m18x dwarfs the m17x? Engadget hands on/pics

I agree. Anyway, if the M18x did end up being 16lbs, that's overkill, don't you think?

 

16 lbs Laptop would be a great hurdle to transport, I have to say it looks great, insanely powerful and right out gorgeous but not portable at all.

 

Wonder if the 15lbs was with the 330w psu or not. Just a thought.

Honestly though, if you can get 3 hours surfing out of this on battery, maybe a bit more with SSD, you could carry two batteries, one spare, one in the machine, and have most of a day covered on a non gaming basis anyway. Put the PSU in a suitcase

 

I took the M17x-R2 on vacation a few times. It was never a problem. I even used it a few times on the train.

I'd say what you are looking to use it for is perfect.

don't be silly, it's a laptop, of course it's portable. Just not as easy to do so as a non-desktop replacement.

 

I travel with my M17x all the time. While I love my M11x, sometimes just having that full sized keyboard for gaming on longer trips is so sweet.

I have the Orion backpack and with that the weight isn't an issue. With a shoulder strap bag, I could see it being a strain.

 

I carry my M17xR3 daily in a shoulder bag. To and from the car is fine. It's the travelling with that bag that hurts. For travels, just get the backpack.

 

people who buy the m18x (i most certainly will when it's available for sale) won't be too concerned about weight. after all, this is a desktop replacement? yes!

i dont understand what all the fuss is about if it weights 11-16lbs...again, its a desktop replacement...

 

Well I expect those who do complain in the beginning will soon find that such a horribly 'strenuous workout' will quickly give them that much needed muscle definition After all, considering most IT guys I know, the idea of lifting anything over 5lbs is "scccaaarrrwwwwyyy"

 

I found this hilarious. I personally don't mind something more than 5lbs. But if it was 20, that might be a different story.

 

The M18x is roughly the same size as M17x-R2. Until recently, I owned an M17x-R3 and had it side by side with my M17x-R2 and the size difference wasn't as pronounced as that photo. In fact I even made a video with both of them playing Metro 2033. I'll post a screenshot of that video (since it will be used in a review I'm about to publish) for everyone to see. It's taken in the dark but both were sitting on the same type of NB cooler and the width + height difference can be seen. The R2 was only slightly thicker looking in person and a bit wider like the M18x.

 

who cares about weight? do you look like this dude?

 

That is exactly what it is.

330W's PSU will weight about 2.8 lbs (M17X's 240W is 1.5 lbs).

11.9 lbs for the M18X + 2.8 for the PSU = 14.7 lbs, ± the said 15 lbs.

 

I travel constantly. I can tell you that my M15x with a backpack and all of my documents, accessories, headphones, etc, plus another carry-on for my clothes, toiletries, etc.... gets heavy when you're traveling from terminal to terminal. Also, some planes aren't exactly carry-on friendly, so good luck getting that thing in an overhead bin or under your seat on some flights. Don't let anyone fool you. 3 pounds might not sound like a big difference but it is a 30% increase in weight. Bigger laptop + bigger power suppy = bigger/heavier bag to hold it.

There was a huge difference in size, weight, and overall portablity between my friends 15inch Macbook and my M15x. So if you travel a lot, that size/weight difference is amplified. I'm certainly a fan of the M18x and if I seldom traveled, I would have no qualms with traveling with it. However if you're on the go constantly, its something you really have to consider. When I'm traveling from terminal to terminal, I often find myself having to take my backpack off my back and placing it on my roller suitcase to give my back a rest, and then vice versa to give my hands/arms a rest (usually I'm running). Just an FYI I'm an athletic 6'3 190lbs.

The M17xR3 seemed to be roughly the same size/weight as the M15x so I wasn't too concerned about the difference in size, but if the M18x is as big as it looks in those pics, I think I'd be miserable trying to travel with that. Also, the current R3 with a 6970 can max out most games for now, so I doubt you'll be needing the dual GPU power of the M18x anytime soon, unless your playing Crysis, Metro 2033, or like to benchmark.

Edited for your reading convenience

 

Thanks for your input.

Maybe you should divide you speech in paragraphs next time though !

☻

 

done

10char

 

just because someone is not 7 feet tall does not mean they are a skinny wimp. Go to a pullup bar and do 30 pullups. If you can do it and you're 6'5"+ then you can call me weak.

Anyways, you have to take into consideration other peoples needs. Just because you don't plan on leaving the house, doesn't mean it's perfect for everyone. A 30%+ jump in weight is not that fun to lag around campus all day, plus I don't feel the need to max out every game. Some people care even less, hence why the m11x and m14x are very popular atm

 

hey the bigger the better i say! cant wait to get my hands on it!

