Is an Alienware M15x worth saving up all summer for?

Basicly, I was thnking like this: Alienware means I get a laptop that is designed for gaming, lights up, has the new i7 processor and looks like it could fire nuclear missles if it wanted too, but costs ~$2,500. Non-Alienware means it doesn't look as good, doesn't light up, not designed for gaming (but probably could), no i7 processor, but only costs ~ $750. If I went Non-Alienware I could get an Ipod touch, punching bag, weight set, etc. But then I wouldn't have an sweet Alienware computer. I have wanted an Alienware computer since I found out about the brand 5 years ago.

 

well you have half answerd your own question when you read your post again

yes it is worth getting an alienware laptop
yes it probably will launch nukes ( even if it dosent your freinds wont know)
yes it is expensive but if you do look around were talking 100-200 tops difference in price for simular system.

if you got a car and their was lets say a ford which was 13000 or a skoda which was 11500 both had same power mpg aircon etc but the ford looked more better which one would you buy

get the piggin laptop and be done with it.

treat yourself no one else is going to do it for ya!!!

 

Personally from experience of purchasing an Alienware m15x I would have to say either get a different lower priced, similar spec, not so sweet looking (Clevo/Sager) and do what you will with the savings...Yea the AW may look F'ing sweet but after a few weeks it will get old and you will be out of $2500! So... check out the clevo/sager laptops or find a used m15x at a percentage of the price. Computers just get out dated far too quickly to be wasting all your cookies on one purchase.

 

For the sheer gaming performance, build quality and speedy support -> 100% worth it. For the lights and alienhead logo - probably not.
Today's AW is the top performer thanks to the dual 4870s (soon 5870s maybe).
I would not go with M15X though as there are better and cheaper systems out there (Clevo) with better screen, better GPU (285M/5870), etc.
Now if you wait a few months, things might change, so stay tuned.
In a week from now a new HP is out with a FirePro M7820 GPU (a single card should be on par with most SLI/CF configs in benches), an IPS anti-glare screen that will make the current RGB LED blush and a similar anodized aluminum chassis. Plus the usb 3.0 and up to 16GB of ram.
Similar system is out from Lenovo (W701). Both are much lighter than the AW beasts but don't offer dual GPU configs.
Anyway the decision is yours and it's according to what you really need the system for, should be your guide.

 

i got an ipod touch, weight set, UX50V (think it was 749 + tax), and a nintendo wii, ps3, xbox 360
Problem with pc gaming is you pay $2500 to play a $50 game and with every new game that comes out you need to spend more cash to play games the way youre suppose to play them. thats why i went back to console gaming. idk thats what i think about it. plus pick up either a 32/64gb 3rd gen (it got that iphone 3gs performance.)

 

I just got my Alienware M15x like two days ago. I am enjoying it thus far however I haven't had that much time with it. For 2500+ dollars I'm going to say stay away and get something else maybe even the M17x because you can get a RGB LED display and ATI GPUs

Now for 1700-2000 the M15x is a good buy.. I would call in until you find a good Dell Rep thats willing to throw some good deals your way.. If you can snatch the M15x for 1700 or even 1800 bucks grab it. The computer is worth it indeed but in my opinion its not worth over 2000 bucks for.

 

How about the g73?

 

No

/10char

 

Yeah, just ran the numbers on a build on the Dell site, and I would not buy the M15x for the money, as there are very similar systems performance wise for WAY less (ie Asus G series for one, i know, throw stones if you must for my blasphemy), but would really like a M17x, as that is a much more powerful system for the money. The M15x I built was $2400, the M17x $2790, but with dual GPU's cause that makes me happy ha...

Honestly though, if money is tight, Alienware is not your best bet. When you have some extra cash laying around and can spring for one, by all means do, as they are a top shelf brand, but performance will be the same as a similar equipped system from Asus, Clevo, etc... but for WAY less money. I paid $1000 for my G51 when it came out last spring, and it has performed flawlessly and has the same 260mGTX that is in the current M15x. CPU is older, but there's an updated ASUS that has the latest CPU's as well, along with Clevo's.

This post is not a bash against Alienware by any means, as I plan to purchase more of them in the future, but I sure wouldn't save an entire summer for one and have no other cash to spare just to have it... as there are other great systems for much less

 

Why not build a desktop for cheaper and get the same performance, and be well on your way to a different laptop, or if your set on alienware an m11x.

 

Solid advice except for the part suggesting Asus. The 260M you have in your G51 is certainly NOT the same as the one found in an Alienware. Asus, in it's typical cost cutting fashion, gimped the G51's 260M by underclocking it and removing key circuitry needed to maintain a higher clocks rate plus it's not MXM 3.0 compliant and cannot be upgraded.

The G73's 5870m is much the same way, proprietary Asus design (not MXM 3.0b compliant) that tends to have a high failure rate. Asus's design philosophy is based upon cutting corners in design and building the lowest costing system possible. As a result, they sacrifice a lot of quality in the process. On the surface it looks like a great value until you really explore the shortcomings.

To the OP: I'd suggest looking into Dell Outlet, they have a 20% off sale today on Alienware systems and you can get a great deal on an M15x.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8jlL5MvZ_g here's a good size comparison between the m15x and m17x. Considering that the m15x is almost as heavy as the m17x I just don't see a point in the m15x right now.

