Anybody use the m11x as a primary computer?

I've been doing some research the past couple days and I'm really liking the m11x but went to best buy to check out the screen size difference from what im used to (15.4" 1440x900) and while they didnt have any 11" laptops the 13s looked quite small.

My other option is to hop on up to the new xps 15, which is a bit heavier and larger than my current...but the screen size is 15.6 with a 1080p display, graphics card and other specs would be pretty similar to the m11x i'd be looking at. i5 460, 4 gig ram, gt 420 video card.

I'm thinking the small size inhibits movie watching at home or something? :dunno:

 

I use it as my home computer, the screen is a little on the small side yes but it's nothing a 200 dollar monitor/tv can't fix.

 

yea i just plug into a 1080p lcd whenever im at home

 

Yes and I have done since I bought it a few months ago

 

Same here for me

 

Theres a bigger focus on portability with this machine. If you dont see yourself being mobile with it (needing the 6-8hrs of battery life) then ask yourself - is the Low voltage Processor worth (for you) the hit in performance? There are plenty of alternatives if this is just gonna be strictly a home pc. Although, I will admit, when I first purchased this machine I didnt intend to use it all that mobile. Now, being about 4 months into the purchase, my m11 comes with me every time I leave the house. Frankly, it just comes in handy in the strangest of places. Just my 2cents to help with your buying decisions.

Happy Holidays,
Dank

 

I gave my desktop to my little brother when his died about a year ago and after replacing my gateway FX laptop with the M11x in February I have used it as my only computer. I only play L4D2 and Borderlands and I have it attached to my old 19" 1440x900 monitor. I travel with it and also use it attached to my LED tv to watch movies. Performance is more than enough for me 99% of the time but I do miss tweaking and benching the desktop.

My plan was to build a new desktop but as I haven't needed one yet I'm waiting for Sandy Bridge to drop so that I'm not building an i5 system that is obselete in 3 months.

 

There is absolutely nothing stopping you from using the m11x as a desktop replacement, it will work.

I'll recommend an external large LCD monitor, and perhaps a full size ergonomic keyboard.

However, at the proposed price, I don't see many advantages to just buying a full size desktop if you don't need the portability.

 

Thanks for the replies. I will never use a full size desktop for many years to come. I do almost all my computing with the laptop on my lap in bed or on the couch, occasionally when I have to do some real typing i sit at my desk. It was more of comparing the m11x to the larger, heavier, less portable 15.6/15.4" laptops like the new xps 15. I have been thinking about it and they are just too big, a whole inch longer and no change in other dimensions than an old inspiron 1501 that I am posting on now.

I think I will take the screen hit, get a long warranty and down the line in a couple years get a bigger laptop for gaming or something when this m11x can no longer handle it. And at the same time still have the m11x as a portable option (probably will need a new battery though - i seem to go through them like candy).


Unless anyone knows of a similar alienware in a 13" size with a better screen coming out soon! That would be perfect!

 

I do, works nicely.

 

I'm a little doubtful of a m13x coming out any time soon, the m11 is barely on the market so it would be in their best interest to wait a little longer to increase their market share. Then they put out the 13 forcing those of us who would want that increased size to switch.

 

I use it as my main computer.

 

This is my main computer with 24inch hdtv

 

M11x, two 24" IPS monitor, unifying logitech keyboard/mouse, USB switch, USB Hub, USB printer, scanner, BD player, DVD player, external disk...etc etc...

If you use an M11x as a primary computer, it'll just be slower CPU wise, than a conventional desktop. You'll also need an external monitor, keyboard and mouse.

The following post shows a multi-system layout.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/532009-do-you-use-usb-docking-station-do-they-work-one-best.html#post6876089

 

The m11x is my primary computer now since I have to move around everywhere. Perfect for college.

On a side note, Microsoft is selling Age of Empires III Complete Collection for 10 CENTS! Spread the word.
Day7 - Games For Windows

Cheers.

 

Discussion here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...l-currently-selling-age-empires-iii-10-a.html

Thanks.

 

i am using it as primary now.

 

I think a real dock station would go really good with m11x. But I don't think many people share my enthusiasm about it. Can't you really game over USB dock?

 

its my main computer and only computer.. but i also live in a suitcase and travel alot.... so i cant have desktop..

 

No offense, but a Docking Station would be a terrible idea for this laptop.

The only benefit a Docking Station gives is convenience of connecting / disconnecting multiple peripherals all at once. The drawback of a docking station is that the docking station connector on the laptop takes space and money.

I can easily see why people would want to connect the Alienware M11x to a desktop setup with a large monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. However, I don't know how many people are willing to add extra size, weight, and cost to the laptop for the convenience of being able to dis/connect all of that at one time.

 

Just for the record, I did a poll months ago, maybe time for a new one asking just what the OP is asking. 2:1 people used it as their primary machine.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/467003-your-m11x-primary-laptop-secondary.html

 

Sure do. I do keep my other laptop handy in case I need to rip something off a CD, though.

