M18x ? News article looks bogus

Technically, none of the are laptops; they're notebooks, or desktop replacements (DTR).

 

Wait, what ? 2820qm faster than i7 950 ? How so, the 2820qm is wuad core with sub 3ghz freq and i7 950 is3ghz quad core. Lemme check those benches again.

 

Efficiency per clock>Clock speed.

 

In my opinion what makes a computer a laptop is its shape, not the type of cpu it has inside.
So yah, x7200 is a laptop. Even if it has the capability to house a 980x cpu.

Sure, the "mobile" SB is fast, but the "desktop" SB will be that much faster, and why not have that in a chasis that support 130w CPU, like the x7200.

Personaly i dont mind the power brick. But if you do, then you should get a "mobile" cpu laptop.

I bet clevo will update the x7200 at some point in the future with the new socket SB that will support hex and octo core CPUs. ANd those will be that much more faster than the "mobiles" loose today.

And guess what. Clevo will have again the fastest Laptop on the planet.
And we are talking pure numbers here.
Not that i dont like what alienware has done with their laptops. But when it comes to the fastest. Clevo is number 1.

And i hope all agree on this statement.

 

They aren't "laptops" because they aren't meant to be used on your lap.

It may seem nit-picky, but they designate a difference between laptop and notebook for a reason.

The M18X will not be a laptop.

 

Looks like the M18X will come with a 330W PSU , as per Eric.

 

I use my M17x-R2 on my lap everyday. Guess it just depends on the user. Bytales, whether or not Clevo is the fastest by using a desktop processor doesn't matter, it's not something Dell can't do but choose not to because its inefficient, requires bulky PSUs/dual PSU and is not necessary for a mobile gaming notebook.

Since this thread is not a x7200 thread, lets stay on topic so it doesn't get closed.

 

Thats more than the 300 w x7200 power brick. And since we are not talking about a 130w CPU, i bet the 18x can handle two 100w GPU togther with a SB CPU.

By the way, whats the TDP of the 2920qm ?

Also i would like to know, just so that is clear.
Is a 2820qm faster, stock speeds, than a core i7 950 ?
Cause if it is, and if the 2820qm is a 45 55w cpu, then definetly there is a clear winner.

ANd that would imply that a 130w SB cpu would be twice as faster as a 2820qm. I havent seen any clear benches between the 2 cpus.

Be it as it may, either of these CPU are way more than enough for any gaming needs. What will realy make a difference, regarding the CPU used is the graphics solution that tags along.

In my opinion, any SB CPU togther with 485m SLI, optimus enabled, is pure bliss.

Imagine you just have 2x100W powered down when youre not gaming, ready to tick in the moment you game.
For windows task and for watching HD movies even, the GPU inside the SB CPU is more than enough.
SO in mundane tasks, you actualy have a laptop that use very little power compared to how much it can draw when you game.

That was something i wanted for my laptop, but i simply could not wait more, and i bought what i have now.

Maybe some other day, when this one will be obsolete, and its gonna be a while if i consider the upgrade options, im gonna get and "optimus" kinda of a laptop.

Because this is the future, lets face it. Simple GPU for mundane task inside the CPU, and ready to kick in little GPU reactor, for when you game.

This way you can still have impressive battery life, if you keep it in a non gaming enviroment, and can still also play games in high details, but plugged in.

My bet is the m18x is gonna deliver exactly that.

 

There is one thing that, for me, the M18x must have, or I'll be getting an R3/G73.

OPTIMUS

There isn't a laptop anywhere that has anything above a 460 that supports it. I really don't know why companies don't use it more. Why wouldn't you? I don't know about most gamers, but I don't want to bring along a seperate ing netbook just because my gaming rig gets an hour on battery.

 

I'm not so sure about optimus for M18x. The PM67 chipset (the one that supports dual cards) doesn't have integrated GPU support. It's all Intel's fault really.

 

Hm, point. Then again, we might see an NVIDIA board in the M18x yet, since NVIDIA are to be making chipsets again.

 

nVidia are not allowed to make chipsets for sandy bridge, that's part of the licensing agreement they have with Intel now and the large payment they received. If you want optimus, I think your best bet will be the M17x-R3 with a 485M when it's made available. For dual card, we'll likely not see optimus this year.

