First Timer- Ordered M17x

Hi everyone, I'm new and just ordered the M17x. I only hope this laptop will arrive with no problems since this is going to be my grad present for university. Here are the specs and please let me know if you would change anything since I'm not a computer person All I wanted is a good powerfull fast laptop that can hold a lot of info since I will be having 3 labs every week in university.

Area-51® m17x

Video/Graphics Card: Dual 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 8800M GTX – SLI Enabled
Display: 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD with Clearview Technology – Black
Includes AlienFX® Illuminated Keyboard – Exclusive Design!
System Lighting: Alienware® AlienFX® System Lighting - Blue
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme X9000 2.8GHz (6MB Cache 800MHz FSB)
Memory: 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz – 2 x 2048MB
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
System Drive: Dual Drive Configuration - 1TB (500GB x 2) 5,400RPM (8MB Cache)
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
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Flash Memory: Kingston USB 2.0 Hi-Speed 15-in-1 Reader
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® m17x Protective Cloth Sleeve
Alienware Extras: Area-51® m17x Keyboard Diagram Overlay
Alienware Extras: Area-51® m17x Smooth Mylar Touchpad
Avatar: Alienhead 3D
Window Style: Graphite Window Style
Mouse Pointers: Standard Mouse Pointers
Wallpaper: Alienhead Glow
Power Plan: Standard Power Plan
Automatic Updates: Automatic Updates On
Sidebar Gadgets: CPU Meter
Sidebar Gadgets: Notepad
Time Zones: (GMT - 5.00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)


I didn't choose the smart bay option because of the I Tb hardrive. Is that the right choice? Also with warrenty, after 1 year, can I extend the plan or no to 3 years?

and the battery, anybody know how long it lasts? I seen that there is no option for another battery like there was for the m15x

 

Welcome to the forums. I'm not sure if saving money matters that much, but I would have gone for these components:

-T9300 processor
-1GB RAM

The X9000 processor is not worth the extra money since the processor is rarely the bottleneck these days, and Alienware overcharges for RAM. You can get 4GB of RAM aftermarket for $70, very simple to upgrade.

That's a good question about the battery life, I haven't seen any figures posted. I would guess less than 2 hours. It has a 12-cell battery.

 

I couldn't have said it better...
The only other thing I would recommend (and I don't know if this is possible), is to get your 1st HDD a 360GB 7200RPM and the second the 500GB. It will give you a small increase in access speeds.

 

That's not possible. RAID requires two identical disks.

I would also have upgraded the RAM and probably HDDs myself...

As to the SmartBay drive... Only if you need it. it's cheaper to buy a SmartBay HDD cage after purchase and put your own HDD in anyway

If you stick with the Extreme processor I'm looking forward to finding out about downclocking with the larger case...

 

the waranty can be upgraded at a later stage after youve received the m17x
im not sure if there is a time limit you have to upgrade it by though.

 

According to their online guide, you can upgrade your warranty as long as your original warranty is still valid. So technically you could upgrade the day before your first warranty expires.

 

Thanks for the quick replies and great welcome everyone I'm glad I found I site with really friendly helpfull members.

Yes, according to Mennenth, with Stealth Mode activated and the battery put to power saving, the m17x lasts around 2 hours so you were right Chaz. I changed my order to the 1GB Ram since yes, your right, its much cheaper to upgrade later. The processor was also changed thanks to Chaz so thanks again.

Thanks also for the warrenty updates. I will stay with the 1 year warrenty and then later update. I'll also update on the info I get based on that.

also, does anybody think I need a smartbay? I'm not sure anymore.... I think the 1 TB should be enough but everyone here knows much more than me

 

I think i read somewhere that it had to be within the last 30days of your warrenty expiry date.

 

Someone else on the forums also testified that they were given the option the day before their warranty ran out to extend it, but with how inconsistent AW's CS is, it'd probably be best to follow your advice.

 

How much storage space you need is personal preference . . . 1TB is a huge amount to me since I only have around 90GB worth of data and programs, but to you it might not be. You can find out how much stuff you have -> Right-click the C:\ drive in My Computer and click Properties.

 

@Syth

I'm going to take your advice and do it 30 days before it expires just to make sure it goes through. I heard stories on how slow alienware can be

@Chaz

Currently with my current workload which is not bad, I have about 75GB of hard drive used up on my desktop out of 300 GB. Having labs 3 times a week, averaging maybe 5-6 pages long, I'm not sure but now that I think about it, 1 TB should be more than enough. Like you said, its really a huge amount haha I should be good for a while. So yeah with that in mind, I don't think I will go ahead and buy a future smartbay since I don't really think now that I'll need it. That said, I only hope everything comes to me fully working with no problems.

About the wireless internet card.... is it good or should I update it for it to be stronger? Is it reliable is what i'm asking since I have never heard of it before

 

the intel wireless card that the m15x/17x comes with is one of the best ones out there right now i think.

 

Part of my job involves writing multiple documents of at least 20 pages each week. I use Word for this. Over the past 5 years, I have created 800 such documents, which constitutes a whopping 70MB (not GB, MB) on my disc. So, I don't think you need to worry a whole lot about labs eating up your HDD space. Pictures, videos, and games will do it, but not text. Enjoy the new machine!