vikingrinn

Hi vkingrinn, I read your post here and in the other forums and I have to say You make a lot of sense, but also we are talking about Alienware. and alienware owners are a different bread.

As you probably know, if you wanted just a capable machine I bet you many people will be just as happy to have on of those Asus Gaming republic that cost half the price of the Alienware and come with almost identical configuration, or the ones that fancy themselves as connoisseurs might choose one of those useless piece of overprice crappola with the vaio sticker.

Alienware owners are just not that type, they are more demanding and they like to research, discuss and customize their machines extensible. You are correct pointing out that the m17x-R3 is already pushing the envelope, but you also gotta remember than is not everyday that Alienware releases a new line, and in this case starting to look like 2 the 14 and the 18.

I second that. Alienware Fan Boy here.

lol, make no mistake - recall persuading my brother into his first m17 a few years back (and now all family/friends are owners!~ ), and have been an alienware fan for years!~ more rather the point was/is to at least take usage into account when considering the right *alienware* to fit ones needs (especially if it will be their sole/primary system), despite the very nature/tendency of the typical enthusiast/alienware customer to want the very 'biggest/baddest/bestest' regardless (such as myself even), lol!~

To me the M18x is the best looking AW laptop made so far. The R3 is obviously almost as nice since they have similar designs but construction quality difference between the two will be huge. Bottom line is they address two very different markets. The R3 is for people that want a semi portable gaming laptop and the M18x is for full on performance enthusiasts that demand the absolute best in everything. For me neither is really the ideal fit, the M14x fits that perfectly so once I review the M18x, it's going up for sale most likely.

after thinking *logically* through the initial *emotional* enthusiasm, i tend to agree. in reality the M17x R3 already pushes the envelope of portability & performance in a notebook. the M18x is an entirely different system altogether, aimed for an entirely different market segment who doesn't mind being tethered all that much, for the ultimate experience in desktop replacements. the consumer segment and model usage is in general much different, and should not be confused...

in the end, i'm going to have to consider usage (again, for like the umpteenth time... maybe should more properly refer to it as 'justification' instead, and get some practice in for the girlfriend, lol!~ ) before resolving this decision - and even then it will probably be only a year or so later before reconsidering, lol!~

have resisted actually voting in this poll so far, as individual usage should prove the deciding factor. this gadget (and it's 17.3" sibling) does make for quite the 'shoulder angel' conflict, lol!~

Indeed, I even think it will be offered with a single 460 WAY before they offer 460 or 480 or 485 in SLI...

a single 6970M would be nice, and would definitely be another big help here (understanding dual gpu is a no brainer for most among the market segment even contemplating this sort of system in the first place ) in making the decision between the two systems - ultimately will boil down to usage, and based on that...

if you're crazy enough to take it to class (when I started medical school, I used to take my M1710 to classes regularly) and don't have an outlet near by. I'd definitely appreciate IGP support but I'll still get the system even if it doesn't have it.

(lol, on occasion... ) this. +1

still holding out changing anything with current (delayed) orders until finding out if the unit has access to igp or not. that could prove to be one of the primary lynchpins (here) for the unit aside from weight/dimensions, which may affect overall day to day portability. also, anyone catch (while it was up) if the system is configurable with single (i know, i know - no :facepalm: or :rolleye:, have reasons here ) gpu as well?

Alienware M18x

+1 michael, tu - was just reading the same at the china page...

@extra inch all the way around from the M17x R3 (below) and 2.5+ xtra pounds, hmmm...

Height (rear): 1.77" - (45mm)

Height (front): 1.75" - (44.5mm)

Depth: 11.96" - (304mm)

Width: 16.14" - (410mm)

Start Weight - 9.39lbs (4.26kg)

Isn't Avenger the coolest fucking codename for a notebook?

it is

with currently existing order delays, if we could get some finalized M18x launch specs (most esp. dimensions & weight to see what the difference actually is, as opposed to keep guestimating) to base some final decisions on...

Thankfully the world is more colorful that that. [ATTACH=CONFIG]523[/ATTACH]

That tech exists somewhere in a government and/or Intel lab.

I have no doubt! Just a matter of cost. Just a few million to play the latest PC games on the go.

...we need tony stark to share this tech - perhaps it'll be some future revision 'avenger'!~ lol

Black and white? What's that?

night and day, lol speaking of which - if only all this power could only be squeezed into the form factor/battery life of an ipad, rofl!!!~ j/k could. not. resist.

