Alienware MX11 - Still Worth Buying? (2nd Hand)

I'm currently looking for a small laptop to travel with. I need one for basic web surfing, Microsoft Office work, writing, maybe some basic image/photo work, but nothing too taxing.

I rather like the Sony Vaio Pro 13 because it looks cool and has an extra battery, but it's over £1000 which is probably too much for what I want it for.

I have recently been considering getting the Asus Transformer Book T100, which has an Atom processor but has good reviews and is only £350

But then I looked on ebay and saw a bunch of Alienware MX11's (r2 and r3 models) and I started thinking...

Even at a few years old, I'd guess it would be more powerful than the Asus. And cooler than the Sony.

Most of the r2's seem to be priced around £200-£300 and the r3's around £300-£500

The main reservation, I guess, would be how hard the unit had been played. And how well these machines last, hardware- wise. I'm guessing the spec would stand the test of time.

Also, battery life - I'd be on the move so a decent battery life is important. As is wifi connectivity.

Any thoughts on this - difficult - decision, much appreciated.
Would you buy a 2nd hand, 2-3 yr old, Alienware MX11?
Should I?

By the way, I currently have a Sony Vaio I bought off ebay when it was 6 months old, almost 6 years ago. I have it on every day and it's still going strong, so I know that a well made machine can have a long life.

Also, I recently bought a 'shop soiled' Alienware MX17 - and I totally love it, hence this current dilemma!

 

If you aren't going to be gaming, I would not recommend the m11x or any other small pc with dedicated graphics. You will get better battery and a lighter machine if you go for a cheap ultrabook or equivalent. That way you could buy new instead of used which can be important for battery life. Something cheap from Acer would get the job done for your requirements.

Also I would avoid Vaio right now. Sony sold Vaio, so no one knows its future as a brand and if the current models will get software support down the road.

 

The m11x will serve all purposes you mention but if you are planning on traveling and using battery a lot you may lack some battery life.

 

Just get a r1 and enjoy your battery life
Properly tuned, a r1 can get up to 16 hours (yes, sixteen hours)

And for those wondering where I get 16 hours. I have a few mods on mine that make the battery life insane!

 

When I used to use mine for typing up notes in class or Web browsing it would last me 4-5 hours. I would be using the integrated graphics card and you can switch to the dedicated if you need to do some gaming or editing. Overall the R1 served me well and I'm sure you can find one for a decent price.

Sent from Tapatalk

 

Please do share your mods with us !

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

 

Heatsink mod = fans never turn on
maxed out ram(yes this saves power)
ssd with a low power consumption
turn off the lights
dim the screen
turn off all radios not in use (wifi, bluetooth)

 

I concur. However, given the age of most M11xR1, you won't get those hours on the original circa 2010 battery now.

If you get a new battery, it'd be game on ...again.

 

Isn't the r3 model the one with the better battery life?

 

R1 has best battery life by far. If you don't mind the 2kg I'd say m11xr3 is well worth the 500£, I keep mine with me every day, going in the backpack. Very well designed and made too. Minus hinge issues of earlier models. Mine has been in and out of my backpack few times a day for 2years now or so (bought my r3 just as it got released).

Still runs most games I want to play too, though I will be upgrading. Only downside is the screen really. Has funny view angles and rather poor in general, does the job though.

My battery is at 70percent wear now or so, after few years, I keep an eye on it and don't use it on battery if I don't need to, don't game on battery with dedicated graphics too.

Another disappointment were the rubber feet, as going in and out of sleeve, they got undone in the first few months...

Again, it's a great little laptop minus the few quirks.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

 

Many of the downfalls of the m11x can be fixed.

The terrible lcd can be replaced with a IPS screen if you check out the screen mod thread.
The feet that all fall off is a little harder to fix, but you can buy aftermarket ones that will do the trick.

I do wish that msata drives were a little more main stream when the m11x was out though.... dual msata slots in the m11x would of been very nice to have.

 

True.

One other bonus of the M11xR1 is the VGA port supporting 2048x1536 which means a 24" IPS 1920x1200 monitor provides a great display option compare to the 11" which is a bit "viewing angle" challenged.

You can use the M11xR1 with VGA port in a desktop scenario in low power GPU mode when web browsing or coding and you'll hardly ever hear the fan.

I also use DP and HDMI to create a dual 24" monitor environment in which you can play two videos with discrete sound tracks for each video via the two monitors.

The downside(quirk) of the M11xR1 is the discrete GPU which is manually switched between Intel and Nvidia meaning if this functionality was to be maintained you have a limited set of supported GPU driver options.

M11xR1 only has USB 2.0 bus and Ethernet 10/100Mbit

Nvidia GT335M is limited to DirectX 10.1, but still provides enough grunt to play a wide range of circa 2010 games.

My M11xR1 lost it's feet too. Bought some bigger rubber feet and now fine with better air cooling to boot.

I just put an 802.11ac PCIe mini-card in my M11xR1, but still limited by USB 2.0

 

I won't be getting rid of my R1 anytime soon. I have been looking at getting a R3 or maybe a R1/R2 M14x. I just wish they still had the M11x in production.

 

As someone who has several alienware laptops I can say the m14x is kinda useless compaired to the m11x.

 

Just picked up another R1 Cheap, looks like it was dropped and pulled the wires from the back of the screen when the hinge let go. It still works from a external monitor. I have never even did the bios overclock on my first R1. I will be trying to push this one harder.

 

Do you guys think a m11x r3 for $400 would be a good price ...I own a AW 18 but wouldnt mind a m11x

 

I believe $400 for an R3 would be an unbelievable bargain. It does, of course, depend on the condition of the machine. If it's in a working condition, and the LCD is still attached—it's a very good price!

 

What he said, if it's in good shape BUY IT NOW. If I would of found one in good shape for that price I would have grabbed it quick. I have around 400 in my first R1 two years ago. My second R1 I have about 350 in, that includes 8gb of ram and SSD for it.