Is an AW right for me | NotebookReview

NonprofitTech Notebook Enthusiast

Reputations:: 0

Messages:: 27

Likes Received:: 0

Trophy Points:: 5

Hi everyone.

I can afford exactly one computer. About $2,000 worth.

I need this to be my work and play computer.

Work = web development, Adobe Suite work, network analysis type work, and lots of multi-tasking.

Play = the occasional new game, like Civ 5, and the occasional netflix stream to HD TV (via HDMI).

It will travel only occasionally. For the most part, it will sit on my desk.

It will also be connected to dual external monitors, a keyboard, and mouse. So the display, the keyboard and the touchpad are not of high importance to me.

Is an M15x or 17x overkill for my needs?

Do you think I would be better off with one of the new XPS models?

Thanks for any advice.

NonprofitTech, Oct 31, 2010

#1

widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

Reputations:: 3,079

Messages:: 4,207

Likes Received:: 168

Trophy Points:: 131

In terms of build quality and aesthetics, you can't go wrong with Alienware. In terms of performance, you can't go wrong with Alienware. However in terms of your usage, these laptops can be slight overkill. Sure the Nvidia GPUs offer great help with the Adobe stuff but your better off getting another laptop that will have a 920xm, decent graphics (I would still recommend Nvidia for Adobe use) and a good screen that is lighter and perhaps cheaper.

Of course the alternative is to build your own desktop and get a m11x if your still after the AW brand.

widezu69, Oct 31, 2010

#2

5150Joker Tech|Inferno

Reputations:: 4,974

Messages:: 7,036

Likes Received:: 113

Trophy Points:: 231

New XPS 15 with b+rg 1080p is your best fit.

5150Joker, Oct 31, 2010

#3

granyte ATI+AMD -> DAAMIT

Reputations:: 357

Messages:: 2,346

Likes Received:: 0

Trophy Points:: 55

ati work fine for adobe use .... nvidia marketing stuff is great ati where suported by adobe since before cuda even my old 9600 is suported by adobe

granyte, Oct 31, 2010

#4

widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

Reputations:: 3,079

Messages:: 4,207

Likes Received:: 168

Trophy Points:: 131

granyte said: ↑

ati work fine for adobe use .... nvidia marketing stuff is great ati where suported by adobe since before cuda even my old 9600 is suported by adobe

Click to expand...

Beggin your pardon I'm sorry. Forgive my ignorance. Either way I think the XPS suggestion is very suitable for you.

widezu69, Oct 31, 2010

#5

NonprofitTech Notebook Enthusiast

Reputations:: 0

Messages:: 27

Likes Received:: 0

Trophy Points:: 5

My only concern with the XPS line was with playing new games (not just new games now, but through the life of the machine - give or take 3 years). I assumed the Alienware's would have more longevity in that regard.

But I really haven't looked into the XPS's gaming power.

How does the XPS 15 stack up against the M11x?

I wouldn't spend the extra money on the nicer b+rg - this laptop will spend 80% of its time on a desk, lid closed.

NonprofitTech, Oct 31, 2010

#6

anderj235 Notebook Consultant

Reputations:: 15

Messages:: 152

Likes Received:: 0

Trophy Points:: 30

Why not a desktop then?

anderj235, Oct 31, 2010

#7

NonprofitTech Notebook Enthusiast

Reputations:: 0

Messages:: 27

Likes Received:: 0

Trophy Points:: 5

anderj235 said: ↑

Why not a desktop then?

Click to expand...

Because of the other 20% of the time.

I can only afford (and truthfully, only want to deal with) one computer. So it has to be a laptop, as I will have to travel with it occasionally.

NonprofitTech, Oct 31, 2010

#8

dacco Notebook Guru

Reputations:: 0

Messages:: 70

Likes Received:: 1

Trophy Points:: 16

NonprofitTech said: ↑

Because of the other 20% of the time.

I can only afford (and truthfully, only want to deal with) one computer. So it has to be a laptop, as I will have to travel with it occasionally.

Click to expand...

Have you thought of a Dell Outlet M15/17X?. Min spec, i5/6/7-ATi 4870/5870,and a must is the RGB led. Got to get that at least.

dacco, Oct 31, 2010

#9

NonprofitTech Notebook Enthusiast

Reputations:: 0

Messages:: 27

Likes Received:: 0

Trophy Points:: 5

Yeah. I am totally open to an outlet machine.

So do you think if I can get an outlet M15x at about the same price as a new XPS 15, that the 15x would be the better buy?

On the other hand, I just found this review of the XPS 15 - http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/dell-xps-15.aspx

In which the following is stated: "With the power of the GT420 behind it, the notebook is capable of playing hardcore games as well as high-definition videos. When we tried playing the more-demanding game Far Cry 2, the XPS 15 didn't blink. At 1024 x 768 resolution, it provided a whopping 64 fps, which is double the category average (32 fps) and about on par with the HP Envy 14 (75 fps). At its native resolution of 1366 x 768, that rate dropped to a still-strong 34 fps, which is more than double the category average of 15.6 fps."

NonprofitTech, Oct 31, 2010

#10

Sirhcz0r Notebook Deity

Reputations:: 600

Messages:: 1,079

Likes Received:: 0

Trophy Points:: 55

That "category" holds itself to lower standards. Those framerates are abysmal for that resolution.

Sirhcz0r, Oct 31, 2010

#11

NonprofitTech Notebook Enthusiast

Reputations:: 0

Messages:: 27

Likes Received:: 0

Trophy Points:: 5

Been scanning the outlet, looks like with some patience I can find the right M15x, or even M17xR2.

