What would you like to see in the next M11x?

Like I said before, if this thing get ULV arrandales and a beefier GPU I will be all over it like white on rice

 

Engadget picked up on this thread -

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/alienware-m11x-getting-nvidia-optimus-and-new-intel-cpus-this-su/

 

Wow, I saw.

 

It is an Estimated Time frame, I never said (Confirmed) Engadget jumped the gun lol.

 

Man I get this news and I just received mine not more then 4 hours ago . Does anyone know if the Optimums change is going to be backwards compatible?

 

Does anyone know if I would be able to have Alienware upgrade the processor in the M11x I have now?

Or am I looking at purchasing a whole new system once the faster processors are available?

Man, I am all for the evolution of a product. But, I am going to feel a little crapped on if they put out something substantially faster 3 to 4 months after I purchased my M11x.

I really need to quit this early adopter business.

 

Yes they like to do that. Just like with optimus working on the new Vaio Z. Be glad they at least got some of the details correct this time. Optimus works right now on the M11x but shh I wont tell anyone.

 

Except that both videocards stays powered on, right? Which takes away half the cake, so to speak.

 

What about pricing? Does it stay the same?

 

June/July can't come fast enough.

 

Correct, but that is using the Optimus settings from Asus. I assume with the proper settings configured it would work fine.

 

I Would Like To See Some Quality Hinges, You Know The Kind That Everyone Else Has.

 

Sir, that is incorrect. Optimus will only work with the new iX core series of processors. The new Vaio Z just happens to have that, too.

THAT would be wonderful! The hinge on this sucker is soo cheap.

I would like to know the answer to that question as well. I just received my replacement laptop 2 days ago. They need to look at what Apple did for their Iphone early adopters, either let us trade in our existing M11x for free or with a small charge or give us a rebate of some sort. I would be more than happy if the former was to take place. After all, I took the plunge, believed in Alienware, and made the M11x my very first Alien laptop.

 

Any word about offering a non-glossy / not-as-reflective / matte screen? I was about to buy the m11x then saw the screen on my friend's in person and couldn't stand how glossy it was!!! even in LOW LIGHT situations that thing was reflecting everything!!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DELL get rid of the glossy screen! I'd buy it in a heart beat if the screen didn't have such a mirror effect to it!

Oh and removing some of that fat bezel around the screen would be nice. Maybe using a 12" instead of an 11.6 to remedy that? (provided it doesn't make the laptop any bigger)

 

I'd love to see:
-i5 ulv
-better screen. maybe make it the m13x, better use of the limited space. also, it needs to be brighter... but i like it glossy.
-oh yeah, cap and mouspad.
-more usb ports or an internal dvd drive

that's about it. lovin mine so far.

 

I honestly want to see this computer in green. The whole computer in crazy green.

 

In order of preference:

1. A docking port because power users want optimal power at home too
2. A faster ULV processor in a socket instead of soldered in
2. A matte screen option
3. A 13.1" or similar size screen to use the full display area without growing the machine
4. The eSATA and USB 3.0 which have become commonplace on new machines
5. An Optimus enabled video driver with backwards compatibility
6. BIOS control of overclocking functions at refined increments
7. The Gigabit ethernet that Canada's site offers as a standard on all units
8. An external battery so we can keep going for longer
9. An expresscard slot
10. Extra memory card slots so we can insert multiple storage devices
11. The red case paint and a new option for an Alienware blue case
12. A charging mat so we don't have to plug in to charge the battery

I'm sure there are more things I can come up with, but that's my list for now. I think the greatest oversight BY FAR is the absence of a docking port.

 

Ok I will ignore this then.

EDIT: To explain further. It says no where in the Optimus whitepaper that the iX series of processors is a requirement. In fact there is information out saying the opposite like "NVIDIA calls the system Optimus, and it’s designed to work with GeForce 200M, 300M, and GeForce M GPUs as well as the as-yet-unannounced NVIDIA ION 2 graphics processor. It supports Intel’s Core 2 Duo, Core i3, i5, and i7 processors and Intel Atom N450 CPUs." What you have probably read is the fact that Nvidia is 'focusing' on the iX series for Optimus.

