The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Alienware advice

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Big Tim, Nov 24, 2009.

  1. Big Tim

    Big Tim Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    16
    Messages:
    42
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Went into my local microcenter today and they have the following for $1709 before taxes.

    (Open Box) Alienware M17x - Black; Intel® Core(tm) 2 Quad Processor Q9000; 4GB DDR3 SDRAM; 500GB Hard Drive; Blu-ray/CD/DVD Combo Drive; 8-in-1 Media Card Reader; Dual NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M; 10/100/1000 Network; Internal Wireless a/g/draft-n with MIMO (2x2) Technology); Bluetooth® 2.1 + EDR; 17" Widescreen UXGA Display; Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit); Black

    Seems to be a good 1k off the MSRP. Should I jump on this or wait for an i7 refresh, or for that matter go M15x. Just looking for some additional opinions from those of you that own either. Ive done a fair amount of research both on the forums and elsewhere about both, so would just like more opinions since there are clearly pros/cons with any of the decisions and Im completely on the fence :confused:

    Thanks in advance,
    Tim
     
    Big Tim, Nov 24, 2009
    #1
  2. EviLCorsaiR

    EviLCorsaiR Asura

    Reputations:
    970
    Messages:
    2,674
    Likes Received:
    144
    Trophy Points:
    81
    The current mobile i7 processors and even the upcoming Arrandale processors are not a massive leap ahead of the Core 2 line that the M17x uses.

    I wouldn't consider the M15x, if you want the best graphics. Dual graphics cards will provide a far bigger gaming advantage than an i7 processor.
     
    EviLCorsaiR, Nov 24, 2009
    #2
  3. AlienContact

    AlienContact Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    368
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    That's an awesome deal...I would love to have BlueRay in mines!!! Hop on it and ask for a discount...around 5-10% more due to it's open box...also see if they can throw in free 3 year warranty!! Good Luck!!
     
    AlienContact, Nov 24, 2009
    #3
  4. froogle

    froogle Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    152
    Messages:
    480
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Isn't that the old style m15x? I hear lots of bad stories about build quality on that machine.
     
    froogle, Nov 24, 2009
    #4
  5. Big Tim

    Big Tim Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    16
    Messages:
    42
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    No its an M17x and the new style.
     
    Big Tim, Nov 24, 2009
    #5
  6. SillyHoney

    SillyHoney Headphone Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    543
    Messages:
    1,202
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    55
    If it comes with decent warranty then GRAB IT!!!!!!!
     
    SillyHoney, Nov 24, 2009
    #6
  7. Avengement

    Avengement Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    294
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I wish we had stores like this in Canada...
     
    Avengement, Nov 24, 2009
    #7
  8. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    22,339
    Messages:
    36,639
    Likes Received:
    5,087
    Trophy Points:
    931
    That is definitely an awesome deal, I would jump on that.

    Regarding the Core 2 Quad vs. the Core i7 . . . there is a large performance difference but it's like having a car with 400HP vs a 500HP one . . . I mean, 400HP is going to be enough to win plenty of races. ;)
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Nov 24, 2009
    #8
  9. Big Tim

    Big Tim Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    16
    Messages:
    42
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks to all that contributed. I grabbed the M17x today and am very happy with it thus far! :D
     
    Big Tim, Nov 25, 2009
    #9