M18x already reviewed on HardwareHaven....

You can't judge game performance based on those benchmarks. Wait until someone reviews 6970M Xfire.

 

The reviewer also never mentioned how the battery life was while solely using the IGP. Unless that was part of the review and they just never mentioned it, the battery life could see a fairly significant increase with the discrete GPUs deactivated.

 

Yeah, the user manual clearly shows that there is button to switch between IGP and dGPU

If it's like the m17xR3 and the 6970M's can be switched off, then this thing can last quite some time

 

Fair enough. I saw the opportunity to make a joke and took it. It sounded pretty funny to me. Tough crowd I guess.

The review is still the most in depth thing that I have read about the M18X and I appreciate it. But I can't agree with you on 460 SLI being high end. Everyone wants to know how the CF 6970s perform. Whether that is bench scores or in game scores, we just want to see the best cards available tested, not the low end Nvdia option. I wonder if this configuration was chosen by the reviewer or handed out by Alienware.

 

Ok that wasn't clear to me. The review lists 3 GPU's (which technically there are) but not whether it was possible to switch to the Intel GPU, which technically the chipset "shouldn't" allow if it runs SLI. So for me this is an open question. Does the M18x allow the use of the Intel GPU on a "switch" basis or something thereabouts (meaning I know it doesn't use Optimus, and I don't care about that fact). Mind you the CPUz says it's an HM67 chipset.

Second question is what grade of displayport is the output? 1.1a or 1.2? It would determine just how far you could take the 3D in terms of resolution. Right now there are no "high res" 3D monitors, but there may be some down the road a bit.

 

6970M might do that... it does it on the m17xR3 by switching to the iGPU

 

I'm not really liking the review, especially on the GPU performance.

 

I must say, the pics are impressive. Couldn't say the same for the review though.

 

Similar to the M17x R3 and the Nvidia 460 having less battery life (is that only due to the 3D?) than the 6970, could the M18x using the 6970 also have longer battery life like the M17x? I haven't read the review yet (so busy today!), but that would make sense to me...

Will have to wait for more sites to do a more through review...

 

I hope they designed the hinges with the long-term stress of the lid's movement in mind. I would've liked to see the hinges made a little bit wider. These tests also reaffirm how weak the GTX 460M can be @ 1080p.

 

Agreed on all fronts. My M11xR1 hinge problem nearly destroyed my notebook completely a couple months ago

And yeah, 460M for a notebook like this is a non-starter for me. It's 6970M CF or nothing at this point... not that 6970M CF is anything to sneeze at. That'd be the equivalent of 2 x underclocked desktop 6850's, which would bring it to at least desktop 6970/GTX 580 levels

Possibly

The switching on the 6970 is supposedly superior in power saving to Optimus, because the 6970 completely disconnects/turns-off by use of MUXes

 

Does the m18x have switchable graphics? Sorry if this is a noob question, the review said it didn't in favor or dual gpus, so I'm assuming it is running the p67 chipset without integrated graphics?

3+ hours without is pretty impressive already, if it did, that would be some RIDICULOUS Battery life for an 18in

 

Why haven't the SLI results been published yet?

Edit: Never mind, "however the results will be delayed while we resolve an issue not related to performance with Alienware support." I wonder what the issue is

 

Yes it does have switchable graphics, and it will be running the hm67 chipset.

 

On page 23 of the mobile manual, it says to press:
F7 – Switchable Graphics Toggle
Press <Fn><F7> to switch between integrated and discrete graphics option.

On page 61:
Video controller
Integrated: Intel HD Graphics 3000
Discrete: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M
AMD Radeon HD 6970M

Here's hoping!

 

Didn't see this mentioned on previous posts, looking at the manual/review now and noticed the M18x actually has an ExpressCard slot. I thought these went away. Nice that they threw this in as well!

 

I "thought" that Intel said that switchable graphics would only work with the single GPU versions of the HM67 implementation. And we all know that user manuals can have copied data (sometimes) that is in error. So I'm wondering if it actually works. Wonder if the reviewer could test and update us.