Unless one is buying a desktop replacement. Then the expectations of portability need to be moved down a few notches.

understood, definitely do ndeed respect that perspective for shure!~ simply working from more of a black and white based view (either it's something truly portable or would just go build a tethered desktop) when weighing all these pro/con factors for the system purchase decision - but that's just personal usage/need/preference here...

Well at least officially, the R3 probably can still address 32 GB if you stick it in there.

that would be nice, and perhaps the real question here if the system is ndeed to be launched this month. if so, the same motherboard in a different case (accomodating dual gpu's as opposed to single) is still a possibility. this would mean all of the portability of the M15x R2 sized M17x R3, with all the options (officially or not) of the M18x sans dual gpu's. hmmm...

99% of my use would be near an outlet as well but that 1% I sometimes travel on a flight somewhere, it would come in handy.

the key usage for any notebook purchase here is something powerful yet portable, not either or... cake and eat it too!~ lol

The "same motherboard" comment was by me based off the placeholder image on the CDN site. This was obviously a wrong image, as we know now. Seeing the bottom vents proves its a totally different motherboard layout and 32gb option means it has 4dimms .

-Ash

...4 dimms on M17x R3 as well, right?

I just realized that I saw NO mention of battery life in the promotional photos which is worrying. I'm guessing it will have the same limitation that R2 did with multi GPU chipset not supporting IGP. If that is the case, battery life will be an abysmal 1:30 mins like R2. I think for ultimate portability, R3 is the way to go. If you want a gaming monster that is a true DTR the M18x delivers. They really target two different markets and right now I'm just praying M18x has IGP support.

isn't it the same motherboard as the M17x R3, only with dual gpu's? that is unless they're shifting, and going to hold off until E3 and release with mobile Z68?

Not yet but I'd guess around 11 lbs starting based on the look of it. It looks nearly the same thickness as R2.

hmmm... my only concern is the M17x R3 dimensions seem to be just on the edge of reasonably balanced power/portability for everyone, and fits (maximum) most accessory (bags/cases/stands/etc.) items out there after doing some comparison measurements while out shopping today... how's the availability for things on the M17x R2 size, for comparisons sake?

i guess it's (decision) going to all boil down to usage - the aluminum is nice touch ndeed, but soft touch isn't too shabby either. the only other major factor (here) is the dual gpu vs. single gpu, and if that's not really going to be used (here) all that much, everything else seems to be pushing the system past daily portability. it truly looks to be a desktop replacement vs. a notebook in that regards. idk, torn here...

+1 brian, thanks for posting the collection up!

looks like they decided to make alien head on the lid solid white like the remainder of the new lineup?

decisions, decisions... any details on the dimensions or weight on this thing yet? ;P

might prove incorrect, but based on previous rumors/speculations/patterns, predict the M18x will essentially be same system (ie: finish/panel/motherboard) as the M17x R3 only with dual gpu's and @inch larger screen (@size & weight of M17x R2). so your choice may be spot on for best balance of power/portability...

might prove incorrect w/finish aspect:

Dell - Help Me Choose: Alienware Colors

still predict motherboard will be shared between the two systems, yet maybe an extra panel variation from that which is found in M17x R3? probably not too much longer to find out!

i am gonna vote for the R3 in the poll.

It's decided

might prove incorrect, but based on previous rumors/speculations/patterns, predict the M18x will essentially be same system (ie: finish/panel/motherboard) as the M17x R3 only with dual gpu's and @inch larger screen (@size & weight of M17x R2). so your choice may be spot on for best balance of power/portability...

xcellent, as the release is seemingly imminent?

current/updated official dell community profile for: Dell-Chris M

screenshot:

nice, thanks for the link brian!

looking forward to it!

(btw, carolina liar - nice touch!~ )

or is there no second slot for the video card in the R3?

this.

the M15x sized M17x R3 is likewise a powerful single gpu system.

the M17x R2 sized M18x will likewise be an extremely powerful dual gpu system.

can't wait for the t|i R3 review, visual mods lookin' nice there guys!

“We have a really good team,” Lewis said. “We have very little attrition [...] at Alienware. The people that are planning our products have been planning our products for the past ten years. The leader of the group was actually our third employee at the company. I think having a lot of consistency in the type of person who really understands what Alienware is about and understands who are customer is and what they’re looking for, they can cut through a lot of the noise that you see on the marketplace on whether something is a real complaint or it’s something that’s not a real complaint and really focus on what matters.”

the full interview can be read here.