General usage concerns...

I'm not a hardcore PC gamer...I heavily use microsoft word, watch youtube videos, email, web browse....but I will play a game ocasionally (once every few months, ill reactivate my WoW account)


My question is: Is this an ideal laptop for someone who moves around a lot around campus, has meetings that requires word processing, taking notes, writing research papers, etc? Is the i5 processor suitable for my needs? Or should I just go all out with the i7? Basically, can I get a laptop with a better processor for my needs?

 

This laptop will work well.
Heck, even the core 2 duo version could do.

 

if you use youtube a lot i would stay away from google chrome. It activates the 335m for the video even though the integrated card can handle it just fine.

If you aren't going to be gaming a lot you might want to consider the r1 version which has the su7300 core2duo processor. that version gets better battery life by 1-2 additional hours, it is also a bit less expensive.

 

It should work fine. The screen may be a bit cramped for word processing – especially if you edit multiple documents. The core i5 should do all of this fine. Both the i5 and i7 are well suited for multitasking. The i7 might be a slightly better choice if you find that you keep a lot of windows and a lot of files open at the same time.

 

Either the R1 or R2 will suit your needs although I think the R1 may suit your needs better.

If I were you, I would invest in a larger external display and keyboard in your dorm room, and hook your m11x to both the external display and keyboard when doing extended word processing stuff in your dorm room. This way, you get the ultimate in portability while out and still have the benefits of a 'desktop' setup while in home base.

 

I use an inspiron 11z right now and I'm an author. I edit my novels on the 11z and think it's a nice size lcd. It will be fine for you. I'm getting the M11x because I do like to game.

 

I'd recommend buying the M11x R1 instead, if you're not a hardcore gamer. It's cheaper, it performs as well as the i5 R2 (if not better), and even with overclocking on it will achieve better battery life than the R1.

Basically, the basic SU4100 Pentium Dual Core (1.3GHz) will satisfy your needs perfectly. And for WoW, simply turn on the Overclocking option in the BIOS to bump it up to 1.73GHz; that won't even increase temperatures or noticeably reduce battery life.

 

Are we sure the i5 has significantly less battery life than the Core2Duo? I read a couple of posts where that chip was getting over 6 hours with no optimization at all.

 

So I definitively don't need the i7 right if im not gaming often?

Im still stuck between i5 and the Dual Core....

 

We know WoW runs great on the R1. I have to agree with EvilCorsair that this laptop seems to be a great match.

 

Just fyi, if you plan on getting the i5, the preset model for fasttrack can be delivered to you in literally 48 hours.

Here are the specs and link: Fasttrack M11x r2


I hope I helped you =)

p.s. I'm greedy, so I wanted an i7... every other component is exactly the same as the fasttrack system... now I gotta wait like 3 weeks, sux

 

I have the core i5, and get about 4-5 hours on it. Thats connected to wi-fi all the time, playing intense games for about half hour, then word and internet the rest of the time. I have had no optimus issues with the new dell beta drivers as well. Also i am sure it will have better re-sale value. No disrespect to the core2duo, it is a better choice in my opinion if battery life on the go is your major priority as a student.

 

One last question: Since I won't be using this system (either c2d or i5) for graphics intense applications, is this really and ideal purchase? I can find so many other deals out there with laptops that have 2ghz+ processors.


How does the c2d compare to the macbook pro in terms of performance?

 

You may also want to read one of these links:

1.) Alienware M11X vs Apple Macbook - Notebooks
2.) Macbook or Alienware m11x??!? - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net
3.) http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100713112741AALrAft
4.) http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100622174512AAg4tlp

 

I'm in a similar situation as the original poster, needed a laptop for work, long battery life so i was tethered to a wall. I went for the I5, but honestly I think the Coreduo would have been fine too. Either way the I5 is just shy of 6 hours of battery life, runs every game I throw at it just fine for me, and it's fantastic for browsing the web or working with Excel and Word. Very happy buyer. Just make sure you turn off the lights when in class, it attracts too many eyes.

In terms of games, I ran Guildwars, Wow, and recently been playing the Need For Speed World online beta, fun fun game, runs great.

 

REALLY??? What the heck, that's why I get less battery life than usual.. Wth?

Only youtube? what about facebook videos? or hulu? or even netflix?

 

258.96 drivers with the modded inf fixed the Chrome issue for me (had this issue with both the stock and the Dell beta drivers). But yeah, Chrome with youtube and hulu activated the 335M; not sure about facebook videos and I don't think netflix activated it.

 

Thanks.