Need HELP picking out a M11X!!!

Hi, i'm new to this forum and am just wondering which m11x(r1,r2,or the new r3) i should get. What i will be doing mostly is playing WoW,SC2, web browsing, school stuff, and just downloading music and stuff. Preferably, i would like to have these games run on max settings and i just want to run programs fast and no lag like on youtube. And is there really much of a difference from the C2D on the r1 from the i5 and i7 on the r2 when it comes to running these games?

Also, i really don't want to spend so much money on the m11x (even though theres coupons) because i need to get other stuff like razer naga epic mouse, mouse pad, headphones, maybe monitor, etc.. Thus forum, which m11x do you think i should get?

p.s. I will be only running these games because i mainly play on my ps3

 

i dont know if the m11x will be able to run those games on max settings, but should be able to run all of them well. if you want max settings, consider the m14x or 17x

having said that, the m11x is still a nice way to go since its much more portable than the others and would serve your other purposes best.

theres a lot of debate going on right now about if theres any added benefit from maxing out the cpu/gpu on the m11x, and supposedly the i7 2657 will be available next month. if you are dead set on getting the max cpu/gpu possible, then just wait a month. if you don't care, just get the i5 and it will probably be just as good in terms of performance wise.

as for other upgrades, id just stick with the standard from dell and then upgrade them yourself. you can find RAM and a SSD cheaper on newegg or comparable site than the upgrade costs through dell.

everything else is up to you. do you use bluetooth transfers a lot? are you going to be using a home network to transfer files? will you connect your m11x to a highdef surround sound system? if you answered yes to these, id consider getting the bluetooth/2x2 mimo/upgraded audio configs. i think they only run like $20-30 per upgrade.

unfortunately, they just got rid of the $350 off coupon which made the m11x even more of a good deal. if you start maxing out the specs on the m11x, you start approaching how much it would cost for a m14x, so it might make more sense to go that way then. just depends on how dead set you are on wanting the most portable machine or the most affordable/powerful machine

 

Well, i meant to say that i need those games to run on high settings espcially WoW (havent played SC2 yet, but would like to in the future). Now ive seen many threads and videos that the regular m11x r1(for 600) and just upgraded ram to 4gb runs wow perfectly on high settings but is it true?

And is the r3 really worth getting instead of an r2 because they both got i5,i7 processors and r2 is like $200 cheaper which im thinking of getting of all 3.

Nd i don't use bluetooth transfers but i mght as well get it if its only like $20.

 

check this thread for comparisons of r2 & r3

keep in mind that they are comparing a tweaked r2 with the standard results of an r3 from a different website. we don't know exactly how it will perform.

IMO, i think the i5 is probably just as good as the i7. the performance you'll get will be just about the same. and i bought the i7 (used the $350 coupon).

bottom line: going with an r2 or r3 will give you a very powerful gaming machine in a very portable package. not much else out there can offer that.

 

So i should just go with the R2 right? If so, what specs do you suggest i get and where should i buy it because dell doesn't have them anymore . N

Nd have u had any problems with the m11x yet? cuz i heard there was hinge problems and other stuff..

 

You can get the r2s from dell outlet and you can use this code too get 20% off of them

Theres a r2 there now with i5 and 8gb ram and 7200 320gb hdd for 799 which is 850 with tax on my side but with the coupon it puts it down too 683$ shipped.

Heres the code N06H0?R17M35SB

The r3 was a good deal with the 350 coupon off but now that the coupon doesn't work on the r3 its not worth it if you maxed it out.

Save alot by going for the r2 on outlet tho

Also there's also i7s there which are more money but you can probably get them down too 800 something or 700 with the coupon.

Edit yep 838$ for the 979$ i7.

 

Thanks alot for this info!!! But where is this dell outlet you speak of??

