Alienware m11x

its better less input lag..

guys which colour is better? Black or Lunar Silver ?

I've always liked black, shows less wear and tear. Black might hide finger printers better, but I'm not sure with the m11x. Pretty much just comes down to preference! :D
 
You are just wrong on every point today arent you LOL Now you are saying we can only compare certain Atoms not all of them, i've been comparing the same one all along the one that's in my netbook the Atom 330 :rolleyes:

PCMARK Vantage for Atom 330 1900ish, CULV C2D 3000ish, i5 10,000ish You sure about that gap size? Your talking out your backside mate. :rolleyes:


Actually, you are both right and wrong. The newer Atom chipset was designed for playing video efficiently on netbook form factors and also PMP's. It performs this task better than the HD4500. As far as games and other apps- The SU7300 (example) kicks the Atom's a55. My favorite test is Dead or Alive and NFL Blitz in MAME, since they are both 3D games and render all of it through the CPU. Even he newer/faster Atom chipsets are MUCH slower (not playable) than the SU7300 (plays them both smoothly) clocked at just 1.3ghz. I test devices out all the time and use MAME as my CPU litmus test- I carry MAME on a thumbdrive :)

In regards to the M11x, the 335m does the main video function and output for displays. The 335m is FAR better than the Atom chipset or just about any other mobile chipset ATM.\

@King = Black is wack! :)
 
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Though I had heard of the m11x and all the buzz around it I actually never new its expect specs until I read them earlier today. I didn't realize the m11x is a kissing cousin to my HP tm2 Tablet PC. Both use C2D CULV processors, the GS45 chipset and the tm2 has an option for a dedicated GPU, the HD 4550 which isn't as powerful as the 335, I don't really know hoe big the difference is but I imagine its a decent jump in performance. The tm2 does has an option to get a 1.6GHz CPU which I got for my tm2 and along with the 4550 this little puppy screams along most of them time, it's not slow and even games half decently, no real gaming powerhouse but then neither is the m11x, but it is very mobile at only 4.5, that's not a bad weight, about the same as my tm2.

Interesting that they are targeting a CULV system to gamers. Makes sense for a tablet when you take into the special thermal concerns unique to tablets, remember people are supposed to hold them from underneath as a normal mode or operation and a lot of laptops just get too hot underneath and at the vents these days and using such a machine like that is not ideal for tablet use. But you do get that great battery life when running at reduced power mode, something the tm2 has as well when you get the HD4550 GPU option to help with battery life.
 
Though I had heard of the m11x and all the buzz around it I actually never new its expect specs until I read them earlier today. I didn't realize the m11x is a kissing cousin to my HP tm2 Tablet PC. Both use C2D CULV processors, the GS45 chipset and the tm2 has an option for a dedicated GPU, the HD 4550 which isn't as powerful as the 335, I don't really know hoe big the difference is but I imagine its a decent jump in performance. The tm2 does has an option to get a 1.6GHz CPU which I got for my tm2 and along with the 4550 this little puppy screams along most of them time, it's not slow and even games half decently, no real gaming powerhouse but then neither is the m11x, but it is very mobile at only 4.5, that's not a bad weight, about the same as my tm2.

Interesting that they are targeting a CULV system to gamers. Makes sense for a tablet when you take into the special thermal concerns unique to tablets, remember people are supposed to hold them from underneath as a normal mode or operation and a lot of laptops just get too hot underneath and at the vents these days and using such a machine like that is not ideal for tablet use. But you do get that great battery life when running at reduced power mode, something the tm2 has as well when you get the HD4550 GPU option to help with battery life.

I have the HP 2010. It uses the Duron X2 dual core 2ghz. AMD mobile chips suck- wish I knew at the time. Wanted a tablet for the wife, but lower cost.

The SU7300 is twice as fast as the Duron X2 dual core- at least in MAME. SU7300 = good, but AMD mobile chips = suck.
 
I have the HP 2010. It uses the Duron X2 dual core 2ghz. AMD mobile chips suck- wish I knew at the time. Wanted a tablet for the wife, but lower cost.

The SU7300 is twice as fast as the Duron X2 dual core- at least in MAME. SU7300 = good, but AMD mobile chips = suck.

Yeah, I have the HP tx2 Tablet PC as well that used the Turion Ultra CPU. Fast but VERY hot and power hungry mobile CPUs. And the 3200 wasn't that power efficient itself or fast as it still wasn't a dedicated GPU with its own memory.

The C2D CULVs are almost as fast as the Turions but SO much cooler and better on battery.
 
Yeah, I have the HP tx2 Tablet PC as well that used the Turion Ultra CPU. Fast but VERY hot and power hungry mobile CPUs. And the 3200 wasn't that power efficient itself or fast as it still wasn't a dedicated GPU with its own memory.

The C2D CULVs are almost as fast as the Turions but SO much cooler and better on battery.

I thought it ran fast too until testing with MAME. NFL Blitz and Dead or Alive are slide shows on the Turion, but smooth as butter on the SU7300 just clocked at 1.3ghz. Just shows that the Turion's "2ghz" may not be as efficient as the SU's "1.3ghz". ;)

Yes, BTW, the TX2010 runs HOT and the fan is always in hovercraft mode when playing 3d games or anything beyond basic web.
 
Yes, BTW, the TX2010 runs HOT and the fan is always in hovercraft mode when playing 3d games or anything beyond basic web.

You're talking to the choir. The tx2 was a decent machine EXCEPT for the heat and noise. The tm2 fixes ALL of that and is why the tm2 is a good upgrade for ALL HP Tablet PC owners that were overall happy with their machines but wished for something cooler and quieter while maintaining and even improving performance especially in gaming.
 
.... Dead or Alive and NFL Blitz in MAME, since they are both 3D games and render all of it through the CPU. Even he newer/faster Atom chipsets are MUCH slower (not playable) than the SU7300 (plays them both smoothly) clocked at just 1.3ghz. I test devices out all the time and use MAME as my CPU litmus test- I carry MAME on a thumbdrive :)

I just had to chime in, I really like the sound of using MAME as a legit CPU test... that my friend is genius. I have never heard of doing this as a benchmark, so I thank u very much for this gem. I want to try this now very much!

Engadget review! LINK

score, I loves me some [H] forums! thank u for that link! .. a little on topic, I ordered my m11x on the 5th, now just waiting impatiently for mine to ship ;)

lastly, I wanted to say thank you ZerazaX soo much for the great pics u posted @ #87, this thread here and the ones over at notebookreview <= another gem of a website I gleaned from this [H] forum thread -- keeps me sane (I think).

I wish we could get the hardOCP editors to do a article/review on this lappy!
 
Love the look/sound of this, but I'm a bit concerned about the CPU. Currently my main PC is a dell studio XPS 13 Core 2 duo P8600 @ 2.4Ghz.

Are there any benchmarks of this CPU so I could compare it to what I'm using currently or can anyone reassure me about the performance? I've been looking for a sub 14" gaming notebook for a long time and I'm really excited about this one.
 
Love the look/sound of this, but I'm a bit concerned about the CPU. Currently my main PC is a dell studio XPS 13 Core 2 duo P8600 @ 2.4Ghz.

Are there any benchmarks of this CPU so I could compare it to what I'm using currently or can anyone reassure me about the performance? I've been looking for a sub 14" gaming notebook for a long time and I'm really excited about this one.

Don't have this unit but I have a system with the same basic CPU, a 1.6GHz C2D CULV, a bit faster than the 1.3GHz part in the m11x though it's supposed to overclock to 1.73GHz, so you're basically getting the same CPU performance as me. Coupled with a bit faster GPU than the HD 4550 I have in my tm2, you're going to get some decent gaming performance. Even my tm2 can run even modern games, though at lower settings. However the games do run, even if they are missing some detail.

