I need reassurance

I'm getting the M11X for Christmas, mainly half and half for personal use and gaming. I've read some reviews, and watched some videos on YouTube of it running some games but I'd like to ask some people directly.

I'm getting the standard version;

Processor: Intel® Pentium® Dual Core Processor ULV SU4100 (1.30GHz, 2MB, 800MHz)
Memory (RAM?): 2048MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x1024]
Graphics card: 1GB GDDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 335M

Is this really sufficient enough to run games like Empire: Total War, Call of Duty Black Ops, Fallout 3 & Oblivion?

I'm not looking to run Crysis or those other really top-notch games, only really sort of new games and not at ultra-high graphics settings and the likes.

I apologise, because I know this has probably been asked a gazillion times already but searching hasn't found the same model with same specs I'm getting.

 

I can't speak to the R1 you're considering being able to handle those games, but if it were me I'd bump the RAM to 4GB. In the past that's been a relatively inexpensive upgrade - something like $50. If that's still the case then I'd recommend it. Others with the SU4100 should be able to provide you with thoughts on its performance.

 

Hm, well it is €100 extra for the 4GB RAM. I don't feel it completely necessary though, as I don't do much multi-tasking and if I'm playing a game.. there won't be any other program running.

Are there any other benefits to upgrading to 4GB RAM? I'm a computer noob, sorry

 

You are fine with those games, and a lot more, but you really need 4GB of RAM, that was the only thing I upgraded in the Dell site, not the processor, HDD or software, but 4GB of RAM (default was 3GB here)

 

Probably best not to get the m11x now, this seems to be a better bargain A42

 

OK good.. I'll try and scrap a bit of cash to get the extra RAM then.

Hm.. do you have another site? I'm not buying from Malaysia..

 

I read quite a lot of comments in other m11x threads to upgrade to 4 gigs of ram. While I still barely use 70% of my 3 gigs of ddr2 ram @667 mhz, I don't really see the point in getting 4 gigs, but 3 should be an absolute minimum.

If you really want a good gaming laptop, I wouldn't buy the m11x because of its weak cpu. Empire total war on a 1.3 ghz core 2 duo? Good luck with that.
My 2 ghz core 2 duo goes in great pains when playing Empire TW, you should get a quad core cpu for that game (or atleast a very high clocked dual core cpu). Especially rendering all that smoke from the guns is very cpu intensive.

 

You need the 4 gigs of ram if you want to do any sort of gaming. You also need to keep in mind that this is a mid range laptop and some games you WILL have to turn down some settings. I absolutely love this laptop but if you're looking for a real gaming laptop, then get a M15 or an M17. Or just buy a desktop because laptop gaming is silly.

 

If you're budget-limited, I would not buy RAM up front unless it's a free upgrade. You can always upgrade RAM later. The same goes for the hard drive. You cannot upgrade your CPU later.......you're stuck with it.......take this into consideration.

 

Unless the upgrade up front is cheaper than what it would normally cost to do so on your own. 100 euros is a /huge/ markup. Stick with 2GB, see how that goes and upgrade later if you feel it's necessary.

 

The reason to get 4GB of RAM is because 2GB isn't enough. 4GB is really the only practical option to get over 2GB of RAM. Student@Antwerp is correct that technically, 3GB should be enough. But there is no practical way to get 3GB of RAM in your system. The only practical configuration above 2GB of RAM is 4GB of RAM.

The fact that you don't do much multitasking is irrelevant, because running a single game will exceed the 2GB of RAM in your proposed system specs. And as you know, once your RAM usage exceeds the amount of physical RAM in your system, the OS will start using the pagefile on the hard drive, and your entire system perofrmnace will suffer a huge hit. You avoid this altogether by makign the relatively modest upgrade up front to 4GB of RAM.

 

Thank you for the replies.

I'll get the extra RAM.

In regards to better processor. I'll try and live with the standard, as money is extremely tight and I want this baby ASAP. A few years down the line, if I'm still playing games I'll get a beast of a desktop I guess.

I probably forgot to mention, this will be my first really gaming computer/laptop.

 

I have the same processor as you and have been running COD4 and Modern Warfare 2 no problems. Seeing as Black Ops is going to run on similar specs, I don't foresee any problems. As for the RAM, I have 4GB and haven't looked back, looking at my consumption, on average 2GB of RAM is being used most of the time so you may need to do some tweaking to reduce RAM usage.