 

No problem


Heres the link

Outlet Laptops & Netbooks | Dell


But ya thats were i got my m11x r2 in sig from and they had the same coupon 2months ago which i use too get it for 820shipped

 

W8 are the m11x's from the dell outlet used or new? Nd how has ur experience with the r2 been? does it run smoothly with games, browsing the web, etc?

 

Dell outlet are either refurbished by Dell, scratch & dent (usually minor cosmetic), or open box (new, opened, never unpacked).

 

Would you suggest getting one from there or a new one?. Im kinda scared to get one from there because of the already exterior problems such as the notorious hinge problem of the r1 but im not sure if its still in the r2...

 

And you can filter the search by each of these. So if you only want to look at refurbished or new/returned then you can. Scratch and dent is the cheapest of course, but the result is variable. One poster on this site said one s&d he got was in great condition, the other he had to send back because it was so bad.

But $700 for a refurbished r2 is a great deal.

 

They are refurbish which are use but they was return by someone which can be nothing wrong with them too begin with or was sent back and was fixed.

So far my experience is great pretty much im able too max out every game or close too it.

I also have wow and i play with everything maxed and is smooth, But not sure about raids and stuff sense i haven't done any of them yet but questing and stuff its smooth.

I have sc2 but haven't tried it on my m11x yet but i would think it would play pretty well sense my 1201n in sig plays it on low and mem pretty good and that's a way slower machine.


Also with refurbish you get the same warranty as you would with a new machine and if you get it and if you don't like what you see or something is wrong that you don't like you can always have it replaced or return. Sense you have a 21days return.

Mine came in pretty good shape just 1 stripped screw but it wasn't threw the laptop base so i just put another screw in it and the lid was glossy instead of soft coat and the rest of the laptop was soft coat but i don't really mind sense i was thinking of getting a skin for it and i don't think soft would've work that great with a skin.


And today dell just offered me a 75$ coupon because of those 2 things.


So from going with a refurbish i saved like 400 too 500$ when i bought it.

 

I promise any m11x should run WoW on max settings, since my 6 year old XPS Gen2 laptop ran WoW on max settings at much higher resolution (1900x1200).

 

So i should go with the r1 for 600 and upgraded ram to 4gb?

Sweet but with warranty if you return it, do they give you a brand new one?

 

I bought an M11x R1 for $499 that came with 4GB and SU7300. It was refurbished. The first one I got was trashed (warped keyboard, huge gaps in the trim, staticy speakers, can't believe they tried to sell it). I called up and they sent me what looked like a brand new one, but it had a refurbished sticker on it. So far so good.

 

How long have u had it and are the second one u have then, what was wrong with it in the 1st place?

 

It depends if they see one that match's the secs on outlet or if they cant match it they will pick the next best spec machine in outlet.

The good thing they usely send it which can take like 2 too 4weeks and you keep the one you have till you get the replacement.


And if you going too get a r1 for 600 which will cost almost 700$ with tax and you going too upgrade the ram that will bring it over 700$ i would take the chance and get a refurbish machine. You get a better machine for the price. Like that r2 i5 8gb 320gb hdd for under 700 with coupon that's a great deal. even the i7s ones are great deals.

You do get a new machine if you buy the r1 for 600$ but with refurbish if you not happy they will let you return it or will send a replacement till you happy.

In my case which was my first purchase i did with outlet it came out great my first time.


If you can get a r1 outlet for under 600 or even 500 i say go for the r1 but right now there's no cheap r1s in outlet. But ya the r2s are going for really cheap.

 

So you have a refurbished m11x and if so, it works great for you?. nd i checked out the m11x r2 they had for 799 with 8gb ram,320gb hard drive, i5proc and it comes out to 640. great deal rite?

 

quick question so I don't have to start a new thread. Was there ever a red R2 produced? Been looking for one in the outlet, but never seen one. Only seen black and silver.

 

no there was never a nebula red. i wish.

