Review of Alienware M17x Notebook

The Alienware M17x, a successor in a long line of gaming laptops offered by Alienware. While learning from past mistakes in outer design, the Alienware still has the quirky custom lighting system, but sports an automotive-inspired grille and overall design. However, gamers could not care less about how their machine looked as long as it played right and played well – give them a powerful processor coupled with a fine GPU, and they are happy.
The M17x delivers the goods and more. With an all-metal finish that makes it look much better than any other gaming laptop, it sports a smooth surface almost devoid of any screws (which have been tucked away quite efficiently). However, this look comes for a price – the M17x is a very heavy laptop at 12.5lbs – half a pound heavier than the Fragbook DRX (at 12lbs) which is widely known with the adjective “monstrous” preceding it. This may both be a pro and a con – for some like their laptops heavy and strong, while others prefer portable, slim machines.

Pros:

• An all-metal design that is sure to catch eyes.
• Super-fast Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9300 2.53GHz processor with 8GB RAM.
• Three Nvidia cards (two 280M GTXs in SLI configuration, and one integrated 9400M for power-saving video output) for amazing 3D benchmarking results – a 12000 score in 3DMark06 (Crysis and World in Conflict) at native resolution, trouncing even the Fragbook.
• The customizable LED lighting adorns each and every clickable button, the area around the touchpad and the trademark Alien logo of the Alienware M17x that can be controlled from the Alienware Command Center for a truly customized rig that you will not mind showing off.
• Video output via Displayport, HDMI or vanilla VGA for great compatibility.
• 5 USB ports and one eSATA port for amazing peripheral support.
• ExpressCard TV tuner option (+$76)
• Default build comes with a Blu-Ray writer, but it can be downgraded to a BD ROM (-$150) or a dual-layer DVD writer (-$300).
• Two 500GB hard drives in Raid 0 configuration totalling 1 TB.
• Cool metal and a large number of fans make it a large heat-sink and do not let it overheat.

Cons:

• Very pricey(about USD $2500).
• Glossy 17” screen reflects unwanted light even though the intense brightness powered by two CCFL lamps try to work around this.
• Though it works on an 85Wh battery, the power-guzzling interiors of the M17x do not let it go beyond a certain limit. With the two 280M GTXs in operation, the result was a paltry 1h 25m in MobileMark 2007. However, with the power-saving 9400M option, the length can be increased to 2 to 3 hours.
• The mouse buttons are quite resistive.

Final Word:
The Alienware M17x is about as powerful as gaming laptops can get when not stuffed with desktop parts (as is the case with the AVAdirect Clevo D900F). However, it is pricey – but it offers the very best. While cheaper laptops such as the Asus W90 or the Gateway FX-P are greater value for money, this beast will pwn them when it comes to real gaming experience. So, if you have the money, and you want this mean machine, then go for it.

SPEC

Manufacturer: Alienware
Part number: DKDOQD3_2

Processor
Processor Intel

RAM
Installed Size 8 GB
Technology DDR3 SDRAM

Storage
Hard Drive 500 GB – 7200 rpm

Optical Storage
Type Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

Display
Display Type 17

Video
Graphics Processor / Vendor Dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M, 2GB SLI Enabled
Video Memory 2 GB

Operating System / Software
OS Provided Windows Vista Home Premium (64 bit) + Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Coupon