alienware ultrabook

If you mean "travels well" as in use it IN a plane, unless you have business/first class seating I don't see it working. I can never open a 14 or 15 inch notebook let alone a 17 or 18 incher. It is easier to port around than a desktop of course.

 

....No it wouldn't.
The M11x R3 is about a third the price of the M18x.
And even if this Ultraportable comes to life that I crave I reckon it would still only amount to half the price of the M18x.

Compared to a desktop - The M18x can be transported easier.
That doesn't make it 'portable'.

 

Just so nobody is confused by that statement, this is based on your definition of "portable." The M18x is 100% portable. It's my third 17" or 18" desktop replacement dual-GPU gaming beast that is 100% portable. The XPS M1730, M17x R2 and M18x have all been an absolute joy to have on the road. There's nothing about it that is less than portable. It's not small, and that's one of the reasons I own it. People that prefer little computers say that all the time based on their personal perspective, but it does not make it an accurate statement. It merely reflects their preference for little computers. I own more than one little computer and they are no more portable, just less pleasurable (for me) to use. So, they stay at home, collecting dust.

Correct... given the way seats are crammed together in coach, almost anything larger than a hand-held device is miserable to use in coach. I watch movies and listen to music with my Android or BlackBerry when I get stuck in coach with the other sardines. When the inconsiderate moron seated in front of me decides to lay his head in my lap, even my mini-9 doesn't have enough breathing space, LOL.

In first class the M18x and its 4.5+ hours of battery life is awesome, but I rarely turn on any computer in flight.

 

And you seem to assume that the AW ultraportable would carry the same cost of the M11x. Even if it was the same cost of the M11x, it'd be more expensive because of the engineering involved.

If the AW ultraportable used high end graphics hardware, like a 670M or 680M, it could very easily be priced in M18x territory, or at least close to it. I mean, look at the Razer Blade, the latest one is going to be $2500 with a 660M.

If it was around a 13-14" machine with mid-end graphics hardware, then the price will certainly be more reasonable, but I can still see it being priced around at least $1,500 for the lower end configurations.

As for portability, that depends on your own view of portability, does it not? If you're talking "take it to the coffee shop every day" portability, of course not. But then I wouldn't say that any 15" or above notebook is 'portable' enough for that. It's 'portable' in the sense that it can be moved around easily. I can pick it up and move it to another room. I can travel with it (not use it during travel necessarily, but take it with me). I'd count that as 'portable'.

 

It's pretty obvious that we've differing opinions on portable.
Im just going by my experience with an enormous range of laptops as well as the definition of the word.

Granted Ive never owned the machine but the 7kg+ Payload of the M18x just doesnt cut it Im afraid.
Moveable yes, but not portable.
It would be the equivalent of asking someone to carry 3 average consumer laptops at 2.5kg a piece whilst all the time claiming it travels well.
Yeah, maybe if you had your own car.

As far as Im aware its the second heaviest laptop next to eurocom panthers.
This alone further provides validation of my point.

You're delving into the range of DTR's.
I own an even lighter version and dont consider it portable.
There does seem to be a degree of fanboyism here as both of you own the machine, whilst those who claim its too heavy do not.

 

LOL who wants an alieware.. with out the ware? meaning for me to even consider an ultra portable from them.. they would have to be in the 300-600 dollar range.. Im not paying for the NAME with out this performance we have all come to know and love..
So for an ultra portable cool looking machine to work.. the price point would have to be low.. really low..

and nothing personnel.. I dont want a hippy tree hugging note book.. I want the big gas guzzlen lets pollute the ozone and have people protest notebook.. that after all is what I pay for in the Alienware name..

 

LOL, so who would be more believable? I've been doing it for years, and wouldn't want it any different. We know you prefer smaller, under-powered computers and that's OK... to each his own... different strokes. Neither is "right" and not everyone needs to hold the same view on the subject. The fact that many people travel with a gaming DTR is proof it's not "too heavy" to do so if that is the traveler's preference.

