Alienware m11x

My gf's daughter has a 10" netbook (slightly smaller than this) and carries in most of the time to classes instead of her 15" laptop since it's light and does just fine for taking notes.

I think when she writes papers, she uses her regular laptop for the screen and maybe a bit more power/speed.

So maybe the answer would be one of these + a full size monitor for the dorm desk?

I do have an extra 19" monitor...

SwampYankee wrote:

I do have an extra 19" monitor...

Don't break the bank there, Swampy...

It's not a CRT, is it?

I ordered the Orion folio case with mine. That already arrived. It's got venting in the bottom so the m11x can be run inside of it. I'm glad I bought it. For $30, it might not be a bad idea if she plans on taking it to class.

LOL. I used all the old CRTs to make a shelter for the goats...

My delivery date got updated. I should have mine this week.

TheGameguru wrote:

I have the previous Gen M11x and ordered an i7 one because I'm a technology whore

So you must've had a good experience with the previous gen version?

Podunk wrote:
TheGameguru wrote:

I have the previous Gen M11x and ordered an i7 one because I'm a technology whore

So you must've had a good experience with the previous gen version?

It's the best gaming laptop in the small laptop category so yes.. the keyboard is kinda lame.. but other than that it really has no competition.

Its looks are a bit wonky..but its doable..

TheGameguru wrote:
Podunk wrote:
TheGameguru wrote:

I have the previous Gen M11x and ordered an i7 one because I'm a technology whore

So you must've had a good experience with the previous gen version?

It's the best gaming laptop in the small laptop category so yes.. the keyboard is kinda lame.. but other than that it really has no competition.

Its looks are a bit wonky..but its doable..

Wow that's quite a recommendation, I am going to have to look at ordering one now

Today should be the day, unless FedEx f*cks me over...

One week later...

Yeah, Dell and FedEx need to get their sh*t straight. Package is scheduled for delivery tomorrow. I'll see it when I believe it.

So, while FedEx says it will do an indirect drop off, they didn't leave it with my neighbor. So, rather than have three missed deliveries, I called and scheduled delivery on Saturday.

I hate FedEx.

My favorite bits of recent delivery guy stupidity has been drivers too lazy to come down our driveway. They've been leaving boxes balanced precariously on top of the mailbox. That's a good 75 to 80 yards out from the house.

So.. you know, it could be worse.

Thin_J wrote:

My favorite bits of recent delivery guy stupidity has been drivers too lazy to come down our driveway. They've been leaving boxes balanced precariously on top of the mailbox. That's a good 75 to 80 yards out from the house.

So.. you know, it could be worse.

Worse like this?

I had a similar thing happen to me with UPS. I was upstairs in my weight room and heard the truck stop. Saw the guy walk up the sidewalk and toss the package (a hard drive) from about 3 feet from the steps to my porch, so maybe 10 feet total. I just don't have security cameras like John did in his video.

TheGameguru wrote:

I have the previous Gen M11x and ordered an i7 one because I'm a technology whore

So uh... what are you doing with the old one?

Today is the day, unless I get shafted again.

I'm installing apps as I type this. This is one slick little laptop. It's smaller than I thought it would be, but I've got no issues typing on it. The facial recognition software for login is pretty cool too. I've got it hooked up to my 32" LCD now with a kb and mouse. I only had to tweak the power setting to not go to sleep on AC power when I close the lid.

So far so good.

Hemidal wrote:

I'm installing apps as I type this. This is one slick little laptop. It's smaller than I thought it would be, but I've got no issues typing on it. The facial recognition software for login is pretty cool too. I've got it hooked up to my 32" LCD now with a kb and mouse. I only had to tweak the power setting to not go to sleep on AC power when I close the lid.

So far so good.

Wait, what? Ok, that's cool - can you describe this, please?

Tanglebones wrote:
Hemidal wrote:

I'm installing apps as I type this. This is one slick little laptop. It's smaller than I thought it would be, but I've got no issues typing on it. The facial recognition software for login is pretty cool too. I've got it hooked up to my 32" LCD now with a kb and mouse. I only had to tweak the power setting to not go to sleep on AC power when I close the lid.

So far so good.

Wait, what? Ok, that's cool - can you describe this, please?

The camera built in the lid. Using the built-in Alienware software piece (AlienSense) you tie your Windows login to your picture through the camera. The first couple of times, you need to type your password while it "records" what you look like. Then on subsequent logins, it recognizes you and bypasses the password and goes to desktop. I had one issue with the blinds open behind my desk, being backlit makes it hard for the camera to recognize you.

Hemidal wrote:
Tanglebones wrote:
Hemidal wrote:

I'm installing apps as I type this. This is one slick little laptop. It's smaller than I thought it would be, but I've got no issues typing on it. The facial recognition software for login is pretty cool too. I've got it hooked up to my 32" LCD now with a kb and mouse. I only had to tweak the power setting to not go to sleep on AC power when I close the lid.

So far so good.

Wait, what? Ok, that's cool - can you describe this, please?

