Short Version: Billed by Alienware as “the most powerful laptop in the universe,” the M17x is simply an amazing piece of hardware. It combines the latest in hardware with an extremely high-quality finish to create a laptop that is incredibly fast and well-designed. Unfortunately, it also might be the most expensive laptop in the universe.
Long version: The M17x is Alienware’s latest laptop, and they really went all out on this one. It’s a powerhouse of a gaming laptop, and runs pretty much everything I could throw at it flawlessly. From a performance standpoint, you definitely get what you pay for with this machine.
Here are the specs on the version that they sent us for review:
Processor: Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad QX9300 2.53 GHz (that’s the 12mb cache version)
OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Video Card: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M, 2GB running SLI
LCD: 17-inch WideUXGA 1920×1200 (at 1200p)
Memory: 4GB dual channel DDR3
Hard drive: 1TB total (2x 500GB 7,200 RPM Raid 0)
Optical drive: Slot-load dual layer Blu-ray combo with DVD writer
As you can see, it’s a very strong machine. Yes, you pay for this level of performance, but if you want something that will give you the hardware-level edge over your competition, this is the machine to do it. But the hardware is only half the story. This machine has the looks to impress as well. Alienware built the case out of anodized black aluminum, which makes it feel like one hell of a sturdy unit. They also added some new touch controls across the top of the keyboard, in addition to the typical indicator lights. The touch strip allows you to eject the optical media, turn the volume up and down, turn off the wifi, and activate or deactivate the “Command Center” (more on that later) and the discrete graphics mode. This is rather handy, and except for some obvious exceptions, standard on most laptops nowadays.
The battery life on most gaming laptops is pretty bad. Alienware has managed to avoid this issue for the most part by adding a discrete video card to the motherboard. What this means is that when you unplug the power from the machine, it automatically disables the dual Nvidia cards and switches you to the onboard video. This results in a significant hit to performance, but it also adds about an hour and a half to two hours worth of battery time. The bad thing is, if this happens on accident while you’re in-game, your framerate will drop to almost a standstill. You also have to be cautious not to accidentally hit the button on the touch strip that does the same thing. I spoke with Alienware, and they said that currently, there isn’t any way to disable that particular button.
The overall appearance on the M17x is outstanding. The aluminum case looks very nice, and gives the laptop an almost automotive feel. It does add to the weight, but honestly, this isn’t intended to be a portable laptop that you carry around everywhere. Alienware also went all out with the lighting. They’ve put LEDs under the keyboard, behind the speaker grill, and underneath the touch strip above the keyboard. The really fun part is that you can change the color of the LED’s from in the Command Center, and there are different zones which allow you to vary the color of the lights from one side of the keyboard to the other. Personally, I turned all the LEDs red while I played some L4D in the dark, which gave the whole experience a particularly creepy air.
The Good: Alienware’s M17x laptop is an extremely powerful gaming machine. It’ll run your favorite games with no hesitation, and then ask for more. The Nvidia chipset performs brilliantly, and makes even the newest games (I tried Batman: Arkham Asylum) an absolute dream to play. The full size keyboard also makes it a great laptop for schoolwork, or whatever else you might decide to use it for.
The Bad: There are a couple of things I wasn’t fond of. That touch button that disables the Nvidia cards is really a pain. The weight is also an issue. The thing weighs 13 pounds with the power adapter. But we already knew that it’s not a computer for road warriors. It’s also extremely expensive. The system we were sent to review has an MSRP of $3898. Is it worth it? Yes. And honestly, if you are looking at Alienware, you’re not expecting it to be cheap anyway. Also, it comes with Vista. If you wait a bit, though, 7 will probably be the default.
Bottom line: If money is no object, and you want a semi-portable machine that will provide you with destktop-level gaming performance, buy the M17x.
Update: Disaster! While taking pictures this morning for the review, the system quit booting. After multiple attempts, the recovery CD finally did work, but it was quite the hassle. I blame Vista, and think that waiting for Windows 7 (or installing Ubuntu, which would fly on this thing) would be the way to go.
