talk me into a m17x

I've been long debating a alienware, currently I have a gateway 7805u. That performs OK. but for along time I have been wanting something better.

The question is how much better do I actually need. So I was woundering whats so great about alienware?? Never owning one I was hoping for some input.

Also the next big thing is how upgradable are they? Im sure the processors are no big deal to upgrade. But what about the GPU? or the Disk Drive? I want blu ray bad but not sure its worth it right off the bat. (trying to trim as much fat a possible)

I do game alot. Now playing Fallout game of the year edition, I also been playing alot of crysis, On High with my GPU overclocked it lags down some.

So just looking for some honest no bull opinions and facts.

Because IT is a huge chunk of change, and i want to get it done right the first time.

Thanks

PS. If anyone lives in the pittsburgh PA area and wouldnt mind metting at starbucks or something so i can check on their m17x. That would be great!

 

well i was let down on the workmanship of mine. lots of cosmetic defects. had mine a little over a month an i lost the alienrespawn partition an called alienware won't help me at all they sux. also my touch pad went out but they do sent out parts fast. this is my first alienware also so maybe for me it's just taking time to get to know them. all and all i wouldn't get one. but mine was a replacement from my damaged m1730 xps dell laptop so im stuck with it.

it's an ok machine. video cards are for some reason pci express 8x not 16x, to many things like lights an stuff to distract you from the speed dropping, dimmer screen then i ever had.

if i was you i would take the money an get a real bad a** gaming laptop. nice meeting you

 

You got an replacement laptop, what the hell did you expect? Don't compared a old used laptop to a newly built one.

 

well either way this doesnt help my case.. thanks for your input. But It was a replacement. anyone else care to share??

 

Fast support, poor techs' skills.
The machine is great: build quality is a +, even with p8700 cpu can run Crysis on high 1900rez 30-50FPS. Just finished Dragon Age (all maxed out 30-90FPS). Cooling is VERY impressive.
Minor sound stutter (supposed to be fixed by Dell)
Surprising battery life: did a video presentation last week for 2 hours (of constant video playback) running on battery, and 1 hr was still remaining. 3hrs for a gaming rig running on battery. A huge +

I recommend M17x

 

when dell replaces it replaces with brand new... the replacement parts could be refurbished.

 

1 i have explained ALOT of times how to get the respawn partition back
2 the m1730 was slower and had more problems
3 the x8 -x16 has no bearing ...the performance is no different ( w90p vs M17x and who is winning?)
3 screen isnt the best ill give you that
4 turn the lights off

 

I think he wants us to talk him into purchasing an Alienware m17x , not to scare him away.

As Moo as mentioned above, there is no flaw with m17x !!

Choose Nebula Red Edition and you will get:

1) Base CPU is now P8700 instead of P8600
2) Screen is 1200p (included in Price)
3) EPP 10% off + 3% additional if using Dell Prefer Account
4) Free $200.00 Upgrade to use when config ( see it in cart when finish Expires 12/01/09)

 

The M17x is a rock solid gaming laptop. The build quality is quite literally fantastic, it's one of the only laptops outside of Apple to use anodised aluminium for the body, the cooling is fantastic as well.

In terms of upgradability...You won't be getting any better processor in there than the QX9300 or the X9100. Both are the most powerful the line of processors has to offer and no more will be developed. Graphics upgradability depends if future graphics cards use MXM 3.0; if they do you can upgrade, if they don't then, well, you can't.

The graphics cards in it will eat any game alive. As long as you go for 260M SLi at the very least then you'll be set for years. It'll max Crysis out on anything below 1920x1200 and even at 1920x1200 it averages just a little below 30fps. It'll blow any other game apart.

 

as far as I can tell now, The nebula Red is nothing special execpt for an extra $99. It comes with nothing else.


What I wanted to Build was the

Black m17x.
With the q9000 Processor
260m SLI
1920x1200 Screen
4GB DDR3 1333MHz
500 GB HDD (this can be changed in the future, I was even thinking about getting the 250 just to get the thing out the door cheapier)
Slot Load Blu Ray
1 Year Warrenty (can you add to the warrenty before the year expires??)


