Alienware M14x R2 Review: Better Than The Original Discussion

If you're a serious PC gamer looking for a smaller, lighter gaming notebook chances are you've considered the Alienware M14x. This futuristic-looking 14-inch laptop might seem like a prop from a sci-fi movie, but it actually packs an Intel Core i7 "Ivy Bridge" processor, two storage drives, an optical drive, and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M graphics. In short, this laptop delivers a very capable and very fun gaming experience for people who don't want to haul a larger 17-inch gaming rig.

Read the full content of this Article: Alienware M14x R2 Review: Better Than The Original

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Thanks for the review. A few errors: 4gb x 2 RAM (not 4 x2gb). Bluetooth 4.0 (not 3.0). 1600x900 (1900x600 mentioned under performance tests).

Not mentioned in the review is Dell's support versus the other manufacturers.

 

This sounds like an utter disaster. It uses Optimus, and on top of that you can't install Nvidia's normal drivers? Yikes.

I miss Dell's pre-Alienware days.

 

Yes, the two best things I can say about the M14x R2 are "It's better than the old M14x" and "If you MUST have a 14-inch gaming notebook and can't accept a 15-inch notebook then the M14x R2 is probably the best choice currently on the market."

However, the value proposition starts to look worse when you consider things like not being able to install new NVIDIA drivers (at least without jumping through hoops), the strange battery life drop compared to the old M14x (which "might" also have to do with the drivers) and the fact that you can either buy a smaller notebook with similar performance or a larger notebook with better performance for the same money.

I loved my old Alienware M11x when it was new and I think Alienware would have CRUSHED the competition if they made a M11x R4 with the same processor and graphics as this M14x R2, along with an 11-inch MATTE screen with 1600x900 resolution.

On the other hand, I'd feel more positive about the M14X R2 if Alienware offered it with a Kepler-based GeForce GTX 660M instead of the just the GT 650M. I'd bet real money Dell's engineers could have found a way to make the thermals of the GTX 660M work inside this chassis. With a GTX class GPU (and full compatibility with NVIDIA's automatic driver updates) at this price point the M14x R2 would be a more compelling solution for mobile PC gaming.

 

Honestly, besides the design, I don't think there's really anything from AW that sets them apart from everyone else. From what I keep seeing from them, they're just too gimmicky IMHO.

 

It used to be that Alienware notebooks had a clear advantage over other gaming notebooks in terms of build quality and the keyboards and touchpads. While some people will dismiss the multi-colored AlienFX lighting as a gimmick the Alienware keyboards and touchpads were the best backlit keyboards and touchpads on any gaming notebook for a long time. The problem for Alienware is that other companies are starting to catch up in terms of build quality, features, and specs.

The modern ASUS G-series notebooks are considered by many to be the "ASUS version of an Alienware notebook" but some of those ASUS G-series machines make a pretty compelling alternative to some of the Alienware models.

The Clevo-based gaming notebooks are a bit different. Clevo systems have always stressed performance (with the latest hardware) over build quality and design. So, in many cases an Alienware still has better build quality and looks than a Clevo but some Clevo resellers offer notebooks with better processors and graphics cards for less money than you'd pay for an Alienware. Of course, some Clevo reseller also charge WAY MORE than Alienware.

As far as Dell being a good or bad influence on Alienware, one good influence is that Dell provides better warranty support than some of the Clevo resellers out there. Dell isn't perfect, but they are often better at providing support than some of the smaller Clevo resellers. On the flip side, some of those Clevo resellers go way beyond Dell in terms of making sure customers are happy because they are small businesses and every sale is a big deal.

 

I see what you're saying. For me it's always been about function over form, though I suspect where gaming is a concern, most machines are the opposite and go for form over function. I guess at the end of the day I don't care what it looks like, or about flashing lights and backlit stuff as long as it's reliable and peforms as expected. So I would say I'm definitely not within their demographic.
It's nice to see others trying to catch up in build quality though.

 

the design may looks cool to hardcore gamers, but for a casual gamer looking for a powerful machine to churn out gorgeous graphic, it looks pretty goofy to me. pity.

 

Agreed. The current casing design is nearly four years old and is in need of a refresh. A more elegant refresh.

 

Not sure what happened on the battery life test.
A quote from the M14x R2's owners thread might help understand why people buy them.

I'm not a gamer, BTW.

 

I really wish they offered 1080p (either in the M14x or in an M15x replacement to the M14x). 1600x900 is hard to swallow when nearly all the midsize gaming competition offers 1080p screens.

 

I'm a core gamer and I can't stand how the Alienware stuff looks. An Aurura desktop would actually be top on my list right now, but I'm basically not even considering it because of how it looks. Can't really use it where I need to use it.

 

I think that's why a small percentage of "grown up gamers" have resorted to using business-class mobile workstations (Dell Precision, HP Elitebook W series, Lenovo ThinkPad W series) ... so they have something that looks professional for work but also has a powerful CPU and GPU for gaming.

Granted, the drivers for workstation-class GPUs aren't generally optimized for playing games, but it's easier to walk into a meeting with a giant business notebook and look professional than it is to walk into a meeting with a notebook that has a glowing alien head.

 

I agree. Given a 1080p display I probably would have looked more at this, but the 1600x900 just gimps it too much for the price.

 

Does anybody know if you can install a GTX 680 into a M14x? Just curious.

 

Does anybody know if you can install a GTX 680 graphics card into a M14XR2 ? Alienware services said you can, but there might be issues with power and cooling. They told me to come here for better advice.

 

Are you serious? I don't think there is any way that is possible. First of all that is a desktop card. But I assume you mean a 680m, which is also not possible, as the m14xr2 has a 650m which is soldered onto the motherboard.

M15x m17x or m18x yes. M14x no.

 

and the cooling barely handles the 650m