My view on M14x Vs. M15x

Since there has been multiple questioned regarding the M15x vs. M14x showdown I made up a few videos and scores to compare. I wanted to see how the systems stack up before sending one of them off to a new owner. Hopefully this will prove useful when looking into both systems for purchase. Both systems are stock with up to date drivers. Overclocking was not done in any test. Overall both of these systems are used as an all in one environment. Heavy typing, video editing, Adobe CS5, streaming video, and light gaming.

Build quality, Size, Shape, and portability.

Both systems have excellent build quality compared to the consumer computer market. Lenovo may inch ahead but we all know there is little visual appeal to those systems. The M15x is made of a thick piece of metal surrounding the outer section of the notebook. While the inside palmrest are plastic the computer is of high quality that is built to last. System feels about how it looks which is HEAVY compared to most systems. Being a tad heavier has allowed for a thicker display panel (many notebooks have paper thin displays).
My first impression from the M14x is the feel of the laptop screams quality. The leather feel of the notebook allows for easy gripping (often the M15x requires two hands as it may slip from the metal). Whole system is covered with leather/rubber surrounding besides the bottom which is metal. System feels solid and stable. The M14x has a very different feel than the M15x but you can tell that build quality was taken into account for both systems. One advantage I like about the M14x is the leather around the palmrest. It’s much more pleasant to type on than the plastic on the M15x. Since the M14x is noticeably smaller and lighter it allows for less strain on the portability side. Overall
M15x is a two hands system (I’m very cautions) as the M14x is an easy one handed system to carry. Both systems are equal in terms of build quality.

Side by Side Comparison ( YouTube - ‪Alienware M15x Vs. Alienware M14x.‬‏)


Screen, Keyboard, and Trackpad (Copied from my M14x review)

Everyone knows this is where the system got shafted. Display is bright and has vibrant colors but for a premier price tag and quality the display is lacking. From my point a view it’s a downgrade compared to the M15x screen and looks rather low quality compared to a XPS system with the screen upgrade or a Sony Z (Only two high quality screens I have spent time with). This alone may be my reasoning for switching to the M17x r3 in the future. Resolution is perfect for its size which bumps my rating up. For everyday use the screen will not be an issue but stack it up against the elite screens and it fails. Brightness is a shade lower than my M15x with screen brightness on high.
Viewing angels are great when glare is not relevant. Since I know about the poor screen quality my score is slightly higher due to the fact it’s burned into my head the display isn’t great.
Alienware makes some of the best typing keyboards in the business. Keyboard feels more solid with a comfortable feel compared to older M15x. Keys have a higher luxury feel to them with ideal spacing for typing papers and general use. I did notice some flex when applying force to keys. It’s almost like a sponge feeling which seems to be purposely designed that way. Solid keyboard I really enjoy typing on.
Trackpad is easy to use and much more up to date compared to the M15x textured style trackpad. My only grip is the right side of the palm rest gets very hot on the M14x.
M15x hands down wins in the screen category. Keyboards are similar but the M14x is superior due to its rubber/leather palmrest. Trackpad the M14x wins. I hate the M15x trackpad and rarely use it.
Audio on both systems was above average. The M14x is crisp with a good bass. Seems crisper than M15x audio. The M15x appears to be about 25% louder than the M14x.

House in HD video ( YouTube - ‪Alienware M15x Vs. M14x Display quality‬‏)
Heaven Benchmark ( YouTube - ‪Alienware M15x Vs. M14x Heaven Benchmark‬‏)
Screen Comparision ( YouTube - ‪Alienware M15x Vs. M14x Screen quality‬‏)

Performance

Note***-Overclocking was not done on either system. I simple uploaded the current drivers from Dell’s site and ran the test. I’m very new to benchmarks and ratings so use this as my opinion only.
Here are some videos and images of the test I performed on each system. Temperatures run higher on the M14x when at idle and at full load. Since the M14x has only one fan is easy to understand why. Since my M15x has a 9 Cell battery that elevates the back of the system I did the same for the M14x. Another known issue is that the M14x fan is much louder than pervious Alienware systems. It’s noticeably loader when under load than the M15x. For me this is not an issue. Louder fan means something is working and keeping the internal components cool. One fan is doing the job two fans do on the M15x.
Both systems performed similar in test. Some the M15x did a little better and others the M14x did. Take into account the M15x is much more powerful when overclocked. For me performance the M15x wins just from the known fact it’s highly overclockable and runs cooler.

