How is this XPS 15 dif to m14x?

PROCESSOR 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7-2820QM processor 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.40 GHz
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2010
SERVICE PLAN 1 Year Home Express Service
VIDEO CARD NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M 2GB graphics with Optimus and TV Tuner
MEMORY 8GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 Memory
HARD DRIVE 640GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee Security Center with VirusScan, Firewall, Spyware Removal, 15-Months
HD DISPLAY 15.6 FHD B+RGLED TL (1920x1080) and Skype-Certified 2.0MP HD Webcam
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Tray Load Blu-ray® Triple Writer (reads and writes CDs, DVDs, BDs)
WIRELESS + BLUETOOTH Intel© Centrino© Advanced-N 6230 & Bluetooth 3.0
BATTERY OPTIONS 90 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
SOUND OPTIONS JBL 2.1 Speakers with Waves Maxx Audio 3 + Creative SoundBlaster X-FI MB 1.2

The XPS has HD and a re-writable bluray drive...so really what makes the XPS and m14x stand apart? I am looking into getting one of them but the XPS is cheaper and seems to have the same features minus the alien fx which I really don't need. Is that really the only difference? Some help deciding would be very helpful. I would like a laptop for video editing and gaming. Thank you and hope someone can help.

 

GT555m > GT540m
14" vs 15.6"
8 cell < 9 cell

Pretty much the M14x is smaller and more powerful. But the optional 9 cell battery on the XPS15 gives it a longer battery life than M14x.

Everything else can be configured the same

Hope this helps!

 

I used to think the same way as you did and purchased a XPS 15 before I returned it for a m14x. When I got the XPS I was disappointed in the way it was designed, and it felt cheap, bulky, and awkward specially with the 9 cell. It just doesn't have the sturdy and well built feel of the Alienware. Although the screen quality is super nice, and ran some games fairly well, it's not as good as m14x when it comes to games. It's using a weaker GPU to run on a higher res screen compared to the m14x. It does however have superior sound quality and blueray drive.

 

Oh yeah, I used to think that way too and was really close to buying the XPS15 with 9 cell...... until I saw how ugly that battery was pushing out from the bottom....

 

But the screen and blu-ray don't make it better since it is also cheaper? Right now I have a super old xps m1210. One of the originals and loved it and noticed it has changed a lot but I am also looking for long lasting. However I haven't played a pc-game on it for years but it is a great computer.

Is the m14x GPU that much better?

I guess I also must ask, how about both computers ability to stream it to a HDTV. Is that also similar? I just want to spend my money well and want the good specs and not really the lights, you know? Thanks for the input and definitely would like to hear more since you seem to have been where I am heading.

Why is a m14x more powerful? Also, the specs seem identical outside of 1600 RAM and the GPU in the m14x.

 

Doesn't the 9 cell stick out of the laptop? That's a REALLY annoying feature. When I had my MSI GX740, I had to remove the battery every time I packed it in my bag so it could evenly fit.


Dell XPS:
- Better Screen
- Larger HD (by 120GB)
- 4GB of RAM (8GB total) ...BUT you only really need 4GB and will never see more than 4GB used unless you produce electronic music (6GB) or work with Maya/3D software (8GB+)
- Blu Ray Writer
- Slightly better battery (however it will be extremely annoying having a battery that sticks out of the back if you're frequently mobile)

M14X:
- Better graphics by 15-20%
- Better build and keyboard
- Beautiful design
- More portable (and doesn't have an absurd battery sticking out of it)

Gaming Note:
The 1080 screen coupled with a 540 will force you to play games on low/medium settings. The 555 on the other hand can play everything maxed if the 720p screen is chosen and everything on high/med is the 900p screen is chosen.

So end result winner: M14X

Why?

Because you want to game and I'm sure you don't want to spend over 1000$ to play on low settings. Sure you could lower your gaming resolution, but it will make your games look ugly when not in native resolution if I'm not mistaken.

 

Judging from all the reviews and comments, the 555 is definitely the way to go compared to the 540 in terms of gaming. Not sure if you're familiar with 3Dmark06 but my old M17x R1 with GTX260m scores around 10,000 and M14x scores around 12-13,000. And mind you...the GTX260m was a really good card....

