Which would you have NP5792 or Alien M17x

Hi,

I'm stuck on weather to get a NP5792 or Alien M17x ? What would you guys rather have out of the two and why.

Thanks.

P.s Price isn't a problem, I just really want the best laptop for gaming and I don't like the look of the NP9262. SLi would be an option later on maybe if they ever get the support right but for now Single 8800GTx will Pwn anyway on its own.

 

The NP5792 is too bulky for me (1.8" thick) and it doesn't have SLI nor the three HDs the m17x has. I would get m17x with the 8800M GTX then add another in 10 months, you couldn't do that on the NP5792 I'm waiting out on the Alienware m17x because of how portable it is (estimated to be 1.6", 8-10 pounds)

 

I find that the Clevo M570RU to be very sturdy and a portable alternative to the king (Clevo D900C/D901C).

I would like to get a hold of a M17x for testing and dismantling to see the thermal design, as well as checking out the build quality. Another curious thing is the M17x's true ODM and the use of proprietary GPU modules (which would make it more difficult and much more expensive to buy separately to get a second card)

But I am afraid that we will not see the system available for shipment until late Q1 to early Q2 2008... so if you can wait til March-April... then it might be worth it... until a Geforce 9 card comes out... (do we just love the progression of technology?)

 

Both of these notebook have MXM so you'd be able to upgrade their video card to the next high-end video card (which'll take Nvidia a year to come out with, anyway...).

 

that's a very bad assumption. mxm does NOT necessarily mean upgradeable.

 

I do not think you realize that the M17x is using a module that is definitely not a standard MXM module (from my research of the system and board).

I was the only one to get a hold of physical shots of the unit and its underside, with panels opened... they are in this forum.

The bottom right of the notebook (from the bottom view) is the dual gpu module section. It is quite small... which makes it look proprietary. So I would not go on thinking that the M17x is using a standard MXM modular design.

As for MXM research, read up on it:
- www.mxm-upgrade.com
- www.nvidia.com/page/mxm.html

 

Well Alienware's track record for releases is not the greatest, ie the m9750 delay. I am still leaning towards the NP5792.

 

Hi,

Cheers for the input, I was hoping for the M17x to be relased and shipped Jan 08 or early Feb, any longer and by the time that is released the new generation will come out and we play the technology game as already stated . The difference between 1.6" and 1.8" isn't really noticable, although the Alien's always look sexier, but i'm not planning on carrying it around that much for people to see !!

I'm expecting to get the laptop in the next month or atleast order it, a SSD 64gig would also be an option with the M17x i expect but the cost isn't really worth it at the moment and the std 7200 rpm's are fine.

 

Gophn, you saw the system in person? Which looks nicer in person, the black design or the white? Thanks !

 

I'd be pretty sure that atleast Alienware would offer uprading services. I already know what MXM is and I know that some notebook brands can use it so they can add new video card options without changing the motherboard.

There's been people on this forum who've bough MXM modules and upgraded their notebooks.

 

Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to see it in person, but some admins/mods here got to see it at the Alienware launch event in NYC. They have good shots here, you can ask them about the looks.

Alienware m17x and m15x Gaming Laptops Unveiled at NYC Event

I only cared to know the innards of the system (which is most important IMO), so I did a bit of digging (and annoying)... then got a hold of some pictures of the underside and of the areas under the panels.

News Bits: Alienware m17x Pictures, DeII XPS One Available, Latitude XT Displayed

I would like to see it in person myself, and get a chance to take it apart to see who made it and how it functions.... probably will not happen until late Q1 2008 I am afraid.

 

Those were the pictures CNET got exclusively (before you guys) ...
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9818566-1.html

 

yes, but its very important that you understand mxm does not necessarily mean the graphics card is upgradeable. its a complete crapshoot, end of story. it sounds like you might be aware of this, but someone might read your post and wrongly assume mxm always equals upgradeable. laptops are NOT the type of system to buy if you want to upgrade your video card.

 

Wow, check this out. The m15x looks incredible in these shots:
http://crave.cnet.com/8300-1_105-1-0.html?keyword=m17x

 

it looks a little like a clunky christmas tree to me, but these things are always personal preference

 

I guess you didnt scroll down a bit more (on my NBR thread) to see my m17x pics.

