Where is the perfect Alienware(ie the Perfect Laptop)

I have loved Alienware ever since my brother bought one back in 2008. I always thought my next laptop would be an Alienware, but now due to their new lineup, I wont be getting one.
This year the Alienware line up has been completely renewed and the M15x has been replaced by the M14x(low end) and M17x R3(High End). Of course the M11x still exists and has been revised and made more powerful; also the M17x R2 was replaced by the M18x. I am completely fine with the M11x and the M18x, they're the perfect laptops for those looking for something like that, but the ones that I am not fine with are the M14x and the M17x R3. While both are good laptops they are not perfect, they're far from it actually. What Dellienware needed was a better M15x, and not two separate machines to replace it. The previous M15x was not a perfect laptop, it was quite large for a 15inch laptop and had bad battery life. When the M17x R3 was released I had great hopes for the M15x R2, the R3 had a smaller chassis and awesome battery life, I was expecting the M15x R2to have similar improvements. But soon I found out that it was to be replaced by the M14x and the R3. From initial rumors we found out that the M14x was gonna have the GT55m and I was disappointed, but still had some hopes. But as time progressed it was confirmed that the GT555m was the card it'll have. I was really disappointed. The M14x was simply too weak.And the M17x R3, well that was just too large and failed to convince me to get it. Even though the R3 is almost the same size as the M15x but that itself was too large for a 15 inch laptop.
Here are the dimensions of the M14x-
13.27 (w) x 10.17(d) x 1.49(h) Weight - 6.45lbs

And here are the dimensions of the M17X R3-
16.14" (w) x 11.96"(d) x 1.77"(h) Weight* - 9.39lbs

And here are the dimensions of the Sager NP 8150-
14.80" (w) x 10.08" (d) x 1.38" ~ 1.69" (h) Weight - 6.83 lbs

The NP8150 has specs similar to those of the M17x R3(GTX460m to GTX485m) and is not much larger than the M14x, but it has no switchable graphics which is a dealbreaker(atleast for me, i want battery life).The reason i posted the NP8150s dimensions are to show that those specs are possible in a reasonably sized 15 inch chassis. And the NP8150 has had no heating issues. The NP8150 is the same size as a regular 15 inch laptop like the XPS 15( 15 x 10.4 x 1.5 inches and 6.6lbs ).
So my question to Dellienware is - Why did they not go with a M15x R2 that has specs similar to the R3(i7 processor + 6970m), the size of a regular 15 inch laptop- say 15"-15.5" (w) x 10-10.5" (d) x 1.5-1.8" (h) and weighing 6-7lbs(the Sager shows that such a configuration is possible to achieve in a small chassis without heating issues) and ofcourse switchable graphics(like the R3 ad the M14x) to have a battery life of around 4-5 hours(the M14x gets 4 hrs and the M17x gets 5 hours according to their respective Laptopmag reviews)?
That would have been the perfect laptop. But now i can't get the M17x R3 cause its too huge, and the M14x is simply not powerful enough to last me 3-4 years. Now what i have decided to do is get the XPS 15 now and get a desktop for gaming in another year or so when i have enough money. But that means no Alienware .
Full pol question-
Should Alienware have Improved the M15x instead of launching 2 seperate replacements in the M14x and M17x R3

 

Then don't buy an Alienware and move on since it isn't perfect enough for you. It's not like the Alienware is going to lose money over 1 complaining customer. No Offense

 

None, taken. I have moved on as i said in my post. But I am really sad that I did not get Alienware. I really wanted one.

 

Agree with above , Alienware didn't force you to buy their product. Do not screw with Alienware.

 

so all in all, you desired a perfected version of the M15x R2 system - an M15x R3, right? have you had the chance to read reviews such as this yet?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...eview-laptop-mag-2820qm-6970m-1080p-60hz.html

 

I have mentioned that the M17x R3 is too large. I would have preferred a similar revision of the M15x. As I have mentioned in my post the M15x in a smaller chassis with something like the 6970m would have been great.

And this not a hate thread, I still love Alienware and if the next time i buy a laptop my first choice will still be an Alienware. I a just disappointed that after 3 years of waiting for one, when i finally am ready to buy an AW, they don't have a suitable machine. I think many would agree that a smaller and more efficient M15x would have been better than M14x and the M17x R3

 

Overall , its seem you are upset with the 1" smaller release of m14x other then m15x , maybe you could get an external monitor for home use?

 

When I read this post. I pictured Mortal Kombat, only the theme song though

dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun

FIGHT

To be on topic: yes, you should move on. Alienware did a very smart business move. Sagers ain't that bad, the 8130 even has a matte screen. BAZING

 

I am disappointed with the M14x for having a weak GPU, an year from now the GT555m will start showing its age.

 

I agree with you that a revised M15x would have been perfect. To me, the M14x is just a tad too small and the M17x is too large. A slimmer and upgraded M15x would have sold me, but since they only seem to offer the extremes of what I would like, I'll be going with the M18x.

 

R.I.P. M15x

<s> Was</s> IS quite an impressive platform,GPU support wise
But i voted NO.

