Ok, Need Some Input

ok, so basically I got a scholarship from school to get a new computer. it ends up being around 3300 or so for "supplies" which I want to buy an awesome system i can use for school and game with as well. from what i've been reading around here, is that i can get a somewhat decent discount if i call dell directly and get the right person. I'm going to school for IT security. i have a few years left, so I want something that will be able to play most new games at high settings. I'm not all that worried about portability, as my campus isn't huge, so I won't be walking all that far with it. It has been suggested that i get a smaller notebook or netbook for classes and build a desktop for my home to game with, but i don't have room for it in my home, as my house isn't all that big. so I'm not too sure which one to get, either way I plan on getting the 4 year advanced warranty thing, as i love anything that will cover my laptops from accidental damage.

I'm just not 100% sure which one to get, the games I plan on playing in the next year are Skyrim, The Old Republic, and BF3 are the major ones. I really want to get back into PC gaming, as I've been using a macbook since i graduated, and haven't really been able to game much on it, so i got a PS3, and now that i can get a nice laptop and actually get to choose it myself, i've heard a lot of good things about alienware [my stepbrother has bought 3 and has had 0 issues] and plan on getting one, i just can't decide between the two.

I do plan on upgrading to 16gb of 1600 ddr3 no matter what, and eventually getting SSD's too. Also, i'm going to get the dual 6990m's on the M18 or the 580m on the M17 depending on which way i go, but i feel like the m18, is a better system i guess. I just want some input on how portable both actually are, and how much battery you guys get. I only need like 3 to 4 hours just taking notes and browsing the internet, and all the reviews i've read, the battery seems to differ by quite a bit.

thanks in advance, ill be back on later tonight if anyone has questions for me about what else i need or whatever, i'm about to go to work.

 

I have both an m17x r2 with crossfired 5870s and an m18x with crossfired 6970s. The m18x is superior in every way. By a significant margin. I'm not talking just performance either. It's lighter, tighter, cleaner, softer (hard to explain), better. Wish I could let you see what I see.

While I can't compare the r3, I can't imagine it comes close to the m18x. It's simply a newer, superior design. If you can afford the m18 then that's the one you should get.

 

Do you need the GPU power? Yes? Then get the M18x.

-2760QM.
-6990m CF.
-4GB RAM, upgrade this yourself.
-320GB HDD, buy bigger storage HDD yourself and SSD for OS.

Best bang for buck.

 

I recently purchased a m17x at the end of aug. Had BSOD problems ever since I turned it on. Havn't figured out the specific reason and cause for them. I blame the geforce 460M though.

Anyways im returning tmw morning my m17x and THINKING of ordering a new m18x.

Would you all suggest 560M or 6990M xfire?

Here are the current specs for my m18x:

Intel® Core™ i7 2760QM 2.4GHz
Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
8GB Dual Channel XMP DDR3 at 1600MHz (4DIMMS)
1.5GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M
1TB RAID 0 (2x 500GB) 7200RPM Solid State Hybrid
18.4-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 WLED
Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio

Also comes with Alienware TactX Mouse. I bought one for my desktop in the summer, pretty good mouse I must say. >

 

This would be a matter of personal preference. There is not a huge amount of difference in performance between the two. The 6990M CFX overclocks better and generally does better in synthetic benchmarks. The 580M SLi holds its own in gaming and often beats the 6990M CFX in gaming. The 580M SLi also grossly overpriced and not a match for the 6990M CFX from a price-for-performance perspective.

They've both got pros and cons. The 580M SLi has issues with throttling, but it rarely comes into play in games... primarily sucks in benchmarks. AMD has crappy driver support. Take your pick. Either way, you'll have a beast on your hands that is totally sick and something to be proud of.

The bottom line would be, if price is no object and you're a fanboy--red or green--go with what your preference is and enjoy owning a blazing fast work of art. It's built a lot better than the M17x R3. You'll be glad you went with the M18x.

 

If you want a 560m then get a M17x R3. Or are you planning to upgrade later?

 

560M =/= 580M
560M << 580M
580M >= mobility 6990

 

Get both ... No, but seriously I love my M18x. Sure it's bigger than the M17x r3 but it's awesome and if you max it out you'll be looking at a laptop that will last you 4-5 years before it really starts to show it's age. Not to mention the screen size is huge!

 

@Pizpump "The m18x is superior in every way." NOT TRUE..RGB is still epic awesome on the m17xr2

 

The M18x is great if you essentially want a packable desktop system. It takes the cake if you want top gaming performance due to the CF/SLi GPUs.

But it's worth bearing in mind that the system is NOT anywhere near as portable as say, a Macbook. 12-13lbs is bearable, and with the right backpack like the AW Mobile Edge that is made for it, it can be toted around, but it's quite a load.

The M17x R3 isn't much smaller or much lighter, but it could be the difference between more portable and less portable.

If I were going to be toting a notebook around campus every day, I'd want something smaller and lighter than an M18x. I do it with an M18x, but it isn't pleasant.

If you can swing it, a good setup might be the M18x as a home rig, and a less expensive $300-400 notebook for taking notes or portable duty, using the M18x as necessary. Also keep in mind something like a XPS 8300 desktop with added cards would outdo an M18x, and be cheap enough to buy a basic laptop, for less than what a loaded M18x costs.

Keep an eye out for deals and sales and outlet coupons and it could help you make a quick decision.

 

The M18x all day everyday!

 

oh ya m18x vote here too. I haul my M18x to work practically everyday with no problems in my orion messenger bag.