 

i personaly took a m571ru... from what i read here its a great machine, and its less expensive than alienware... in about a week or two i should receive it

 

nice MegaBUD.

would you make a review for that silver model for NBR?

 

yep i will... ill take tons of picture... try different OS... driver... but probably not OC yet... but undervolt for sure

its the fastest laptop on the market (for me the d901c is not a laptop but a desktop replacement)

 

Look, the M17-X is going to be a faster machine than the 5792, because it has a SLI option. It also has 2 internal HDD bays and that smartbay, which is cool. For me it comes down to this... if you want SLI, get the Alienware, but I am guessing you will have to pay around $1500 more. I ordered a 5792 for two reasons...

1) It's available now, not sometime in 2008
2) It was $2500 with the fastest laptop card on the market, 4gb of ram, a 2.4ghz proc and a hitatchi travelstar.

Money may not be an object, but don't get silly... otherwise you might as well roll a Voodoo.

 

True, I think i'm going to wait until the end of Jan 08 and decided then, if there is no sign of the M17x then i'll get a NP5792 and pocket the spare cash, if not then i'll get a order in for a new Alienware. I do fancy the Sli option even if I don't purchase this straight away. The other problem i'm facing is that is Sli really worth it over a single card? are the performance that great?

 

Keep in mind that comparing the NP5792 and the M17x is like comparing apples to oranges. For an apples-to-apples comparison, I would be leaning more toward the NP9262, which DOES offer SLI and up to three hard drives (and all three without swapping out another modular bay).

 

I was having the same sentiments when people started to point out the M17x's SLI capabilities. Mind as well compare it to the NP9262, which I'm sure has a much more attractive price than the M17x.

The NP5792 is very attractive, IMO, and for a single-card 17" desktop replacement with an 8800M GTX, it's a solid performer. Especially for its price.

 

Yep thats true, the NP9262 is just to big for me, the SLI although its nice atm is't not really being used that much in games and sounds more like a hindorance then anything.

The Single 8800GTX should be ample as it does already out perform the SLI 7950GTX's.

The price tag of the NP5792 also looks very good and tbh is great value for money.

 

I think the M17x has more in common with the NP5792 than with the NP9262. The M17x will be the middle performer of the three, and the most expensive, but the NP9262 is in a completely different class, as a desktop/notebook hybrid beast with a potential 600gb of 7200rpm in RAID, SLI, and quadcore capability. Comparing the Alienware to the NP5792 is easier. One has SLI, the other dosen't. SLI can be wonky at the best of times, and the performance bonus isn't really worth the price premium and driver/support issues in my opinion. The single 8800M GTX looks like it is able to run anything short of Crysis maxxed out. Do we really need a SLI machine or are we getting it for the bragging rights? Will the M17x blow away the NP5792? I doubt it. SLI will give a slight edge, but everything else in the two boxes will be the exact same. M17x will pay a huge premium for their proprietary 8800M GTX's and the Alienware name, but at the end of the day, the difference won't be noticible to the naked eye.

 

since I'm not spending my own money I would personally buy the NP 5792. You said money is not an option, but if you aren't the one making the money I'd go with the NP5792 since I dont see poitn in making whoever could be funding your laptop for something extra. If you want 8800M GTX in SLI then I'd go with the 9262 since I'm 90% sure it'll be cheaper than the m17x.

 

One thing to consider is the company backing the product. I won't say anything negative, but I would do some research on how both alienware and the sager reseller of your choosing compare when it comes to warranties and so on. I wish I would have done that before I purchased my alienware a few years ago.

Personally, I would go with the 5792. I looked at the up coming alienwares and they aren't bad by any means but I just feel the 5792 might have better price for performance.

Just something to think about

 

id prolly rather HAVE the alienware just cuz its so much more engineered (smaller). But would i ever buy it? lol, like a voodoo i'd buy it.

 

Assuming the M17x is of similar size to the m9750, the NP5792 is actually a smaller machine. Add to this the fact that quoted weights are usually given with a bare-bones configuration, you can add some extra ounces for the second video card and HDD in the M17x.

 

wait so... someone just said the NP5792 is 1.5" thick, so is the m17x thicker or thinner? and is it seriously 1.5" thick?

