M11x: Chassis High Enough Quality For Alienware Branding, Or Not?

with all of the positive reviews, subsequent heightened brand awareness, and now even broadening alienware brand adoption by consumers through successful product sales - what say you, the more ardent/stringent alienware "base"?

also considering weight/cost benefits, could you even see this chassis quality for future alienware notebook refreshes, such as M15x/M17x?

 

Yes .

 

Absolutely not. It's not up to par quality wise and especially with materials used. Also, with this poll many M11x owners may feel satisfied with their purchase but most of them have probably not had the opportunity to use an M17x and see the huge disparity in quality between the two. Lastly, was this poll really necessary with the other one querying about metal notebooks?

 

Though it is heavy, but I love it, give me a feel of Panasonic Tough Book which I have lost one exactly 2 weeks ago, left it ina taxi.

Anyway, it's cool to have some metallic materials especially for something as special as this little toy. I just bought it and so far it is the 3rd hour I am with it, I just love the look of it. The more I look at it, the more classy I feel about it. It has its own style!

 

if you re-read the last portion, you seem to pose both a question and it's answer in the same sentence...

 

I addressed the reason this poll is flawed and asked you was it really necessary? Because the other one is clear cut and asks a general question. This one asks M11x owners and "ardent AW base" (don't know who that is supposed to be) about their thoughts and whether they think the quality suffices for future M15x/M17x. Basically it's redundant and flawed But hey I voted anyway.

 

I'd have to say that this only works at this price range. Anything costing more than this better be fully metal.

 

I agree, With the Little time I spent with my friends m11x. I really liked it. But I would not of paid the $1600 that he paid for it.

I picked up the Best Buy version and that about all the More money I can justify spending on a notebook with this much firepower. The thing that gives the 11x the advantage in my book is that for most of my "on the go" needs the Atom Processor Line Just doesn't Cut it.

So the M11x was a good compromise between a larger 15-16" notebook with more power and less battery life, and the Atom series based netbooks that severely lack the processing and graphics power.

Back to the question though. I think we all know that the m11x will be continued with at least one more generation. I also would like the all metal body. But cost and more importantly weight wise I really think it wouldn't be practical.

Plastics have come a long way granted they don't look are feel as good as the all metal body. But they shave a lot of weight and price.

So yes I do think the M11x will continue, for at least 1 more generation.

 

alienware has a much broader consumer base now than it previously had as more pc consumers are getting exposure directly through dell phone/internet/ads/etc. as dell seeks to replace its xps line with alienware. with all the positive reviews (no chassis related refresh desires) and sales consumption, the question seems to be getting answered clearly there.

i would consider most in the alienware forum section of notebookreview.com to have more "ardent/stringent" interest in the brand than general consumers who may never read up much past their initial purchase, hence seeing if it meets their "standards" as well.

as for voting, so did i - and i'd be curious (as i'm sure many others might be) to see the results compared to that of the poll you're referring to - they are indeed quite different.

 

My opinion is that is very nice the way it is I even like it more than the big brothers.

 

Sure, but that doesn't mean they need to lower their build quality at the same time.

Perhaps, but those same people may have zero experience with an M15x/M17x and thus cannot judge whether the M11x build quality is good enough to be incorporated into future M15x/M17x designs. Hence my reasoning for why this poll is flawed.

 

M11x would've been out standing if it wasn't that keyboard and glossy screen.

 

I voted yes, but I haven't tried m15x and m17x (confirming 5150's statement). It does feel good enough for the size and especially the price.

 

and that's your vote!

i repeat, for relevance, from the (while chassis related) quite different "Who Wants MORE Metal From AW?" poll:

 

You state several times that the M11x doesn't compromise quality. Have you ever used an M17x? Because if you have, you would never make that statement. Thus your reasoning continues to be entirely flawed.

