*OFFICIAL* Alienware M11x Owners Lounge - Part 2

I don't think there will be any difference between the sample HH made the review on and the final product, but if there is for the better, we can all embrace that.

 

let me know where hehe i go there

 

Yo sorry if this as already been covered, I don't check up 2 days and this thread jumps 30 pages ahead. But will the m11x handle a 37"+ LCD HDTV fine? does the specs on the tv have any effects on it too like say LED, 120hz? I know it will run on a 1080P fine so yeah. Thanks

 

@vinceboiii

One Alienware rep said that he was playing WoW on his 52" or 54" HDTV at 1080p flawlessly so I assume it will run great on your 32".

 

I have an asus ul30vt-a1 that has the nvidia 210m. I'm running it on my 46 inch lcdtv just fine. Also has the same processor as the m11x (su7300) it is overclocked to 1.73ghz

 

@Ceolwulf on turbo 210hp car.

If it is turbocharged and has an electronic waste gate, the waste gate can remain open so the car never builds boost pressure from heat load and you can see 150hp from a 210hp car. This is pretty typical on manually boost controlled cars too. If I really wanted to I can clamp open my waste gate and my 200hp miata will run at 130-140hp lol.

 

@Nsxrrmaniac

Thanks for the info. I know enough about cars to be able to buy one with some confidence, but I wouldn't be able to tell you how exactly it works. I'll +rep you once I get another rep to give out.

 

@ceolwulf & JxStarLA

Thanks for quick reponses. Awesome info...all I need to know.

 

Apologies if this has already been posted but see below for HH crysis warhead benchmark:

ok... so Crysis Warhead for now... (3mins worth of gameplay per single run because my time is limited)

No OC:
1280x720 Mainstream Avg 25, min 14, max 37
1280x720 Minimum Avg 40, min 22, max 39

OC
1280x720 Mainstream Avg 29, Min 21, max 40
1280x720 Minimum Avg 50, Min 29, max 77

Overall, the best setting was 1280x720 with mainstream and an OC CPU. Some minor detail tweaks would be required to keep it solid above 25fps but overall, hugely impressive for a 11" laptop.

Read more: Alienware M11x Notebook Review @ HH - Page 4 http://www.hardwareheaven.com/hh-re...-m11x-notebook-review-hh-4.html#ixzz0f4Td0CKh

 

lurk ebay until the m11x arrives, get the intel g1 160gb for $300, that's the going price.

I best offered an intel g1 for $300 that was listed at $425, thats how much $300 is the going price. $1.80/GB

 

interesting how HH crysis benchmark is about the same as MW2 benchmark and crysis graphics are a lot better!

does that mean MW2 is alot more CPU bound and crysis can really take advantage of the GPU?

 

@ashodd

In general, you can run any game released so far on medium or high settings on the M11x. MW2 and Crysis included.

BC2 might be another story, but it hasn't been released yet so who knows.

 

Is the G1 missing anything from the G2?

 

Guys, I just met with Nagshead and played some Mass Effect 2 on a lunar silver M11x. All High setting, shadows enabled and it played it flawless!
One thing I do want to make clear is that the Gobi antenna is only installed if you order it with the system. For now it will not be an option to add it on later.

 

BTW, is there a 3dmark06 score with the oced cpu? I can only find a vantage one.

 

Great news! Thanks so much, Darkhan. And thanks for the clarification regarding Gobi; I think this will help a lot of people decide if they need Gobi or not.

 

@Darkhan - Woot thanks for the update, the evidence keeps mounting that this is going to be one very formidable little gamer.. God I cant wait till mine finally arrives!

 

@Darkhan: *writhes with jealousy*

 

I just want to say thanks furyagain for your benchmarks. It really helps me get an understanding since the 330m is the closest competitor for GPU to 335m and your numbers give us an idea of how much a difference in certain games an i5 may have over/under the SU7300.

