About to buy an m15x

Ok, so i decided to make the jump and get one of these machines for me. I just wanted to jump in here first and thank you guys for any help you guys may have given(granted i only posted one message on this site, but i read thru a lot of you reviews and just random postings)

but i just had one last question.

do you think this build is good or do you see anything i could do differantly to save a buck or two.

Im planning on going with:
*= question
-skullcap design
-15.4" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD (720p) with Clearview Technology
-512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8700M GT
*Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T8300 2.4GHz (3MB Cache 800MHz FSB)
*Windows Vista® Home Premium (64-bit Edition) with Service Pack 1
-2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz – 2 x 1024MB
-160GB 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
-8x Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
-AlienFX® Illuminated Keyboard – Exclusive Design
-AlienRespawn v2.0 Recovery DVD – Windows Vista® Edition
-Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 – Factory Installed!
-Additional Battery – 6-cell Smart Bay Battery

ok, so i think its a good build personally(dont plan on running everything on max settings, but is enough to get me by) but im not sure if some things would make it much better.
so first of all would it be worth upgrading the cpu from the 1 posted to the "Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz (6MB Cache 800MHz FSB)" or do u think the one posted is good.

second of all, with windows vista tbh im not even sure if i should run it or if i should just go back to windows xp with what seems to be M$FT trying to forget about vista or if vista ultimate would be just a better option. or should i just stick with home edition but then i dont even know if i should go with 64 bit or 32.

lol, im useless. but once again thanks for everything

 

Upgrade the graphics card for sure.

If you're gonna go with Alienware make sure to get top specs, if not, get a sager and max that out. Should be cheaper.

 

Yea i would upgrade the Graphics card, also i would bring the ram down to one gb it would be cheaper to upgrade it on your own and with the extra 150 bucks make your 2.4 processor a 2.5

 

Looks like a nice start...

As said before upgrade to the 9800M GT you will not be sorry you did, also if you can go for the T9300 CPU as it has more to offer. Even as far as moving up a step in the LCD cannot hurt to UXGA, add the ram and MS software later and use the money towards the build.

just mo

 

I'd say get Vista 64 Bit, a larger hard drive, and a better graphics card...the CPU is fine, but that couldnt hurt upgrading...and id leave it at 1gb of RAM. but if your gonna have a good GPU, then you need a good display so try 1920x1200.

 

so do you think the "512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 9800M GT" would get the job done graphics wise. and a 2.5 processor will be good?

 

That would be perfect. You MUST MUST MUST MUST get 1900x resolution!!!

 

Absolutely it will get it done, you say you will not be too heavy into gaming…but that could change later

EDIT---as ronnieb say's get the 1900 as well!

 

lol, i guess i will get the 1900x resolution. the only thing is on my current computer i never go past a res of 1280. but whatever if im gonna treat myself, treat myself good, right?

 

One of my black friends once said:

It's better to have it and not need it,
then to need it and not have it.

 

is the 1900x rly so much diffrent then the normal screen? i didnt order mine with it but i got the 9800 and the 2.5

 

the 1900 is not really required...if you were going to get a blu-ray drive it would be mandatory to see it in 1080p content, or full hi-def. some games dont support 1440x900 resolution and therefore result in 1280x1024 or 1280x1200, or 1280x800 resolution, which is quite nasty on a 17" screen. 1920x1200 is extremely sharp, but dont worry about the icons being too small, vista has done a nice job rendering the text and icons in proportion.
plus a 9800m gt can easily handle 1920x1200 res.
And a 2.5ghz cpu is not that much different than a 2.4ghz cpu, it wont really be a bottleneck. just make sure you get a bigger hard drive...it will probably be partitioned off 10gb or so, plus vista takes around 15gb and games these days with all the detail can take around 5-7gb average...nba 2k9 for me takes 7gb, fsx takes 15gb, its just crazy..and im running out of space on 2 200gig drives!

