Sell my MBP and buy an M11X R1?

So my g/f's friend is looking to buy my MacBook Pro 13" for €600 and I'm considering her offer and might buy an M11X R1 on eBay.

My MacBook Pro's spec is:
Late 2009
2.53GHZ (C2D)
4GB RAM
500GB HD

Here's a link to the R1 I'm looking at:

Dell Alienware M11x R1, 1.30Ghz SU7300, 4GB RAM, 500GB | eBay

Is it a worthy swap? (I know you can't really compare a MBP to an Alienware as they're completely different).

Thing is, I'm off travelling in October for a year and I was thinking of selling my MBP anyway and I thought, what the hell, sure I may as well get a gaming laptop to tie me over until then.

I know it's pretty old as there is an R3 now but I don't want to spend anymore as I'm off soon. It would basically be a straight swap since they're the same price plus when I get back, my MBP would be worth even less again if I didn't.

I currently only use my MBP for downloading movies and web surfing but am an avid gamer and have been using my PS3 and 360 up until now and would love to play Crysis 2, The Witcher 2 etc if possible. Would an R1 hold well with today's games? I know a guy who bought one recently and loves it.

What would you do?

 

I did exactly the same last year (the exact same MBP model as well) but went with the R2. Best choice I ever made. I miss the form factor from the mac and I would love to be able to duel boot OSX and Win7 again but for games there is no comparison between them the GT335M just trounces the mbp's 9400 in every category. The battery doesn't hold up as well though unless you are using win 7 on the mac. I would spend the extra $100 on an R2 because it does make a difference having the extra cpu power - especially when used in conjunction with unclewebb's throttlestop - Wither 2 and Crysis 2 run very well at high settings with the latest patches - 40fps average on my R2

 

The Irish seller I was looking at doesn't seem to have any R2's, damn! He only has R1's and R3's. Is there a really huge jump between the R1 and R2? It's just, the whole idea was to pretty much do a straight swap without spending any extra as I'll be off soon and the laptop will just be sitting at home for a year anyway. But if the R1 can't play games like Just Cause 2, The Witcher 2 etc at all then I might have to reconsider.

 

I read an old thread here and someone said that the i7 doesn't really outperform core2duo overclocked?

 

I used to play Just Cause 2 on my lunch break at work when I had a R1. It played it decently, little choppy at times. I think if you are getting it just to tide you over, definitely stick with the R1 and look into an R4 or maybe even R5 for whenever you get back.

But if you CAN get a R2 for roughly the same price, definitely go for that, the CPU in the R1 holds it back.

 

+rep, cheers. I can't seem to find an R2 for the same price but I'll have a look around. I've mailed the eBay seller about an R2 as well. €625 and free shipping and he's based in the same area as me so it's pretty good.

I think your right about the R1. I've also read some good reviews about overclocking it too. The only reason I'd get the R2 was if someone told me the R1 wouldn't play anything and the general consensus seems to be that it will.

 

I would definitely go with the R3 instead of the R1 if you can afford it. You will notice the increase in performance.

 

I bought that exact same machine: R1, 4GRAM, 500GHD with 7 Pro 2 months ago from Dell outlet for $665. I love it; only play older games though. I think you'd have a problem on an R1 with Witcher 2.

 

I'll skip the R3, there's no point in me paying extra just for 2 months use before I head off. I've been watching some YouTube videos of gaming performance for the R1 and it seems to play a fair few decently.

 

Look videos up on youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/supergreatfriend#p/search has awesome videos of the M11xR1 http://www.youtube.com/user/Joopa20 also has some. Look up benchmarks for it here, the R1 is well worth the price and will play everything on highest except for the newest newest games those youll have to drop to medium/low. Id get that R1 the i3/i5/i7 doesnt really beat a c2d unless your into really heavy video/photo editing or the game can take advantage of the extra threads which most dont.

 

Where ever you read this is full of it. since ive had all 3 there was a huge diffrence from C2D and i7 for people who say there isnt i maxed out my R1 with just over 6900 3dmarks and with an R2 i was able to pull 8500+ with ease so there is a diffrence

 

I'm not sure if this is a scam:

Alienware M17x Gaming Laptop Computer in Dublin 12: Find it at Buy and Sell

This is an ad from a local site where I live. €500? Can't be right. I've emailed the seller just to see. This would be ridiculous if it were true. It's even cheaper than the R1 I was looking at.

 

And I also get around 10K in 3DMark06 with my R3, like you. My R3 is 20% faster than my OC'd R2........both running about 2.2 Ghz.

Having both an R2 and R2, I say the R3 is worth the extra premium, plus you're guaranteed to have the fixed hinges.

 

The R3 is way better than the R1, there's no doubting that but there's no point in me spending anymore than I get for my MacBook as it'll be left at home for over a year and I need to keep everything for my trip. By the time I get back it will be seriously outdated anyway. I just thought that playing with an Alienware for the next 2 months without having to open my wallet would be nice and the R1 is going for the same price as my MacBook.