The m11x isn't going to give you the ultimate mobile gaming experience but it comes in an attractive size and is a reasonably price almost ultra-portable and powerful consumer notebook. Not a bad package if you just want to do some lighter gaming on the side, it's not going to replace a powerful desktop for sure.
 
lastly, I wanted to say thank you ZerazaX soo much for the great pics u posted @ #87, this thread here and the ones over at notebookreview <= another gem of a website I gleaned from this [H] forum thread -- keeps me sane (I think).

Thanks! If you look at ChewieTobbacca's review thread @ notebookreviews, I've got more pics there.

I've always liked black, shows less wear and tear. Black might hide finger printers better, but I'm not sure with the m11x. Pretty much just comes down to preference! :D

Black's always been a finger print magnet for me. I love the silver - no worries about that here!

guys which colour is better? Black or Lunar Silver ?

I'm partial to silver :p
 
They need to make a M14x, that would be perfect and I think the layout of the platform could be designed to be thin.
 
fnord0,

MAME seems to be the most practical, since renders 3D with the CPU. Main games I test are NFL Blitz, Dead or Alive, Soul Calibur, Cruisin USA, Rival Schools, Bio Hazard and Ridge Racer. AMD mobile chips and Atoms CHOKE on these games, but even ULV chips like the SU7300 play them smoothly at 1.3ghz and all perfectly with the extra clock (that allow OC, of course).

Keep a complete set (except the bigger HD games) on a 32gb thumbdrive :)
 
I'd like to ask a question, or 2.. is the processor on this laptop upgradable? I don't see this mentioned anywhere, if anything on the board is "manually upgradable"? the RAM, yeah, one would think so - and a hard drive/blutooth... but what about the CPU specifically?

I am not as familiar with my laptop hardware, as I am full-blown desktop hardware and motherboards. I see the m11x has DDR3 1066MHz RAM, the C2D SU7300 1.3GHz CPU only has a 800MHz FSB (which is the one I ordered).

looking at wikipedia, I see the SU7300 is a "Penryn-3M" (ultra-low-voltage, 45 nm, Small Form Factor) socket "µFC-BGA 956" TDP 10W... generally with desktop CPUs u can at some point upgrade to a different processor that shares the same "socket type". looking @ wikipedia I see some other ? faster ? processors i.e. Core 2 Duo SP9400 says it is "2400 MHz Frequency" FSB is 1066, with TDP 25W - and/or the Core 2 Duo SL9600 @ 2133 MHz Frequency, 1066 FSB, 17W TDP? both CPUs I mention here are listed as Penryn 45nm low and medium voltage... is that the deal, they have to be in the same "voltage class" and have to share same "socket", or...?

can one manually upgrade the CPU on their own with the m11x laptop? if so, what options do we have available as a "down the road" upgrade to the proc?? honest questions...

ps. thanks all for the replies!
 
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Even if you could manually upgrade it, going from a CULV @ 1.3-1.6GHz to a regular C2D @2GHz+ would put a serious strain on the cooling hardware, I doubt it'd be very feasible... The BIOS might not even recognize it to begin with.
 
I'd like to ask a question, or 2.. is the processor on this laptop upgradable? I don't see this mentioned anywhere, if anything on the board is "manually upgradable"? the RAM, yeah, one would think so - and a hard drive/blutooth... but what about the CPU specifically?

I am not as familiar with my laptop hardware, as I am full-blown desktop hardware and motherboards. I see the m11x has DDR3 1066MHz RAM, the C2D SU7300 1.3GHz CPU only has a 800MHz FSB (which is the one I ordered).

looking at wikipedia, I see the SU7300 is a "Penryn-3M" (ultra-low-voltage, 45 nm, Small Form Factor) socket "µFC-BGA 956" TDP 10W... generally with desktop CPUs u can at some point upgrade to a different processor that shares the same "socket type". looking @ wikipedia I see some other ? faster ? processors i.e. Core 2 Duo SP9400 says it is "2400 MHz Frequency" FSB is 1066, with TDP 25W - and/or the Core 2 Duo SL9600 @ 2133 MHz Frequency, 1066 FSB, 17W TDP? both CPUs I mention here are listed as Penryn 45nm low and medium voltage... is that the deal, they have to be in the same "voltage class" and have to share same "socket", or...?

can one manually upgrade the CPU on their own with the m11x laptop? if so, what options do we have available as a "down the road" upgrade to the proc?? honest questions...

ps. thanks all for the replies!