 

YES, lol - i most definitely have! as for the poll reasoning being "flawed", again:

 

So let's see here, you think a notebook which has:

1. Flimsy plastic cover
2. Subpar screen
3. Subpar screen E2E cover that pops off thus requiring many RMA's.
4. Thin plastic palm rest w/flex
5. Mag + plastic chasis
6. Single fan/pipe cooling

Compares to the M17x which has:

1. Anodized aluminum cover
2. Top end RGB LED display
3. No E2E problems
4. Not a great palm rest, it's plastic (ugh) but better than the M11x.
5. Aluminum high quality anodized chasis
6. Triple fan/pipe cooling (one of the best in the industry)

Somehow you think AW hasn't compromised in quality between the two? Give me some of that weed bro. Dell can leverage the M17x globally WHILE retaining or even raising it's build quality. It's not the aluminum that weighs down the notebook, it's the sheer size coupled with the dual cards, dual hard drives, large display, triple fans + pipes that is the bulk of the weight. I've completely disassembled the M17x-R2 before and the chasis was actually quite light - that's the entire point of aluminum.

 

whoah - please put down the "weed" bro!

how does the chassis composition quality have anything to do with the components you are listing away?!?! lol

nah, seriously tho - so it's your assertion they couldn't fit higher end components into a larger version of the M11x chassis, thus retaining a quality product that is a tad bit lighter, more engineering "friendly" (for instance, speedier implementation of new cooling/gpu designs than what can be achieved currently with all metal - just ask the apple fanbois about their refresh timelines and price/performance ratio, lol ), and less costly to the company and in turn the consumer?

 

Let me put it to you simply since you seem confused: If the M17x chasis was changed to plastic/magnesium composite like the M11x, it would make very little difference in the overall weight. You would shave off maybe half a pound at most if even that. Thus your poll is entirely retarded to be blunt.

You then state that the M11x doesn't compromise in quality and that's why I specifically addressed that in the last post. You are interchanging chasis with overall build quality which is misleading.

P.S. The M15x has a magnesium chasis and it doesn't weigh much less than the M17x. The biggest difference in weight is attributed to size rather than material composition.

 

I've had both the M11x and M15x, and Joker is right, the magnesium alloy on the M15x blows the M11x to bits in terms of "feel". I can't wait to feel the M17x.

But in all fairness, the M11x feels good for a 800 dollar laptop.

 

in attempt to stop the blunt retardedness, lol -you voted "no". duly noted.

oh, the irony...

 

As far as I was aware, everything is metal except the interior panels and the hinge system. The lid and body are most definitely magnesium alloy. I think the hinges could use an upgrade as they are not as robust as the rest of the system, but this system definitely doesn't feel 'cheap'. I am sure its big brothers look and feel even more impressive, but I am quite satisfied with what I paid for....

 

Joker Is right when it comes to build quality, But does it kill the M11x thats has a plastic exterior over metal. No. (Chassis on the inside is still magnesium)

I think that if dell were to make this machine out of metal It would put the price to close to the m15x that people would just buy it since it is a more powerful laptop. Look at the Price point where its at! You can buy a G60jx for the same price, and the Asus Packs a lot more firepower (now I know everyones thinking yea but asus' are mostly poop, have heating issues and warranty can be a problem) But to the average consumer, You really can't afford to make the m11x any heavier or more expensive.

One thing is pretty much everyone here are enthusiast. When Alienware/Dell needs to be able to appeal to the average Joe in most importantly.. Price.

The m11x is already on the heavy and expensive side in the category its in.

EDIT:

That being said, Would I, Myself mind the m11x being made out of all metal and the build quality and design being more like its bigger brothers? hell no! But how much would it cost to make the exterior metal? I'm guessing prob $100-$150 so your taking a less powerful computer and putting it awfully close to the M15x in price.

I Paid $899 for mine, and I would not pay a penny more. The amount of performance i'm getting is starting to be out weighed by the price that i'm paying IMHO. If i were to add the $150 to the $899 that i already paid. Id be sitting at $1,049. being so close to the m15x in price would completely kill the m11x in sales.

So I still think that the m11x will continue but i don't see them making it out of more expensive materials. Rumor has it they are axing the metal body's on the 15/17x on the next go around to shave cost/price.

 

I finally saw one in person over the weekend at a BestBuy outside Atlanta, and currently using an M17x-R2 with an M15x-R2 for sale I was a bit shocked at the lack of sturdiness of the unit, particularly the lid. I liked the look and feel, but a portable DVD player felt more solid. All I could think of was that a 3-year Advanced service plan was an absolute MUST for one of these.

 

That's what the Inspiron is for.

 

will be better if the palm rest and cover are metal...