 

Is true, I have 4GB or RAM and I have never (I think) used more than 50% of it while doing normal stuff (music, movies, messenger, surfing the web, etc.)

But in games, you need it, A LOT of games need 2GB in Win7, so you are gonna be using 100% of your RAM, I dunno if you can get it later for less money, but if money is a problem, just the RAM, the CPU and HDD can last you very good for min range gaming (and mid range is hundreds of games)

 

Hm, thank you kcljj and Vidaluko.. I'll upgrade my RAM (if needed) when my warranty runs out I guess.

 

If you do get the M11x get the standard model and buy the Ram separately.

Here in the UK you can get 4GB DDR3 1333mhz SO-dimms for ~ £65 whereas the upgrade on dells website is £100.

As others have said get it and try it with 2GB to begin with. I used t run my server as a gaming pc for my wife and it ran every game I through at it with 'only' 2GB of memory, this includes the likes of Metro 2033 and Crysis. Perhaps 4GB of memory might have benefited in certain scenarios but I never really noticed a point where I thought "ooo I need more Ram here".

 

4GB of RAM is a must, especially if you are going with the C2D version.
Other than that, I'd push the Core i5 if you'd pay the extra hundred or two... it's worth it, especially looking down the road in the long run, Core 2 Duos are nearing the end of being high end, or even mid range.

The Core i5, 4GB RAM prepackage they ship in 24 hours kicks , and to future proof you're system, if you're gonna buy an m11x, get a good one. You're paying for an Alienware after all, don't cut the string short.

 

I'd say buy a base i7 and buy the RAM separately. I take that you are ordering from Europe or the UK, and in that case you can easily get faster RAM for cheaper than the cost of the upgrade directly from Dell. And unless you are going to be playing multiple games (As in 20+) at once, or you are a huge packrat, there's no need for a huge HDD. Even if you go the C2D route (Still a good choice) you should keep the things I said in mind.

 

apples and oranges tbh.

 

That's also not the same class as the M11x.

 

Indeed. My server needed some additional memory so 2GB came out of my Win7 gaming desktop for a couple of months. During that time I played The Witcher, Metro 2033, Bioshock, Bioshock 2 and Mass Effect 2 on it with "only" 2GB of RAM. Never had a problem.

 

2GB should be fine, but 4GB is probably best. I've gotten close to outta memory while playing mw2 windowed and watching like 6 HD videos at a time, but then again who's gonna do that. xP

You'll probably play these at these settings smoothly.
Empire: Total War - probably all med
Call of Duty Black Ops - all high (close to max)
Fallout 3 - all med no aa
Oblivion - idk

 

How so? Its only a fraction bigger and it weighs nearly the same (including dvd drive). It' also a lot stronger and only goes for $900 here.

 

There is a VERY big difference in terms of feel between an 11" screen and a 14" screen. A major part of the awesomeness of the m11x is the feel.

 

I'm guessing you are talking about the chassis size right? I mean why would you want a smaller screen? The whole size difference is really small. Have to remember that the m11x has an 11 inch screen but a chassis for a 13 inch. If just think the few extra inches and the performance difference (not to mention dvd) is worth it. But I guess everyone is different.

 

Well, since 14" is only a fraction bigger than 13", and 15" is only a fraction bigger than 14", and 17" is only a fraction bigger than 15", by your logic, you should really be buying the biggest laptop you can find.

 

For whatever its worth,
I would really consider WHY you are getting an Mx11 (r2 hopefully)...

Personally I do a lot of travel, and I was always trying to decide on which laptop to bring, net book or 15" heavy thing. As my 15" ASUS has been failing (big ASUS fan, but lately the laptop quality for myself and others has been questionable on newer models, lots of problems with my 1+ yr old M50sa, but my 3yr old A8J is got some busted hinges, but never a glitch) Blew up my netbook trying to hook it to a hotel tv with a non standard VGA port so I was out 2 computers

The Mx11 replaced two computers for me, and I absolutely LOVE it! But if you dont need something this portable your money can probably be spent better on another option. 4gig of ram is recommended for any win7 system, and ok you can upgrade later, but make sure you aren't getting 2 1gig mem sticks, because thats often what you get, and then upgrading to 4 is a bit more expensive... I personally think less than 4 gig on a new machine today is a mistake that will hinder your system performance.

