Packer's Area-51 m15x Review

sure ill do it when i get home though cause im at work and dont have em both.

 

http://www.engadget.com/photos/hands-on-with-alienwares-area-51-m15x-and-m17x-laptops-2/498297/

Are any of these picture of an m17x?

From what I understand the current 17" AW isn't as bulky as some 17" powerhouse notebooks. Just trying to gauge whether the M17x is going to be as bulky as the Dell m1730.

 

yes. The picture you directly linked to is the m15x, but the pictures of the computer with the full numpad are showing the m17x.

 

Cheers GRB, I'm trying to have a sneaky look at each picture at work so I'll have a good look out for the numberpad as mentioned.

 

Does anyone have any pictures of the M15x without the back cover on it? I'd like to see the configuration of the graphics card/hard drive/processor/motherboard.

 

http://www.alienware.com/product_de...Code=PC-LT-AREA51M15X-AI1&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT

 

Okay? You know how many times I was drooling while looking at those pictures?

As I said, does anyone have any pictures of the M15x without the back cover on it? I'd like to see the configuration of the graphics card/hard drive/processor/motherboard.

 

As I posted in the other thread, there is a thread entitled "m15x insides". Any question you could think of has already been answered on this board, search

 

Unknown, go to here: http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/alienware.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_scf_c_language=205&

Then search M15x, click around the links and Alienware show you various parts with the underside off.

HTH

 

i put up a post called m15x insides that shows some pics without the cover

 

Damn, it's a hot notebook, like reeeeally hot! And then they take off the cover, omg, they took off the cover!!! Is stuff like that even allowed on this website, I mean the cover is offf that laptop!!!!!

Lmao, anyways, ya thanks guys for the pics, probably gonna get this one as soon as the cheaper ones comes out. Anyone have any idea when that'll be?

 

How long do you think the m15x would run on battery when you arent gaming? In the various settings.... stealth mode vs regular with and without the extra smart bay battery?

 

What cheaper one? You mean the $1400 model? If so, it doesn't come with the 8800gtx...this'll be as cheap as it gets for a while.

 

Any thoughts on the m17x anyone? Its speed comparisons ect ect? Or even any ideas for its release? Personally, I am waiting it out for this one.. any of your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks !

 

It'll be similar to the dell m1730 performance wise. No clue about release. Rumors say this between this friday and the first week of march.

 

I just lost my powerbook g4 today because of a non-waterproof backpack. I was interested in the M15x when I first saw it, but was very happy with my apple.

Seeing how you have an apple, I want to ask a few questions. Next to the macbook, how does teh alienware quality stand up? Speed wise, which is better? Which do you like more, OSX or Vista (Jumping from OSx to leopard will be huge for me...)


Also, does the alienware have features like "ambient light sensor"? Is it 64bit?

 

i still think that apple would be more reliable. but for overall power the specs on this are beastly.

 

Speed wise (i.e. CPU) the two are comparable (a 17" MBP can have a 2.4 GHz C2D or 2.6, while the m15x goes from 2.4-2.8 GHz right now) but graphics-wise the m15x easily blows the MBP out of the water (you're stuck with the 8600 while the 8800 easily trounces that)

No, there isn't an ambient light sensor, and while the C2D is 64-bit, AW only supports 32-bit Vista (there are some here on the forums who are interested in using a 64-bit version, but I don't think any of them have yet actually pulled it off)

 

I see. Do you see 32 bit being something that will be rendered obsolete in time?

I know the macbook pros are 64 bit, but they're also only core 2 duos, vs the core 2 extreme. I wonder how much of a performance differential will be seen when running vista (on each)?


Also, heat-wise... how does the alienware stack up? I'm used to an aluminum chassis, so it usually can run really cool.

 

big differences between m15x and m17x fully maxed out? Thoughts?

 

It will be a long time before 32-bit is obsolete -- besides, by that time (if you still have your m15x at that point) all the drivers the m15x needs should have a 64 bit version, or you should be able to find one online

Also, the core 2 duo extreme is only the 2.8 GHz version. The 2.4 GHz and 2.6 GHz you can get in the MBP are the same 2.4 and 2.6 the m15x has.