The camera built in the lid. Using the built-in Alienware software piece (AlienSense) you tie your Windows login to your picture through the camera. The first couple of times, you need to type your password while it "records" what you look like. Then on subsequent logins, it recognizes you and bypasses the password and goes to desktop. I had one issue with the blinds open behind my desk, being backlit makes it hard for the camera to recognize you.

Sweet! I love the idea of biometric protection. Haven't played with any devices enough to get a feel for whether I'd like them in practice, though.

Tanglebones wrote:

Sweet! I love the idea of biometric protection. Haven't played with any devices enough to get a feel for whether I'd like them in practice, though.

I tend to use my m11 in low light and the AlienSense does not work well in that situation. I had to disable it. When there is enough light, though, it works very well. I like how it automatically switches user accounts. It is pretty slick. The software is top notch, but the camera is pretty crappy.

Hemidal wrote:

I'm installing apps as I type this. This is one slick little laptop. It's smaller than I thought it would be, but I've got no issues typing on it. The facial recognition software for login is pretty cool too. I've got it hooked up to my 32" LCD now with a kb and mouse. I only had to tweak the power setting to not go to sleep on AC power when I close the lid.

So far so good.

FYI: Most facial recognition software can be fooled by holding up a picture of you.

Also, if your into RTS games I would be interested to know if they are playable on that screen. I need to make the plunge on a laptop soon and I have been waffling between this and a 14" from Asus or HP.

EvilDead wrote:
Hemidal wrote:

I'm installing apps as I type this. This is one slick little laptop. It's smaller than I thought it would be, but I've got no issues typing on it. The facial recognition software for login is pretty cool too. I've got it hooked up to my 32" LCD now with a kb and mouse. I only had to tweak the power setting to not go to sleep on AC power when I close the lid.

So far so good.

FYI: Most facial recognition software can be fooled by holding up a picture of you.

Also, if your into RTS games I would be interested to know if they are playable on that screen. I need to make the plunge on a laptop soon and I have been waffling between this and a 14" from Asus or HP.

I'm reinstalling DOW II, but it'll probably be a couple of days before I can give it a shot. Going through a laundry list of Steam games that ran poorly on my last computer.

How are you finding Optimus? Over at the notebookreview forum, there is a big thread where people had to hack drivers, etc.

MannishBoy wrote:

How are you finding Optimus? Over at the notebookreview forum, there is a big thread where people had to hack drivers, etc.

It's really easy to tell when it didn't flip over. It didn't have a profile for Alpha Protocol and Splinter Cell: Conviction (AP looked bad and SC had about 5 fps on the splash screen). I just had to go tell it when I use the .exe to use the Nvidia card. Only issue was figuring out what the actual game .exe is.

DA:O and Bioshock 2 worked without issue.

Nvidia is supposed to update the list frequently, but it appears they just skip some games altogether.

Edit - I did have an issue when I went dual monitor and used the 11" LCD as a secondary monitor. A little esoteric issue, but I thought I should mention it. This system likes displaying on only 1 display on the gaming side. Win 7 worked great with the Intel on both the LCD and my monitor.

Alienware i7 for $979 shipped:
http://www.i4u.com/article35733.html

Damn, that's a good deal. I'm so tempted.

I think I can probably work out a way to use my gf's daughter's student discount to get one of these. I'm really tempted. I just really want one slightly bigger I keep hoping somebody will release the equivalent 13" laptop. Maybe with corresponding battery increase with a slightly bigger battery that would fit on a 13".

MannishBoy wrote:

I think I can probably work out a way to use my gf's daughter's student discount to get one of these. I'm really tempted. I just really want one slightly bigger I keep hoping somebody will release the equivalent 13" laptop. Maybe with corresponding battery increase with a slightly bigger battery that would fit on a 13".

Yeah, 13 would be perfect.

I have the dell in my cart and have been spending the morning deciding if I'm going to click the order now button. After tax it comes to $1040.

For $160 more I could have this Asus, but its 14 inches. Decisions... Decisions....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...

Edit: Whats the average assembly time on these things?

EvilDead wrote:

For $160 more I could have this Asus, but its 14 inches. Decisions... Decisions....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...

Not familiar with that one. I was looking at the Asus U30Jc. It's not CULV, and it's got a lower end Nvidia chip that would reduce the number of "modern" games you can play. But even without the CULV, it's still got good battery life. But I still don't see my need to play games on the road as needing a ton of power, as it would mainly be in the hotel for work travel. Not sure I need to be able to run Bad Company 2 or anything. It would be nice, but it wouldn't be that common I suspect.

Surely there have got to be a bunch of "back to school" laptop models getting released soon. Maybe some thin and lights with decent graphics chips.

MannishBoy wrote:

I think I can probably work out a way to use my gf's daughter's student discount to get one of these. I'm really tempted. I just really want one slightly bigger I keep hoping somebody will release the equivalent 13" laptop. Maybe with corresponding battery increase with a slightly bigger battery that would fit on a 13".

Asus always has good deals, but their laptops are not very well built. The one thing that impressed me most about the m11x is how sturdy it is. Zero keyboard flex and the machine feels very solid. An Asus will feel like a wobbly plastic toy in comparison.

If the other Alienware models are as well built, I might consider one of those in the future.