Good one guys. Although, the crashing part is a bit worrying though.
I honestly blame it on Vista, it wasn’t a hardware failure. The good news is, it just went to sleep and never woke back up. At least, until I reformatted and reinstalled the OS.
Yea, Sager makes the same notebook
http://www.sagernotebook.com/product_customed.php?pid=188463
without the shitty support, maintenance, and overall treatment of customers post-purchase
http://gametopiaplanitia.blogspot.com/2009/07/what-you-should-know-about-alienware.html
NEEDZ MOAR CRYSIS BENCHMARKS
Considering my first laptop that I paid 2 grand for had a Pentium 100MhZ processor, 8MB ram and an 800MB hard drive I don’t think the price is that outrageous. I can remember pricing out a laptop for gaming a few years back and with the options I wanted it came to almost 7 grand. If you need the power, it is not a huge sticker shock for the best of the best and for those of us who are old enough to remember the “old days” of laptop gaming. I was honestly expecting this to be in the 6-7 grand range when I was reading the review.
Why do you blame Vista because your bleeding edge laptop with a custom motherboard won’t boot? Most likely the problem is a hardware failure from all of the heat this thing must generate or a faulty driver.
Whew sounds like a great piece of hardware. I just feel like for that price you could go with a nice gaming desktop or even a couple for wherever you’re going to be. Slick? Yes. But laptops are supposed to be portable pieces, and you don’t necessarily need all that portability when you want to game. LAN parties? Perhaps, but then I suppose this is the kind of computer for those kinds of people.
Let me see………I have just happen to have a spare $17,000.00. Do I want four new Alienware M17x or a Dell inspiron 1545 and a new Harley Dyna Wide Glide?
Looks like a great gaming laptop, but at 13 pounds you might as well get a desktop and save some money.
*Drools*
Any have a spare $4k?
I put Win 7 on my m17x, and it works fine. Didn’t even bother with vista, it’s a piece of garbage. I’m dual booting with ubuntu but having problems with sound and display – hopefully those will be worked out soon.
Dell tells me I am getting a M17x as replacement for a Dell M2010 I purchased a couple years ago. Had problems with the M2010 from the start. Bluetooth keyboard inoperative, etc. Made more that 65 documented calls to Dell Tect. and spent more than 100 hours with them on phone, some lasting more that eight hours. Sent M2010 back twice and their “in house” tect came twice. Motherboard and everything else was replaced. First week of September that advised they would replace with “equal or better” but refused to tell me what the replacement would be. A month later, after insisting for an answer, they finally told me it would be a Alienward M17x. I’ve been three months with an inoperative M2010 and hope the M17x will make the wait worthwhile.. The phone service tects are pleasant but never give a straight answer…Their support service could be light years better…
My experience is about the same as Robert White. I did receive my Aleinware M17x just this week and am in the process of loading programs. I am not a gamer, but this thing is really fast! I am disappointed with Dell on their support service. I think it could be better.
Agreed. Definitely wait for Windows 7
If you are real gamer then i would suggest you to go with Alienware m17x gaming laptop becuse all logos, keyboard and buttons on the unit are backlit and the user can configure these items. For the keyboard three different lights can be applied to the main part and another at the keypad. Enough to make a real rainbow in the sky. One option is useless therefore it is essential that we can move through profiles. At the back side of m17x there is a power plug. The rest of this side is occupied by the gates to escape hot air. At the right side of the m17x. We find from left to right ExpressCard slot, the memory card reader, the DVD recorder, 2 USB ports, the different takes in audio input / output (and a small ventilation grate to leave a little fresh air return. for mroe details check out http://www.techarena.in/review/17155-alienware-m17x-gaming-laptop.htm
Before discussing the performance, lets talk about light. All logos, keyboard and buttons on the unit are backlit and the user can configure these items. For the keyboard three different lights can be applied to the main part and another at the keypad…..
For more:
http://www.techarena.in/review/17155-alienware-m17x-gaming-laptop.htm