AW CES 2011 Discussion Thread

Maybe, guess we'll see. Could be b.s. could be true...10 more days.

 

I suspect that it's just the m17 update. can't see dell keeping anything else this quiet!

 

I figure a 13" (1600*900) screen, 1 inch thinkness, sub seven lb, 6 hour battery notebook that can score 10,000 in 3dmark06 would be perfect for me.

Acer Aspire 5742G laptop with NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M graphics reviewed, es ist schnell -- Engadget

Maybe a 545 of 550m? That would be sweet!

 

Or a HD5850m in a m13x. I kid, I kid....


Though I honestly wish for one, lol

 

There should be a few 13" laptops with better than M11x specs when Llano launches.

 

Awsome
better than a 13

14x would be great
I just wish they add a 2nd HD
doesnt have to be in Raid 0

 

M14X would be awesome, not sure why so many here complain. Let me illustrate here.

If the M14X is as powerful as current M15X in terms of graphics but with most up to date graphic cards but has a 13 in frame which is largely possible by removing most of the plastic around the screen then yes there is no doubt that an M14X is an amazing candidate for success.

 

IF they made decent 14" panels to use. AFAIK, there are no decent 14" panels beyond the deceased (bad choice of words) Radiance panel

I mean, there are really good 13.1" panels... (a-la Sony Z series ).

 

Well, first of all the M14X is just speculation and if it comes out who says that Dell did not order a new panel for that PC which will be marketed to other OEM later on.

 

Here is my perfect laptop

m13x with all metal/magnesium chassis

1600x900 RGB LED (or OLED if possible)

strong sturdy high quality hinges

no optical drive (use that space for more cooling)

Full size backlit keyboard just no number pad

macbook quality trackpad

gt545-gt555 gpu (somewhere in that range) with optimus to switch to dual core sandy bridge gpu and nvidia verde driver support

socket replaceable standard voltage procs

90+Whr 9 cell battery that gives minimum of 5 hour (quads)-6 hours (duals) on integrated gpu and 3 (quads)-4 hours (duals) on dedicated

intel 6300 wireless N with 3 antennas installed

bluetooth 3.0

usb 3.0

e-sata

hdmi

mini displayport

Gbit LAN

optical audio out

microphone/headphone combo IO

SATA III

support 12mm height hdd

magnetic locking trip safe AC power cord

pci-e 2.0 express slot 34

20 in 1 mem card reader

high quality JBL speakers like on the XPS line

high quality sound solution 120db+s/n

lowest db fans possible

screwless access to ram and hdd

1080p low light webcam with dual mics and 5+MP still shots

Alien FX Lighting

personalized laser engraving on bezzle behind "1 sheet of glass" design

large choice of colors (10+)

Dell Design Studio submit your own graphics for all surfaces of the laptop

Unibody Design like the macbook pro's

AM/FM Antenna and Tuner

Extremely thin and light AC power brick


Now if they could put all this out right now in an m13x who wouldn't buy it?

 

That right there sounds like the perfect laptop.


The overall thing is that every 14'' I have used, have not felt like a ultraportable, but some 13'' I have tried have felt like ultraportables.

Slimness and Weight are less factors compared to battery and footprint, mainly because, you do not need to carry your laptop when using it, and it's acceptable if it's around 4-5 pounds. It will feel like a large book, but its still light enough to carry with your wrist, have in one hand, move with one hand. And footprint for it to take less space. A big power brick, a mouse, headset... lots of things add up a lot of the time in terms of getting a footprint.


What worries me about your(and mine) dream laptop is the price - I would maybe consider going down to a 1440x900 display for cost reasons, but also because it would be easier to max out games at native rez at that resolution. Think about shogun, crysis 2 - these games are gonna take computers to their knees probably. Elder Scrolls 5!

I agree to that if Dell is smart they also make a non alienware version. Some people just dont like the AW look, and Dell has to respect that. making a Vostro version with the same internals for mobile power users, will ensure that people who are put off by the AW design will still have something.



Overall, I could see the price for this M13x being up at around 3000 USD. High quality speakers? I've never seen solid speakers in anything below 15''. It would be a notebook revolution.



and I completely agree about optical drive. they could make an external blu-ray drive/burner branded with Alienware, as an accessory. I might be interested in that, but an internal Optical drive? hell no! more battery cooling, power and performance please. Regardless what anyone feels about it now, Steam is king and pc gaming is moving away from physical media.

 

well the xps 14 has those JBL speakers. Just based on the reviews people have said that the JBL speakers on the XPS line were the best laptop speakers they ever heard.

And how come I only see macbook pros with the magnetic attaching AC cord so if some 1 walks into the cord the magnets release and the cord pulls out instead of the laptop falling to the ground. Does apple have exclusive rights to use that design or is everyone else jus too cheap

 

Without knowing it for certain, my guess is that Apple has it under a patent. its a genius system, and it can be the only reason why noone else have used it.

Apple are very offensive, aggressive and competitor killing in many areas. You cant take away from them that they make fantastic computers that seperates themselves, but they have their own share of evils like everybody else.

