New Alienware purchase dilema

I am about to buy another Alienware laptop in order to replace my M15x as I am not happy with the black levels and lack of HDMI - in, and with the release of this year AW laptops, prices of the M17x R2 and M18x R1 have dropped to my budget range (700-1300) so I am planning to replace it on this months, however, I would like to ask you guys some questions first:

-) Can you guys with M17x R2 (RGB)- M18x R1 and R2 tell me the black levels of your screen? Just search in google for a black wallpaper and then compare it with the monitor's black bezel and tell me how close the blacks in the wallpaper compare to the bezel. Pictures are appreciated .

-) Can you guys with NVIDIA (easier to do) cards try this? http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/705384-forcing-higher-refresh-rate.html. This is basically a way to overclock your screen refresh rate. I got my M15x to a stable 120hz which have not gave me any problems yet. I would like to know if those laptops can get to 120hz (or 90hz at least) too as 60hz feels really laggy now, in worst case scenario (for this test), you will have to do a hard restart so no worries about bricking your laptop.

-) What do you guys recommend me? My priority list would be something like this: 1) Black levels 2) Refresh rate 3) Fast CPU for Console emulation 4) HDMI-In

AFAIK, with the M18x R1(from M15x), I would be getting: Battery Life, Sata III, Sandy bridge, 18 inches, Wireless HDMI, HDMI -in, don't care about SLI but I prefer big laptops.

With the M17x R2 i would only be getting a better and bigger screen which doesn't seem much, however, all the benefits from the m18x doesn't matter if I cant enjoy my gaming because of the screen quality.

TBH, I was really happy with my M15x, and even happier when I discovered how to increase the screen's refresh rate. However, I spent some months with my cousin who has a Sony bravia TV (dunno what model) and when I played with that TV as a monitor, all my games looked so good that I wasn't able to enjoy gaming in my laptop as much which is why I want to replace it. So, please help me as THIS IS DRIVING ME INSANE!

Thank you in advance and sorry for my English.

 

Hey buddy!

The black levels are wonderful. MUCH better than the m15x. I have compared both side by side. Still, that is just my opinion. The black is still not bezel-perfect black, but it doesn't have that pixelation and pixel bleeding that the m15x has. (imo)

I have heard of people oc the m18x r1 and r2. Dont know about the rgb, but I assume it would be functional as well.

If I were you, I would go with the m18x. There is a much higher ceiling for performance compared to the m17. That means it will be easier to resell later.

bob

 

Tyvm pal!

I am assuming that you are talking about the black levels of the M18x R1, but just in case, are you talking about R1 or R2? :thumbsup:

 

Correct. I was referring to the m18x r1. Unless I am badly mistaken (look it up if it is really important), I think the non-3d screens are the same on the m18x r1 and r2

 

I'm sure you've been doing your research on the systems already, but just though I'd put my own personal opinions in to help your decision as I've owned pretty much all of the systems except the R1's

The M18X is an excellent system but if screen quality is a must i'd choose other options, it looks pretty cheap and everything looks fairy washed out in my opinion.

I'll throw out my two cents of which benefits / disadvantages each has.

M17X r2, as you know due to the 1920x1200 RGB screen is MUCH MUCH MUCH better in terms of colouring and screen quality. I can't retain what black was exactly like, however I can safely say that it looked much better on the R2

The M17X also:

Weights a ton, It was so heavy and uncomfortable to carry around that i would refrain taking it anywhere, the sharp jaggered edges on the system didn't really help either.
very low battery life.
msata 2 Speeds
high temperatures
I also had a high failure rate of parts within my M17X r2 which i heard from techs it was common for the model to overheat.

M18x:

Lower temperatures
Feels much more pleasant to use physically in my hands, I didn't like the feeling of the M17X r2, horrible feeling plastic on the top and metal framework on the sides.
The TactX binding key
looks more professional and draws more attention
keyboard feels nicer to use
with the m18x you can't modify the alienware logo on the head on the back of the screen, it's forced to stay white
HDMI out
minidp IN

Don't get me wrong, I loved my M17X R2, but the newer revisions have alot of improvements.

I would still go with the M18X r2 unless screen quality is a must, i still use an m18 but i don't use the screen anymore as it feels pretty cheap to me. I'm always using something externally.

 

Just an idea but why not upgrade the cpu in your M15x to the powerful and overclockable i7 920XM or 940XM then buy a very nice 24" IPS monitor to plug into your HDMI port.
What exactly are you plugging into a HDMI-in?

 

I am actually planning to go for the M18x route as long as the black's levels are better than mines. cuz my screen's brightness, contrast and color reproduction aren't that bad, plus 120hz!

I have been considering upgrading my M15x to a 920xm for console emulation and later replace the screen with the one from the l502x. However, I would love to have a bigger screen and HDMI-in if I ever want to play wii-u or ps4 in my screen as I tend to travel between 3 places (Texas, California, Peru) and none of them has enough space to set up a 23-21 inches screen without mentioning the nightmares to carry a screen to the airport. Besides, here in Peru I can sell this oldie for about 3000 soles which is about $1100 with the original 250GB HD.

Thank you guys for the help.

 

Anyone brave enough to do the refresh rate overclocking test in their M18x R1/R2 and M17x R2? I would love you forever and ever.