M14x vs M18X vs Aurora R3

I'm wanting to get back into PC gaming after only owning macs which aren't the greatest at it.

I initially bought loaded M14x but then was thinking I'd like bigger screen so grabbed M18x. Now thinking why even use laptop when I can just get Aurora R3 and hook up to my big screen tv. The desktop is cheapest solution but if games at high resolution on M18x are similar to Aurora then I'd just assume keep that.

Here are specs on each.

Alienware M14x $1367.51
8X DVD +/- RW Drive
Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Module
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
14.0 inch HD (900p/1600x900) with WLED backlight
8 Cell Primary Battery
256 GB Solid State Drive Ultra Performance
Intel 6250 Wireless-N (2x2) Half Mini-Card
Processor: Intel Core i7 2820QM 2.3GHz (3.4GHz w/Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache)
3.0 GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M using NVIDIA Optimus technology
RED - Hinge Up WLAN
Sound Blaster X-Fi MB Panzer software version 1.2
8 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz (2X4G)

Alienware M18x $2,147.68
Blu-ray Disc (BD) Combo (Reads BD and Writes to DVD/CD)
Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Module
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
Internal 60GHz WirelessHD Transmitter
500 GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
Dual 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 6970M
18.4 inch Wide FHD (1920 x 1080) WLED Display
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 a/b/g/n 3x3 MIMO Technology
Nebula Red Anodized Aluminum
Processor: Intel Core i7 2920XM, Quad Core Extreme, 2.5GHz(3.5GHz w/Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache)
8 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)

Alienware Aurora Desktop $1,148.43
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
8 GB DDR3 NON-ECC SDRAM at 1333MHz (4 DIMMs)
24X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
1 TB SATA II Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Matte Stealth Black 875W Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply
Processor: Intel Core i7-2600 processor (8MB Cache, 3.4GHz)
Single AMD Radeon HD 6990
Alienware TactX Mouse
Alienware TactX Keyboard

 

Hmm, you bought a loaded m14x and are thinking about purchasing now, a base model?

And I think the 17 or m18 are in different leagues... m14x are for people who want power and gaming but to be portable and mobile.

The m17 or m18x is obviously geared towards users who will stick the laptop on top of a desk and barely move it, possibly only moving it from room to room from time to time.

So, since that sounds like you, I would just get the desktop.

 

I've actually purchased all 3. Bought the M14x couple weeks ago and it's not bad but seems small. Seems great for it's size.

Then with outlet coupon today bought M18x this morning. Now about an hour ago bought the desktop. Obviously I'm a bit wishy washy on my best option.

In the end parking a big desktop connected to my home theater system seems like may be my best option. Throw in an SSD for the OS and will be good to go. I'm just more of a laptop guy hence the reason I looked at them first

 

if gaming is your main concern get the desktop, the HD 6990 desktop version is the fastest dual gpu card you can get, and that's a stellar price to considering the 6990 is 700-800 by itself.

I was in the same torn decision my self..gaming laptop or gaming desktop ?, my financial situations improved so I got both.

 

The advantage of the laptops is the portability, something like the M14x is for those who want an Alienware but need something that's portable on an everyday basis. The M18x is more for those who find the notebook form factor desireable, and possibly want the semi-portability for LAN gaming or just moving the system around every so often.

If you don't need portability at all, your best value for money is probably the desktop. The M18x is great, but sticking a desktop on a huge monitor/TV and having desktop-class GPUs is a big difference even over the most powerful SLI/CF setup in a notebook. Not to mention how much easier it is to just get a new card.

If you've already got all three though, you're kind of stuck, unless you can return one or two and get out of the restocking fee, or just eat the costs.

 

Ya, wow, with the price on the M18 and having a 2920XM thats the one I would keep. I just looked at dell outlet and there is ONLY 460's available for the video card right now so I think you did fine with the 6970's. Plus there is a thread in the M18 section talking about how to turn 6970's into 6990's via vbios upgrades...... check it out:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...vbios-unlock-virtual-cores-new-milestone.html

also, the M18's are just fine being portable. I take mine to work every day I go.

 

If you are only gaming at home you will hardly ever use the laptops. They are great for on the go even the large one's. But at home compared to the Aurora, they will never get used. The desktop will just leave them in the dust.

 

What I want to know is how you got those prices on all of these machines?!

I could only dream of getting a price like that here in Australia...

 

Yeah...planning on gaming on my home theater setup with 82" DLP. Preordered Rage today and bought Borderlands on sale from Steam couple days ago. Ready to start playing

 

these were all purchased from Dell Outlet using 20% off coupons hence the good deals

 

This thread is stupid. If you have ordered all three wait for them to come and see how you get on with each. Then send the others back.

Really no one cares for your 1st world problem of buying expensive kit and detailing your home cinema.

 

Uhh, won't you have to eat a 15% restocking fee on the two machines you return?

 

tbh keep all of them

run furmark on the laptops and put them on the ground

then play the game u want on the desktop and use the laptops to keep your feet warm

win win no ? ;p

 

We have a thread discussing 'M14x or (M17x)'
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/598074-quick-should-i-get-m14x.html

For Desktop chatter, we have an Alienware forum here -
Alienware Forums - Alienware Desktop Computer Forums and PC Discussions

Thanks.