 

That is practically what I would ask for in an M13x--- I do believe that if we do get one through Dellienware it will be the same GPU as the M11x, same board, non-RGB LED (I SO hate standard LED) and perhaps an internal drive. i5/i7 based for certain. Still, ASUS is giving them a run for their money.... the Stealth Bomber rip-off styling the ASUS looks sweet and makes the AW designs look a bit dated now even though the ASUS is inspired by the AW designs. Absolute shame ASUS support is worse than Dell's.

 

I have the studio 17 with the jbl speakers, and YES i couldn't believe the sound quality was from a laptop. Sounds as if coming from a $20 2 channel desktop speakers.

 

ive heard both jbl and m17x sound and its a close call but the jbl wins

 

I disagree, I think the Alienware styling looks a lot better than Asus. The Asus just has a big butt design similar to the new XPS. The Alienware design is completely unique.

 

i also disagree not even in the same league.

 

I had a Studio 17 w/ JBL speakers too. Everything sound right until loud and low bass kicks in. Sound quality is not that impressive. If XPS 14's speakers are similar to those of Studio line I don't buy the "best laptop speakers ever heard" rave.

 

Funny, I had only seen a shot of the back with one partly opened, seeing the keyboard etc on ASUS site, the AW design is sill better to my eye as well, but you can definitely tell they are targeting a similiar market with the design.

 

Go to Best Buy, they have G73's on display there. It's a really unimpressive looking laptop and feels very cheap.

 

I hope that when they refresh the m15x and m17x with sandy bridge cpu's they enable switchable graphics on these laptops. If not on the m17x atleast on the m15x. Imagine how much more versatile the m15x would be with switchable graphics. As of now you are lucky to get 3 hours with the 9 cell battery. Imagine how much more useful the m15x would be if you could get 5 hours of battery time on integrated if you are just browsing the web.

If the m15x gets switchable graphics I may sell my i5-560 radiance display envy 14 and get that. Actually nevermind I wont the sound quality output from the jacks sucks compared to the beats audio and I am a music audiophile fanatic

 

Something in between M11x and M15x would be great. Basically something that is light, slim yet fast would hit the beauty spot. And for crying out loud, put a gigabit ethernet port on it!

I bought my M15x, but its simply too heavy to lug around long distances, Im eyeing on the mbp SB refresh, but this upcoming laptop may yet change my mind!

 

Wish they make a 15x under 7.5lbs (with battery)
Wide screen, 2nd HD
& a USB 3.0 would be nice

 

I know Joker heard about an M14x, I still think (and hope) for an M13x though at some point, it fits in better with the line up and seems to be what the market is after these days. Joker, do you think that maybe the source was throwing out a slight red herring at all? With the M15x it just seems hard to imagine an M14x instead of an M13x...

 

i think the m13-14x is right don't forget that if alienware makes a m13x it will look like a m14x so it's likely a m13x but joker's contact seen it as too big for a m13x

 

I think there are 2 scenarios here in my opinion:

1- They make an M13x, and that way they would have a difference of 2 inches between each of their models and the next.

2- They make an M14x, abandon the M15x, and they would have a difference of 3 inches between each of their models.

In any case, I hope Alienware will treat us to a great refresh!

As for me, I only care about the M17x, counting the hours till CES, hope it won't be a letdown

 

I would love an M13x.

 

I thought about the demise of the M15x as well in favor of a lighter, more powerful M14x. All this is speculation of course, the only confirmed news is an R-3 M17x... but it would be nice if they surprised everyone.

 

About the speakers:
I don't really see the value of having great speakers on a sub 15'' gaming laptop. We all use headphones for gaming anyway! I use headphones all the time because I don't want to disturb the people around me. With all the crammed hardware in a sub 15'' laptop I don't think AW will bother to fit XPS quality speakers in the rumored "M13x".

 

We all don't just use our notebooks for gaming though.

When watching movies in a group larger than one good speakers are a boon.

 

Agreed. My girlfriend wanted a G73 until we went to Best Buy and saw one in person. She ended up buying my M17x-R2 from me.

 

Hmmm.

The Vaio Z, even though it's a 13'' is actually smaller in most ways, compared to M11x which is a 11''.
I get what you are saying, but I think that laptops with very small bezels, is often an indicator of less solid build quality. I would personally not want a laptop with a flimsy lid that feels like its about to snap when I open it.


A Macbook Pro 13 is what a M13x should aim to be. That would be considerable smaller than something like Envy 14 or a AW 14. I think 14 is too close to 15.


And to pack all that power of M15x in? Wouldnt that mean more big footprint and silly little battery life.
I want a M11x with a decent screen and decent hinges and CPU. I do not want a cramped M15x.
But that's because I am all about mobile light gaming, like M11x, and not about the desktop replacenment gaming of M15 and M17x.


Since we're talking about a rumored mix of those two worlds, it's understandable how we divide down the middle. All I know is, that M11x's house casing could hold a 12'' display without having a small fragile bezel. A 13.1'' though like Vaio Z?

 

Yes, there are times where it would just be nice to have speakers on at least the M15x/M17x that put out some bass...

Alienware-love... it's a beautiful thing

This makes SO much sense it hurts.... I really hope they release an M13x....

