M17 vs M17x?

Hello, I am new to this forum but I have been looking at a lot of information about both the M17 and M17X (the new one) Alienware laptops. My 3 year old XPS M1710 has a somewhat broken GPU, so I think I will put my money towards a new system instead of replacing my card with another one that is likely to have similar issues (I have a Geforce 7900 GS, everyone says 7900 series is unreliable), which seems to be the theme of Dell's community website.

The first thing I saw of course was the (new) M17X on Dell's website, and it does look amazing, but the configuration that I would probably end up buying if I got one would be very expensive....

Then I saw the M17, and apparently ATI 4850 cards were just made available for this system which makes it close to the M17X's power, but for much less money.

Let me start by saying that I did search these forums to see if anyone was asking the same thing I am, but the threads that I found were mostly "should I return my m17x for the new m17?", referring to the old m17x computer, so I would like to know if anyone can help me decide which computer is better for me, since you guys all seem to know so much about them.

Here is what I have thought so far (not necessarily in order of importance):

M17x:
Pros:
SLI 280 GTX's are more powerful than 4850's in Crossfire (I think?)
More RAM on base config
It looks a lot newer/cooler than the M17

Cons:
More expensive
No option to add second HD w/o choosing a dual hard drive config, since it doesn't come w/ a second cradle (besides calling and complaining a lot, I guess)
Slot load disc drive isn't (not easily, at least) replaceable

M17:
Pros:
Cheaper
X9100 Processor (seems best value to me, not available on M17x)
Easy to add second hard drive
Smaller form factor

Cons:
Less powerful (possibly, depending on configuration)
ATI support doesnt seem as good to me as Nvidia's

Feel free to argue any of my reasons, prove me wrong, etc...

Thanks in advance

 

what are you going to do with your notebook and what setup are you really looking at. and what's the price for both

 

I was attuned to the notion that both systems, with comparable parts hover around the same price..

In any case, I'd reccommend the M17x, looks way awesomer(just made that a word), not to mention the M17 has reached the end of its cycle..the M17x's has just begun

 

you can get the x9100 on either

I wrote a guide how to install another hard drive in the M17x.....its easy BTW


I sold my M17 to get the M17x because i liked the features and the looks and power . I wanted the 3 hours of battery.


4850/= 280 (stock)

Also system are now shipping with 2 HD brackets, so no more arguing

Also consider the M17x supports official overclocking and i hit 3.3 with my P8600 this morning but it wasn't stable .... 3.1-3.2 is though

The M17 may only come with 2 gigs but getting the m17 would save you enough money to buy 4 gigs ....

The cooling system is better on the M!7x

M17x has MXM 3.0b which will "more then likely " provide upgrade to the GPU's




these are all in random order

 

true i forgot i sold my whitebook for some of those reasons

 

Thanks for all the input.
Yeah, another thing I forgot to add for pros on the M17x is that it is the newer system than the m17.

Anyways, with my new system I'm probably going to be doing a lot of gaming - Fallout 3, CoD 4/WaW, Gears of War (so much more fun on PC), maybe buy Crysis since I could finally play it, and Counter Strike Source (which used to be easily playable on my system, the others not so much...)
I don't really have a lot of programs that require lots of power besides gaming.

In terms of prices, not really sure yet because I haven't decided on what kind of setup I want to go with. With the m17,I'd probably end up with something around $2600, and more around $3000 for the M17x.

Also, where could I get the X9100 on the M17x? I'm in the US and the Dell website only shows it as an option for the m17...
And if systems really are shipping with 2 HD brackets now that would help me out a lot, too.

 

Personal preference and features that you want will determine what's best for you.
Check this thread.
I would just caution to steer away from the Quad Core processor on the M17, it doesn't handle them quite right. Looks like you were looking at the x9100 though which is an excellent choice and I'm very happy with mine.

 

if not you don't have to argue just call and tell them its missing and boom took me 10 mins

hummm if the x9100 is missing they might be sold out right now....

you could buy one off ebay and put it in there ... it would be cheaper

 

Alright I'm starting to lean towards the M17x.

