General Questions on M11X...

Hey Guys -

New member, and a first time prospective laptop owner. Have really ran my whole life with just a desktop, and while mine is still performing well I'm really thinking of jumping into the lappy realm. I've always had my eye on a Alienware but never really had the funds to pick one up, so I've been saving here and there and have enough free money to play with now, however I have a few pretty basic questions....

1.) I am a EPP Member, however the configuration that they have on the site for EPP Members seems bloated, $1069 when the M15X is $1079 at the default config. Now, I can go with just the standard non EPP rate, get 4GB Ram, upgrade the HDD to a 7200 RPM Drive, and add BlueTooth with a 5% off coupon I have and it ends up around $860 before tax and shipping, which route would you reccomend going? I also have a $50 off for EPP members, so it's basically the EPP Config for $1020 or this way for the $860.

2.) What is the general consensus on SSD's? I've read about as much as I can on them, but I'm still torn on if there really cost effective in their current state. I have my eye on the 80GB Intel X25M which at Amazon is $220 - really I don't tend to install that much at once so I could likely get by with that for awhile, it really just comes down to, "Is it worth 1/4th the price of the laptop for a SSD?" I have heard they do increase the performance of the M11X quite a bit. I mainly play MMO's (Everquest 2) so i'm thinking it could help quite a bit on in game lag because it's constantly loading so many textures everytime you zone, move anywhere in the zone, etc.

3.) I understand they are different machines, but for someone who is going to mainly be taking a laptop to his friends places on the weekends, as well as up to the lake in Summer, would you reccomend the M11X or the M15X? Keep in mind if I were to get a M15X it would likely be a lower end model, I would keep the processor at a i3, upgrade to a 260m, and get the 1080p screen... I'm semi-torn between the two, the M11X just seems like such a beastly machine for this price range and for the portability it comes with.

Looking to order something on this Friday (Payday, wewt) and just wanted to get some opinions on these, thanks in advance for the help guys!

 

1) Phone in the order. I'm sure they let you configure it just like the home site then add on the 10%+$50 off.

2) SSD is the most noticeable performance upgrade. I tend to stay away from OEM SSDs but yes it is worth it in the end if it's still in your budget.

3) I would pick any i7 system over any C2D system but if potability is a concern go ahead with the smaller one.

 

I read through the huge ordering thread, (All 82 pages...) and tried calling the EPP # listed last night, but they refused to apply my 10% EPP discount on a custom-configured machine. They were really rude about it too, basically made me feel like I was nothing but a inconvienance for calling... it was for sure not a US based rep though, so maybe I would have better luck if I called today? Does anyone have the best phoen # to get through to the EPP Team? I think I must have gotten general customer service for home & office as opposed to EPP last night or something, but I'm not opposed to trying again.

I really wish on the SSD front I could afford the 128 M25X but at $446 that's just too much for me for a HDD right now, so the 80GB one I can fit in the price range, it's just a matter of not running out of room while waiting to upgrade at a later date to a bigger one.

If I was going the M15X route, I would be going with a I3 (or I5 at most.) I have a I7 Desktop, and really I just dont' multi-task enough to even use it. I'm not a big fan of all the options the default M15X comes with, but I'm still wondering if even at default of the I3 + 240M (with a upgraded screen) would be better overall for me than the M11X or not... not sure how the 335M compares to the 240M, and if the I3 is really any decent sized improvement over the SU4100 or 7300.

 

Hi Blurred,

I've had a same experience with reps and ended up ordering through non-EPP but used Bing 10% cashback discount. However, you can try getting in touch with Dell - US Team Blackhawk. I never contacted them, but they seem to have a good reputation.

 

I dont think there would be alot of comparison really between the lowest spec M15x and an M11x performance wise, esp since your not overly fussed about the performance. My advent with a Q9000 doesnt feel any quicker than my M11x in normal use.
It becomes a case of which laptop size do you prefer and are you bothered about a dvd drive in my opinion

 

I remember when I ordered my M17xR2. They told me to configure it at the home site and save my cart. Then they just pulled my order from the cart. You must have gotten someone having a bad day.

