M14x vs dv6t --help me urgent ...running out of time

Hey....well I have a hp (specs in sig) within the bb return policy...and I noticed bb launched the AW m14x Alienware - M14X Laptop / Intel® Core™ i7 Processor / 14" Display / 8GB Memory / 750GB Hard Drive - Stealth Black - AM14X-5305SBK

Two questions now

1) 3gb gt 555 vs radeon 6770
2) 1080p screen on hp vs 720p on 14x ( how bad is the m14x screen...I dnt have the option for the 900p screen....cause I gotta buy this from bb because of the 18 month free installments)

Give me an honest opinion guys ( no fan boy biased opinions plzzz)
Thanks in advance to everyone who helps me decide...gotaa love this community

 

The HP was also one of my choices against the M14x and Sony Vaio F2D Series. And i haven't received my M14x yet, but i think that a 720p screen is just to much of a low quality these days. (I ordered the 900p version)
However as for graphics card, according to notebook review gpu charts the GT555M comes out on top, but only marginally.

GT555M : Wins in; 3D Mark 05 And 06
6770M: Wins In; 3D Mark 03 and 3DM Vantage

So its pretty evenly cut.

However, personally i think the HP is a bit ugly and is defiantly very common, as compared to Alienwares unique design and rarity.

IMO I'd stick with the HP however if you can't get the 900p Alienware screen.

 

The 555m will perform a lot better on the 720p screen compared to the 6770m on the 1020p both at laptop's native resolution.

Unless you game with a plugin monitor, I would say that 555m would have 20-30% better fps advantage on the M14x due to its lower resolution.

Note: Get the 1.5GB 555m. 3GB is overkill for this GPU. I barely used 33% of the 1.5GB playing Dragon Age Origins (All details max out + 4x AA @ 1600x900).

 

notebookcheck ranks the 555m higher than the 6770 but the 6770 outperforms the 555 in pretty much all benches and games by 5-10% or more.

However the newer DV6t can't overclock the GPU yet. The GPU switching feature is new and not completely developed, so there's some growing pains there, but can all be fixed with software so there's hope.

You can run the DV6t at 720p if you want and games don't look bad at that resolution on a 1080p screen, it scales well.

The things holding me back from M14x is the lack of 1080p screen, and no Blu-Ray option, and it costs $300 more in general. And the 900p wouldn't bother me so much if they offered a high gamut matte screen.

And Alienware's aren't "rare". They just demand a cost premium and its style doesn't fit with everyone so not as many people buy them. The HP is more business friendly. In most business environments the flashy lights of the Alienware might not sit well or just be a distraction for many.

 

I have been following your threads closely...you were discussing this with Steve too right What did you finally decide this on?

 

Like i said...its a BB model.....and i dont really have a control over the config

 

Those were the exact things holding my back from instantly buying an alienware M14x, however a few days ago my current laptop started to blue screen, so i just decided to bite the bullet and order one.

I'll just use an external blu ray drive, there fairly cheap @ $150. And as for the screen, My current laptop is 16.4" and runs at 1600x900, so i'll get slightly better pixel density on the M14x. Its not ideal, but then its not a downgrade either

 

1920x1080 is overkill for 14" IMO anyways.

1600x900 is the sweet spot, although I'd prefer 1680x1050.

 

Yep!

Still debating. Gotta sell my NP8170 and M11x first though, so will most likely make my decision once that happens. That will FORCE me to make a decision. I'm leaning towards the HP right now, but I'm not dismissing the M14x either.

1080p is personal preference. I like it because it gives more desktop space for desktop work, an also allows for full HD movies. I'd be happy with a matte high color gamut screen though even if at 1600x900 though. That's my bigger gripe is the crap screen. I hate glare screens.

The way I see it pros/cons for me personally

M14x Pros (+) / Cons (-) / Neutral (o)
+ Solid build construction
+ nVidia Optimus (better than the newer AMD switchable)
+ decent overclocking
o screen resolution 1600x900
- glossy and low gamut screen
- no blu-ray option

HP DV6t Pros (+) / Cons (-) / Neutral (o)
+ Cost
+ 1080p matte screen
+ Blu-Ray option
+ larger battery option / longer battery life
- Glitchy AMD switchable graphics (OpenGL mainly)
- No GPU overclock (yet)
- HP build construction / warranty
- Only Intel 1000 WiFi is whitelisted (no 6230 or 6300 )

 

The GPUs are reasonably a push (one wins at one game/bench, the other wins in others). The Alienware is "styled better"/built better to some, more stable/mature graphics switching system, and GPU overclocking potential (though the dv6 might get those ironed out). The HP has a bigger, higher res, higher pixel density, matte finished screen, Blu-Ray, and can take a larger capacity battery if you need one. Other than that, they are equal (no one can argue the M14x is smaller, it is not smaller; they are volumetrically identical at 201 cubic inches vs. 200 cubic inches).