Heat-wise the AW will definitely be much hotter than an MBP, however there exists a function known as "stealth mode" which downclocks your CPU and GPU when you aren't performing high-intensity tasks. This means the heat output will be lowered and the fans will be shut off most of the time (though even in stealth mode the m15x will probably still be hotter than an MBP at rest)

 

Hahaha.. Sorry if it seems like I'm harrassing you, but I'm trying to make a semi-educated decision. There isn't a way to play around with it, so it's all by word of mouth.

Basically, the 2.8ghz isn't worth the price?

Does the alienware include all back up discs of installed software (such that I can reformat if need be?)

How much hotter would you say? A laptop cooler needed?

I noticed there's a TV remote check box. does it include a TV tuner??? (HUGE SELLING POINT, if that's the case).

Are you saying that the alienware is 64 bit capable out of the box, but it's just limited by software?

If you had to do it over again, would you lean towards Alienware, or something like the macbook?

 

No, that's fine, I come here to answer questions

I'm not saying the 2.8 isn't worth it, I'm just saying that the m15x does have that option (while the MBP does not, for comparison). One of the main selling points of the extreme edition, however, is that you can overclock it -- but one member, newfiejudd, (who has a 2.8 in his m15x) says that the feature is currently missing from the BIOS. Whether or not AW will ever allow the extreme edition to be overclocked is unknown at this point. So, while I'm not trying to say that the 2.8 isn't necessarily worth it, much of the cost of the upgrade is for that ability to overclock, not the incremental 200 MHz over the 2.6 GHz.

Yes, AW includes all necessary reinstall disks (in fact one of the discs they send you contains a disk image, so you can make your computer exactly as it came out of the factory again -- very handy when you need to reinstall the OS)

While there are two MBPs in the house, I can't honestly say how much hotter this is than those computers. However, what few times I have put this thing on my lap it hasn't been unbearable yet, so I don't think a laptop cooler would be necessary.

There WAS a TV tuner offered with the remote, but I don't know if it still is. The config page lists two options in this regard: "Without Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner" or "With Express Card Media Center Remote Control". Whether or not that second one includes a TV tuner with it I don't know (nor does the site say). Maybe someone else can answer?

Yes. You could always upgrade to 64-bit Vista, but you would want to make sure you could find compatible drivers before you do.

And I would definitely lean towards AW again, only because I need that top of the line GPU (8800M GTX). Apple simply doesn't offer it. That said, my allegiance is to that card, not AW, so I would have no problem looking at other brands with that card (though I did, and I'm still convinced the AW was the best fit for my needs -- though I do realise that I have sacrificed some potential performance for the m15x's higher mobility)

 

Ugh... decisions decisions. I guess it really comes down to vista vs. os X.


I don't see the graphics card being the ultimate decider for me. So that doesn't settle the score.

What screen did you choose? The AW's HD screen is really appealing.

As far as the swappable media bay, do I have to commit to drives now? Or can I opt to upgrade down the road ( I'll wait until blu ray drives are a littel cheaper, thank you very much!)

How is AW support? I love the fact that I can go down to an apple store and see somebody if need be. Much better than talking to some guy who thinks your an idiot on teh phone for 3 hours...

 

And I wouldn't expect it to be the decider for you necessarily either. It's just my experience, and my needs in a computer.

I chose the 1440x900, mainly because that makes it easier on the graphics card when playing games (sure, you could play a game at 1440x900 on the higher-def screen and have no performance issues, but the native 1440x900 will always look better than the non-native 1440x900 on the higher-def screen)

You should be able to upgrade drives later by just calling AW. In fact just the other day I ordered a new smart bay battery (I first had it with my original order but after a long story it was removed, so now I'm reordering it). Whether or not the price'll ever come down before they stop selling it is another matter

AW support seems to be a little hit and miss. The times I've called/emailed have gotten me to CSRs who are very kind and helpful -- wayy better than the Dell CSRs I had to deal with back in the day However, there are still some horror stories on the forums, so what I would say is that if you have a software/hardware problem that needs fixing, you'll generally have no problems. It's when you have to deal with other issues (billing/returns/defects) that things may be more sticky

 

What kind of differences can I expect between the 15x and 17x? I cannot decide which one to go with.