I currently have a SXPS 1645, i7 720, 6GB, ATI HD4670 1GB

I'm starting to wonder if this will be ok for the occasional new game, like Civ5,Portal2 etc. If so, that would obviously save me some cash.

I also have an XPS desktop with an i7 860, 8GB, and an ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB.

I suppose I could ditch the 1 and only 1 computer idea and set this up as my hybrid gamer, but I wonder how that would work for gaming.

Ohhhhh, I hate having to pick and choose between wants and needs.

NonprofitTech, Nov 1, 2010

#12

granyte ATI+AMD -> DAAMIT

Reputations:: 357

Messages:: 2,346

Likes Received:: 0

Trophy Points:: 55

honestly if you don,t plan on gaming hard an alienware is overkill for your need but it's still a nice toy to have all the adobe work your doing it would do it the same only faster

so it all comes down to if you wanna pay for it or not you could get a great deal on an outlet machine if you can get a

m17x with 5870 cfx and rgb led and then drop a 920xm from ebay that would leave even your desktop in the dust

granyte, Nov 1, 2010

#13

taylorlee Notebook Enthusiast

Reputations:: 2

Messages:: 40

Likes Received:: 0

Trophy Points:: 15

It is definitely powerful but very large and heavy, much heavier and thicker than normal 17' gaming laptops, like Gateway P 78XX. But it is powerful.

taylorlee, Nov 1, 2010

#14

stevenxowens792 Notebook Virtuoso

Reputations:: 952

Messages:: 2,040

Likes Received:: 0

Trophy Points:: 0

@OP - Just remember that if the Alienware is considered a gaming rig, the xps series is a moderate gaming rig. Probably not as upgradable in the future. May be throttled back from factoru to conserve battery or notebook health.

The alienware's will throttle under certain circumstances but usually can be overcome. Very upgradeable, very powerful. Overall a good choice for a one machine situation where you need desktop power with notebook portability.

I love my m15x.

Best Wishes,

StevenX

stevenxowens792, Nov 1, 2010

#15

granyte ATI+AMD -> DAAMIT

Reputations:: 357

Messages:: 2,346

Likes Received:: 0

Trophy Points:: 55

yup hardly any alienware eve throttle but don,t get the m15X with a nvidia solution ....

granyte, Nov 1, 2010

#16

shinob! Notebook Consultant

Reputations:: 169

Messages:: 220

Likes Received:: 2

Trophy Points:: 31

For reasons that you can afford it,& mostly likely you
are willing to fork out serious dough for it,i say m15x is
just right for you.(why are you in this forum anyway if you are having doubts?)
Think of alienware not being overkill,but future-proofed &
you will thank yourself in months,or even years down the road.

 m15x * Cosmic Black * 1920x1080p * i7 720QM * ATI 5850 * 8GB RAM 1333Hz * OCZ Vertex 2 80GB * Logitech G700 * Razer Sphex *

shinob!, Jan 23, 2011

#17

Currently Newbie

Reputations:: 0

Messages:: 8

Likes Received:: 0

Trophy Points:: 5

One shortcoming that has bit me a few times in a business environment is the M11x does not have a standard video port you can hook up to an overhead projector to do presentations.

HDMI and DP(???) only

Currently, Jan 23, 2011

#18

Voodooi AFK for a while...

Reputations:: 1,850

Messages:: 2,874

Likes Received:: 1

Trophy Points:: 55

NonprofitTech said: ↑

Yeah. I am totally open to an outlet machine.

So do you think if I can get an outlet M15x at about the same price as a new XPS 15, that the 15x would be the better buy?

On the other hand, I just found this review of the XPS 15 - Dell XPS 15 Review - A Review of the Dell XPS 15

In which the following is stated: "With the power of the GT420 behind it, the notebook is capable of playing hardcore games as well as high-definition videos. When we tried playing the more-demanding game Far Cry 2, the XPS 15 didn't blink. At 1024 x 768 resolution, it provided a whopping 64 fps, which is double the category average (32 fps) and about on par with the HP Envy 14 (75 fps). At its native resolution of 1366 x 768, that rate dropped to a still-strong 34 fps, which is more than double the category average of 15.6 fps."

Click to expand...

An outlet M15X with a 1080 screen and 5850/70 is your best bang for buck. Just make sure to upgrade the warranty I personally don't believe the XPS will be that great for gaming on year 2-3.

Voodooi, Jan 23, 2011

#19

BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

Reputations:: 7,395

Messages:: 7,964

Likes Received:: 25

Trophy Points:: 206

Posts like the OP's belong here -

http://forum.notebookreview.com/what-notebook-should-i-buy/

BatBoy, Jan 23, 2011

#20

Is an AW right for me?

NonprofitTech Notebook Enthusiast

widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

5150Joker Tech|Inferno

granyte ATI+AMD -> DAAMIT

widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

NonprofitTech Notebook Enthusiast

anderj235 Notebook Consultant

NonprofitTech Notebook Enthusiast

dacco Notebook Guru

NonprofitTech Notebook Enthusiast

Sirhcz0r Notebook Deity

NonprofitTech Notebook Enthusiast

granyte ATI+AMD -> DAAMIT

taylorlee Notebook Enthusiast

stevenxowens792 Notebook Virtuoso

granyte ATI+AMD -> DAAMIT

shinob! Notebook Consultant

Currently Newbie

Voodooi AFK for a while...

BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate