M18x vs M17x

Hello, I have a few questions about the difference between these 2 laptops. Mainly, what kind of a performance increase can I expect to see with 2 7970m in xfire over a single 7970m? Is it enough to justify the increased cost? I know that a single 7970m can run all current games at max settings, but will another one help to future proof the laptop by a considerable amount?

Also, I travel a lot for work, so I am concerned with portability. Will a M18x travel well? Like fitting under the seat of an airplane? Is it ridiculously heavy to carry in a backpack?

Thank you.

 

Just pick up the m17x r4 with gt 680m and call it a day....

 

Not really what I was asking...

 

I would say yes. There are some driver issues right now, but those should be fixed by the time you get your laptop. there are also a number of other advantages to the m18x over the m17x, like better processor options, the aluminum chassis, better speakers, and of course, the larger screen. They also have a high resale value.

In a year a single 7970 won't be able to play new games on ultra. But a 7970 crossfire still will.

 

7970M CrossFire has about double the performance of a single 7970M GPU. I've disabled CrossFire and found this to be true comparing benchmarks and FPS during gameplay. I travel extensively with an M18x and it's not a problem. I carry it in a backpack and find it an absolute joy to take it everywhere I go. Yes, it's bigger and heavier than an M17x, but not by a lot. The improved build quality and performance easily offsets the minor increase in size and weight. Unless you are a small and very weak person, you'll be glad to pack it around. Anyone that would think it is too big and too heavy most likely would think the same of the M17x.

Whether it will fit under your plane seat is going to be largely dependent on what you carry it in. My Orion M18x backpack will not fit under the seat because it is too tall and protrudes into the space where my feet need to be. It goes in the overhead compartment. If it won't fit, I take out the laptop (it's also in a sleeve) and put that under the seat, then the backpack will fit in the small overhead bin like what the CRJ and Embraer commuter jet have. Again, you'd be doing the same thing with an M17x, so no biggie.

As an owner of a system with 7970M CrossFire, I would urge you think twice about selecting this GPU. Unless there is no way your budget can manage the additional cost, go with GTX 680M SLI. I think you'll be glad you did if you can manage the price increase. You can chalk up the price difference to adequate R&D, (versus what appears to be an absence of R&D,) the added cost of quality driver development, and extra NVIDIA features. Spread out over a 2 to 3 year ownership period, it's a small premium to pay.

We've been waiting for AMD to fix their driver problems for more than a year... long before they invented 7970M. I'm not going to hold my breath that their driver issues will be fixed in the time it takes to order and receive a new computer. NVIDIA sometimes has drivers that aren't great, but for AMD having just one great driver to use would be kind of a nice thing, LOL.

 

I own both. I prefer the M18xR2 because of the slightly larger screen, the aluminum frame and LCD cover, and the Dual 7970M. I bring my laptop to work every day in the Orion backpack and I have no problems with the extra size and weight. The power brick (330w) unfortunately is significantly larger than the 240w brick used by the M17xR4. So, rather than pack that, I buy an extra for the office so I don't need to bother bringing it back and forth.

When I travel, I put the 330w brick in my luggage instead of my backpack. The M18xR2 with the ability to switch to only iGPU gives me 4-5 hours of computer usage before the battery reached 5%. For some reason, the M17xR4 only gives me 2.5-3 hours of battery life with its automatic iGPU and 7970M switching. I'm still trying to figure out how to get 4 hours out of the M17xR4.

Unlike Mr.Fox, I haven't had any problems with my 7970M running any games now that I resolved a software incompatibility issue with DisplayLink (USB display drivers). Keep in mind that some of the people that are most vocal about these issues are running the 7970M on the R1 instead of the R2. I've been playing Skyrim, Black Ops, Microsoft Flight, Supreme Commander 2, Left 4 Dead 2, and Metro 2033.

Since the price difference is not that great between the M17xR4 and M18xR2, I highly recommend getting the M18xR2.

 

Im currently having the same debate with myself. The responses in this thread so far have been very helpful, thank you

 

What about the screen quality between the m17xr4 and m18xr2?

Notebook check.net says the average for the 17xr4 is 260.4 cd/m2 while the 18xr2 scores average 217.6 cd/m2 which falls way below the r4.

 

What's the M17xR4 frame made of? Is it that the aluminum frame is visually more appealing or the feel of it?

^^ - This myself.

 

The lid is made out of the same soft touch rubberized material as the palm rest. The rest is pretty much plastic. While I do like the idea of aluminum more, the M17x R4 still has a nice finish, IMHO.

