Alienware M11x @ BestBuy In April: SU7300/4GB/250GB - $899!

Picked one up from local BB yesterday. At first I wanted one, then my wife wanted one when she saw it in-store. Now I just have to convince her that she wants a m17x too.

 

I just looked at the m11x at BestBuy yesterday and it seemed rather sluggish. It seemed slower than my MSI Wind U100 netbook!
I was wondering if the BestBuy demo application was slowing it down or what was going on. I really didn't expect the poor performance I saw (I had been planning to buy one).
Anyone know if this just a wonky BestBuy-configuration or why it behaved so poorly?

 

probably have the demo running off the Intel graphics to keep the fan from running.

 

When I viewed the M11x at my local BB - I noticed that they had replaced the OS with their "standard" demo version (i.e. who knows what the heck they loaded on it?) - I also noticed it was a bit "sluggish" - though they had the unit on regular clock (I've OC'd mine since day one) - I rebooted / OC'd it and it was a bit quicker then..

The M11x is a pretty bare-bones install - so odds are the crapware they've installed probably affected it's performance. A clean install on the M11x makes it scream..

 

There is no crapware installed, reinstalled the os is a waste of time on the m11x.

 

I would still expect the m11x on the regular clock speed and integrated graphics to seem at least as fast as my netbook. How does your m11x (on regular clock speed and integrated graphics) seem compared to you Dell Mini?

 

Absolutely no comparison - M11x easily feels/appears 3-4+x faster than my Mini 10v. I also have an 11z (Celeron 743 processor) and the M11x feels 2-3x faster than that machine..

However it should be noted that my M11x has more RAM (4GB) as well as an SSD installed .. (Mini 10v has 1GB - 11z has 2GB - both have HDDs) - which would explain and be a factor to the overall difference in speed.

To be brutally honest - in average/general "use" (i.e. browsing, opening documents, coding, etc.) - the M11x feels as quick/responsive as my Core i7-920 Desktop rig (Dell XPS Studio 435t - 6GB / 750gb HDD - 10k RPM)...

 

Thanks for this response. That is what I was hoping to hear.
I couldn't believe how sluggish the one at Best Buy seemed. So I was hoping that wasn't the norm.

 

Is this in stock (at least a display model) at every best buy? Because I would not mind checking it out as I wait for mine to ship from dell.

 

I don't know. I checked online and only 1 of the 6 or so stores in the Denver/Colorado Springs area had them in stock so I went there. Not sure if the others have display models.

 

the springs woot woot...yea just checked online they dont have any listed in stock but im sure they have display models to check out

 

I am from the Springs, I miss living there

 

im headin back in 2weeks cant wait

 

Got my m11x yesterday.

The speed is even better than I expected (not even overclocked yet). So that Best Buy floor model must have really been gorked up by that demo software.

So far, so good.

 

Or maybe they need to defrag the HDD Iono. The Asuses seemed slow too.

 

just got back from best buy and they had a m11x on display. just a fyi for those who are potentially concerned about screen size. it was the su7300 model

 

lol (10char)

 

It was on display months ago. I waited until it showed up there to make sure that it would fit into my motorcycle tank bag and then I bought it there on the spot after testing their demo unit. That was two months ago. Are you saying that this changed and only just returned?

 

You can check stock of these on their website for B&M stores that have it near you.

 

i just wanted to let the people who were concerned about the screen size that it is available to be seen in person before they make a purchase

 

Microcenter carries them too.

 

There are many Best Buy stores within 100 miles of my home and so far only one carries the M11x in it's store (Bellevue). It was kewl seeing it there. Made me want to buy it for my friend who has an Apple macbook Pro but yet still drools all over my M17x and M11x

 

Best Buy has carried the m11x for months now

 

yah I went to the alderwood BB and they only had the m17x, guy told me the only one around would be Bellevue

made me sad

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...11x-bestbuy-april-su7300-4gb-250gb-899-a.html

 

Bought mine a couple of weeks ago at the Southcenter store. As of yesterday, they still had units in stock there.

 

are R2 version out at Best Buy yet?

 

Nope. Likely won't be either until (or even if) Dell settles on a single configuration type they're willing to sell to Best Buy to retail. Since it seems plenty of people are willing to buy the new model from them, and it still has that OH ISN'T IT CUTE/COOL vibe of being an impulse buy at Best Buy by uninformed consumers that don't *know* there's an R2 version, I'm betting Dell will happily use Best Buy to help them liquidate their supply of SU7300 models for some time to come.

 

my best buy in sf bay area has like 10 of them. bought one yesterday.

 

Hii all...