 

It's nice that they brought the anodized aluminum back. Plus it has more keys on the left side of the keyboard. It looks pretty promising, especially since it can switch off the dual GPUs and get 3 hours of battery life supposedly.

I think this thing is going to fly off the shelves.

 

You need to compare the m18x to the m17xr2, since that's the current biggest Alienware laptop model.. that should give people a better idea on fatness, slash size.

Either way, it looks big.. and powerful.. and hungry..

Side note:
I travel overseas at least every 6 months and pass through at least 3 airports.. having an alienware is awesome but its a pain having to take it out of the bag, take it out of the soft cloth protector (what.. I likekeeping my alienware in good condition), and then putting it back in.. because the process takes longer than I want. I found the M15x okay, m17xr2 annoying, can you imagine the m18x and how many annoyances I'm gonna have (I hate airport security)... weight wise I'm ok, I'm used to carrying heavy bags on my back.

 

It'd be nice to actually have a forum member review it. The previous review sounded like they actually got the 3 hours from the 460? which may use less power than the 6970, but more than the IGP. Could someone confirm?

 

Kind of hard to fully review a laptop which isn't technically for sale yet. In due time I'm sure.. should be any week now.

 

I'm 6'9" and I can do 90 pullups without stoping.

 

How is it being 2,1M high?
I'm only 1,9m, and I would love to grow more.

 

It gets around 3 hours and 30 minutes of battery life with the dual 460s turned off in IGP mode according to hardwareheaven.

 

Actually pull ups can be deceiving because honestly if you're under 200lbs, you BETTER be able to do pull ups at such a low body weight.

Then again it comes down to what type you do. Suppinated (palms facing you), Pronated (palms away), wide grip? close grip?

I don't respect palms facing, because anyone should be able to do those. If not, you are grossly out of shape.

If you can do serious sets of wide grip pull ups, you get respect. Weighted sets, even more.

Palms facing you are the easiest. Neutral (hammer) grip is a little harder. Palms facing outward harder. Wide grip, palms out are the hardest. It's always best to mix it up and do all types.

Many people, "think," they're doing proper pull ups, but after correction, they find the amount they can do drops significantly.

Here is an idea of proper forms. All the way down, all the way up (depending on your Range of Motion for contraction (up), but everyone can go to complete extension (down)):

Normal styles: YouTube - Marine Corps Fitness - Proper Pull-Ups

Wide grip: YouTube - me doing wide grip pull ups

If you're doing that many and using proper form, you might want to start adding some weight (I do them with 1-2 45lb plates at a body weight of 245lbs)

With that being said, I agree with your next point about weight versus distance traveled. It's one thing moving site to site and staying stationary for awhile, and it's another being constantly on the go. The M18x is definitely a site-to-site system IMHO. Everyone has their comfort zone and criteria.

I'm a big dude, but I wouldn't want to lug a M18x around all day. I would if I had to, but site to site is no problem, but on the constant go, an M11x or similar would be much more desirable.

 

On sale now!! the M50X. 50 inch screen laptop!

/point

 

Think you are confusing pullups and pushups

Enough falis waving in regards to physcial capabilities and more talking about the actual laptop? Different people will have different tolerances on what is ok for them to carry around.

 

50" would be a little too much, but a 20" screen wouldn't be so bad (see HP HDX9000).

 

Yeah, I think so too. Been doing pullups for 30 years and still can't even imagine hitting clean 90 in one setting. Featherlight boys and girls doing gymnastics from the age of 2 can do it (seen 75 in a row once), but for a 200lbs+ guy... Slightly beyond real, imho.

Back to the topic, 16lbs is in the M17XR1/R2 league, shouldn't be a huge problem. I was comfortable lugging around my R2 on a daily basis. Will do the same with the M18x. If AW went plastic, then I'd be really upset.

 

Not trying to get in a physical thing. I meant wide grip pullups (uses a lot of lats), not chinups (palm facing bicep intensive). My friend goes to the naval academy, and I trained with him last year for their physical test because he was trying to max it out. I've never seen anybody do over 50 pullups, even gymnasts, so I would love to see a vid of the guy above doing 90. I also already do them with weight (3 25s, then 2, etc.) because that was the best way I found to maintain/strengthen biceps without adding bulk. That may not seem like a lot, but I only weigh 140-145 on a good day.

Anyways, just came back from the airport, and going through security with an m18x could be a foreseeable pain, especially when your next flight is all the way across the airport and you have 10min to get there. Of course I'm a little guy and you guys might find it less troublesome.