Does anyone see anything wrong or something that can maybe be done a little bit better? I know I can obvisously spend more and do better. But money is an obstical. I biggest deal is that Hopefully i can just upgrade it later. I know the processor would be easy but are the graphics cards replaceable/ Upgradeable?

 

From what I understand the CPU, Hard Drive, Memory, and GPU can be upgraded. However, I've received some words of wisdom that getting Laptop GPU's is hard and costly. You're better off getting the GPU's you want now as opposed to later.

Everything else should be easy enough to upgrade and will be cheaper if you buy them yourself.

Hope that helps.

 

I just ordered mine yesterday, and while money wasn't an obstacle, I went with the slowes processor and RAM because I can get them cheaper from New egg and HP spare parts. I went through the EPP program. I called them and if you call them up they can get you the one in black. I got one through EPP since I'm in the army, and I told them that. You might just be able to tell them who you work for and your company may qualify. It saved me 10% which on these laptops is a fair amount. Also I would just go with the 500GB from dell. It would be cheaper there then getting a 500GB elsewhere I think. Anyhow I got the following.

224-5967 1 Black Metallic
317-0819 1 Intel Core2 Duo P8600 2.4GHz (3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
317-0856 1 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz 2 x 2048MB
320-8140 1 17.0in, WUXGA,LCD,ANW,M17X (1200P)
320-0759 1 CrossFireX - Dual 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4870
341-0004 1 500GB 7,200RPM (xMB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
330-3924 1 Name Plate Engraving
421-1398 1 Genuine Windows 7 Ultimate, 64bit, English
410-1883 1 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
313-8570 1 Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Burner (BR-R, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
430-3558 1 Internal 300Mbps Dual-Band a/g/n 2x2 MIMO
410-0201 1 36 Month Macafee
410-0181 1 Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007-Eng, QS
421-1724 1 Soft Contracts,Dell In Home,Alienware
994-7017 1 Dell Limited Hardware Warranty Plus At-Home Service, Initial Year
994-3660 1 Next Business Day In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis , Initial Year
990-8029 1 1 Year Limited Warranty and Next Business Day,Desktop
994-3730 1 Warranty Support,Initial Year
988-7347 1 No Warranty beyond 1 year
430-0628 1 Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR
330-5087 1 RESPAWN DVD

Subtotal: $3,132.90


If you can I suggest going EPP through the phone. They will go through everything so you get to choose and then just take the 10% off.

 

this is what i just got along with the 10inch laptop. with tax it
it came out to 3400.00


224-5966 Red Metallic
1 317-0818 Intel Core2 Duo T9600 2.8GHz (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
1 317-1490 6GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
1 320-8140 17.0in, WUXGA,LCD,ANW,M17X
1 320-0762 SLI Dual 1GB GDDR3 NVIDIA GeForce (NB10E-GTX1)
1 341-0004 500GB 7,200RPM (xMB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
1 330-3924 Name Plate Engraving
1 421-0720 ALIENFX RED
1 421-1400 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
1 421-0359 Avatar 6
1 421-0389 Window Style, DFT
1 410-1883 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
1 313-8570 Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Burner (BR-R, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
1 421-1304 CyberLink PowerDVD 8.0 Software
1 421-1305 Nero 9 Media Burning Software
1 430-3558 Internal 300Mbps Dual-Band a/g/n 2x2 MIMO
1 421-0405 Automatic Updates ON
1 421-0398 Power Plan, BAL
1 421-0399 Time Zone, CENTRAL
1 994-7017 Dell Limited Hardware Warranty Plus At-Home Service, Initial Year
1 987-5301 Warranty Support,1 Year Extended
1 421-1719 Soft Contracts,Consumer Complete Care,Alienware
1 421-1724 Soft Contracts,Dell In Home,Alienware
1 950-3338 2 Year Limited Warranty
1 987-5271 CompleteCare Accidental DamageProtection, Inspiron Desktop, 2 Year
1 994-3660 Next Business Day In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis , Initial Year
1 994-3730 Warranty Support,Initial Year
1 994-6858 Dell Limited Hardware Warranty Plus At-Home Service, Extended Year(s)
1 987-5241 Next Business Day In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis , 1 Year Extended
1 421-1721 Soft Contracts,Banktec Care,Alienware
1 430-0628 Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR
1 421-0358 Wallpapers, C06W
1 421-1360 Steam and Portal Factory Installed
1 421-0381 RSS Feeds,AW
1 330-5090 Thank You for Purchasing AlienWare
1 463-0742 Special Pricing Applied

