Gaming Notebook Review - Alienware M17X

Dell Inc. acquired Alienware as a subsidiary in March2.53-GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad QX9300 CPU.
2006; however, Alienware was established about 10With these, no game would be too heavy to play.
years ago. Alienware had specialized in highOther features of the M17x include HDMI, VGA,
performance desktops, laptops and workstations.Ethernet, four USB 2.0, eSATA, DisplayPort and
Previously, most major manufacturers, including DellFireWire ports, plus, a memory card reader, and an
had failed to see the potential of the highExpressCard/54 slot.
performance gaming market. As the demand forSPECS AVAILABLE OPTIONS (From Dell's website)
gaming laptops grew, Dell was drawn towardsCPU - Intel Core 2 Suo P8600 (3MB Cache, 1066MHz
Alienware.FSB) up to Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad QX9300
Alienware's name itself as well as the names of its(12MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
company products are inspired by the successful TVRAM - 4GB, 6GB, 8GB DDR31
series, The X-Files. Even the designs of its laptopsScreen Size - 17-inch WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 - (900p)
have extra-terrestrial themes.LCD, 17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 - (1200p) LCD
Alienware's absorption into Dell did not result toOperating System - Microsoft Windows Vista Home
drastic changes to its products. Alienware actually gotPremium (64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
a lot of leverage now since it still has autonomy with(64-bit)
regards to design and marketing while it benefitsBattery Life - About 3 hours
from Dell's supply chain, purchasing power, andGraphics - Single 1GB GDDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GTX
production capabilities.260M, SLI Dual 1GB GDDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GTX
There's no doubting the fact that the Alienware280M
M17x is a gamer's machine. The design is notPros
ambiguous at all. LED lights are found everywhere onIt's difficult not to obsess about the Alienware M17x
the M17x and we especially like the option that allowswith its many top-of-the-line features and sheer
the user to customize the lighting combo.power. We like its style and its sturdiness. Most
Like most gaming laptops, the M17x is quite heavy.people would definitely find the customization options
And it is made heavier due to the metal trimmings,useful, plus has outstanding graphics. Because it can
the eccentric design, the chassis, and its internalbe easily configured, it is more practical than others.
parts. Even the lid is heavy. Portability is decreasedCons
since we doubt that people would enjoy carrying thisThe weight of the Alienware M17x is a minor
much weight around.problem. Upgrading the device is costly as well as
We like its full-sized keyboard that's as responsive ascausing more inconvenience since it adds more
any laptop we've tried. The M17x is able to doweight. Its battery life leaves much to be desired.
multimedia tasks extremely well. The figures say it all:Conclusion
17-inch display with a 1920 x 1200 high-definitionWe recommend the Alienware M17x to gamers,
resolution. In addition, its speakers produce clear andconsumers, and businesspersons alike. It is just that
loud sounds.good. If you don't mind the aching of your shoulder
Alienware does claim that the M17x is the "the mostafter lugging it around a few times or if it stays on
powerful laptop in the universe." We're not surethe desk most of the time anyway, then this laptop
about that but we'll go along and say that it ranksshould definitely be considered a major contender for
quite high on that list. The laptop is equipped withmost people's attention and money.
two Nvidia's GeForce GTX 280M graphics cards and a