Reordeing m11x R2, or possibly r1.

I had the m11x r2 earlier, got the option to return due to some (really minor) faults on it, returned it within 14 days.
I was very content with it and was planning all the time to reorder one.

My question though.

There is a deal, it have one day left on it.

M11x r1, 1,187 USD (Normal price 1,458 USD)
M11x r2, 1,553 USD (Normal price 1,657 USD)

The spec difference is really only the SU7300 vs i5 pocessor. Other parts in the deals are really the same, 4GB and bluetooth. So for me I'm deciding beetween a su7300 or an i5 processor.

I have spent this week, the last weekend going back and forth, back and forth and repeat all over. Reading, testing how I feel when putting up the order on Dell website.

To put the price difference, 366USD, into a perspective.
(Seeing the dollar vs SEK now it makes the dollar go way up. So I'm aware that fair comparison could be hard to make)

366 USD is 2460SEK.
25% cheaper than the i5 version

For 2460SEK you could buy one of these;

• XFX RADEON HD6870 BLACK ED 1GB GDDR5
• ASUS GEFORCE GTX 470 1280MB
• AMD PHENOM II X6 1090T BE 3.2GHZ 9MB SOCKET AM3 BOX

Beats me... I don't really believe that there is any speed difference beetwen the two version thats justifies me to buy the r2 version. Perhaps I can expect better support for the GPU, driver wise, perhaps this or that.

 

Go with the R2. Overclock it and use Throttlestop. That little utility sets the i5 apart from the R1. Throttlestop has made my R2 feel like a new machine when gaming and made previously choppy and unplayable games very playable.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/524257-how-supercharge-m11x-core-i5-i7-um-cpus.html

Cheers,
Stain

 

Go with the R2. The faster CPU (especially with Throttlestop) and the superior driver support on the Optimus graphics make it worth it.

 

Well, I'm gonna lodge a vote with the R1. I love this laptop.

 

If you are planning on using ONLY a laptop as your primary machine, get the m11xr2.


If you still plan on having another machine as a "base" or a "power rig" to keep your m11x company, get the m11xr1.


Just IMO. I went through both, since I eventually ended up using my m11x as a primary system, and neglecting my desktop alltogether.

 

@OP

Honestly, if you really want m11x, I'd wait until they sort the hinge issues. If they ever do.

Btw, which games do you expect to play? r2 is supposedly a bit faster with ThrottleStop, but you should look for actual game FPS increases rather than artificial benchmarks.

 

After some lectures where i have to connect my R1 to the projector via VGA port (which R2 couldnt do),and having people admire its glossy look (remember R2 got the rubber-like case) i even love it more

Btw, look at the difference price, definitely +1 to R1

 

Thanks for all the input I've already got.

Games I play are:

EVE Online
Starcraft 2
Fallen Earth
Men of War

Mass Effect 2 is on the future list of gaming purchase when I feel I played those games above enough.

Never been much for the fps talk, I have settled for playable. For instance the debacle Vanguard when I first started to play it I played the game at 17-25 fps. That didn't make any problem for me.

I passed on this deal for some time though. I mistook the date and the last day for the deal was yesterday.

I'm looking at buying a m11x is for the added bonus of the gaming capabilities, that's an expensive sideeffect. But also I was looking at x100e, total opposite of m11x, but then for just a few dollars more with m11x I get good enough gaming speed to replace my desktop temporarily.
Or in the case of EVE where I could replace my desktop for game sessions and have two clients on two screens running (I assume).

I'm certain of that I will be pleased with the r2, almost certain of the r1. But I'll wait for now, to see if htere is any more input here, perhaps I find some information (more than I've already read, I have read tons on this forums already). I guess Dell will put up another 'best' deal soon enough.

 

I just got my i5 model yesterday, and I would highly suggest going with it over the R1, as mentioned before, the processor makes it well worth it

 

Thanks for that link!

 

Thinkpad is much better for any serious work, though. X100e is $400-$500 so not really "few dollars" more. Also, if I were you I'd take it slow and look for deals now that the Black Friday is coming up. You never know what can pop out. Especially when it comes to Thinkpads... and also there's the whole DIY ViDock thing if that laptop has ExpressCard slot: http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=5846&review=how+to+upgrade+laptop+graphics+notebook

 

I had a similar setup to that before getting the m11x -- desktop replacement for gaming and a cheap little Asus Eee PC for school. I'm not a hardcore gamer and I really don't need extreme portability, so the m11x is perfect. I'm much happier with one computer because I don't have to bother transferring my school documents, music, movies, etc., and being able to play current games on an 11", 4.5 pound notebook is just awesome

You really can't beat the price : performance ratio of the m11x, and my experience with the support so far has been great. I called to complain about a couple minor issues and they had a tech at my house the next day replacing the fan, keyboard and battery.