 

Hey, maybe you can help me with this... I own both systems...+ an MSI GT735..anyways... I've been on the gateway fourm...and asked if anyone can help me with the mic on this machine...you got any idea how to fix it or if there's even a mic on my rig...can't chat with anyone on L4D...aslo the comp freezes while playing games.. temps are low...
The guys here at Alienware are super and knows their stuff..you'll appreciate that you have an Alienware...not to bash but the Gateway fourm...and support sucks... you'll pay twice the price for the M17x but you'll be much more happier...to know that you'll have the right answers and support when needed. If I can afford the 4870's i'll go with the Nebula Red version as well...to match the ATI...red logo/series.. it's also a special color...

 

Can't give you hands-on reasons to own an M17x, but I can give you some background on owning an Alienware laptop.

I've owned the m7700a Aurora (see sig) for almost 4 years now. By today's technology standards, it's antiquated, but it has been a reliable and strong machine for me. I did replace the hard drives at year 3 due to my boot drive dying (old Hitachi drive). I also needed a soldering repair for the video card mounting posts, but that's basically from me removing the card every couple of months to clean it out. Given the thermal cycles and probable over-torquing of the screws, I mainly point the finger of blame at myself.

I've used this laptop for over 15,000 hours for both gaming and web development work, including running databases and virtual machines. I've never had to call Alienware tech support for anything, and I'm what you'd call an intermediate computer hardware geek - I know just enough to get into trouble.

I'm also considering a tricked-out M17x. The only drawback is the DPC Latency Issue (see other threads here), but Dell has acknowledged the problem and promises a fix. Not all M17x owners are experiencing this problem.

If Bing's 20% cashback works for Alienware (I'm in the process of confirming this), plus the $200 instant upgrade savings, now is a very compelling time to buy one of these monsters.

 

Pretty much my thoughts..

the free $200 in upgrades and bings 20%, and then another 10% (yeah right) that would be awsome.

The biggest deal for me is I only have about $1500 set aside right now. and WTH can i get with $1500 from AW.

and thats kinda a bummer becasue the sale ends monday...

I was thinking about selling this 7805u but if the alienware move doesnt happen for whatever reason im screwed..

Im glad everyone has been open on this, alot of forums I would of just got flammed or responces that are useless.

like AL13NWAR3 FTW!!!11!!1!!

Is there anyone who owns one of these sick machines that lives in the pittsburgh area? I would really like to get my hands on it.

aliencontact PM me. Im not to sure about the mic issue.. When I installed win7 it worked fine for me.

Ill look up what drivers my computer has. You should have a built in mic also.

 

all you need to know to convince you

 

what are the function button layout on the m17x? for example my friends laptop... something like Fn F2 was all fans at max speed.. do they still use funtional things like that

 

No there Is no fan button ...

Check the service manual in the m17x stick on the front page

 

another quick question, How hard is it to swap the CPU? is there tear down guide around here somewhere?

 

i made a Guide (video) how to do it

 

It takes a while to GET to the CPU, however once you're there, it's really easy. Moo has made a guide.

 

Is the dell mini even worth getting? I was considering it when I put in my order. Hmm. I already have an inspiron 1720, but I might sell it. What are the thoughts on that Mini 10 V?

