M11x or M15x for university.

Hey guys long time viewer first time poster!

Due to a recient dell misshap they're delivering a M11x and a M15x to my house within the next week... I'll be sending one back regardless, but I was wondering which one it should be? I've weighed all the pros and cons of the laptops and I've read about the screen/keyboard issues with the M11x...

I'm going to school this fall (University) and I'm basically wondering what one would be better for classes, going to the library, playing StarCraft 2 on "oh so" pretty settings and most importantly playing FFXIV on decent settings this fall.

I ordered a bag for school that would accomidate either laptop. I also ordered a Naga gaming mouse for some Num-pad action.

The M15x is a good 700 dollars more because Canadians arn't liked by dell... So I guess I could consider that. I'll probably be keeping the laptop for 3 or so years.

help me out guys!

Thanks in advance

 

M15x, for sure. And what are the specs on each?

 

Silly me!

M11x - i7 Processor (basically all you need to know), 4gb ram.
M15x - i7 740M, ati 5850, 4gb ram, 900p screen, 9-cell battery.

both silver

 

Return both, get an M15x with the 1080p screen.

 

In terms of dollar per spec, go with the M15x. Portability is a whole other issue, but for price alone i would recommend the M15x. The problem in Canada is, when you configure the M11x with the new i7 ULV processors (which you will need if you plan to play SC2 on the M11x) the price tag is already over the $1k mark, and at that point you might as well just put in a couple hundred more and get the M15x. That's my biggest gripe with the M11x in Canada.

 

Agree'd batt! Thanks for the enlightenment, I agree with you and thanks for putting my mind at ease

+1 rep.

Also everyone knows 900p screens have very very VERY little difference between 1080p + better FPS

 

Definently keep the M15x if price is no object. The DVD drive is also a big plus.

 

I am a proud owner of a M11x. I would say it would depends on your needs. I am more of portable person. I usually use my laptop to browse and sometimes for casual gaming. I love it.

 

it boils down to whether or not you're looking for more or less of an untethered experience... also, as a college senior here, i can tell you first hand good luck with 15" & 17" fitting comfortably on classroom desks!

 

M11x if your gonna bring to and from classes. The M15x is just too big and heavy for that.

 

M15x all the way.

I got an M15x for college this fall, and I couldn't be happier with it. Great computer, and does everything I need it to.

It even gets more portable with time (as u get used to it ).

 

You don't need the i7 to play SC2, I have been playing SC2 since the beta on my core 2 dou. All settings on high without any issues.

 

I don't have any screen or keyboard issues with my M11x. I use the keyboard all the time, in fact editing a novel on it right now (just taking a quick break). The lcd is glossy but doesn't bother me at all.

And to answer your question, I'd get the M11x over the M15x but then again, I also have an M17x for home use. I wouldn't want to be dragging the M15x around campus.

 

No you definitely don't "need" it, but it helps. And to be honest I find that hard to believe that you're running the game on high settings with that processor and graphics card without issues. Maybe I'm wrong, but what fps are you getting?

Granted the resolution is lower for you, but on high settings on my M15x, I get an avg of low 40 fps with spikes to beyond 50 and high 30s. When playing multiplayer, people with the M11x have reported getting fps below 30, which makes games unplayable.

 

I'm in the same dilemma.. Only I havent ordered one of them yet.

- m15x - + for performance, blueray (optional),
- for battery life

-m11x - + for portability, battery, performance in relation to its size.
- for screen, both build quality and size

One day Im leaning towards the m15x and the next its m11x.
How do you think the m11x will do with upcoming games like Black ops, medal of honor, final fantasy online?

I might just go for the m11x now and see if there something new and exciting out next year..

