The right reason...

I have been thinking about buying the M17X but, not just based upon the fact that it's Alienware. (if that makes sense?)

I have been comparing it to the Rock SL8 or Sager/Clevo NP9262.

Basically they are the same machine, i'm not considering the quad core processor as it's a desktop chip, so it's the Extreme duel-core version that i used for comparison. They are also similar in cost so that's also ignored for now.

The M17X has a few unique features think are worth some consideration...

Storage. The M17X offers up to 1.5Tb, the sager can have 3 200Gb @ 7200rpm drives but, M17X has 3 250Gb drives @7200rpm or 3 500Gb drives @ 5400rpm, this ammount of storage is something no other manufacture has offered...yet!

M17X has the lighting for the keyboard, which is great for gaming at night and the FX console for controlling it. It also has the power management software, no other menufatcure has these features...yet!

The smart-bay function is also a great idea, it can house the third hdd, spare battery (if released) or just the optical drive, again, no other manufacture has offered this...

The Sager's USB slots are all on 1 side, whereas the m17X has some on both sides, which makes connecting accessories easier.

Both systems offer Sli 8800's, both have driver issues because Nvidia have not updated them...yet!

The Sager has four fans to keep it from melting, (without OC'ing), the M17X has the whole rear section as a large vent, which must mean better heat dissapation and less noise.

The biggest difference is also weight, although powerful the Sager is 12Lbs.... 14Lbs is a stone in weight....

I know these things are not "deal Breakers" but, to me they are the difference between mass production and Alienware.

I'm also dissapointed that so many people are just posting comments that basically say "Alienware are rubbish" blah blah blah

I don't understand why people who obviously do not like Alienware, are commenting on an Alienware forum which is populated primarily, by people who either like Alienware products, have them already or who are considering having them.

I am considering both systems but, prefer the M17X but, I also wouldn't start saying but this one instead etc. To me the whole idea of NBR is for useful information and advice where needed, not to slate something for whatever reason, it's up to each of us to make our own mind up based upon facts, not rumours etc.

Sorry, rant over now

Just my 2p...

OB

 

"Storage. The M17X offers up to 1.5Tb, the sager can have 3 200Gb @ 7200rpm drives but, M17X has 3 250Gb drives @7200rpm or 3 500Gb drives @ 5400rpm, this ammount of storage is something no other manufacture has offered...yet!"

Whilst Its the only manufacturer offering them in the build - upgrading current hard-drives to these isn't a big job.

"The smart-bay function is also a great idea, it can house the third hdd, spare battery (if released) or just the optical drive, again, no other manufacture has offered this..."

Lots of others offer 3 hard drives internally (in raid also) and an optical drive at the same time. M17x has 2 and an optical drive or 3 and no optical drive - thus other manufacturers offer more.

As regards weight is there really a big difference between 5kg and 6kg?
They're both heavy.

Though I do agree about the whole bashing alienware thing. I really want one.

 

Yeah i know what you mean, although the others don't look any where near as good ha ha ha

OB

 

doesnt other laptops have vista power management. the command center is basically the same thing if i open up the vista power management but it just looks cooler. i think you can set different performance modes in other laptops too.

 

I do agree with you OB m17x is the best laptop one can get.

 

Vista has power management built in yes but, you have to search through differnet parts of Control panel to use it, the console idea puts it all on one page...

Well i like it....

It's just the little things that set it apart from other makes which just have fast Pc's... Alienware add there own touches to Vista...

Just my 2p

OB

 

Oh C'mon! That's the crappiest reason I've heard... buying hardware for it's software.... If you're so lazy to even go through Control Panel... don't even use Windows!! Go get yourself a XBox 360 or PS3 with minimal settings and controls...

 

actually you can get to the power management in the bar next to the time. you just expand it and double click on the battery icon.

 

It was only an example...

I was highlighting the fact the Alienware personalise there machines unlike Sage/Clevo's which mostly look the same with different log's, unless you get an overpriced Voodoo paint-job that is... (",)

I like the NP9262 it's based on performance just looks boring compared to the m17X...

