Help me decide on new Alienware

So I'm in the market for a new laptop. I've been using a pretty good Dell Inspiron 640m for the last 3.5 years. It is a T5500 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo with 120GB HDD, 2GB Ram, Intel GMA 945 graphics and 14.1" screen, and weights about 5.5lbs. I really does everything I need, it is still pretty quick overall and is portable. I'd continue using it if I could play some more recent games on it, but I can't so I'm looking for a new laptop and I'd like an Alienware. My wife will continue using my 640m.

My desktop computer is pretty hefty so I don't need a desktop replacement 17" or anything. My desktop is a i7 920 @ 3.8GHz, 6GB DDR3 @ 1448MHz, 3x 1TB WD Black HDD, 2x Asus 4870 1GB Black Knight in crossfire, 24" 1920x1200 Dell Ultrasharp LCD. I don't expect a laptop to perform like my desktop. Some left 4 dead, command and conquer, starcraft II, dawn of war 2, call of duty, etc on the go would be nice though.

I've done a bit of research so I'm down to two systems but I have a couple of questions. Also I'm in Canada so prices are in CAD before taxes.

System #1

Alienware M11x
Intel SU7300 CPU
11.6" 1366x768 WLED
Nvidia 335M 1GB Video
8GB DDR3
500GB 7200 SATA HDD
Bluetooth added
$1219

System #2

Alienware M15x
Intel i7 720QM
15.6" 1600x900 WLED
ATI Mobility 5850 1GB Video
6GB DDR3
DVD-RW Drive
500GB 7200 SATA HDD
upgrade to 9-cell battery
$1749 (Considering getting Red color but it is $100 more)

So here is where I'm at.

I really like the size, price, and battery life of the M11x. I do wish the screen was slightly bigger even a 12.1" would have been a improvement and I may need to purchase a external slim DVD drive later at an additional cost. The CPU worries me a little, I'm sure it'll be fine for day to day stuff I think it should be similar in performance to my current T5500 1.6GHz CPU. I'm concerned about how it might hold up as I'd ideally be using this for about 3 years like my current system.

As for the M15x, I really like the power provided and I'm sure it'll last longer because it is a faster system. I do think it is at the upper end of what I'd like to spend, it is was $1599 it would be easier to swallow. It is also a bit heavy and battery life is lacking so portability would be less than my current 640m offers. It might be a tight fit in my Oakley SI Computer bag which I don't want to replace.

I think both system look great and each have things I like and dislike (they should make a M13x). I love the design and aesthetics of these new Alienwares, I considered a Asus G51JX for $1399 but I'm really turned off by the design and aesthetics, to the point where I hated the lid so much I ruled it out. I'm also a fan of the Alienware FX customization.

So I do have a couple of questions and any advice would be appreciated.

Questions:

#1 Anyone think a updated M11x might be out soon with faster CPU? Something like i3?
#2 Anyone know the size (dimensions) and weight of the M15x AC adapter?
#3 If I go with the M15x is there a real benefit to pay an additional $30 to upgrade to 1333MHz RAM from 1066MHz with the i7 720QM?

I'm not it a huge rush but the current prices I have listed are sale price for dell.ca this week, save $300 on M11x and save $350 on M15x.

Please help.

 

Pretend they are Pokemon. Gotta catch 'em all!!!! Even the desktops. But if you're not insanely rich (like me), I'd go for the M15x, but I'm a power junkie.

 

The M11x will not last you three years as a gaming device, or as some mebers can attest to, it's not even durable enough to last a few months..

Eventually yes. We will see if anything is said about that at E3. If nothing is side, I wouldnt expect a re-release until Q4.

It all balances out in the end, so imo I would say no.

 

1. Like the guy above said we should see something really soon. Intel has released ULV i3 and i5 processors so AW would be lagging behind other manufactures by not updating it with them as they would maintain battery life still while being a huge upgrade.

