Which Alienware should I get?

Ok so I was completely set on buying an M17X. I'd have to wait a while until I could afford the spec I want but I was prepared to do so (a few months).

I'm currently using a MacBook Pro. Someone I know is thinking of buying my Pro off me so now I'm in a bit of a dilemma. If I sell my Pro now I'll get a better price than if I wait a few months. But if I do sell it, I'll need to buy a laptop asap so obv. the M17X is out of the question.

Should I:

A. Buy an M11X with 4GB ram etc for roughly €1,200
B. Buy another DELL model for the same price eg. Studio 17, Studio XPS 16
C. Buy a crappy DELL 10 or something like that to tie me over for the next few months until I can get an M17X

I need the laptop for my eBay store but I also really want one that plays all the latest and greatest games. Thats why I was originally holding out for an M17X.

Whats the M11X like for gaming? I've read the reviews and they all say its great and can play Modern Warfare 2, Mass Effect 2, Crysis etc without any problems but I'm not so sure.

What would you do?

 

What about a M15x?

 

Well, I'll probably get €1,000 - €1,200 for my Pro so would a decent M15X be in that budget?

 

Is there an outlet option like in the US?

 

you should get a dell studio 15. My sister recently got one and she could play games like sims 3 and modern warfare. and they are cheap

 

It depends.
-If you only need the laptop for few months but still want to game, then you should go with m11x, even though the price you posted seems a bit hgih. I'm not sure what county you are from, but 1200euros for m11x is kind of pricy. A decent m11x config usually goes for under 1000.
- If you want a laptop for at least a year and want to game, then go with M15x.
- If you are ok without gaming for the few months while waitng for the M17x, then go with some cheap Dell netbook.
- The Studio 15,16,17 I recommend only if you want to have a laptop for at least a year and don't do too much gaming.

 

I kinda have my mind set on an Alienware though. Thats why I thought about buying a crappy laptop to get me through for a few months until I could get an M17X. The Studio 15 doesn't look bad but that's more of a replacement for the M17X instead of a short substitute and if I were to do that, thats why I was thinking of the M11X etc

 

Yeah, you're right. I might hold off until I can get the M17X. I'll just be kicking myself later if I don't. A cheap DELL might be the best option until then.

 

Mandrake, no theres no outlet for Alienware. A few stores sell DELL's though. I'm from Ireland.

 

Depends on what your tolerance for graphics is...
An M11x will work if you aren't aiming for the best possible graphics possible and need the portability.

 

Hey, shuffles. I'm in the exact same situation as you. I'm dead-set on getting my M17x, but I can't afford the config I want, pluss it doesn't have the 5870's in CfX. I need it STAT, and was looking for another Alienware alternative until the money, and the 5870's in CfX, comes in. Like you, I'm looking for something that can handle my business and play the latest and greatest games. That's where the M11x comes in. For only $65 mo. it's really tempting.

Maybe we could help each other out. So, tell me what you decide on.

 

IMNSHO I say get an M15x with as low as you can over an M11x, UNLESS battery time is super important to you. Not much more money, but much more sturdy with upgrade-ability.

 

I'm in the same situation as well since the video card of my 5 year old XPS Gen2 finally died yesteday. So I'll be getting the m11x from BestBuy for $899 which is a pretty good deal if you are in the US. This will fill the gap between now and when the 5870xf becomes avaialble.

 

Agreed, unless battery power and portability are two important factors, go for an M15x with a 240M.

 

Yeah but if he plans to get the M17x in few months would he really need M15x as well. M11x might be the better choice (but only if you can find it for less than 1000). It can serve as his back up once he gets the m17x and he'll also have a decent portable solution, casue let's face it m15x and m17x aren't that portable. But that's just me...

 

I'm going with the M11x. Having an amazing beast of an M17x with s***ty battery life and a not quite so beastly M15x also with s***ty battery life sounds kinda silly to me. When I need something on the go, my M11x will shine in all its glory. When I'm not going to be on the go, I'll hook up the M17x. Sounds like a good combo. Input?