Regarding the i7 comment I made, I meant ANY Core-i system. Doesn't matter if it's 3, 5 or 7.

 

Thanks for all the assistance guys, really appreciate it. Might try Team Blackhawk and see if they can get the EPP rates for the M11X. I really, really like the price of a well configured M11 if I can get the 10% EPP + my $50 coupon compared to the M15X. Really the only reason the 15X came into play is the simple fact that the base config is only $10 higher than the M11 on the EPP site.

I also keep reading about Bing cashback on here and a few other sites, but am apparently fairly inept at figuring out how to use the option, I always go to the links that people list but I never see how to get the % cash back from it if I were to order from the links! Will have to look into that aspect when I get home, if I try the Team Blackhawk I'll let you guys know if there able to assist with anything.

I'm sure these questions are all fairly tame and generic, but it's just not all that often I can spend $800-1300ish on a luxury item, so I just want to make sure I end up choosing the right item that will best suit my needs, thanks again for the advice!

 

About Bing cashback, I had a great help from Cin' in this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=465861

Maybe this will help. He (or she?) guided be through how to set it up and use it. But if you use Bing cashback you'll have to order online it seems. Which in my case was a good idea, since I wasn't able to haggle more than 2% discount with the rep and Bing was 10% at the time. Bing percentage discount changes pretty much every day, but there are very many helpful folks on the Notebook and Tech Bargains subsection who also hunt for these discounts daily.

 

You also cannot use BCB with the EPP site. Plus in their rules it states you also cannot use any other coupons.

 

For regular, non-EPP web site, that shouldn't be a problem. There are never any! It does seem to stack with 3% DPA discount though.

 

Ugh dell can really irk me some times - called in on my lunch to Team Black Hawk and got a really nice individual, said he understood the EPP config and how it wouldn't let me configure it how I wanted for a price I wanted, and said while he couldn't change that he could give me $50 off the system, I also had a 5% off coupon which was another $40 or so, so together they equaled out to about 10% of what the base price of the model I wanted would have been. ($919, 4GB Ram/7200RPM HDD/BlueTooth Upgrades) but he needed the coupon code, I was outside work and lose reception in the office, so he said to just call the team back. Gave them a ring and the guy said it wouldn't be a problem, took the coupon code, then went to his supervisor to get the $50 approved. Comes back and says unfortunately it turns out it's a either/or situation so I can have either the $50 or the 5%.... so I just thanked him for his time and that I would have to think it over.

Can't believe they really would tell me that it wouldn't be a big deal and I could go that route and then come back 5 minutes later and say that the $39 I was gonna save with the coupon was apparently a deal-breaker and they couldn't do it on top of the $50 discount... *sigh*

 

Try back with EPP.

 

I guess I'll have to try that, when I found it online it listed to call the # you referenced earlier but pick option 3.... but there aren't any options so I get the general voice system that tells me to select Gaming System, Home System, etc etc and it never understands when I say gaming system and get's me to the operator, who just gets me to a non US rep - is there a specific route I'm supposed to be going to get to a US Based EPP Rep?

Thanks for the help again Mandrake, this is frusterating. I flat out told the guy if he stacks those 2 I had my CC in hand ready to order, and the $39 was too much. Maybe I should just stop being picky and pay the extra $39... but I just want a decent deal.

 

I ended up just ordering through EPP, even though I felt the same way about the configuration (i.e. too bloated). Really though, I was already planning on the 4GB upgrade, processor upgrade, and 160GB 7200RPM drive... so adding in the 500GB hurt, but wasn't a deal breaker.

I found it odd though, that the EPP "discount" is 10% as configured... but if you go configure the exact same m11x on Dell-Home, the actual savings is closer to 4 or 5% (I didn't run the numbers, but it's definitely NOT 10%). In other words, the EPP configuration is bloated on both options AND price

I ended up getting 16% though through my companies EPP, as well as a $75 coupon for EPP configs... so in the end I think I came out ahead versus using Bing Cashback on a non-bloated home config.

