Purchasing M11x

Hello all,

I'm getting ready to purchase my first Alienware. I'm a little nervous since I've been a Mac user for about 5 years because I got mad at PC's.

I've come seeking advice....can you all suggest what I should get done to my M11x that I'm going to order from Dell.

Basically I'm not a big gamer on computers I only play on my PS3 but I want to get back into playing on the computer. Right now the only game I will probably play for the time being is CIV. Nothing too intense. Also, I will be using for web surfing, photography and school work.

I'm a bit nervous do to some of the problems I've read, but then again, I've read of a ton of problems on a bunch of PCs so the decision has been hard to make, but I think I've decided on the M11x.

If you all could help me out that would be great and really appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

I'd recommend at least 4GB of ram to play most of the games fairly, and the intel i7, although many users here have the core 2 duo or the i5

 

What is your budget? the biggest different is the processors, CIV 5 is a big processor hog. I would dismiss the i3 if I were you, so your options are the core2duo, core i5 and core i7, the core i5 and i7 overclock really good with throttle stop.

 

Thanks for the fast reply SolidMcGee and DigitalNinja ....I planned on getting 4Gb. But wasn't sure on processor....my budget was around 1k maybe a lil more, but not much. I was actually wanting to spend less (don't we all) but, if I'm going to get PC I want something that is going to last me long like my Mac has and cause me little problems.

 

Well the M11x is definitely worth every penny, but depending on what games you're gonna play, you'll need a better processor. Usually RTS and simulators are more CPU eaters

 

With a grand you can certainly grab an i7. Keep an eye on the outlet, this past week there have been $600ish i5's with coupons. i7's pop up rarely.

 

Ok, maybe I'm retarded....but where is the outlet...

And, how big of a hard drive would you all suggest? Keep in mind, I still have a wonderful desktop that I use too.

 

Nevermind, I found it. Not sure if I'm wanting something refurbished, but I will check it out for sure.

 

What country are you in? I got my i7 brand new for 1024 with the 200 dollars off they had and my EPP discount. Then phoned in wanting to return it, they offered me $150 dollar credit to my visa, I asked if they could do anything else I got a $200 coupon for the dell online store which I'm going to use to buy accessories I was going to spend money on anyway. I got a $1300 computer for effectivly $800 Canadian.

320 or 500GB hard drive will do you fine you may want to go with the lower one then upgrade to an SSD when they drop in price.

Ohh, and along with the $200 coupon they extended my warrenty for me for another year.

 

You have limited requirements listed, just to be able to play Civ, image manipulation and school work.

M11x might be way over priced for what you really need.

You could get a decent i5/i7 laptop in the 15" range for $700 from newegg or even compusa.

Unless you are really in love with AW M11x, and prefer 11.6" form factor, you might want to check out other offerings to spend that 1K.

Don't get me wrong...I love my M11x R1.

 

I'm in the US...I can get the student discount, but it's not much. As well as govt. and military, it's the same.

I guess I was wanting to go with AW because I've known a few people who have had them for years with very little problems.

 

Also, how long of a warranty would you suggest???

 

Dell Outlet Gaming & Adamo Laptops | Dell

Little late on the reply ..

 

I wouldn't buy the warrenty until you try what I did, make sure to buy over the phone if it's a new system. You can haggle with the reps over the phone, then when you get the laptop wait a few days and phone up saying that you want to return it and see what they offer you. If you can't get anything with them then buy the warrenty then if you want to.

 

I'm back, thanks for all the great advice.

I'm not sure how I feel about buying a refurbished one, I've never bought one.

Also, I didn't know you could like negotiate with the people on the phone. I guess I won't be ordering one online, I'm going to try to make a deal. Wish me luck.

 

Good luck, don't forget what I said to call back when you get the laptop after a few days saying that you don't think it is for you and say you want to return it see what they offer you.

 

is it even worth it to get the custom name plate done? all i would have it say is m11x R2.

HA!

 

$1000, get an Acer TimelineX 3820TG. Core i5 Mobile CPU (not ULV) and HD 6550 GPU, 13" screen, about same size as m11x. Will have to order from Canada though, NCIX.com, since not available in the USA. Cost ~ $800 shipped. Has international warranty too so any problems should be handled under warranty.