OB

 

Yup, you can even make a desktop shortcut for it...

I had Vista Basic and had it set to performance mode all of the time, mind you i went Through the advanced options too...

It worked fine until my laptop died.... ho hum

OB

 

Not really. You can get a custom paint job from XoticPC that can look as gorgeous as you want it, and it'd still be cheaper than Alienware, not to mention faster, better build, more reliable, better cooling, superior support.... ARE we still having this pointless discussion ??

 

Yes you are!

I pesonaly like the m17x for what it ofers if one whants/likes something else that this laptop do not have one can better look elsewhere.

 

@Oodle - Well I am one of the people who does not like Alienware. While they have made 1 or 2 good laptops, a lot of them have had issues. For example, the M15x had numerous problems when it was first released. Even though I do not like Alienware I still stick around these forums to help people out that are looking to buy an alienware and want to know what to expect from experience and whatnot. Even though I do not like them I still like to help people out with their purchases.

 

Which is great, it appears that there are some people who are more opinionated and less helpful, than others

I agree that there have been some terrible notebooks produced by Alienware and yes the M15X does seem to have....issues..

I'm also stuck for an alternative now as Rock have gone into administration, which means getting the NP9626 in the Uk is now difficult...

It's my alternative choice, should the M17X be waaaaay too expensive once converted to £'s...

OB

 

"Rock have gone into administration"

I did not know that OB thax for the info.

 

if you dont like the looks, then just paint it yourself. you should be able to get al the primers and glosses that you would need for the job from a local hardware store.

 

that Rock went into administration? i just thought it was _some_ company called "Rock"...

 

rock direct

 

Since just about everything you have listed is subjective your post really has no merit.

 

I don't know why everyone are so into the backlit keyboard. the total time I have turned on that feature on my MBP was like 10 minutes since I bought it.
there is no such "better laptop" thing, we all have different tastes.

 

i think it should be built into all laptops.

 

I must say I like the idea of a backlit keyboard... my mobile phone has it Why shouldn't laptops ? Well... not for a source of light But just because it'd look cool when illuminated... something like showroom quality

 

I agree, it's cool and makes night gaming easier too...

I have a question that you may be able to help me with, can you reccomend anywhere in the uk that sells NP9626's, now the Rock Direct have gone under... Just keeping my options open

OB

 

Novatech and Kobalt are great, among others. But those are the reputed companies (in existence). So long, Rock... *sob*

 

Cool, thanks eh, do they deliver to the Uk?

I liked Rock as they were based here... So long Rock... lol

OB

 

Oh... those companies ARE UK based If you want delivered from US, then there's always the uber-reliable XoticPC!

 

I thought about getting one shipped from the US but, worked out that with paying our extra expensive tax on the way it wasn't worth it....

Thanks though, i'll do some research

OB

 

i heard rock is going into administration. what does this mean?

 

i think it means they were making a deficit, ran out of money and are now controlled by a gormless man in a suit who has no heart for the us gamers. you can still order from them, but you might trouble with CS/TS in the future if they go bust.

 

Read PM.

 

gone no more rock direct...... just like evesham not so long ago they used the same chassis BTW

 

@OB - How about now that the M15x was just found to have CPU downclocking on the extreme processors. That has to make you think twice as to what the hell AW is doing in terms of quality control when they release a laptop with GPU and CPU downclocking

 

i think its just amazing at what a groop of people on a forum can discover together. If i never came here, i might have bought one of these already! BIG MISTAKE!

 

Yeah, it's a shame that there's still thermal problems. I'm thinking that although the M15X is the most powerul 15" notebook, it has serious thermal problems. It's a shame though as it looks cool and performes well, when not downclocking due to heat...

I'm hoping that the m17X will have sufficient heat porting as the whole rear section is a vent, it's similar in design to the NP9626. The M17X seems to have less obvious cooling though...

The Aw guys have confirmed that it does not need extra cooling to run at full capacity so... We can only hope i guess lol

OB

 

Heh I take anything AW says with a grain of salt now