 

I've slight concern about the CPU of supposely updated model.

Currently many C2 based CPU maybe OC'ed by bumping up the FSB, as seen in the BIOS of M11x; however, there is no such thing as FSB for mobile Core ix based CPU atm - you could only overclock by changing the multiplier.

Consider that merely CPU classified as 'Extreme' has the multipliers unlocker, how is there going to be even BIOS OC'ing in the M11x R2?

Though that said, it would be a nice bonus if turbo boost makes into these - the likes of 520UM has rather impressive high bin OC'ing by auto; in that sense OC'ing itself will be just bonus.

 

Wow, just saw this thread on Engadget. Let's hope you're right Darkhan haha

I wish Dell would tell us when/if they are planning to update it. I hate playing the waiting game because by the time I finally get mine, a newer, better laptop will be out.

 

For all asking if they can upgrade their processor from their existing M11x to the new one the answer is no. C2D is not compatible at all with the Core-i/Arrandale systems.

@Quicklite: They can still allow bclk oc'ing like they did in the M17x if they want to. Asus and MSI have it also and I know for sure the Asus doesn't require an extreme processor.

 

I just wish they increase the screen size a bit to... let's say.. 12.x" like an asus 1201n (that would make it m12x, i know). or just extend the screen a little bit more to the frame (like 11.11". there. still m11x. >_<).

Or...

Or better yet, add a new member to the family: Alienware m13x. The 13 adds more allure to the name: alienware. Not to mention the absence of a decent 13" out there.

I'd just got the chance to experience the m11x @ bestbuy and i remember thinking: wow this is great. But wait, i dnt go to school with a purse. And i dont wanna go with a trolley either so m15x is out of the picture. 12-13" would have been perfect.

Fortunately the display was beside the LCD section and my hope was revived. (yeah, i know: get a desktop for pete's sake! but i kinda like the idea of my m11x as a sorta mac mini).


BOTTOM LINE:
The core ix and optimus would realy bring into to the fold the lost sheep who had doubts with the current m11x (makes u wonder why they didn't do so to begin with. Must be a motherboard/cooling/battery life balance issue).

Improve the screen size and quality a bit and m11x would be every gamer's bestfriend. I could see dell's stocks rising.

 

rumors says that the Optimus can work on the current M11x Software wise, but im not sure, it's just a speculation

and plus, dont feel bad that you have purchased the current M11X, regardless of the refresh is happening or not, the M11X is still a 11inch Beast, you paid for what you believe is good, and i think you should be happy

you do know a refresh is always happening, the new refreshed M11X will still be refreshed over and over with new GPU, then later to god knows what new Core from Intel

so you cannot apply the rule of the "waiting game" in this business

 

Yup. I for one felt a refresh was inevitable with this baby, especially with the cpu. the m11x is fine in itself, objectively speaking. But subjectively, i felt the 1.7 OC was not enough for me.

I remember thinking: ! Su7300?! Really, Alienware? Sounds more like what Dell would put in." And i read someone saying maybe dell was getting rid of their core 2's stocks. Sorta like a clearance sale. And i swear to myself i want that thing but i'm not buying it till it has the option to have at least 2.00ghz or core i3. And an optimus. i can live with the battery compromise.

I was ready to purchase a transitional netbook (asus eee1201n) while waiting cause i assumed the refresh won't be till the christmas holidays or next year. Apparently, with this news, i won't be needing it.


BOTTOMLINE:
This is a classic example of the good ol' "marshmallow test." it just so happened that some of us waited for the two for one marshmallow later rather than have one marshmallow now. and the above poster is correct. who knows, maybe come december or early next year, we would be in the same position as you are now.

 

1) Let's face it. The M11x is not an 11.6" laptop. It is a slightly-shrunken 13.3" form factor with an 11.6" screen inside a huge bezel, just so Dell can brag about having a super powered "netbook."

