2010 Alienware M15x vs M17x, let the poll begins!

Hey guys, please excuse me if this has been debated somewhere in another thread but I am here deciding between the two of them and this may also help other potential buyers with the purchase.

So, here's the details:
If you have the buck to max out the M15x or with the same amount of cash, you could get a decently build M17x, or another way of saying, same amount of cash, M15x gets better specs, while M17x gets less but with known better overall build and features. Which one would you choose? ( Sorry to those who are interested in M11x ) The maxed out M15x or a decent M17x? Please give your ideas and advise as many will benefit from your idea.

 

hardcore gamer = M17x
casual gamer = M15x
done

 

Quick and cool. Well, that's true. Anyone else?

 

m17x you can shave off some money getting the smallest hard drive, lower ram and then adding it in later after u save more. I constantly upgraded my m17x over time and now its a beast.

 

I voted for the m15x, just because I prefer the size (it has more proportion) and have more trust in 1 stable gpu instead of 2 gpu's in a CF or SLI configuration (which is what the m17x is all about, no point in getting it with only 1 gpu).

 

Hey i'm hardcore with an M15x Ya the 17x is more future proof, but I get all my gaming needs filled with an M15x and some serious gaming peripherals, Mice Keyboard, mousepad, Monitor Speakers.

 

i am the same as the above post very hcore gamer and satisfied with m15 now i can sync ipod touch :0)

 

I have to disagree, with the new 5850 option in the M15x, there's no reason why the M15x shouldn't last as long as a M17X as being future proof. IE If you need CF graphics cards to play a game it's probably time to upgrade. I have a M17X and I can say CF cards are really just icing on the cake/ for show boating more than anything else.



The M15X has all the essential goodies you need to play the best games. The M17x might do it cheaper if you're looking at the base configuration, but the 15X makes up for it by being more mobile.

 

Wow! I am glad to see so many of your feedbacks. It seems that people are leaning towards M17x as shown in the poll. Well, I myself own a M15x (I've got it out of a great deal) and it was a beast! Crunched everything I threw at it. Now I am considering getting the M17x as my M15x got yanked by the technician so hopefully I will get a replacement soon.

 

An M15x configured with the i5-540M and the HD 5850 will be cheaper than the M17x, though both of them are expensive.

 

Well said. I would only consider taking the M17x if it has come with 2 GPUs. That's what it's build for.

 

For me there are two big enough things:

- RGB LED

- Build quality

 

it really just depends on how and where you're going to be using it. If you need a DTR that spends most of the time on a desk, but you still need to be able to move it once in a while, get the M17x. If you need a more traditional laptop that's acutally on your lap(although you still *shouldn't* have it there) in the airplane, get the M15x. I can tell you from experience OP, if you plan on moving around a lot the M17x is going to be a PITA. You can't simply pick it up and go like the M15x, you have to have it in a backpack or some kind of carrying device in order to move it. It's just very heavy, very large and the power brick is big too, It's not safe to carry around a 12lb laptop in one arm and your power brick/cables in the other.

 

M15x build quality is top notch so i don't think thats an issue, but like Lozz said it really all depends on how you want to use it. both are great.

 

True, both of them are expensive but here we are debating which one a person should go for it when he's in this kind of situation. I bet many people faced this problem before as I was one of them.

 

the M15x uses an WLED screen as well, so it's not *as* big a difference as say CCFL vs RGB LED.

 

That's a great information there. Thanks! One does have to consider about its portability but I don't think that's much of an issue as both are not so portable compared to other notebooks.

 

Well, the difference is ~$300 between an almost equivalently specced M15x and M17x, but you're already paying around $2000 for either one so you're probably not looking for a compromise.

 

alienewbie why you have M15x in your sig already?

 

For me, I chose the M17x because of the rgbled screen and the extra vertical pixels. I also would rather a bigger screen in general. 1080p on a 15.6" is harder on your eyes than 1200p on a 17.3".

As for pricing, the M17x was only $200 more expensive as the M15x with the same options. (M15x had actually lower Grphx card)

M17x all the way for me.

 

Yes, I agree with you. Both laptop has very good build quality. But the M17x does have the more expensive anodized aluminum for its cover.

 

if portability isn't an issue, there's no reason to not just go for the M17x. That's the only real attraction of the M15x, increased portability without sacrificing much performance.

 

Well, I'm a hardcore gamer so I'd pick M17x every time. In terms of weight and size it's not even that big of a difference, and you get two hard drives, two GPUs, and a larger and better screen. That's of course if you have the money...

