Looking to buy a M11x...

Hey guys, new to the forums here!! :O

I'm looking to get me a portable gaming laptop for uni next year (gonna do computer science and i'm working full time atm to save up!!) and I have my heart set on the M11x.

Everything about it fits perfectly although I am at a loss in which model to buy. I can if needed get the i7/4gb version and downgrade from there if need be. (I can save for awhile anyway). I tend to use it for programming, surfing etc the usual stuff and for gaming. Now this is going to be my main gaming rig for 4 years while i'm at uni so I need it to last me. I mainly playing rts/rpg/shooters. So my question is which model would best suit me. I am willing to pay whatever it need be but saving money if I could would be great i.e is it worth the jump from C2D to i5, if so am i better getting the i7 than the i5? Will i see much improvement?

Any help would be brilliant thanks!

 

Just do a search and find the million other posts asking the same thing

 

IMHO, get the i7. If your thinking about the C#D or the i5 dont waste your money on the i5,get the C2D you can get a i7 processor online pretty cheap. They only thing i can think of as a problem of this being your only computer is the fact that it has a 11.6" screen . If i where you id look into a M15x with medium specs. this is the best time to get one.

what school are you going to for computer science ?? if you dont mind me asking

 

I agree. An I7 M11 and I7 M15 are not too different in price. Many people like the 11 thinking that its tiny and light... you would be surprised at how stout and heavy the "little" guy is.

Now back on the comment on it lasting all 4 years of University... your going to be hard pressed to find anything thats going to last 4 years. In that case, your going to want to spend as much as possible and hope for the best. You should look into the sandy bridge chipset, it seems to be all the upcoming rage.

 

If your set on this laptop then i7 for sure. 4 years is a long time Im sure you'd need the extra cpu power it offers in the future. You might not need the extra cpu power now but in the future pretty sure you will.

 

As a gaming machine it won't last 4 years. Then again, most desktops wouldn't either. Besides, if you're only starting uni next year (I'm guessing Sept 2011?), then I would just wait for a better machine to come out.

If you need one now, then just buy it. Sell it in 1-2 years and upgrade. Alienwares don't deppreciate in value at the same rate as others, so you'll get some good dosh for it (more if it's under warranty).

 

You could do what I did... Hunt for a used one on your local craigslist... I picked up my R1 in great shape for less than 450 (also included a practically new Dell DVD/DVDR).

 

The R1 is a great tool to use around your university. I use mine all the time on campus and I can get upwards of 7 hours with the wifi off while taking notes. With the wifi on I think I get around 6:40. What's up comp sci buddy?

The gaming is pretty nice but you may have to settle for the medium range. It can play older games at full but some games you have to turn it down or just hope that the developers release a patch to fine tune their engine.