(I had put this question on another thread, was told by fantasia to put the question here (btw, thks fantasia).... so here goes)

I would like some advice on which to choose between Alienware M11x or Vaio VPC-EA16FG.

Specs:-
Alienware M11x
Intel® Core™ i5-520UM Processor(1.06GHz, 4 Threads, turbo Boost up to 1.86GHz, 3M cache)
11.6" WideHD 720p WLED (1366x768) Display Integrated 1.3 mega pixel web cam
1GB GDDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 335M
4GB Dual Channel 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2 X 2GB)
500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive Price: RM 4199

Vaio VPC-EA16FG
Intel® Core™ i5-520M Processor 2.40 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz *1
14" wide (WXGA:1366 x 768) TFT Colour display (VAIO Display, LED backlight)
ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5650 Graphics (1 GB DDR3 SDRAM)
4 GB DDR3 SDRAM *2 (upgradeable up to 8 GB*3)
500 GB*4 (Serial ATA, 5400 rpm) Price: RM 3999


Purposes of purchase:- Work, Multimedia and Gaming (Casual to Moderate)

I know that Alienware is at the moment the best in gaming, but Dell only provide display card for DirectX 10.1 (for M11x). Other than that, I think M11x is ok.

Vaio, on the other hand provide ATI HD 5650 for DirectX 11, but the battery is not quite good as Alienware.

For gaming, is it important to have display card with DirectX 11 capabilities? My most demanding in terms of graphic at the moment is Hitman Blood Money. I also play Fifa Manager 09, Warcraft, Need for Speed and Grand Theft Auto. I read somewhere that another game I play, Civilization, will require DirectX 11.

If I buy Alienware with display card for DirectX 10.1 capabilities, can I upgrade the display card software to DirectX 11?

Please advise me.

Thank you.

got a question....

is 5450 or 5470 good enough to play casual games like Fifa Manager/Football Manager or even Hitman? Because I am looking to buy a laptop but it seems, like Monza said, the markets are so full with 5450 and 5750.

granted, 5450 and 5470 is dx11, but is it good enough?