Alienware New Model Speculation Thread

ATIs current generation GPUs get a higher percentage of the second's GPU performance.

So:

1x GTX = 100%
1x HD = 95%

SLI = 80%
Xfire = 85%

2x GTX = 180%
2x HD = 181%

 

Even without Crossfire 5% advantage you mentioned both cards are on par with each other , people who say GTX485m is faster are out of touch



(in the 1080p all games test there was half a frame different only overall, pay +700$ for extra half a frame?......
And that's without latest ati 11.4 drivers which offered massive performance boost.

People who want nvidia should wait for GTX580m I'd say (it's not like dell offering GTX485m now anyway)

If you want nvidia it should be for 3D/Physx or so not raw gaming power because both are equal.

link to the 1080p+maxed out+4xAA chart http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/graph4223/36016.png

 

First time you've ever been able to say that, hat

 

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Maybe a better sound card if I read it right.

I'm glad it seems to have hdmi input at least. Wish they gave the option of 120hz screen/3d would have been the ultimate laptop.

 

BlazeGaj can you plz copy the text here or maybe post an image of the page because for some reason I can't access it !

edit: nevermind worked eventually

 

Wish the M14x had a HDMI input. Would have made it my perfect laptop. Ah well, I'm still considering it (I'll probably end up getting an extra monitor for it too, 14" isn't exactly big)

Still considering the M17x, but the size and weight seem a little too much for taking around uni. That, and the fact that Optimus isn't supported with the 120Hz screen...

 

I think you might want to re-read your post.

If you meant that it was lighter than the m15x then that is very poorly worded and if you mean that it is lighter than other 14'' notebooks it is just plain wrong.

No, but being thicker and deeper than even most 15'' notebooks, in addition to being heavier, does.

 

Okay, yeah, I can see what you mean now I look back over it, it's easy to misinterpret what I originally meant. My apologies. I did mean that it was several pounds lighter than the M15x.

All in one's opinion. Thickness makes no difference to me. Depth is not big enough a difference for me to care. As for the weight, I think it's great for a 14" gaming machine.

Still, to each their own. If you think it's too big and heavy to be considered a 14" notebook, then fair enough.

 

Have to agree with you, in terms of the weight, yes it is more heavy when compared to other 14inch laptops, but it is still not a heavy machine. 6 odd lbs is not heavy to carry around.

 

Yah but those other 15" notebooks don't have a 2nd gen i7 and a 555m gtx video card inside either. I understand what abaddon is saying, but for a pretty capable gaming notebook(I know the GT555m can actually OC to 460m performance) it's quite impressive. I'd rather have a slight bulk if that means I can have a 2820qm and GT555m in a small package. I'd also like to see 3d capable(external monitor) and wireless display technology with this pc as well. What would be nice is if these models had the supreme JBL high fidelity speaker system in these gaming models rather than only on the XPS line. With the M14x that may be impossible, but I would like to see it on the m18x. If they did it on the m14x I'd be sold.

I mean think about it, I would gladly pay a hefty premium for a decent sound system on these laptops. It would make it so much better.

 

This is interesting, m17x R2 and m18x almost have identical dimensions

M18X R1 Dimensions: 17.1 x 12.68 x 2.1 (11.9 lb)
M17X R2 Dimensions: 16.0 x 12.65 x 2.1 (11.8 lb)
M15X R2 Dimensions: 14.8 x 12.2 x 1.92 9 POUNDS
M17X R3 Dimensions: 16.1 x 11.96 x 1.77 9.39 POUNDS

Identical Thickness, height and weight !
it's just a little wider by an inch ! (think widescreen~)

If you are perfectly happy with M17X R2 size right now the 18x wont feel bigger (pretty much m17x r2 with less bezel to fit bigger screen?) that extra inch allowed them to add the macro keys too.

