Total newbie needs answers

Hello. Sorry if I missed some area where you're supposed to ask this stuff. Anyway, I'm a long-time Dell user but in recent years my computer knowledge has deteriorated. I was hoping to get some help on one of these. I know NOTHING about Aleinware at the moment. So I have some question as I am relatively uninformed.


1. In addition to being a gaming laptop, how good is it at the all-around stuff? I'm gonna need a laptop MORE SO for multi-tasking, word processing, internet use, conversion programs, using a capture device for TV, DURABILITY (my current laptop has lasted me 6 great years, I'm looking for the same longevity out of what I buy next) etc. than for gaming (In fact I'm only looking to play a handful of games but my current laptop isn't up to that task as it is 6 years old). Will one of these live up to those expectations? Is there a big difference between 6GB and 8GB for RAM with this in mind?

2. I read that these don't have CD/DVD drives and I found that to be pitiful. So... how does a gaming laptop not have a CD drive??? Has Steam become the Netflix of computer gaming? There's quite a bit I'm looking for that is NOT available on Steam. So while it seems fairly petty, the lack of a built-in CD drive has me dissatisfied... but most other laptops I'm looking for a value with aren't going to be able to handle the gaming I'm looking for.

3. If I'm going with this, money isn't much of an issue but I would naturally like to spend as little as possible, so for a guy who's only looking to play a handful of games (all that are a year old or much OLDER), what kind of specs would be reasonable and not overkill (also keeping in mind my other PC needs I mentioned earlier)? I'm looking at the following specs right now (please tell me if this is overkill):

Code:

Processor
	Intel® Core™ i5 2410M 2.3GHz (2.9GHz w/Turbo Boost, 3MB Cache)	

Operating System
	Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English	

Wireless
	Intel® Wireless-N WiFi Link 1000 a/g/n 1x2	

Memory
	6GB DDR3 at 1333MHz	

Video Card
	1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M using NVIDIA Optimus™ technology	

Hard Drive
	750GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s	

Display Panel
	14.0" High Def (720p/1366x768) with WLED backlight	

WirelessHD
	None	

Optical Drive
	8x SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Slot Load Optical Drive
	
Audio
	Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio	

Bluetooth
	Internal Bluetooth 3.0

I think that's all for now. Thanks for any help!

 

The m14x does have a DVD drive. The m11x doesn't. Some people remove the DVD drive on their m14x to put in another hard drive.

Don't buy RAM from Alienware, it's overpriced. Buy it yourself later on if you want it, and install it yourself.

The stock wifi card is awful, from what I hear. I would spring for the killer wireless card.

I'd also go with the i7 2630 processor since you're doing a lot of multi tasking.

 

The Optical Drive
8x SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Slot Load Optical Drive is you CD drive. If you want to spring for the I7 2630 would be a little better with the extra threads. But you don't have to. Yes get the better wifi card it will help if your on the move. Buy the ram from New Egg or some other source much much cheaper. From what you have stated not being a die hard got to have the latest and greatest, looks like your spec's are just fine for you. Just go small on the ram and upgrade your self. Enjoy what ever you decide.

 

Ugh, why is the RAM not a good idea with Alienware? I'm not at all adept at hardware; my ideal computer is one I can just buy with what I want, I don't like the idea of having to "install it on my own." Is it just the price? I don't mind paying for the convenience.

Is i7 really necessary for multitasking?

And any specific wi-fi card? I think they have like 2 more listed. Is it really necessary? For the most part I only use wi-fi while I'm at home.

 

The reason its a bad idea is because its being sold for twice the price. Alien ware is extremely user friendly when it comes to installing parts. If you can't do it then, there's no way you can piece lego blocks together.

Even then, its still easier than legos!

 

Well you can't kill Legos with static electricity, but so long as you buy a $7 anti-static wrist tether and don't work on a carpeted surface, I'd agree with you.