EDIT: Ran the numbers:

Dell-Home (to match EPP config):
Starting Price: $1099 ($0 Savings) -> TOTAL: $1099

Dell-EPP (base EPP config):
Starting Price: $1188 ($169 "Savings") -> TOTAL: $1069

A whopping $30 difference! Pathetic...

A true 10% would mean the EPP configuration should cost $989.10. The savings really only amount to 2.7%

 

I've seen quite a few people get the $75 coupon codes for systems over $1000, when I signed up it only gave me the $50 one for systems $799 and up, not sure if there's a place I can snag the $75 one or not?

You for sure came out ahead.... you were able to get the 16% through the EPP. Literally all I want is 10% EPP + $50, I'm even willing to settle for the $50+$40 coupon I have, which is around 9% discount... and they are just flat out refusing to work with me, what so ever.

 

Well I give up - called in again and the rep again stated his supervisor told him it wasn't letting them apply the 5% coupon to the $50 off they were trying to give, but then the supervisor said that he would save my configuration and transfer me to the EPP line and they could apply the 10% discount. Got a very nice EPP rep but he went through the saved configuration and again stated they couldn't discount anything but the specific EPP model on the website, and that I would have to start with the base model for the discount to apply.

So at this point it's either $880 for the one I configured non EPP site ($920 - 5%) or just get the M15X through the EPP site for about $1350ish (260M + Screen upgrades).... not sure which route to go, really was hoping to get the M11X at a price like many other members got,

 

The difference in EPP / non-EPP price is due to 15 month McAfee AV subscription, priced at $80.

Sorry it didn't work Blurred. I had exactly the same experience and was deciding actually between exactly the same 2. (m11x and m15x) I ended up getting m11x, for portability, since I already own a desktop but plan to replace it with most likely m17x-r3. If you are american and have a good credit rating (I don't), you can open the Dell Preferred Account (DPA) and get extra 3% off. The sales reps should know how to go about that, I don't.

As you can see from my sig, I went for m11x, haven't regret it. It's great for carrying around which I do a lot.

 

Yep, and that $80 is most of the $100 EPP discount it gives with that config It really isn't a bad configuration, but that HDD is highway robbery for the 500GB. I just want the 250GB 7200RPM and will upgrade to a SSD Myself. They did say the $50 off from team blackhawk still stood, so I guess the $919-50=869 is my best option. I could maybe call them back and get free shipping or something with it, but that's the best I can do on that lappy.

So assuming I'm willing to lug either system around with me, would you reccomend this setup @ that price point, or the M15X with I3-260M-1080p screen for the $1350ish. Would I notice that big of a difference between the 240M and 260M? If not, that's -180, and puts me at about $1170 + -50 for my EPP coupon so $1130 for that system...

Really sorry for the Mundane questions guys, just everyone here seems full of knowledge and I want to take in everything I can, opinion wise.

 

BlurredReality - My wife loves her m11x and I have one on the way myself. I also have a m17. When it comes to notebooks, everyone has to stick to their budget. For me here is my order of priority... Video Card>Screen>CPU>RAM>HDD... Here is why... Video cards are most responsible for gameplay. You can always change out cpus and ram and hdd later. When you buy a notebook you are stuck with the video card it comes with most of the time... There is a huge difference in speed between the 240 and the 260. Some folks who want the m15x are waiting for the hd5870s which are faster and newer than the 260m.

Its up to you which you prefer. Portable lower resolution gaming, heavier/higher resolution gaming. I will say this.. I wouldnt even consider the m15x with the 1080p screen without the 260m. If you choose the 240, then choose the 900p. Best Wishes, StevenX

 

Thanks for the input Steven. Yea, I had semi-resigned myself to the fact I would likely need the 260M and the screen upgrades if I were to go with that. Really I would like the 9 cell battery as well, and the I5. But I doubt the 9 cell is going to improve gaming life away from a AC Outlet that long on the M15, and the I3 would perform everything I can think of realistically.

The M11 really is a beastly little thing. You must really like it too if your ordering one for yourself and the wife already has one!

