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    some advice for a nubie here

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by SunPilot, Sep 16, 2009.

  1. SunPilot

    SunPilot Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi, I m new here and would like some advice. I've been reading many posts before writing this. I am interested in a new Alienware laptop. Not quite sure which one. Bewteen the M17 and the 17x My basic question is this: Is it worth it to get a basic system and get aftermarket upgrades? Or, is it better to spec it out and order it from Dell? If your advice would be to get a basic system and upgrade (to save money), which parts can be upgraded? Can the chip, mem, optical drive, graphic card, etc. be found and upgraded? Where is a reliable source of these parts. I've built 8 desk tops already and this is my first laptop, so I am not a novice at making things work. I really appreciate any help you fellows/gals can give me. Thanks in advance
     
    SunPilot, Sep 16, 2009
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  2. Quadzilla

    Quadzilla The eye is watching you

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    Get the Video cards , WUXGA screen first and foremost then worry about everything later if your on a budget.

    Get the M17x over the M17 since the M17 is EOL .


    Even with the base processor in the M17x you should be able to overclock it to 3.0ghz (if thats your thing) and it comes standard with 4gigs of ram so your good there to.

    You can toss in a Quadcore later on if you feel the need and harddrives etc.
     
    Quadzilla, Sep 16, 2009
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  3. SunPilot

    SunPilot Notebook Enthusiast

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    I will definitely go for the screen upgrade. HDD is no problem. What about the Optical drive? Are bluray burners available aftermarket, or maybe an external? If I upgrade the chip later would I need anything else?

    One other question...I'm not familiar with Vista or W7. If I upgrade processor later would Vista still work? Any concerns here?
     
    SunPilot, Sep 16, 2009
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  4. sleey0

    sleey0 R.I.P. AW Side Topics

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    You can get a slot load bd drive later on, but it will cost more.

    How much do you really watch blu-rays on your laptop?
     
    sleey0, Sep 16, 2009
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  5. SunPilot

    SunPilot Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, don't have a laptop yet so don't watch any. I do have a Pioneer Plasma TV and it is 1080P so I figured that instead of getting a stand alone Blu-ray disk player I might just add one to the M17x and use that to watch movies on my plasma. BTW, is it true that the 17x only had analog audio out and not digital like the 17? You would think for the premium price it would have digital output for running through a nice audio system
     
    SunPilot, Sep 16, 2009
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