2. I don't know, in a picture i saw it didn't seem outrageously big. Not positive though.

3. From what i've read on this forum theres no difference in real world use

 

Yeah, as bluekorn said, there MIGHT (absolutely no guarantess) be an announcement of a refresh of the m11x this summer. e3 on June 15-17 would make the most sense for an announcement. If you can stomach the price going up, I would wait until at least then.

From what it sounds like you're in a similar position to me. I'll be going to college in fall 2010, and I'm looking for a small laptop to be poweful enough for schoolwork, light gaming on the go, and something to augment a desktop rig I plan to build down the line. From my research, besides the m11x and the M15x that i've been interested in, I've also been following the Asus n81jv (due anytime soon) and the HP Envy 14 (due June 27). Both are a little different builds than the m11x and the m15x. The HP Envy 14, from what it sounds, will start around $1000 and feature a similar GPU to the m11x but will have at least a core i3 cpu. Maybe even a core i5. They even say it has backlighted keyboard! And 14" on a great screen! Its really tempting. Of course, we don't exactly know what we'll get for the $1000, and I don't know what Canadian availability will be, but I thought I'd at least let you know about it.

Here is some info on it:

HP Envy 14 and 17 officially official, Envy 13 slowly waves goodbye -- Engadget

I hope Alienware gets the m11x refresh up this summer, or I'll be forced to bite into the HP, as it really does seem like the better buy, despite the m11x's better looks. Sounds like it might be the "m13x" you wanted. Hope this helps man.

 

The M15 has a rather large charger I was shocked when I seen it but it isn't too bad after awhile. I have gotten used to it. I would go with M15 and just upsize your memory to 8 gigs as it would benefit you in the longer run.

I would say it weighs about a pound just off the top of my head.

 

The M11x has durability issues? I heard it was very well built. I'm not concerned with it running high end games that come out in 2-3 years. If it can play things I play now it should be fine. When is E3?

 

Are you able to measure the adapters size? My current 640m adapter is 5.25"x2.25"x1".

Thanks.

Also it costs $200 to go from 6GB to 8GB, not worth it IMHO. My desktop doesn't push 6GB is most things I do.

 

WELL, if you woulda read my post...

June 15-17 is e3. And remember, what we're going off is just rumors, and no hard facts that a refresh will occur. And at least look into the HP Envy 14.

If thats all you wanted to play on it, then the m11x should do fine as long as you realize its limitations from what I hear (ie. don't expect it to run crysis 2 when it comes out. It can't even run the new splinter cell very well).

If games of now are all you wanna play, then the m11x should be a great companion to a desktop (again, from what I hear, I don't actually own one... yet!)

 

There have been some users with issues, but speaking just for my own experiences so far, the system is very well made and durable. I have had my m11x for over 6 weeks now and its just as perfect as the day I received it. I think its very well built and I have had none of the issues I have read about. I would buy the system again in a cocaine heartbeat and recommend it completely with no reservations.

 

I disagree, the new Crysis 2 engine is built from the ground up to be graphics card dependant, not cpu. How else do you think they are getting it to run on the console systems? Look at how well Mass Effect 2 which is gpu optimized runs on the m11x on its highest settings.

 

The charger is a weird shape to be honest but rough messurements are 15CM long x 7.5 CM long x 2.5 CM thick.

I used a ruler which wasnt super accurate.

 

In the past month or so, I've owned the M11x, M15x and two M17x's... The only one out of all of them I had ZERO problems with was the M11x.. I loved that laptop. I loved the feel of the keyboard, I loved the shape and style of the keys, I loved the feel of the touchpad and buttons (which I think should be put on the M15 and M17 btw)..I loved the Alien FX (nice and bright and even) no issues with the CC.. It was my favorite laptop out of all three, with one exception. The screen size.. Which is pretty obvious seeing how I now have the M17. All I have to say is, if that laptop were a M13x, I would have kept it.. An internal optical drive would have also been a nice addition.

 

I have to agree here. I've had mine for over a couple of months and have not had a single problem with it. Heck, I've even got a couple of people to order it after trying mine out.

 

Thanks. Not much bigger than my 640m adapter. Smaller than I expected since the M17x one is huge.