Given the M14x's specs are preconfigured with the 3 GB GT 555M, and the lower resolution screen (aka. the "less desirable" options), I think it matters how much you spent on the dv6. If the M14x were configurable, I think there's more of a fair comparison.

For me, it would come down to price, and if the dv6 switchable graphics issue is a sticking point for you. If the dv6 were significantly cheaper, I'd probably stay with it as I could channel that money to other things. If they were close in price.... I think the resolution would decide it for me. 1366x768 is too small for me to do actual work on (i.e. the things you do when not gaming).

Again, if we weren't talking about a fixed config BestBuy model, I think it would be more balanced.

 

Well, I can order from HP right now with the following config shipped for about $1000 ($996):

15.6" 1080p matte screen
i7-2630QM
1GB HD 6770m
6GB DDR3 1333
Blu-Ray player / DVDRW combo drive
750GB 5400RPM HDD
9-cell battery
Win 7 Home Premium x64


It's about $1300 for M14x as configured:

14.1" 1600x900
i7-2630QM
1.5GB GT 555m
4GB DDR3 1600
DVDRW
500GB 7200RPM HDD
8-cell battery
Win 7 Home Premium x64

I don't care so much about RAM and HDD since I have 8GB of my own RAM to use and a 256GB SSD waiting to be installed.

 

Dell offers 12 months financing no interest just like Best Buy. tis how Im paying for my m14x

 

yeah i know...you`ll need a social security for that...am a visitor but i do have someone...who has a 18 month finance on best buy

 

Get the HP. Then give us a status update in 4 to 6 months with your genuine thoughts. I think it benefits all when you have post purchase reviews. thanks

 

I already have the HP....and have used it for 4-5 days...........honestly.......its a amazing machine...love the 1080p screen....pretty quick...just need a SSD(am being greedy now ) but i am just hung over a alienware thats all

 

How does it play games? Since it's a higher res screen and all.

 

Well hed definitly preform better on the native 720p screen than trying to run on 1080p

 

Go with the alienware. Hp is great, but their designs are old. My hp is 2 years old and it basically has the same design of the newer models. Way too glossy for me. You'll love the alienware. It has a better styled design, the alien fx lighting system, and the alienware name. You don't need the 3gb gt555m at all either. It doesn't perform any better. IMO it's just dell's way to tricking you into thinking it's a better gpu because they couldn't fit a better/different card in it. But that's just me. I recommend you look at other brands too.

 

Performance wise am quite happy...i just think the styling is way to dull...plus for the alienware i need an extra 300 $ for a similar config..and yet no blue ray or 1080p which sux

 

I was all for ordering a Sony (Simlar to the HP), but then I knew that in a few weeks I would be kicking myself for not getting the alienware. Basically it just came down to me always having wanted an alienware and knowing that if I'd not ordered It I would be sad till I get my next laptop in a few years.

 

So basically you're conceding that you would have to pay $300 for:

+ backlit keyboard
+ better styling
- lower resolution display
- lack of Blu-Ray

Styling is personal opinion. It's a very handsome looking machine that M14x, but is it $300 more handsome? (Personal opinion. Maybe?) I would love the backlit keyboard, but will I pay $300 for one? (Probably not...) Pay more for a downgrade in screen and optical media? (Urgh... if only it were the 900p screen...)

I bought a MINI Cooper S a few years back because I just loved it. I've always wanted one since the original Austin MINI's I remember seeing videos of people driving in the 60s-70s as I was growing up in the 80s. I could have saved $15k if I bought a similarly performing Honda Civic Si, not to mention higher repair costs. But hey, my car still looks cool, performs really well, and my wife loves it. Sometimes all you need is skin-deep.

If your heart wants the M14x, go for it. It doesn't need to make logical sense. Just be prepared for the aforementioned trade-offs.

