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    Trade Scenario for M11x R1

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by MustangDJP, Sep 28, 2011.

  1. MustangDJP

    MustangDJP Notebook Consultant

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    Scenario: Someone offers you a trade, who has the edge?

    Use: Light gaming (City of Heroes mostly)

    Choice 1.) An Alienware M11x R1: Intel SU7300/4GB/500GB/GT335M with no mods. Along with Pelican HardBack 1080 Case and Alienware Sleeve.

    Choice 2.) Custom PC with the following specs:

    Biostar A870U3 ATX AMD Motherboard
    AMD Phenom II X4 945 3.0GHz CPU
    8GB (4GB x 2) PNY DDR3 1600 RAM
    PNY nVidia GTX 260 GPU
    Corsair VX550W 80+ Certified PSU
    160GB Old-School Maxtor HDD
    Win 7 Pro
    22" HP W2207H Monitor

    Total cost to build the PC was $575 including monitor. (some pre-owned parts)

    We all know how much an R1 runs price wise...

    Situation: I am in the military, deploying in 1 1/2 months. No cash available, straight up trade.

    If you were going to be away from home for 6 months, would you let the desktop collect dust (I do not currently own a laptop), or take the M11x R1?
     
    MustangDJP, Sep 28, 2011
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  2. Normhimself

    Normhimself Notebook Guru

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    Take the M11x. That way you could take it with you and game on it while you are away, and when you get back you could sell it and build you a custom if you wanted. Alienware hold their values quite nicely, check Ebay :)
     
    Normhimself, Sep 28, 2011
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  3. MustangDJP

    MustangDJP Notebook Consultant

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    That was my thought, but I wanted to make sure I was making a sound decision. Value wise, I built my PC for cheaper than it would be to buy a "new" R1 from the Dell Outlet ($629ish). Just wanted to make sure I wasn't focusing too much on the deployment part and wanted some outsiders to confirm.

    The desktop is relatively outdated (1st gen Phenom, non-BE, DX10 GPU, No support for Bulldozer, etc...)

    I thought it was a even trade... I just hate losing my monitor :)
     
    MustangDJP, Sep 28, 2011
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  4. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    Keep in mind that used r1 also has a used battery, so it may not last like a new one will. New battery is around 200 bucks.
     
    ejohnson, Sep 28, 2011
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  5. i has m11x

    i has m11x Notebook Evangelist

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    Performance-wise, the desktop is much better. If you don't mind that fact, it is a decent trade for the portability I guess.
     
    i has m11x, Sep 28, 2011
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  6. MustangDJP

    MustangDJP Notebook Consultant

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    Good point. He told me that he just had the screen and hinges replaced, as well as had it serviced by an Alienware technician... It is still under warranty until July of 2012 also. And will have a fresh install of Win 7.

    I should be able to plug it in where I am going... if need be. A 4.4lb notebook is easier to pack in my suitcase than a full desktop... even if I need to plug it in often.
     
    MustangDJP, Sep 28, 2011
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  7. MustangDJP

    MustangDJP Notebook Consultant

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    Yea, that desktop was getting 15299 3dMark06 scores last week... It will be missed, but I think I could probably build another desktop with a GTX 460 and a Bulldozer compatible mobo next year for under $700... more if I actually purchase the Bulldozer.

    I agree I am giving up a lot of performance, but I should still be able to game when I have time while I am gone... and my wife has her own desktop, so its not like I am leaving her with nothing too.

    I am not trying to convince myself, I just think a laptop is better solely for the scenario
     
    MustangDJP, Sep 28, 2011
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  8. darkdomino

    darkdomino Notebook Deity

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    A desktop PC is gonna run faster, simply because the M11x low voltage processor scales itself. I'd take portability over a desktop anyday, especially if you're doing light gaming.
     
    darkdomino, Sep 28, 2011
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  9. dekka007

    dekka007 Notebook Guru

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    PC will be worthless almost by the time you get back and round to selling it.

    Where as the R1 will have significantly more resale value than the desktop 6-12months down the line.
     
    dekka007, Sep 29, 2011
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  10. MustangDJP

    MustangDJP Notebook Consultant

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    Great point on the resale value.
     
    MustangDJP, Sep 29, 2011
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  11. PapaAlfrego

    PapaAlfrego Notebook Consultant

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    That extra money your putting in the R1 is basically like you getting to play it while away (i commend you sir, thank you for your bravery!).
    plan:
    Get the r1 and use it while away
    when you get back, sell it and use the cash to build your desktop

    also: your not really giving up too much performance considering i was just playing the BF3 beta on my R1, with some optimization of course....but yeah desktop is still more powerful.

    BTW: i play a lot of games, and never in my life would i have thought BF3 would run on an R1
     
    PapaAlfrego, Sep 29, 2011
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  12. some guy

    some guy Modding Addict

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    M11x you can take with you and will be just fine for mild gaming.

    Desktop wont be worth much by the time you get back to use it.

    Id got for it! :)
     
    some guy, Sep 29, 2011
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  13. MustangDJP

    MustangDJP Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks everyone. Eased my mind...
     
    MustangDJP, Sep 29, 2011
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  14. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    You will end up happy with your choice. The r1 is a great little machine, there is tons of support here on the forums for it. Plus the r1 has some nice upgrades to make it faster. Plus if something breaks, parts are cheaper.
     
    ejohnson, Sep 29, 2011
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