The aluminum will likely have a better look and feel, especially in the build quality department. I get my M18x soon, so it won't be long until I have one in my hands.

 

@Optimistic Prime - I see, it's good to hear that it still has a nice finish to it. Do you think the rubber material will get tacky with time...like some logitech mice/remotes? I bet you'll be getting the 18x for SLI among other things, but where you displeased by 17x in any way? Will you be returning it?

 

Are you asking if it is durable or whether or not the finish grows on you over time? To the first, I think it is pretty durable. Over the time I owned the M17x it didn't scratch at all. Of course, if you dig in with a key or something then yeah, it will probably scratch easily. It is fairly easy to stain with greasy fingers and such, but wiping it off every once and awhile isn't difficult. If the second, it grew on me, if anything. I liked the texture and feel of it. While aluminum, to me, is pretty much always the best, this finish was nice. It was unique to me, as I'm used to hard plastics all the time these days.

Not at all. The m17x was my first venture into Alienware. When I picked it out, I was budgeting myself and wasn't actually buying it for gaming. Then, guess what, my friends got me addicted to Steam, LOL. In a way, it re-sparked my love for computers. With my R4, I basically had 2 options.. buy a 680m for a high price, or sell and put that towards an M18x with 680m SLI. Though, one of the biggest reason for ordering again was to max out the warranty from the start. I originally ordered with 2 year advanced. I received excellent service from Dell, and when the crap hit the fan with a particular service tech, they went above and beyond to take care of me.

So no, I was definitely not displeased. If a single GPU system is what you have in mind, the M17x is a great choice. It is all up to what you want.

Hope this helps!

 

Awesome input, thanks! If I go for the M17x I'll be adding at least 3yr advanced service with it as well..many here on nbr have had a great experience with it.

 

Thing I like about the m17x is that it only uses a single video card so I can afford to upgrade if I choose to a lot more often instead of having to shell out double the money for 2 cards. My machine has been pretty solid (other than my water spill).

 

But if your computer can only run games on low-medium with one card, a computer with two of those cards will still be able to play games on medium-high...

 

I debated this myself for quite a while and eventually went M17x. It really wasn't about money because I can afford whatever I want really, but I just didn't really feel I needed a dual card system at this time (nor the potential headaches they can at times provide). I am more than satisfied (surprised, actually) with the build quality of this machine. The finish is indeed unique and nothing at all like my previous system which was just a hard plastic. This thing is solid and appears very durable. Any fingerprints have wiped right off, but it isn't nearly as bad as my former machine at picking up prints, either.

I have no doubt that if someone goes M18x they will be exceptionally pleased. I am also pretty darn sure if you go M17x after having these questions about which to buy, that you'll still be very pleased. I know I am! :wink:

 

Hi everyone,
I've never owned a system with a rubberized finish before. Are there any models that have a similar finish? I have felt the case on an ASUS G73VW before and I would be very satisfied if the M17x was similar. I chose an M17x because it was lighter and cheaper while still providing me all the gaming power I need at the moment (I'm coming from consoles here.)
When I need the horsepower of a dual GPU system I will build a liquid cooled desktop/server. Both systems have excellent build quality though.

 

yup M17x finish is similar to the g73, but better imo

 

Thanks everyone for the input, I appreciate your insight. I have gone ahead and placed my order for the M17X with a 7970m. I could have shelled out for the 18X, but I had a hard time justifying the cost for the 17X let alone the 18X. I discussed it a little bit with my Dell rep, but in the end I got what I think was a pretty good deal on the 17X. I believe that it will satisfy all my gaming needs for a while to come, and if there comes a day when it can't, I can always sell it and upgrade or just upgrade the GPU. The reported problems with xfire were a big deterrent for me, and there's no way in hell I was going to pay the premium for 2x 680m even though I can afford it. I know they have better drivers and there is a marginal performance increase over the 7970m, but the price point is just too far apart imo. I do want top of the line (don't we all?) but getting good value for the money I spend is also important to me.

Anyways, thanks again for answering my questions. Happy gaming/working/whatever you do with your laptop

 

M18x as long as you are not moving it around too much, damn they are heavy.

 

You will love it. I got my R4 with the 7970m on saturday and I cant get away from it. Its amazing.

 

So tempted to jump into the Alienware game. Even an 18x would be smaller than my current desktop and Dell monitor setup, in addition to being considerably more mobile should I need to head out of town for work.


Decisions decisions.

 

I disagree It really doesn't feel much heavier than an M17x R3/R4, IMHO. I use the system on my lap and have carried it around a bit.