M17 or m15x...University Student

Just generally, how does everyone feel about the two laptops and their value as well as portability.

Now, Ill be starting university next year and I was wondering if anyone has any experience to share with any similar situations and the end result of their decisions when purchasing the M17 or the m15x?

Please Advise..Greatly Appreciated!

 

I bought my m15x about a month ago (senior in university now), it's a decent value but there are cheaper computers out there. If you want it to be more portable, go with the m15x. If you want more of a desktop replacement that won't be moved around much, try the m17.

The downside to the m15x is that while it isn't overly large, it weighs a fair bit, more than other laptops of the same size. It's also a fair bit more expensive than other 15" laptops, but it depends what you're looking for. If you're a big gamer it'll work, but if it's just for casual use, you'll save a good bit of money with another brand.

I suggest looking around a while like I did to fully compare values based on what type of CPU and all those other goodies you'll be getting. I'm happy with my purchase, but it all comes down to what you're looking for.

 

Depends on portability and upgradability as well as your budget. The m15x is nice, but its CPU compatibility is pretty much last gen, the M17 is compatibile with all the new Mobile Quad Core processors, DDR3 memory, and they're saying will be able to put in the new 4870 GDDR5 video cards.

 

For the sake of the famous hinge problem.
Go for a Sager laptop.
My suggestion.

 

I gotta tell ya, for what you're looking for, the Sager at this link looks pretty good:
http://www.sagernotebook.com/product_customed.php?pid=160092

It's got an Nvidia GTX260M w/1GB ofGDDR3 which isn't heavily CPU dependent so you can use whatever CPU you want or can afford. They also offer a Quad core if you think you need it.

If you can afford it, I'd order the cheapest HHD they offer and get A OCZ Vertex SSD. This will make less heat, use less power to increase battery life and it will weigh less as well.

You've got a lot of great choices out there.

 

Staying strictly to the two choices you have, it would depend on you.

The m15x is smaller and weighs less, but its tech is pretty much last gen. There is also the infamous hinge problem that has happened to many people's m15x on this forum. The plus side is you get the smart bay, which allows you to get 7 hours of battery life. So buying a m15x will get you portability while still beable to game.

The M17 is an all around contender, it uses all new gen tech (DDR3, Core 2 Duo, Quad Core, 3870s etc...) However you will have to lug around 10 pounds (12-13 with the AC Adapter). If you want a desktop replacement, buy this instead. Battery life is decent for a 17 inch, about 2 hours.

 

+1 for that sager 8662

 

What is the infamous hinge problem exactly? Whats the cause? and the result?

 

Hinge problem: a lot of people experienced cracking in the hinge that opens/closes the screen. The screen would start to come apart near the hinges after moderate use. Cause seems to be shoddy manufacturing (cheap plastic, weak metal, not put together correctly, etc).

Result: alienware acknowledged the problem but said that very few customers actually report the hinge crack (take that with a grain of salt).

Me personally, I've had my m15x for a month now, no signs of stress around the hinges. I open/close it several times a day. It does creak a bit when you start to open or close it, but nothing at this stage hints that a crack or split will form. That doesn't mean the issue is 100% fixed, that's just my experience.

 

I would go for the m15x. For around $2000 you can get one with the 2.5 processor, 3870 video card, three years warranty, and a second battery. It's not the lightest thing to lug around campus, but two batteries will last all day, and its a decent machine for gaming. You can get a 5% student discount on the m15x, but AW does not discount the m17.