ALIENWARE’S Portable Gaming Flagship — M17x Mobile Desktop

Introducing the “I LOVE THIS LAPTOP’s” Arch-Nemesis

Actually this awesome machine and my PREVIOUS “Top Dog”, The DELL XPS-Studio-1640, aren’t even in the same Ballpark much less “playing the same game” (pun intended).

This “King of the Hill”  Mobile Desktop category gaming platform is, by a huge margin, simply the most formidable computer that I’ve even owned. And, having been a computer professional since 1967, I’ve built my fair share of computers from the ground up.

My last computer purchase was also a Laptop category (The Dell XPS-Studio-16. See review of that computer on this same site) and is also a very nice machine, but not what I would really categorize as a Mobile Desktop. The Dell is light and petite in comparison, and can literally be picked up pinched between a thumb and forefinger. The M17x is challenging to pick up with both hands. Just to illustrate the point, imagine lugging around a 15lb+ frozen turkey, everywhere you went, as a computing device.

In all fairness to the M17x though, it’s designed to be user maintainable/upgradeable, and can be configured to have some of the most powerful and advanced options obtainable in no other Mobile Desktop. You don’t just cram all the power of this Uber-Laptop into a case (even an all Aluminum shell such as this) and expect it to be diminutive or a lightweight. Buy something else if you want ease of portability or are not up to a little physical exercise.

But if you appreciate raw power, hang onto your socks, ’cause this baby ROCKS! Short of an all out full sized gaming platform, look no further. This machine will chew up and spit out anything that you can throw at it, and is not just limited to games. Games are often the ultimate stress on all aspects of your overall equipment though. I’ve yet to find a really demanding game, configured for all the settings “maxed out”, that will make this machine even get warm to the touch. Prior machines have often gotten downright HOT and even painful to rest my hands on. The M17x has some impressive fans, but they aren’t usually on at all. With extremely heavy demands they can get fairly rowdy sounding, but actually only for a short period of time. Even at full tilt, the noise level is not all that distracting at all.

Quality of design and construction is Excellent, in fact the best I’ve ever encountered by a wide margin. Aesthetically, this machine is absolutely gorgeous, that’s the only way to describe it and not mince words. From it’s full sized keyboard, with a very solid and pleasing feel, to it’s real glass full side to side designed display the overall quality of design and impressiveness oozes from every pore. The display is rock solid in stability, geometry, and sheer visual impact. Multiple areas of the total package and keyboard are individually selectable and configurable in a wide range of backlit color choices.

Even the aluminum case itself can come in an attention grabbing Anodized option called Nebula Red.

Available optical drives include a DVD/CD burner, a drive that will also play BluRay discs and a final upgrade to one that includes a BluRay burner. The included optical display (screen)  is a 17-inch WideXGA+ which displays 1440 x 900 pixels (900p). That screen can be enhanced by configuring your unit with an optional 17-inch WideUXGA RGB LED backlit screen displaying 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution (1200p).

Keyboard zones alone can all be set to individual color selections for easy identification. Even the aggressive grill and fan outlets can be configured in your choice of color schemes. The grillwork being very reminiscent of an alien space craft or some exotic race car. From the crispness of the display quality, the typical and expected Alienware styling motif,  and the configurable lighting color schemes this machine simply cannot be ignored by anyone in its proximity. Do not leave this computer unattended for even a second in a crowded location like an airport terminal or neighborhood coffee shop.

Not only can you adjust the colors of the badges on the back & front, the mouse trackpad, the ‘grillwork/headlights’ (also front fans and front firing speaker ports), you can also set the keyboard to display up to as many as 4 colors at the same time.

When considering an extreme gaming computer, the focus of your attention should always be on the graphics card setup and options (if any!). The M17x comes standard with the awesome 1GB ATI Radeon Mobility HD-4870. You can optionaly upgrade to Dual boards with Crossfire, or Dual HD-5870′s with Crossfire. This will support outrageous gaming requirements or amazing multitasking.

Ports are plentiful and ALL are easily accessed from the sides of this beast. I would have liked at least one of the USB ports to have been on the rear, so that my wireless mouse dongle weren’t so “out in the breeze”. But I view this a very minor Nit, on a very short list.

Of more importance to me is a port for both Firewire (ieee 1394) and eSATA. These ports are just not as prevalent on many laptops to suit me. Also 3 discrete audio outputs speaks loudly to me. For some unknownst reason to me (lack of availability of parts?) a BluRay option on the DVD/CD drive was not available as an option during the configuration phase of my unit while specifying my desired optional equipment.

Speaking of the configuration phase, let’s move on to the “not so good” side of this impressive beast, the bottom line price. As you might expect none of Alienware’s computers are inexpensive, especially when you start selecting the high end “good stuff”. Base price for this unit is $1799. But why bother? If you’re like me, and have committed to “the absolute best to offer”, why skimp?

The base machine comes with the Intel® Core™ i5 520M 2.4GHz (2.93GHz Turbo Mode, 3MB Cache). Other Optional CPU choices top out with the phenomenal Intel® Core™ i7 920XM 2.0 GHz (3.2GHz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache). This is currently the most powerful Mobile CPU option obtainable in any machine currently available on the planet! This single upgrade option alone will pump up the base price  by $1050 all by itself.

Here’s the way I configured my “Beast”:

Nebula Red – Special Edition – Anodized Aluminun
Intel Core i7 920XM 2.0GHz (3.2Ghz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache)
6GB Memory (1 x 2GB, 1x 4GB DDR3)
17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED (1200p)
Dual  1GB ATI Radeon Mobility HD 4870 with CrossFireX
256GB Solid State Drive
Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit
8X DVD+/- RW Dual Laver Drive
Intel Ultimate N Wifi Link 6300 a/g/n
500GB, 7200 rpm SATA-II HDD
3yr Extended Warranty, in Home Service (After Remote Diagnostics)

My total bottom line price $4,994.00 before taxes
Also, before adding on extras like an additional power supply (just in case one of my pups thinks the cord on this machine is “extra tasty”. AND the carrying case designed to handle this Dynamo. Word to the wise — Many aftermarket carrying cases will NOT work, either can’t handle the weight of the M17x OR it’s proportions.

In Summary:
If you’re a very serious gamer, chances are that you’re already considering an Alienware computer. The Alienware branding is at or near the top of any aficionado’s Best of the Best list. The M17x gaming laptop puts their already legendary desktop power into a Mobile Desktop format, even though in a somewhat heavy and bulky package.

Anyone who breaks out this Uber-Laptop and starts competing in the hottest new MMORPG is going to be the envy of everyone and anyone around. My personal vote? Go for it! This is my favorite of favorites, of ANY computer I have even laid my hands on, I’ve not a single complaint. I LOVE THIS MACHINE!!

© 2010, Dennis Dearborne. All rights reserved.