Getting ready to purchase the M11X

Hey Guys!

I'm possibly going to order the M11X during the weekends and was wondering what I should do when I get it? I haven't decided weather I want the R1 or R2 as I have been going back and fourth but I'm leaning towards the R1 as of now.

Couple questions:
1) I've read that Dell will be updating the broken hinges on the M11X and replacing them with new ones that should make the m11x a much better laptop. I know there is no official date as to when they're will be new hinges but are they going to be released soon? Do you think they will completley fix the hinge issue?

2) What are the first things I should do with the laptop? Does it already come with updated drivers? Would I need to install them from Dell right away? Do I need to install DirectX right away? (Is this where I download it from? Download details: DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer

Please be detailed as I'm just a kid who really doesn't know a whole ton about technology other than from what I've read on these forums. Please simplify it down for me

3) On the R2, Is there a youtube video that shows how to throttlestop the machine? I'm more of a visual person and would really like to see it done before I mess with it and end up damaging the machine. (I decided I would be going with the i5 if I was going with any R2) Do you overclock the R2 the same way you would with the R1 just use TS alongside with it?

4) What performance gain will I get over the i5 than the core2duo? (Yes, the core2duo will be overclocked for the most part) I'm just a student and the only applications I run are Microsoft Word and Powerpoint. Of course, games and watching youtube vidoes and browsing the internet. Is it worth getting the R2 for that? And no, I don't need the extended hour-hour and a half battery life.

5) I was looking at Project 64 if anyone is familiar with that, I was wondering how it runs with the M11X and weather its worth downloading and using? Would the M11X be able to handle it since its old school gaming ?

Thank you in advance and I appreciate everyone's willingness to give out their experience and knowledge on these forums.

 

1) They say it will resolve the issues, but until we see it in action...replacement program has not started, I saw March listed somewhere.

2) It should have current (as current as Dell has) drivers installed. Yes, you'll probably need to install DX and yes that link is fine. Many games will also install it for you, but I did have to install it on my new R1.

3) Can't answer, have R1

4) You are going to see some gain, the i5 is a faster processor. As for how much, depends on what you are doing and how much it's worth it in cost to you. I got my R1 for 599 base, paying another 300+ to get R2 wasn't worth it to me. The R1 plays everything I thrown at it. MS & internet stuffs will be just fine on a C2D, and running it OC'd gets you a little more juice.

5) Dunno, sorry. But I would think it would have no problems with this.

 

I really would like some more information on project 64 and the core2duo vs core i5 if anyone can answer the questions above please ^^

 

The core i5 really helps when you have some cpu intensive stuff going on. Since daily usage doesnt need a fast cpu, and the majority of games are gpu limited, you wont notice anything in day to day activities, and maybe a slight gain in games, perhaps a bigger gain in games which require more cpu power. Not worth the price jump imp. As far as project64 goes, i dont see why the m11x would have any trouble running an emulator for the n64.