Also to note, Crysis Warhead runs better than Crysis. Second, HH test runs their FPS benchmarks in the most demanding area of a game so we can expect the worst and be happy when we see better results. Mainstream works fine with me at 720p, I'm good with that.

*edit*
In regards to where the benchmark took place here was the response, but apparently it's a good stress test.

Originally Posted by Veridian3
"One of the snow based levels later on in the game."
And replied by Aeoric:
Yeah - that is brutal on the system. a good test
---
finally I asked for more/better pics of the silver in different lighting for whoever asked below me. Didn't want to make another post hehe

 

I've been over this a few times and it got buried under the insane amount of posts

The G1 has everything the G2 has, even outperforms it somewhat, except it doesn't have TRIM. This translates into a starting 4k random r/w performance of around 50 MB/s that can get as low as 22 MB/s under worst conditions, however please note that this is still more than twice as fast as the closest competition. The comparison in this regard is that the G2 starts at maybe 40MB/s 4k random r/w and will only go down to about 39 MB/s if you are utilizing TRIM support (only windows 7 and microsoft drivers support this as of yet). The closest competition, the OCZ/indilinx drives, have a max of about 10 MB/s 4k random r/w that doesn't go any lower because of TRIM support. Intel is purposely not updating the G1 drives in order to keep demand for them low since they aren't in production anymore.

The only thing the competition has over intel drives is faster sequential writes (not reads) and nobody knows why intel caps the drives at 70 MB/s for G1 and 80 MB/s for G2. Thankfully this isn't even much of a problem since the only time you see it is when you are copying huge files to the drive, and every time you do that you shorten the life of the SSD considerably by going through a full write cycle (if you fill up the drive), so you shouldn't be performing stuff like that unless necessary. I.E.: don't do it for things like transferring huge files between two platter HDDs as a stepping stone of sorts. The intels have the best wear leveling routines anyways I believe so they even have the advantage over other SSDs with the higher sequential write speeds. (wear leveling is making sure write cycles stay low to extend the life of the drive). They also have more reserved space I believe which again extends the life of the drive, and have more user space too being in user-space capacities of multiples of 80 instead of 60 or 64.

Also, @ashodd, part of the reason mw2 probably performs as well as crysis is because it uses the cod4 engine and is built almost as an expansion pack. I think COD4 and crysis came at about the same time?

 

BTW, BatBoy where are you? Maybe it's just me but I'm finding a few of the "other laptop is better" posts on the previous pages somewhat edging on the flamebait/troll side but I won't name any names.

 

I've already decided that I want a lunar sliver one, but can someone get some pictures of one with normal lighting? Either Darkhan/Nagshead or someone with an account on hardwareheaven.com? The videos/pics either just focus on the keyboard or have weird light.

 

After many and many hours of trying to get a system at a decent price, I finally got a good deal... Not as good as when you guys applied all the stackable coupons but good anyways.

Since monday this week I started chatting with sales reps and the most discount I got was $75.00 off the purchase price, but as you know this mofos jacked up the price and the "good deal" wasn't a good deal after all.

So my order yesterday was confirmed and this WERE the specs:

1 Alienware M11x, Cosmic Black $2,061.90 $2,061.90
1 Intel Core2 Duo SU7300 1.3GHz (3MB Cache, 800MHz FSB)
1 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
1 Alienhead 3D
1 11.6-inch WideHD 1366x768 (720p) WLED
1 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M
1 256GB Solid State Drive
1 AlienFX Color, Quasar Blue
1 Alienware Command Center, M11x
1 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
1 DataSafe Local BackUp 2.0 Basic
1 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
1 Alienhead 3D
1 Integrated 10/100 Network Interface Card
1 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
1 Integrated High-Definition Surround Sound Audio (5.1)
1 M11x Wireless INFO MOD
1 Automatic Updates: On
1 1.3 Megapixel Webcam
1 McAfee VirusScan Plus - 24-Month Subscription
1 4 Year Limited Warranty
1 CompleteCare Accidental DamageProtection, Inspiron, 4 Year
430-8555 1 Optional Bluetooth Module, 2.1+ Enhanced Data Rate
430-3773 1 No Internal WWAN Antenna Installed
421-1360 1 Steam and Portal Factory Installed
330-9855 1 Standard Nameplate
* -DISCOUNT/COUPON APPL