One last thought... Its frustrating sometimes to see so many complaints with the mx11, but people usually only write if they have a problem.. I really enjoy the new tech on this thing and the lighted keyboard is actually very handy at night. The Optimus Tech is new, so a little buggy but the battery life and potential is amazing. The tricks on this site for boosting CPU performance are great and work! Overall this IS a great machine, but the idea is ultra portability + some performance.. Which is going to cost you a premium..

 

Believe me, I would LOVE to get the i5 version, but it is €300 more and I can barely afford the €700 standard M11X.

 

Those fractions of larger size and weight make a big difference, especially on airplanes and being carried around in laptop bags.

People do not typically buy the Alienware M11x as a "bargain computer". The affordable price of the Alienware M11x is certainly very nice and a very important part of the appeal. But people who buy the Alienware M11x want the portability, or the unique Alienware appearance.

The Asus A42 that you linked is probably a closer competitor to the 14" Acer TimelineX laptops, and not the Alienware M11x.

 

IMHO the real thing to seal the deal as some have pointed out is: Do you really need the portability?

Dollar to performance wise, I believe you can definitely get something better out there.

As someone who has been burnt by the myriad issues from my R1, I suggest thinking twice. The "cool" factor and pleasure of owning an Alienware quickly wears off if you have any one of the issues mentioned in the forum.

Sidenote: Dell support is hell to work with. If not for Brian's (read somewhere he has been transferred to another department?) help from this forum, I'd have returned it and simply gotten a different laptop.

Good luck on your decision!

 

I've decided!

I'm going to get the i5 version with 4GB of RAM. I'm going to do the pay monthly option. Hopefully I'll get round to ordering it later.

 

It IS a great little laptop, but for dollar and performance sake you can do better. I think aside from the hinges this is a great design, and have been very happy with it.

If you need this to last as long as possible I suggest forgoing something that caters to a specific size/portability niche.


You won't find a better package IF you are considering size with that price/performance ratio. I have been more than pleased with the the degrees Alienware/Dell has gone to accommodate its customers (again hinge issues aside and that might be pending resolution).

Honestly with the information and expertise represented on these boards I don't think you will make a bad decision. I am new here but the information here is solid. Whatever decision you make you should feel confident and happy with it. Good luck!

 

Btw, The 2GB RAM stick is like $25 on eBay... Upgrading it yourself does not void your warranty - besides you can always put the original RAM back in case the laptop needs to go to Dell. If you plan on having it for a while, I warmly recommend at least 2 year warranty.

 

Hm, I see your point unreal25.

I'll get the 2 year warranty instead of the RAM. I can always upgrade it if necessary.

 

Yes, I think that's a smart choice. Keep in mind, on the other hand, warranty is quite a bit more expensive if you want to upgrade it afterward.

RAM is really not a big deal to upgrade - you open a bottom panel and there it is - RAM is right there, nothing else to open. I am not gaming on my Thinkpad, but I find 3GB RAM to be perfectly fine for anything else I am using it for.

 

I'm getting the M11X i5 with 3GB RAM and 2 Year Warranty. Ordered

 

Grats! I think that's a great system!

I didn't know if there was a still option to take 2GB RAM. I took mine with 4 and overpaid... later on I found out you can just grab cheap RAM from eBay that works just as fine. (In fact the one I bought for Thinkpad, just happened to be original "Lenovo" memory... ) One of the reasons I sold mine, I didn't want to dish out $300 or so for extra warranty. Then again, when I ordered mine, hinge problem was non-existant.

 

i've only just ordered mine Can't wait for it to arrive now!! It's somewhere in Germany. If your pricing scheme was the same as ours in the UK, it would of been cheaper to order 2GB ram and buy 4GB seperately and fit it yourself, same with the hard drives - madness. Especially as it would of left bits over. I was going to get the i5 too, then I found a deal for an i7 I could not turn down.

Nox

 

Grats as well!

Yeah, when I ordered mine I upgraded RAM from 2 to 4GB and HD from 160 to 250GB. Each upgrade was $50 at Dell, so $100 total. But I could have saved there $50 more or so. Those two are pretty easy upgrades to do on your own - they don't really require you to disassemble anything more than the bottom panel.

The best part about the old hard drive, is that you can just get ~$10 enclosure from Newegg and use it as a portable drive... giving you 160GB extra. I found that really handy.

 

yep Although i've seen a nice icybox one I plan to get, it's like a regular external drive enclosure, but has a drive bay you can plug it directly into when at your own computer! So in theory should be nice and fast at home, via SATA.

Nox