Alienware Laptop

Skynet5

Skynet5

Skynet5

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Anyone with Alienware experience?

I'm looking to replace my MacBook Pro (almost 4 years old). I've used it predomitalty to manage my photos with Aperture.

I'm looking for a Windows 7 laptop now that MS has a decent OS, but I don't anticipate playing games on it much - I have a gaming rig for that.

With the current Alienware range it's either the M14x or the M17x. Although the 17 will be too big unless there is a compelling reason to go for it.

The M14x looks nice, but what is the craic with the graphics set up and RAM. Is the GT555M in the M14x better than the HD6870 in the M17x? Upgrading the graphics in the M17x costs £160 to get a GTX460M. How does that compare to the GT555M?

Also is it work upgrading the RAM on purchase or doing it myself? I've been on to Cruicial and the RAM is cheap but only 1300, if I do it through Dell I would get 8GB of 1600.

Thoughts?

Laptops are hard to buy! My gaming rig was much more enjoyable purchase...you can cherry pick to your hearts content.
 
The general consensus is the m14x isn't worth the money, no upgradable graphics and not as powerful as the m17x. The 6870 is a brilliant card, pretty powerful as far as mobile graphics go. I've got the 5850 in my m15x and it's still a great card.

I wouldn't bother upgrading the graphics in the m17x from a 6870 to the GTX460, considering the ati is the better card (not much in it though).

The downside to the 17 is the size and weight, not the most portable, but then again can't expect that from a powerful laptop. It's a shame the 15 is now discounted as it was the best option in my eyes, everything upgradable and a good size.

Have a look around for offers, sometimes dell offers free memory upgrades etc. Also phone them, they will more often than not give a discount or offer a cheap upgrade.
 
lnoton said:
Anyone with Alienware experience?

I'm looking to replace my MacBook Pro (almost 4 years old). I've used it predomitalty to manage my photos with Aperture.

I'm looking for a Windows 7 laptop now that MS has a decent OS, but I don't anticipate playing games on it much - I have a gaming rig for that.

With the current Alienware range it's either the M14x or the M17x. Although the 17 will be too big unless there is a compelling reason to go for it.

The M14x looks nice, but what is the craic with the graphics set up and RAM. Is the GT555M in the M14x better than the HD6870 in the M17x? Upgrading the graphics in the M17x costs £160 to get a GTX460M. How does that compare to the GT555M?

Also is it work upgrading the RAM on purchase or doing it myself? I've been on to Cruicial and the RAM is cheap but only 1300, if I do it through Dell I would get 8GB of 1600.

Thoughts?

Laptops are hard to buy! My gaming rig was much more enjoyable purchase...you can cherry pick to your hearts content.
Click to expand...

There are loads of options for laptops but unlike building a desktop, it will cost you much more to extract similar performance. If you don't need a gaming laptop why are you looking at alienware, the XPS range will suffice?

What is your budget, I am guessing £1000-£1500? you could consider the MSI gaming machines which OcUK sell as these are rather tasty for the money esp if you want a 15".

If going alienware, you may as well go all out and get the MX17 (code N00W7V05) for £1599 for the i7, 6GB memory and ati 6990 graphics.

You could consider an XPS 15z which is up there with the MBP as styling/build goes for Win 7 machines and for the i7 with Nvidia GT525 in and 8GB memory you are looking at £1199 (code N0015Z04) - 15% discount CGJ1CJ721GVXFC and 10% cashback through topcashback so circa £900 all in.
 
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Probably would have helped if I read the 'not gaming much' part :p

Yeah why bother going for a 'gaming' laptop if you aren't gaming. As above, get a cheaper laptop, one that's actually portable with a quick CPU and a middle ground graphics card. The XPS range would be better (some still have a decent GPU as well).
 
Hi all,

Sorry for the delay.

Your right, I wont be gaming much on it so why alienware?

Well, the XPS 15z doesn't seem to allow me to configure what I want...

I can't manually add in the RAM, I cant choose a different processor, I can't select a hi-res screen, I can't choose SSD... the list is endless...infact its pretty limiting.

Alienware I can!

I'm tempted by an HP elitebook, I have one from work, but I've just quit and will have to give it back soon.


Back ground for the use of the laptop is that Im a software architect that does large enterprise diagrams, system design and development. So a screen res of less that 1200x900 isn't an option....

One guy mentioned Overclockers and MSI. Don't get me wrong I love OC and bought all my stuff from these guys for my rig. I live near them so can easily go down. But I find their laptops seem to come in floods when a newer model is out. They have loads of the 680's just as the 683r is making it's way out to the retailers with the much better gfx. I assume they get a job lot from a wholesaler or MSI themselves cheap when those guys want to get stock of the latest models??!?!?!

I'm still tempted by the MSI 680 but the 683R seems worth a look too.
 
yea i see why you need the alienware. the mx17 would be ideal for screen res and size then. plus you get to spec what you want. worth a look on the dell outlet for one as could save a few hundred.
 
So msi have to new models out, 683 and 780. Both look incredible and we dont get them until their old stock are gone - rubbish.

Well the toshiba qosimo 770 looks good too.... Im in the states in october so i might wait till then and pick one up.
 
lnoton said:
So msi have to new models out, 683 and 780. Both look incredible and we dont get them until their old stock are gone - rubbish.

Well the toshiba qosimo 770 looks good too.... Im in the states in october so i might wait till then and pick one up.
Click to expand...

Is the toshiba warranty global, all things considered will it be much of a saving? Plus USA keyboard layout :(
 
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