Both XPS15 and M14x will fluently stream to HDTV, if you're talking about videos and what not. But if you're gaming on HDTV - then M14x will perform better.

Alienware's more then the lights, it's a premium gaming laptop. Even though there are 15"ers out there with GTX460m that perform alot better than the 555m, it's still the best 14" out there.

 

The M14x's physical build is superior to the XPS 15, so I'm guessing the M14x can out last the XPS 15 physically. Reason why M14x is better for games because it's using a better GPU to run on a lower res screen, so you get more FPS. XPS 15 is using a inferior GPU on a superior screen, so you get les FPS and sometimes lag. If you're not a heavy gamer and just want to watch hi-def videos, stream videos to HDTVs then they both would do the job equally well, and with XPS you get the better screen.

Purely speaking on the specs alone, I say you get more bang out of your buck with XPS. In the completely package, I feel the M14x is better for me, but you have to decide for yourself on that.

 

Which 15" has the GTX 460m? Is GPU 15-20% better than the 555? Really it is the GPU that confuses me the most since there are so many variations out there. I do know SLI is the way to go however I want to keep it around 14-16". Likely I would just game from the laptop and not stream the gaming to the TV, but only movies and videos.

Does the m14x also work well for video editing and such tasks?

 

Well, the 555 with a 900p screen is nearly equal to a 460 with a 1080 screen give or take a few % according to user benchmarks I've been reading.

Nonetheless, if you want the 460, the best bang for buck atm is what I have in my sig ...they've recently refreshed the 460 to a 560, which has up to 20% more juice than the 460. Grand total is 1300$ for it (with 8GB of RAM instead of 12GB) from GenTechPC. Very portable too.

If you're keen on sticking between the XPS vs M14X, then M14X is a clear winner.

 

Yeah I keep having a difficult choice on my hands. I was thinking the desktop route and really all questions would be null, but I like moving around freely and typing or doing whatever on a laptop. I just find it hard that the dif is GPU and at about 400-500 difference. Which also accounts for name, build, lights too but I guess I am just focused on the GPU. How well would SC2 play on both systems on high? I guess any games I would get would be RTS because I have become more accustomed to FPS on my PS3. Would Total war also play well on either computer?

Also is there a big difference between screens?

 

560 (460 refresh) can handle SC2 on ultra.
*15-20% performance difference
460 can handle SC2 on high/ultra.
*Almost same performance if 555-900p vs 460-1080p
555 can handle SC2 on high.
*15-20% performance difference
540 can handle SC2 on med (probably low/med with a 1080 screen)

 

I can't really answer for the games since I don't know and haven't played much games lately. Hopefully someone else can answer that.

As for the screen, there's a big difference and XPS's is far superior, and I'm not even that much of a screen/res guy. Don't get me wrong though, the M14x 900P screen is still nice.

 

Yeah the GTX I def know is the nicer GPU. The two models you have in your signature, would you recommend one over the other? Also when one was stolen why did you go to the Sager?

 

Hmmm, what an interesting topic, Frenzy said If the physical look of XPS is better than that I would have go for the XPS as well, but it look like a budget cheaply build design.

But to most people, Alienware is Dell's Premium Gaming product, plus it also has a reputation of in Gaming.

 

1. I chose Sager because of the reputation. Also, if something were to die/break down, some resellers (like GenTech) will UPS you the parts, so instead of waiting 6 weeks for Asus, you could receive a Sager part in just a few days.

2. Because I purchased the Asus G73JW-3DE thereafter and a little over a month later the Seagate Momentus XT drive died and the 3D build in receiver no longer functioned. I sent it off to the Asus repair facility and they kept it for 6 weeks. After much QQ, they cut me a cheque and I vowed never to buy another Asus

3. I will be going AW as my main system (M14X of course) due to the next-day on-site tech warranty when I teach overseas. Sager will be sold since it would be too costly and time consuming to deal with potential repairs across the world. I'd keep it if I remained domestic (Canada/US), however.