 

ikant to be honest man if you don't like the 14 and want a 15 look at the Dell outlet store. Right now they have the 15 and a 20% off coupon out, you can get a nice system for $1100.

 

I agree...a 11" inch portable, 15.4" standard, and one larger system..M18x would have made a ton more sense. The 14" is right in the middle of no where..its not small, but its held back because its not a full 15...who knows. the "middle" is the 15.4 inch laptops, always has been.

 

I think the OP has a point as I would also like to see an M15x revision that reduced the chassis dimensions to that of an average 15" laptop whilst retaining a cutting edge GPU. I'd steer clear of the M17xR3 as it doesn't support SLI/Xfire (if I'm not mistaken) and- in my belief- a laptop has no business being that big without 2 GPUs.

 

I agree, slimming down a M15x r3 with a decent GPU would have been a much better idea than the m14x with average GFX. Now customers have a difficult decision to make between the M11x and the M14x.

I've never seen the 8150hm in person, but from all accounts, it's a serious power house in a 15" form. Anyone actually compared one size wise to the M15x?

 

Yeah, I also agree with you. However, I also feel that the M14X should have been released as an M13x with the same specs. I feel like the M14X is a bit too big with somewhat average battery life to be considered a very portable machine, but also too underpowered to stand the test of time as a solid performance machine.

This would have been a more impressive line up (for me at least):
M11X R3
M13X (same specs as M14X)
M15X (size of regular 15 inchers)
M17X R3
M18X

 

m15x is too big. m14x isn't, m17x is...

 

You're right, half the people here don't even seem to have read your post, what you have said is definitely the perfect laptop.

 

Umm... just so you know, the M17x-R3 is thinner than an M15x, and only an inch wider...

 

They got the size reduction from the M17x R2 by amputating one of the GPU's. So it was never an option for the M15x, which remains a very formidable system. Maybe just wait and see what the M14x R2 has to offer.

 

Wow, half the people still don't get what I am saying, yes I know that the M17x R3 is pretty much the size of an M15x, but I am saying that they should have tried to make that smaller instead of releasing a M14x with bad GPU(comparatively).
I know that the M17x R3 is smaller cause of a single GPU but look at the Sager NP8150- the dimensions are 14.80" (w) x 10.08" (d) x 1.38" ~ 1.69" (h) Weight - 6.83 lbs.s- same size as most 15 inch laptops and it has the GTX485m, HD6970m or GTX460m as GPU options. Now isn't that impressive? Now imagine a similar AW machine.
What I am trying to say that couldn't AW have come up with a similar machine that is not huge but is pretty powerful, just like the Sager. And imagine such a M15x, with switchable GPU(thus 4hr battery life) and B+RGLED 1080p screen(as seen on XPS 15).
Now tell me that wouldn't be awesome and who wouldn't want to buy that.

 

Basically to sum up my post, since most of you are not reading it just skimming through it-
Rather than the M17x R3 and the M14x I(and pretty much every AW fan out there) would have rather preferred the following machine-
Alienware M15x R2-
Processor

Intel® CoreTM i7 2820QM (2.3GHz/8MB cache)
Intel® CoreTM i7 2720QM (2.2GHz/6MB cache)
Intel® CoreTM i7 2630QM (2GHz/6MB cache)

Operating System

Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate 64-Bit
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-Bit
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-Bit

Memory

4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (2DIMMS)
6GB DDR3 at 1333MHz (2DIMMS)
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (2DIMMS)

Video Card

2048MB AMD RadeonTM HD6970M
1536MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX460M
1024MB AMD RadeonTM HD6870M

Display

15.6 inch B+RGLED display (1920x1080)
15.6 inch display (1366x768)

Audio and Speakers

JBL 2.1 Designed & Certified Speakers +Waves MaxxAudio®
2.1 Audio: 2 X 4W + 12W sub-woofer 20W Total

Hard Drive

Up to 750gb hard drive(7200RPM)
Up to 1000gb hard drive (54000RPM)
Up to 256GB Solid State hard drive

Optical Drive


Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD

Wireless

Wi-Fi Options:
Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1000 (1x2 bgn)
Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1030 (1x2 bgn+ Bluetooth)
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6230 (2x2 agn+ Bluetooth)
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N + WiMAX 6150 802.11 b/g/n (WiMax + 1x2 bgn)


Ports, Slots & Chassis

Ports

(1x) Power/DC-in Jack
(2x) Hi-Speed USB 2.0 ports
(1x) SuperSpeed USB 3.0/2.0 Combo ports
(1x) eSATA 3Gb/s + USB 2.0 Combo port(with USB charge function support)
(2x) Auto-sensing jacks for Line-out (1 line out; 1x SPDIF/Headphone)
(1x) Microphone Input jack
(1x) RJ-45 (10/100/1Gb IPv6)
(1x) HDMI-1.4 output with Audio
(1x) mini-Display Port
(1x) VGA Port (DB-15)
(1x) 9-in-1 Media card reader

Camera

2.0 Megapixel Video and Picture Camera

Battery
6-cell LI (2.6Ah) standard
9-cell LI (2.8Ah) (Larger and will bulge out)

Keyboard

AlienFX® Illuminated Keyboard – Exclusive Design

Color Options

Soft Touch - Stealth Black
Soft Touch - Nebula Red

Dimensions

Height (rear): 1.77" - (45mm)
Height (front): 1.75" - (44.5mm)
Depth: 10.5" - (304mm)
Width: 15" - (410mm)
Starting weight* - 6.96lbs (2.70kg) with 6-cell battery; 7.33lbs (2.87kg) with 9-cell battery

* Weights vary depending on configuration and manufacturing variability.



