New M11x R1 owner - couple questions...

First off - love this M11x compared to my older Toshiba laptop. My Toshiba was a beast x205-SLi3 with a 17" screen and it must have weighed 15 lbs. I travel a ton and am always busting out my computer and that Toshiba was starting to give me shoulder injuries..

I picked up this M11x R1 SU7300 from the local Craigslist - the thing is barely used at all and had the box not been opened I would have suspected it had never been used. The guy wanted $700 and I offered $400 and he accepted. I hope that was a good deal.. While it would have been nice to have an R2 or R3 I don't think I could get one for that kind of money.

I just found this forum and have been browsing the topics..but thought I might ask a question or two since I didn't find the answer right off the bat.

First - this M11x has 4GB of memory. I haven't opened the back panel to see the slot configuration - but I assume there are two banks. If I wanted to upgrade to 8GB of memory - first of all - is it worth it? Second - do I need to just buy a 4GB stick or is the memory that is in here 2 x 2GB sticks taking up two slots?

Second - I believe I read here that I actually can upgrade the NVidia drivers using the NVidia site and not just the Alienware/Dell support site correct?

Third - Once I picked up the computer, I did a full restore based on the factory image on the DataSafe Local Backup that came installed. So that took the computer back to factory fresh. Then it took about 2 days and 20 reboots worth of Windows Updating to get the OS all updated and I've got the computer in a state where I'd like to set it as the new "default" for when I want to go back to a clean system.

Basically I just loaded Office 2010 and a few other things but no junk. So should I use the Windows 7 backup to save a copy of the drive to an external drive? I don't think the basic (included) DataSafe program will do that and besides I don't really want to take up precious space on the 250GB drive with a 30GB+ backup. If I use W7 to do the backup is it OK for me to uninstall the DataSafe software (and how do I get rid of the factory image - is it on a partition of the C: drive?)

And should I overclock the CPU? LOL..

Sorry for all the questions - I'm excited to get this thing all squared away and running nicely. I did buy an Apricorn Aegis docking station for it since it doesn't have a DVD burner.

Anyway thanks for any tips...

BeachAV8R

 

It has 2 x 2GB sticks installed. Also though, there really isn't much point to upgrading to 8GB of RAM, 4GB should be fine for just about everything.

Well, you can but then you have to put it into discrete only and then you lose the ability to switch to the intel card for longer battery life.

I'm not sure on this one.

If the computer will be stable with the overclock, I don't see why not.

 

I do a fair bit of video editing with Adobe Premiere..and that seems to like memory, so I might upgrade it to 8GB anyway.

I'm a little confused though - do I order PC3-8500 memory or PC3-10600..?

I was thinking of ordering THIS Crucial Memory...

Thanks for the assistance. I'll give a shot to the overclocking tomorrow..

BeachAV8R

 

All right, if you're going to video editing I can see you wanting to upgrade to 8GB, although you do know the m11x r1 doesn't have the best processor for video editing/encoding. It will take quite a while to encode videos on this machine.

As for the memory, I would look on Newegg, they often have deals on RAM, and brand isn't too important when choosing RAM. Also, it doesn't matter too much what speed RAM you choose because the r1 is RAM speed is limited to 800mhz, I believe.

 

c4sc4 is correct.

I use Adobe Fireworks creating multi-layer vector graphics images on my M11xR1

And I have MySQL with thousands ... and thousands of records in tables...

...and PHP and Perl and Apache and video editing/converting...

...and I have just 4GB of memory.

Your CPU (the lack of) will drive you insane before the lack of memory does.

I wouldn't buy an M11xR1 for video editing.. period!!!

The only thing that I found that kills my memory is using virtual PC's, but one can reduce the allocated memory if one _NEEDs_ 3-4 virtual PCs active, but the notebook will be almost dead.

 

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm curious if the M11x will be better for video editing than my older laptop which was a Toshiba X205-SLi3 which had:

Processor Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 / 2.2 GHz
Multi-Core Technology Dual-Core
64-bit Computing Yes
Data Bus Speed 800.0 MHz
Chipset Type Mobile Intel PM965 Express
2.0 GB Technology DDR2 SDRAM - 667.0 MHz
Memory Specification Compliance PC2-5300

I used to be able to keep up with processor speeds and performance, but the new names and additional cores have made it more difficult when you don't keep up with it.

