely getting this :D
     
    blaster, Apr 19, 2011
    #16
  17. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    I think the AW guy (frank azor was it?) needs to know his products a bit better. 16 lbs? I don't think so.
     
    5150Joker, Apr 19, 2011
    #17
  18. M18x

    M18x Notebook Guru

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    I'm very excited about this one.

    The game I play the most is EVE Online so I don't need an uber-configuration, I just love to get a big notebook I can move to my friends house or university and at same time play modern games at 1080p

    I think I'm waiting for the GTX485m (single) and the 2630qm, after all CPU doesn't affect too much on gaming. Too bad nVidia has not released "GTX570m" yet.
     
    M18x, Apr 19, 2011
    #18
  19. tyranus7

    tyranus7 Notebook Evangelist

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    330W PSU, I like that. There is hope for GTX 485M ....
     
    tyranus7, Apr 19, 2011
    #19
  20. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    will buy one for the R1 :D
     
    katalin_2003, Apr 19, 2011
    #20
  21. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    5150Joker, Apr 19, 2011
    #21
  22. steviejones133

    steviejones133 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    What a poor review...
     
    steviejones133, Apr 19, 2011
    #22
  23. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    Maaan, he's lost! 2.5/10 for that review :mad:
    And pure honesty :p right after your post, Joker..
     
    katalin_2003, Apr 19, 2011
    #23
  24. M18x

    M18x Notebook Guru

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    I think they do have a point.

    Hopefully we will be getting more reviews with 6970 or 485M, and then compare to each other. But let's be honest you can do whatever you want with 2x460 and the 2630qm... why spending some extra thousands for the same experience?
     
    M18x, Apr 19, 2011
    #24
  25. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    They never tested 2 x 460m. Second, a 6970M Xfire + 2920xm will provide a substantially better gaming experience.
     
    5150Joker, Apr 19, 2011
    #25
  26. Engage

    Engage Notebook Enthusiast

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    Good job Joker trying to get some real info from that site. Absolutely worthless piece. I can't imagine the target audience of that review.
     
    Engage, Apr 19, 2011
    #26
  27. ncc1701k

    ncc1701k Notebook Consultant

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    Yeah Joker we need more people like you to keep the mainstream reviewers in check, now we just need you to go over to engagdet and give them a couple of kicks in the groins.
     
    ncc1701k, Apr 19, 2011
    #27
  28. Ghost_AWP

    Ghost_AWP Notebook Evangelist

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    Captain, we have a Veridian3 uncloaking off the port side!
     
    Ghost_AWP, Apr 19, 2011
    #28
  29. veridian3

    veridian3 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Surely I'd post under my own account :p

    And seeing as i'm posting anyway I may as well address the comments on keeping the machine... Dell/AW dont let review sites keep hardware, not to my knowledge anyway... and this particular model is booked for pickup already. So there would be no point in skewing the results to please them.

    As for the review itself, I appreciate that you guys don't agree with how we rate laptops (basing scores on a number of factors including performance at a particular price point) but a lot of people do value that method. There are sites who's reviews I think are a load or nonsense, using canned benchmarks, old outdated comparisons etc which some people dont mind but each to their own.
     
    veridian3, Apr 19, 2011
    #29
  30. Cerberus

    Cerberus Notebook Evangelist

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    Finally posting on the M18X section :D
    And happy to be the first :D
     
    Cerberus, Apr 19, 2011
    #30
  31. AirJordan

    AirJordan Notebook Evangelist

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    With pictures that I saw on Engadget of the screen, the resolution looks like it has much less screen real-estate compared to the M17x R1 & R2. The icons look much larger and take up more space, even with the larger screen. Is there really that big of a difference between the 1920x1080 vs 1920x1200 resolutions? If so, it looks like the screen quality took a major hit...
     
    AirJordan, Apr 19, 2011
    #31
  32. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    Nice m18x , we can clean those fan easily now , but I was wondering where is other 2 slot for ram and other 1 hdd caddy?
     
    iPhantomhives, Apr 19, 2011
    #32
  33. Cerberus

    Cerberus Notebook Evangelist

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    Ram slots should be under the keyboard like in the M17X-R3
     
    Cerberus, Apr 19, 2011
    #33
  34. Wired360

    Wired360 Notebook Consultant

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    So I guess it's official that there isn't a 120Hz option available, right?
     
    Wired360, Apr 19, 2011
    #34
  35. Wired360

    Wired360 Notebook Consultant

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    I agree, it seems as if they are using most of the space for a thick border rather than a larger screen (looks like a 19" screen could easily fit there).
     
    Wired360, Apr 19, 2011
    #35
  36. veridian3

    veridian3 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes, adding a pic of he location to the HH review now (page 5), it was taken when replacing the SLI bridge and will be the 2nd pic on the page.
     
    veridian3, Apr 19, 2011
    #36
  37. Cerberus

    Cerberus Notebook Evangelist

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    Sadly yes, no 120hz
     
    Cerberus, Apr 19, 2011
    #37
  38. veridian3

    veridian3 Notebook Enthusiast

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    From what I was told by Alienware that is correct.
     
    veridian3, Apr 19, 2011
    #38
  39. veridian3

    veridian3 Notebook Enthusiast

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    The second drive sits below the first, sharing the same caddy.
     
    veridian3, Apr 19, 2011
    #39
  40. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    Cool , Thanks.

    do we have to remove the keyboard and get into ram slot?
     
    iPhantomhives, Apr 19, 2011
    #40
  41. Cerberus

    Cerberus Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, that's the only way to reach them
     
    Cerberus, Apr 19, 2011
    #41
  42. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    Is the front case's alien head stayed white or able to change other colors?


    Should just max out 16gb on those slot and never remove keyboard again :D
     
    iPhantomhives, Apr 19, 2011
    #42
  43. Cerberus

    Cerberus Notebook Evangelist

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    That's one way :D
    But it's really not that difficult once you try it yourself trust me ;)
     
    Cerberus, Apr 19, 2011
    #43
  44. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    Not really sure why they want us to do this (remove keyboard & slot rams) , maybe they wanted us to void the warranty lol :D
     
    iPhantomhives, Apr 19, 2011
    #44
  45. veridian3

    veridian3 Notebook Enthusiast

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    As said above, its pretty easy. 9 Screws in total from the base (four to remove the main cover) and then its a case of carefully poping out the keyboard surround and 5 more screws for the keyboard to release and get you to the stage where the ram goes in the slots shown below:

    http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviewimages/alienware-m18x/alienware-m18x_inside2.jpg
     
    veridian3, Apr 19, 2011
    #45
  46. M18x

    M18x Notebook Guru

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    /me wants 2x4GB... it suxxx that theres no option for this.

    @Dell
     
    M18x, Apr 19, 2011
    #46
  47. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    Cool , Thanks , Rep +

    Can you please advise me that about the alien head part?

     
    iPhantomhives, Apr 19, 2011
    #47
  48. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The alienhead will be the same as the M17xR3 - not going to be able to change colors.
     
    BatBoy, Apr 19, 2011
    #48
  49. veridian3

    veridian3 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Always white from what I can see, it turns off when you close the lid though... even if the system is still on.
     
    veridian3, Apr 19, 2011
    #49
  50. X3NIA

    X3NIA Notebook Evangelist

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    mmm battery life and game performance is less than I was expecting. Still sort of glad I went with m17x.
     
    X3NIA, Apr 19, 2011
    #50
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