Many folks just want to use the Intel IGP for roaming to gain battery life with the SLI set there to game on when not roaming. Intel's info makes a conflict that this shouldn't work, but the manual says it does. I'm curious if it does.

 

If you followed yesterday's presentation the Dell executive said that the M18X's battery lasts 3 hours on the IGP, so surely it does have switchable graphics.

 

Interestingly in the AlienwareArena broadcast in response to a question on M18x battery life they quoted a figure (3hrs I believe) and qualified it as on the internal GPU, not the discrete GPUs. I believe there was also a reference in the presentation itself to there being different techniques for switching to the internal GPU on the M18 depending on whether AMD or nVidia cards were installed, which also implies it supports switching. Of course this isn't as solid as actually testing it would be but it is interesting.

EDIT: Missed that Ryan had just posted this too, joys of posting from a phone

 

SLI results are now on the article. Looking to do a little more but my time with the machine is now very limited...

For some of the other random questions here... yes you can switch the graphics (requires a reboot, as does enabling SLI). Given that, the size, weight and the battery life its not a particularly portable system though so I would imagine that the majority of people will keep the system on mains power, on a desk/table with the discrete GPU(s) enabled.

I'm having someone work on a general use test with the integrated GPU now so that you guys can have an idea of the difference between that and discrete under general use conditions.

Finally, the config was chosen by Dell/AW, we review what we are given. Occasionally they give us the option between a couple of different configs but most of the time its a set config as it was with the M18x. Had they offered a higher spec system I would have accepted and reviewed that, might happen when the final builds are ready.

 

My god!!!! - if those Sli results in 3dmark 11 are for real, it aint very good....my rig pulls 4k without any OC at stock.....I hope to god Dell comes up with a better dual gpu option that this, otheriwse how is it gonna be the next "beast"???? if its only gonna come with 460's, I certainly wont be buying one LOL

I certainly wouldnt call 3319 pts "excellent" even though it is good for a laptop....its a far cry off the R2 with dual 5870's

 

There's no reason for the M18x to come out in May if it's still going to have the old chipset and not support IGP switching

 

Thanks for updating the review and responding to our questions. We're a tough crowd and I appreciate you sticking your neck out to help us out.

I've got my fingers crossed that Alienware will send you a M18x configured with two 6970M Xfire + 2920xm to round out your review.

 

Seriously?

6970M Crossfire was confirmed a while ago.

 

that's too bad , I guess I'll keep my r2 for sake of alien head's color.....

 

Havent been paying that much attention as hype is often over rated until something is released.....

 

I still kind of wish Dell was selling M17x-R2's still. I really like the design of it compared to the M18x and I want Lunar Silver! Even if it means I would lose out on some major performance boosts, it wouldn't be that huge of a deal for the sake of aesthetics lol. I can be pretty shallow.

 

I'm agree with you , even thou m17xR2 performance is not the best but still , it handle most games/softwares with no problems , so it doesn't mean you will "lose performance". I think I might give up on m18x since it has no alien head color , I know it doesn't make sense , but hardware out look is important too!

 

IMO apart from the glossy border around the keyboard, M18x looks a lot nicer than M17xR2. Performance with 2920xm and 6970 xfire will also blow away R2. It should easily hit 25k vantage and 6000+ 3dmark11. I can't wait till I order one. M17xR2 is still a great system but M18x offers too many new features and performance to ignore:

1.hdmi in and 1.4 out
2.Sata 3
3. IGP/Quick Sync
4. Sandy bridge and possibly ivy bridge
5. 6970 xfire and maybe 485m sli
6. Much better cooling
7. Circuitry designed to handle 330w
8. Subwoofer
9. Much cooler sounding internal codename

Etc

 

Either 1 of the option already blew r2 out lol.

10. Ram
11. More Batter Life?

 

I want to see a side-by-side comparison of looks, features and performance with the R2 and M18x. That would really help me make my mind up, but in the end I will probably be going with the M18x anyway considering it wouldn't be very easy to get an R2 now, let alone a lightly used one. The M18x will definitely be a beast.