This should be addressed; Dell should rework the frame and include a 13.3", 1280x800 LCD. The resolution does not need to be increased; 1280x800 is perfect for 13.3". They'd probably have to bump the base price $50 to make up for this.


2) Arrandale ULV processors must be included in the "M13x." Base model should MSRP $849 with a Core i5-520UM, offering upgrades for the Core i7-620UM (+$75) and i7-640UM (+$125).


3) It must have Optimus Technology, and not because I care about the GPU dynamically switching based on load, but because I care about driver support. With Optimus being bandied around as the best thing since sliced bread, it is doubtful that nvidia will maintain more than token support for the old-style switchable graphics used in the current M11x (and other laptops such as Asus's ULxxVt series). Optimus, on the other hand, is on track to make it into the Verde package.


Otherwise this 's good. I don't agree with people saying this is too heavy, too thick or whatever. If you want the GPU power, you can't skimp on the cooling, and this definitely does not skimp. There are plenty of paper-thin options if you don't mind using a crappy Intel IGP.

 

Agreed the M11x is a great little notebook and well worth the cost. I wouldn't worry about a refresh based on speculation so soon.

"rumors" (twas only a rumor because I just couldn't get people to test em.)



There are a couple of issues currently though. First issue is the overlay text that you see. The second issue is that the Nvidia GPU never seems to properly power down fully which of course drains the battery quicker. Other than that it seems to be working fine.

Yay, glad to see someone who gets it. I feel like I am fighting an uphill battle here just trying to get people to understand about Hybrid Graphics and Optimus.

 

^ Agree with everything above. All I've said I wanted in the refresh is iX CPU's and Optimus - due to superior driver support (even more so 3+ months down the line).

Although I do have one little addition - the release of the i7-660UM should tie in nicely with the release of the M11xR2, so I'd very much like that to be available. It turbos to 2.4GHz, which would definitely remove the "bottleneck" users are currently experiencing with certain games.

 

+1 to that.

an option (I understand there are some 11" fan out there so, just the option would make everybody happy) to go 'm13x' would be perfect (apple has it right already: 13", 15", 17"). \m/

then again, the body built might grow bigger. but sir synaesthetic had the right idea there.

stretch. stretch that screen. stretch.

core i3 would be great (with a turbo boost feature for i3 perhaps, for plugged-in gaming). i5 more than enough. i don't think an i7 would be feasible, though. as surely, marketing would want alienware to have as much a difference as possible between m11x (hopefully m13x) and m15x.

otherwise, their m15x might go unnoticed (prolly a reason why they made it 11" in the first place: to at least make people consider going for the 15"). not to mention it'll eat the crap out of the battery life of the m11x (m13x).

 

The internals are great--don't need Optimus or a beefier CPU.

But I need to be able to carry this thing around at work, in front of clients. And at church, and in front of my kids, and my wife. I'm a grown-up now, and I can't be seen carrying around what, for all appearances, is a fancy expensive toy.

What I need is an Alienware M11x "Stealth". A killer portable gaming notebook that looks like an understated, or even boring, standard business-class laptop. It would not only become the primary laptop for me, but half of my co-workers would probably follow suit.

 

I think thats called a Viao Z isn't it?

 

I know it seems logical to assume i3 < i5 < i7 but Intel's system is far more complicated than that.

The M11x uses an ultra low voltage CPU at the moment (SU4100/7300) with a TDP of 10W, so assuming they keep the ~30W GPU in there, they're going to have to keep to a CPU with a TDP of that level - for power consumption and heat reasons.

This leaves only two options - the ultra low voltage i5's or i7's, which combined with the new series chipsets will equal the TDP of the existing C2D setup. Just to note, these are not "normal" i5/i7's per se, but tamed down versions. They're clocked considerably lower, the IGP is slower, the highest memory speed they can work with is lower etc.

