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    Critique my planned M14x build

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by Charismaztex, Apr 26, 2011.

  1. Charismaztex

    Charismaztex Notebook Consultant

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    Hi all,

    I'm thinking of getting an M14x and I want some ideas on this build. It comes out to be $2,002.99 excl. tax. Are there any good discounts for the M14x atm?

    I will be upgrading to 8GB RAM and SSD later on.


    PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ i7 2630QM 2.0GHz
    OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
    MEMORY 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz
    VIDEO CARD 1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M using NVIDIA Optimus™ technology
    HARD DRIVE 500GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s
    LCD PANEL 14.0" High Def+ (900p/1600x900) with WLED backlight
    WIRELESS CARDS Intel® Advanced-N WiFi Link 6250 a/g/n 2x2 MIMO Technology with WiMax
    WIRELESSHD
    INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE 8x SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Slot Load Optical
    SOUND OPTIONS Soundblaster® X-Fi™ Hi Def Audio
    BLUETOOTH Internal Bluetooth 3.0
    SYSTEM COLOR Stealth Black with Soft Touch Finish
    ALIENFX COLOR Mars Red
    OS CUSTOMIZATION Alienhead Chrome Blue
    PRE-INSTALLED GAMES Steam and Portal™ Factory Installed
    AUTOMATIC UPDATES Automatic Updates: On
    WARRANTY AND SERVICE 4 Year Advanced Service Plan plus $50 Dell Promo Gift Card edit
    POWER PROTECTION & ADAPTERS 150 Watt 3 Prong AC Adapter
     
    Charismaztex, Apr 26, 2011
    #1
  2. revdiesel

    revdiesel Notebook Evangelist

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    Wow that advanced service plan is a killer on your wallet.
     
    revdiesel, Apr 26, 2011
    #2
  3. MikeeDinh

    MikeeDinh Notebook Evangelist

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    looks good. are you planning on using wimax? only good discount that i kno of was the aafes one. the m14x that i configured came out about 2400. got it for 1889 ish, with not tax or shipping
     
    MikeeDinh, Apr 26, 2011
    #3
  4. Voodooi

    Voodooi AFK for a while...

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    I'd go with 2-3 basic warranty instead. By the 4th year, your laptop will be far too outdated (unless you're Canadian and get the 4th year free when buying a 3rd year).
     
    Voodooi, Apr 26, 2011
    #4
  5. Charismaztex

    Charismaztex Notebook Consultant

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    I'm just paranoid that my laptop would be damaged accidentally one day. I'm not just buying a warranty; I'm buying peace of mind. My 2600USD Toshiba broke after a few years and since my warranty expired, it would cost me about $700 to fix. I'll take on board suggestion of the 3 year warranty. Besides the laptop probably wouldn't be able to play the latest games at good settings in a few years time anyway :) ; I should just upgrade later.

    For the Wimax thing, it's service provider based right? Is there any difference in speed or is it just coverage improvements? I'll be at campus most of the time so there's probably no need, I thought it would be future proofing. What's the difference between Intel® Advanced-N WiFi Link 6205 a/g/n 2x2 MIMO Technology and the Intel® Wireless-N WiFi Link 1000 a/g/n 1x2 (stock)?
     
    Charismaztex, Apr 26, 2011
    #5
  6. MikeeDinh

    MikeeDinh Notebook Evangelist

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    yeah its a service provider, depends on where you live tho.
     
    MikeeDinh, Apr 26, 2011
    #6
  7. Charismaztex

    Charismaztex Notebook Consultant

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    Oh, how could I forget that I get college discount.
     
    Charismaztex, Apr 26, 2011
    #7
  8. Charismaztex

    Charismaztex Notebook Consultant

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    Wimax is useless to me then. I'll be using campus internet so yeah there's my service provider. Thanks for pointing it out.
     
    Charismaztex, Apr 26, 2011
    #8
  9. MikeeDinh

    MikeeDinh Notebook Evangelist

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    oh yeah how long are you planning to keep your laptop?
     
    MikeeDinh, Apr 26, 2011
    #9
  10. Charismaztex

    Charismaztex Notebook Consultant

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    I'm thinking at least through my undergrad years; I may upgrade but then school work may be my main focus so I may not game that much.
     
    Charismaztex, Apr 26, 2011
    #10
  11. msparrow88

    msparrow88 Notebook Evangelist

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    sounds like you have the perfect build to me...

    and everything else you ever want to upgrade in the future can be done by you and for cheaper.
     
    msparrow88, Apr 26, 2011
    #11
  12. Gearsguy

    Gearsguy Notebook Deity

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    Maybe cut it down to 2 or 3 years advanced? I talked to a dell rep and you can always add more years later before it expires. I think they even send you an email with a warning and a link for extending it. Only if you want to save money now
     
    Gearsguy, Apr 26, 2011
    #12
  13. Charismaztex

    Charismaztex Notebook Consultant

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    Okey thanks, I'll get the 3 year advanced plan :) 4 year does sound like a very long time. I might just upgrade in 3 years.
     
    Charismaztex, Apr 27, 2011
    #13