Go To Latest Video ReviewsAlienware M17x Gaming Laptop Revealed
| Author | Hugo Jobling |
| Published | 29th May 2009 |
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TrustedReviews NewslettersIf you believe the All Powerful teaser site we've still got some four days to wait for the unveiling of Alienware's next system, but as is the way of the Internet, the details have spilled out already. And it has to be said, the M17x does look set to live up to the 'All Powerful' moniker.
It's 17in display has a 1,920 x 1,200 pixel resolution while inside the top end model will offer dual 1GB nVidia GeForce GTX 280Ms, a quad-core Intel Core 2 Extreme processor and 8GB of 1,333MHz DDR3 RAM. Either 1TB of hard drive or 512GB of solid-state storage can be specified with RAID 0 and 1 options available.
Based on nVidia's 9400M chipset, the system offers HybridPower, which will turn off the dedicated GPUs when not in use to conserve power. A DVD drive comes as standard, but can be upgraded to a Blu-ray writer if desired.
The entry level M17x will offer a single 1GB GeForce GTX 260M, a 2.4GHz P8600 core 2 Duo CPU and 4GB of DDR3 with a 250GB hard drive. With a $1,799 (£1,114) MSRP it's not too expensive given the spec - I hate to think what a fully kitted out system would cost, though.
PCWorld, which grabbed the M17x details, says the system will be made of anodised aluminium which sound (look and feel) pretty damn classy. With dimensions of 406mm x 321mm x 54mm and weighting 5.3kg it's not exactly a portable laptop, or one you'd want on your lap for that matter. Apparently the system's hard drives sit in cages behind its 9-cell battery enabling easy removal and upgrading which is some thoughtful design.
Connectivity is a strong suit, too - as you'd hope given how large the system is - with four USB ports, FireWire, a combination eSATA/USB port an ExpressCard slot and an eight-in-one card reader. Video outputs are catered for by DisplayPort, HDMI and VGA. Oh, and there's Ethernet and Draft-N wireless, too, of course.
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Xiphias said on 29th May 2009
Andy said on 29th May 2009
Well spotted. Fixed. :)
cjb110 said on 30th May 2009
Does this mean that this might be the first gaming laptop that can run games on max settings at the full res of the screen? Most have fancy high res screens but can't actuall... more
Xiphias said on 1st June 2009
Very high end gaming laptops are actually fairly capable, the GTX280M is about equivalent to a 9800GTX so two are similar to a 9800GX2. So while you won't manage Crysis at max... more
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Everywhere else, including PC world, is reporting that this has the GTX 280M and not the GTX 280. A pretty significant difference considering the M is half the speed of the non-M.