Some m15x questions before final decision

Ok, so here's where I'm at...

I've been going back and forth on whether or not to purchase a m15x for the past month (mostly between getting it, the Dell m1530, or the next 15" gaming notebook from Dell). My main concerns were compatibility, durability, and longevity. I plan on using this notebook primarily for everyday web browsing, watching videos/playing music, and of course gaming.

I'm not too into technology with laptops, but enough to get by, as some would say. So here are some questions that I would like clarified.

1) Compatibility: I've always dreamed of having a laptop with external screens to compliment my laptop/gaming needs. Specifically, I planned on having the laptop screen as the main display so that I can play games such as War3, WoW, CoD4, and (hopefully when/if they release) GoW2/SC2/GTA4/LFS. As for the external attachment, I planned on have it either playing videos, or even just an open web browser and instant messaging program running the background. Now is this possible?

2) Durability: I have read the numerous threads about the "faults" in build with the m15x's and truthfully they make me hesitate in purchasing one. Luckily, there are those who received a great system with little to no flaws, and that's what makes me stay with my decision with AW. Honestly though, I wanted to see how build quality would be like after the m17x/AlienNetwork launched. So to those who have received their m15x systems within these next couple days, do you mind posting any kind of details about that? Thanks.

3) Longevity: I've been trying to search for some info about the longevity of the 8700M GTX. I've read that it can most likely support the next two years of gaming with some ease, but of course not as much as the 8800. Even though most would say since the option is available, for such a powerful graphics card, if I could save some money in this investment, it would be nice. So, would someone care to reconfirm this?

It seems like a lot, but it would greatly ease my mind during checkout if I knew more about the system.

Thank you kindly.

 

1) yes, you can attach additional monitors/beamers to the m15x over the HDMI port. you can also set up extended desktop so you can have different apps running on separate screens. just don't forget it might be demanding to run both a game and other stuff at the same time.

2) can't say anything here, haven't got mine yet.

3) the 8800m-gtx should be good for 1-1.5 years of top-notch gaming. afterwards, lowering resolution and/or quality should get you by just fine for another two years or so. additionally, you should be able to upgrade the 8800m-gtx to a 9-series card (possibly the 9800) at some point.

 

1) yes, you can set it up to either a hd vt through the HDMI port, or you can get DVI adapter for the hdmi and use other monitors. Thats what im using. Im only getting the 720p screen (if you use this, you nvidia card will last longer as it has lower res, so not as much demand will be on it.) (i dont mean phisicly lasting, but you will be able to play at high graphics for longer)

2) it seems they have improved the american model (could be eu too but dont know) quality aka, tightening the screen. Plastic isnt that bad. it will be fine, unless you plan on dropping the laptop ALOT!

3) Do not get the 8700. in comparison to the 8800, the 8800 has like 3 times the amount of cores to process. Thats alot of power, just for an extra 200dollars. I would say with 8800, 1.5-2yrs high gaming, then about 8months medium, then it weill go into low settings.

 

2) I am really careful with mine because it's plastic (my last laptop was a macbookpro and you have to -try- to hurt a metal one) but I have accidentally thrown my backpack around with it in it and I move it around a lot and whatnot and though the lid creaks, it's not a big deal. I don't have a single scratch, crack, etc on mine yet. When you tow it around I would keep it in the sleeve thought hat way nothing can get in and scratch it or dirty up the ports.

3) The 8700 works pretty well for me right now but I have every intention of upgrading to the 8800 sometime this summer/fall or if they offer a more high end one I'll go for that. I think when it comes to video cards that I chose alienware specifically because you can upgrade them.

 

Thank you very much for all your input.

@pokefluffy: When you say upgrade, I assume this is also covered by the On-Site Technician, yes? Because then that would interest me in either the two-year warranty, or just one-year with a renewal after the first is up.

Jeez, 2.5k with 2.5mhz, 8800m, and illum lights. I would love to buy it now if I didn't have rent to worry about. Gotta wait a couple more paychecks then...

 

careful there. "on-site technician" is alienware-ish for "send us your lappie and we'll fix it on-site here".

 

1) answered throughly

2) build quality has gone way up, don't worry

3) get the 8800, it uses less power than the 8700, will last longer, wil play games longer, and is just soo dang pwnage.

 

On the subject of build quality, have they improved the screen wobble problem? I've heard various reports that the hinges are tighter on the newer models.

 

ah, thank you very much for clarifying that up for me. but it would have been great to have several technicians stationed at some major cities just to avoid the mailing processing. oh well.

as for the external monitor, i think i'd really only be using it on such an occasion when playing WoW. I get bored in BGs, haha. and the gfx card will definitely be the 8800 then.

Thank you all for your input, and hopefully the newer models that should be arriving these next couple of weeks can still inform us of their notebook's build quality (i.e. - the "wobbly screen").

 

i bet AW were stuck with faulty pieces that were not perfect hinges and decided to get rid of them first. Now they bring out the proper hinges.

 

I suppose we can ask Halogod when his comes in if the build quality is certainly better. (he just ordered his last night.

 

yea i def post a review of the quality. From what i heard, from a buddy of mine who got his last week, the gap in the ethernet port where the cracking is has disappeared and the screen doesnt make as much noise when moving it, more sturdy. Also he has a gtx and no downclocking.
I asked the alienware tech on the phone and he assured me the cracking issues have been resolved..lol

 

i dont think we need to worry about cracking since i havent heard about another crack for a while now.