 

12-BIG 18.6 screen epic for pc gaming + as a portable HDTV with the HDMI in
13-better built in sound and speakers
14-Factory overclocked to 4GHZ
15-Bluetooth 3.0 Epic transfer speed with latest BT 3.0 devices like Galaxy phones
16-possible 3D display getting released soon (Toshiba already made them)
17-Wireless HD
18-22nm IVy bridge will use same sockets, according to reports we gonna get stuck with 22nm cpu for a a while due Silicon design limitation at 22nm
19-Can upgrade to 28nm 100Watt Nvidia cards due power supply and bios (It's not like Dell gonna bother supporting m17x R2 anymore

who gonna give us #20?

 

20. Alienware High Performance Systems

 

No probs, the Intel GPU increased battery life in general use by around 30mins.

 

So 3hrs 23 min surfing became 3hrs 50 min? That would be almost 4 hours surfing on battery, 7.5 hours if you carry a spare battery. Probably a SSD would put you over 4 hours. Nice!

Thank you for the kind testing!

 

In their review , the video of boot time , only 36sec with HD 7200rpm is that really quick? If they used SSD , SATA lll its gonna be like 5sec? Just Curious.

 

36 is fast but not abnormal for a machine that type i did a 32 second boot with over optimisation on mine

 

No No , i was referring that , they not even fully loaded and got 36sec , if fully loaded that's gonna be beast.

Power on -> 1sec , Bios 1sec , Win7 1 sec , some app loading 1sec , on desktop 1sec. 5sec total! (Not sure , I hope lol)

 

So, you'll be BSODing this much faster BSOD in 5 seconds flat

 

:laugh: :laugh:

 

Yeah, VVIZ you get a good chuckle out of me for that.

 

I was wondering: did Alienware ever made a docking station for their laptops? Considering the ridiculous power of the m18x I was seriously wondering about using it as my unique computer, and put it in a docking station (connected to all my rig and capable of giving power to the laptop) when I am home to use it there instead of buying also a tower for when I'm home.

 

Alienware did not. Dell did, and they sell well in business settings but not tons outside of that. Back when you needed a docking station for unique items they had more use. But now you can plug 3 displays, USB 3 or ESATA to external drive arrays or Blu ray burners, and basically easily connect most of the world to a machine that can run 2-3 hardrives internal to itself. There is less and less need for much outside of an external display to use outside of the notebook.

Intel is heading in the direction of a one plug dock with Thunderbolt, but that will take another year or so to get moving as a connection. But given that is coming, and that it will serve better than any docking station connector, it is unlikely anyone is going to waste time on docking connectors at this point.

USB 3 bandwidth could also support docking stations with a good deal of capabilities. So you might see something materialize there. Or out of the upgraded Expresscard. We'll see.

 

Yea not quite the most thorough review.

 

Will there be an RGB screen option for the M18x?

 

USB3: 3.2gbps
EC: 2.5gbps

Bandwith needed for a 1080p monitor: 1920*1080*30*120= 7.464gbps

So, no, we can't have docking stations connected with usb3 or expresscard.

Also, thunderbolt is nice, but you have to buy new peripherals, and it has only 10gpbs of bandwith anyway, so a serious docking station is needed, at least until a 100gbit "thunderbolt" will be available (and some boxes with all the other inputs/outputs, to avoid having to buy new peripherals).

 

Drop that to 24 bit and 60hz and it would work. I like your figures better of course! But probably it's so close to the limit of USB 3 that no one will really try a product on this basis.

One other solution would be a dock with USB 3 and DP inputs, again don't think it will happen but then you'd get nearly the same effect as Thunderbolt, one high speed lane and one display lane.

Anyway, in the world of notebooks don't think docking stations have gotten much traction and the downstream (able to buy products based on this tech) timing of Thunderbolt is honestly years away.



Also did anyone note the nice aluminum plate under the keyboard to avoid keyboard flex in the M18x?

 

Did anyone notice the Windows Experience Index of 2.9 in the review?

Seroiusly? 2.9?

In the review they said they used one 460m for tests and not the igp

 

LOL...I wouldnt worry too much about WEI if I were you...its complete garbage at the best of times.....

 

On that page it's mentioned that score is using the Intel GPU