Should I Trade My iPad (Plus $150) for a M11x?

I found a seller with good feedback who is selling a brand new M11x with ideal specifications at a really good price, so I figured I would ask if he was interested in my used (but flawless) 32GB iPad along with $150. He said that he would love to do the trade. The M11x, which is still sealed, is basically the configuration I would have gotten: Core i5, 4GB RAM, and a 250GB HDD. Obviously, this is a great trade (especially for myself), but I'm not sold since I can afford a M11x at the full purchase price, and it might be better to wait for the next revision.

The M11x was made in October, which raises the concern of hinge issues and that if it's defective out of the box, I'm not in the window for a brand new replacement. I was going to sell my iPad and buy the next generation in March/April, anyway, but I use my iPad a lot and I have to factor in that I might have to wait a few months to own one again.

The m11x isn't much more powerful than my MacBook Pro (it only gets about 700 more 3DMark 06 points), so it might be worth waiting for the next generation if only so I can get better PC gaming performance than I'm used to. The M11x was due for an update now, looking at the revision history, and it would be a definite for me to buy one directly from Alienware if it is revised this month. I would feel buyer's remorse if the next revision is a lot faster and/or smaller, especially if it is announced months afterward. Then again, I could probably sell this M11x for more than the value of my iPad plus $150, so I would be good other than being looked at as slightly crazy by friends and family .

My main concerns for M11x owners: what's the chance it'll have a defect out-of-the-box and I should be concerned with hinge issues on an October model? Too bad I found this this month instead of next month, I won't have much left to make me giddy like a child for my December birthday and Christmas .

 

a revision of al alienware will come only in early 2011 when SB will be out

 

That's too bad. The NVIDIA 425M could be a good fit. I would really like a newer screen as well, preferably a S-IPS display (assuming the current has a cheap TN display).

 

If you would have found this deal a month from or last month or when ever. It could have hinge issues or it could have no hinge issues. I got my m11xr2 in late September early October, and I got 0 hinge issues, while my friend who bought his the same time as mine, but he had to replace hinges twice. So it is the luck of the draw depending if it has hinge issues.

 

I'd say go for it... ipads don't compare unless you are an app store addict

 

it really depends on what you need it for. If it's just to surf the net and watch movies i would say stick with the iPad. If you want to game take the M11x.

 

The high-feedback seller has such a good deal (it's at least $200 under the best discounts I could put together) that I might pay him to hold it for me so I can buy it for full in December. Two questions: should I trust an M11x to be perfect out-of-the-box? (since I don't want to have to deal with warranty returns/repairs on a two-month old M11x kept sealed in its box). Also, just for the heck of it, can I request a new nameplate at the bottom with my name from Alienware? I figure I could use the excuse I got it at BestBuy or something along those lines.

 

If you want to play PC games then go for the m11x, but I'm doing fine with my iPad.

There's no guarantee your Oct model does not have the hinge issue, since we simply don't know if they've fixed it or what, Dell is not saying anything.

 

1-unless you consider fingerprints not perfect and the seller has taken care of it yes it can be perfect
2-you can try to request a name plate a lot of people get them but they're typically just m11x on them nothing personalized

 

The M11x is brand new and sealed. Personally, I'm not into buying used things. That's one of the reasons this seller has such a great deal. If I do have a hinge issue, that won't bother me as long as Dell lets me repair it myself instead of having one of the idiot techs by me repair it.

 

I got my m11x r2 on August, and have no hinge issues at the moment. I'm thinking about loosening the hinge torque so the hard plastic can last a lot longer.
Since I don't have any uses for an iPad, I would get the m11x. After all, it depends on what you need. I needed a small laptop for college because I got tired of going to the library everytime I had to do homework, and plus I like to game sometimes, not to mention it looks awesome in the classrooms with 400 people staring at your keyboard lights... lol. I carry my laptop in the backpack all the time also.

 

I have both an Ipad and an M11x r2, I would say both are awesome peices of technology, the m11x has vastly superior games and is probably the coolest computer I have ever owned and Ive been around a long long time. The Ipad is great for internet, watching movies and playing games on the go, I use it at work on breaks everyday. It all comes down to wether you will be using more away from home or at home, if it's mostly at home get the m11x if away stick with the ipad. If I could only keep one it would easily be the m11x. If I were you I would get the m11x and buy a used ipod touch for on the go. As for the hinge issue I would try to get the 3 year warranty if you can afford it, I'm sure they are bound to get the problem fixed sooner rather than later, I assume you could buy an extended warranty on a preowned m11x. One thing to note the screen on the Ipad destroys the m11x screen, the ipad screen makes the m11x looks dim and washed out, but I usually have my m11x hooked up to an external display so no big deal there.