 

Its up to you, there are differences, better viewing angel and a lot more clarity with 1900, however sometimes it can seem that the icons, letters and such seem a bit small.

 

I would definitely go with the 1920x1200 display. After having seen it on my friend's Dell not only is it NOT "too small to read" as others have suggested but the clarity on the screen is absolutely amazing when compared to my current 1440x900. Other than that, the 1920x1200 on the m15x is a matte type display which is always a plus for me because I always work in bright areas and absolutely hate the glare that is produced by my glossy screens. It is up to you but I would definitely recommend the WUXGA screen.

 

one question about the ram. Ive never replaced the ram on a laptop before, is it essentially the same way you replace it on just a normal PC? Then would that void any warranty from AW if i did open it up? sorry im a noob, lol. just getting kinda excited about it.

i just think its funny when i 1st decided to get a laptop i was just gonna get some cheap $800 from best buy or suttn, now im spending in the 2.5-2.8k range

edit: and where would be the best place to get some ram for cheap? just newegg?

 

yeah get it from newegg where there is no tax and usually free shipping, you have to make sure it is compatible...
and replacing it is just replacing the RAM cover...pm me when you get it so i can tell u what RAM to get and how to replace it because you may remember to come back to this thread again.

 

lol, ive been coming to this thread for awhile now just searching for answers to random stuff. just never registered til just the other day. but chances are i'll order it tommorow. but once again, thanks for all ur help

edit: i'll send u a msg when i order the ram which prolly wont be til after i recieve the laptop

 

actually here:

4GB 2x2GB 800Mhz ram kits for the M15x

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...60381 1309221140 1309121118&name=4GB (2 x 2GB)


alienware official RAM replacement guide:

http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/alienware.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=5664


keep us updated, and ur welcome for the help!

 

thanks for the links there, and all the ones listed there on newegg will be compatible i take it?

one more Q since im here, im not sure if u will know the answer but i recall seeing it somewhere in the forums a couple weeks ago. But i guess the xbox live diamond card gives me a 6% discount on alienware? do you know how i would get that to work, like do i just call em and tell alienware i have it or do they send a cpn code to me also? i havent gotten the card yet, but it only costs $6.95 to get and it will save me about a $150. so why not, right?

edit: nvm, i found the thread about the diamond card
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=336962&page=2

 

yep, they are all compatible...id get this OCZ or this g skill:

ocz: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227251

g skill: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231156

its reliable, cheap, has good ratings, and low latencies....

yeah why not, but i am not aware of that, sorry...

 

once again, thanks for the help. Im prolly get the OCZ.

now the only problem is that im doing that xbox live thing and its making me wait 2-6 weeks before i can even use that card. so i guess ordering this laptop is gonna have to wait. If it would only save me like $20 id just order it right now and say screw it but as i said this card saves me like $150. For a kid in college working retail thats a lil much.(granted im buying this laptop for how much money, lol)

Edit: one more thing, lol: do you know if alienware does any programs where they see if any friends recommended you to the product? if so when i order the laptop i'll put in ur name or account number thing

 

your welcome for the help..and im sure that you won't be disappointed.
lol yeah just wait, as long as you're saving money, thats whats important.
nope dont know anything about that, but if there is an option for that, its appreciated. although, don't worry about it, receiving a thanks is all thats required.

 

Just put in the order for my M15x, final total came to $2600, only a thousand more than i thought i'd spend =P.But now to order the ram. out of the two you listed is either brand better than the other, to be honest i've never heard of either (havnt looked into computers lately i guess)

 

here's what you want:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148201

the stuff Dude55 recommended is 800mhz, which you can't utilize with the SR chipset. ergo, you're overpaying.

 

ok, sounds good. thanks

 

alright, i just got my M15x, its runing perfectly, installed the new 4gb of RAM and it went well. I just wanted to thank everyone for all your help

 

Enjoy it!