 

Ok yeah I definitely misread. If you're getting the M17x for sure, then the M11x is the perfect companion. I plan to pick up an M11x myself once the refreshed i3/i5 + optimus platform is out.

 

I knew you were smarter then that. Hehe, I'm fed-up enough playing the waiting game for the 5870's in CfX. I'm just gonna pick this bad baby up now.

Q, though. You wouldn't happen to know if you can switch the C2D in the M11x for the i3/i5 when they release it? Or is the CPU one of the few things you cannot replace?

 

in that case the M11x makes more sense, my only issue with it is that despite it's portability it just doesn't feel sturdy enough to me, and I am gentle with laptops. That being said when I checked one out in BestBuy I had two different salespeople breathing down my neck distracting me. If I hadn't gotten stuck with the M15x on top of the M17x I would probably get one. Anyone know if the M11x' ever come up in the Outlet store?

 

Yeh, I can config an M11X for under €1,000. I might do it. Not sure. Can't seem to make up my mind. I don't mind about portability. Is the lowest config in the M15X way better than the highest config in the M11X?

 

Not to go off topic but what are the latest and greatest rumors regarding this referesh? I've heard different sources ranging from July all the way to January of next year but wasn't sure if there're any recent updates.

 

Well, I'll go out on a limb here and say definitely yes, not necessarily from a benchmarks perspective which I suspect it does, but the larger screen, construction and upgrade options to me make it a better value at that point. Again, the M11x is built around battery life with a good, not great, gaming experience with medium settings for today's games.

The M11x's are selling at a premium right now, and to me are a very contemporary purchase. The M15x is more future proof from that perspective, and I suspect you will see a lot of M11x's out on eBay within 6 months or so. Again, I like the M11x, I just think it is overpriced a bit for what you get. However they do excel in the "cool" factor and I hope to find one at a good price used

 

So say I bought the lowest config of the M15x, can I upgrade everything myself over time and is it easy to do? Or are there some things I should upgrade at the start that can't be upgraded later?

Basically, can I turn it into the ultimate gaming rug over tine?

Same applies for the M17X, apart from the RGBLED option, can I get everything else at a later date? Ie dual graphics cards, ram etc etc etc?

Cheers.

 

Maybe you should rethink purchasing from Dell.

Im a 20+ year fan of dell. That was in the past, My 8 week nightmare experience with dell Alienware 17 seems to have no end in sight. I have been 8 weeks without a system and no one at dell can even guess when I will be able to wake up from the neverending nightmare.

Ben Cranmore
605-977-7934

 

Hope this doesn't happen to me.

I would recommend getting something cheap if you are in immediate need of a laptop. If you don't need a gaming laptop right away, then just get a super cheap netbook to hold you over for a month or so until you are ready for the M17x or whichever you are going to buy.

Alienware orders take forever. 1 month minimum before your machine is ready and shipping. I know the order status will say 2-3 weeks, but it's usually more like 4 weeks plus. Not only that, but the website/customer service/automated system usually will not update until last minute or after the laptop has been delivered.

My experience has been pretty crazy, but hopefully I get an update by tomorrow. If not, I will most likely be requesting a refund and waiting the required eternity for 5870 HDs to come out (I want to see what DX11 will be like).

 

From what I can determine, you can upgrade the CPU and the GPU. For example, if you decide to opt initially for an i3, then you can always drop an i7 in later. There was a refurb'd low-end M15x for sale yesterday (i3 and 240m graphics) from a UK vendor for only 750 euro shipped to Ireland, but it was snapped up pretty quickly. I was tempted to buy it but decided to hold out for a better spec - I'll probably end up selling the M15x before I need to upgrade it!
Likewise the GPU can be upgraded - members here have reported success with the 5870m. I would say the one thing to choose carefully is the display which is a choice between 1600x900 or 1920x1080. Good luck with your decision...

 

Ok excellent. So if I purchase the base model without adding any extras whatsoever I can upgrade everything over time? If not, could you put up a list of vital upgrades I need to customize before I purchase it?

In terms of upgrading at a later date, where is the best place to purchase the parts? Is it best to contact DELL/Alienware and tell them eg I want to upgrade the processor and graphics and send it off?