 

I say just keep the HP if you like it so much. Nothing seems to justify losing money.

 

hey guys.....finally decided to get the m14x and if i get a good deal from the rep am surely gonna help you guys out...with it too .....also not going through best buy....and going for the 900p screen now .....one last thing...for all those wondering why am leaving the hp...its only because i might have to leave from here and go to another place....and hp dosent have international warranty ...so i dont wnana be dishing out 1250 on a machine which has no coverage...hopefully i am correct..

 

Ah, its worth it with the 900p screen. Thats why I said the HP, I cant imagine the m14x without it

 

I may have to make a trip to BB to take a first hand look at the M14x. Didn't realize it was available there. Definitely ordering direct from Dell both for price and 1600x900 screen. But congrats on your decision trooper1414.

 

It's only on the website......also my m14x - top most model on the Dell website ..ships in 24 hours....(from Monday) .....got a super sales Rep and I can refer you guys if needed...cheers (btw ordered a black m14x)

 

Thanks mate Haha am a alien too now lol

 

So trooper1414 I see you have the DV6 in your sig. Do you actually HAVE the HP now and are going to return it? If so, what are your thoughts on it? Thanks.

 

Only BESTBUY would offer more 4 more gigs of ram than you need and more memory that is wasted on the video card. Then not offer a upgrade that would have been of redeemable value like a 1600x900 screen.

Guess they did not want a bright screen to stand out among all the dim dingy screens on the display rack.

 

It's a superb machine...won't let you down...the screens great ...just that the battery life ain't great....and the only time open gl hurt me was when I installed cs zero but great machine....zippy and fps were mostly good...Nd if u need the installments bb has this machine...what are you deciding upon...also what's your review on saber...just curious cause I dint consider it (no international warranty but I still wanna know)

 

I dnt think offering 8GB of ram on a high end machine is wrong but a 3gb Nvidia gpu...instead of a 1600*900 screen is a wastage..but I still think bb is a great store...they offer machines within the budget...even if it's watered down like the g74(with the 128 bit bus) instead of the 192. Bit but at a price of 1199

 

8gb of ram on a more powerful machine is worth it, because if theyre only selling one, people may want to purchase through BB and may want to use their m14x for professional work like video editing

Sorry if that makes no sense

im tired

 

You did gr8...gn my friend lol

 

I'm just going to pay for it all up front. Plus I don't think BB has the 6100's in store, at least online it shows they're for order anyhow, and cost more than if I ordered from HP!

Concerned about the battery life comment though. Most users @ HP forums were reporting about 4-4.5 hours or so with 6-cell and close to 7 hours with 9-cell. How much battery were you getting?

I've used Sager for years. I love their machines. I would go for their NP5165 which is similarly spec'ed to the HP and M11x with 555m but it has the gimped 555m.

I also would have liked the NP8130 which is only about $1300 with i7-2630QM, GTX 560m, 15.6" 1080p matte screen, 8GB DDR3 1333, Blu-Ray.

Problem is that no switchable graphics, about 3 hours on battery, and the CPU and GPU are severely gimped on battery so if you want to do anything strenuous on battery... you can't (3DMark06 of only 3500 on battery ).

 

I couldnt manage 4 hours on battery but then my screen always set to max brightness with wifi on and probably watching YouTube or something

 

Yeah, that can kill battery life a bit, however, more realistic for real world use. Good feedback, thanks.

 

i can hit max 7hr estimate, real life i hit about 5-6 on wordprocessing and small netsurfing

about 3-4 hours roundabout

 

Thanks. Any experience gaming on battery? How much life?

 

How do u manage max 7hrs??? (not mocking you....pretty serious)....docent alienware advertise as 6max or am I wrong

 

Probably underclocking. With WIFI/BT off, min brightness, and CPU @ 1.33ghz I get about 7.25 hours

 

Yes I agree with you BESTBUY is a great store but sometimes you must look at things they sale closely, right now I checked their on line ad and found that they are priceing the same spec M14x, the only diffrence is the CPU. The I5 is about 40.00 more than the I7:laugh:

 

Haha I know....actually the i7 was 1449 till two days back...now they dropped it by 100 and forgot to update the i5 price ...lmao

 

I find that the only way to get a good deal at that store is if you are educated about computers before you walk in the door. Everything else is just salesmanship mindgames and about extended warrenty, geek squad and buyback program.