Final Verdict on m15x?

Hi all,

I have been in the process of trying to buy a computer for over 6months, but due to the unfortunate situation of losing my job, I was unable to. I finally have the funds to get a laptop and was wondering if the majority of the problems in the m15x have been fixed? This is the setup I have right now for about $2287.....
[1] Area-51® m15x

Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Onsite Service and 24/7 Toll-Free Phone Support
Design & Display: Silver Ripley Design
Display: 15.4" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD (720p) with Clearview Technology
System Lighting: Alienware® AlienFX® System Lighting - Blue
Video/Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® Series - 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 9800M GT
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz (6MB Cache 800MHz FSB)
Operating System (Office software not included): Windows Vista® Home Premium with Service Pack 1
Notebook Tuners and Remotes: Without Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz – 2 x 512MB
System Drive: 250GB 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
Optical Drives : 8x Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
Wireless: Internal Intel® Wireless 4965 a/b/g/Draft-N Mini-Card
Sound Card : Internal High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Keyboard Options: AlienFX® Illuminated Keyboard – Exclusive Design
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mesh Cap
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mousepad
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mobile Binder
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Personalized Nameplate
Alienware Extras: Owner Identification Card
Alienware Extras: Area-51® m15x Protective Cloth Sleeve
Alienware Extras: Area-51® m15x Keyboard Diagram Overlay
Alienware Extras: Area-51® m15x Smooth Mylar Touchpad
Avatar: Alienhead Glow
Window Style: Default Window Style
Mouse Pointers: Standard Mouse Pointers
Wallpaper: Alienhead Logo
Power Plan: Standard Power Plan
Automatic Updates: Automatic Updates On
Sidebar Gadgets: Calendar
Sidebar Gadgets: CPU Meter
Time Zones: (GMT - 5.00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

edit: will be buying 4 gigs from newegg...forgot to mention that..hehe.


Should I just bite the bullet and finally get my laptop? One of the main reasons I am looking at the m15x is because I can use the integrated graphics for web surfing and battery life. Need this for school and gaming. Thanks!

-Mel

 

sweet config. should serve you well. on a side note, you could also get a smaller HDD and upgrade it yourself as well.

 

Thanks Whizzo.. has your m15x been giving you any problems?

 

nope, except for a GPU cooler that went bust. had some problems with CS to get a new one, but in the end they shipped it overnight (which can't be said of many other companies).

 

Then I am on my way to the submit button. Thanks whizzo!

 

That is the same setup that I got. Mine arrived yesterday and I am very pleased so far. While I have not had a chance to really push it yet I see no reason to believe it will be anything but fine. Enjoy your new computer!

 

Thanks for the information Izoid!.. Makes me feel much better.

 

Exact same setup as me except I'm getting the 120gig hard drive. Nice.

 

Anyone have good ram recommendations? I am a bit leary on G-Skill, but was wondering if anyone else had suggestions? Thanks all.

 

Congrats shadedurza... what phase is yours in right now?

 

look for name-brand (OCZ, Crucial, Kingston, Corsair, Patriot, Mushkin) SO-DIMM DDR2 667mhz PC-5300 (sometimes called 675mhz PC-5400, same thing) RAM. i'd suggest getting a 2x2Gb kit.

 

G.Skill is awsome dont be scared of it. I have done over a dozen builds with it and I have never had a problem. G.Skill tends to run cool for my desktop installs and has allowed for easy overclocking. And dont get a set that utilizes heat sinks, they will make your ram even hotter. In an already hot lappy it will work aginst ya! I got G.Skill in my lappy and I had the choice of whatever I wanted!
-J.B.

 

Thank you all very much for your responses. Now off to memory ordering.

 

welcome aboard.
i just have to say i have used both OCZ and GSkill memory and both have performed as expected with no issues whatsoever.

again - gratz

 

Thanks Ryujin. Would this be good memory?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231154

 

That looks fine to me, although I've never personally used G.Skill products myself.

As for my m15x experience, 4 months and counting with no major issues at all.

 

that RAM should work well.

 

That is the exact memory that I put in my nex m15x. I ordered 1 gb from AW and before I even booted up for the first time I replaced it with the 4gb that you linked to above. It works great, no issues in any way.

 

Same here, bought 1Gb from Aw and self upgraded to 4gb. I frankly don't think brand makes that much of a difference in RAM

 

Thanks again all. Due to money constraints.. I had to go with the crucial ram since it had free shipping...hehe. Thanks again all for all your responses and help!

 

You REALLY need to invest into a SmartbAy battery if you want battery life. Trust me, I get 2:45 hours with everything maxed out (and wireless on and no smartbay). But with intergrated, lights off, wireless off, screen down one notch I get 6 hours (with smartbay)

 

Thanks Napbree. That is my next purchase when I have additional funds...battery then blu ray. I cannot find the price for the smart bay battery.. would anyone happen to know?

 

If I may suggest getting two of this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145172

as it is the cheapest I could find while still being good namebrand RAM.

Unfortunately I have been unable to order the system yet due to a bad alienexchange experience I still have not escaped.
Don't use alienexchange