Alienware M17 vs Alienware/Dell M17x - A Detailed Features Only Comparison

Whenever I purchase a new product I do a detailed features comparison to determine what I want/need vs. what I can get. Here is my observations of the similarities/differences between the Alienware M17 and the Alienware/Dell All Powerful M17x.

This intended to be an unbiased look at simply the features/specs of these two systems. I've included in red observations from across this forum.

Opinions/suggestions for changes to this thread are certainly welcome.

Hopefully this helps someone make an informed decision on which of these two awesome machine fits into what they personally need/want/desire.

Also see my M17x vx M15x Comparison.

Alienware M17:
Chassis: Skullcap:

Ripley:

(Both have “Rubbery” Feel to them which is Quite nice (kind of feels like what you would expect Batmans suit to feel like))

• Height: 1.7”
• Width: 15.65”
• Depth: 11.80”
• Weight: 9.5 lbs

​

Processor (All Monteniva Intel Chips, not OCable in BIOS without flashing to non-AW BIOS, and then Extreme chips only (reflash to original AW BIOS before shipping in for repair). To OC any processor you can use setFSB):

Dual Core Options:​

• Intel® Core™2 P8400 2.26GHz (3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
• Intel® Core™2 P8600 2.4GHz (3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
• Intel® Core™2 T9600 2.8GHz (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
• Intel® Core™2 Extreme X9100 3.06GHz (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)

​

Quad Core Options: (Not Recommended due to yet unresolved Stuttering issues)​

• Intel® Core™2 Quad Q9000 2.00GHz (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
• Intel® Core™2 Extreme Quad QX9300 2.53GHz (12MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)

​

Memory: 2 dedicated SO-DIMM slots for Dual Channel DDR3 Memory up to 8GB

• 2GB DDR3 @ 1066MHz (2 x 1GB Chips)
• 3GB DDR3 @ 1066MHz (1 x 1GB Chip, 1 x 2GB Chip)
• 4GB DDR3 @ 1066MHz (2 x 2GB Chips)
• 8GB DDR3 @ 1066MHz (2 x 4GB Chips)

​

Chipset: Intel® PM45 + ICH9M-E Chipset

Video: MXM 2.1b (All ATI Cards, and Note: No included integrated graphics)

• Single GPU ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3870
• Dual GPU ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3870 – CrossfireX Enabled!
• Dual GPU ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4850 – CrossfireX Enabled! (New, long awaited addition to the M17 Graphics card lineup, and a big boost in graphics performance! Probably the last upgrade the M17 will see, however as far as video cards)

​

LCD Panel:

• 17-inch Widescreen WUXGA 1920 x 1200 (1200p) with Clearview
• 17-inch Widescreen WXGA+ 1440 x 900 (900p)

​

Audio: (Note: digital volume control wheel on right hand side)

• High-Definition Digital Audio
• Integrated 4 Channel Support
• Up to 7.1 Support Through Digital Out
• Two Speakers with Subwoofer

Connectivity
​

• 1 Auto-Sensing Headphone Jack
• 1 Auto-Sensing Microphone Jack
• 1 TOSlink Digital Out Optical Audio

​

Peripherals ports:

• 3 Hi-speed USB 2.0 ports
• 1 eSATA/USB 2.0 Combo (2-in-1 port) (makes for 4USB Ports or 3 USB & 1 eSATA)
• ExpressCard Slot (ExpressCard54/34)
• IEEE 1394a (4-pin) port (Firewire Port)
• 7-in-1 Media Card Reader (SD/MS/MSPRO/RS-MMC/MMC)

​

Hard Drives:

Single Drive Configuration: (Second Hard Drive Caddy already installed regardless, no need to order additional hardware to install a second drive)​

• 160GB 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection (Seagate 7200.4)
• 250GB 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection (Seagate 7200.4)
• 320GB 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection (Seagate 7200.4)
• 500GB 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection (Seagate 7200.4)
• 128GB Solid State Drive (Samsung)
• 256GB Solid State Drive (Samsung)

​

RAID 1 Configuration (Secondary Drive is Backup of Drive 1)​

• 250GB (250GB x 2) 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
• 500GB (500GB x 2) 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection

​

RAID 0 Configuration (Data Split Between Two Drives for Faster Performance)​

• 256GB (128GB x 2) Solid State Drive (Samsung)
• 512GB (256GB x 2) Solid State Drive (Samsung)
• 1TB (500GB x 2) 7,200RPM (16MB Cache) w/Free Fall Protection

​

Optical Drives:

• 8x Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
• 8x Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW) w/ LightScribe Technology
• Dual Layer Blu-ray Disc Reader (BD-ROM, DVD±RW, CD-RW)

​

Wireless Connectivity:

Wireless LAN Card:​

• Internal Wireless b/g (Full Mini-Card) (Broadcom)
• Internal Intel WiFi Link 5300 a/b/g/Draft-N