Resident Evil Benchmark ( YouTube - ‪Alienware M15x Vs. M14z Benchmark‬‏)
System Startup ( YouTube - ‪Alienware M15x Vs. M14x Startup‬‏)

M15x Test:
Stalker Results--

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Resident Evil Results-- [/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

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M14x Test
Stalker Results-- [/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

Heaven Benchmark+Temperatures-- [/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

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3DMark-- [/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

PCMark-- [/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

Note**All test done with systems in High Performance settings.
Battery Life

System setting: Screen dimmed down to lowest setting, Bluetooth off, Power saver mode enabled.
M14x can easily get over 5 hours before you need to find an outlet (Standard battery). M15x with a 9 cell battery slightly breaks the 3 hour mark but I find this number not to be consistent. Some days I can get through a three hour lecture some days I will be searching for a seat quick before system dies. 3 hours max is what I would say for M15x.

Overall- Very happy with both systems and have enjoyed using both (M14x much shorter usage than M15x). Both systems have their ups and downs. If you need something that can achieve 5 hours battery life but also game on decent settings when plugged the M14x is the way to go. For me departing with my M15x was a must. The system downclocks and under 4 hours battery life has been an issue in the past.
Sorry if video quality is suffering and this proves to not be useless. These videos where shot on my phone. Seems many are struggling with what system to get lately (Me being one of them). If you want to see how powerful the M15x overclocked check out the Benchmark section. If anyone is interested in any other comparisons just let me know.

 

So wait, I was confused. What was your final verdict as to which was better (in your opinion)?

 

Leaning towards the M17x r3. Right now its the M14x simple for the fact I need some type of battery life without downclocking. Its difficult to choose honestly.

 

I hear ye.

My original plan was to somehow raise money for an m17x (r2) and m11x (r2) and use those to differentiate between on the go and home and friends house. But with the m14x now, I can have a pretty good gaming machine plugged in, and then a regular notebook with long battery as I dont game on battery much anyways, unless its Minecraft or something for a bit in which you can just use the IGP. I would still love to get a new desktop replacement like the m18x just for the future but thats pretty unrealistic lol.

 

Just to clarify to anyone concerned, the laptop is NOT covered in leather. It is simply rubberized plastic.

 

System does perform well and at times better than the M15x depending what test I ran. Two important things was battery life which it gets plenty of and build quality. The right palm rest gets very hot which is already getting annoying when typing.

Its a very capable laptop for any game as long as your willing to lower settings depending on the demand.

 

Thank you. Its not leather but has that type of leather/rubber feel. Similar to a droid X.

 

very scratch-able..i'm hoping future versions will ditch this material and go for something that looks just as sexy but doesn't freakin !@#$%^ scratch so easily!

 

Thanks for the reviews. Lots of good info there. Thank you muchly for taking the time to perform those tests and post your impressions of both machines on here.

Am still not sure which one I will ultimately get. But I definitely learned a lot more about each lappy than I knew before.

Thanks,

Joe

 

That was very helpful! Thanks so much.

 

I really disagree, my last laptop had a shiny black plastic trim that got scratched to hell on the palm rest... i think it will be very hard to put a noticeable scratch in this, obviously if you intentional try to then yeah but just day to day usage i cant see it getting scratched. I have one that i am sending back and i have tried running my nail on it and i haven't managed to scratch it

Rubbery plastic is truly amazing on this laptop

 

Just to let you guys know the benchmarks done here aren't fair because you have used a different resolution.

There is quite a lot of difference in performance between 1600*900 and 1920*1080

 

Thanks for taking the time to do the review!

 

I think it is fair. Whichever machine I bought I would play games at its native resolution. So I'd like to know the benchmarks for the native res.

 

I second this.

 

I third this

 

Well i was just letting you guys know

You wont get as good fps as m15x

As soon as you'll use 1600 * 900 you'll much higher fps on m15x

 

It's fair because it's the native resolution m14x is 14" and m15x is 15", m15x is bigger and heavier, it's like saying "it's not fair because m15x is bigger so you can put more power in it".
EDIT: Sorry I didn't saw other posts that say the same thing