Alienware M14x R2 - Personal Impressions/Review

It's been about 3 weeks since I've had this notebook, and I felt like I had to write a 'review' about this machine. This is my first notebook as well as my first gaming gear, I'm not anything of a computer expert, so these are just general user opinions, please do advise me If I wrote anything wrong or if you got any tips about this alienware. I will keep on adding things to this post as I discover more, I'm still learning myself.


Tell me if I can add anything more, whether you want some more pictures, or any software test etc.?

PS: Sorry for the poor camera quality.

I got it as a gift, but had the opportunity to make the order myself, so I got the Cosmic Black version via Dell UK, with the following specifications:

Processor - Intel® Core™ i7-3720QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.6GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)
OS - English Genuine Windows® 7 Professional (64 BIT)
Video Card - 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 650M
RAM - 8192MB (2x4GB) 1600MHz DDR3 Dual Channel
Screen - 14.1" WideHD+ (1600x900) WLED with TrueLife
Optical drive - DVD+/-RW (DVD, CD read and write)
Wireless card - Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2230 with Bluetooth 4.0

As accessories I also got as mouse a Logitech Anywhere MX, a Logitech Rumble Gamepad F510 and the Orion M14x backpack to carry everything around.

Hardware - first look

The laptop looks amazing, hands down one of the most beautiful hardware I've had the opportunity to have a look at. The matte finish gives it an expensive look and feel. It's quite heavy for its size (almost 3kg for the notebook only), but I can handle the weight without any problem (I'm 1m67 and I weight about 62kg).



The back of the laptop is pretty simple while still staying attractive, with its two air grills and customised backplate. I placed a sticker on it to cover some bad scratches which occured because I did not notice a very tiny screw on my desk when placing the notebook on it. My very bad luck.



NOTE: The laptop, while having a solid built, does get scratched easily, so be careful. The front grills can also be easily scratched, I learned it the hard way while trying to clean it.



The top lid also got some slight marks, even though I took great care while handling it (I have no idea how those occured).



Design rating: 4.5/5 (I removed 0.5 due to the scratching issues)

Orion M14x Backpack
The backpack looks great, with many sections for everything notebook-related. It is checkpoint friendly, which is a plus point for those who do travel with their gear.



The M14x fits very nicely in the bag, though there is no tough padding at the bottom of the bag, so be careful when sliding you notebook in its section, don't let it fall by itself.





Backpack rating: 4/5 (It lacks the 'raincoat' option which I like in certain backpacks, in order to protect from rain.)

Accessories
Here are pictures of the gamepad and the mouse, in case you wish to see how they look like in real. They both work flawlessly with the notebook.

Logitech Anywhere Mouse MX


Mouse rating: 4.5/5 (there is no middle click - on this mouse, doing this motion activates hyperscroll - so you may have to get used to this.)

Logitech Rumble Gamepad F510


Gamepad Rating: 5/5 (I don't have any issues with it).


Usage

Screen
The first thing I noticed, was the screen. While looking good, it was damn glossy, and that was quite a turn off for me. I then purchased some anti-glare screen protector on Ebay for like $16, and applied one. It fitted almost perfectly, and it did help alot with all the reflections.



The screen (with the screen protector): on the left, with background light (you can slightly see me) and on the right, with no background light.



Another thing that I have noticed, is that the screen looks slightly -blue-ish' to me. I don't know if my screen has not been callibrated properly, but have a look yourself, I compared it to my old ViewSonic 1916w LCD screen (I googled Purple).



Screen rating: 3.5/5 (The quality is average).

Keyboard
The keyboard feels great, I type for hours without any issue, and the AlienFX effects look amazing. No complaints on this section.

Keyboard rating: 5/5.

Touchpad
The touchpad works okay. It's not the best in the world, but it gets the job done. By default, multi-touch gestures are not enabled, they have to be done manually. Those do work pretty well, though some lag may be noticed.

Touchpad rating: 4/5 (It's not very sensitive.)

Sound/Speakers
The Klipsch speakers on the M14x provide crystal clear sound output, which is impressive. However that goes along with the Creative Sound Blaster Recon3Di software; without that the sound is pretty much dull.

Speaker rating: 4.5/5 (-0.5 due to the lack of bass.)

UPDATE!
Here is a video of me trying to show the difference between the M14x and the Dell XPS 15 L502x. Both are at 50% of brightness and 80% volume.

Side by side: Dell XPS 15 L502x and Alienware M14x R2


Into the gaming part!

I'm an entry gamer, just started playing games last year (I know, I'm late to the party). I got the following games to run:
1. Skyrim - works great on high setting, no issues at all.
2. Saints Row The Third - works great on medium settings, anything more and it lags.
3. Need For Speed The Run - works superb on ultra settings!
4. Alan Wake - no issues on ultra, but at times on heavy scenes it lags slightly.

I also got those games, but have not yet played them:
- Max Payne 3
- Batman Arkham City
- The Witcher 2
- Assassin's Creed II
- Prototype

I played a few times connecting my M14x to a 52 inch Sony LED TV at fullHD resolution, and I had no issues at all, everything was working fluently. Sound output was also correct.

I play with either mouse/keyboard combo or gamepad, depending on the game. No issues concerning those hardware.

One issue I have is that the fan really kicks in loud at some point while gaming, and that can be bothersome. I got used to it, but still, it's worth mentioning. At times the fan also kicks in while not running any heavy software, and that does not seem normal. I hope it has something to do with the BIOS.

Overall Impressions
I love this device, been using it everyday, and I'm proud to have acquired one! It's not too heavy, but not very light as well. Do have a look at it if you're in the search for a not so big, great looking gaming laptop!

What can I add more? Any suggestions?

 

Brief overlook more than a full review but still enjoyable and well finished.

+1 Rep.

 

Good review! +1up Rep.

 

awesome review.

I also ordered the screen protector like yours. It was too reflective so I ordered it. When I received it, it was still reflective and left a lot of fingerprints. I wanted mine to look like yours, but they sent me the wrong one and has already sent me a new one.

 

Mine still has some glare to it, but it's less painful to watch for long hours compared to when I did not have anything on the screen.

I'm trying to make some video, comparing some features of the laptop with those in my sisters's Dell XPS 15, hope that works out okay.

 

Good review , I really hate those front grills get scratched easily , that happened to all alienware product & mobile edge bags alienhead , basically all alienhead are attracted with scratch lol.

 

Okay I added a video! Check the 1st post!

I wanted to edit the thread title and add "[10 July - Added 1st video!]" in it, but I cant find the way to do that. Any idea how?

 

the video is private :< - I can't access it.

 

Great review. I always enjoy reading people's M14X thoughts ^^

 

ohh sorry! try again now: Side by side: Dell XPS 15 L502x and Alienware M14x R2 - YouTube

 

i am also confused by the sound. my r1 had no optional SB software, yet sounded pretty great by default in 7 Home. the r2 still sounds great, but only when the SB software is running. it sounds like the software actually enables the subwoofer when activated? and i imagine it does a bunch of EQ?

 

My M17xR4 has a Creative chip inside - SB Recon3Di, I think the M14xR2 has it too. Can somebody confirm?

 

I can confirm the Recon 3Di.