 

I use it at home with a 24" screen and bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

 

As a University student, yes!
I bought it to replace my 17 inch HP and I couldn't be more happier with the choice.

 

Hey, seeing that you have a Youtube account, I asume you edit on your m11x? Is it good for a full time editing computer? Thats kinda what im using it for too, Youtube videos.

 

Yeap, I do all of my video editing on the M11x.
I have the i7 with the 4gigs of RAM.

I use Sony Vegas also by the way, the interface editing part doesn't seem to have much lag, maybe when you're loading bigger videos but when you're actually cutting and editing it's pretty lag-free. When you preview videos it's also pretty lag-free but a bit choppy still. The rendering time is on the longer side, but it's stable enough of you do do other things while videos render.

Make sure you have ThrottleStop on while editing and rendering, I also run Sony Vegas with the Nvidia card, I'm not sure if it helps at all.

 

I have ordered the i5 Model, am I gonna see any other problems with Sony Vegas other than lag, which doesn't bother me that bad ive been using a 1GB computer thats 32bit to do editing in Vegas so I assume no matter what this is gonna feel like a huge upgrade to me.

 

I do exactly this when I get home from work. It works like a charm. I'd highly recommend it if you want a desktop and have a bit of spare change hanging around.

 

I have Camtasia myself and it crank out a 15 minute video in a little under 2 hours. Works very well too. I always keep the discrete card on so I don't know if it'll effect the quality if you use the integrated card.

 

I have a nicely overclocked, silent, matx, i7 (920) with 6GB ram and a nvidia 275 gtx as my desktop. it used to have a4870x2 in it, but it was just too loud. I bought the m11x as a portable computer and was expecting to be using my desktop whilst at home. In reality, whats happened is i've stopped switching on my desktop and am using the m11x for everything now. A desktop replacement? Yes, and I really wasn't expecting that.

Nox

 

Awesome, that brightens my mood. I was kinda nervous about getting it since all im really gonna use it for is minecraft and editing my skits for my channel

 

I came from a 17inch HP laptop that had an Intel Centrino 2 with 4 gigs of RAM. It was pretty powerful a few years ago and I used it for editing still.

The M11x still showed a very friendly improve for video editing, so you will have 0 problems since we're in the same boat.

 

It's all I use, and 90% of the time I'm on the 11" screen, occasionally I'll be HDMI to my 32" TV.

 

Awesome, thanks man I can't wait to get back to making my Youtube videos, maybe I will buy a m15x with my Google checks if I like how this alienware runs.

 

Well, you could also have another hard drive or an optical drive. I don't know if connector itself would take THAT much space and weight... at least it doesn't seem like that on Thinkpad. It would be just another connector somewhere on the side with all these wires rerouted. After all it's just a connector, probably with basic switching circuitry. Where would all that extra mass come from? Plastic connector? It would be like a Playstation, you would just hook it up to the rest of components instead of a TV.

I was thinking in terms of using it as a primary computer (as per the thread title). It was quite a bit of nuisance for me to constantly plug-unplug the monitor, keyboard, mouse, AC adapter, speakers, an external web cam and an ethernet cable. Without a real dock, I find it extremely inconvenient to use it as a primary computer.

 

People always assume that if you aren't mobile, that you should have a Desktop. However, if you prefer to do your computing all over the house, on the couch, in bed, the garden etc then a Desktop won't be much use.

 

You can always use one usb cable to a hub for keyboard, mouse, optical drive, and then VGA or HDMI to your LCD screen. Only two cables required. It is a nice feature to just pop it on a dock, but something you're more likely to see on a business class machine, and with added cost and weight.

 

Yeah, I know. There is also an ethernet cable and an AC adapter. Add to that USB dock an ethernet and an HD webcam.... and I feel we'll quickly pass the bandwidth of a single USB port. Plus, still not as super-convenient as e.g. Ultrabase dock. You just put it in, and it clicks. It would even work if you would just insert the laptop in a box that has all the connectors at the right spots. That's even simpler solution. So with the current technology it's AT LEAST 4 cables (USB for the dock, Ethernet, AC and a display). But lets say they put all 4 of those on one side. You would slide the laptop in and it would get connected. I felt m11x is certainly powerful enough to serve as a main computer.

 

This is my main laptop...

 

I use my desktop with an old 8800gt for PB games since dam NVIDIA wont fix the issue... I just plug the M11x into a 22 inch monitor though.

 

For one, I was thinking Wi-fi, as I rarely use ethernet on my laptop, and completely ignored the AC adapter (d'oh)!

Good point though, even if they could standardize the side ports at least amongst all Alienwares, all Dell's, All HP's, etc so one dock for each manufacturer for the most part, then that is a great idea, just slide it in and click. Although it would probaly be a design nightmare to get an HDMI, Ethernet, AC, and USB all to align properly.

Although you could probably integrate an ethernet card into the dock, so it could pass through USB, especially if it is USB 3.0.