 

BlurredReality - You know.. I have been nothing but impressed with this rig. With the m17 it is approx 13 pounds of mess to carry around in the alienware backpack. The m11x plays every game the m17 does, in a much lighter/easier package to carry around. My wife is playing cryostasis right now on it. When it was released, it took a monster machine to play it. And she flys on it just fine. I can't wait to receive mine... next day shipping, no deals just get it to me ASAP!!!!!

Take Care,

StevenX

 

They had a similar thing here in the UK when I looked at ordering a few weeks ago. Base model was £749 or you could get the ESL model with a "free" processor upgrade, "free" TactX mouse, "free" copy of Bioshock 2 and "free" delivery for £829. Bar the "free" upgrades both models were the same. Where did the extra £80 come from?

The offer has changed now, you get a "free" 4GB RAM upgrade, the "free" mouse and "free" delivery for £809. Better, but there's still £60 that's appeared out of nowhere.

If they're still doing this when I get paid in a few weeks time I'll give them a call and ask about the price difference. I'd think that the ASA might have something to say about the "free" upgrades they are handing out.

 

Where did you find this?

Ive been trying to order via dell's website and calling UK based dell but the most Ive been offered is £30 which is pants!

 

I think you sold me on the M11X Steven! One last question for you, how terrible is the 5400RPM Drive? Haha, I just really don't care to get the HDD Upgarde from them, as I can get the extra Ram + Bluetooth and with my coupon for 5% have it come out to $825 before tax and shipping, and figure I will get a SSD in a month or so when I have money. Just want to make sure that it wouldn't make gaming a nightmare. I don't mind the extra load time from Windows really, it's a minute, I'll just twiddle my thumbs or something, or would you say spend the $50 and get the 7200RPM?

 

BlurredReality - For my wife she is moving up from an old dell inspiron 1520 so anything is faster. I can only compare her 5400 to the 7200 I have in the m17. Until I get my m11x I have no other basis for comparisons. In truth, load times are a bit slow sometimes (example dawn of war 2) but they take a while on my m17 as well. I am not a tech expert per say but here is what I think...

The m11x biggest bottleneck is the cpu. Doesn't matter which one you choose. Now, with that as your "glass ceiling" you can adjust other hardware to reach that performance ceiling. Ram will help with game responsiveness and smoothness. HDD upgrade will help with load times.
Again I think the key is to find the right combo to hit that ceiling... I personally am going to purchase an outside SSD (probably the x25) when I get the m11x. On my order I decided the ram was more important than CPU since I have not observed evidence that the su7300 is that much more of an impact. So for me.. my sweet spot will be the su4100, 4 gb ram and then a 80gb ssd. And again to stress my thinking was... base cost 799 + 50 for ram upgrade is 849. Still less than su7300. Now I have 50 more to put towards SSD. Sorry for the long post. I wish you the best on your order. I hope all goes well.
Take Care,
StevenX

 

The price is because they force you to buy McAfee Virus scan. Thankfully I got an extra $80 off EPP price, so I only paid $990 before taxes. More than what I wanted to spend (I was aiming for 900), but whatever.

did they give you the line "You get more by ordering through EPP"?

 

Although you have already ruled this out it seems, I would recommend against gt240 and 1080. The gt240 just isn't enough for 1080 imo.

 

LOL to me... every single one. You do get more. More crap.

 

I got My M11x with SU7300, 2GB RAM, 320GB 7,200RPM HDD and the tactX mouse delivered for £709. Thought that was a very good deal (put an 80GB Intel X25 SSD in mine so wasn't bothered about HDD size).

Followed advice on this thread but think the great prices are gone now: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=463695

 

Yeah - good old Tony Ferrino.

My screen protector STILL hasn't arrived.

 

Seeing how long delivery is I've just ordered one too

 

Hey guys currently have the XPS M1330 and looking to upgrade to a new laptop this year.

The M11X looks impressive but a few questions from someone who does not want to sift through part 4 of a massive thread.

a. What are the most prominent complaints about the M11X?

b. Do you think Dell will be offering the M11x with the newer Intel processors soon particularly i5 and i7 ones?

Thanks in advance for the answers.