Now is there anyone out there that does not agree that this single machine solution would have been better than the M14x and the M17x R3. I know that I may be pushing it a bit but hasn't Sager/Clevo shown that a powerful machine in a reasonably sized chassis is possible without any heating issues. I know it would've taken great engineering but the people at AW/Dell are experienced they could have had this machine by working hard on it. Instead they opted for the current two machine solution.

 

I agree with OP. You would be a fool to buy a m14x over a Sager 8150. They should've refreshed the m15x with the HD6970. The 555m is basically a slap in the face.

 

Why let the monkeys at Dell do it when we can do it aftermarket?

 

True, but with 6970m a smaller chassis like the Sager NP8150 would've great too. sigh, i guess we do not live in a perfect world.
But I am pretty happy with my M17x R3, I actually would have been pretty pissed if they had actually released the machine suggested by OP after i bought mine.

 

i too wish they would have refreshed the 15..

i just got rid of my week old Sager 8150. nicely spec'd :485m, upgraded screen, ssd, 12gb ram, 2720qm proc..

would have been more then happy to fork over for another 15" with a similar gpu (if they had graphics switching. battery life was killing me on the sager). think i'm going to be picking up a 14x though. not exactly perfect, and i'd move on, but idk where to go lol

 

Why is this QQ thread in the M14x sub section

 

I posted in the Alienware forums, but for some reason mods transferred it here

 

Ahh ya it must have got dragged over. This seems more like a M15x thread.

 

Why are you calling people a "fool" when you don't have all your facts straight?

There are other reasons people will pick the M14X over the Sager 8150.

For example, I'm a humanitarian aid worker who teaches overseas. Sager's warranty covers US/Canada and you have to deal with the reseller in order to get coverage. This means if I travel to Thailand for 6 months for example and my Sager broke, I would have to ship it to California (reseller location and Sager Headquarters), pay 200$ and wait 4 weeks and pay another 200$ for it to be sent to me.

Meanwhile Alienware would send me a tech within 24 hours where ever I am that has the service (and I always work in the "service areas" that provide this coverage).

Make sense? I can't afford 400$ of shipping and weeks of waiting while it ships as a teacher in a foreign country.

Before you judge the purchase of others, please get your facts straight instead of name calling.

Lots of people such as myself buy AW strictly for warranty and sometimes we have to deal with a performance hit, but that's worth it in some cases like mine if I have 0 downtime as a trade-off. M14X is the perfect size for my daily commute and lesson planning back and forth to classes.

 

That sager is ugly as sin, weights more, has awful battery life(hour or less), thick and costs alot more with the 6970 or 485.

No thanks, got a desktop.

 

a flatter M14x whose weight was 5lbs, with GTX485m, 2630qm, 2x4GB, 1440x900 screen (16:10), OCZ Vertex 2 120GB, and price 1200$

now thats the perfect alienware lol.

 

No one would buy any of the other models but SLI M18x lol

 

My thoughts exactly. I have the 8130, which is almost identical to the 8150. Although the performance is incredible, it's very, very ugly on the exterior. It's a good system if you stay put in the US/Canada and if you can endure the long warranty process.

Alot of people are quick to judge and just don't realize how good the AW warranty is.

I had an MSI GX740 ...MSI took 5 weeks to repair.
I had a G73JW-3DE ...Asus took 6 weeks to repair (ended up with a refund).

After all that crap, I gave AW a shot and guess what happened?

M11X-R1 had hinge issues. Made a service call and the guy came 2 days later (I couldn't meet him the following day because of work, so it's really 24hr service).

24 hours VS 6 weeks ....people just don't understand this concept. If it's your only computer, who the hell wants to wait up to 6 weeks for the box-warranty crap to get resolved?

 

This is my point exactly. Alienware needed a laptop similar to NP8150 but with AW looks and switchable graphics. No need for M14x and M17x R3. They just needed 3 models M11x, M15x and the M18x.

 

No they just needed to give the M14x a better GPU, 1080p RGB and other luxury options like a blueray player and we would be set. I can see them decking out the M14x in R2.

 

M15X is too big/heavy for daily commute and the M11X is great for commute but too tiny to work long hours on documents. This is where the M14X comes in ...best of both worlds (well, for the most part).

Although I do agree with Revdiesel that they could of had more luxury options

 

The only reason they didn't offer a 1080p screen in the M14x is because they didn't put an "enthusiast" card in i.e. GTX series