​

• Integrated Bluetooth 2.1

Wired Connectivity:

• Integrated Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 (1000 Mbps)

​

TV Tuner: (Internal TV Tuner with Coaxial Connection on the outside of the Chassis. No need to tie up your ExpressCard slot with the internal tuner installed)

• Internal Digital / Analog (ATSC) TV Tuner with Adapter
• Internal Digital / Analog (ATSC) MiniCard TV Tuner With Media Center Remote Control:
• Internal Digital / Analog (ATSC) TV Tuner with Adapter and ExpressCard Media Remote Control

​

Operating System:

• Windows Vista® Home Premium 32-Bit
• Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-Bit
• Windows Vista® Ultimate 32-Bit
• Windows Vista® Ultimate 64-Bit

​

Security:

• AlienSense Facial Recognition Software
• Biometric Fingerprint Reader
• 1 Kensington Lock Slot

​

Keyboard and Touchpad: (Keyboard is slightly less then Full Sized (Numpad “Scrunched”)

• Full Size Keyboard with Separate Numeric Keypad
• Full Size Illuminated Keyboard with Separate Numeric Keypad (Only Three Colors)

​

• Astral Blue
• Fusion Red
• Terra Green

​

• Full Size Touchpad with Scroll Functionality
• Instant Access Buttons include:

​

• Internet
• Email
• Windows Media Player
• Power DVD
• Play/Pause
• Skip Forward
• Skip Backward

​

Battery: 12 Cell Lithium-ION Battery (Approx. 1 ½ - 2 hours life on Balanced Power Profile – Don’t try gaming on battery)

Webcam: 2.0 Megapixel Webcam with Vertical Tilt (Camera tilts separate from lid angle)


Alienware/Dell M17x:

Chassis: All are Anodized Aluminum (susceptible to fingerprints? Easily Scratched off)
Space Black:

Lunar Silver:

Nebula Red:

• Height: 2.11” (Thicker than M17)
• Width: 15.98” (Slightly Wider than M17)
• Depth: 12.65” (Deeper than M17)
• Weight: “Starting at” 11.68 lbs (Heavier than M17)

​

Processor (All Monteniva Intel Chips, all Processors OCable, Extreme chips have unlocked multipliers, others can OC with FSB increases in BIOS):

Dual Core Options: (NOTE: No Extreme Dual Core Options)​

• Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo P8600 (3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
• Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo P8700 (3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
• Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo T9600 (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
• Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo T9800 (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)

​

Quad Core Options: (No issues reported to date with any of these)​

• Intel® CoreTM 2 Quad Q9000, (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
• Intel® CoreTM 2 Quad Q9100 (12MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
• Intel® CoreTM 2 Extreme Quad QX9300 (12MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)

​

Memory: 2 dedicated SO-DIMM slots for Dual Channel DDR3 Memory up to 8GB

• 
  (Note: No 3GB Option)
• 4GB DDR3 @ 1066MHz (2 x 2GB Chips)
• 6GB DDR3 @ 1066MHz (1 x 4GB, 1 x 2GB Chips)
• 8GB DDR3 @ 1066MHz (2 x 4GB Chips)
• 4GB DDR3 @ 1333MHz (2 x 2GB Chips) (Note: 1333MHz not available on M17)
• 6GB DDR3 @ 1333MHz (1 x 4GB, 1 x 2GB Chips) (Note: 1333MHz not available on M17)
• 8GB DDR3 @ 1333MHz (2 x 4GB Chips) (Note: 1333MHz not available on M17)

​

(Note: Debate is still ongoing as to whether or not 1333MHz Memory increases performance)

Chipset: MCP79 SLI

Video: MXM 3.0b (All nVidia Cards (Potential for upgrades in the future) and M17x also has integrated graphics which can be switched to on the fly, M17 does not (hence the longer battery life of the M17x))

• Single 1GB GDDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M
• SLI(TM) Dual 1GB GDDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M
• SLI(TM) Dual 1GB GDDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 280M
• CrossfireX(TM) Dual GDDR3??(FAIL!) ATI Mobility® Radeon® HD4870

​

LCD Panel: (Dual CCFL backlit, 8ms response, 400 nit Brightness, and built in, unchangeable Auto-Dimming "feature")

• 17-inch Widescreen WUXGA 1920 x 1200 (1200p) TrueLife(TM) (Samsung Model LTN170CT11)
• 17-inch Widescreen WXGA+ 1440 x 900 (900p) TrueLife(TM)

​

Audio: (Note: Volume control on touchpad)

• Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
• (Note: No Digital Audio Out, only Analog 5.1 not Digital 7.1)
• Two Built in Front Speakers (Note: No Subwoofer (Most say “big deal”)