 

Ive read that an announcement may be made on January 6th which would be fantastic. The source points towards m17 r3 with sandy bridge, bigger and better graphics and processors with 120hz 3d capable screen.

This seems very plausible......but could be just a punt. If jan 6th is announcement day....when could launch day be! Do alienware usually have a clearance sale prior to new launches or simply switch over? There could be a clue here....

 

Rumor is late 2011 sandy bridge successor will be out with Double the on board processor for Graphics. I got an r2 because I feel I can skip the r3 and get an R4 I also read a few reviews that the 6XXX mobile gps are just slightly overclocked 5x series. A 3d screen would be sweet but I dont want to see the price on the option. It does look good though. unless it absolutely BLOWS my r2 away Ill be keeping mine. If it does, Ill be upgrading.

 

well looking forward to see what next week brings

 

So I paid $2400 shipped on my R2 with the specs on my sig. That's supposedly with $850 off. I choked yesterday and started the return process because I couldn't bare the idea of having R3 out just weeks after getting my R2. Here's the dilemma, they offered 100, and then $200 refund for me to keep the R2! That's a whopping $1050 off! That's more than 1/3 off! What would you guys do? I have 10 days on the shipping label. I like what 5abivt is saying about just hang on to the R2 and waiting for R4, or at least waiting 'til R3 is refined... but by then R4 will be around the corner. *sigh* For the longest time I was stuck on wanting USB 3.0 and SATA III, but I don't think I use USB that much anyway, and I think SSD SATA II is fast enough as far as I'm concerned. For as long as I don't experience SATA III anyway. Worst case scenario, I can sell R2 at what ever the going price is and be at peace with the fact that I got 1050 off so it offsets the loss from reselling. Anyway, done rambling. Opinions?

 

I like your last option of taking the money and then selling it if the R3 ends up being all that. If it doesn't then you've got yourself a great rig at a great price.

 

I recommend waiting. When the R3 is announced... the price of R2 will plummet. No one wants a old version. You will easily get your current config for the same price once R3 is announced.

CES is one week away... just wait until then and decide.

 

The R1 prices didn't fall all that fast, a heck of a deal to pass up. Worse case you have one of the top systems by any standards for a sweet price. Unless you are one of those that just has to have the very bleeding edge. That case wait for the R3 then you get to have all the R&D fun getting the bugs out.. The R2 is pretty darn stable now.

 

I kinda disagree. I mean I had an xps with the 7900gtx right when it came out and then upgraded to the m15x with the 8800gtx back in Feb of 2008. Some of the people that didn't wait bought XPS with 8700's or 8700s in SLI and it was trounced by the single 8800gtx. Gaming laptops aren't very "future proof" and are a bigger investment right out of the gate compared to desktop counterparts. With new GPU's right around the corner, I would wait. If someone is buying a 17x R2 with RGB and CF 5870's for 2200-3500 bucks then I don't think it should be unreasonable to wait and see the specs and pricing of the new ones in about a few weeks. Earlier is rarely a better time to buy technology. As new technology comes out, previous technology gets drastically cheaper.

Some people think the CPU's may not be as manipulated by what I read on the forums, but most people don't OC or buy the top end CPU anyway. Plus, the SB CPU's will be more powerful than all the current ones maybe minus the current extreme. However, we all know the GPU is what counts most.

 

"The R2 is pretty darn stable now."

so its better to wait 6 months to see if the R3
will solve most of its issues, not all before we buy

 

Just found this thread, days before CES...

Looks like an Alienware laptop is on my short list if they deliver an M13x or a M14x next year. It really depends on the weight since all current Alienware laptops have been too heavy for my taste. The M11x is just not powerfull enough and the M15x is too big and too heavy. These new rumoured M14x and/or M13x might fit the bill.

According to CNET, OEM's can't go public with dual core SB laptops until mid-February. A quad-core in a 13" laptop is unlikely, so they will either just refresh the M15x (and M17x) or they will show the rumoured M14x model that will replace the M15x.

 

Joker's sources are usually on target, so we should see some kind of M13x/M14x announced if not actually displayed in some prototype form. The R-3 M17x will certainly be at CES.

 

Plus mid-feb is usually around the time in which the laptops will get into consumer's hands after a January CES announcement.

 

Late year, alienware put the m11x on sale immediately after CES.

 

i hope they have some kinda m15x revision to include SB as well. i've been holding out on getting a m15x due to this rumors, hope its not a waste of time

 

I have the game and I've played it in Ultra with everything turned on to the max and I still get around 40 fps out of combat. When in combat with about almost maxed army of 3 or 4 other players/AI it drops to around 20ish still playable in my opinion. But if you want more fps you can drop it to high and get around 40 fps even if in combat. If you try to watch 8 AIs go at it at ultra out of combat its still around the high 30 fps and around low 20s in combat.

PS I have not done any overclocking or anything so if actually do so I'm sure the performance can be better, if the FPS is somewhat low for your taste.

 

lol, my mind blanked out for a moment, and I was gonna ask, "your m11x does WHAT!? "


, luckily, I snapped back to reality.