Alienware Promotion/Deal?

Hey, I'm looking to buy a notebook/netbook and I've narrowed my choices down to the M11x, M15x, and a few models of other brands. I'm leaning towards an Alienware M11x for its size over the M15x, lower price, and decent gaming performance.

But one thing that troubles me is that it seems that the $150 off deal for M11x notebooks is nearing its end in a week or two. Once this deal ends, do all of these laptops return to their normal price, or does another promotion quickly start up? I rather like the "free" 500GB HDD that comes with using the current promotion of the $999 M11x.

Also, as a general question, how would an i5 520UM 4GB M11x perform on high-end games like BFBC2, CoD6, MoH, JC2, etc. without overclocking? Should I upgrade further or is this capable enough?

Thanks very much!

 

You have to remember that the M11x is not a mainstream gaming laptop. It's conception is more for casual gaming than regular gaming. This laptop was designed to be a very high end netbook, with power beyond what an Atom processor can offer. It also has a high battery time like many netbooks.

If you are looking for a decent gaming laptop to run high-end games, i think the M15x would be better suited for you, but, like you said, would cost more $$$.

 

the promotion deal for m11xr2 where it is $150 off, will just keep renewing, because when i bought mine in september, it said it would end in 3 days. After I ordered it, the promotion just extended for another 3 weeks and so on when ever i check

 

Rassal, thanks for your opinion. I will continue looking into the M15x, although its large size, 9 pound build, and 1-2 hour battery life is rather dissuading. The power in it sounds exceptional, but I wouldn't mind playing the latest games on mixes between low, medium, and high settings to achieve a playable framerate. Because I've never been near an Alienware, I have to take the words of various sources I am researching to tip the decision between the two Alienwares.

Instantcold, thanks A LOT for your comment. I was really having a fit trying to decide which notebook to choose before the deal was over and their prices were not as enticing. In fact, when I heard that people had used the same deal months ago, I had simply thought that the promotion started a while ago and I just arrived right when it was coming to an end.

Thank you! I'm really split because this will be a much needed laptop replacement for my 6-year-old one, and I want it to be a great buy.

EDIT: As a curiosity that might affect my decision, I've a lot about mixed talk about problems with the hinge. The hinge on the M15x seems much more stable and I'm not sure if an M11x I buy is doomed to break.

 

For me maybe i am a lucky one because my m11xR2 doesn't have a hinge problem, everything is in place, screen doesnt touch keyboard unless i apply alot of weight on the lid.

That deal kind of tricked me because I thought the deal was gonna end so I just bought it to replace my XPS1220, but I am loving it. I move around alot for college and I need battery life sometimes. Mostly I just hook this little beast on my 24hdtv and mostly play Starcraft 2, which runs beautifully, or just surf the web. M11xr1/r2 isnt a hardcore gaming rig but if your looking for something for casual gaming or whatever m11xr2/r1 is good for you. The decision is up to you

 

If you go for the i7 in the m11x, you might aswell go for the m15x. They had a deal for a m15x, with an i7 and a radeon 5850 for 1400. Not sure if the deal is still on though. Unless portability an issue for you. Then go for the m11x. I got my R1 in June. And I dont regret it. It doesnt play every game on high or ultra. But amazing power to weight ratio.

 

They changed the deal for m11xr2, it used to be for i7, but they lowered it to an i5 I think

 

I own an M11xR2, and i can't force anyone to like or dislike that laptop... i love it. I had a screen problem (not hinges... yet) but after 1 month, the screen turned black and never worked anymore it had to be changed.

But otherwise, despite the low resolution (1366x768) it's an awsome laptop, i love it. It does all the gaming need i want, and i play the same games at about the same framerate i have on my Core i7-930 desktop with 3870 xfire... except i play them on my desktop on a 27inch monitor at 1920x1200... the M11xR2 for me is a compromise for portability... and for that it achieves it's goal... quick lan parties with friends are done in a 15min turn around... which i cannot do if i carry over my desktop with an antec p190 casing and a dell 2709 monitor... portability and autonomy with long battery life... i love it, best laptop ever i got and i bought like 8-10 laptops in the last 10 years i would say.

 

Instantcold, was the deal for the i7 M11x also for $999 when you got it? If so, I would probably wait a couple weeks to see if it comes back for a nice free $150 processor upgrade.

Also Rassal and Bushman, the M11x seems like a great compromise between power and portability as well. I still am getting urges towards the powerful M15x, but after seeing that the M11x can run recent games at decent settings, I don't think I would need amazing graphics. I'm planning to use the HDMI feature quite a bit but I don't think an 11.6" screen needs an HD res and I don't know why people would want such an insane pixel density

Hardware problems seem pretty widespread. Is it actually such a problem that there's a massive chance that I will experience one as well?

Thank you guys again. Even though you guys keep suggesting the M15x as an alternative, you're just making me like the M11x more, haha. Laptops like Vaio, ASUS, and other Dells seem pretty good but from reviews, they don't sound as well built. I appreciate the info on the renewing "sales" though!

 

You can pick up an m15x right now with a i7, 6gb ram, 5850, nebula red for 1.4k..


This is with epp, if i were buying right now, thats what i would do.