 

I'd like to note that the iPad does not play 1080p videos that aren't quicktime (mp4 etc.) which the m11x easily does.

However if you're into music, the iPad blows away the m11x with the creative apps.

Also the iPad needs a "real" computer to be managed from iTunes, whereas the m11x can replace a desktop in theory. If you already have a desktop or another laptop this is not an issue.

 

I have both an IPad and an M11x-R2 and I'd go with the M11x every time.

I agree, the M11x is one of the coolest computers ever. Dell knows they have a hot product, that's why they'll get this hinge issue handled. Too much money to be lost not to. Now that it's hit Engadget and here, it's out in the open. I don't expect much more than an automatic warranty extension, but that's fine for me.

The only thing I disagree on is saying the IPad display is better than the M11x. That is not my case at all. Or really the case in general.

For one, the maximum resolution of an IPad is 1024x768 with a video output of only 480p for Movies, etc.

The M11x has a maximum resolution of 1366x768, well over 720p (1280x720) and can output up to 1080p (1920x1080) and game quite well to a secondary monitor if kept at 1366x768 or lower (1366x768 still puts a sharp 30-36" picture on my 60" Pioneer Kuro)

So that right there says the M11x wins the display battle.

But I don't doubt that Donovan may have a better picture quality on his IPad than M11x-

After going through 4 M11x displays due to dust under the screen and weak hinges and going through 5-6 IPhone 4's for dead pixel's or dust under the screen - I can safely say, that just as every CPU and GPU of the same make and model Overclock's differently. Every panel of the same make and model, especially at 30" or smaller, comes out with different picture quality.

Some have better brightness than others, or better contrast or vibrancy. Going through the 4 displays on the M11x (3 Samsung and 1 AUO) I noticed the Samsung all had varying degrees of picture quality. One was brighter than the others, one had better contrast, another had better black levels.

Same thing with my IPhone 4. Each had varying degrees of picture quality in the Retina Display. Some were brighter, some were a little warmer on the colors, etc.

As of right now, my current panel on my M11x-R2 replacement is the best one I've had yet. I love it. Perfect color, vibrancy, blacks are way better, it really rocks. Whereas conversely, I've gone through 2 IPad's, one a 32gb, then exchanged that for a 64gb, and both were noticeably dimmer than either of the M11x-R2's Samsung panel.

So when it comes to displays of 30" or smaller, it really is kind of a lottery on PQ due to the manufacturing process for some reason. Again, an apt comparison would be the difference in overclockability in a 335m. Some here can get a core clock well over 550, others can barely get above 500. Both have the same GPU.

I really, really love my M11x, More and more. I am just continually amazed at it's performance relative for the size.

When you consider that a 64gb IPad is almost exactly the same price as a base M11x-R1, it becomes even clearer that this is a good trade.

My profession involves a lot of writing. Book length type of writing. If I want to do that on an IPad and get it done with any proficiency or expediency, I have to buy the Apple wireless keyboard and some kind of dock. If I have to travel and work while traveling, that's two more accessories I have to lug with me. Whereas with the M11x, it's all right there, ready to go.

Not to mention that the M11x, with large enough storage, can function as a full fledged 11" Home Theater PC as much as a gaming machine. Movies and Videos play at 1080p thru the Intel chip flawlessly, along with 7.1 digital surround sound via HDMI. Can the IPad do that?

And yes, the IPad does have some killer music production apps, but you can still find PC equivalents. And if not, my understanding is the M11x can be made to run Garage Band in that way that is not to be addressed or mentioned here at the NBR forums (understandably) - so that kind of nullifies the IPad's advantage for music/music production programs.

So when you ask, are you getting a good deal? .....

As someone who owns both the IPad and M11x, loves both, (Seriously, chilling in bed and surfing the web or reading a comic, magazine,book or watching Netflix on IPad can't be beat.)

I can say without hesitation - Are you getting a good deal? Man, you are HUSTLING this dude! Get that trade done asap before the fool comes to his senses and changes his mind!

Seriously, you're coming up big. I don't know what this person is thinking trading an R2 for a 32gb IPad and $150.

Stop wasting time here and get the deal done before he changes his mind. You are so hustling that guy and neither of you realize it. And since you don't realize it, you don't have to worry about bad karma

Make the trade before dude comes to his senses.

