The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Just got an M17-R1.. Vista or Windows 7? Trying to figure out what's optimal..

    Discussion in 'Alienware Area-51/Aurora and Legacy Systems' started by MasternX, Jun 17, 2015.

  1. MasternX

    MasternX Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Alright! So I just got my VERY first Alienware system.. it's an M17-R1 from 2009! I got a killer deal on it as it has some cosmetic damage, but after reading the restoration thread posted on here awhile back, I have began scouring the net for replacement parts. Anyway, below are the specs for this system. My question is, which operating system will be optimal for my system? Windows Vista or Windows 7? Currently it's running a fresh install of it's original Windows Vista Home 64bit package. Besides regular web surfing, I will be using Photoshop on this and STEAM (for HL2, Left 4 Dead, etc.. i.e. games that support DirectX 10 and lower). Thanks in advance!

    Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P8600 @ 2.40GHz
    RAM: 3gbs of DDR3
    Video Card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870
    Hard Drive: ST9320421ASG ATA Device (320gb)
    Optical Drive: Optiarc DVD RW AD-7590S ATA Device (missing the face plate, doh!)
     
    MasternX, Jun 17, 2015
    #1
  2. ayylmao

    ayylmao Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    174
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    41
    It came out in 2008/2007, so I would say that Vista would be the best for it.

    Vista isn't as bad as people say when the most recent updates are installed. It's usable. I'd keep it the way it is. You're not really going to get a performance boost through 7 anyways as that laptop is old.
     
    ayylmao, Jun 17, 2015
    #2
  3. MasternX

    MasternX Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Makes sense.. I'm applying all of the updates now. I'm also gonna go through and make sure I'm using the newest drivers for everything. Wondering, anyone else out there with my same rig? If so, any recommendations/tips/trick/tweaks? Thanks!
     
    MasternX, Jun 18, 2015
    #3
  4. protivakid

    protivakid Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    88
    Messages:
    613
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Vista uses Kernel NT 6.0 Windows 7 uses NT 6.1. I was always under the impression that Windows 7 was just Vista with a slight face lift and performance optimizations. I say go with 7 if you have a key. All the Vista drivers will work on it fine if you can't find Windows 7 drivers.
     
    protivakid, Jun 18, 2015
    #4
  5. brooklonsfinest

    brooklonsfinest Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    6
    The Alienware M17 was released January 2009. It is the last of the true boutique Alienware (before dellionwares). The smoothest performance will be found on windows 7. I would consider upgrading the laptop to an x9100 extreme cpu , ram to 8gb (with correct bios), black scorpio hdd unless you go solid state. Ztronics.com has parts if you need them.
     
    brooklonsfinest, Jul 27, 2015
    #5
  6. protivakid

    protivakid Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    88
    Messages:
    613
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Didn't some of the extreme Core 2's have stuttering issues in games on that model?
     
    protivakid, Aug 3, 2015
    #6