 

ill give you 100$ if you order the Mini ....I would really appreciate it

 

Seems like i cant use EPP with the free 200 upgrade together,only one or the other ,is there a trick to this?

Also what about the bing thing ,does that work for the M17x?

Thanks

 

You just need to tell them that the FREE SHIPPING and $200.00 upgrade promo is going on when you buy any Alienware computer.

 

Laptop has lots of flaws, auto stuttering, (finally fixed that) horrible tech support, (took me 8 calls 2 online talks) finally called my sales rep that helped me (my hard drive was defective from day one. Took my rep 8 calls he said and he works their. Last is the video stuttering issues, finally fixed that also. Hope you are tech savvy with laptops that's only reason I was able to fix it. I wouldn't buy it again I would buy a Sager though Xotic pc. It is fast though.

 

Well Im wating for a call back, i gave them hell about the price. So hes working on getting me a 7% discount. I guess they arnt doing the EPP right now.

but here it is so far.

224-5967
1 Black Metallic $3,724.00 $3,724.00
317-0821
1 Intel Core2 Extreme Quad QX9300 2.53GHz (12MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
317-0859
1 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz 2 x 2048MB
320-8140
1 17.0in, WUXGA,LCD,ANW,M17X
320-0759
1 CrossFireX - Dual 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4870
341-0004
1 500GB 7,200RPM (xMB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
330-3924
1 Name Plate Engraving
421-0720
1 ALIENFX RED
421-1400
1 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
421-0376
1 Avatar 7
421-0389
1 Window Style, DFT
410-1883
1 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
313-8569
1 Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
421-1304
1 CyberLink PowerDVD 8.0 Software
421-1305
1 Nero 9 Media Burning Software
430-3558
1 Internal 300Mbps Dual-Band a/g/n 2x2 MIMO
421-0405
1 Automatic Updates ON
421-0398
1 Power Plan, BAL
421-0399
1 Time Zone, CENTRAL
410-0203
1 MCAF,30DAY,MUI,ANW
421-1724
1 Soft Contracts,Dell In Home,Alienware
994-7017
1 Dell Limited Hardware Warranty Plus At-Home Service, Initial Year
994-3660
1 Next Business Day In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis , Initial Year
990-8029
1 1 Year Limited Warranty and Next Business Day,Desktop
994-3730
1 Warranty Support,Initial Year
988-7347
1 No Warranty beyond 1 year
430-0628 1 Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR
420-3257 1 Wallpapers, C07W
421-1360 1 Steam and Portal Factory Installed
421-0381 1 RSS Feeds,AW
330-5090 1 Thank You for Purchasing AlienWare
* -DISCOUNT/COUPON APPL
* AW:IMPORT JUNKY




Subtotal: $3,724.00
Shipping & Handling: $0.00
Tax: $260.68
Environmental Disposal Fee: $0.00

Total Price w/Discounts: $3,984.68


If i get anywhere on the discount ill let you know. they should be calling back in a few mins.

 

Wouldn't you be better off buying the base processor and then buying an OEM QX9300 from eBay?

It could save you at least $500, if you don't mind not having it covered under warranty of course.

lol are you engraving that on your laptop?

 

well i want the warrenty to last aslong as possible, thats why i went ahead and maxed out the processor and video card. Later down the road im going to buy the 4 year warrenty.

Just and update also. I got a total of $350 off. They arnt doing the EPP right now.

 

Damn that's so much! Try to get a better discount I got 12% off

 

dude i tried. enless you know something i dont. maybe ill call again tomorrow and try. it took alot of bickering to get 150. indians are stubborn!

 

Lmao if you want you can try my rep, he is a nice guy. I still have his number let me know if you want it

 

if you could, it cant hurt anything right? now i cant wait till it gets here.. its alot of money to not have something in your hands right away.

 

Today I tried checking my order status (yes i know i only ordered yesterday) to see what stage its in (building, boxing... whatever) And it doesnt seem like any of the numbers i got sent from dell are working on AW's website. any ideas?

Ill i can do is see that its in production on dells website.