Hmm.... X9100s are selling for about $300 on ebay, which is cheaper, but I'm just not sure about taking apart my computer and switching out parts the instant I get it...

In comparison, would a Q9100 be about the same a little faster? It is more expensive to add a Q9100 than an X9100, but the X isn't available right now. The QX9300 is also very alluring but I just don't know if I want to spend that much... It's an instant $1000 added onto the $1799 starting price...

 

With you only gaming the t9600 is the CPU you want

it can OC up to 3.3 ghz and is the best bang for the buck so to speak (cheap and powerful)

You do not need a quad ! (if you only play games)

 

Yeah I think either the T9600 or maybe 9800 should be pretty good.

And not trying to argue that I need a quad, but it's not that I only play games, I use my computer a lot for other things. It's just that those other things are not very demanding - all I really need is Firefox, iTunes, and some productivity software (which I already have ready to install on a new PC)

It's wierd though because the X9100 is at a "New Low Price" for the M17 and not even available for the M17x. A sale on the older model and not even an option on the newer one?

 

im not sure what the deal is on it

t96000 will over clock and be cheaper

 

So the T9800 will not OC? It's definitely fine with me to save $250 and OC the 9600 to be faster than the stock 9800

 

all the CPU's offered with the M17x will OC

p8600 that came with it i have it @ 3.2 ghz

 

The X9100 isn't available for the M17x through the Dell AW website. And I'm pritty sure it never was, so that is not an option in ordering the M17x, unless DIY.

I would like to note, that a Quad Core is more future ready, if gaming company's will start to make use of multi threads in their games the QC will handle this better. But that's an IF and a long debate on another thread aswell, but I took this in account aswell.

 

I would just like to add that the Dell warranty is much better than the AlienCare warranty. A lot less restrictions and transferable.

 

I think the M17x is better. Has more features and is more future-proof.

 

You may want to go with the M17. Provided they don't cancel your order if you get the 4850s (I've heard rumours of it, I have no idea if they're true)...well, 4850s are about the equivelant of the 260Ms, in some cases even the 280Ms. So if you get the 4850s your M17's performance will be about on par or only a slight bit less than the M17x and that's a lot of saving.

Of course each laptop has its good and bad points so it's down to those at the end of the day.

 

I was preparing a comparison chart showing the differences between the two plus some observations from others throughout these forums, is anyone interested in something like this?

 

Have a look at the Q9200 processor. It's an ES, so it's got the features of a Core 2 Extreme, but is sold at the price of a Core 2 Quad - about $250-300 on eBay.

 

I would recommend the m17x.

As mentioned it is at the beginning of its life and the M17 at the end. The 4850's that just came out will probably be the best video cards that the platform will ever support. As I doubt new ones will be on the older mxm 2.1b socket anymore. The m17x (and all the new Clevo units as well) utilize mxm 3.0 and this is the form all the new models will be designed for (including possibly - 4870 GDDR5 and later next-gen cards) These 2 generations of mxm are in no way compatible as they use a different socket on the motherboard.

And the t9600 is the best value for a cpu right now.

 

This is true. The M17x may be able to take the next series of video cards (i.e. GT300 series for nVidia, mobility 5000 series for ATi)

 

ya, I had this very sad (for me) realization last night.....

At least I will be able to max out my whitebook (qx9300 and 4850x2) and know that it has the best it can handle (and ever will).....

 

yeah just get the m17x as well

 

How do I embed a picture in the middle of my text, do i have to host it somewhere first? I'm going to post my Comparison analysis (which is how I buy things like this anyway)

 

Here's the how to. LINK

 

Ok I've posted my comparison here. Hope it helps someone.

 

That comparison is quite helpful, thank you

But if (more like when ) I get a new computer, it's very likely gonna be the M17x. I just need to figure out all the options I want...

I'm thinking:
Space Black
T9600 Processor
Dual 280M's
WUXGA
Either 4 or 6GB RAM (1066 Mhz, since 1333 isn't yet proven to be better)
Not too sure about hard drive - I might just spend an extra $50 to get a dual config and swap the 500GB HD in my old computer for the second 160GB since I don't have my old 80 for my XPS anymore
Dual Layer burner (I have a PS3, do I really need another Blu-Ray player?)