It is pointless to burn calories debating about personal preferences. It's no different than a Apple fanboy saying that their machines are better than a PC. It's only better when it fits the user's preference. When it doesn't, it's highly undesirable... perhaps even worthless. Some folks drive a Kia... some drive a Lamborghini... most fall in somewhere in the middle based on personal preferences and/or financial resources. Both are portable.

 

You misinterpreted the statement.
Just because someone doesn't own the machine does not mean they haven't tested it.
And if you're really going to be picky on the definition of portable I can present my sources too.
-

port·a·ble   [pawr-tuh-buhl, pohr-] Show IPA
adjective
1.
capable of being transported or conveyed: a portable stage.
2.
easily carried or conveyed by hand: ie: a portable typewriter.
3.
Computers . (of data sets, software, etc.) capable of being used on different computer systems.
4.
Obsolete . endurable.

Portable | Define Portable at Dictionary.com

Oh and here's Frank Azor - Alienware's Vice president.
Alienware Press Release Interview: Frank Azor Senior Vice President - YouTube

Right from the horse's mouth when interviewed on his showcase systems he claims their "Portable" but at 0.49 to 0.51 - He admits the fact about the weight.

You think if he was advertising their incredible features & supposed travel well "portability" he'd blurt out such a self corrective line...

I think not.
Anyone with sense would have just sued him for false advertising.

Edit: Just noticed your cheap jibe about my 'apparent' like for "underpowered systems". Typical flaming throwback response - Nowhere do I state that.
You're probably sitting there all arrogantly chuffed with yourself and your all-powerful Alienware system from a response like that.

I'm after maximum power in maximum portability.
I picked the Dell precision because I can pretty much guarantee I got better value for money than you did.
I also got on just Dandy with my M11x R3 and regret selling it.
So much so that I might even just buy another.

The whole point of this thread was discussing the future for an Alienware Ultraportable/ Ultrabook.
Clearly your possession of an M18x is "blocking" your train of thought.

And this petty debate will probably end up with the closure of the thread.

 

the M18x is "portable", but I have decided against getting it for college. I think lugging one around from class to class every day would get rather tiresome very quickly. It is still great for lans, buisness, and DTR work though. Just not environments where you would be moving around with it several hours a day almost every day.

 

Its a good idea. Look at the Razer Blade ? it was selling like an iphone 4 that it is constantly out of stock. The blade is very tempting but the price is still a bit over price. If alienware releases something similar, it will be a great new product.

 

You know what, all this portability nonsense is just basically a matter of an opinion or the ability of a person to handle the mass of the machine.

Like in my case, my M17x may seem heavy for my 5'2 sister she also thinks that it is the bulkiest and heaviest laptop ever, what more the M18x. But for me, as a 6' ft guy. I think the other way around. I think that the m17x is super portable. I think it's like carrying performance with me!! So when you actually think of it, In the end it depends on the persons capability to handle and carry the laptop.

 

NO AW ultrabooks please. AW is all about gaming and ultrabooks aren't about gaming; they're about day-to-day computing on the go.

That being said, if Dell/AW decided to make a laptop that had the slim form factor of the macbooks/razer blade and still pack enough hardware to beat the razer blade's performance or battery life by about 15% or more, then I'm all for it.

 

I can't see having that awesome Alienware build quality in an ultrabook of some kind...to many corners would have to be cut in my opinion.

 

While all of you make valid claims on the fronts of portability vs. power, I hope some share the small aspiration of mine that Alienware will release a product that has everyone saying "Wow. No wonder they call it ' Alien'ware."
A type of market changer with such performance and portability that it truly raises the bar for the industry, and is based around their fantastic brand.

I can imagine the market campaign already.
It's a shame the likelihood of this is like <.0001%
Unless they are masters of secrecy!!!! yes!!!!

 

That laptop build would not support a dedicated graphics card. It would be integrated. Weight is a problem when you consider companies whose main focus is performance and gaming laptops. It would not be good but would be neat.

 

ASUS is coming up with the U500, i7 and GT650M, so actually its possible, to be thin and powerful at the same time.
Not to mention the rMBP with the same spec as the m14x r2 (and no its not that expensive coz of that)

Currently im selling my m14x because well, its awesome, but heavy.
And in case i could find a lighter notebook (with the same size, 15,6" is too big again), with the same performance, sadly i would have to leave this brand.