 

It might not have the JBL system used on the XPS line but it still has high quality speakers (I believe the company is called Klipsch? Something like that) which should make it superior to standard notebook speakers. Makes no difference to me, I use my headset all the time, but it's nice that they include decent speakers.

It should definitely be 3D capable on an external monitor, it has an nVidia GPU after all. All you need is the 3D capable monitor, and the nVidia 3D vision kit.

Because this thing is so 'thick and heavy' it should have a pretty powerful cooling system inside; maybe we'll be able to overclock the 555M as you say. However, it is still both CPU and GPU on a single fan, and with a full power CPU, might not be possible.

 

I'm about to call Dell and cancel my R3 order, the M18X is just too appealing, I just hope the release date of 4/21 is true, I've already waited and been without a laptop for too long !

 

Ahah! Actually no, it has happen a couple of time. But funny enough when our dollar is worth more than yours, our economy slows down (because US doesn't buy as much from us) thus bringing the CAD back below the USD.

Well to my knowledge most 15" notebooks have integrated graphics, i3 or i5 at most and a 6 cell battery, along with a 1366*768 res, yes the laptop is thicker but it also has more power and a much more efficient cooling system.

Eh, you know you want to!

 

I would hope it would be a lot lighter than the m15x.

It may not make a difference to you, or even me. That is not the point. The point is that it is more comparable in size and weight to 15.6'' notebooks than it is to 14'' notebooks.

There are 15.6'' notebooks with last-gen i7s and comparable graphcis that the m14x is very close in size to. Take the MSI GX640. It comes with an ATI5850, basically the same performance as the GT555m, and measures 14.1'' (W) x 10.24'' (D) x 1.06-1.22'' (H) and weighs slightly under 6 pounds. It may be slightly wider than the m14x but they have the same depth and it is thinner and lighter.

With current-gen i7s you have the XPS 15 and dv6 which both offer graphics almost as good and are of comparable size.

dv6
14.88" (W) x 9.71" (D) x 1.23-1.39" (H)
5.53lbs

XPS 15
15'' (W) x 10.4'' (D) x 1.3-1.5'' (H)
5.96lbs

And with a current-gen processor and better graphics there is the Clevo P151HM1.

14.80" (W) x 10.08" (D) x 1.31-1.69" (H)
6.83lbs

Then there are other upcoming 14'' notebooks with graphics almost as good that are way lighter and slightly smaller like TimelineX 4830TG (GT540m) and dv4 (ATI6750).

My point is basically that at this size and weight the m14x can basically be considered a 15.6'' notebook and there are 15.6'' notebooks with comparable size, weight and performance available so it is not anything special in that regard. I am willing to admit that it is intriguing because of the form factor and power it offers but it is not anything amazingly different like the m11x or Vaio Z were/are.

 

Thankyou - that is exactly the information I've been looking for, no heavier than my current M17x which is about my limit - carried it away from home for 168 days last year across 4 continents and about 100 different hotels...

Even better, it will still fit in my rucksack as the width is the only bit that isn't tight.

 

Like I said, I wouldn't be surprised if Alienware shifted their lineup around a bit

M11xR2 -> M11xR3
M15 High End -> M17xR3
M17xR2 -> M18x

So I wonder if the M15 Lower End became the M14x? It's odd that the M15x hasn't received a refresh or change, and the m14x is awfully close to what the m15x does

 

You welcome what is your job though, 100 different hotels is crazy XD

 

The M15x will disappear soon. It has been pulled from dell's site across several country and right now you can't even order one with a 460M or a 5850..
Sadly the end is near!

 

Hi guys, I'm new here, but not new to this thread. I've read the whole
thing. I am not a previous AW owner. I own an Asus. I like it, but my
next laptop will be an AW. I AM NOT a hardcore gamer, but I'm a tech
junkie. I do play WoW, SC2, and DA2.

Here's my question.......

