m18x dwarfs the m17x? Engadget hands on/pics

All I can say is that the M18x is BIG...

Pic below
So much for portability.

On to the next subject, does the m18x have switchable graphics? Because early reviews are indicating 3.5+ hours without, if it did, that would make a very viable DTR.

Full first impressions at Alienware M18x and M14x first hands-on! -- Engadget

 

Answered you in your other post
it does, and it uses the hm67 chipset

 

It's not that much bigger than the M17x R3.

The 16 lbs is a mistake - it's 12.

M18x---M17xR3
17.1----16.14
12------12
2-------1.77

 

Funny how a Dell executive can make that big of a mistake and during the product's announcement, but yeah when comparing it to the R3 the difference is not that huge, and I think he who is willing to carry 9 lbs on his shoulder can carry 12

 

The comments on aesthetics are interesting.

 

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/04/20110419-10110864-alienware3-img6543.jpg

It does look a look bigger in that pic, well i think so.

 

That's an M15X I think, or is it ?

 

No thats a R3 it has the number pad. Also they said they were reviewing the 14 17 18" so id say the pics are of the same.

 

Hmmm...the M18x is larger than I expected.

 

They were reviewing the 11, 14 and 18" not the 17".
But yeah this one has the numpad so it must be the M17X-R3.
Well even better the screen seems so much bigger, and to me the bigger the screen the better

 

That's an R3??? Looks like the M18 had a baby or took a dump.

 

Yeah, wow...I thought it was the 14x when I was looking through the pics. My numbers must be wrong, cause it's a lot bigger than the M17X.

Well, good. That helps me be more secure in my decision with the 17. Just wish the idiots put better sound into it...

 

I guess the M18x will be fit for those who wish for maximum power and some portability.

 

You didn't find that sound sound was good in the M17X?

 

Which is going to make transporting it /not/ fun. It's not as big as the 20" HP HDX Dragon laptop, but it's close. Really close.

And we've got an HDX Dragon, and that sucker is not a fun computer to travel with. I can't imagine the M18X at 18.4" is going to be really pleasant to travel with (even in a backpack made for a laptop of that size when you add in mouse and power adapter).

 

hmmm wonder what backpack that beast will fit into...... Maybe alienware will get a custom one.

 

I don't have mine yet - just going on what people have said here. I'm assuming and hoping the sound is at least pretty good, but not holding out for it being really good or great. Who knows, the sound might be perfectly fine for me. I just know the 18 has an actual sound card and a sub.

 

i wonder how it compare to the old m17x



a sub just like good old m17 times

 

Pic fixed, sorry guys. Ya, the m18x seems huge, probably even makes the r2 look small.

 

You'd probably need something like the old Alienware Aurora mALX Backpack (no longer for sale). It's a massive backpack that could hold a 19" laptop, and I have to imagine the M18X would feel perfectly at home inside of it.

I've got one, and it's fairly awesome -- held up through the years, too. Though my lil' M11X sort of feels lonely inside it. =P It's a lil' TOO big.

Maybe Alienware will bring it back now that they've got a need for it?

 

Alienware will offer both a backpack and a messenger bag for the M18X just like those of the M17, both for $119.99 which is quite a lot!

 

No, the R3 is small

 

To get a better size comparison, I'd like to see the M18x sitting next to a M17x-R1 or M17x-R2, not their slimmer & shorter step-brother, the M17x-R3.

 

I don't recall off-hand how much the M17x weighs, but my M15x is over 9 pounds, and the M18x is SIXTEEN POUNDS so of course it's going to dwarf the M17x.

 

Oh, the pictured unit was an R3? Well of course it's going to be way bigger, SLI needs some extra cooling, I would imagine lol

 

The M18X is a beast, bahahaha.

 

M18x is collosal. Then again, it's an 18.4" screen and fits SLI/Crossfire in DX11

 

That is one big dawg!

 

Holy cow! It's like the M17x of 5 years ago!

 

Frankly, any 18" that is NOT SLI is just shameful lol

 

LOL that is HUGE!

So basically what's the difference between the M17x and M18x besides the screen size?