Subtotal: $2,061.90
Shipping & Handling: $0.00
Tax: $123.73
Environmental Disposal Fee: $0.00
Total Price w/Discounts: $2,185.63

I thought it was super expensive so today I decided to cancel the order, long story short I called dell and they transferred me like for 30 mins until I landed in EPP customer service and I told them I was a new customer blah blah blah
after 1 hour with them on the phone and complaining that you guys paid $400 less a week before the lady was back and forth but finally I convinced her to give me a better price

I cancelled my order above and placed a new one and this are the especs:
224-9555 1 Alienware M11x, Cosmic Black
313-9589 1 Intel Core2 Duo SU7300 1.3GHz (3MB Cache, 800MHz FSB)
317-8952 1 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
421-1591 1 Alienhead 3D
320-9963 1 11.6-inch WideHD 1366x768 (720p) WLED
320-9857 1 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M
342-8745 1 256GB Solid State Drive
330-9552 1 Personalized Nameplate
330-6106 1 Personalized Nameplate Trigger
313-8792 1 AlienFX Color, Quasar Blue
421-8558 1 Alienware Command Center, M11x
421-1400 1 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
420-9691 1 DataSafe Local BackUp 2.0 Basic
420-6436 1 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
421-0092 1 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
421-1573 1 Alienhead 3D
313-9856 1 Integrated 10/100 Network Interface Card
410-1883 1 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
313-9958 1 Integrated High-Definition Surround Sound Audio (5.1)
430-3796 1 M11x Wireless INFO MOD
330-6348 1 Automatic Updates: On
330-8995 1 1.3 Megapixel Webcam
410-0204 1 McAfee VirusScan Plus - 15-Month Subscription
950-7447 1 4 Year Limited Warranty
908-3638 1 Dell Hardware Warranty Plus On-Site Service, Extended Year(s)
908-3647 1 Dell Hardware Warranty Plus On-Site Service, Initial Year
907-4543 1 Third Party At Home Service, 24x7 Technical Support, 3 Year Extended
922-7060 1 Third Party At Home Service, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year
421-1721 1 Soft Contracts,Banktec Care,Alienware
990-4683 1 Warranty Support,3 Year Extended
994-3730 1 Warranty Support,Initial Year
421-0678 1 Failsafe, 4 year Standard Package
468-3762 1 Thank you for choosing Failsafe
994-4069 1 Failsafe, 4 year Standard Package
980-5878 1 CompleteCare Accidental DamageProtection, Inspiron, 4 Year
421-1719 1 Soft Contracts,Consumer Complete Care,Alienware
430-8555 1 Optional Bluetooth Module, 2.1+ Enhanced Data Rate
430-3773 1 No Internal WWAN Antenna Installed
421-1360 1 Steam and Portal Factory Installed
421-1359 1 World of Warcraft Preinstall Edition
330-5090 1 Thank You for Purchasing AlienWare
463-0742 1 Special Pricing Applied

Subtotal: $1,886.40
Shipping and Handling: $0.00
Sales Tax: $113.18
Total: $1,999.58

I saved $180 on top of a $10 discount and 10%EPP

As Borat says... Very Nice!!!

I chose the SSD because I saw a video in youtube comparing an alienware ssd vs a 500gb hdd and there is a hugh difference in loading times etc...plus they dont break as much.

So in conclussion, dont let this damn bad reps give you what they want, you might get lucky and get a nice rep and make your day as mine did.

 

{I chose the SSD because I saw a video in youtube comparing an alienware ssd vs a 500gb hdd and there is a hugh difference in loading times etc...plus they dont break as much.}

Smart Choice Congrats!