Still, if you can afford two 5870s, I'd go M17x all the way. If not, I'd go M15x with 5850.

 

Well, there's a long story behind it. But I can summarize for you. I got a bad M15x and it has been real bad that now Dell has to replace one for me and I have a choice to choose between the two bad S laptop.

 

The matte aluminium cover of the m17x does indeed look way better than the more shiny one of the m15x, the matte dark m17x has something very special about it.

 

True, true and true. You get everything in double and everything better with a slight increment of price. Sounds worth the extra cash now. Why would there be a M15x if such M17x is superior in almost all ways?

 

Ops, I should've added lower starting price in the poll for M15x

 

it all depends on your needs, if you need duo gpu and 2 hdd. or just the single option. either way you'll be one happy camper.

 

Bro, he's getting either new M15x or M17x as replacement for his defective M15x. That's why he asked

 

It seems that the answer is quite clear as many of the member voted for the flagship M17x. In fact, I am leaning towards the big brother too. But, I can't just ditch the M15x right? It has some goods in it too. So, anyone else with more info to share?

 

M17x

Metal
Big quality screen
More cool lights
More ports

 

Well, like you've pointed out, the M15x does start cheaper. And it is about 2lbs or so lighter, and it IS smaller.

But still, if anyone actually cares about portability, then I wouldn't go for either, full stop.

Then again, for the gamer that doesn't need more than a single 5850, and doesn't need two hard drives, then the M15x is the better option, and there are plenty of gamers out there like that.

 

Exactly! But for the M17x, I will have to go through the refund + reorder stage and it is a PITA. Anyway, I wish the M17x looks as good as your profile picture, as I would be kissing it all night.

 

You've got a solid point there. And I strongly agreed with the if anyone cares about portability, then don't go for either one line. Again, you are right about the M15x. Many gamers do want something like that with everything well balanced.

 

That's why I am crying to get a M17x now!!! The M15x will fit my needs too but the M17x just seems to have the edge.

 

look like someone has made up his mind. so i'll leave it at that.

 

The M15x is losing... Anyone care to fight for it?

 

Well, I would say 60/40. The process of getting the M17x is way more PITA than getting a M15x. For my case, I would most likely get an almost max out M15x or a low end M17x.

 

m17x because you wish to have big biceps(the weight) Long live the m17x!

 

Ha! That's a joke! True with that. It has a lot of extra details.

 

Part of me wishes now that I waited a week instead of getting my M17 a year ago. Still, the M17x was £300 more, and for an M17x with two GPUs (the only way it could have beaten my M17) it would have been £600 more.

I still find it ironic that about 6 months ago my cousin got an M17x (r1). With a single 260M. And my old M17 beats it.

Back on topic...the M17x seems the best option for you, definetely. Unless you find a single 5850 sufficient, there's no solid argument in favour of the M15x that could really make it better for you.

 

for pure gaming power, the M17x is the winner. M15x will still handle everything but can't compare it to a duo card setup. M15x suite my needs and if you feel the M17x is what you need then go for it. i'm happy with my M15x its a beast and can max out pretty much any game.

 

Well said. I will push for the M17x but they might replace me with a single GPU only. Still, with this single GPU in the M17x, will it makes the M15x with upgraded configuration taste sweeter?

 

if getting the M17x i would pay more to get the duo card setup, M17x single card setup is fail.

 

I was thinking about doing it too. But, why single card setup is fail? I can see many of the member bought with only one card inside. Please explain.

 

my bad just read the 5870 come with xfire connectors, so your good, just upgrade it later.

 

Getting the M17x w/one GPU means one of the following will happen:

1. Upgrade to a new laptop sooner.

2. Upgrade to a CF/SLi setup.

It's MUCH CHEAPER to pick up the M17x with both cards than it is to upgrade later - Dell often charges twice what the card upgrade would have been at time of purchase. That means spending $1,000 to upgrade when you could've spent $500.

 

Great! Thanks for the information again. Anyone else wants to chip in?

 

M17x, it's an easy choice:

-RGB LED display (looks MUCH better than the LG found in the M15x).
-The M17x doesn't have a big black border around the screen like the M15x.
-M17x has dual card support.
-M17x is built a bit tougher than the M15x.
-M17x bios does not have throttling
-M17x officially supports 5870 vs 5850 for the M15x.

Both are great machines but if you can get one or the other, the M17x is the way to go.

 

Cool! That actually made up my mind. Will have to wait until Monday and see what upgrades they offer for my replacement M15x. If it doesn't sound good, then I would go for M17x right away.