I need help with M15X config.

Hey guys, I need your help with M15X config.
i thought of buying m17x, but now i want to play little games coz of my time constraints.. and the M15X offers good performance for the software/programming.
So my budget is limited to 3k USD.
I looked into sager 8690/MAC.. thats good and better than AW... but i dunno why im going after AW M15X... I just like it and it has better resale value..
I wont carry around my laptop , its just for home usage. (Programming, editing etc)
I prefer 15 inch laptop as desktop replacement and 12-13inch laptop for carrying.

This is my config..
-Alienware M15x Special Edition – Nebula Red (99USD) - I dont wanna give up this color.. this is really cool...
-Intel Core i7 920XM 2.0GHz (3.2GHz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache) (900USD) - i thought of getting 820QM, but i want the best performance and im not a overclocker/benchmarker etc...
-Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate, 64bit, English (150USD) - This ultimate edition offers all kinds of function, it supports vast software compatibility and prolly error free.
-512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 240M (Base price) - I dunno if i want to upgrade this.. coz my budget exceeds... and as i mentioned above.. i play little games.
-15.6-inch WideFHD 1920x1080 (1080p) WLED (100USD) - Prolly best screen in my opinion and .... good for multitasking..
-4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MH (100USD) - i dunno much abt ram.. i think 4GB 1333MH is good enough for most programs..
-256GB Solid State Drive (400USD) - prolly this is the best deal ever from dell... offering 256GB SSD for 400USD upgrade amount..
-Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW) (Base price) - i dont need blue-ray..
-Primary - 6-cell (56Watt) Lithium-Ion Battery (Base Price) - this laptop strictly for home use.. i dont see a point of getting 9cell battery..
-1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis (Base Price)

Total Amount - 3248
EPP Discount - 228
Final Amount - 3021 USD

Slightly above my budget... any suggestion of degrading or upgrading the system based on my preference? or is this good enough? looking forward to your suggestion or should i wait till mid November or December for price reductions in components/promotions for M15X?"

Looking forward to your response

 

$3k on an Alienware and you're not even using it for gaming...

Just for comparison's sake, $1k on a desktop can get you a killer rig with all the flashing lights you desire. $2k can get you a professional business class machine with amazing build quality and support. I'm going to be blunt and tell you straight up that you're wasting money. But hey, it's not my money so with your config...

Windows 7 Ultimate is unnecessary for most people. Professional has almost all the features for a couple bucks less.

 

I would love to use my current Sony Vaio as my carry/business use...

However, Alienware M15X future upgrade possibilities right? such as GFX upgrade etc. I'm not a desktop user

and yes.. i care about money.. can you suggest me any other high performing laptop brand with excellent quality etc?

 

- For the color, you can get Nebula Red on M17x for free + $99 discount on top of that.
- For the processor, is a Q920 a lil bit overkill? But it depend on your purpose.
- For the OS, no matter it's Ultimate or Home or... Mac OS, you cant have anything called error-free. Its also the same for both Ultimate or Home regarding software compatibility.
- For the graphic card, GTX 240 512MB is kinda weak but again it depends on your purpose.
- If it's a desktop replacement why don't you consider a M17x? Better bang for the bucks in my opinion.
- You can get a lot more than $200 discount on a $3,200 system. At least try to have something like $400.

 

I would definitely get m17x if they do a refresh on the model.. such as LED screen, Core i7 etc.. But it wont happen until Q1/Q2 2010. I can sense that Dell would refresh m15x in Q2 2010

 

Sager 860

if your not gaming the m15x is not the best buy.....


Might I ask what you work on you do on your computer ?

Regaurding the janitors comment ....aw support does not suck (it varys on people like every one else) and I do happen to like my stupid lights

 

I didn't say Alienware support sucks.

 

Feasible Options:
I can degrade my processor to 820QM (-600)
Upgrade GFX (+200)
= 2600USD

or

Degrade SSD to 7200RPM 320GB (-400)
Upgrade GFX (+200)

= 2800USD

 

i run adobe suite, MapleSim, VB related apps, and development platform.
I do play games, but looking forward to Diablo 3 / Starcraft 2.

 

I think Q820 is more than enough in most cases. $600 is a big deal. QX9300 and Q920 are for ppl who want the very best of all.
The SSD and VGA depend on you. Its hard to give advice about them in this case, especially the SSD. SSD helps increase boot and load time dramatically. GTX 260 1GB is more future proof. Its a lot better than GTX 240 512MB. If yoy need it, go for it. If you dont, save your money.

 

GTX260M is definitely necessary, when you are running a game @1920*1080.
Are you sure you can handle a 15 inches screen with 1920*1080 resolution? That's not good for your eyes, everything become to a tiny little thing.

 

i do multi-tasking, i run lot of windows. so i believe high res would help me to do the work easily with huge spacing availability. However, for the letters i can increase the font dpi. if thats an issue, i have to think abt it.

 

after increase the font dpi, everything become weired, in some software the font will get out of the frame, you can try that on your current computer.

 

Well, not exactly...though you will have more VRAM in the 260 (and this will offer a nice performance increase) the 260 and the 240 are actually the exact same card. I lost the link to the video explaining how / why but it boiled down to the fact that Nvidia throws the 260s that perform under par into the 240 pile, the 240s are not "defective" by any means but do simply do not mean 260 standards.

 

any free upgrades available if ordered by phone (contacting sales rep)?

i hope someone that owns M15x would have experienced it ..