 

Would that work if I bought one from the dell outlet?

 

I recommend buying a refurbished unit great for the money, and if theres ANYTHING wrong with it dell/alienware will be happy to replace it.

I bought a i7/4gb refurb for $850, turns out it came (dirty, cracked plastic, non-oem packaging) and they happily replaced it with a brand new one.

 

Yeah, Dell refurbs are a good deal. They're warranted as new (1 year parts/labor/shipping). My first refurb M11x was in bad shape but they replaced it immediately with another certified refurb that looks and operates brand spanking new.

 

Lol @ Acer Warrenties, they make you pay for shipping and often don't give you back the same laptop but a refurbed one with your HDD in it.

 

Well, just an option. It's clearly more powrful and get more for your money if you're spending $1000.

And last Acer I had they paid for round trip shipping when I had it serviced, so ...

 

I've had 4 Acer laptops 2 had to be sent off a couple times, both they made me pay for shipping I was disapointed. The quality on the TimelineX series is not very good as well, the hinges are worse than the m11x and the paint they use on the bezel wears off onto the plamrest and other parts of the laptop.

 

You mean the screen falls off after so many months of use? I don't think so.

 

could someone tell me where i could get coupons for the m11xr2 from the dell outlet? the one's i googled were all expired.

 

do dell even release coupon codes? i can't seem to find any for Australia

 

the ones here will work
Amazing Membership Deals | Dell Australia

 

oh excellent! thanks for those....will give them a try.

EDIT: just did a dummy order and the code got accepted....kudos!

 

could someone please post the codes for the us outlet .. =)

 

The 20% off coupon expired on Friday. You will need to wait till the next deal is posted by Dell.

 

Dell still has the R1 for $699 new. Its the 7300 cpu.

 

You mean $599 with a $200 discount then the $50 coupon code making it $549

 

This ^^^^^

Great deal if you purchase hardware from newegg to add to it.

 

Hi, I'm back, getting ready to purchase my M11x tonight or tomorrow if I can get a hold of that $50 coupon code. Does anyone know the code?

 

Never mind, I found it. It wasn't working at first with the student discount, guess you can't have it all.

 

I ended up first going with that one then bought one from the outlet, i bought a 2 GB stick of ram for it that i now have and have no use for. if you are interested, i havent opened it yet.

 

if i buy the lap and put in new ram and hdd, will that affect the warranty?

 

Yeah it was a typo, but didnt know about the other coupon. What is the code?

Thanks.

 

No it won't, just if you have someone coming to repair it or ship it out you have to restore it back to the settings at which you bought it.

 

Before I placed the order for my Dell I took the advice of others and called to try to negotiate. They weren't having it. He was actually kind of rude and wanted to argue with me. Maybe I just suck at negotiating....just wanted to let you all know about my negotiating experience with Dell.

 

At that point you tell him you can't do it for that price, thank him and hand up. Call back later and talk to another rep. You need to follow the advice in this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/456885-aw-dell-ordering-advice-how-save.html

 

Thanks for that link! Didn't even think to look on the AFFES site. They have the M11x with the i5, 4gb, 320gb hard drive for $854.10. Now, only if I can get them to take the $50 off coupon. Do you think I'm pushing my luck? I would cal now, but they are closed, so it will have to wait until tomorrow.

Plus free 2 day shipping...

 

so i'll have to keep the original parts safe huh.. what all parts are irreplacable in the m11xr2 except the graphics card and processor?

thanks for the info =)

 

i just realised that the m11xr2 also has the hinge problems..! now i cant buy the m11x either.. there goes my dream of owning an alienware =(

 

Because of a hinge issue they are going to fix? There is no laptop for $549 and this small that comes close.

 

I know there's no problem in most parts of the world, but in india i'v heard that they don't acknowledge it as a design fault and thus put it down to user neglect. =( thats what worries me..

Update:
India Dell tech support rep said that the current m11xr2 s on sale in india don't have the hinge problem !

 

just about to order one....wish me luck!

i think i'll need it LOL

 

Good Luck Ghosts! And you said you were waiting for the r3