M11x or StudioXPS16?

Kind of different ends of the spectrum, but those are my options.

I use the computer for everything, but primarily 3-D CAD modeling and FEA with Solidworks.

I do lots of typing, use the computer every day, web surfing, Office use, things like that. I'd say I'm a fairly rigorous user.

I'm rarely unplugged, but often need to be.

I like the M11x, but I'm not 100% sold on the SU7300 (vs. an i7-720qm in the SXPS). Will the SU7300 be able to keep up with my demands? I won't overclock it, or do anything of the sort.

The things drawing me to the M11X is the light weight, the battery life and the GPU. But the thing turning me away is the processor (I can live without a DVD drive).

I would really appreciate any input or opinion.

Thanks!

 

Stick with the SXPS16

 

Ill try out CAD and other apps once i get my m11x and let you know :]

 

I am in the same boat, I love the design of the m11x but use my laptop to run VM's and occasionally need to run 2-3 simultaneously. I was worried about the cpu as well, as I played with an asus with the 7300 at bestbuy and wasnt that thrilled by the cpu.

I ended up getting a sony cw27fx from bestbuy for 949, core i5, 4gb ram, 330m video

 

STAY AWAY from the i5/i7 studio xps 16. Throttle issues make it a slower pc then the m11x. Seriously. Go read the threads in the xps forum.

I reurned mine and am looking forward to the m11x. If you need more juice the sxps16 is NOT the answer.

 

Hmm, I hadn't heard about those issues with the i7 SXPS16.

So that comes back to the M11x. Is it going to be enough processor, or will I regret it immediately?

 

M11x intent is uber portable gaming, Mini-Me rig.

Better bet than studio xps 16 that will provide cpu power, gaming chops AND portability (not as much as M11x) is the Sony CW27FX (14",5.4lbs, i5-530, 500gb, 330m, Blu ray). Another great thing about the CW27 is it stays very cool and quiet, even when running intense apps or games. Opposite of Dell systems

I would keep the CW27, but I already have a gaming desktop and wanted something more portable. Only issue though is the reported fan noise by many in the forum when playing games on the M11x. CW27 is scary quiet, but still barely warm- strange.

Oh, well! Get the M11x today, so will know if hovercraft description is correct.

 

Having owned Dell XPS (13" though) for 2 years now I just can't see the parallel universe in which I will ever buy a Dell laptop in near future. Yeah XPS16 is better -- WHILE it actually works!!

Go for Alienware m15x if you need bigger one -- starting price is $1079 through EPP, only $10 more than m11x... and is MUCH better if you really need performance over battery life/portability.

 

...The M11X starts at $799, thats almost 300 more for the 'special discount' M15X you've listed. The regular price for the M15X is $400 more.

 

Yeah I was talking about EPP prices. And since they virtually never check for EPP, why would you pay them more through regular web....

His alternative, XPS16, starts at like $1k anyway.

 

Either way it is still vastly more expensive, $280 more at EPP price than the RETAIL price of the m11x.

If the XPS16 issues are resolved or are only in the absolute minority (I have no clue about the issues nor how common they are) then you should DEFINITELY go with it over the m11x. But if they aren't i'd suggest looking at another brand like the others have suggested in this thread. The AW isn't the right computer for what you are after.

 

For 3D CAD, the SXPS 16 wins, hands down.

The SXPS 16 also has a (slightly) better graphics card provided you go for the 4670. The LED screens will also be a bonus.

At the end of the day though, for portability, the M11x undoutedly wins. In graphics it's only a hairline worse, it's got great battery life, is lightweight, small. Only problem being that processor for some people.

 

Get the i5 xps studio 1647. It doesnt have NEAR the issues as the i7 1645. STAY AWAY from i7 1645, MANY ISSUES: heat, screen, throttling, and sound.

Just read their forums if you want the info. I would get the 1647 though. Its not an i7 but its a good i5 with a 4670 graphics card. You can get the RGB screen with it too for a little more money. Its going to run you about $200-300 more than what the m11x is and you are getting more for your money.

I bought the m11x because of its looks, portability and battery life. But for your needs the xps studio 1647 will do just fine. It does throttle and it gets a little warm but a quick BIOS update (A04) is coming out to fix that. Along with a new 130watt adapter.