 

so, if a consumer were able to purchase some theoretical future revision of the alienware M17x which had components like core i7-720qm or higher, 8gb ddr3 1333mhz, 1tb (500gb 7200rpm x2) hdd, blu-ray disk combo, quality 17” 1080p screen, single directx 11 gpu (team green or red) w/1gb gddr5 or higher, usb 3.0, gaming battery life of 120 minutes or so, weigh a little less, etc., etc., etc., – all for @$1799.99 msrp – you would say no to it if it had a chassis similar in quality to that of the M11x, simply because it's not all metal?

 

For $1,799 I expect a metal chassis... So yes I'd skip it.

 

It's ok for the M11x, but not for the rest of the Alienware lineup. Those should always be at least a metal chassis.

 

M11x = Alienware Entry level.

You really want an M15/17x, but you have a beer budget, so you end up owning the lower level just so you can say "I own an Alienware!".

Countless Automotive Industry analogies apply here.

In your case, you are the entry level owner, trying to get the manufacturer to make the product cheaper just so you it can fit within your budget.

I used to love it when this was the minority, but these cheap, cost-cutting, people are just out of control these days. I am having to deal with shoddy craftsmanship just because they want the product to be cheaper?! What gives?

 

No, not simply because it's not all metal, but simply because I can easily find another Plastic filled gaming laptop for a lot less than the Alienware. You cannot maintain the quality level by changing the materials to something worse!

Ok, you know what? Sure, you can "not use metal". You can use a Carbon Fiber chassis instead of metal. That would be the only acceptable replacement for me....and guess what???? It will make the M17x SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT. Oh, but wait, carbon fiber costs MONEY because it is a QUALITY product. Shucks, looks like there will not be any CF Alienware in the future. That would work really well for the brand. Space Age product.

NOT recycled plastic Zephyrhills water bottles.

 

Carbon isn't as expensive as it used to be. The problem with it is it would require a lot of reenforcement to may it sturdy enough. But a Carbon Based computer would be lighter in weight, and should also be in price.

 

I don't mind the build quality of the m11x, for what it costs and what it can do I like how sturdy it is compared to other ultraportables on the market. I would've liked a stronger hinge but otherwise I'm quiet happy with my purchase.

 

You realize your comparing a laptop aimed at the general public, to high-end gaming laptops aimed at the die-hard mobile gamer right? The laptops are $1K's of differance in price. Jusat a thought to consider. Don't expect to purchase a mercedes at the ford taraus price.

 

That is exactly what is being done. Trying to bring the Mercedes down to a Ford Taurus level and almost betraying their original customer base for a new customer base the "average consumer". Because there is more money if you sell M17x's to thousands of consumers instead of "hundreds". So it's a safer bet in this economy.

The original customer base will be immediately forgotten once that money starts pouring in from selling to the "masses".

 

I voted "no" on this topic, only because this means that the same chassis will be used on the higher level models and get rid of the high quality of an Alienware laptop.

 

That would've made more sense if they redesigned the m17x with a plastic chasis, instead they've gone and created an ultraportable with gaming qualities while trying to maintain the price, as mentioned before if they were to increase the price too far, then most people would just refer to the m15 which would make the point of making it moot.

 

M17x and M11x are two totally differant audiences being targeted. You can't expect the the M11x to be everything the M17x is for 1/6th of the price. You just can't. The M11x is aimed at those with needs of portability, battery life and price. M17x, niether one of those (portability/price/battery) is a concern to the targeted audience.

Totally agree with ittekimasu.

I also think there are more then enough threads about how people expect the M11x to be something it's not. Whats wrong with the M11x the way it is? Want a bigger screen? Buy a 15" Want something smaller? Buy a mini. Want a better screen? Go RGB. Want an core-i? Buy a Vaio-z. ect. Unrealistic expectations everywhere. People should be complaining about things like stuck pixels, or BSOD CPUs. Complaining about how AW made a decision that doesn't appeal to your unrealistic expectations does no one any good. Remember, they didn't develop a huge coorperation overnight and blind. They have market research analysts for a reason. Besides if you don't like it there are plenty other options to choose from. M11x is not the end of the line.

