Eltocliousus m15x Review

Before i start i wanted to say that this is long overdrawn and sorry for the wait, took me a while before i stopped playing with this thing and got down to business

I also want to say thankyou to a few people on this forum who have helped me in keeping my confidence and not canceling my order.

Milcs
tacomenace21
Livre
Syth
Waltimus
JK_JEEP
Heathkidd
A few more but i forgot Thankyou to everyone who helped me.

Specs:

# 15.4" WideUXGA 1440 x 900 LCD
# Alienware AlienFX System Lighting
# 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTX
# Intel Core 2 T9300 2.5ghz (6MB Cache, 800MHz FSB)
# 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 1024MB
# Intel Turbo Memory (1GB)
# Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit
# 120GB 7200RPM (8MB Cache)
# 2x Dual Layer Blu-ray Disc Burner (BD-R, DVD±RW, CD-RW)
# Internal Intel Wireless 4965 a/b/g/Draft-N Mini-Card
# Internal High-Definition Audio with surround sound
# AlienFX Illuminated Keyboard

Contents:

Large alienware box: One folder, A cap, Mouse pad, users manual, respawn CD, Turbo Cache CD, Nero essentials CD.

Cloth covered thing: m15x Laptop & A wierd instruction plate thing.

Build quality:

After taking the laptop out, persuading my mum not to hoover for 5 frickin minutes! I finally got to look around.
I did look for trouble.. and.. well i found some. So here is the video:


http://youtube.com/watch?v=BMPl2rDGE-o


The microphone was a little close to my mouth at the time, could be loud and crackly but it does the job.

There are no blemishes or other problems with it.

Temperatures:

Idle:

CPU: 35-40
GPU: 40-50

Idle + Stealthmode:

CPU: 35-40
GPU: 40-50

General computing:

CPU: 35-45
GPU: 40-50

Light gaming: ( Half life 2, World of warcraft )

CPU: 50-65
GPU: 70-85

Light gaming + Stealth mode

CPU: 35-45
GPU: 60-70

Heavy gaming ( Stalker, Bioshock, Crysis )

CPU: 55-70
GPU: 70-90

All temperatures are done in Celsius.

General review:

Screen:

I found the screen great, it was bright, vibrant, the contrast was perfect and have had no problems with it yet. Ive been using the WXGA+ (1440x900 pixels) "ClearView" glossy display and so far it has been great.
My friend also realized that the normal side angle usually shows wierd colours and bad brightness but with the m15x screen you don't get that.

Speakers:

As with every Notebook or laptop you don't expect speakers to be the most important part and in the m15x it doesn't shine through.
There isn't much bass and they seem tinny compared to my usual speaker setup but i guess thats the same with most laptops. I prefer to use my headphones.

The quality of the sound with other speakers is great, ive had no problems with it so far and i did not purchase the better sound card.

Battery:

To be honest im quite annoyed with the battery, it seems that it likes to drink alot of juice when light gaming with is what i usually do on it. I can only get around 1 - 1.5hours of world of warcraft before it has to go back to that socket. But i wasn't expecting anything fantastic. I guess for the power it gives out it will need alot of juice

I usually have it on stealth mode as i barely do any heavy gaming so no need for 200fps.

Touchpad:

I had a few troubles with this at first, it didn't respond for about 2 seconds after pressing a key but i soon fixed it thanks to a forum poster who i repped and forgot the name of xD Thankyou whomever that was.

I like it, its smooth and slick and feels comfortable, however, i am using the stickers as i like the rough feel to it, its the same reason i like to use a heavy mouse. I like to feel myself doing it. It gives me more control.

The responce time on the touchpad is great, i see no delay but i do see one problem.
The buttons are very stiff, you need to literally take your fingers off the touchpad and push about 6-7 pounds of pressure just to click it, i see myself using the double tap touchpad feature more often than none.

Touch controls:

Alot of owners have been saying that they are very hard to press but mine are great. They are very sensitive and respond very fast. My only problem is there is about a 50/50 chance that on boot they don't work so i have to reboot on occasion. Or hibernate and bring it out again. that works.

Lights & keyboards:

The lights.. well what can i say, They sell the laptop on there own. They are very customizable and look great. I see no problems with them at all

The keyboard has quite a bit of flex, around 3-5mm which is not very significant but does eat at the back of your head every often. The keys are nice, light and are easy to press which makes typing very comfortable and enjoyable. I could type very fast without the keyboard lagging and keeping me down.

Wireless:

I'm very happy with the wireless, i havn't received my router from virgin media just yet but i've been using my neighbors for now and i'm very pleased with the speed. I'm getting about 500kbp/s on his sluggish internet which is instant page browsing and very low ping when gaming

Conclusion:

I'm blown away by the power of the m15x, it plays games very smoothly and rivals my desktop. It is exactly what i hoped for and i would defiantly recommend it to anyone who wants a high powered portable gaming laptop.

Thanks for reading. -Eltocliousus

 

Nice work, that crack near the WASD keys is quite alarming though.

 

It does frighten me when i'm playing half life

 

Hahaha, have you found out what exactly causes it?

 

Not sure, i think the chassis isn't aligned correctly and it the top is hanging over, when i press the keys i think it pushes down and clicks but i'm just babbling i don't know xD

 

Well done eclicostitos! I'm very happy for you...
Hope it will keep giving you only but reasons to smile!

 

I gave you a few rep over the weeks milcs for all your help. I', so greatful to you and congratulations on 1,000 posts

 

Get the smart bay battery imo. 1.5hours with out it playing wow is really impressive.