​

Connectivity (Note: More 3.5mm Audio Out Connections for 5.1 Speakers)
​

• Front Speakers Audio Out Connector / Headphone Jack
• Center Speaker and Subwoofer Audio Out Connector / Headphone Jack
• Rear Surround Audio Out Connector
• Audio In / Microphone Jack

​

Peripherals ports:

• 4 Hi-speed USB 2.0 ports (Note: 1 extra USB Port from M17)
• 1 eSATA/USB 2.0 Combo (2-in-1 port) with PowerShare (Total 5 USB or 4 USB & 1 eSATA Ports)
• IEEE 1394a (4-pin) port (Firewire Port)
• ExpressCard Slot (ExpressCard54/34)
• DisplayPort (Note: M17 does not have DisplayPort which is a newer Video Port Design)
• HDMI, VGA - Video Output
• Built-In 8-in-1 Media Card Reader (SD/SDHC/SDIO/MMC/MS/MS Pro/xD/SDHD) (Same as M17 except adds xD)

​

Hard Drives:

Single Drive Configuration: (If ordered with only a single drive, you will need to call to get Dell to order the Second Hard Drive Caddy kit)​

• (Note: no 160GB Option)
• 250GB 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection (Seagate 7200.4)
• 320GB 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection (Seagate 7200.4)
• 500GB 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection (Seagate 7200.4)
• (Note: no 128GB SSD Option)
• 256GB Solid State Drive (Samsung)

​

RAID 1 Configuration (Secondary Drive is Backup of Drive 1)​

• (Note: 256GB Option Replaced with 320GB Option for M17x)
• 320GB (160GB x 2) 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
• 500GB (500GB x 2) 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection

​

RAID 0 Configuration (Data Split Between Two Drives for Faster Performance)​

• (Note: 256GB Option Replaced with 320GB Option for M17x)
• 320GB (160GB x 2) 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
• 640GB (320GB x 2) 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection (M17x Only)
• 1TB (500GB x 2) 7,200RPM (16MB Cache) w/Free Fall Protection
• 512GB (256GB x 2) Solid State Drive (Samsung)

​

Optical Drives: (Slot Loaded Design Instead of Tray Loaded Design (Slot-Loaded Requires OS to be able to Eject, Tray-Loaded has paperclip manual eject hole))

• Slot Loaded 8x Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
• (Note: no Lightscribe Option)
• Slot Loaded Dual Layer Blu-ray Disc Reader (BD-ROM, DVD±RW, CD-RW)
• Slot Loaded Dual Layer Blu-ray Disc Burner (BD-ROM, DVD±RW, CD-RW) (Not available on M17)

​

Wireless Connectivity:

• (Note: no a/b/g Only Option)
• Wireless LAN Card: Internal Wireless a/g/draft-n with MIMO (2x2) Technology (Broadcom BCM4322)
• Integrated Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR

​

Wired Connectivity:

• Integrated Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 (1000 Mbps)

​

TV Tuner: (Note: No Integrated TV Tuner Option)

• ExpressCard Digital TV Tuner, TV Tuner with Remote (This takes up your ExpressCard Slot)

​

Operating System: (No 32-Bit Option (Probably for the best anyway))

• Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-Bit
• Windows Vista® Ultimate 64-Bit

​

Security:

• AlienSense Facial Recognition Software
  [*](NOTE: No Fingerprint Reader)
• 1 Kensington Lock Slot

​

Keyboard and Touchpad: (Note: No Non-Illuminated Keyboard Option, but you can turn the lights off)

• AlienFX(TM) Full Size Illuminated Keyboard with Separate Numeric Keypad (Multitude of Colors!!)
• (Note: this is a TRUE fullsized keyboard as opposed to M17 slightly less then fullsized)
• Full Size Touchpad (Note: Also has scroll functionality (Thanks Taomyn))

​

Instant Access Buttons include: ​

• Eject
• Previous Track
• Play/Pause
• Next Track
• Volume Down/Up
• Wireless On/Off
• Command Center (Launches the AW Command Center)
• Stealth Mode On/Off(Swap between integrated and discreet graphics)

​

Battery: 9 Cell Lithium-ION Battery (Approx. 3 hours life on Integrated graphics – Don’t try gaming on battery)

Webcam: 2.0 Megapixel Webcam (Note: Camera does not tilt separate from Lid Angle)
Personalized Plaque (Note: M17 does not come with the plaque on the bottom)

 

awesome comparison

+rep

 

Touch Buttons: (left to right)

Eject, Previous track, Play/Pause, Next Track, Volume down, Volume up, Wi-fi on/off, Stealth mode on/off.

As far as I know, the M17x does now ship with the second drive caddy installed.

 

Thanks, updated the list.

Interesting, ok, can anyone who's received their M17x recently and not specifically asked for a second HDD caddy had the caddy ship with their system anyway?