9400 uses the same socket but the cpu in m11x is soldered so can't be replaced, I think they will probably refresh this very soon with i5 though. Probably just trying to get rid of all their old C2D stock of chips first.
 
i5 (ulv model) will not be practical in the M11x. The GPU already makes the thing sound like a hovercraft by some, so more power and heat would require a M12x or M13x form factor- needs room for better passive cooling.

The main issue though is price, since $200 more (easily) for an "i" series ULV option and the cost curve of that chip series will not be at SU7300 levels until the end of year- at best. More likely this time next year.

SU9600 will probably be the refresh, since that chip will be at a similar batch lot price of the SU7300 by summer.

Still, do not be surprised if AW releases an M13X with an i5 or i7 ulv (more likely).
 
I decided to go with the Sony CW model from Best Buy instead.

i5 520m
1600*900 resolution
Blu_ray
330M

Weaker GPU and lower battery life but pretty solid for $950. If I could have seen an M11x myself I would have potentially got one, really wish Best Buy would stock these things.
 
I decided to go with the Sony CW model from Best Buy instead.

i5 520m
1600*900 resolution
Blu_ray
330M

Weaker GPU and lower battery life but pretty solid for $950. If I could have seen an M11x myself I would have potentially got one, really wish Best Buy would stock these things.

My M11x came in today, so I will test when I get home. I know for a fact the CW27FX runs quiet and coold even when playing games on it. If the M11x is a loud hovercraft when playing games, I will send it back and keep the CW27FX. I would prefer the M11x since more portable. Then again, MUCH easier replacing the battery on the CW when on the road or in the air;)

Then again, the M11x with a USB DVD drive is almost the same weight. M11x better rock.
 
9400 uses the same socket but the cpu in m11x is soldered so can't be replaced, I think they will probably refresh this very soon with i5 though. Probably just trying to get rid of all their old C2D stock of chips first.

Penryn 45nm C2D CULV CPUs still represent a very good power consumption versus performance parts when paired with an integrated GPU. Since most games are more GPU than CPU dependent these days anyway the C2D CULV can get reasonable gaming performance from a small screen laptop.

It ain't gonna take down an i7 system paired with a 5000 Radeon series GPU obviously but what do you expect in a 4.5 lbs package?
 
UPDATE: Not having this problem now, but not sure why- Please see update in post 230.


MAME 3D games tested poorly on M11x- I am stunned.

Something is not adding up here. The M11x even when overclocked performs SLOWER than the UL50 clocked at 1.3ghz. Dead or Alive, Soul Calibur, NFL Blitz all are slower on the M11x. The M11x is slower in all of my tests compared to two different computers clocked at 1.3ghz. I am very dissapointed and will probably be returning the M11x if I can not figure this out.

Please put this in perspective. The M11x overclocked (1.3 was even slower) is slower than two demo units (SU7300) at Best Buy that are both clocked at 1.3ghz and have a ton of Best Buy demo and security junk running in the background.

A clean, minimum processed, open M11x is about 10 to 15% slower. Same chipset, so does not make sense. I am completely stunned, since I expected the M11x to perform 23% better than the stock clocked UL's. 3D has nothing to do with it and I have tried both methods, including changing to "performance". This makes no sense at all. Especially considering all of the processes running on the Best Buy demo units.

MAME is my main baby. I feel like I have lost a puppy now, since figured the M11x would be the perfect MAME system. Should have been- something must be wrong, but have tested several times.

I posted this in NBR forums as well, since I hope someone else tests. My system seems solid and no functional problems, but MAME performance is making ZERO sense.
 
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I'll be getting a V13 in a few days. It uses the same chip as the M11x (SU7300), but it only has the integrated chip Intel 4500MHD. I could run some tests if MAME uses mostly the CPU, to see if things stack up.
 