 

R480 ( in blue) x M11x ( red)

3Dmark2006

the score with performance mode and no overclock on the geforce 330
at 1280*720
is 6992
SM2 3012
sm3 2994
cpu 2013

M11x 6100

3Dmark Vantage (At 1280*1024 , connected to a Desktop LCD , as Vantage doesn't allow me to run at 1366*768

with physx off

3DMark Score
P2416 3DMarks
CPU Score
6820
Graphics Score
1988

with physx on

3DMark Score
P2531 3DMarks
CPU Score
15582
Graphics Score
1979

L4D2
Used setting noAA triliner filtering
high in all setting
range from 30-70 ,average is around 40-50
M11x 25-70 average 33


Dirt2

FPS range from 26 up to around 43-44
most fps are around 33-38>>
M11x 16-40 average 27

 

That's a really good discount. The rep probably realized they were getting a huge order anyway so giving you ~$200 off wasn't going to lower their commission much.

I'm sure I won't be the only one to say this, but that 8GB upgrade is near worthless compared to the 4GB. Unless you're working with eight million bazillion 1000x1000px files in Photoshop, you shouldn't need that much RAM. 4GB would have sufficed and saved you even more money.

I'll let Eggs explain the good/bad of the SSD choice for the thousandth time this thread.

 

Thanks Darkan, I just got tired that all my laptops that have hdd more sooner or later break, and its one of the worst inconveniences that can happen; specially since everything now is digital

 

ceol, that is true about the RAM could probably have saved $300 bucks but I can't complain. I know I will be keeping this laptop for a while (4 years) and as time goes on 4gb RAM will be like when everybody said that getting the 2gb RAM was insane.

 

Yeah seriously. This is an owners thread. Sounds like someone else is being jealous or has buyers remorse.

 

@xxgersonxx

That's cool. I would have recommended buying RAM from newegg.com and upgrading yourself but if you don't have a lot of experience with computers then the configured option would be best. Just glad someone else has an M11x! Congrats on the order.

There's an order status thread around here somewhere so make sure to post your order date and your estimated delivery/ship date. We're trying to get a good feel for when these things will ship out and what effect ordering late has.

 

Want to hear a funny story?

1 week ago I was going to buy a sony vaio p 2.0ghz 256SSD for $1450 and was so ready to purchase it, with card in hand...I know, I know; what was I thinking.

For the same price I got perhaps one of the best small laptops in the universe (exagerating)

Can't wait. Is it March already?

 

I am sure this has been posted already. But does anyone have a link to a good, fairly priced SSD that i can install once i get my M11x?

 

@kevin I think fscussel is using furyagain's benches to make claims.

You're right, that's why the Crysis Warhead comparison is an important one since over on the HH forum it was stated his benchmark was done in the snow level later on. Furyagain posted one run in the same level and it ended up right around HH's benchmark. It is significant because his previous benchmarks for Crysis was on average higher due to a different map being benchmarked.

The reason I find these FPS benchmarks important is b/c many people are (or were) considering the M11x to i-core laptops with either 310m or 330m GPUs and it's becoming more evident with the C2D + 335m, this combo seems to work better for modern games. Even if the r480 isn't sold here in the states, the sony CW is offered in nearly the same spec CPU/GPU wise.

Sorry if I'm repeating myself but I find the tests highly useful, especially since I considered an i-core + lower GPU for a bit before making the M11x jump.

 

I'm in the same situation as you, though on a much lower budget. I've been calling all day, gotten to 3 reps, and NONE of them have wanted to even apply the EPP discount for me. I've read through the advice thread and all that, but do you have any specific tip that helped you out? You cited that people were getting 250+ discounts a few days ago? How did that go?

I'm aiming for $150 off (EPP and a coupon that Dell cancelled but clearly says is good till June ), and its a lot harder than I anticipated.