I am looking at the m17x as a desktop replacement, and I was ready to pull
the trigger, but this I saw this on youtube a few moments ago:

YouTube - New Alienware M17x Commercial

I didn't think the m17x supported SLI. Is there an update of the m17x along
with the intro of the newer models on *hopefully* 4/21/11.

Right now, I like the 6970m GPU for the m17x r3....

Anyway, that's it... My first post to this amazing forum!

-Birdmanicus

**EDIT
Maybe that link is to the original m17x? I don't know much about the previous
models... Anyway, any clarification is appreciated.

 

What Else!!!

 

The R3 doesn't support SLI or Crossfire. The M18x will..!
Though the 6970 is a hell of a performer, you are gonna enjoy it even if it doesn't have a twin!

Correct me if I'm wrong but this commercial looks like to be for the M17x R1...

 

That's what I'm hoping for.... I am a big Diablo fan, and I hope that when
it finally comes out, I can just take it on the go with this new laptop.

Funny thing... I came here strictly for information on the new M11x r3, then
I progressed to the m14x, and now I've settled on the m17x r3. The m18x
looks amazing, but I fear that one will be out of my $2200 max laptop
budget.

And yes, I think you're right... That has to be an earlier commercial.

Thanks!

-Birdmanicus

 

Wait, there's no 3D on the 485m SLI?

 

Okay, this is going to get a little bit confusing...there are a LOT of different M17x models.

Several years ago, they had the area-51 m17x, which looked completely different from the current one. Then there was the M17, which also looked completely different. Then they released the "All-Powerful M17x", now known as the M17x R1 ('R1' for first revision), which also featured the design seen on all the current Alienware notebooks. They then updated it with the first gen i7 processors, in the M17x R2.

All of the above supported at least one form of SLi/Crossfire.

The current M17x, the M17x R3, was a major update to it. They completely changed the machine. And this time around it only has one GPU slot: no SLi or Crossfire.

If you want SLi or Crossfire you have to go with the M18x, which will soon be released.

It'll support 3D but unlike the M17x R3 there's no internal 3D display, you have to use an external monitor for that.

 

Apparently the only way of getting 3d through the M18x will be via an external 3d capable display

 

Anyone have a guess as to how long it will be untill its for sale?

 

Soon, the websites are pretty much ready..
M18x
M14x
M11x R3

Btw: Lol at the fake review of the M14x This lucky dude got a 1080p screen!

 

Yeah that's fine, I have a TV for that (it's 3D, has glasses, all that, and supported by nvidia), I just got worried that 3D didn't work in SLI for some reason, and that's the main reason I've been waiting this long to get my next AW.

Does xfire do 3d out onto external displays (specifically a vizio TV)? Because that's the main reason I'm still sticking to nvidia at this point, but the cost difference for performance is becoming less and less appealing...

 

Both 485m SLI and 6970 Xfire should be able to play 3d externally, I don't see a reason why it shouldn't work on a vizio tv.

 

Excellent!! Thanks a ton!

 

Unlike nVidia there's no official program for the 3D, however there are various drivers out there that should enable you to work 3D with XFire. iZ3D for example I believe is free to ATi customers and should work fine with the TV (I think...)

 

Yeah that's what concerns me, I'm all about poking and prodding and trying to figure it out until it works, but my skill level isn't quite that high enough to have confidence on this one since this is not a small purchase and neither was the tv. Last thing I want is to have several thousands worth of equipment sitting there unable to perform the function I got it for because they don't play well together...

I think I'm going to play it safe and go with nvidia this time around. Thanks for the info tho!

 

So I'm really torn here with what to do.

I needed a new gaming laptop that is also at least semi portable. The past 6 months I've been using an Envy 14 with that incredibly epic Radiance display.

As of last month, I placed a preorder with XoticPC for an Asus G53SW with the 2630 and 460m, a 1080p 95% color gamut upgraded display, dual SSDs, etc. I made some key upgrades to make the machine less of a "mass market" machine.