The i3's do not have a ultra low voltage variant. In fact, they don't even have a low voltage variant, they only offer full voltage options - with a TDP nearly 4x the TDP of the current C2D's in the M11x (35W vs 10W). So to put it simply, there's absolutely no chance we'll see i3's in the M11xR2 as the TDP is way too high (just like the standard voltage i5/i7's). FYI, performance wise, the standard voltage i3-3X0M CPU's would pretty much destroy the ULV i5's and i7's.

So the ULV i5's and i7's that will most likely be used in the M11xR2 (whenever that happens) simply can't be compared to the standard voltage i5/i7's offered in the M15x - the M15x CPU's are in a different league. Also, just for reference, Turbo Boost is not available on any i3 CPU - mobile or desktop.

The M11x isn't aimed towards that market though - Dell's Studio line should be able to satisfy basic gaming requirements or as DR650SE mentioned the Sony Vaio Z, and these would be a lot more presentable in a business environment.

 

Yeah, a Vaio Z would be perfect, if it didn't cost $2,500 and the Studio line is underpowered comparatively.

I know the M11x isn't necessarily geared towards that market, but what I'm saying is that it *could* be. With it's battery life and form factor, it's a useful portable productivity/note taking laptop, with a whole different secret life at the flip of a switch!

Drop these guts in a Vostro box and you'd open yourself up to a whole market of 28+ yr old guys who want to game, but still have a day job.

 

@rpg
Oh. That's better. Tnx man. Just needed someone to say that. Cause some are saying they'll just put another core 2 but with higher ghz.
Just curious how much weight would it add on the overall cost.

+1 to that

Now if only they could stretch the screen a bit. As the reviews say, seems like this baby was really meant to be connected to an external display as hinted by the array of ports, at least as far as gaming is concerned. So complaining for a larger screen might be futile. Still, 12-13" would have been great reducing the desire for xternal display to a minimal while avoiding the bulkiness of m15x. But knowing alienware a 13" would prolly be bulky. Oh well, can't have them all. Wouldn't hurt to wish though.

 

now the tricky question is, with the revision from SU7300 to ULV i5/i7 will Dell maintain the price for under 900 dollars, because that is what makes this notebook so amazingly well worthed

because i expect at least a $150 - 200 raise with the upgrades from SU700 to i5/i7s ULV and with the new Optimus GPU which i think Dell will try to aviod, after all, the most advantage of having this notebook is it's super low price

if they can, it's gonna be awesome, i wouldnt have to wait that long and can still get my M11X now and sell when the refreshed is out for almost the same price

 

Well, I remember seeing the Intel SU7400 at $289. However I suspect this price may have fallen. An interesting thing to note, as someone else said on this forum, is that the Intel SU4100 is tagged as the same. The reason why I say it must have fallen, is because this comparison shows the three new ULVs apparently in the market already: http://ark.intel.com/Compare.aspx?ids=47700,43562,47554,

- i5-520UM - $241.00
- i7-620UM - $278.00
- i7-640UM - $305.00

I don't think Optimus will be expensive since it will also come with the cheap ION chipsets.

 

I am 41 and have a day job and could care less what others think of my shiny new toy. Just turn the led lighting to off and the system looks much tamer and more mainstream. However, I rather enjoy the Alienware mystique and it sets this system apart for what it is....something special.

 

Yea, the alienware/age trend is actually quite suprising. Check out the results of the Average M17x owners age thread.

As far as the M11x price, I think that the tech will drop in price. Like others stated, the appeal of the M11x is the price tag, therefore I see them always marketing it with a baseprice <$1000.

 

Yeah, they were released in January. Fujitsu and Panasonic have actually been using the i7-640UM in a couple of their notebooks (P770, CF-R9) since February. Also, I read somewhere that the new Vaio Y models will use the ULV i5/i7 CPU's also. So they're definitely taking off. By the time the M11x refresh comes about, I really can't see AW using anything other than these CPU's.

 

I was surprised they didn't use them from the get-go, since they pride themselves on the latest tech. The only reason that comes to mind is to offload old stock, not that it's a bad thing.