Otherwise you're talking about a specifically designed connector that would definitely add cost, weight, and consume packaging space inside the machine. For a 15" or 17" not a huge deal but for a 13" or smaller a much bigger consideration.

 

I'm not sure a USB 2.0 dock supporting video (HDMI, DisplayPort), keyboard, mouse, printer and all the other USB gubbins over one uplink would really work.
Insert/remove a USB stick and your video would probably 'hang' due to system interrupts.

USB switch for USB devices and Keyboard/mouse, yes.

Most true docking uplinks have bespoke interfaces. My Toshiba interface has over 60 pins and that doesn't support HDMI or DisplayPort. The M11x doesn't have such a port so the whole thing is unfortunately a moot point.

A primary computer is a bit like asking which is your favourite child.
They all have their own strengths and weaknesses, but have the potential of preforming similar tasks.

With the flick of a button on my USB switch I have access to four 'primary' computers and all the USB devices on the hub(s) the USB switch is attached to. In my desktop's case that could be over 20 USB ports/devices.

So I connect my two(2) M11x assigned cables (HDMI and/or DisplayPort) and USB switch uplink, press a button on the USB switch and my M11x is my primary computer. Damn!! that's is one more cable than a docking uplink.

Press a button on the USB switch and my desktop is my 'primary' computer and so on. This all happens without cables having to swapped and allowing access for the primary computer to the complete USB device farm.

Using a USB hub to connect different 'primary' computers is just to painful, as it requires unplugging/plugging your USB hub uplink each time.

I know, call me lazy, but a USB switch is the only way to go when selecting each of your primary computers in a small home office.

Edit: My 25.5cmx20cmx2.2cm cia 1999 Toshiba Portege netbook has a true dock. It supports, power, Ethernet, VGA, 3.5mm audio, USB, mouse/keyboard, serial and parallel port. On the netbook the interface is 4.0x0.5cm and 'could' slot in where the old VGA is on an M11xR1. On an M11x you'd probably need, power, HDMI, USBx2, DisplayPort, Ethernet and SPID audio. I reckon it's doable, they did it on a smaller device than an M11x ten years ago and still had room for a PCMCIA slot as well. But of course, it's all a dream.

 

Well I have the dock connector on 12.1" X200 Thinkpad, so I don't think it's *too* hard. I found it extremely helpful, as I have tons of stuff connected to the dock at work, including a spare 90 W power supply. I don't think aligning would be that big of a problem - if the design is consistent. (Again, R2 has different ports...) I even thought of doing it myself (I have access to the machine shop at my university), but then the hinges became more of a priority, and eventually I just felt it would take me too long to do it.

Before I bought m17x, I thought it would be really neat if there was an equally simple way of hooking up m11x. I used it for few months like this:



and yeah all that plugging/unplugging was kind of getting tedious. But otherwise, it worked great and games were working just fine on the 19" screen. So anyway, I would say you could easily use it as a primary computer, if you don't mind handling cables all the time. I never had any complaints about it's performance (and that was R1).

@DrGoodvibes,

USB switch is useful when switching with multiple computers. But I was referring to something else - using just m11x in two "modes". Portable laptop mode when it's disconnected from everything, and docked mode when it's hooked up to a bunch of external components. If I need to get the laptop out to show something to someone, I press a button and take it off. Dock stations simply rock for doing that sort of things. Especially if you need to do that often, and I usually do when I'm in the office.

 

True, I hear what you're saying. I have a true dock for my Tosh.

Plug in the interface, press power button and you're all go.

Brilliant.

I just wonder if a USB 2.0 dock could handle the services offered by the M11x (HDMI and/or DisplayPort and etc.) including system interrupts.

A factory bespoke dock interface on an M11x would make me more excited than a Meercat discovering an open rubbish bin in an African safari park. i.e pretty excited. However, there's more chance of an excited Meercat than an M11x getting a true dock interface, is my guess.

A home made dock for the left side of an M11x may be interesting, but detaching the Ethernet and DisplayPort may require some engineering skills to develop. Interesting though.

 

You could just remove the snap tab for the ethernet if it were wedged up against there. Definitely a good project. If I did a lot of plug/unplug I probably would make something myself. Seems like it wouldn't be too difficult, as long as you could get everything to align easily.

I guess I have a netbook and a DTR so I don't worry about those things. Although syncing data can be a pain.

 

I use it am my main computer! It is a good computer, but mine has recently started randomly turning off

 

I use it as a main computer. I really dont need a desktop.

 

I plan to use mine as a main computer. Why would you not wanna use it as a main computer? Its portable, and powerful. Can't beat that

 

Well, it's lacking in some ways: no true dock, no eSATA, no gigabit ethernet, slow CPU, no GPU upgrades, and no room for RAID. Not everyone needs or wants those things, but they do matter to some folks.

That's not to rag on the M11x; every computer has design trade-offs. I'm just trying to point out that its failure to be a desktop replacement is not really a big deal.

 

Well of course it can't act as a FULL desktop replacement, but to most people who don't need a super powerful computer to do stuff, I think the m11x would work fine.