Is now the right time ??

I'm looking to replace my Dell XPS 1710, with an Alienware M17x.

I have a couple of questions relating to spec tho:

Is the 920XM really that faster than the 820QM?
Is now the right time to buy? or is there an R3 refresh or new model looming that I should wait for?

I will use the system primarily for VMWare virtualisation, development and office work. I class myself as a heavy user so I really need the grunt.

So far the spec build will be i7 920/8GB RAM/512GB SSD (2x256GB SSD)/1920x screen/BluRay Writer.

What do you learned peeps think??

Mike...

 

No Intel VT for the M17xR2.....I was right the first time before I edited it out.

 

Wow that would be a bit of a deal breaker then. Are you sure?

I thought it was a feature of the processor. I've just done a quick google and found this:
http://doingitvirtual.com/blogs/vir...nt-to-run-hyper-v-on-your-alienware-m17x.aspx

If you're right then after years of wanting an Alienware it'll have to wait a bit more.

Mike...

 

I don't currently have the machine so it's possible it was added with a later bios release. Hopefully someone else here can verify.

BTW, that article is from last August which is before the M17xR2 was released.

Edit#2: Just to answer your other questions I would get the 920XM if you want to play with over-clocking. It is much faster when OC'ed. There are other system better for virtualization like the Asus G73 and the Thinkpad W510. They both offer 4 ram slots so it's cheaper to get more memory, also they both support VT in the bios and are more portable. The M17xR2 is better for gaming with the dual 4870 cards.

 

Don't take this the worng way Mandrake, but I REALLY hope you're wrong. That would properly put me in a bad mood for the week if you're right.

Do you think the 920 is worth the extra £450 over the 820? Assuming we do get virtualization with both.

Thanks for your heads up tho.

 

I think it's worth it because I like to benchmark. If I didn't then it isn't.

 

I actually hope you're right, Mandrake.
Really hope.
That would be the most interesting and favorable situation for talking to Dell again

 

What do you mean??

 

I mean, my R1 did support the VT and I do need this option soon. If the R2 doesn't support it (and I'm kinda disappointed with the system now), might have a stable ground to call Dell and demand another replacement to ...say....a different line

 

Vt isn't required anymore for xp mode....

 

Barrok is correct i read this a few days ago .But i heard in next bios for R2 should be included .
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=462058

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=29543932

 

So it looks like it's purely a BIOSy setting then.

When the Dell guy calls me back I'll check with him.

Not wanting to labour the point too much, but is this the right time to shell out £3k+ for this laptop?? Or is there something on the horizon?

I know USB3 will be in soon, but I gather it's likely to be Q3ish timeline.

Thanks, Mike...

 

It's required for 64bit VM's.

 

this thread might be of some help: Totally New Dell/Alienware 17" - Summer 2010?

 

Somehow I missed that post when I searched around.

Looks like it might be prudent to hold off for a bit then. It's a real shame the Clevo looks so bad, a that would be the one for me, spec wise.

Thanks for all the input. I'll keep my ear to the ground to see when the change occurs.

Mike...

 

I wish Clevo could hear this and make some notes
Almost forgot, Clevo, if you can hear us offer better screens too! And matte! hehe.