 

This is a lot of great info, thanks guys!

How would an M15X do?

i7-720QM
GForce GTX-260M
WLED WideFHD
500GB 7200RPM drive
Intel WiFi Link card

That's right around the same price as the 17-720QM SXPS16 and the SU7300 M11X. How does the 260M compare to the Radeon in the SXPS16? Can it switch between internal and external GPU control like the M11X does?

Are the M15X's experiencing the same i7 problems the SXPS's are?

What is the battery life expectancy of the M15x?

 

If you can find a M15x for around $1300 for what you need...get it. Also, show me the setup and link because I would want to buy one for that price! A good M15x build will run you well over $1700 im afraid. Unless your easy to please

 

For what you specified your needs are, the m11x is not the machine you want to go with.

Extended amounts of work (CAD, etc), being rarely unplugged, and so on all add up to a machine that isn't the m11x.

Its primary intended use was unplugged ultramobile gaming, and the processor will be too weak to use extensively as a work machine. I still argue it's too weak for gaming (it does hold back the GPU, look at benchmarks of the i5+330m, I'm talking about gaming benchmarks, not synthetics), but that doesn't stop it from being a good unit.

If size, portability, and price are what you're after, the CW is an easy sell. Definitely strong enough for your needs, slightly larger screen to ease the eyes, and still gets decent battery for the times you need to be unplugged.

If you don't mind spending a bit more and losing some portability, I'd recommend the m15x. The XPS line currently has lots of problems being reported.

The m11x is a machine best left for mobile gamers, it was designed that way, and using it as a work machine for demanding programs will most likely leave you disappointed.

 

Just for clarification...you are talking about the CW here correct? Your post was kinda of a mix between the m11x, CW and m15x. The m11x is def not weak at the GPU lol

 

Where did you get the $1300 number from?

The price range is right in the $2000 range.

The M11x would be loaded, with a 256GB SSD. The SXPS16 would be nearly fully loaded, and the M15x would be close.

Do the M15X laptops have the ability to overclock in the BIOS options?

So now it sounds like the decision is between the M15X and the SXPS16.

 

Dude if you can spend $2000, Definitely get the M15x...its a M11X on steroids. Some throttling issues have been reported but nothing significant to cause alarm. I would get the M15x but I dont have $1700-2000 to spend on it. So I settled with the M11x for $1000

 

What is the battery life like in the M15X?

 

maybe like 2hrs

 

Dude, that was resolved with a bios update and adapter 130w fix.

 

if you go look and read the posts people that max that system out with CAD/3D rendering/games are still having problems in some cases. its not fixed, and they still arn't sending the laptops new with a 130 watt adapter.

 

The S-XPS runs better on the old "gimped" bios with throttlestop blocking the dell throttling processes and a 130watt adapter then it does on the A07 BIOS without TS (and i think TS was blocked in A07, or gimped a bit)

I sent mine back so I haven't been keeping up with it as much, but i know its not completely fixed.

 

I have been reading, and IT HAS BEEN RESOLVED. People have been running the torture tests and say it isn't throttling anymore which is worst than CAD would ever put a CPU through.

It will throttle on battery like any laptop will.

 

If I have 2 grands I will put it on a M17x

 

And don't forget the Alienwares are built by Dell and use many of the same components that Dell uses in other laptops like the XPS. LOL

 

M17X is just too darn big. The M15X is at least reasonably sized and gives the illusion of being able to be portable.

 

It looks like, thanks to the worst customer service in the world, I am being forced into an XPS1640. What a terrible company, Dell is.

 

^^ Your post makes no sense.

 

Judging your needs i really feel that the new Sony Z with the i7 processor and nvidia 330m chip would fit you best, the price tag is high, but it's full of sexy.

It's got a nice portable form factor as well, and a gorgeous screen. if price is an issue i suppose you could replace the SSD with a platter drive and sell the SSD to save some.

 

WOW, the Z is outrageously expensive. Sony laptops bother me. I can't stand not having stand-alone page up/page down buttons.

 

how ll the Su processor of m11x handle maya and other graphic programs???