Alienware m14x First Review

Just replace the US link with your area code

so where ever it says US in the address for the UK you would change us to uk

 

Cheers for that, worked like a charm! Can't wait to get me one of these!

 

Quick question about the customization process.... when I'm choosing the colour, I'm given an option for base black or base red in either 1.5 or 3.0. It's an extra €69 for 3.0. What's that? Also, I've read the posts about the 1.5GB V 3GB GPU. In Ireland, we're only given the option for the 3GB.

 

Here's a link to it:

The Dell Online Store: Build Your System

Sorry for the noob question, this will be my first Alienware.

 

that is the video card option.. its messed up i know but if you choose base black 3.0 you will see when you go to video card that it will be 3gb vieo card

if you choose base black 1.5 you will have 1.5gb video card in tab

 

Ah ok, from reading the posts here I'd say I'll just get the 1.5 option.

 

here is the performance of the 555m. It looks like it can play games great. This computer even has a inferior cpu to the m14x.

part 1: YouTube - Dell XPS 17 (L702x) - Gaming Test - Nvidia 555m

part2: YouTube - Dell XPS 17 (L702x) - Gaming Test 2 - Nvidia 555m

This might be my next laptop. Don't forget that as the drivers mature, the performance will likely increase. This is still a fairly new card.

 

For anyonethat doesn't watch the video, I believe his worst performance was maxes out Metro 2033, which averaged 25 fps. He's playing at 1600x900, and a lot of people prefer the 1366x768 for gaming on the M14x. His games were perfectly playable at the highest settings, or would have required only a few settings to be lowered. The 555m looks to be more than adequate for the M14x, especially if you're going for the 1366x768 screen.

 

I wonder when notebookcheck will do a review of the M14x. They already did the M11x r3.

Those videos looked really good. He didn't have his card over clocked or anything either did he? I doubt it because iv'e seen people with the new xps 17" max out crysis 2 at 1080p around 30fps with an overclock.

 

When he put the specs up at the beginning, he didn't mention overclocking. I feel that he would have said it if he did. It's not proof, but I think it's highly likely that those videos had no overclocking.

 

Someone ask him in the comments. I forgot my youtube login.

 

I guess I forgot to mention I have a desktop that most of my gaming will be done on.. The laptop would be more for school, traveling, and games when my desktop is not accessible.
Is the i7 on the m11x r3 good, though?
I mean if it worth getting the better version/better GPU?

Plus that coupon is very tempting.

 

@Rev - I promise my real world benchmarks will be much more valuable than the notebookcheck ones. Driver levels, Clock speeds, optmization differences, games...

I am getting that feeling... The epp folks gave me free overnight shipping. But others will still get theirs before me.

I am already working on some things to be ready to hit it hard upon receipt.

StevenX

 

Ohh I know your data will be much more accurate and detailed than theirs! I just like what they have to say about the laptop with pics etc.. the overall feel of the laptop and any overheating and so on. I would as I always do, take their benchmarks lightly.

StevenX will you Please make an official benchmark thread once we start getting these machines? I would make one but I would be lousy at maintaining it lol

 

It also uses 1600 mhz ram so keep that in mind.

 

Order from HIDevolution and use them as the middle man. They're a US based company that assists non-US/CAN customers who desire US AW prices/specs.

 

It looks like they used the same exact hinge design from the M11x.... in fact... it looks like they literally used the same hinges.

Pass. I don't personally think Dell has really done anything to improve upon the faulty hinges in these systems, and I wont take any chances. GL guys.

 

Look man, anyone who tells you the M11x can't play newer games is a total naysayer and has never messed with one.

My wife plays Dragon Age 2 medium/high settings at 40+ FPS on the R1.

The R3 will definitely be able to play newer games. You may not be maxing the settings out, but the games will run great and look great.

 

You do know that Dell released new hinge designs and offers free replacement for the faulty ones right? Now I'm no expert, but I don't think Dell would be stupid enough to put in the old, faulty hinges into the new M14x, just for them to have to release a free replacement and go over all the fuss of the faulty hinges all over again.

I agree, I've never encountered a game my R1 couldn't run decently. In fact, most games (except maybe 1 or 2 games) run decent frames (25-30fps) at maximum settings and 4xAA. More demanding games will require med-high settings to run smoothly. Take note that this is on an R1 with a ULV C2D @1.6GHz..I'd expect the R3 with an i7 and GT540M to have quite a performance gain from my R1..It is by no means a weak machine..You literally can't get more power at the 11.6" form factor. Plus, you have a decent, gaming desktop anyway, so the M11x would be perfect for you, very mobile and very capable.. The one thing I don't quite understand is the pricing though..I mean with the upgrade to i7/2GB graphics which is merged to 1 option, the M11x costs as much if not a little more than the base M14x which packs more punch..I'm personally planning on getting an M14x with base specs..I think it'd be quite a performance jump from my M11x R1..

