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    Could the m11x answer all my needs

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by sean_hale, Mar 10, 2010.

  1. sean_hale

    sean_hale Notebook Guru

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    Since the advert for the m11x popped up on my email a few weeks ago I have been reading all I can about it and am seriously thinking it could be all things for me.
    My requirements for a notebook have changed over the last couple of years, I do very little work(i am a teacher) at home on my laptop and mainly use it for email, surfing, itunes, a bit of music manipulating and general Office type apps(mainly excel). My old (7yrs) tosh sat pro is fine for the things I ask of it but I would like to be able to play some games, stuff like dirt, cod, halo etc. Sadly the tosh just dosn't have the Gpu to be able to do it.
    I was looking at a mac book pro but I am note convinced about the whole "apple" thing and I like the way that software is so easily available for windows.

    I love the idea of the portability of the m11x and the fact I could do what I do now and blast some baddies when I am done. The million dollar question is "will it do what i am looking for?"

    Sorry for the long post and cheers for reading.
     
    sean_hale, Mar 10, 2010
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  2. Shockwave_Omega

    Shockwave_Omega Notebook Consultant

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    Will it do:

    - office? Check :)
    - emailing? Check :)
    - gaming? HELL YEAH! :D
    - surfing? Check :)
    - itunes? Check :)
    - some music mixing? Probably yes :)

    And a whole lot of other stuff u could do with it :)
     
    Shockwave_Omega, Mar 10, 2010
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  3. teflonsheep

    teflonsheep Notebook Consultant

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    The m11x definately fits all of your needs. The only thing i would do if i were you is check out some other 11.6" notebooks and make sure the screen is large enough for you as it is a bit small.

    I'm a bit of an older gamer, and i have to say that i got used to the screen rather quickly, but i was worried about it before i received it. Also worth noting for me is that it isn't ideal for watching movies due to the less than optimal black levels, but this is largely subjective, and i'm picky about that.
     
    teflonsheep, Mar 10, 2010
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  4. reags

    reags Notebook Enthusiast

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    If you can handle a 11.6" laptop @ 2kgs then this could be the badboy for you. My search criteria was similar to yours as I use it for portability w/design documents and the odd game now and then. Also note that this 11.6" is slightly larger and thicker than other brands at the same size so be weary to try the laptop bag/sleeve with the 11x inside prior to purchasing as you may need to go one size up (I'm using a 13" Crumpler backpack and this barely fits into the sleeve section).
     
    reags, Mar 10, 2010
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  5. klas

    klas Notebook Deity

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    Yeah, I gotta say if you are working out 2kg will not seem too bad
     
    klas, Mar 10, 2010
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  6. sean_hale

    sean_hale Notebook Guru

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    Cheers guys one more thing, given that win 7 is so much more efficient vista is it worth upgrading to 4 gig ram.
     
    sean_hale, Mar 11, 2010
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  7. abusedbunny

    abusedbunny Notebook Consultant

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    yes go for the 4 gigs, thats the sweet spot
     
    abusedbunny, Mar 11, 2010
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  8. Zlog

    Zlog Notebook Deity

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    I agree, the butter-zone for this system is the 250GB HDD (to get the 7200RPM speed) and the 4GB of RAM.

    Those two things will be the most cost-effective $100 you can spend. The next jump that you'll actually feel without a side-by-side comparison is the SSD, but thats much more costly.
     
    Zlog, Mar 11, 2010
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  9. sean_hale

    sean_hale Notebook Guru

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    Cheers for that. Upgraded processor option, 500 gig drive(itunes) and 4 gig ram it is then. Best start savin!
     
    sean_hale, Mar 11, 2010
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  10. Zlog

    Zlog Notebook Deity

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    Yep, and honestly you could even go without the CPU upgrade.

    If you don't use need VT Support, you won't miss the difference in performance (less then 2-3% from the user-benchmarks I've seen).

    Only reason I got it in fact was because it got my system price over a minimum amount needed to use a $100-off coupon, so it was a wash.
     
    Zlog, Mar 11, 2010
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  11. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    guys, how is m11x and photoshop?
    can i compare it's performance with a 3 years old m1710 with a T7600 2.33MHz processor ?
     
    mfractal, Mar 11, 2010
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  12. mikel527

    mikel527 Notebook Consultant

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    Only get the upgraded processor if you plan on using VT and really need the 1mb extra cache...

    Just order the standard 2gig ram and upgrade memory yourself to 4gb with Kingston Hyperx :]

    and make sure to take advantage of EPP! and check out DR650SE's post on how to save money :]
     
    mikel527, Mar 11, 2010
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  13. Zlog

    Zlog Notebook Deity

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    Cheaper to get the RAM through Dell then upgrade it yourself (and the RAM is then on-site warrantied).

    No reason to go with the Kingston imo
     
    Zlog, Mar 11, 2010
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  14. sean_hale

    sean_hale Notebook Guru

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    I am being really thick here but what is VT guys?
     
    sean_hale, Mar 11, 2010
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  15. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    Virtualization Technology. The ability to host guest oprating systems inside your main os using products such ad vmware, virtualbox or windows xp mode in windows 7.
     
    mfractal, Mar 11, 2010
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  16. tears

    tears Notebook Evangelist

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    VT can be useful if you run a lot of programs that don't play nice with Windows 7. Otherwise, just get a base config, with 4GB RAM, which should run you about $849 (Try haggling on the phone to bring the price down).
    Don't go for the 500GB, and instead get a hard drive from NewEgg. $75 will get you 500GB HDD there, and it is not hard to install at all .
     
    tears, Mar 11, 2010
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