RagahRagah--There's actually quite a debate about whether or not the i7 is worth it. See this thread for seven pages of fun-filled reading on the topic. Both sides have made some pretty good arguments; you should read through and decide for yourself if you think the upgrade is worth it:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m14x/599498-why-not-i5-m14x.html

 

1) I'm not sure, I don't personally have one but i've tried a friend's and it works very smoothly, more so than other laptops i've used including the macbook pro.

2) it does have a CD drive, that's the Optical drive. the m11x does not, but all the others do.

3) I would recommend getting the 500gb hard drive instead of the 750, it costs $80 more and you can get an external 1 TB hard drive for that price, which you can use on other commputers and to back up data. also, since the regular WIFI isn't the best, I would recommend the Killer wireless-N.

 

1) Gaming laptops do everything else very well since gaming requires very high performance, so "everything else" would be no problem

2) M14x has an optical drive

 

I already have a rather large external. So yeah, will probably opt for the 500 although I like my convenience with being able to store all my game files on my PC.


I'll check out that link and thanks, I think I feel confident enough to make my decision now aside from the "i5 or i7?" question, which I'll decide for myself, so thanks, everyone! But in all honesty, the most I do at one time is convert a video while browsing the internet; am I really gonna need i7 just to do that, especially with 6 GB of ram?

Oh, and is there a general idea of whether Bluetooth is a good idea for this? THought about getting an internal bluetooth card. Will this cause any issues/overclock?

 

Everyone missed this (I think)... UPGRADE your screen resolution to the 1600x900. Regardless of what you do, it's pretty much the best single thing you can add to this laptop. Add that and you have a near identical setup to mine. Don't skimp on the screen, you won't regret it.

 

The NEWEST game I plan to play is a year old and I don't plan on buying much (if anything) that's new. I'll need some big-time reasoning to convince me why it would be worth it for someone like me to spend that kind of money on anything but the standard screen (which is already 720p... pretty solid). I'm looking at gaming as a SECONDARY reason for my purchase; I just want the specs to be enough that I won't have any issues to worry about with the few games that I DO play, which is the reason I might want to go with Alienware.

 

The 720p screen is dimmer than the 900p. What with the reflective screen on the m14x you'll want all the screen brightness you can get.

 

Dim to the point that it's seriously going to bother me to a point of frustration and is worth another 75 bucks to get a slightly better one?

 

The main advantages of a higher resolution screen are actually found more outside of gaming. Having a higher resolution gives you more desktop room, which is better for viewing documents, web browsing etc because more can be displayed on the screen at any given time. You can also drop your resolution to 1366x768 if it's impacting your in game performance too much, because even the games you are playing are a year or older, that doesn't mean that won't be as demanding (or in some cases more demanding) than some of those being released today.

 

Ok, and again, what about Bluetooth? Does having an internal bluetooth card act as a detriment in any way?

 

Do you use any bluetooth devices which you might want to connect to your laptop?

 

Depends on what I CAN connect. Possibilities are PS3 controller, mouse and headset.

 

It seems you are answering your own questions and like the answers you are giving your self. If it is the base model you want and do not want to spend for any upgrades then purchase one and I am sure you will be happy with your own decision. You are asking gamers and high end user's for advice when you really want a base model for really non gaming low end use.

 

Definitely not answering my own question, lol. I'm asking if Bluetooth acts as a detriment to the laptop in any way; I've heard of such devices acting as such before. I also emphasized that whilemy gaming needs are minor, nothing else I'm looking at that I like is up to that task.

 

Once again just looking for an answer to the bluetooth question before I decide I'm probably going to get one of these.

 

I don't see how it would. For my gaming devices I prefer wired connections though.

 

Well I assume you can hook up a wired 360 controller or a USB for PS3 controller but that requires some weird, unofficial drivers/installation, doesn't it?

 

I've just gone into a computer \ games store and bought an xbox360 usb for windows controller, works like a dream and no extra drivers needed

you only really need bluetooth if you actually have bluetooth devices to use... I got it just for the sake of having it really

 

Do you mean has to be used in "Games for Windows" or was that just a general statement? If it was the latter, care to tell me exactly what kind it is (of you still have it) so I know of a safe choice?