 

You're right Joker in regards to the 260m GTX found in the Asus G51. As far as I've heard, it's underclocked. The stock G51 gets around 9K 3DMarks 06. My stock M15x gets more than 12K 3DMarks 06. However, for less than a thousand grand, the Asus G51 is a great value. I used to own a G50 about a year ago while I was in the US. For the price I paid (900 $ US), it can't be beat. It does a good job for an all around and no frills gaming laptop

Also, regarding the debate M15x vs M17x, I would probably pick the M17x with a dual GPU config. The M17x is not that much bulkier than the M15x and the dual GPU config will blow away any current M15x. My two cents...

 

I had an Asus G1, which I think was their first laptop in the gaming line. Build felt pretty solid and was a decent machine, but only lasted 2.5 years. GPU failed twice in that period, probably due to heat. Thing got really hot. And peeking into the Asus board on occasion, it seems that they still run hot. I've heard similar problems with subsequent laptops within the gaming line. I will say that I liked the machine a lot, but if they continue to fail after only 2-3 years, I wouldn't really recommend them. Their warranty work is great though, with very fast turn around times.

 

Yeah, I want a M17x, but it costs alot more money then the M15x.

 

hmmm no comment

 

you already know you want it, just get it already.

 

Ok ok!!! I'm getting the M15x. I just need to wait until the end of the summer so I will have the money. I can't wait!!!

 

Why don't you just grab this one for $1450? Seems like a good deal and is in excellent condition.

 

Welcome too the family!!!!

 

Dells 1year no interest worked well for me, im just going to throw $1k at them for the first payment...then the rest of the minimum pmts are way less.
Just a thought, dont know if thats an option for you

 

sweet by that time a new gpu option should be available.

 

Great laptop. although if I were tight on cash I wouldn't spring for it,but somethng that could get you by and play games. I would look at all options to figure out what will work. Maybe there is something more important to save for. But like was said earlier, for the gamng performance, support here at the forum, build quality, it can't be beat. Even dell's suport is pretty good. Although there are horror stories, you'll find that everywhere. I say rate all the pros and cons, and make a decision. I would also check the outlet like was mentioned. You can get great deals there. Also keep an eye on the market place. There are some good deals there as well.

 

Based on this video this is why I'm so against the m15x. I know the guy speaks german and I don't even understand him, but when he places his m15x onto of the m17x they look almost identical, and thus the size difference of 15 inches is just really so minimal. I don't know what happened but I'd rather just get the more powerful m17x the size is nearly identical, there can't be a closer match up between a 15 inch laptop and a 17 inch laptop then these current alienwares. Even the Apples have a larger size difference, if people wanted a 15 inch laptop they probably wanted portability. The only thing the m15x has going for itself is the simple fact that it's cheaper, but at what cost? You only get one HDD and 1 GPU, and somehow the two laptops are nearly identical size, ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8jlL5MvZ_g

 

They are pretty close in size but the M15x's advantage is that it's not as loud as the M17x and it weighs about 4 lbs less. So despite the similar dimensions, there is a weight difference that would matter to some people. Plus the cost of the M17x fully decked out is quite a bit more than an M15x. Overall though, I would (and did) go for an M17x-R2 but it would HAVE to be dual GPU with RGB LED to be worth it. Those latter options are what bring up the price on the system.

 

I had to save for a couple of months (having to buy with Dell Panama makes the machine another $600 more expensive) to buy my M15x, but as far as I'm concerned it was well worth it. It's a fantastic machine with an amazing build. I'm sure I'll have years of pleasure from it.

 

I'd say the m11x is worth it since there is nothing similar. The other two, you have other options, and I have zero faith in their build quality, based on the m11x (which as the only game in town for it's class, it IMO worth struggling with)

I'd get that crazy stealth fighter looking asus if I wanted a huge laptop again.

(I know there are not many 15 inch gaming lappies, but the m15x is HUUUGE, so it's more of a 17 inch with a 15 inch screen)

 

Yeppers. I went onto the Alienware site and using the customizer, I made a fully decked out M17x and a fully decked out M15x. M17x= ~$10,000. M15x=~$5,000. Definite price difference. I one day plan to own a M17x, just right now it's way to expensive.

 

You're comparing a $700 plastic M11x portable meant for the masses with the M15x/M17x? Really? And then suggesting that ugly plastic/rubbery overheating G73?

 

I know how much you <3 the G73 but that soft-touch rubber feel is quite nice on a larger system.

lol

 

I'll give trojan a call and see if they can whip up a rubber sleeve for my M17x in that case.

 

I have to agree with Joker on this being an owner of both the M17x and the M11x. Although it's not as plastic as you'd think, it's similiar to the M17x.

Now as far as the build quality goes, the M17x is a solidly built machine. It's aimed at the hardcore portable gaming community where as the M11x is designed to target those who can't afford the bigger systems. Obviously there is going to be sacrifices, but I don't think quality was one of them.

Joker, if you have any luck with trojan, suggest a studded skin. I think that would look pretty "alienish." Maybe a green one. Then I won't drop my system.

 

TBH, I was VERY impressed with the M11x build.

Typical solid construction you'd expect from AW

 

The M11x is definitely a solid system but it is fully plastic. The build quality is pretty nice from what I saw of the prototype I played with but these stories of the E2E popping off have me wondering how much quality was sacrificed in meeting a low price point. DR650SE - I'll let you know what Trojan says

 

i had the g73 and couldn't stand the plasticky and rubbery feeling of it. The cooling was pretty good and it was quiet, but coming from a MBP i'd rather have aluminum.

 

Canadians are charged more as well, but this is exactly how I feel. The M17x hadnt been refreshed yet and if it had it was simply out of my price range. I dont regret buying this laptop for a second.