Sealed, brand new in box R2 for a used 32gb IPad and $150?

Take it, no question. And do it before he thinks too much about it and realize how foolish he's being.

With an M11x you can play Call of Duty: Black Ops

With an IPad you can play Modern Combat: Black Pegasus

That should be all the info you need to make your decision right there.

Make the trade

I trust it'll work out for you.

 

Wow, thanks for all of the in-depth responses. If I didn't go with a trade and instead just bought the new R2 M11x from him, the purchase price would still be a few hundred less than if I bought directly from Dell, so I think I'll throw him a little extra money so he holds it for me until I can pay the great purchase price (without using credit ) in December. I like my iPad too much to trade it, and the M11x should feel more satisfying to open during the holidays. I can afford to own both, so what the heck, right ?

 

Considering the iPad is utter crap... I definitely would.

 

Awesome compromise. If you can afford to own both, you absolutely should. Life's short right? Besides, I'm not one who believes that one should have to believe in, or live with limitation, when we live in an eternal universe with limitless resources, just because most of the rest of the world chooses to.

And by the time you're ready to buy from your friend, there may be announcement of a refresh which may itself be worth waiting for.

Enjoy owning both. That is by far the best solution.

The IPad is wicked cool as a media consumption device and worth owning. As a gaming device, it's just okay. Whereas the M11x is just straight up - Pimp

 

ummmm...you are very excited about the price so tell us how much you spent on the IPAD and how much the guy is selling his setup outright for. I got my i7 from Dell direct using EPP and some additional discounts and got a steal of a deal when they were first released and still can't find a deal as hot as $800 for a i7 brand new.

 

I'll PM you the price of the M11x simply because it's easy to find once I say. I paid $600 (plus tax) for my 32GB iPad on launch day; I didn't get a discount on my iPad. Either way, trading it is a great deal.

 

Uh... doesn't sound like you can afford it to me. Why not just get rid of the iPad? It's a luxury status symbol, not a computer.

Also, are you sure the item condition says NEW and not MANUFACTURER REFURBISHED? Just because it's sealed in a Dell box doesn't mean it's new.

 

The iPad is great. It's not the same as a computer, but the multi-touch display and apps make it different and a unique experience. The seller says the M11x new, and it doesn't say refurbished anywhere. I'd assume there's a way to check, as the serial number or something would have some type of indication whether it's refurbished?

 

Not sure, I've never tried putting my service tag into Dell's web site to see what comes up (I got the i7 refurb).

Honestly, you're probably better off going with a refurb if you don't have the cash for a full price one -- there's really no difference since you can buy whatever warranty you want. I got an i7 with 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD and BT for $809 from the outlet. I did have a complaint about the motherboard making a high pitched noise on low power, but they sent a tech to my house within 24 hours to fix it (it did take them two tries because the dumb phone rep thought it was the fan, but everything is good now ). A new one could just as easily have the same problem because Dell uses cheap motherboards in every single computer they make.

If it weren't for the great service I'd tell you to avoid the refurbs, but you can't beat next-day on-site repairs.

 

You obviously don't have an iPad. It's pretty kick-.

It's not a replacement for a notebook, it's more of an extension to one, but honestly I don't regret buying one at all.

I agree if you can get both, go for it, just make sure you get the warranty.

 

I have to agree with the other guy, the iPad is pretty worthless. No keyboard, no webcam, no USB, no Flash support, locked into the app store... but wait, at least we can play a bunch of $2.99 games with our fingers instead of playing them for free with a mouse!!

We have an iPad sitting on our coffee table, and its only use for the past 3 months has been the fact that I can tell people "we have an iPad sitting on our coffee table". Everyone is impressed by shiny new Apple products, right?

A good Android tablet would be a different story, but m11x vs. iPad is no contest.

 

I'd trade both Apple products for it.

 

Well, a used iPad in mint condition on eBay goes for about as much a new iPad. So, I could just sell my iPad on eBay and buy an m11x R1 for $550. The second generation iPad is rumored to be announced in January, anyway. Decisions, decisions.

 

The M11x is 100x better than an iPad. The iPad is sort of cool... but in the end it's nothing but a toy, you can't do any real computer functions with it. The M11x is a serious contender as a toy, and a full featured portable business machine.

I don't see how an Andriod tablet would be any better than the iPad though.

 

well if you want a Huge Ipod keep the Ipad, if you want an awesome potable gaming COMPUTER trade. IMO do the trade.