M11x: how future proof is it?

Hey everyone! I am in need of a laptop for college which is portable and decent for gaming. The M11x looks great but I have never spent this much money on a PC/laptop, so I am not sure if its worth it. If I am going to drop more than $1000 for a laptop, I have to make sure that it can last me atleast a few years....meaning playing most games on med-high settings for about 2 years.

So is that possible? Or the games coming out in late 2011/early 2012 going to be too much for it?

Also what would you guys say is better for college and gaming use: M11x or Macbook Pro13"?

 

In terms of running normal softwares (for example, office), it will be good for many years ahead. In terms of running gpu demanding softwares (including games), it will be good for some years ahead (maybe... two?). In terms of running cpu demanding softwares (including, again, games), it will be good for... the day after tomorrow? Maybe? And in terms of physical sturdiness, only god knows.

 

If you want those settings for that long for that much you're going to have to buy a desktop.

Laptops aren't designed for gaming longevity, especially ultraportables like this.

 

I don't really game at all but I do think my MacBook Pro is a better built machine than my M11x.

 

Without question.

 

im wondering the exact same thing. anyone have any idea at least how long the LEDs last?

 

Considering how laptops are limited in upgradability, I wouldn't say it has a long future in the gaming realm. As others have mentioned, if gaming is your priority, get a desktop. Otherwise, consider something like this. It'll definitely handle traditional applications for quite some time.

 

If FF14 is any indication, then a year to a year and a half for gaming. I really like my m11x but I'll probably be selling it around jan and hoping there's a better 13 inch out by then.

 

Lets put it this way. If your fine with running upcoming games (such as FFXIV and RAGE/Fallout NV) on low-medium (maybe) settings for the next year and a half get the M11x. But for what? 300-400 more dollars you can get the M15x for 3+ years of futureproof gaming (to a good extent). I chose the M15, what will you do?

 

The Alienware M11x is not a top-end gaming computer. It isn't even a bang-for-your-buck gaming computer. If you want a machine that can play games really well today, and still play games well 2 years from now, then take the $1000 you would have spent on an Alienware M11x and buy yourself a desktop gaming PC instead, and get a netbook for your mobile needs.

The reason that people like the Alienware M11x is because it is a small laptop that runs games very well for its size. It will get 30fps - 50fps in most games at medium or medium-high settings. For a gaming computer, that performance isn't that great. For a 4.5lb 11.6" laptop, that performance is spectacular. The value of an M11x is its size and portability. If that is important to you, then get an M11x. If you'd rather have a very powerful gaming computer, then get a larger laptop or a desktop gaming PC + netbook.

 

this is very true in terms of futureprooficity, but I *definitely don't recommend* a 15" laptop for college.

I bought a 15.4" one for freshman year that I left in my room unless I absolutely needed it because of the lack of portability (never once took it to class, only studying in groups or at the library). The only thing it was good for was i could bring it home during breaks easier than a desktop; otherwise, it might as well have been replaced by a desktop. I suffered through it two years and got a 12.1" replacement for junior year, which I brought everywhere for the next two years.

YMMV, I guess, but my experience says don't get anything that big.

 

Yeah that's the main reason I am not getting the M15x, its just not that portable. Also on this forum I have been reading a lot about ppl having driver issues. I really don't know much about computers technically...so will I struggle to run a lot of games?

 

well said. totally agree on this. i think this is something many ppl dont get to understand which i have always been trying to drive across to ppl who repeat the same old question in the forum over and over again.

+1 to u

 

Ideally get a desktop. But really it depends on what your tolerance for games is. I wouldn't advise this notebook if you are expecting to run all games that you can throw at it on high settings. However, at the same time, I really don't see graphics requirements skyrocketing anytime soon (You have multi-platform games to thank for that) so you should be fine for the next 2 years if you can stand medium settings.

 

Haha... too true.

The post I made is one I've actually made 3x before. I literally searched for my old post, and then cut/paste into this thread.

In fact, it's something I've noticed for several years now, across any notebook. There are many people who want a gaming computer. But they look at gaming notebooks for the novelty of being able to easily move it, without thinking of all of the drawbacks that come with notebooks (more expensive, less powerful, not easily upgradeable, etc). Coming to the Alienware M11x forums is no different from that regard.

 

While I agree with your original statement, and this (You actualy posted the first one in my thread awhile back ) that being said you can get a laptop that is as good as pretty much any desktop (The m17x being an example) However of course were talking about the m11x. Just trying to say there are laptops out there which will run as good as or infact out perform a desktop.

 

Depends on your definiton of 'struggle'.

There are very, very few games out there that the M11x cannot play at all. Virtually every game out there, the M11x will play fine at the very least on low settings, and it'll continue to be capable of such in the near future.

The only games that the M11x will struggle to play at all are those that are extremely CPU intense, which is very few games.

However, if you plan on playing games at high settings for the next few years, you're out of luck.

Depends on the desktop. The truth is, even today, you can still get a significantly more powerful desktop for the same money as any gaming laptop out there.

For example, for around, let's say $2500 (about enough for a mid-range M17x with crossfire 5870s) you could quite possibly get a desktop set up with a quad core i7 overclocked well above 3GHz, and at the minimum crossfire desktop 5870s (possibly even more than 2) plus a decent screen (or 2+, in eyefinity)

 

@EviL, Yes there are desktops out there for the same price as the best gaming laptops that are obviously better theres no argument there. However you cannot lug around a desktop like you could a laptop (Even sometihng like an m17x)

 

Which is the reason for many of this forum's members having the M17x. They are portable to an extent, and for those who need to move it around often and the such it's more ideal than a desktop.

For those who do all their gaming in one place then a desktop is much better, no doubt.

 

Exactly, yes.