So, I'm looking for a notebook, looking at Best Buy I found an Alienware M11x... And I'm in doubt to choose between:

Alienware - Laptop / Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor / 11.6" Display / 4GB Memory / 250GB Hard Drive - Cosmic Black - AM11X-2719CSB

Toshiba - Satellite Laptop / Intel® Core™ i5 Processor / 14" Display / 4GB Memory / 500GB Hard Drive - Slate - M645-S4050

I'm in doubt about the processors, Core 2 Duo SU7300 (M11x) vs Core i5-450M (Toshiba)

Which is more worthwhile?

Thanks

 

Well, I would go with the m11x for its portability, battery life, but also for its performance. (335m vs 310m :S) Also, the m11x has a solid chassis so, better build.
Edit: However, the i5 would provide a smoother windows while surfing the internet or soft applications like microsoft office. For gaming, go for the m11x.

 

I got my m11x i5 for the same price as the C2D listed in that link, just had to brag

 

I got my i7 for that much...

To the OP,
These are two very different laptops. The M11x is good for gaming (for a sub 15") and the Toshiba is more of a general laptop with a low range video card.

The Toshiba's cpu is more powerful than the M11xR1 or R2 (i5 UM & i7 UM) since they use ultra low power cpus. However the video card isn't even in the same class as the 310m is very weak.

 

You're comparing apples to oranges.

If you want a portable gaming machine, Alienware M11x. If you don't care about gaming, then don't even consider an Alienware. If you want a non-gaming machine that has a larger screen, then get the Toshiba. If you want a non-gaming machine with a smaller screen that is portable, then get an 11.6" netbook.

The primary factors behind what kind of notebook you get will depend on how you plan on using that machine. Things like weight, screen size, battery life, etc are *FAR* more important than the speed of the CPU. Decide those factors first, before you start even thinking about hardware specs.

 

I have the M11x with core 2 duo and it plays COD4:MW perfectly. I'm very happy with it. And I don't agree that you shouldn't consider an Alienware if you don't game. That's a pretty ridiculous statement.

 

I was mad at Best Buy. The sales rep kept trying to steer me away from "that piece of crap m11x" to the Apple IPads. He was also kind of rude and not that helpful, like he didn't care what my opinion was and he thought he knew everything. I think he was just trying to make a sale. Granted, Apple does make quality products, and I wasn't going to say anything against them. But to get him back, I bought my R1 directly from Dell and got $100 bucks off it back in May hehehe! Thank you Dell

 

Do you guys think that Core 2 Duo SU7300 can handle all the usual stuff with no problems (I mean: firefox with about 5-7 pages, IM, Music Player and other stuffs like that at the same time)

M11x Best Buy version is R1 or R2?

Last one. I have a TV Full HD that I'm going to play 1080p movies on it. This processor can handle it??

Thank you!

 

you know even R2 has differnt models.. some have i3 some have i5 and some have i7.. all different... depends ...

 

Yes no problem at all. IMO the R2 I5 is a better deal, but both are good.

 

Please share where.

 

That's crazy! Someone telling you to get an iPad instead of a full laptop (and a gaming laptop at that) is like telling someone in the market for a car to buy a unicycle. Yeah, they are technically both forms of transportation, but you can do much, much more with a car at your disposal than with a unicycle.

Sure there is going to be a special niche filled only by the unicycle (iPad) but when you go to work Monday morning, you are going to be bringing the car (laptop).

Anyway, I bought my m11x at BB back in May, before the R2 was even announced, and have been very happy with it.

 

It's not crazy if the sales guy makes a bigger commission on the iPad (or unicycle, in your analogy).

Sales people are regular people. And people will do whatever is in their personal best interests. Sometimes it is in their best interest to look after their customers and keep them happy. But other times, the satisfaction of the customer is irrelevant to them.

 

Not from Best Buy. You only get configurability if you buy online.

The models sold at Best Buy are likely the same configuration as the Fast Track systems from Dell. The only difference is whether your local Best Buy is selling the R1 or R2 models.

 

How can you tell this. Can a C2D model be an R2?

 

If the CPU is Core 2 Duo, then it is an R1. If it is a Core i5 / i7 (or Core i3, in Asia / Australia), then it is an R2. The R1 also has a VGA port, where the R2 does not. Currently, all of the Alienware M11x's being sold in BestBuy in the United States are R1 models (Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, 250GB hard drive). If you want an R2, then you need to buy through Dell online.

I don't know if this is the same at all BestBuy locations internationally, or when Alienware M11x R2's will begin to be sold (if at all) in those countries.

 

I got the Fast Track M11x for $900 (includes taxes + free shipping) so I think you're better off buying it online where there are coupons available.

 

I've been reading a lot about R1 and R2... To summarize, the major diference is the processor, VGA port and temperature?

 

The R1: 15% - 25% longer battery life, VGA port, graphics requires switching.

The R2: shorter battery life, more powerful processor, no VGA port, auto-switching graphics through Optimus technology (and the driver updates/support that come with Optimus).

Unless you explicitly need the VGA port or explicitly need the extra battery life (instead of it being a nice-to-have), then there is no reason not to get the R2.