![[H]ard|Forum](/styles/hardforum/xenforo/logo_dark.png){kind=logo}
I'm considering getting an Alienware M15x laptop with the following config:
SYSTEM COLOR Alienware M15x, Cosmic Black
PROCESSOR Intel® Core i7-720QM Quad Core Processor 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 1 Year Basic Service Plan
VIDEO CARD 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M
LCD PANEL 15.6-inch WideHD+ 1600x900 (900p) WLED
MEMORY 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
HARD DRIVE 500GB SATAII 7,200RPM
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
BATTERY OPTIONS Primary - 6-cell (56Watt) Lithium-Ion Battery
WIRELESS CARDS Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card
I think there's a little bit of hate for Alienware, so I'll just say that I have *always* wanted one, for years and years. My current laptop is getting a little long in the tooth and while it isn't in dire need of replacement, I'm exploring my options. At any rate, I'm aware that it isn't the best bang-for-my-buck and while I wouldn't go so far as to say that money isn't an issue, I can comfortably spend the money on an Alienware so long as it will suit my needs.
My biggest concern before I pull the trigger, is that I might end up disappointed. I haven't followed the graphics card scene for a while, and it's been years since I have owned a desktop. My current laptop is a Vostro 1500 with an 8600M GT, 2.0 ghz core2duo, 2 gigs of ram and win7. As far as my needs go, 90% of the time I spend is playing WoW. It's my bread and butter game. But I also do dabble in newer titles like Bioshock (1 & 2), Left4Dead (1 & 2) and CoD:MW. So I don't want something that will run *just* WoW well. I would expect my future rig to run WoW at max (or close to max) settings and look *gorgeous*, and run titles above well (at max reso, maybe with setting like AA and textures cranked down just a notch or 2). I seldom watch movies (and wouldn't anticipate a problem) and browse a little bit, but my home laptop is mostly for gaming.
My understanding is that the GeForce® GTX 260M is roughly equivalent to the 9600 desktop card, which I never recall being that impressive. Whatever laptop I get next is going to have to carry me for at least 2-3 years.
So what do you guys think? If you own one of these beauties, how does it run? Would an Alienware M15x only disappoint me given my needs? Is there something I should tweak, or something I should wait for? I'm open to alternatives - my only biggies are that it run the games I mentioned above, it has a 1600x900 screen or higher resolution, and is preferably a 15 inch laptop.
Your thoughts we appreciated!
SYSTEM COLOR Alienware M15x, Cosmic Black
PROCESSOR Intel® Core i7-720QM Quad Core Processor 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 1 Year Basic Service Plan
VIDEO CARD 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M
LCD PANEL 15.6-inch WideHD+ 1600x900 (900p) WLED
MEMORY 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
HARD DRIVE 500GB SATAII 7,200RPM
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
BATTERY OPTIONS Primary - 6-cell (56Watt) Lithium-Ion Battery
WIRELESS CARDS Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card
I think there's a little bit of hate for Alienware, so I'll just say that I have *always* wanted one, for years and years. My current laptop is getting a little long in the tooth and while it isn't in dire need of replacement, I'm exploring my options. At any rate, I'm aware that it isn't the best bang-for-my-buck and while I wouldn't go so far as to say that money isn't an issue, I can comfortably spend the money on an Alienware so long as it will suit my needs.
My biggest concern before I pull the trigger, is that I might end up disappointed. I haven't followed the graphics card scene for a while, and it's been years since I have owned a desktop. My current laptop is a Vostro 1500 with an 8600M GT, 2.0 ghz core2duo, 2 gigs of ram and win7. As far as my needs go, 90% of the time I spend is playing WoW. It's my bread and butter game. But I also do dabble in newer titles like Bioshock (1 & 2), Left4Dead (1 & 2) and CoD:MW. So I don't want something that will run *just* WoW well. I would expect my future rig to run WoW at max (or close to max) settings and look *gorgeous*, and run titles above well (at max reso, maybe with setting like AA and textures cranked down just a notch or 2). I seldom watch movies (and wouldn't anticipate a problem) and browse a little bit, but my home laptop is mostly for gaming.
My understanding is that the GeForce® GTX 260M is roughly equivalent to the 9600 desktop card, which I never recall being that impressive. Whatever laptop I get next is going to have to carry me for at least 2-3 years.
So what do you guys think? If you own one of these beauties, how does it run? Would an Alienware M15x only disappoint me given my needs? Is there something I should tweak, or something I should wait for? I'm open to alternatives - my only biggies are that it run the games I mentioned above, it has a 1600x900 screen or higher resolution, and is preferably a 15 inch laptop.
Your thoughts we appreciated!