From my understanding M18x has crossfire, and M17x doesn't? Is that the only difference in hardware?

 

Portability, shmortability!

Anyone who wants M18x which is a desktop replacement shouldn't be expecting to move it around that much. Not compared to a normal non-netbook laptop anyway.

 

Hmz, well if you want the larger screen but not the gaming performance?

 

That is a rare requirement

But if that is the case, the Envy 17 or 17" MBP are good options

 

Or a toshiba x500/x505, or an HP dv8 (well, waiting for the refresh, actually), or the acer 8950g, or the asus nx90 or the cryo libri, or ...
C'mon, there are tons of options, without going down to the envy or a an apple product...

 

My only issue with the M18X is still the 16:9 screen. If you look at this picture it really highlights the huge waste of potential space imo:



I'll never understand the 16:9 format for laptops, doubly so gaming specific laptops. Movies still letter boxed by it, and everything else just misses out. Weird.

Edit: actually despite saying that's the M18X that laptop doesn't have a numeric keypad on it so I dunno... my thoughts on 16:9 still stand however.

 

Thats the M11x if I'm not mistaken. It's definetely not the M18x at least.

 

Yeah sorry. Good to see the official Dell Blog (where the picture came from) can't even identify and label their products properly ;-)

 

That looks like m14x. It has the extra column of keys after the enter, the m11x doesn't. I could be wrong though, I'm not familiar with either system

 

You're probably right, I haven't looked very closely at the M11x or M14x.

 

This is what I'm most desperate to know; re: portability.

I want an M18x - BAD. In my job I fly across the country, work 2 weeks on a roster, then fly home for a week off repeating ad nauseum. The thing is when I'm working my 2 weeks I love to game, and I want the very best machine possible so that I can still play the high spec games while away from home (which is 70% of the time).

After seeing the presentation and learning the specs, I personally don't think it will bother me at all to travel very regulalrly with the M18x. To me it will be worth the extra weight to ensure I can enjoy gaming at the highest level while isolated away from home. It is bulky, but now I know of its existence I doubt I could ever be happy buying an M17x R3.

Since this will be my first gaming laptop, I do wonder if I'm just being a tad naive

Do you think you could fly back/forth between NY/LA every 2 weeks with this? Factor in the 2 weeks of boredom

 

I don't think you will have any problems, unless you are really weak I guess.

 

Wow, that thing looks like an angry house.

 

Wow, that M18x is hotter than my girlfriend (hope she doesn't read this forum)

Edit: she'd probably agree

 

I have flown with my M17x many times. It is literally at the limits of what the TSA bin can fit front to back, should be fine on width lol

Tray tables will be a challenge though.....get a tablet or a good book for actual in flight use lol (unless you want to share whatever you are doing with the neighbor)

I recommend just getting a good backpack (I like Mobile Edge alot - they make the backpacks for Alienware as well) and you will be fine. Do NOT try using a messenger bag with this....over time it WILL give you back/neck/shoulder problems

 

I would be very surprised if they don't offer a backpack option for this laptop. With a purpose built pack you'll be fine transporting it. People who complain about portability with DTR's obviously have never considered packing up a PC and monitor and all the cabling that goes with it on a regular basis. Put the laptop and power pack in your bag and go. Awesome.

 

Awesome indeed!!

Thanks JimmyC and Scook9! I already own a tablet, so that's what I'll use in-flight. Mostly I sleep as soon as my head hits the headrest anyway. Once I arrive to work I have my own room with a desk, so it sits stationery for the 2 week period anyhow.

Grrr c'mon official launch!

 

I thought the M17xR3 was big... but holy crap, after looking at that side-by-side comparison, the M18x is a giant.

It makes the M17xR3 look like a netbook or something.

 

Not quite a netbook, but my thoughts exactly. I think I made the right choice, since maxing out games isn't all that important since I'm a casual gamer at most, and would like a lil portability.

 

Lol, they made one error and you were there to read it.
the M18x is only ~12lbs so I think anybody that can carry a ~9lbs M17x R3 can manage 3lbs more.