 

The blade doesn't claim to be able to outperform blistering systems like the M18x, what it does claim to to be less than half as thick as the m17/18x and other gaming laptops, and to be several pounds lighter, which it is, even if you include the weight of the power supply.

It offers a great medium between a capable, portable, 17 inch ultrabook, and a very capable gaming laptop.

Not to mention, to get that blistering performance (dual 680's) your going to half to add 1100 dollars to your M18x purchase, that alone is almost half what one blade costs...

 

I like your way of thinking. The only down side here is that AW/DELL won't be the first one to shatter the walls. They will most likely follow shortly after some other vendor breaks through.

The blade is less than half as thick but is also less than 1/3 as powerful. Also, the features, the NBD warranty, the cooling and OC'ing potential.... The upgradeability. No compromise. BTW, the 7970MCf has the same performance as the 680MSLI for 600$ less. Not to mention that Dell often has special deals that save you hundreds. It's not uncommon to see 15-20% discounts here.

 

Really is a sign of the times when an old titan like dell, a company that used to make, or at least help make, giant leaps in the tech industry, is now lagging behind and letting other smaller companies take the big risks and payoffs. theres a reason they were growing at 90% a year in the 90's-early 2000's and in the last few years have stalled to a miniscule 3% growth.


aaaand 7970 crossfire has massive issues. a tradeoff thats not worth the price.

the blade isn't even targeted at the m18x's audience (super power users) more towards people who want a 17 inch screen on a machine that isn't thick, and is still more powerful than the m14x.

good on them having it have an aluminum chassis and matte screen to.

 

If the 7970Ms have issues, you get them replaced with 680M's for free . It's not your problem if your cards are malfunctioning, and that's not the reason they cost less.

 

LOL. Dell will not replace 7970's with free 680's because the 7970's have garbage drivers.

 

Have you tried? I got my 280MSLI replaced with the 4870s and then the entire system from M17xR1 to M17xR2 for free, because of the crappy nVidia chipset and drivers producing lots of latency. With Dell, you will at least get a decent chance, provided you're persistent. With other vendors, you have zero chance. However, IIRC, Sager has been replacing the 7970m's with 680Ms due to crappy drivers of the RED's.

 

NO ONE has gotten their 7970's replaced with 680's for free. 550$ + the loss on the original cards is beyond acceptable for a company like dell to consider just because of crappy drivers that are not their fault.

 

I'll ask again, have you tried and failed? Or is it just from reading the forums? Cause if it's the later - then I have no reason to continue arguing with you.

 

I can't see their being an Alienware Ultrabook until we have 22nm Gpu's . Alienware will only ever build an ultrabook if they can get proper gaming performance out of it but I would say the current batch of GPU's would be too hot for it to handle .

 

An ultrabook is going to run like an ultrabook, whether it looks like an Alienware or not. It would just be a nicer looking but anemic ultra-portable. "Alienware Ultrabook" seems like an oxymoron. There's just not enough space in the form factor for the highest performance components available, or proper cooling for those components. As we saw with Ivy Bridge, Kepler and Wimbledon, shrinking die size didn't really improve temps and probably still will not if performance continues to improve as die size shrinks. It will potentially only be a faster or equally fast, smaller chip that runs about the same temps as the larger chip. As die size shrinks, so does the ability to transfer heat. The spot that gets hot is just smaller. That's progress, but I doubt it will enable extreme performance from a minuscule form factor like an ultrabook.

 

well now ..if you say so...

 

Agree 100% I loved the thickness of my old L702x. That thickness meant Dell could put some kickass, LEGENDARY JBL speakers into it!

I have not seen any new laptops with speakers equal to the L702x. And because it was mostly plastic, it was light for its size! I think plastic is underrated.

Dell will make powerful, gaming ultra books when those scientists finally invent nano-nuclear power cells!

But they will run so hot, you could fry an egg on it!

 

i am sure ultrabook is not for gaming and alienware aim for gaming people so i dont think they will have a alienware ultrabook