All this would cost me $2799 with the 4GB of RAM, $3099 with the 6GB... is the extra RAM even worth the 300?

 

Look around for discount stuff. you can get a few hundred knocked off that at least, it is in several threads here. I know that my thread called "Alienware Store" has it on second page

 

Nope, especially if your just playing games.

 

Ok good to know.

Also, what is all this about EPP discounts like this? Does Dell actually verify that you are an employee or is it really that easy to save 7%?

 

Sorry for double post, but right after posting I found this E-Value Code 6F980-DKPCQU3, and I could get a T9800 instead of a 9600 AND add Blu-Ray for only about $50 more.

There's got to be some kind of catch, isn't there?

 

Glad it helped

Most say 4BG is plenty for even the "slightly" above average person (i.e. gamers). You would only need more if you're doing serious video encoding or 3D Modelling software etc for your business.

Depends, do you travel? Would you watch Blu-Rays while you're on travel? Or would you watch a Blu-Ray somewhere besides where your PS3 is? Up to you really.

 

The reasons Marvie100 just mentioned are exactly why I have a blu ray player in both my htpc AND my laptop. Now when I go to my girlfriends house or my parents house where they each have a beautiful 52" Sony HDTV but no blu ray, I can just hdmi it up and voila! (this sold the girlfriends dad on buying blu-ray haha - so is also effective for in-home demo of the technology)

 

Much smarter to get the m17x. It's not worth it to save a couple hundred dollars and lose out on all the future upgrade potential. As others have said the m17x just started its product life cycle while the m17 is at the end. The m17x's mxm3.0b graphics slot alone is worth the extra couple hundred. Get the m17x.

 

I will probably go with the Blu-Ray, since I just found out about that E-value code which saves me like $400 or something. I do travel, not too much though. I'm probably going to sell my PS3 soon anyways because I have a 360 which I like better for its games and my friends that I play with all have 360s. Also I have an HDMI cable already so my computer could just replace my PS3 for Blu-ray.

Now I just need to figure out the whole second HD issue... some say they now ship with a second bracket but I don't know for sure yet.

 

Hi,

I bought a lot of computers in my life. And I always wanted to buy futureproof. And I always failed....as when the new cpu or new gpu finally were on sale I always was able to use it with restrictions or the other parts of the machine were already old or new, much better were offerd.
Sorry but imho the best way is to buy the best (value for money) laptop now and sell it when you want a new better one.
It's senseless to pay more today to be able to buy new technology tomorrow (which tomorrow will be much cheaper).

 

Although it will cost more to upgrade yourself down the road, it is also much easier for you as the customer. Easier than having to move between machines and/or re install programs, move files etc. Also, due to lost value on used computers, it makes more sense to spend some more and update the hardware than to take a (usually considerable) loss on the machine you already have purchased.

 

m17 with superclocked 4850s

Mind you, ive only seen coooling on a m17x, and its by far the powerfullest ive seen

 

Just to clarify, anyone can use that e-value code right?

Glad I found this forum, it should save me like $350

 

Yeah anyone can use the e-value code.

 

Hopefully this is the last time I will bring back this topic, but I have one final thing to ask about whether or not to get Blu-ray...

Most movies that I own are on DVD and I only own a couple of Blu-rays, so I'm thinking that for now I can just use my PS3 for those and bring my DVDs when I travel. But just so I know, is it possible with this system to upgrade my drive in the future? In case I start getting more Blu-ray movies instead of DVD's?

As of right now, I'm not sure the drive is worth the extra $150 for me...

 

Yes you can upgrade in the future but it will more than likely cost more depending on when you buy it.

 

Well that's ok, I'm not even sure yet if I'll want to upgrade in the future or not...

Thanks for the info

 

no one buys a system like this and lasts long before wanting it maxed out

 

Exactly - the money I save by skipping the Blu-ray is going towards a QX9300 because I want to max it out (besides the BR drive and RAM)