Now, having found out about the Alienware revisions, I'm questioning my purchase. I'm not sure which way to go. I game on my lap in bed, don't ask me how or why, I mostly play MMO's and it's just comfortable for me. I chose the G53SW primarily because the cooling system will allow me to get away with that (rear firing, drawing in air from the front).

My eye immediately drew to the m14x, but the video card is a downgrade from the 460m. The laptop is generously more sexy, but it's still a downgrade.

The m17x R3 I fear might be a bit too large, even though it's a slimmed down R2. BTW, I had the R2 for about 8 months. In that time, I moved out of my house and into an apartment, so I have a lot less room and rely mostly on smaller gaming machines now, so most likely the m18x is out.

Really unsure of what to do, price isn't really an issue. I just want the best machine for my purposes.

R3 owners, does it still "feel" like a 17 inch desktop replacement?

 

I made this a while ago


Yes m17x R3 is actually smaller than G53 due lower height.
It's only wider by 1cm which is less than half an inch

my old post http://forum.notebookreview.com/7078572-post666.html

 

Hey everyone,

I have been stalking NBR for years and finally decided to sign up at work.
HSN21, thats crazy, but thanks for the comparison.

I was looking to get the m14x to upgrade from my C2D macbook pro (15). I mostly use maya, zbrush, and gaming. I dont need a crazy quadro card. my tower at home has a gtx 260 and runs all my 3d apps just fine.

anyway, i was going to get the m14x but now the m17x looks smaller now... i would also be carrying it 3 days a week to work .

Decisions ...

 

If you'd still be mostly gaming on the desktop then you'd definitely be better off with the M14x. Much smaller and significantly lighter, and the GT555M isn't far off the 460M in the M17x (although if you spec'd the M17x with a 6970M, it would be a LOT more powerful).

 

From my understanding the 555m isn't really in the same league as the 460m. You pick the optimus series mostly for portability. Check out notebookcheck benchmarks.

 

Problem is there really aren't many game benchmarks out there for it. If you look at the 3DMark11 GPU benchmarks, it's 1467 for the 555M, and 1639 on the 460M, it's not really a significant difference.

Of course, that depends on your own definition of 'significant'.

It all depends on exactly how much power you want, as well as how much portability you want. If you want more portability, you have to sacrifice (some) power, it's that simple (even if smaller notebooks are catching up to their bigger cousins).

 

Im just excited about potentially using a computer that has a good cooling system. I hear that alienware has great cooling/ hence why its a bit thicker. But its well worth it. Even when they are blowing out heat are they still fairly cool, heck even warm, to the touch?

 

Just spoke to an alienware rep. Supposedly the M18X will be ready to order off the site next week. Cant wait to see!

 

Lighting Technician (Roadie), last year 'Muse' - Europe, Canada, America, Mexico, Australia. This year 'Take That'. Crazy but fun!

 

19th???

I want the m14x.....

 

I went to Muse Concerts at London (O2 Arena) for 2 days with friends and toke plenty of pictures there, Muse is crazy they travel to new country like every 2 days so that make sense, i wish if i had your job haha

 

Hopefully the m14x gets released the same time as the supposed date for the m18x... the next week or so.

I dont have much money but enough to throw at a new computer. I am depressed we are not seeing a pre-order page or anything.

 

dont forget the mighty m11x r3 !

 

21st is the speculative release date.

Judging from all 3 Dell webpages already in place, I assume all 3 will be launched at once

This is the most exciting time for laptop releases in years imo (at least for me)!

 

that would be my guess as well

 

Do I not order the M14x due to what you guys call an underpowered processor? What are your thoughts? I would get mine fully-loaded.

 

I've been set on the m11x r3 for like 6+ months now, but now they have released an m14x its going to be hard to choose.

i have a feeling that if i buy either one of the 2 now i will be for ever thinking... hmm should i have gotten the other one ?

Is there a big performance difference between m14x and m11x r3 ?