I'll be getting a V13 in a few days. It uses the same chip as the M11x (SU7300), but it only has the integrated chip Intel 4500MHD. I could run some tests if MAME uses mostly the CPU, to see if things stack up.

MAME uses the cpu, so you will be good (I use MAME for tests, since the CPU generates the 3D- not the gpu). The UL50 is same chipset and played MAME better than the M11x is. I do not understand, since at a minimum, the m11x should play just as smooth. Should be better, considering the clock is 23% higher.

I could not be more surprised if my head was stapled to the floor right now. MUST be a logical reason.
 
I've owned a Sager NP8662 for the past year (QC/4GB/SSD/BT/260M/BRD) and while it's an awesome laptop, it's BIG and HEAVY for travelling - I'm looking to travel two weeks each month for the foreseeable future and downsizing might be a step in the right direction, however I am a bit reluctant to bite on the first gen....if the CPU was a bit faster on the MX11 I think I'd bite right now and swap out my SSD HDD...
 
I decided to go with the Sony CW model from Best Buy instead.

i5 520m
1600*900 resolution
Blu_ray
330M

Weaker GPU and lower battery life but pretty solid for $950. If I could have seen an M11x myself I would have potentially got one, really wish Best Buy would stock these things.



you will like the cw better then m11x in gaming performance..
 
Doesn't Dell use "Lowest Bidder" type hardware for their systems? They are assembled in China, right?
 
you will like the cw better then m11x in gaming performance..

I would have kept the CW, again - if I did not have a desktop gaming rig. The m11x is for super portability and nice to have option to turn the gpu off (CW does not).

I am going to try another compile of MAME, since this is not making sense. Still, hidef video and Redfaction 2 plays smooth. Never would expect that Redfaction 2 would work well with a system this size and for the price. There will be better options- but they will cost more (of course).

I am very impressed with the M11x- in spite of MAME, which gain, makes ZERO sense. Must be something silly, since Redfaction 2 is cpu hungry and plays fine.

BTW, DVD's look amazing on this display! Playing through a Toshiba USB drive. Works with one USB connecton:)
 
I am not sure what has happened, but I am not having the MAME problem now. Very weird:

1. MAME plays just as fast or faster now- do not know why

2. NullDC plays SMOKING fast! Dead or Alive 2 and Soul Calibur seem like they designed for the M11x. I played in higher res window mode too

3. PCSX2 plays a "lot" of games well (Directx10 hardware mode)
1. NSF2
2. Bloody Roar 4
3. KOF 2006
4. Every shooter I threw at it, including Raiden 3! WOW!!!!
5. All of the 2D fighters I tried (only three so far, but MAME has them anyways).

4. PS1... Another that seems designed for the M11x- all played perfectly.

Games like Soul Calibur and Blitz League were slow, but they are not much better on my Q8200 and highend Nvidia card.

Call me impressed for a device this size doing this well!
 
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mm sorry

do you mean red faction 3 ???

red faction 2 was like 5-6 years old game .. never my old netbook could run it..
 
I myself have a gaming desktop

i just want to be able to play games when i am away from home.
This is why i got myself this samsung r480
I just want to make sure , this laptop can run any games i throw at it in the next 1-2 years
and not really heavier then 5lb

That was the only reason why i picked the samsung r480 instead of the sony cw lol
r480 is 5.07lb
CW is 5.3lb
LOL
 
fwiw, I haven't had any issues so far playing... MW2, Bioshock, SFIV, NFS:Shift, and Burnout Paradise. played all night yesterday. No lockups and my m11x is overclocked in the bios. I also want to mention that I am on a clean install also of Win7 Ult.

I also picked up this sleeve and it fit perfectly. (for those looking for one)
 
fwiw, I haven't had any issues so far playing... MW2, Bioshock, SFIV, NFS:Shift, and Burnout Paradise. played all night yesterday. No lockups and my m11x is overclocked in the bios. I also want to mention that I am on a clean install also of Win7 Ult.