-Edit- Yikes, 400 Posts...I need a new Hobby!

 

You are doing better than me, I aint even been here a month and I'll hit 400 by end of weekend haha

 

The HDD Cady is actually a rip off in a way. It should come standard with both cady...

How much do they charge you for the HDD cady? Anyone knows?

 

wow. Awesome!

+rep!

 

Sorry, forgot one. Command Center access is between wi-fi and Stealth mode.

 

Can anyone here confirm that the second caddy is installed? I will likely be purchasing an M17x soon and I need to know what I will have to do to use my old 500GB HD in there....

 

Fixed. What about the chipset for the M17x? and do I have the MXM slot right for both the M17 and M17x? M17=2.1b, M17x=3.0?

 

Also, you don't NEED the OS running in order to use the eject touch button. I've been able to press it at various stages of system operation, from BIOS to Windows boot, and it always triggers the eject mechanism on the drive.

 

Well I was only going by problems Clauss had there when he unraided and couldn't get his CD out without using a dumbed down version of Linux on a bootstick.

 

mcp79 sli is chipset

and you do have the mxm slots right, only thing is maybe it is 3.0 a for the m17x? Not 100% on this though

And about the eject button, even though the casing does not show a physical eject button, the drives should have them, so this touch button must just interface to that physical button somehow

 

It's no big deal, I think his problem with that was just a one-off. However, some people have had issues with the buttons not being sensitive enough.

 

the m17x is mxm 3.0 b

 

Got it, so now I'm down to what size ExpressCard Slot 32 or 54 in the M17x, and what are the 8 Media Cards it accepts?

 

It's ExpressCard 54/34. It supports both size cards.

Media cards supported:
Secure Digital (SD)
Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC)
Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO)
Multi Media Card (MMC)
Memory Stick
Memory Stick PRO
xD-Picture Card (type - M and type - H)
Hi Density SD (SDHD)

As pulled from the detailed specifications PDF.

 

Updated, thanks.

 

nice and the information is correct

 

just 2 questions ....

6GB DDR3 @ 1333MHz (2 x 3GB Chips) ???? it is like this or more like 4gb+2gb?

Haw are The SSD's that alienware use on the m17x???

 

the SSDs are samsung which are great drives

 

results vary....

 

and the ram options of 6 gb ?

i know the performance of the samsung SSD's... i think Alienware should let the client decide some more things like....

More SSD's options... option thermal-compound like MX3, ICD7 or ICD 24 etc...
Cryo base has optional etc... IMO i repeat

 

they use standardized parts so they get built quicker

 

Haha yeah, fixed it thanks.

 

Added some updated info to the Wireless Cards.

Thanks scook9 and kqmaverick

 

snook9?!

feel free to edit that haha

 

Ma bad!!
10char

 

its aight

 

The M17 still says it has 2x 3GB modules, Guess it has to be changed aswell.
Nice thread Marv!

 

Ahh nice catch, there is no 6GB option for the M17 (least not on the US site), but there is a 2GB option which was missing, thanks.

 

25% discount?!?! Proof? I worked at MicroCenter and never heard of anything that dramatic, EVER

 

The m17x also has hdmi and vga video outputs

 

Its in there

 

This Sucks
Quad Core Options: (Not Recommended due to yet unresolved Stuttering issues)

Should we downgrade ?

 

It is a Sale just for Today
On there Paterson NJ branch

 

Could someone tell me what's the best CPU for M17:
Q9000, x9100, T9900, T9600, T9800, P9700, P9800 or other, for price less then $400 in US.(May not be OEM)
Are there really problems with quads?

 

x9100 if you're going to flash the OCZ BIOS onto your M17. T9900 if you're not going to. (My recommendation)


And I wish there were such a thing as the P9800.

 

Ups my mistake!
So after flashing bios, there will be no problems with heating, shuttering, etc?
And the best choice for the price/performance is x9100?
What about quads, q9000, q9100, q9200?!
And what is the deal with China/Taiwan cpu sellers on ebay, if the ship to US, should I pay extra taxes and duty for the cpu?! Do anyone know?
Thanks.

 

Updated info on M17x 2nd Hard Drive Caddy.

 

added to the M17x sticky....under great debates. good job Marvie...

 

Is this comment aimed at the M17 or M17x? Because my M17x does have scroll.

 

so does the m17

 

Very Nice Comparison I Like it.

 

hmm M17x has the power to slam everyone in the face starting at 12lb.

 

It was aimed at the M17x because it wasn't advertised with scroll functionality on the touchpad. If it does have scroll capabilities that is not advertised, I will remove that note, thanks!

 

just got mine no hard drive caddy mine made on the 27th of july

 

called tech support they sent me one at no charge

 

Edited the M17x LCD to include text about the Auto-Dim feature (LOL).

 

I received mine yesterday and also without drive mounting kit. I will call for it today.