 

SLI 8800s and size. Those are probably the only notable differences (but nonetheless very significant differences). Also if you want multiple internal HDDs the m17x can do it for you I think but the m15x can't.

 

Most likely major price differences? I would probably to the SLI option.

 

yeah, that would definitely be the other part too

however, how much similarly-configured m15xes and m17xes would differ in price is up in the air. The m17x would definitely still be more expensive, but by how much, I don't think anyone knows.

 

Crysis benchmarks?

MEhhh im just waiting to get it with 1gb ram 80gb hdd (since I have 4gb GeIL ram and 250gb hitachi hdd) and 2.2ghz (maybe)

 

m17x and m15x both have only 1 hard drive... they can do 2 thanks to the smart bay

 

ok, I thought I read somewhere the m17x may have the option for dual internal HDDs, but I guess I'm getting mixed up with the Sager (in fact, it can have three I believe)

 

You will probably be able to upgrade it to 8800m gtx

If not I am going to comit suicide

 

The m17x has been advertised as having 2 internal HDD's + one additional Smartbay capability.

 

so I'm not crazy then

 

ah dam i would have waited thoose are great features. to be honest i did not even know there was a larger screen model coming when i ordered the m15x, as well as the other design choices.

 

It has more ports too like Esata and surround sound plugs.

 

Aite, thanks it'll be like a photoshoot with some rubbery old guy with a smooth young chick

 

SSD worth getting for these laptops?

 

SSD is way too expensive for the the performance boost you get, if any. Not worth the cost to me until they get some decent capacities to market.

 

anyone have any crysis benchmarks with the new patch, and mabye that optimised patch the mod commuity released?

 

Well to put it nicely the m15x blows the macbook out of the water when it comes to speed. Two macbooks couldnt compete with it in speed. Macbooks have an integrated graphics card and compared to an 8800gtx its just omg. OSX is a very nice operating system. However many people complain alot about vista. It doesnt really affect me much though. It is a 32bit.

 

1) i think vista is much bettter then osx. it feels so similar yet improved imo.
2) the macbook pro is almost like the same thing as this but with a crappier graphics card.

 

yes a macbook pro does compare in some areas to the m15x. However i was talking about the macbook which does not.

 

I am going to get crysis setup and take some benchmarks with it. Anyone have any other game requests?

 

i would test battery life with games ... for example a

battery life test of Warcraft3... or World of Warcraft...

would be a good idea..

both are low GPU based so u may even be able to play them on a good FPS on stealth mode..

also a COD4 battery life test on stealth mode would be interesting as well

 

World in Conflict if you have it, if not, no biggie

 

I'd like to know how much the 8800M GTX does score at 3dmark06, so we can make a comparison with other GPU on high performance

 

I was actually trying to compare it to the Macbook Pro. I have a powerbook G4.


I'm very nervous about making the possible switch from Apple to PC, but my powerbook taking a swim means I have to make a move quick.

Heat-wise, how is the Alienware? My powerbook was pretty good, especially with the aluminum (The fans rarely needed to go on).

I'd probably only get the 8700 graphics card, since I'm not a HUGE gamer.

As far as displays go.... is the upgraded 1080 display rediculously small??? I'd love to be able to watch movies on HD (and TV for that matter) in HD (Since I don't have an HD set in my room yet). I will be mainly using it for browsing the web and word processing (and gaming on the weekends.... )

 

Heck, he'll be able to test Warcraft 3 in binary GFX mode, I remember WC3 running at max settings on XGA on an Intel GMA 830, WC3 should be a pipsqueak for the X3100...