 

False! I sold my M17x and got this, money is not an issue for me, I bought this because it gets 6 hours of battery life and is pretty lightweight and has a GPU And I do tons of traveling and this thing is LIGHT. Whoa! I chose to buy this machine across the 3 lineups.

Would metal make this heavier at all, even slightly ? Yes? then not interested.

I'm very surprised at the strange debate happening here. The only part of this computer I don't find great is the touch pad, finger grease takes it over sooner or later no matter what. Otherwise,

Why in gods name would you ever want to make this thing heavier? It has a sturdy frame inside and the build layout and quality is pretty great. I would not really want this thing to have a metal outside chassis. I'm curious why this is confusing, plastic is lighter than metal I believe.

The M11x is made for the outside to take a beating. It's a mobile, pretty lightweight machine with long battery life. It's also cheap, remember when small computers almost always meant very expensive? It's a great first device for its pricepoint and graphics offering and size. Why are you even comparing it to an M15x or M17x, the heat dissipation and weight is great on this thing. Nothing to gain from metal chassis.

 

So basically you answered a different question?

 

Yeah, I see what you mean. I was just more concerned about their future. Thankfully Alienware has been pretty damn good all of these years. I would hate to see it take a downward spiral due to Dell ownership.

 

I just saw and inspected the M11x at Best Buy. It's decent, but doesn't even compare to the M17x in my eyes. It just looked "cheap" compared to the 17. I voted NO.

I would gladly pay $200-$300 more for the M11x if it was built like the M17x.

If Dell starts building all Alienware laptops this way I will definately look elseware. I'm sure someone else will wake up to people wanting a quality metal laptop. Maybe Alienwares founders "Origin"....?

 

Ludicrous suggestion which would bring the price point dangerously close to the M15x.

I'm pleased with the build quality of the M11x, it's far sturdier than 90% of the non AW branded high end laptops on the market. But, i also agree that other (more expensive) AW laptops shouldn't be compromised.. they are desktop replacements afterall - weight isn't an issue with the M15x/M17x.

 

Thats the differance between a <$1K laptop and a >$4K laptop. M11x in my eyes would lose it's appeal if it was any heavier. If I want the M17x build I'll purchase the M17x. It's just not practical when portability is neccessary.

 

Chassis does not let out enough air for the things we are doing on it. ALSO The rubber feet are not high enough and tend to get loose and removed from the computer.

 

i voted yes. what more do you expect from a 800$~ system? yeah, the m17x is better build but look at the price one it.

 

After seeing how lightweight the Envy 13 or even the 15 is, I'd say their reasoning for not making this the same material as the M15x or M17x is flawed and needs to be reconsidered. I agree with Joker on many of his points. This thread is asking whether or not it's good enough to be called an AW based on the standards set by AW's current systems, the M15x and M17x. I'd say, no.

 

I'm pretty impressed with my M11x. While it may lack the metal casing of the M15x/M17x, then again what $800 laptop has all the features, and graphical powe, and battery lifer that the M11x has for the price?
What $800 laptop has any metal accents?
What laptop has a backlit keyboard, let alone a user configurable one for $800?


My only wish is that Dell should have sold the M11x with a better and a slightly bigger screen (like 12.1 or 12.6) but aside from that, it's not bad, however I would not pay top dollar for a M15x/M17x that came finished with plastics like the M11x does.

 

Maybe some people here, like me, can't justify paying $1799 on a laptop with limited portably, and will give weaker performance than a desktop setup that is half the price?

 

To me, one thing that drew me to the M11x was that it didn't have many of the attributes of the M15x/M17x. Being that it was lighter and much more portible. If that means that it's not metal and heavy, then it is what it is. I didn't design it, but what really says "Alienware" in the system is the integrated graphics, 335M, exceptional cooling, and excellent gaming performance. It's really a pretty impressive package if you accept it for what it is. Not to mention if you remove the bottom panel you'll really appreciate the engineering that went into the system. It's quite a tight fit and everything is crammed in there. Still it does a great job gaming and the temps stay really low. Battery life is top notch. Sure there are things that can be inproved upon, but you have that with every system. Size and wieght to me are some of the biggest aspects of appeal for me. Plus the build, though it may not be steel, is actually quite solid and impressive. Dollar for Dollar I'd say the M11x might be the best value for the current line up. It didn't win Best of CES for no reason