 

I have a NP5791 ,the same thing as 5792 exceppt different GPU and the max thickness is about 1.5'' ,without the lid closed.
The m17x could not be 1.5'' even if I were Santa Claus. That thing is thicker than the 15incher and the 15incher seems thicker than the M570RU...Just check the pages with screenies.

 

@KidProdigy:

The NP5792 has a tapered design. At it's thinnest end (the front edge), it's 1" thick. At it's thickest end (the rear edge, and the area encompassing the system and GPU fans), it is 1.8" thick.

 

There you go, acurate measuring. Beat that , Alienweight...

 

When I first heard about SLi I was like wow thats gotta be good right.... 2 Graphics cards beats one so I thought.... and almost bought a Tosiba SLi 1 ... luckily I have a friend who's smarter than me and explained that 8600's arn't great to begin with and that they have to "talk" to each other and if your processor is crap (as was the one I was going to buy) then it is actually a henderance so I did a little research and bought a np5792 after comparing it to not only toshiba but xps and alienware.... I also thought that 8 series had to be better than 7 series little did I know that its a working progress and the 7950 is better than the 8600 anyways a little knowlegde goes a long way.

 

haha yeah I was satisfied with getting an 8600M GT until I researched more and found out that it's weak.

back on topic... since the Sager 5792 seems so much better I think I'm going to buy one soon =] I personally like the Alienware exterior better but I'm not going to waste $500 extra to buy it. Well, I still like having the program to switch to integrated graphics though, so I ugess I'll wait till the official price comes out and also in case the Sager decides to build the NP5792 with Penryn processors.

 

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how it looks. Based on pictures I saw, it looked a little cheesy, but in person has a very subtle, clean look. Several people I work with have specifically commented on how nice it looks . . . one person went as far as to say it was the best looking notebook he's seen . . . but I think he was a little over-awed by the fact its sporting an 8800GTX

 

I hope you're talking about the NP5792, but even then I'm gonna wait for Alienware since I'd like to switch to integrated graphics. If Sager had that, I'd totally buy one right now.

 

You can underclock your GPU with rivatuner in your np5792 for longer battery life in about 10 seconds and avoid the alienware Xmas tree that is the 17x/15x.

 

Yes I meant the NP5792. What do you mean integrated graphics?

 

I believe he is talking about the 17x/15x having the ability for "on-the-fly" GPU undeclocking for prolonged battery life. It really is a good idea if running on battery. But this is only made simply more convenient as this has been available to anyway using rivatuner and nVidia cards for quite sometime.

 

oh I was unaware that you could do it with Rivatuner, it's too bad I have no idea how to use Rivatuner. But, I'll wait to see if Sager adapts the Penryn processors for the NP5792 and if they do I guess I'll buy it then and learn to use Rivatuner. Too bad I dont get the pretty lights though =[

 

I've got to hand it to Alienware. If they do manage to put even a 8800M GTS in that M15x, that is going to be a killer 15" notebook. Couple it with a nice 2.8Ghz processor and you have a monster in a small package.

The trick is being able to give battery life to the M15x. People will still want it.

 

I know that Uniwill (ODM) has toyed with switchable GPUs in the past (never a hot-switch so far...it had to be toggled with the system off), and the enhancement to battery life was pretty tiny (I think 10 minutes was the upper range of increased battery life).

If Alienware's ODM(s) have finally figured out how to make the GPU toggle actually save battery, that would be a nifty accomplishment (and count on seeing other resellers offering similar functionality in a relatively short period of time if it works), but take it with a grain of salt until you see some real-world performance measures, just like any big promise.

I'm actually kind of curious to see how Alienware's ODM(s) will keep the M15x from pulling double-duty as a super-hot space heater with an 8800M inside. If it actually has sufficient cooling, good on Alienware for being gutsy. If it doesn't, well, I doubt most people will be too surprised .

 

I think at the end of the day, you have to give the nod to the NP5792, which is why I bought one. I went in this year with a $4000 budget for a laptop and strongly considered the M17X, the NP5792, the NP9262, and the Dell XPS. In the end the NP5792 is an unbeatable combination of reasonable size, great price and performance. This is the laptop the smart money is buying. Just wish it had a second HDD.

 

Agreed, the reason why I've gone with one also, after considering M17x.