 

From a practical perspective, if you're going to be leaving whatever you have/get at home for the next year or so after you depart, I would have to say you are probably better off just selling the macbook, and keeping the money.

If a notebook just sits closed, unused, with the battery still in it, it's likely the battery will drain enough during that year that it might not hold a full charge by the time you get back, or possibly even not hold a charge anymore at all, depending on the shape it's already in.

Money is useful for other things, and if you won't be taking the notebook along with you, there doesn't seem to be much point in keeping or getting one. You can probably make arrangements to sell the macbook so you can still use it for a while longer, and complete the transaction shortly before you depart.

When you return, there will likely be an M11x R4 along with a wave of other options, and even if you can't spring for one of those, you will be able to get the R3 then, possibly for around what R1/R2 prices are now.

 

I own both an Alienware M11x R2 and a 2011 Macbook Pro 13.3". The Macbook Pro is superior to the Alienware M11x R1/R2/R3 in just about every area. Better screen quality, better build quality, better materials, equivalent or better battery life (running either Windows or Mac), equivalent weight (~4.5lbs).

The only area where the Alienware M11x R1/R2/R3 outperforms a Macbook Pro 13" is in gaming. It kicks a MBP's butt in that area. You will not find gaming on a Macbook Pro to be acceptable at all. Whereas an Alienware M11x handles gaming pretty well.

If you plan on using your laptop as a general purpose web browsing, movie watching, office productivity machine, go with a MacBook Pro (running either Mac or Windows OS). If you plan on focusing on gaming with a highly portable machine, go with an Alienware M11x R1/R2/R3.

 

Yes on applications that take advantage of the extra threads and advanced technology the i7 kicks the c2d most games dont take advantage on those things to their fullest so the c2d can hold its own against the i3/i5/i7 with ease

 

to ThwartAbyss54
Ok and which of the 4 systems do you or have you owned? Let me list what I have sitting in my house at the moment M11xR1 C2D SU7300 M11xR2 i7 u640 and the M11xR3 i7 2617m and both the R2/3 can run just about any games I own the C2D cant perform nearly as well as my R2 when its not over clocked. Lets take Fallout NV for example runs like crap on C2D and on the R2 flawless. Many people like yourself assume they know what they are talking about just cause they read it somewhere but have no way to prove the feical matter that comes out of there mouth.

 

1st hand experience has to be the best test

I guess the R1 owners are just trying to convince themselves that the R1 is just as powerful as the R3

 

I'm with Kurt, I've only owned a R1 and R3, but it's hardly a fair comparison. Playing Arkham Asylum (favourite game) on an R1 gave me an average of about 40fps with a minimum of like 13fps. R3? Average of 60fps, never drops below 40fps, and that's all mostly due to the CPU. Oh yeah, and those results for the R1 were WITH it overclocked in the BIOS.

But, back to the topic at hand, if it's only for two months, getting a R3 is hardly worth it, the R1 will be able to cope fine to fill that time.

 

It would depend on your definition of "crap". My R1 compared the my desktop (p4 2.8 6800GSagp) runs everything beautifully. Ive read it, watched youtube videos on it, and used it in real life. To me it runs everything perfect so in the end, just like with everything else, its based on our experiences and how we see it. Oh and there is no i in fecal

 

You do know your desktop specs suck right? P4, 6800GS AGP? I'd pit some of today's netbooks against your desktop.

 

Yep Yep XD thats why i bought the m11x so i could actually play some games i mean dont get me wrong minesweeper and solitaire rock but they get old after awhile. I think my desktop would still win against an atom netbook....barely. If its got ION im boned though.

 

I've just found the R1 for cheaper again on Amazon:

Dell Alienware M11X 11.6 Inch Notebook (Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300,1.3GHz,4GB RAM,320GB HDD,WLAN,Webcam,Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

 

A friend just told me about this Dell XPS 15:

The Dell Online Store: Build Your System

What would the performance difference be between the M11X R1 and this? He didn't customize the XPS as it would shoot way above what I'll get for my MBP.

The only item he customized was the lid cover to try and give it somewhat of a cool look (although it looks nothing like an M11X)

 

It again has a better cpu but even though it is newer the graphics card doesn't hold up to the r1's - I imagine the battery life wouldn't either

 

Definitely not. If you love your battery life like me R1 FTW

 

Yeh after doing a bit of research and watching tons of YouTube videos, the XPS is nor for me. As it stands, I'll be ordering an R1 this Friday unless I come across a really cheap R3 but places like Amazon etc just have the R1. I chanced my arm as a laugh with a Dell sales rep to sell me an R3 for €650 - €700.......she didn't laugh, ha!

Looking forward to playing Just Cause 2 and Batman: AA. Had a go of a steam demo on a mates R1 and was seriously impressed!