 

So getting an AW just for the international support? It seems the builds you have had are still better than the AW. Is that the only case? How long do you think an AW m14x would last in the gaming market?

So you would recommend the Sager over the AW if you are in the US/Canada?

 

It's really hard to guess how long a gaming laptop will last. All depends on variables such as usage, treatment, conditions, etc., so I wouldn't be able to give you an idea (nor would anyone else)

I really like the M14X (even though I don't own one; have the M11X-R1, though) and the NP8130. Matte screen on the 8130 is beautiful and temps are superb.

I'd recommend the 8130 over the M14X IF you live near your reseller and can afford a little downtime if something were to break. If you live a great distance and can't afford any downtime whatsoever then I'd go with the M14X. Warranty service is very important to me since the Asus fiasco nearly destroyed my Winter 2011 semester.

If you do go Sager, just make sure you choose a reseller that is nearby and/or has the option to mail out parts if let's say your HD died for example.

M14 is still a beautiful machine, though, so I wouldn't take it out of the equation just yet. Study both extensively.

Note: Forgot to add ...the NP8130 was recently refreshed with a 560m, so you'd get even more gaming power and the best part of all ...price didn't even increase! Just make sure you add W7 in the customization if you're just tinkering with specs since Sager laptops don't come with an OS. Should be 1,300$ total.

 

Really good comment Voodooi about repair down time when choosing a laptop.

Even though none of my laptops ever broke, when you invest so much money in a pro laptop which you treat like your second wife (or first...lol), it would be a nightmare not sleeping with her for a few weeks

 

lol, u saying just similarly happen to me, my M14x is just 1-2 day away! (Now is with Local Courier just waiting to delivering), owning this laptop (My First Gaming laptop) will be like winning a lottery to me, and should it will be at my bed side all night

 

LMAO! first wife....I sleep with my wife on the left side and my mistress on my right on the nightstand,and I wouldn't want to be without either of them.LOL....All kidding aside warranty is very very important.

 

I was looking at the XPS 17. That would come with the same graphics card as the m14x. It would still come with all the blu-ray and 1080p and still be cheaper than the m14x. Would this be a better option? It is bigger but it has everything and more than the m14x no? Would like your opinions. Thanks.

 

the specs I have for the XPS 17.

PROCESSOR 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7-2820QM processor 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.40 GHz
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® Home Premium, 64-Bit, English
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2010
SERVICE PLAN 2 Year Home Express Service
VIDEO CARD NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M 3GB graphics with Optimus and TV Tuner
BATTERY OPTIONS 90 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery edit
HARD DRIVE 1.0TB 500GB 7.2k HDD x 2
SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee Security Center with VirusScan, Firewall, Spyware Removal, 15-Months
HD DISPLAY 17.3" FHD (1080p) with 2.0MP HD Webcam
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Tray Load Blu-ray® Triple Writer (reads and writes CDs, DVDs, BDs)
WIRELESS + BLUETOOTH Intel© Centrino© Advanced-N 6230 and Bluetooth 3.0
SOUND OPTIONS JBL 2.1 Speakers with Waves Maxx Audio 3 + Creative SoundBlaster X-FI MB 1.2

 

Yeah but then the XPS 17 would fail compared to m14x when you compare the portability aspects

 

True but I don't mind the extra bulk. But outside of that the XPS would be a much better bang for the buck right? I would also then get the graphics, the HD and the blu-ray. Am I looking at this correctly?

 

Well if you don't care for the bulk and only cares about the specs then m14x is not what you should be looking at

 

AND if you don't mind the bulk and the looks (XPS is ugly) and merely looking for bang for the buck.... then go Sager 8130.

Done, done, and done.

 

Take it from someone who has both,as it was said before the xps=cheaper,better screen,one of the best screens available.also ugly as sin.The m14x faster much better build quality and quality control at facility.Better gpu people are getting 15k 3d mark06 with oc! Not to mention awesome lighting and imo a cool design.Also the jbl is better sounding on xps but the klipsch are no slouch either.And last but most certainly not least Alienware has far superior tech support,thats a huge plus for any one who's had to deal with Dell!