 

Thanks for your kind words my little friend...
Your happiness is more than enough payback for every moment I spend here.
Keep visiting us and sharing with us knowledge and experience.

 

hows the blu ray drive on yours. i heard some people say that the image quality isnt that good. From your video i also seem to notice that your flex seems to be more than mine and the hinges actually squeak

hope you continue to enjoy your laptop as much as all the other m15x lovers in here. i think theres only about 5? with me being 1 of them.

 

Nice one, refreshing to have a video review for a change. I think all those flaws would be ok but that snapping noise when you pressed on the WASD keys was crazy loud.

 

Awesome review AND video man. I hope you are happy with it, that's the most important thing.

 

Thanks for the review, it's awesome! Though the cracking and wobbling is a little bit of a concern. However, users like Syth have said it goes away after a week or so apparently.

I also like your accent.

 

great review especially the video as explaining to people doesnt always get the message across.

the only thing i would be worried about is that loud clicking noise on the left. sad to say over time i think your chassis will crack. keyboard flex was a bit iffy but if you decide to send it back for the clicking chassis get the keyboard sorted at the same time.

 

Great video, Etol. Nice to hear a northern accent.
Thanks for taking the time to post a fair and honest review, and provide a video to help explain things. I was really surprised by the loud cracking sound. (It sounds like my tattoo laser removal treatment!)

It seems that you are pleased with the M15x overall.

 

I am pleased and thankyou everyone for your kind words, i really appreciated it.. but i am thinking of getting a refund.. I don't really need a laptop and the worry that comes with this thing is just to much, i'll talk to my parents.

 

It sounds like you are at that stage I was in with my Rock notebook... where sense suddenly kicks in and you wonder why you really had to spend all that money on a notebook, and realising the fact that you did okay without one for a long time before. Am I right?

 

Great review I enjoyed reading your review and watching your video. Also you're welcome and happy to help.

 

Why get a blu-ray player when you don't have the 1200p (not really P but you get what I mean) lcd screen? I understand you could watch it at 720P but you could've save alot. Just a thought.

 

Nice review!

As livre mentioned, i had a bit of creaking also (although not quite as loud as you) but it has completely dissappeared now. As for the keyboard issues the flex and cracking on the wasd keys is kinda of alarming, only thing i would suggest is try reseating the keyboard, there might be something interfering with it. On my previous laptop this was the case. Or one of these key's connection might be ready to snap (hope it's not that).

 

p stands for progressive. progressive basically means it shows one picture after another so you dont get blurry images. 1200p and 720p is just AW marketing.

 

^ Agreed (w/Syth) - that keyboard noise on the lefthand side is VERY disturbing, Elto. I'd definately try reseating the whole keyboard... that is, if you are not planning to send it back for a refund.

 

you can also try the DIY fix that was posted here a couple months ago.

 

Thanx for the review and the vid..
Hope everything works out for ya, maybe wait a bit/or try some of the fixes suggested before you make a decision..
Oh and you could help out by posting on the Worldwide Forum Survey for the m15x
L8rs !!

 

wait... i'm missing something here... you are satisfied?

 

Ok, i would definatly do the diy fix for the keyboard. Put some foam underneath it because thats ALOT of movement. Also, that clicking noise should not happen when you use the wasd keys. I would seriously think calling them and getting a new keyboard if its a prob with the keyboard. If its a prob with the casing then just return the whole thing...

 

I think you are really on a similar boat as me Ecloti.
Perfomance wise, the M15x is nothing short than amazing. But all the rest... If it does this the moment you receive it, what is going to happen further down the road.

I'm here waiting to receive a new M15x replacement and every day I question myself... Is it worth all the trouble/ stress/ problems?
I've received my laptop, identified quite severe problems... Sent it back almost one month ago and, here I am. After having paid a small fortune for my laptop, after having trusted my money to AW for something I thought would be simply amazing, I have to sit writting this on my 5 year old laptop (that is much more reliable and solid, btw).
I'm really gutted by my experience and, most importantly, by everyone out there that gets dissapointed with their M15x. It's completely unnaceptable that something like this happens so very often.

Ecli... if you think there's something you don't feel confortable with, just send it back. Maybe try and give it a chance for them to fix it. Maybe just buy peace of mind. But don't look away from the details. I thought AW would be about the small details that make the big difference. Not at all... AW proved to be all about image, name and reputation. I don't want a big engine on a ship that is falling appart.
Enough is enough...

 

I think i'll be keeping, i'll be leaving school and home soon and when that day comes i don't want to be carrying my desktop with me.

The cracking on the keys fixed itself the other day, i was just playing half life 2.. as you do and it stopped which im thankful for, but when one door shuts another one opens so.. fingers crossed.

I've just posted in the Worldwide m15x Forum survey.

 

If the cracking is fixed, then I don't really think you seemed to have any serious problems. It might have been a misaligned piece of the case or keyboard that snapped into place.

Elto, just out of curiosity, why did you want the laptop in the first place? I'm looking at the specs on your desktop and it can't be any faster so it's not really an upgrade at all for you. Did you get it for going off to school or some other reason?

 

I can answer that... Because he can! (that's what he answered when I asked the same thing!)

 

LOL! Boys and their toys!

 

and your reason for getting one is?

 

haha. funny j/k.

 

Thanks for posting on the Survey Elto
I shall update my graphs soon.. You guys & gals can take a look at the current ones in the Survey Comment thread >>> Here