 

I'm a bit dubious of the 485 in the R3.

a) Is it actually likely to be made available at all?
b) Can that laptop cool it?

 

The fact that Dell listed it on the tech specs and then removed it suggests it will be available. Since the 6970M/485M have similar cooling/power requirements, I don't see why not.

 

Hm, then I may well pick up an R3... Dual GPU, while a nice upgrade path, has never been a huge seller for me. I've a desktop that'll hand anything it's , so I've only ever wanted something that'll play the games I play, at decent settings, native res, at 60fps.

As far as I'm aware though, the 485 is available, why has it not made it to any of the Alienwares yet?

 

AW is always late with products. Probably due to internal testing, QA, supply constraints etc.

 

Oh really, I missed where the talk of that GPU came from, and had no idea that Dell themselves posted it online.

This is also true.

From the W860CU w/ 6970M review:

The 100W draw of the 485M/6970M may be a contribution to why the R3 is a single GPU machine, and to why there's an 18" on the way.

/baseless speculation

 

They managed to get a 6970M in a W860? Do you know if there was a bios update required from Clevo or it was plug and play? Could be good news for those of us with an R2.

 

There was no mention of BIOS update, but I can't imagine it would work without one.

 

With all the specs we want the M18x to have/support, the starting RRP may well exceed 3 grands I assume?

 

Sure thing, however, going with the lowest options available might save you 500$ ~ 1000$ out of it...

Might...

Time will tell...

 

This is actually what made me think the R3 might have to be my next upgrade. A maxed out R2 with some of the discounts I've found was about as much as I was willing to spend on a new rig. When I think of the cost of a maxed out 18 with even less discounts (being a new release), I'm certain its going to be quite a bit more then I want to spend. Once the R3 adds a higher gpu option, I'll be ready.

 

well I am going to hold off for a few weeks and see if the 485m Shows up for the R3.

By then we will at least have a few reviews of the unit.

 

i'm with you on that

 

Sounds like good news then with the M18x-R1.... can't wait to see the first reports from an owner...

 

If it's coming with 6970M, I'd expect it to start at the same level as the R2, meaning no more than $1.7 to 1.8k, with a single GPU.

 

Maybe on the US A/W, but AUS prices are enough to think someone stole your wallet.

 

So I ask those of us here a question. Suppose the following comes true:

R3 gets 485M/6970 which ends up as the high end
R3 never gets 2920
R3 supports Optimus under the 485M

M18x gets dual 485M
M18x gets 2920
M18x does not support Optimus - Intel chipset limitation

Which would you get? One 485M and Optimus/AMD low power integrated Intel GPU ability or dual 485/6970 and no Optimus/AMD low power ability?

 

Depends on your needs. I'd get an M18x and M14x(if released) for battery and mobility.

 

The M18x will start (if you are lucky) at nothing less than 2.5k and this will be without the high end card & screen. Alienware isnt exactly the most reasonable laptop around. Even a new M17xR2 with just the minimum upgrades (screen, i7 CPU and crossfire) will run you to $2800 with standard 1 year warranty to boot.

 

acutaly the m18x could still suport manual switching of graphic but that would require them to work on a revolutionary thing aka the knid of thing we should see from alienware
so even if possible i dont get my hopes up

 

Starting at $2.5k? Not a chance. Kevin Jack is right, it will start at or near the same level as the M17x-R2 (may even be cheaper due to inferior build materials used).

 

What I meant to say is that a specced out M18x would be definitely over that price. With the screen upgrade, graphics card and any other upgrade, 2.5k is a very conservative figure!

 

I'm guessing a specced out M18x will be around the same for the 17x R2. I'm also hoping that Clevo will have refreshed the x8100 with SB and new gpus so that alienware will have to compete a little in the pricing department, although we know the alienware will cost a little more.

 

Oh yeah definitely. My guess for the following:

CPU: 2920xm
Ram: 8 gb
GPU: 6970M Xfire
LCD: 120 Hz WLED
HDD: 3 x 750 GB
Wifi: Intel 6300
Optical: Blu Ray
Warranty: 3 years advanced

$3800-$3900 subtotal.

