Envy 17 3D SB refresh or Alienware M17x R3?

Oh boy.... I am sending my 2nd Envy 17 3D and waiting for the refresh SB version to be announced soon. Today I've heard some things about the Alienware M17x R3 which is their new Sandy Bridge edition with 3D!

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=5979

Looks great, but I imagine it will be much higher to get the real specs than the $1499 starting teaser price..... I'm trying to weigh which do I really want. I want a professional looking machine that can do it all. I guess the Envy 17 3D is great for that, but not much for higher end gaming.....

Not sure the Alienware is professional looking but from the specs, it can hold HD 6970 is crossfire, wow! So.... I don't know at this point. But I can imagine if I want the high end crossfire, it will cost a lot more than the Envy 17 3D all pimped out.

The only bad thing I heard about the M17x R3 is it throttles when it gets hot....damn all these laptops overheating, lol....


Note: HP better get moving, since Alienware is gonna let people order the new version in a couple days! January 10th! I can't believe HP will wait till the end of Feb..I am sure they will move it up now that other companies are getting on the 3D bandwagon.

KJ

 

Personally, Alienware.

 

Lol, yeah, but with who's money? $$$$$$$$$$

StrikeSaber47, but from my other posts I suppose you realize that I've been itching for more power from my laptop request.... Still, in the looks department, aside from performance, surely the Envy 17 3D is the winner for sleek design, no?

KJ

 

On January 10th you can be sure I'll be playing on Alienware.com with their configuration tool just for fun. Most likely I will end up just getting the Envy 17 3D SB version for practicle reasons...and monetary ones of course. In 3 or 4 years when I hope to make enough money I intend to buy another Envy or whatever it is called then for work/professional use, and also possibly a high end Alienware for the "KID" in me, just for fun.

KJ

 

i really think dell will try to keep the 3d version right below the $2000 price point, at least before taxes.

 

well, like they posted the base is going for $1499...but do your really want the bottom specs?

Also, don't forget, Dell is also making the XPS 17 3D...but it won't be as powerful as the M17x from their Alienware franchise of course which is geared toward the high end gamer.

KJ

 

In my personal opinion, even though the Alienware is definitely a performance monster, it looks like a friggin monster as well. Or rather frankensteins evil twin, abysmal design.
Now if you don't care how your laptop looks, then go Alienware, but in any other instance, I'd go Envy without a doubt.

 

for those people who want the slimness and look of the envy, then the choice is clear. for those who want better performance, better graphics and a sturdier case with better cooling will get the m17x r3.

 

Also, I have been checking out our fellow NBR members' thread on the new M17x R3:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-first-3d-capable-laptop-discuss-here-15.html

Funny thing is, those of us interested in the HP Envy 17 and or 17 3D have experienced and worried about heating issues, and the guys with the M17x R1, R2, and even the R3 I hear have had "Throttling" of the laptops at high heat levels! Wow... Its almost madatory to put your M17x on a lap cooler as you can imagine, I'd go as far as suggesting a hand made laptop ICEBOX cooler for that beast, lol.

SLI, Crossfire? You can only imagine how bad the heat gets, and I'd worry about it. The reason I made this thread is just to pick everyone's brains and get some ideas not just yours, but to help me finalize what I'm thinking, and it helps. As I'm sure why some of you guys make these threads to help you think through these decisions.... Indeed, this is a bit of an investment, and so before I finally take the plunge to purchase and keep my next laptop, I want to make sure its the right one....Thanks for all the input, keep it coming.

KJ

 

But as I said before, if you want power without sacrifice (sans looks), Alienware is the way to go. Sure it is pricey, but it isn't bad if you make compromises with yourself. Also, unlike the Envys, the GPU's in Alienwares are upgradable via MXM and in the near future you can just swap in a more powerful GPU by buying its MXM version (lots of die-hard AW NBR members often know how to get them and often sells them here on the forums). So it is kinda futureproof and expandable when you get more money.

 

MXM??? Huh? Never heard of it before, but it does sounds very interesting. I'll have to google this MXM thing. Thanks again.

KJ

 

as someone coming to the envy who currently has an alienware, I cant say I would recommend alienware. I have an area-51 M15X, and have had a variety of issues with it, like replacing the AC adapter TWICE, the whole keyboard needed to be replaced once, and now due to their faulty hinge design, I have to send this thing back to alienware to have it fixed because there is now a crack on the hinge area of the cheap plastic they used for the lid. Im lucky I bought the extended warranty or I would be PISSED.

 

Hmm, good point, thanks for the comments. Are you aware about any Alienware people who bought the M17x R1 or R2 and how they feel about it? I suppose I can take a look at the NBR threads for those owners and learn more about Alienware's laptop build.

But you right, build is important as it will tell us the longevity of the machine. Also how is Alienware's support? Do you get a nice warranty and easy friendly personal helping you, or do you have to pay early on for phone support? I like the idea of HP Envy 2 year full support/American..... Still have to make up my mind..

KJ

 

The AW community is super dedicated and helpful here. Just go to the Alienware section and start asking questions or look at existing threads.

