Thinking of buying one...

I want to play Diablo 3 and be able to carry this around school. This seems to be the perfect machine! However I want to be sure of my purchase.

What do you guys DON'T like about the M11x R3? I know it doesn't have optical drive. Do you just use an external USB one to install stuff? How about the fan? How loud is it? Is it noisy only when gaming or all the time? Any thing else I should know before jumping the gun?

 

While I cannot speak about the fan on the R3, I can say on the R2 that the fan can get fairly audible, but when immersed in a game it is hard to notice.

The one major thing that you should think about is the screen. all M11x Models (R1, R2, R3) have fairly glossy screens. Outside use with the M11x is nearly impossible, as it is difficult to see the screen.

If you are looking for mobile gaming that isn't outdoors, the M11x is definitely a good fit for you.

 

I don't mind it being noisy while gaming. But if it is noisy while I'm in class, that might be an issue. My current laptop is very noisy even while just using MS Word. If I turn off the dedicated video card will it resolve the noise?

As for the screen, anti-glare covers will help yes?

 

Vydiot, the dedicated GPU can be toggled manually I believe. It will also turn itself off if you are not doing anything visually intensive. So that shouldn't be an issue really.

 

Newer version don't have VGA port , that's the only M11X problem with the reflective screen ( kinda every laptop got this problem so not really a good one )

And Dell with drivers update sucks btw

Without thoses little things , it's a really , really cool laptop

 

I don't know where the exact quote is, (it might be in the Gaming thread) but a fellow forum member did report that the Diablo 3 beta ran seemingly ok on the Alienware M11x. I don't know if it was the R2 or the R3, but I felt it was good news.

the R2 and R3 can run Skyrim at medium/high so I feel confident this little laptop will handle it. The question is going to be how high you can get it to run and still keep the framerate stable.

I really want to trade my R2 in and get an R3, but I don't have the money to upgrade computers right now. I'm going to push my little R2 as far as it will go.... If I can run Guild Wars 2 and Diablo 3 I'll be happy.

 

Ah, well I was referring to gaming.
So long as the dedicated video card is off, the fan is pretty much silent.

 

This pc is very portable and quite powerful for what it is. Be aware that if you are expecting to be able to get the latest games and crank the graphics all the way up, you will be disappointed. Usually the M11X can run things at medium settings smoothly, and sometimes you must turn the settings down to low in order to get the game to run without hiccups (note: the specific game I am speaking of is The Witcher 2, which runs smoothly if almost all the options are turned down to the low settings)

What you get if you do pick an M11x is the most powerful portable machine available in its size bracket.

Also be aware this is a Mobile Processor for both the video and the cpu. This means it is much lower powered than a desktop which you spent the same amount would be. This version of the i7 also only has 2 cores instead of the usual 4 (although it does have hyperthreading through which the processor can pretend to have 4 cores total, but it is still nowhere near what having an actual full 4 would do).

That being said, the M11x is a very nice little machine to own. Compared to larger more powerful laptops this is usually around 500$ or so less. Also keep your eyes open and look for a discount if you can get it. I was able to get 25% off the list price for mine by using discounts. That made the machine quite a bit more affordable.

Oh hah! you asked what I did not like. Well, I wish it had a bit more oomph in terms of processor and graphics power. They could have squeezed one of the more advanced nvidia mobile graphics chips in there, I suspect that would have improved game performance. The fan does get a bit loud when you are really pushing the system by playing a graphically intensive game.

Also, they could have done a better job with the cooling. Alienware should consider some sort of an option that puts the vents on the front, sides, and back instead of having the intake on the bottom of the machine. Pulling the air in the side or the front and pushing it out the back would make it possible to place the computer on your lap, a bed, the couch, etc.. As it is, the M11x needs a flat surface and ideally a laptop cooler to keep it from getting too hot.

They also should have put slightly taller feet on it, as the feet it ships with are a bit too low to allow the intake to pull air efficiently through the bottom. Although this is easily rectified by the user, just go out and pick up some sticky rubber feet and put them on the system to raise the back up a bit for better airflow.

Oh yes, and the screen is not very good. It should be available with the traditional Matte laptop screen. There is a good reason that most full size LCD monitors and many laptop screens have a matte surface. Reflections suck! The stock M11x screen is a mislabeled mirror. The whole glossy screen craze is terrible.

I strongly suggest picking up an anti-glare screen protector. I got one from this company and am Extremely happy with the result. Alienware Laptop Screen Protectors | Photodon.com

If you want to see the difference these make (beyond just protecting your screen from scratches and such) check out this video Screen Protector Shootout - Part 5A - YouTube This one is specifically for the matte anti-glare protector, and the next is for a clear protector. Screen Protector Shootout - Part 5B - YouTube Pick the one which you think will work best for you.

If you want to see the whole series this link should help you find the rest of the videos in the screen protector review set. screen protector shootout - YouTube There are really a huge amount of choices out there. I personally think (and the reviewer did too!) that the two I linked first are the best choices out of the bunch. I have one and it does a really great job. Just be careful during the application process and follow the instructions!

And one more thing, while I am thinking about it. The guy in the review videos did not really install that protector properly, that is why he was stuck with those bubbles. This video is the best instructional video I have found for putting on one of these protectors. If you want to see how to install one properly check it out. Installing ClearCal Anti-Glare Film for Glossy Displays - YouTube

 

I LOVE my M11x R3. It's very, very portable which I absolutely love. The fan sounds like a hairdryer, for sure. It only kicks on when I am gaming and it goes on and off so it's not constantly on. Like the other people said above, the screen gets a horrible glare if you use it outside or by a window, but for inside use it is not a problem.

