I'm currently using an almost 3-year old Dell m1330 (13.1" 1600x900, weighing around 2.1-2.3kg) with a 9-cell battery (up to 6-7 hours depending on usage), and am thinking of replacing it with either the M11x or the M15x. My main requirement would be portability (carry it to office daily, where I use it together with my dual-LCD screen desktop PC) as in addition to work usage, I also carry it with me for my international trips (work+holiday, approximately 4-6 trips per year, totalling around 40-50 days per annum travelling by air). I like the size/weight of the M11x but it does have a lower res screen than my current m1330 and I have read about the hinge issues. I like the quad-core CPU for the M15x and the higher res, but it's larger and about double the weight of the M11x/m1330, which would make it less portable. When I travel, my backpack usually carries my laptop, a DSLR+battery pack, flash unit, HD camcorder, small digicam, batteries (for all 3 cameras & flash), etc. so the weight does add up.

My main PC usage would be work (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), surfing, movies & music (when travelling), and sometimes gaming (when travelling). It doesn't seem like I need an Alienware, but hey, I like Alienware, and I've always wanted one, so now I am going to get one. Cost is not a big issue, but I would'nt want to pay too big a premium for a tiny incremental gain in performance/capacity.

I'd like to ask the experts here, your opinion of which (M11x or M15x) I should go for. I have spec'ed a M11x and a M15x below which would most likely be the one I would get if I were to get one today.

M11x - RM6,235
- As mentioned in this thread earlier, depending on how you start configuring, you can end up with different prices even with the same exact specs. The other config I tried, with the same specs, ended up with RM6,339
- If I had spec'ed this one with 3GB RAM it would have been slightly cheaper, but I wanted to spec'ed it the same as the US version to compare prices and also confirm what I read earlier about getting 2 different prices with same specs depending on which option you started with


Out of curiousity, I spec'ed the same exact M11x on the Dell USA website and got a price of US$1,664 (RM5,183 as of 24/10; even allowing for FX conversion charges, that is a HUGE price difference, over RM1k cheaper, the Americans are lucky to get it so cheap; do Malaysian-bought Alienware machines come from the US or from Dell in Penang?)
- the only difference is that the US version gets personalized Alienware plates (see red highlight) while the Malaysian version gets generic plates.


M15x - RM7,989 (US version, same specs - US$2,408 = RM7,500)
- again the US version gets personalized plates which the Malaysian version does not get


So... M11x or M15x? Portability (size & weight) with a smaller screen (and potential hinge problem) or larger screen but with double the weight?

Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

Forgot to add:
I don't really need to use this laptop for gaming at home, as I have a Q9550/GTX275 rig with a 24" 1920x1200 Dell monitor for that (upgrading next year to the latest/greatest CPU/GPU/triple monitor setup).

This post has been edited by Traveler: Oct 24 2010, 06:35 PM

Do you mean, buy the m11x with HDD, then DIY swap out the HDD and replace with a 3rd party SSD? And then reinstall OS/Apps from the supplied DVDs/CDs.

I think portability is more important for me, provided it meets my minimum requirements for performance. Since I don't game so much when on the move.. I can sacrifice some performance. Only I wished to have a similar or better resolution than my current laptop - oops, just realized my current laptop is 1280x800, so moving to 1366x768 is actually marginally higher. LOL. I was so blur, I didn't check my resolution before posting.

I might just check the prices in the UK as well (I am 99% sure it will be more expensive there, but better be sure), as I do travel there often... and also I have friends there who can bring one back for me.

Right now, I am leaning towards the M11x for the portability, as I keep thinking about how heavy my travel backpack is usually (Dell m1330, DSLR + 1 lens, flash unit, DSLR battery pack, HD camcorder, small digicam, mini tripod, batteries for all 3 cameras and flash, laptop AC adapter, and the other stuff like passport, ipod, cables, travel guides, usb charger, etc..). If I get the M15x, I have to add another 2kg on top of that. Ouch....... of course, the M15x got bigger screen and built-in optical drive...

What is the size of SSD for m11x? 1.8" or 2.5"? So I can pretty much buy any SSD of the right size and swap the HDD out? Hmm, I would like one of around 250GB (same size as the Dell SSD).

For me, I am sure Dell USA is cheaper, at least when it comes to m11x. I have priced earlier on this thread, and also a new lighter config just now. m11x with 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD (so as to match US-Malaysia configs, US config has Bluetooth added and customized laser engraved plate for free). US price USD988 = RM3,062 (at USD1=RM3.10, while Malaysian price is RM4,179; which is 36.5% higher!

I have no qualms about paying for what I get (my very first laptop was a heavy 15.1" Dell laptop with optional dual batteries that lasted 7h, Zip drive, optical drive, etc - back when laptops had 12" screens; paid USD5k for that when USD1=RM3.80). But I do have serious reservations about buying something that costs 36.5% more here, than it does in the US, when it's an identical spec and both laptops come from China anyway. I seriously doubt it costs RM1.1k more to ship the laptop to Malaysia than it does to ship it to the USA. It's obvious that Dell MY feels they can price gouge us, while Dell US is more competitive (probably due to heavier competitition from other manufacturers). Dell SG is even more expensive than Dell MY but I can understand the extra cost (relative to MY), given that SG has a 7% GST.

Glad that you found it to be cheaper for you. I wish it worked for the m11x. My personal preference for desktops is to DIY (have DIY-ed all my desktops except for my very first PC, and two Dell desktops which bought while in the US)

Wow.. that's one heavy backpack! No need to go to gym if you're carrying that daily.

Gave up on trying to get the M11x cheaper elsewhere, and finally ordered one. No info on delivery date yet. I suppose that should be confirmed in an email from Dell soon.

Now, am off to online shop for a nice backpack for it.

This post has been edited by Traveler: Nov 10 2010, 02:49 PM

Dammit!! I had waited weeks to order (one of the reasons being no custom nameplate), and right after I finally get an order confirmation email from Dell that my m11x is on the way, they go and bring this in.

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Added on November 18, 2010, 11:59 amYeah... I want one too

This post has been edited by Traveler: Nov 18 2010, 11:59 AM

Finally joining the ranks of the Alienware owners. My M11x just arrived a couple hours ago. I went with the i7, 4GB RAM (DIY upgrade later to 8GB) and 500GB HDD.

I figure in about a year's time when prices have come down and more options are available, I will switch the HDD to a SSD. One of these days, will pop by LYP for the RAM and a USB DVD-RW drive (or should I go for a BD-drive?).

Have picked out a new backpack. Now just need to decide on a good sleeve.