 

neither get the new clevo out, i cant remember the model name but it gets a i7 2920xqm, sli gtx 485, so yeah I think it has more power than the R3

 

I paid for the three year in home support warranty just because I went crazy top end with my build at the time, and the support was just meh, usually have to make several calls to find a rep whose accent isnt too thick to understand, the reps all took care of business though. Decent support on a poorly built machine. My girlfriends netbook and my moms gateway have had fewer problems than this machine, and cost a fraction of the price. Oh and apparently in home service from alienware isnt that, it means send your laptop to us anytime theres a problem I had to seriously bother them to get them to just send me a new keyboard when the old one broke, because its an easy enough part to change yourself, and because I cant be without my computer form 2+ weeks at a time as I dont have a spare. I am pretty disappointed in my alienware experience overall, which is why I ordered a Beats 14 instead of another alienware. If you want a serious gaming notebook, look at Sager. Two of my friends have them and tried to dissaude me from my AW when I ordered it, and I wish I had listened.

 

The M17x R3 is now configurable at:

Alienware Computers - Custom-Built Gaming Desktops and Laptops

Looks like 3D requires the GTX 460M which makes the cheapest config with bluray around $2049.

 

$2049 is $$$. "Cheap" is an overstatement.

 

Somewhere I saw that the battery life is UP TO 6 hours on the M17x R3. That gives us hope that the SB refresh on of the Envy 17 could give us 6+ hours as well.

 

Here is my configured M17x.... came out to be $2,844.00
The Dell Online Store: Build Your System

Note: guess it does not keep the configurations, oh well, but that is the price I got.

It isn't bad with 2 SSDx500gig for 1 TB.
HD 6870

This is just $600 more than what I paid for my Envy 17 3D before refresh.... I do hope the Envy 17 3D SB will offer at least the HD 6970 and maybe a Bluray writer option. And cheaper SSDs like Alienware...

bottom line is, I'd still wait for their M18x, but for now I'll get my Envy 17 3D when it comes out soon...I hope.

KJ

 

Update: Ok, I called Alienware this afternoon and got my 3 questions answered by the rep. For anyone else wondering that is the policy, hope it helps you guys out. He asked me if I wanted to go and build my new system, ahah I said unless you can make magic and give me the M18x no thanks.

1. There is up to a %15 restocking fee if you return the laptop within the 30 day return period. If you are exchanging it for anotherone of their systems then they will waive the restocking fee....

2. Also, besides the 15% restocking fee, you are gonna pay the full shipping and handling charges yourself! You can imagine on such a heavy box...no thanks.

3. The most strange of all....their exception to the paint and finish rule! I asked the rep if after the 30 days pass, say I'm on day 31 and the 1 year warranty kicks in...and due to no fault of mine, the laptop paint just starts chippin off in flakes...... He asked around and he clearly stated, sorry, IT IS NOT COVERED!!!!! What the heck? A new computer, underwarranty and the paint sucks, and they won't fix it or exchange it? That is a no no!!!! The only way around it is to buy a special accident policy from them! Its not enough they charge an arm and a leg for their Alienware name, but even the warranty sucks that you have to shell out more money to protect you new purchase... Sheesh....


The bottom line is no, I will not be able to "try out" their system due to the insane cost to return on shipping and losing 15%.

Maybe if I have lots more money in the future I'll consider the M18x or the next gen....but for now Envy 17 3D it is! Bring it!

KJ

 

Good luck on waiting. I just sold my beloved Envy 15. I am now going corporate.

 

LOL, I know that is where your heart is, and now your money too! ahhaah, well I am sure you will make a great choice in the end. Enjoy your new laptop!

KJ

 

Actually I got one NIB on eBay for $1300. However, thanks for the wishes!

 

Where are you getting your information about Sandy Bridge not being available in HP laptops/desktops till February?

I really hope its out by next week Friday for the Envy 17 or 17D.

 

If I recall, at CES they vaguely said the Envy 17 wasn't going to be ready till next month.

 

Gotcha. Appreciate the info.

 

well lets be carefull. what HP said was that SB dv7 is coming Jan 9 and they were spot on (those models appeared on time via the website and through some retail channels before then). HP also said (I'm talking about the press release, not a rumor or blog site), that the Envy 17 refresh was coming "soon". February is as good as any rumor I've heard, and if you ask me I'd be surprised if it came later than that, but truthfully we have zero actionable information to tell us when Envy 17 SB is coming. The reason I personally think February is a reasonable guess is that HP has already compromized existing sales of the Envy 17 with the "soon" announcement, so they will need to deliver "soon" or they will loose alot of customers.

 

i just returned my envy 14 and waiting for new Envy 17...

 

Welcome to the Envy 17 family. What made you return the Envy 14? Bigger screen? Wanting 1080p?

KJ

 

I ordered slice battery with envy 14 and it almost weight as heavy as ENVY 17 i guess... so for sure I'm not gonna bring this thing to class and take notes... just too heavy~so I returned it and got a netbook for taking notes~ it lasts like 10+ hours (asus EeePC)
~after watching so many review videos on YouTube I become a fan for ENVY 17s (1080p, better graphics, better keyboard...) for desktop replacement looks like envy 17 is the best choice for me

 

If the Envy 17 SB isn't out before Alienware M17X with 6970M is available, then I might be tempted to buy the Alienware instead. Come on HP, let us order...