My new M15x- A review

This isn't going to be that detailed..just a small review

I ordered my Silver skullcap M15x and it arrived at my house in about 1.5-2 weeks

Specs:
Display: 15.4" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD (720p) with Clearview Technology
System Lighting: Alienware® AlienFX® System Lighting
Video/Graphics Card: 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8700M GT
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz (6MB Cache 800MHz FSB)
Memory: 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz – 2 x 2048MB
Operating System (Office software not included): Windows Vista® Home Premium
System Drive: 120GB 7200RPM (16MB Cache)

I upgraded the RAM from 1gb to 4gb, only cost about 70$ via newegg.


Ok let me start with the pros:

Aesthetics: This laptop is beautiful. I love the skullcap because it gives the case some definition and I'm actually pretty glad that I did not wait for the black. The black border around the screen is a fingerprint magnet..and I'm somewhat OCD so the silver hides it a bit better than the black would have. The speaker ports look awesome and everything about the case is sleek and cool. I opted for the illuminated keyboard (I don't think you should get an m15x if you don't get the lit keyboard..) and it is for lack of better words, BANGING.

Innards: I'm glad I chose the 8700M GT. I'm in college now so I don't have time to hardcore game, just casual CS/WOW/BF2 but nothing else really, and none of those are huge graphics hogs. The computer runs flawlessly and vista is surprisingly good (didn't think I would like it). The key is to turn off all the security features that make vista seem like your mom.

Little tweaks/extra things: A reason I got the m15x was for its features. I just ordered a smartbay battery via telephone for 80$ which was a main selling point for me, being in college having all that battery life is optimal. The option to switch between dedicated and integrated graphics is great, but I haven't really used that yet because I'm sitting at home at a desk..so no need for mobility..YET. Stealth mode is pretty sweet, I can definitely feel when it's on and off.

Heat dissipation: The m15x does not do too badly on heat, especially when its on my lap. My dell m1710 would burn a hole in my pants, but I fell asleep with this on my lap and didn't wake up scorched or sterile . On the desk, I found it helps to prop up the back (thanks to 2 dice). The fan kicks on less frequently.

Keyboard: I just love typing on this thing. Feels like a true laptop keyboard because it is silent and there is enough move to the keys. Very easy to type on.



Now the cons:

Build quality: Let's face it. This thing is made of cheap plastic haha. When I open the screen, there is not squeaking from the opening but small little creaks and cracks from the screen moving itself. My xps M1710 is a rock. Absolutely no sound when i flex the screen, open it, close it, or whatever. The m15x makes cracking sounds when i move the screen. This was something I expected when purchasing it, and it's not that big of a deal since you don't move the screen very often.

Touchpad: It's cool that they made the touchpad flush with the palm rests, but at least make it a different material! It's pretty friction-y and a drag to scroll. (pun intended). To top it off, Alienware did not send me those little stickers that everyone seemed to get. I'm going to call them up and ask them to send it to me because I dislike the touchpad a lot right now.
Also, after using the keyboard for about 2 seconds the touchpad doesn't work. I think this is a driver problem. Does anyone know the fix?

Keyboard: I get the lag every so often especially when typing words with double letters. I think this is a driver problem too.

Volume slider: It sucks. Should have just been an up and down button because sliding just sucks so I just use the up/down.

Screen hinge strength: I heard the screws are mounted on plastic which sucks, and I hope it never melts like i heard some other systems have. I am kind of disappointed when i move the screen say, 3-4 inches from close, gravity will slowly pull it down to close. I just believe that it should be stronger and resist that drag. (I'm comparing it to my XPS M1710, which is an awesomely built tank)

Ports: Boy are they goddamn tight. Pretty much have to force things in and out of them, haha.

Touchpad left/right button: Too hard. Should be softer. I have a hard time using one hand to move the touchpad while holding down the button. Had no problem on my m1710..maybe I'm just weak.

Webcam/mic: It blows. That's about it.

3 USB ports? Cmon..At least give 4..My m1710 had SIX. This computer isn't even that much smaller than the 17 inch xps.

Don't let the long list of cons dissuade you..I'm just an anal/OCD person and wanted to point out all the little things.

I'm going to edit in pictures soon, hope you guys enjoyed the long read (i like to type) and if you want any pictures of a specific part of the laptop, let me know.

 

there is a new driver in your my hive that should fix the keyboard lag issues in vista, not in game yet, and allows you to use touchpad and keyboard at the same time.

 

I downloaded it and updated it, but it did not fix the simultaneous keyboard/touchpad issue:
m15x_Touchpad_Vista_10.1.8.0_WHQL is the file name

 

why not 8800m GTX?

 

you should of read his review

 

I explained it in innards in the pros: section.
basically i don't need it, and don't want the extra heat generation
Saddens me to write all that and you didn't read my review

 

Just a word- I know youve made your purchase but for almost 800 bucks cheaper you couldve gotten a Asus G50 -A1 that has better specs than your alienware for 1600 bucks!

 

Nice review! Those pictures really make skullcap look amazing. Congrats on your system!

 

It was 2045 so that's only 445 more, and I wasn't really looking for specs or else I would have gotten the GTX. I wanted a nice looking laptop with ostentatious, frivolous bells and whistles

plus the smartbay things was the clincher.

That's like saying for $10k cheaper instead of the BMW you could have gotten a similar specced toyota with a good engine etc. User preference..and people do pay a premium for luxury

My mom's Rolex tells the same time as my spongebob watch.

 

LOL... good point! Way to put a positive spin on vanity

 

What do you mean "cheap plastic"? Is it really that bad? It definitely looks nice, but is it at least a little durable?

 

It looks great, it's not terrible, but I can flex the screen if i press forward on one corner and back on the other, and it creaks when i do that..but such is expected with plastic.

It's not ****, but it's not rock solid. I think durability wise it should be ok. I've read of other peoples' cases cracking and melting, but without the GTX, propping it up, and the apparent "new nonmelting chassis" (havent heard about a melting one since julyish), should be ok.

 

^^ Wow you got a good deal- only reason I said that was because I was configuring one with the same specs as the Asus pretty much and it came out to be about 800 bucks more, Unfortunately you can excuse my "anal"ism {out} because I got a crappy m15x that sucked. and then had to fight what seemed like days to get a refund w/o restocking charge for the shoddy workmanship.

end /RANT

Skullcap does look a lot sweeter than ripley though!

 

Nice review!

The ports get easier to use, were the same for me but after a few ins and outs they soften up.

 

@ btdvox: Yeah, did you get yours back when they were first coming out? I heard the first couple months of systems were duds..it seems they have stepped up their **** so to say

@ svarto: That's good to hear..I don't want to feel like I'm working out my forearms or something every time i want to unplug something.

As for the simultaneous keyboard/mouse issue if anyone else is having, just lower the palm sensitivity in the driver settings to the 4th bar.

 

I love the pics, BattleDuck. And nice,honest review. ^^

 

good review, thanks