I plan to sell both my M17x's if/when the time comes to fund the M18x.

 

That sounds about right, Joker. Though I don't need that much cpu. I just need the base. Hoping I can get the 18x for around 3,000.

 

In that situation I'd actually get the R3. I'll take Optimus over horsepower, though having both would obviously be ideal. Having said that, the 485 does give almost 2x performence over the 260 that was in my M17x-R1, so that might be enough for me.

 

Question:
Is the m18x know to have 3 hdd bays ?

Also, if there is an intel chipset limitation for the dual GPU mainboard to use optimus, could it still be possible for the platform to use switchable graphics ?
Because regarding, all SB CPU have integrated GPU.,

 

As far as m18x specs go....the m18x is entirely speculation and rumor at this point. Dell has made absolutely no comment so far about it AFAIK.

I'm not sure what the limitations for Mobile Intel HM67 Express Chipset are yet, which is the chipset in the R3 and likely to be the chipset in a m18x (speculation).

 

No, it's just a guess on our part. We don't even know if the M18x will ever be released, this is just a speculation thread. But we do know that if it were released and it used the PM67 chipset, then optimus wouldn't be an option.

 

Rumors regarding a possible M18X come from here.

Dell has not confirm, neither even comment on this news.

However, as it seems Dell is trying to shut this blog down, it tends to confirm that an M18X will soon be launched.

On another hand, because the M17XR 3 is so out-of-range compared to his previous brothers (R1&R2), people are in the right to expect from them the release of a model that will successfully replace the actual R2, in terms of performance.

Finally, don't even take my word on this, but I have an email (which I'll obviously never show here) from a guy within Dell, Texas HQ based, and he's not a salesperson by the way, who said the M18X should hit the streets in the march/april timeframe, as per his own understanding (though he was clear that at this point, he's got no confirmation neither about it, he just knows that an M18X will eventually be launched in the second quarter 2011)...

But again, don't take my word on it, he could be lying to me too D) but, as far as I understand the situation, this is what shall happen.

As for the 3 HHD's bays, it's more a wish than a fact for sure, but providing the size of the expected M18X (18.4" screen size), we're just hoping/expecting 3 bays, and I even go further, I wish and I pray for RAID 5 support

And I would also love to be able to use 2 discreet graphic cards on one hand, and an integrated one on the other hand, covering then all my needs. And a subwoofer... My wish list is actually here...

Time will tell though...

 

Until automated switchable graphics solves it's conflict issues and proves it does not degrade performance I'll always choose the notebook that doesn't use it.

I'd pay extra for the manual switch.

We don't know anything about a P M67 chipset yet.

 

wow what a great piece of timing that is the same time i get my extra funds check from school.

 

I actually knew that, and that's why I asked them to release it by then

 

I'm definitely going to hold off for a few months to see how the M18x turns out. If it's priced too high, I might just opt for a discounted R2.

 

Folks, it is inappropriate to post asking about a moderator action. Lets stay on topic please.

Thanks.

 

I'm in this basket too. I suspect the price for those outside of the US will make Donald Trump blush frankly, but I'm very interested to see an M18 materialise either way. Sourcing one from the US may be the only way to afford one for outsiders.

Personally I hope they don't extend too much effort (and therefore raise the price) on things like Optimus, or battery saving technology in general. This will be a gaming machine first and foremost, and with it's increased form factor will be even less portable than my beast of an M1730. If you want battery life and portability, buy an iPad

 

I love my R1 and use it for travel, but sounds like the possible m18 would be even a bigger beast to be lugging around the world with my Job.

So I either upgrade to a R2, or hope the R3 gets the 485M GPU

 

I would think that allienware might do what they did with the R3 casing to make it cheaper therefore lighter and maybe about the same weight as an R2. Just my opinion, though.

 

For me it depends what's on the plate.
If M18x comes (I'm going to assume it's highly probable), and it offers 460M SLI then it's good not great. If it offers 485M SLI, which a 330W adapter would tend to indicate is what Dell has in mind, well then it is extremely good.
If
R3 485M
18x 485M sli then 18x



R3 460M
18x 460M sli then 18x


R3 485M
18x 460M sli then possibly R3