 

m11x may be advertised as a gaming laptop but it isn't :/ Just because all other 11" notebooks REALLY suck in gaming performance doesn't mean the best 11" has way better performance in games.
If you are buying this for mostly games, then go for M15x. But if you are behind portability, then go for M11x.
Note that M15x is actually huge. I put my old DATRON 15" notebook next to my M15x and I was like "omg they shipped me an M20x prototype wrongly"

 

Normal multiplayer games range between 30 to 40 fps which is playable, an rts with 30+ fps is always playable. I have everything on high but terrain on medium. Plus your running at a much higher res. I know how smooth is as on my desktop it never dips below 60fps. For a laptop as small as the m11x, the performance is definitely good. People reporting dips below 30 are usually on the R2 of the m11x, everyone I know with R1's are getting similar performance.

Edit: Just finished a quick multi-player match, plenty of units on screen, went to the low 30's, maybe there was one instance that it dipped below 30 into the high 20's, I had fraps running but I was paying more attention to the match so it wasn't that noticeable.

 

I'm gonna return the M11x.... Its just too much of a gimmic for me.... Sure its portable, but honestly the M15x's 9 Pounds isn't much to carry around. Besides now with the M15x I don't have to upgrade for quite awhile (as It will play the latest ad greatest for a few years).

 

congrats! ultimately as long as you're comfortable with it, you came out ahead w/aw either way!

 

And and the worst, if battery life is a concern, you can always get another battery.

I guess it depends on whether you need portability as well. I'll be going to college, but I'll be taking all of my notes with pen and paper, so I don't plan on using the computer for notes. Everything else I want to do with my computer will allow me to plug it in. And at the worst case, I can pick up another battery.

They way I look at it, even a $180 battery and a $1375 M15x (core i5, 5850, 9 cell, 4 gb ram, 250 gb hdd) is cheaper than both an M11x and a desktop for gaming.

The m11x can't handle the kind of games I want to play and the settings I want to play them.

Your choice though, just decide whether you will actually take notes on your comp or not.

Even then... the $1375 M15x and a $200/$250 Dell netbook for notes will still cost less than an M11x and a desktop for games.

 

Nevermind...

 

I myself (also going to college) am ordering an M15x and the cheapest Dell netbook. After discounts I'm thinking it will be around $1800.

 

Aside from portability, I really don't see why anyone would choose m11x over m15x...

Especially when you are also planning to play games on it. People who are used to playing games on their wide screen monitor on desktop just can't get over with m11x's mini monitor.

 

it's because it's the most impressive netbook. i mean come on, how awesome is it to be able to play crysis, lfd2, cod5, wow, sc2 all on a netbook?

i never thought it possible till i saw it, i thought the smallest i'd seen capable of being a casual gamers laptop was the 13"... funny thing is, the m11x can play games which most 13" laptops can't.

 

Yeah, m11x makes sense as a gaming netbook, meaning, as your ultraportable computer away from home. As long as you have a backup computer at home (ie, a larger laptop or a desktop), the m11x would be perfect. If we're talking about games of course.

To me though, the m11x does not make sense if its your main computer. Just not powerful enough imho.

 

fair based on varying needs of course, but it is powerful enough as a primary machine for most users here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/480410-m11x-your-main-machine.html

 

Whilst the M11x is certainly a good machine to game on with portability its just over all a nice gimmic (a useful one at that). Sure its easy to take around, but like with any other gaming laptop your still tied down to an outlet to play for longer than 2 hours.... I don't regret getting the M15x for one second and I'm really glad on that decision... M11x seems to be riddled with issues (due to the M11x thread).

Check out my unboxing video in my sig! Might make you want that m15x even more

 

Not to be confrontational or anything, but my M11Xr1 is flawless after 5 months of use- No hinge issues, etc.

 

Hmmm... that is interesting.

Not gonna lie, I was really excited about it until I went to the store and checked out the screen size. 11" is way smaller than it sounds like. Then I decided to go M15x and haven't regretted it since.

Now maybe I can start saving up for a Dell u2410... that would be sweet.

 

Be sure to take your motion sickness pills before hand /holds hand over mouth!
P Lease invest in a tripod!

Would like to see a part 2.. Wish you had done a vid of you doing the cpu thermal grease Would be nice to see you disecting the laptop : )

Nice of you to do a vid.

 

I get 4 hours gaming on my M11xR1.