I also picked up this sleeve and it fit perfectly. (for those looking for one)

What kinds of settings? I have a tm2 Tablet that has a 1.6GHz SU9600 C2D CULV CPU and a Radeon HD 4550 GPU. I'm pretty sure the GPU in the m11x is a lot more powerful but gaming on this tm2 ain't that bad. Can't max out much new stuff but you can get a decent level of settings and performance for just about any game, even new ones though it looks like there's a WHOLE new crop of games that it and even the m11x would struggle with on high settings. The recommended hardware for Metro 2033 is VERY high end. GeForce 480/470, 8 GB, i7 CPU, good grief. Fortunately my next rig will actually exceed these requirements (HURRAY!!) but still, for that kind of hardware this game should WOW I would hope rather than just be a hardware pig.
 
Dudes did you try to run online MW 2? Or general another fps game ..
How about input lag? And its difficult to aim a target playing at this size of panel?

I waiting an offer from dell ireland..i sold my xps m1730 sli 9800..because it was a heavy beast..
And i decide to buy m11x because its very portable ,Beautiful ,and you can play fps games at "good" settings ..also
i found the price logic.
 
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What kinds of settings? I have a tm2 Tablet that has a 1.6GHz SU9600 C2D CULV CPU and a Radeon HD 4550 GPU. I'm pretty sure the GPU in the m11x is a lot more powerful but gaming on this tm2 ain't that bad. Can't max out much new stuff but you can get a decent level of settings and performance for just about any game, even new ones though it looks like there's a WHOLE new crop of games that it and even the m11x would struggle with on high settings. The recommended hardware for Metro 2033 is VERY high end. GeForce 480/470, 8 GB, i7 CPU, good grief. Fortunately my next rig will actually exceed these requirements (HURRAY!!) but still, for that kind of hardware this game should WOW I would hope rather than just be a hardware pig.

native res.. everything maxed minus AA for the most part.
 
mm sorry

do you mean red faction 3 ???

red faction 2 was like 5-6 years old game .. never my old netbook could run it..

Yes, Red Faction 3. Have not tried RF2 yet. Frankly, my favorite game is UT 2004, so that is what I have been playing on it. Good times:)
 
I really want to bite (I will be travelling a ton in the future) and my current sager is just heavy...anyone have any good dell deals/coupons? =D
 
Heh, just took a look at it... Back-lit keyboard is nice at that price point, the rest of the design I'm not too crazy about, typical Alienware. :eek: Dell's pricing for extended warranties bites too, imo. Still the price ain't bad (sub-$900) for an 11.6" with 4GB of DDR3 and a CULV + GT 335M...

Hrm waitaminute, I thought this had a hybrid graphics setup like the UL series, it seems the GT 335M is all you get tho... I guess that's still better for a gamer but for people who're split between gaming and productivity (or just want more battery life for movies, etc) the UL series still seems more appealing. The UL30Vt is like $850 for a 13" screen, 4GB DDR3, hybrid graphics (granted it's G210M + GMA 4500MHD), and a larger 8-cell battery. 500GB HD w/that too, same OC option, better 2-year warrant, and a nice brushed metal lid.

I have tried the UL and have the M11x.

1. Display is better than the UL
2. 3D games play MUCH better than the UL
3. Battery should last at least one hour longer than the UL (smaller display and larger relative battery compared to the 30vt) in non gpu mode.
4. Build quality seems better then the UL
5. Video performs about the same
6. Speakers are better than the UL

All of that said, if Asus put a little better display and at least a 330m, they would have a winner for 13" form factor. The 30JT is a waste with the 310m, since same chip as the 210m. Even on a 1.3 clocked GPU, the 210m is the bottleneck. An i7 with the same gpu seems pointless- 330m would have made the 30JT a HUGE gamer attraction. Heck, the same could be said about the 30VT. The display is OK, so just the GPU improvement would be huge.

After thinking about it, the 330m and 335m need a better heat dissipation solution than what the UL30 has. A more powerful GPU would probably mean a .25" thicker design... like the M11x for the same reason.
 
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notebookreview.com has just published the most extensive review (all-in-one page review) I've yet seen on the alienware m11x. I found that site thru this thread, and must say it's such a great site for laptops. props indeed :D
 
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