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    Just ordered an M11X R2 tonight! How does it compare to my older laptop?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by killershroom, Feb 13, 2011.

  1. killershroom

    killershroom Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi folks!

    I just ordered myself a brand new M11X R2 with these options:

    • Intel Core i5 520UM
    • 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 800MHz
    • 320GB SATAII 7,200RPM

    My current laptop: MSI EX625.

    Am I losing, gaining, or at right about the same level of performance moving to this smaller laptop?

    I need a good, portable, laptop to edit pictures and review video from a Canon T2i on my trips and this sucker seems to fit the bill. My main workhorse is a desktop with a 2600k clocked at 4.8Ghz. I know I won't get anywhere near that kind of performance on this little guy. I'm switching from the MSI to a smaller laptop because my MSI battery died and, to be honest, didn't get that great of battery life when it was good. Also, my 2006 Macbook has a broken screen and doesn't seem worthwhile to replace. No point investing money in laptops which I don't enjoy in working condition, so here I am. I was actually going to go with a $600 Acer TimelineX 1830T, but this model of the M11X at $636 new from Dell seemed to be the better deal. I'm hoping it is just as portable.

    Appreciate any answer y'all can throw my way because I'm just not sure!
     
    killershroom, Feb 13, 2011
    #1
  2. thegh0sts

    thegh0sts Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    the best answer i can give you is do a comparison of both notebooks together.
     
    thegh0sts, Feb 13, 2011
    #2
  3. Voodooi

    Voodooi AFK for a while...

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    If we compare the M11X-R2 to your MSI, you're gaining in almost all fields.

    Keep in mind that you'll have next-day home tech warranty with AW. Acer makes you pay for postage and they keep it for up to 4 weeks. AW provides little to no downtime.

    Note: You'll have to purchase an external USB DVD Drive ...there's an Asus DVD/CD Burner on newegg right now for 39.99$ - 10$ MIR.

    This is optional, but a 500GB Hybrid HD would go great with this unit and sell the other one to recoup some costs (or keep it as a backup).
     
    Voodooi, Feb 13, 2011
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  4. Bendak

    Bendak Notebook Evangelist

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    Hardware wise both laptops are so similar that I doubt you'll notice much difference between them.
     
    Bendak, Feb 13, 2011
    #4
  5. killershroom

    killershroom Notebook Enthusiast

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    As long as it is of equal power or better, I'm happy. The portability and extra long battery life is what I'm after!
     
    killershroom, Feb 13, 2011
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  6. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

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    CPU: Alienware M11x is faster.

    GPU: MSI laptop is slightly faster. The nVidia 335M GPU in the Alienware M11x gets a 3DMark06 score of about 7200. The ATI Mobility Radeon 4670 gets a 3DMark06 score of about 8000. But you will most likely never actually notice this difference in real-world gaming performance.

    HDD: Equivalent. Both are 7200rpm mechanical HDD's.



    You are definitely getting an upgrade with the Alienware M11x, because of portability, battery life, a new (active) warranty, a laptop design that wasn't done as an afterthought by an Taiwanese electrical engineer that was never trained in product design.
     
    kent1146, Feb 13, 2011
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  7. drakobear

    drakobear Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hope u were able to get it during the presidents day special for $699
     
    drakobear, Feb 13, 2011
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  8. killershroom

    killershroom Notebook Enthusiast

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    I got it for $636 before tax via this deal.
     
    killershroom, Feb 13, 2011
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  9. Aetos

    Aetos Notebook Enthusiast

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    why does it still show 900ish bucks for me on the same link?

    if i could get it for that price id jump all over it right now
     
    Aetos, Feb 13, 2011
    #9