 

Yep mine is refurbished and works great for me


Ya that's a really great deal, If i didn't already have a m11x i would've got that deal hours ago

 

I am just really really worried about getting a refurbished one...

 

What do you mean? You will get refurbished from the outlet and have 21 days to return or exchange. IMHO, refurbished in a way are better than new because they get a thorough look over and have had faulty components replaced. And usually get significant savings.

If you buy new, you can return or replace it with another new in the first 30 days according to Alienware's return policy.

Choice is yours. Some people just only like to buy new. The M11x I bought for $499 refurbished, if it were new for $599 I probably would have bought new. But looking at it, the machine I have is basically new anyhow and was about $200 cheaper than new at the time.

 

As scary as refurbs sound, don't worry.
All refurbs have to meet a standard quality. While not as high as brand new ones, they are still going to be in good condition. If you receive a bad one, call up Dell and ask for an exchange.

 

Xkira, I bought my wife a r2 (granted hers was new) in Feb for 800 bucks. Got her the i5 with 8gb 320gb hard drive. I got this on a really god deal that Dell only had for a few hours till they relized their mistake on their web site and changed it. I just happened to see it got it orrdered before they changed it. But when she got it it had 5 dead pixels in the screen. And the ram was bad. They fixed it with in 2 days.

The point is that if you by new or refurbished you do not know if you are going to have problem with the system ANd for the price that you are looking at you are getting a great machine. The refurbished system come with the SAME EXACT warranty as the new ones. If there is a problem Dell will fix it.

I know serveral people that have bought refurbs from Dell and cound not be happier with the fact the got the same system other people are paying 20-30% more for new.

 

Two points. 1- the r1 will handle everything you've outlined very well. To the point that you may not notice a difference from an r2 for your proscribed usage.

2-Dell refurbs are a totally safe bet. They come with the same warranty and return period of a new unit. You are totally protected.

 

$400-450 for a refurbished r1 is an even better deal. That's a lot less money for similar performance. And better battery life.

 

While that is true, The bad thing is you lucky if you can get one for under 500$ as of right now there no r1s on the cheap side on outlet.

Have too remember too the r2 is better at cpu intensive games and programs so if you need it for that stuff the r2 is a better deal which why i bought the r2 over the r1.

But ya if you can see a r1 under 500 go for it!

And battery life is pretty good on the r2, i can mostly get 5hours and over if im browsing the net on my r2 in sig, And watching videos i can get around 4hours and sometimes over a half. Gaming is a different story which is around 2hours and half but that's the same pretty much with the r1.

 

Well thanks guys for ur comments, i appreciate it. But they don't have the r2 that i was looking at before with 8gb ram, 320gb hard drive, i5 proc but they have a r2 refurbed for 749 with 4gb ram and 250gb hard drive. Also, with the 20% outlet discount i could get it for 599 plus tax.

However, i like the feeling of getting something new and the r1 for 600 brand new, i can get all the stuff i want in it liike WoW preinstalled along with Lich King and Cataclysm. Also, i get my named put into the back, and i like to know tht i got something new. But idk if i my needs would be satisfied with 2gb ram and core2duo proc..

So guys this is my final question to you: In your honest opinion, which one would get?? Take into consideration that with the new r1, you have everything installed for you,supposedly longer battery life and stuff. And if you're like me, having a new one always feels good. But based on your knowledge, do you think a core2duo processor would be good enough for me and is 4gb ram a must for gaming?

Also, is there any coupons for the r1 ($600)?

 

IMHO for the games you're considering the R1/R2 have similar performance. R2 maybe a slight edge. However, having games pre-installed isn't a big deal, easy enough to install. And memory is cheap. Getting 4GB RAM (2x2GB) will cost you $40-45 if you do it yourself. I'd recommend 4GB but that's just me. Can sell the existing 2GB for maybe $10 and recoup a few $.

The R3 is an awesome spec machine for the size, and would definitely be more future-proof though, although at twice the price.