 

I would really love to know if Precision M4600 with quadro 2000M should show better results than M14X or it would be the same? any hints? i can't decide between those two, of oucrse i hoped for soem 485M or analog in M4600 since it is 15inches + quadrom 2000M seems as weak as 555m for 14 inches... shame but still I love Dell and probably will got for one of those two, any comments on what should eb more powerfull?

 

The m14x will be more powerful. The quadros are designed to be able to work
with design programs better than games. The 555m is designed for gaming so it will work much better. The quadro 2000m also only has a 128 bit memory bus which will be a bottleneck. the 555m has a 192 bit bus which will perform better. Hope this helps.

 

Have there been any other reviews? I'd be interested in seeing an aggregated list.

 

According to those at the M17x R3 forums, they said they were able to get the 2630QM to run RAM at 1600MHz, does this mean that the M14x will be able to do the same? Honestly the only reason I'm having second thoughts on upgrading the CPU from 2630QM to 2720QM is because of the RAM, I want to run 1600 RAM even though I know it doesn't make much difference..I hope you guys check it out when you get your hands on this machine. Thanks

 

Memory Master: With up to 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3 memory*, you'll be able to simultaneously power through multiple applications without the performance decreases you've experienced on lesser machines.

 

Not sure if most of you also caught this interview talking about M14x etc..

YouTube - Alienware Press Release Interview: Frank Azor Senior Vice President

 

I hadn't. Really nice link.

 

The M14x looks so small in that video ! xD

i want one so bad lol

 

While that is partly the reason I am upgrading this year to the m14x, I was quite pleased with the performance of my m11x r1, given the slower processor speed. I was able to play a ton of different and new games at decent speeds, without too much issue. I even had a decent time with GTA IV.

 

I would like to know how much real perfomance can i get with i7-2920XM instead of i7 2820QM, it is like extra 10% for rendering and speed up in Photoshop and alike or not? I am trying to make up my mind, and selecting between lenovo w520, dell precision M4600 and this little beauty - M14X, I have a feelign both M4600 and W520 are faster machines, a bit bigger - but I never asked for 14 incehs instead of 15, I want however to understand how much is that difference. If any idea - i would be very happy to hear you comments

 

Honestly not a lot. In fact, 2630QM will do quite a great job. And if you wanna get anything higher, i'd only go for the 2720QM as anything better costs a fortune..If you really need to render and such, I don't think the M14x is for you, as you have mentioned that you aren't looking for a 14" machine so you have a lot of other options at the 15.6" laptop range. I think you should post a "Recommend me a laptop" thread so you can get a better idea.

 

Why no Hardware Heaven review of the 14x yet? They have already done the 18x and it is not even out yet!

Love their reviews and cant for the 14x one....come on guys, get your hands on one!!

 

Yeah I have been eagerly awaiting one too. The one on the m18x is great.
I can't wait till i have enough money to buy the m14x

 

Is it just me or is the light on the alienhead on the lid can't be change to a diff color? I noticed pics and reviews and the light is just the plain white light same from m11x.

 

It might be too small to change the light on it. The screen is a lot thinner than the one on the m15x and m17x and m18x.

 

Hello, fellow m14x owners!
Please share with me your oppinion about m14x Display?
Could you please check what gamut percentage does it have?
Or could you please share what type of matrix it has?

 

M14x ordered. Uhm, a little OT but once the order is at the "Confirmed" status, Dell has verified everything and won't "unconfirm" my order for whatever reason right?

 

You wont find that feature on the newer Alienware Models. Currently the new models all feature just the plain white light Alienhead.

Even the new Alienware M18x is said to not feature a light zone for the Alienhead according to the guys at Hardware Heaven.

I guess Dell saw it as another way to make a cost cutting move.

 

i found this video: Alienware M14x - Crysis 2 Gameplay: YouTube - Alienware M14x - Crysis 2 Gameplay

 

Wow looks great! minimum of 35fps, max 55fps at medium settings. Real smooth. I'm guessing you could get it to play 30fps on high settings. Can't wait.

 

Haha sure took alot of time to read 19 pages. Im glad to see that the general attitude finally changed on page 14

I love how the M14x performs and really wants one. That being said, by the time I gather up the money, rumours of the R2 is probably going to come up. Ah sighs technology now days, always ahead of money earnt.

 

AFAIK that is just the LED backlight showing through so no way to change it.

 

i love this computer. may never use my sager 8660 again

 

Yeah, its only the LED light and thats why it stop lighting up when you taking your screen down.

 

i like mine and i haven't noticed any issue with heat...only thing i dont like is where the charging port is