Change my M15x order to an M17?

The more-and-more I read about the M15x and it's known issues, the more-and-more I think I should change to an M17.

If I go with the M17, I would probably get this:
- Dual 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3870 - CrossFireX™ Enabled!
- Intel® Core™2 T9400 2.53GHz (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
- 17-Inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD (1200p) with Clearview Technology
- Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (64-bit Edition) with Service Pack 1
- 2GB Dual Channel DDR3 SO-DIMM at 1066MHz – 2 x 1024MB
- 320GB 7,200RPM (16MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection

Anyways, a few questions regarding the M17:

1. Overtime, would the M17 be a more physically reliable notebook than the 15x?
2. Those 10k-11k 3D Mark '06 scores, were those run on 1900x1200?
3. Is the M17 really that heavy? Not portable at all?
4. Sometimes I like to run games on lower resolutions, since the native display on the M17 is 1200p, would going down to 720p or 900p look terrible?
5. Will the M17 be too hot to use on my lap?
6. How poor are the ATI drivers when compared to nVidia's?

 

its 10lbs, are you that puney and weak?

does it get hot? not really but if you put it on you lap and block the intake will be.

10-11k 3dmark06 10-11k at 1900*1200 no its 1280*1024

 

How long have you had it for?

 

I have the same laptop specs sans the hard drive and ram.

1) Yes I believe so. The M17 is just a copy of the OCZ Whitebook and there have been no reported physical problems unlike the m15x "hinge" problem. SO for the case feels sturdy enough to take some damage.

2) No, they were run at default settings (1280x1024). I did run it at 1920x1200 with AA on and got scores of 6000-7000.

3) Well I used to carry an e1705 with its power supply to school everyday, I believed it weighed about 10-11 pounds. That was heavy. This behemoth with its power supply weighs in at around 13 pound. While its something you don't want to carry everyday, it still portable enough to carry around on your occasional lan party

4) I have not tried that yet, so I can't help you there. Sorry!

5) Definitely not meant for your lap unless you don't wanna have children My CPUs idle at around 40-45c. My GPUs idle at around 50c. This will be worse when your lap blocks the air intakes.

6) I'm not really sure on this one. As many have said, ATI gfx rely more heavily on your CPU then Nvidia. Also, the 3870 drives have not yet matured, so until ATI can release proper driver's, the 3870 full potential cannot be reached.

 

Depending on CPU 3dmarks change, on my system i get 13k+ at default and 12k at 1900x1200. Your going to be a bit lower since ATI's performance depend on CPU speeds.

Depends what you mean portable. If you are planning to carry it around every day then yes its gonna be a hassle. If you rarely move it, for eg, when you travel, go to friends houses etc, then its not that big issue.

Using E-wrecked's drivers you can run games in other resolution than the native one without making the game look ugly.

Cards idle at 50~ so its a bit hot, depends what you are wearing (lol)

ATI drivers are pretty decent atm, since 8.12 (latest) fixed a lot of issues with the recent games.

 

i was in the same boat you were , i agree with every thing stated here , the m17 is a tank and run a little warm but its fine and unless your a kid you can take it any where i got the m17 because of power and its able to be upgraded and has the newest platformm drr3 and all and if i wanted to spend 2000 then imma get the best i can get for gaming not something i can take to class and game with ...

 

I think I'll change my order today then.

What's their return policy anyways?

 

depends on your location. you from the USA?

 

Nope. Canada.

 

ok. US customers have to pay 15% restocking fee. if you're from Canada, you should only have to pay shipping costs, if that.

 

i would do it for sure.

 

I've just sent an e-mail to my sales/financial rep.

I'm only in Phase 3, so the machine hasn't even begun to be built yet.

EDIT: Apparently, I'm actually in Phase 5: (Production Phase 1 - Assembly)... Can I still cancel and get an M17?

 

They will change it for you no problem then. I did the same thing when I originally ordered the 9750. A week after I ordered it, the M17 came out. I called them up, they cancelled the 9750 and moved me to the M17. As long as your system hasn't shipped, you should be good to go.

 

Rad. I just called and had it cancelled.

Yeah, M17 is the way to go. I already have a 15.4, so there's not point ion getting another one the same size.

I'm not too big on desktops, but the M17 should be a fair replacement for one.

 

all i can say is "wise move"

 

I would imagine you've experienced the hinge issue?

 

If you are a big guy, the M17 would seem as portable as smaller guys would find 15 inchers and below. I used to take my XPS M1710 to class (to show off a little bit) and it has similar dimensions to the M17/OCZ Whitebook. Matter of fact, I felt no real difference between carrying that around and my friend's Inspiron 6400 when I was notebookless for a while...

 

Funny cos I have the same Inspiron, the 6400/E1505.

Not much bigger either?

 

the m17 is not nearly as large as other dual gpu 17" systems. i have one in front of me (the ocz version) and even my wife was shocked. now she wants one because she said its really not much bigger than her compal she has now.. and i was really suprised at the weight of it as well. the ocz is only 1.7" thick!! its really awesome for a dual gpu 17" as i said..

 

I'm right about to place the order for the M17 and I've recently discovered that it doesn't support 1440x900? Is 1920x1200 the only 16:10 resolution supported?

 

nope,(didnt have it long enough) but i have suffered all the other nightmares that are AW.

 

To be honest M17 is lighter than my clevo with one 7950GTX

But to be fair the power brick covers the difference lol