Anyways, I'm still glad alienware has the m18x, so the clevo guys don't wave their systems in our faces, and I'm glad it is so feature packed, because there are people whose needs will fit perfectly with it. However, it's just too big of a system for me.

 

Why are you guys talking about pullups and pushups on a laptop forum? :S

 

E-peen is serious business!

 

Uh, the R3 is actually wider than the R2 (not thicker, but wider). http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...7x-show-off-pics-vids-etc-18.html#post7300233

Cause we can. Did you not read the last 3 pages??? I'd like to see anyone my size do 30!!!! pull ups. 6'3-235lbs. That's a lot of weight to move. And the dude that can do 90 must be the second baddest dude ever. First???? Check my sig!!!

 

Yeah my mistake, meant depth instead of width. Regardless, in person the size difference between the two isn't that much. There is a significant weight difference but that's expected given the R3's plastic build.

 

Nice sig. Squeeze that out already or you just tricking all us??? I'm hoping for something along those lines as well but with the 2920. Might cost too much though.

 

Because you need a doctor's clean bill of health to order the M18X

JK

 

because we need to get in shape to carry this beast

im wondering if GTX485m is finally available or what

 

I was excited to see what new information came out in this thread as it had grown a few pages since I last read it, but it turns out its all about pull ups

And the irony that I am not really adding anything isnt lost on me

 

Maybe if the people who posted at the start of the thread hadn't made ridiculous claims about it being non-portable just because it's bigger and heavier than the previous alienware laptops.

Sure it wouldn't be comfortable to carry especially in a messenger case for long periods of time but c'mon! They made it sound like it would be completely impractical or even impossible to carry on a regular basis. One person even posted that carrying it would eventually lead to back or shoulder injury!

Well if this is true then what about small women who carry around babies who are several months old and weigh more than this thing. What about soldiers in the army who have to march for miles with far heavier loads on their backs. What about hikers who carry much heavier backpacks up hills.

My laptop is a G73 which is a huge laptop in terms of dimensions but it only weighs about 9lbs. But when I put it in a messenger bag with the loads of stuff that I like to carry for every eventuality it weighs well over 20lbs, close to 30!
Yes it's a pain to carry it but I carry it anyway and I do it almost every day.

If I got a backpack I could carry it with ease. I used to carry much heavier loads back in high school with all the books I had. If someone needed to carry it through airports and still had trouble with a backpack then they could get a rolling laptop case.

EDIT: If you find such a large laptop impractical for travel then fine, that's your choice. Just don't act like your choice is a fact for everybody because it isn't.

 

The shoulder and back remark was me, and if you read it all I said that was if you carried it frequently in a messenger bag. I recommended using a backpack as it is balanced and therefore much better for you (just like soldiers and moms do, even weight distribution so not off balance)

 

I would spend the money on an upgrade that's worth the money

 

*off topic*
Your lack of 1080p panel disturbs me.
*/off topic*

 

Totally agree. Messenger bags would increase the chances of getting lower back injuries. Orthopedic backpacks FTW.
BTW, the most common injuries in the army - knees and lower back. Been there, had both, lol.

 

This and Aluminum chassis to aluminum chassis, instead of the plastic one.

 

Definitely looking forward to this. Hate playing the usual Alienware waiting game though. Hopefully there aren't a bunch of bugs/kinks that are going to be released with this system. How long did it take for the cpu throttling to get fixed?

The weight doesn't bother me in the least either. Travel with my R1 all the time. While I wouldn't exactly say it's "fun", it's not all that bad either. I'll take the extra weight just to have the best beast I can have.

Wonder what the pricing will be like, and why it's still not avail on their website, but the other new arrivals are? Probs already??? Hope not...

 

R3 "plastics" are not bad, and the laptop results much lighter. I think R3 owns R2

 

R2 could fit dual graphics card. I am sorry but from a performance perspective in games the R2 is going to happily walk all over the R3.

 

Point taken, and thank you for expressing your arguments in terms of rational facts.

So what case options actually exist for a laptop this size.
Would the current alienware orion backpack fit or would Dell have to offer something even bigger? And what about a rolling case option?

Edit: Just did a search and found this. Would this fit.

Targus 18.4-inch Travel Laptop Roller Case - Toshiba

 

Should do. Man if I have to trundle this beast to work I'll be pretty embarrassed

I'm hoping for a M18X specific backpack ala the Orion, but bigger.

 

A quick search on Dells site will reveal a Orion backpack for the M18x, but out of stock