 

It's actually "lady," not "sir."

The only reason I'm not lusting over the M11x already is because I'm worried about driver support. Optimus is getting all the love, and I've already heard owners of the Asus UL80Vt complain about the driver issue.

I don't really care about Optimus's dynamic GPU switching; I care more about games not working right because my drivers are way out of date.

I do tend to agree that I'd rather see the M11x's guts in a Studio XPS 13 chassis, though. What a disappointment that one was; with these internals, it'd be glorious.

 

Oh sorry, me lady. Hehe

Gloss is good. but alienware got a little carried away with it.

the excessive gloss seems to limit the portability of this 'ultraportable' machine considering portability entails using it anywhere, anytime. yet you have to find a sweet spot everytime you use this one to avoid glare.

 

NO, NO, NO! Make it 1280x720, offering exactly square pixels at a 16:9 ratio. 1366x768 comes close, but you're still off 9 pixels. It'd need to be 1360x765 for it to be exact.

I actually like this reasoning. Good job for making a really valid point.

 

tnx.
now if only someone from dell-alienware could read that...

i'm somewhat disheartened when they said "everything but the screen, is coming."

i hope they meant everything but the screen resolution is coming.

seriously, that gloss has to go or at least be toned down (peace on earth to those gloss fanatics).

can't find any use for it except watching my opponent's screen from mine when we're playing against each other's backs.

can anyone actually enlighten me why the (excessive) gloss has to be there in the first place? is it some sort of a screen protector or something? reflecting harmful rays from the sun maybe?



NVM found one:

A glossy display is an electronic display with a glossy surface. In certain light environments glossy displays provide better color intensity and contrast ratios than matte displays. The primary disadvantage of these displays is their tendency to reflect any external light, often resulting in an undesirable glare (Wikipedia. >_<. laziness got me there)


Can any kind soul confirm or debunk this? Does this do justice to the screen or is it still a little overboard?

 

Well, my friend's phone look less, colorful?(no idea what term to use here) with a anti glare matte screen protector. Had it side by side with a friend using a similar phone without the screen protector.

Anyhow, I suppose the glossy surface might protect our screen by reflecting harmful radiation off the screen and right into our eyes....

 

ROFL!

But yeah, there are some annoyances with working with the laptop on the sun. There was a thread around (buried somewhere) with someone selling custom-cut matte screen surface that can be put on top of this screen, but don't know if that idea lived....

In short: It does not do absolutely anything to the screen itself.

 

@dobytheten
ROFL. that explains a lot. maybe dell-alienware will be selling visors in the near future.

@unreal25
well, what i meant there was does it do justice to what they did with the screen. anyway, my bad. thanks anyway.


So... steering this thread back on track...

do we still want a.) glossy, b.)no glossy or c.)Toned down glossy (is this possible?).


No glossy seems fine to me even when having to compromise the color quality. well, considering that i will, more often than not, use an external display for gaming. and the 11" for processing. Toned down glossy would be perfect.

 

I want 1280x800 because I loathe 16:9. Exactly square pixels I don't really care about, honestly. I just can't stand 16:9, and I can't stand having only 768 vertical pixels. Having only 720 would be even worse!

What is this, 2001? Are we all still using 1024x768 monitors?

edit: if Dell really wanted to get my mojo going, a high-resolution, 13.3" 1440x900 RGBLED screen with these internals would have me drooling.

 

Would that res not affect games' framerate?

 

right there with you.


hell, i'd start a new religion.

 

13.3" screen (plus the webcam and "ALIENWARE" logo) is not going to fit at all without making the laptop physically larger. A 13.3 screen is the size of the 11.6 screen + bezel, and personally I think the laptop will benefit from having a more visually sharper screen instead of a bigger one. And it would be nice for the M11x to be a little lighter, but as it is, it isnt very overbearing. After all half the weight of the laptop is from the huge battery they stick in there (It's over 2 lbs), and not the cooling equipment. Besides the M11x has better battery life than most thin and lights....