 

i asked Veridian3

he said "One of the snow based levels later on in the game."
so i used
con_restricted 0
map frost
to go directly to the snow level
start from tunnel to the aircraft carrier

Frames Time (ms) Min Max Avg
4041 141438 2 44 28.57

Frames Time (ms) Min Max Avg
3094 116876 16 39 26.47

 

A nice argument that I wish I would've come up with..

 

@Aznguyen316

Your correct, however this is the "Official Alienware M11x Owners lounge", not the "Compare your random laptop to the M11x and try and convince everyone your laptop is better" thread.

There are more appropriate threads for this kind of benchmarking and comparison as Batboy previously explained.

Personally, I am following this thread to see what the Dell/Alienware folks are doing, and find out what new information is being uncovered on the M11x as it nears its ship date, not to sit and read page after page of meaningless benchmarks and arguments over who's laptop weighs less, has lower volume, louder speakers, sharper screen, better viewing angles, higher/lower running temperature, better processor, faster graphics card, higher/lower cost, better paint job, missing or added lighting effects, better/worse keyboard, etc.

And given the comments from other forum members they would probably agree.

 

As mentioned, this thread is not appropriate for comparing it to other laptop as it always leads to bickering and other off topic posts. If you are interested in this an other laptop follow A33a33in advice and make a new thread(also that thread will allow more people to see it).

Lets try to stay on topic. Posts have been deleted.

 

Thank you admin!

 

We were able to get $250 off because of a couple of Dell coupons plus the EPP discount. The EPP discount offered 10% off so that rounded to about $100 off. There was a coupon that offered $100 off for systems over $1000 but that expired on Feb 4th. The last coupon that seems valid still is the $50 coupon for signing up with Dell's EPP subscription service. I believe this one is the one that expires in June (the link to this coupon is on the first post of this thread).

What you want to do is create your order through Dell's main site (not the EPP site), save your cart in your account, then call into Dell's EPP hotline (the number is available at http://www.dell.com/epp) and have them apply the 10% EPP discount plus the $50 coupon. You must be in the United States for this to work as I'm unsure if Dell offers EPP to students outside of the US.

Make sure you call into Dell's EPP hotline and not the main phone line, as they won't want to transfer you to EPP because they would lose your sale. Make sure you're very polite but if the EPP rep doesn't want to give you the discount on your order, don't be afraid to push a little. Most reps would be more than happy to apply the 10% discount plus coupon if you're nice. You might even get free overnight shipping.

 

@kdawgca

You Rock, thanks much!

 

Moderators are boring, M11x is fun! There, I said it!

 

CEOL GRRRRR!!! I did not know this when i ordered mine 3 days ago :/ so i got the su7300, 4gb ram, 500gig hdd, bluetooth thingy, for $1296 :/ Before the discounts and before the taxes were included it was $1337 lol.

 

Edited, no laptop comparing

Keep in mind people the M11x benchmarks we've seen are all stock speeds, NOT overclocked. So the benchmarks are going to improve somewhat nicely i'd think

 

Yeah the discount was awesome I got the SU7300, bluetooth, 4gb, 250gb 7200 for 750$ before tax and 803$ after tax.

 

Gay! I am gonna go back and redo mine on the main dell website and see how much it would be....doubt i would ever need 500gb. Because i can still cancel and reorder :/

 

Interesting, how did you get the same config for $40 less then I did? I used 2 coupons and epp.

 

Well I doubt you would be able to get the same price since it was due to the coupons stacking. 10% off, 100$ off, 50$ off all stacked effectively giving about 250$ off. Oh and also 3% off via DPA.

 

Yeah I got the SU7300, 4GB RAM, 160GB HDD, bluetooth, and Gobi mobile broadband for $884 after tax and free overnight. Those coupons were great but I'm sure they'll do something like it again soon. Dell always has some nice discounts.

 

3% DPA. I called and complained about it not applying on the website until they gave it to me.