The hard drive on the old Toshiba was a 5400rpm too..I think the one on the M11x is 7200 right? And is the M11x GPU better than the one on the Toshiba:

2 single GPU cards (SLI) - NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT TurboCache
Total Video Memory 512.0 MB DDR SDRAM

Is the GT335M better overall than that? I found the Toshiba to be respectable at rendering video, but not as good as my dedicated desktop.

Thanks for the input thus far..it answers some of questions I have rattling around in my head..

BeachAV8R

 

Well, the processor in your Toshiba is faster than the one in the m11x r1.

The RAM in the m11x I believe is DDR3 so it will be better than the Toshiba's DDR2 RAM.

If the r1 has a 250 GB hard drive then I believe that one is 5400rpm but if it has a bigger hard drive then it should be 7200rpm.

I think the r1's graphics card will be better but I'm not sure because of the SLI configuration on the Toshiba.

So adding all that up, I really don't know if it will be better, it has a slower processor but everything else is faster. I really don't know.

 

I'll report back then.. Thanks for your input..

 

Hi All,

Just picked up the following for $559.00 on Dell outlet.

Alienware M11x Laptop
Documentation
160 GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SU7300 (1.3GHz, 800 MHz, 3 MB)
Command Center
Shipping Material
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
Information
Service Software
Information
8 Cell Primary Battery
Power Cord
11.6 inch High Definition WLED Display (1366x768)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Operating System DVD
Operating System DVD
Information
2 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz (2 DIMMs)
Information
Alienware AVATAR 1
Software
Scratch & Dent
Software
65W AC Adapter
Dell Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card
Integrated Webcam
AUTO-UPDATES,ON
Black
1 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 335 M
Information
Information
Software
Processor Label
Image Restore Software
Information
Keyboard On Notebook
64BIT Operating System

Few questions...

1) This would be the M11X R1 version yes? This is the one where I can switch the graphics card on/off with a key combo?

2) I plan on upgrading the Memory immediately, and then with a small SSD (100 gig)...any recommendations?

3) Is there a list to do of "recommended mods" for the M11xR1?

4) I hope the hing issue is fixed on this one if present as it's a scratch/dent refurb!

I figured for 559 how can I lose? I liked the fact the core 2 duo sips the watts and I can manually turn the graphics card on or off.

Appreciate any advice from long time R1 owners

thank you!

 

1. yes its an r1 and yes it has the button switchable graphics feature
2. i picked up 8 gigs of PNY memory (1066 mhz) and it works fine, not sure about the HD though
3. I would reccomend the GPU Bios volt mod, it allows for more GPU overclocking and its really the only softmod possible on the r1
4. Even if you have a hinge problem dell will do 1 free out-of-warrenty fix for you
goodluck!

 

Update...

I received the M11x R1 and it had several problems.

1) The keyboard lighting did not function. I disassembled it and re-seated the copper strip to no avail.

2) Bad Firewire port? Windows kept trying to install an IEE94 (or something) driver. Failed each time.

3) Stripped screw on back panel. Was just hanging from the screw hole when I received it!

Needless to say I returned it. I stalked the Dell Outlet m11x postings and figured out they update it in the wee hours and thus nabbed an M11x R3 for 979.00


Alienware M11x R3 Laptop
90W AC Adapter
Keyboard on Notebook
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
Certified Refurbished
Information
Information
8 Cell Primary Battery
Power Cord
Documentation
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Operating System DVD
Operating System DVD
Command Center
Information
Wave Systems Software
11.6 inch High Definition WLED Display (1366x768) with Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam
750 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Stealth Black with Soft Touch Finish
Information
Alienware AVATAR 1
Software
Shipping Material
Software
Service Software
Intel WiFi Link 6205 (802.11a/g/n 2X2)
Processor Label
Information
8 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)
Documentation
Image Restore Software
64BIT Operating System
Processor: Intel Core i7-2617M 1.5GHz (2.6GHz Turbo Mode, 4MB Cache)

Picked up a one year "accidental damage" policy for 70 bucks (worth it imo)

Dell wants another 210 to carry it for another year...so I figured I'd hit up Squaretrade sometime in the coming months for less.

Thought I'd share this for anyone looking at the outlet. I will say it wasn't that bad trying to get them to take the damn thing back. Can you believe they offered me a whole 20 dollars to keep it?

 

LOL..sounds like you got a nice R3 there. Good luck with it...

 

Get an R3 by returning your R1 ?

I was afraid of returning my R1 because of the horrible customer service everyone is talking about , but if that's the case , i may reconsider giving mine back if they don't have R1 or R2 in stock anymore to change them ...