 

Thank you for all the feedback everybody. Much appreciated! I think my two big concerns have been resolved: It'll play Diablo 3 and it's not too noisy doing menial things.

Now I hunt for deals! Can't wait to get one!

 

Alienware M11x Deals, Coupons and Evalue Codes - Find the Best Deals at dmXdimension.com

Thats the website i used for mine


I must say you have to keep this in mind. This isnt a desktop, it wont play most things on max with 60 fps but what it will do is let you do 40-50 with med / high settings. The good thing about this laptop is 2 things

1. Size is by far the best, Smaller screen makes these games on med and even low look amazing. The quality is next to none with it.

2. Battery life is just wow... Watching things i can just make it over 4 hrs 40 mins, Thats a hella lot of something that plays games. Max you get from others 2-3hrs tops with high stuff running. The auto switch between GPU and intergrated is awsome, You get power when you need it.


Over and all i must say come Jan, This will play D3 and you will have a good picture to play on. The size of the laptop is way to good to miss, Unless your serious about gaming, ie. Prof play then having this to play on the move is more than perfect. Keep this in mind when you play FPS games @ range like Bf3 you might strugle since theres litturaly 1 pixel across the map ur looking at.

I wouldnt trade this in for anything other than an mx14 simply because its a bit bigger and has better hardware but what you have in this and that just costs to much for me as a student.



There is no serious bad points to this laptop. Yes its different and you will adjust, Example of this is a smaller keyboard on it but the quality and once you get use to it isnt a problem. Screen can be a but that happens to all and brightness fixes it most of the time unless ur sitting out in the sun, but why would you?

Fan can get a bit noisey but never an issue, I used mine in Uni and it wasnt to loud when playing games, Better than listing to a boring lecture but most never noticed so dont worry about that.


Over all, if you want it for on the move, something you can play over 2-4hr lectures this is perfect. You look the part, Have the hardware and the lights / battery life is just awsome.



so... Buy one

 

The TL;DR of this thread -

If you can get it at a good price, buy it.

After discounts and rebates, i paid a total of $680 for my M11x R3. Absolute bargain, best money i ever spent.

 

WOW! how did you come across such a deal?!

 

Notice that poster did not say exactly which options he picked. Most likely it was one of the base models or close to it.

Also you will want to consider picking up a laptop cooler of some kind for home use. I use this one and am quite happy with it. Thermaltakeusa»Cooler»Notebook Cooler»Massive23 LX : Massive23 LX CLN0015

Also for home use you may want to hook it up to a full sized monitor. For example, I run mine into a 28' via the hdmi port.

 

Long story, but i had an R2 and had tonnes of issues. they gave me a $85 refund for keeping it, but a week later their customer care suggested i return it for a full refund (not minus that $85, that's a bonus), and then said they'd apply the same $315 coupon code i used for my R2, as a rebate once my R3 has shipped.

I paid $1,080 for an i5 with 6GB RAM, Intel 6205 wireless & 1 year accidental coverage. Minus the $85 refund they gave me, minus the $315 rebate. Total is $680 out of pocket.

 

Forgot to mention no issues so far apart from the anoying led that lets down the escape, ctrl and space bar on some colours, other than that (lights not an issue) no problems what so ever

 

might end up snagging one of these to take to school so i don't have to lug my monster around

what are the differences between the R-2 and the R-3? Just trying to figure out if its a better value to try to find an R-2 used.

 

1st gen -> 2nd gen i5/i7
better WLED
(apparently) better battery life
335M -> 540M
800MHz DDR3 -> 1333Mhz DDR3
USB/Sata 2 -> USB/Sata 3

Those are the main differences.

 

All sorts of stuff, I suggest you check this guide for detailed information.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/606025-deevus-quick-guide-buying-your-m11x.html

 

well i never had the money to buy a new one but i bought a used one r2 i can say they are so damm beautifull u wont be dissapointed trust me and u can always upgrade the thermal paste on the cpu and graphic card to lower the fan tempature within time

 

thanks for the link, i did not know this one, that's awesome!

 

Every so often you can find a good deal on the Slickdeals.net website. There are a fair amount of ads on there, but after you sort through the junk you can sometimes find good stuff. Slickdeals: Searching for "alienware"

I got in on the Geico 25% discount by using that site. I would not have known about it otherwise. Sadly that particular deal ended October 31st. But if you keep your eyes open usually you can find something. Don't be too impatient. Just wait a bit and you will eventually find a good discount code someplace.

 

Just found a deal here:

https://www.saveology.com/deals/nat...=ym&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dell-coupon

confirmed here:

Dell Member Purchase & Employee Discount Program (EPP) | Dell

25% off any dell, including alienware at market price. This seems legit and I'm thinking about jumping on it. Even at 5$ it's worth the risk.

Now the question is should I get 6gb or 8gb of ram? Will I see a notable difference? What about the wireless card?

 

Make sure you at LEAST get the 6205 wireless card, i have it and couldn't be happier. As we speak, i'm broadcasting my own network which my fiance has joined, and is using the internet via my M11x.

As for the RAM... Dell overcharges. Get the absolute minimum and then upgrade it yourself later with RAM from a reputable brand.