 

Amazon.co.uk just sold out of the R1! Damn!

 

I'd recommend the R2 over the R1 for your situation. The R1 can't handle upcoming games as well as you hope. Especially The Witcher 2/Crisis 2 unless you do some intense optimization tweaks.

I'd recommend the R2 for an extra 100 bucks unless you can get the R3.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/606025-deevus-quick-guide-buying-your-m11x.html

 

Can't get the R2 over her cheaply though which is why I was looking at the R1. Don't want to spend anymore than I'll get for my MBP (€600) as I'm off in October.

 

Ah ok. Sorry didn't read the whole thread.

On dell outlet you can get the R2 for $650-800. Which is well below the exchange rate to USD ( €600 = $864 ). I've heard good things about it. But if you are set on the R1 best of luck to you

 

Dell have just reduced the R3 over here:

Alienware M11x Nebula Red
Intel® Core™ i3 2357M (1.3GHz, 3MB Cache)
English Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)
1GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M edit
2048MB 1333MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x1024]
250GB (7,200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
Intel® 1000 Wireless Card - European
Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Module - European edit
1Yr Next Day Hardware Support included with your PC

€799

I wonder why? Hopefully Amazon etc might do the same. There's only 2GB RAM in this one though, sufficient?

What is the best way to get an online Dell sales rep to reduce the price? I've heard of loads of people doing it. I asked a rep last week and was told that their online price was the best they could offer but I know that's bull from reading forums. If I got it reduced by a little bit, I'd nearly take it traveling with me as it's only 12"s.

 

I just found the thread about getting discounts. Sorry for posting that question without looking first. I'm going to ring now and see what they can do. I was already talking to another rep online again but they said they can't budge on the price as it's a deal at the moment.

I'll asked over the phone and if they still won't budge, I'll see if they can bump up the spec in the base price to 4GB instead of 2GB and maybe the wireless card?

 

I was just talking to a sales rep there. He said they can't give me a discount other than the discount that is already imposed which is €799. I then asked about getting the ram upgraded from 2Gb to 4GB but he was still having none of it either. He kept saying that it was a €60 upgrade to do that. I kept pressing but nothing.

I then told him I couldn't place my order for another week and a half as I'm going away and would the offer of €799 still be available when I got back? He obviously said no it wouldn't. Apparently it ends next Wednesday.

He tried to make me place my order now and then said he'd ring back tomorrow at 4pm.

 

Well, if you know anything about computers, RAM is very very VERY easy to install on a computer, especially an m11x, pop off the back and bam its there in your face, order it with the 2 gb, and buy one 4 GB stick, you shouldn't need more than 6 gb but if you wanna pay the extra little bit, go for the whole 8 GB, my point is, dell wants more money than it's worth. The R3 is worth it.

 

Cool. I've never upgraded ram but from viewing videos etc it looks really easy. I would never pay Dell extra for more ram, I was just trying to squeeze free ram from them. The guy won't budge at all. Is 2GB initially enough to play games like Just Cause 2, Crysis 2?

I don't mind the €799, just after reading threads here, everyone seems to get something for a discount or a free bump in specs that's all.

 

You can play most games with 2GB of RAM. You will definitely see a bump in performance in most modern games with 4GB of RAM. Any higher is pointless for gaming in the modern day.

 

Cheers. I'm going to order it tomorrow afternoon. Here's the spec I'm getting:

Alienware M11x Nebula Red
Intel® Core™ i3 2357M (1.3GHz, 3MB Cache)
English Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)
1GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M
2048MB 1333MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x1024]
250GB (7,200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
Intel® 1000 Wireless Card - European
Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Module - European

I'll buy extra ram separate. I'm not upgrading to the Killer Wireless-N card.

 

This is very true, the main reason I upgraded my RAM was to increase my overclock, and it worked, overclocked at a full 166 MHZ now

 

Yeah and its always cheaper to upgrade RAM outside of Dell. Its a lot cheaper on Newegg or Amazon.

 

Ordered the M11x earlier on. Cheers everyone for the help.

I placed my order about 3 hours ago and received an 'Order Acknowledged' email straight after. How long does it usually take before I'll receive an 'Order Confirmation' email?

It begins.........

 

I dont remember how long it took to get an order confirmation for mine....all i know is i bought mine from the outlet as a certified refurbished, i payed regular shipping, and it was at my work staring me in the face 2 days later!!! the laptop actually beat the orion sleeve lol. i guess they upgraded my shipping for free without even telling me

 

It's confirmed and in production

 

Enjoy in production takes the longest. Especially since the site lags. I've received two of my laptops before in production changed to shipped.

 

Cheers DeeVu, you've been a great help the last few days.

Does anyone know if the Nebula Red version comes with a red or black sleeve? I saw in the M17X forum that the red versions are now shipping with red sleeves.

I'm weird like that...and yes I have a weird problem/fetish for packaging!