Intro
I was looking for something portable and powerful at the same time. I was sick and tired of carrying heavy 15.4 + notebooks and needed something that would do the same tasks as my 15.4 notebook. I stumbled onto this little thing when i was watching the CES show and since then i was waiting for it to come out. I had some money problems when it came out but i was able to get it after i managed the troubles i had.
Specs:
CPU: C2D SU7300
GPU: Intel 4500 / Nvidia GT335 1GB
Memory: 2x1GB DDR 1600 Mhz
HD: 320GB SATA 2 7200RPM
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium x64
What's in the Box:
The packaging was quite well done. Inside you do not get much. You get the Laptop covered with an Alienware sleeve. The power brick and the cables. Also you get a Windows 7 Home Premium x64 Disk.
Design
This is where most people argue quite a bit and fuss over why its not like this or like that. You know what....most people say that a MacBook design (Looks at Engadget and Gizmodo) would have look better for the laptop but i tend to disagree. If i wanted a Macbook i would have bought one. Also guess what the design is awesome for my taste. When someone sees this small lappy everyone just stares at it and asks me where i got it. The whole curves and design of the Laptop is quite fitting for the machine considering its designed for gaming on the go.
Screen:
Alright. Screen is a 11.6 Inches big. The screen is a glossy type of screen and as the usual problem is a fingerprint magnet. Personally i think that Alienware could have fitted a little bigger screen but it might have raised the price of the whole unit so i guess this is where the equilibrium that they found. The screen is viewable great during the night and its brightness is great compared to most screens i've seen. High quality screen. During the day i have some problems with the sunlight but brightness of the screen tends to fix that. Viewing angles are quite alright i suppose. Anything above 45 degree angle (anywhere) would not be viewable properly.
Keyboard
Keyboard is very well made and its always good that it has an addition of having back light. The keys feel right and are quite easy to type on. The keyboard maybe a bit small but it fits me perfectly and i do have a little bigger hands than the average person so its perfect for me. The Fn keys are quite a bit:
F1 = HDMI external or LCD
F2 = Battery
F3 = Wi-Fi ON or OFF
F4 = Brightness up
F5 = Brightness down
F6 = Switch between GFX on the go
F7 = Mute button
F8 = Lower sound
F9 = Increase sound
F10 - F12 = Multimedia buttons
Touchpad
The touchpad is big and very responsive. If you use the new drivers from Synaptics you can enable Multi-touch on the Touchpad.
Wifi –
The Wi-Fi is very easy to use and is quite strong and seems to reach further than my 15.4 inch notebook. Its great.
Speakers
Speakers are one of the things that really surprised me on this small laptop. I mean for such a small notebook it has quite strong speakers. Yes they are not professional but they are quite loud.
Input and Output Ports
Front:
Speakers on front only
Webcam Pictures
Webcam is great and very easy to use. The software that comes pre-loaded is also fun to play around with.
Right Side:
2xUSB ports and 2 audio and 1 for Mic
Left Side:
This is the most busy part of notebook. It has VGA, 1xUSB, Ethernet port, HDMI, Display Port, MMS-SD-Flash adapters, Mini-Firewire port (1394)
Rear:
The exhaust for the fan and the Power plug cable.
Bottom:
An Exhaust port accompanied by a Design tag made by Alienware with your name.
Benchmarks
Size and Weight
Its not that heavy for such a little fella.
Heat and Noise
Heat is not an issue due to the fan. The fan turns on mostly when you have some tasks that involve the access of the Nvidia GPU mostly. The CPU tasks seem not to task the system that much to initiate the fan.
Battery Life
Battery life with brightness on 20% and web-browsing and listening to music is about 6 hours. (that includes the lights on also.)
Max battery life without the lights and browsing the net is about 7 hours and 14 minutes.
Software
Camera software and Personal Alienware theme software for the notebook's lights.
Pros: Great notebook, Nice battery life, Great for mid-level gaming, Easy to carry and use, Auto OC is great for more performance.
Cons: FingerPrint magnet, Screen could have been bigger, powerbrick could have been smaller.
Conclusion: If you are looking for something small to play on the go. Buy it.
Here are some pics
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
I was looking for something portable and powerful at the same time. I was sick and tired of carrying heavy 15.4 + notebooks and needed something that would do the same tasks as my 15.4 notebook. I stumbled onto this little thing when i was watching the CES show and since then i was waiting for it to come out. I had some money problems when it came out but i was able to get it after i managed the troubles i had.
Specs:
CPU: C2D SU7300
GPU: Intel 4500 / Nvidia GT335 1GB
Memory: 2x1GB DDR 1600 Mhz
HD: 320GB SATA 2 7200RPM
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium x64
What's in the Box:
The packaging was quite well done. Inside you do not get much. You get the Laptop covered with an Alienware sleeve. The power brick and the cables. Also you get a Windows 7 Home Premium x64 Disk.
Design
This is where most people argue quite a bit and fuss over why its not like this or like that. You know what....most people say that a MacBook design (Looks at Engadget and Gizmodo) would have look better for the laptop but i tend to disagree. If i wanted a Macbook i would have bought one. Also guess what the design is awesome for my taste. When someone sees this small lappy everyone just stares at it and asks me where i got it. The whole curves and design of the Laptop is quite fitting for the machine considering its designed for gaming on the go.
Screen:
Alright. Screen is a 11.6 Inches big. The screen is a glossy type of screen and as the usual problem is a fingerprint magnet. Personally i think that Alienware could have fitted a little bigger screen but it might have raised the price of the whole unit so i guess this is where the equilibrium that they found. The screen is viewable great during the night and its brightness is great compared to most screens i've seen. High quality screen. During the day i have some problems with the sunlight but brightness of the screen tends to fix that. Viewing angles are quite alright i suppose. Anything above 45 degree angle (anywhere) would not be viewable properly.
Keyboard
Keyboard is very well made and its always good that it has an addition of having back light. The keys feel right and are quite easy to type on. The keyboard maybe a bit small but it fits me perfectly and i do have a little bigger hands than the average person so its perfect for me. The Fn keys are quite a bit:
F1 = HDMI external or LCD
F2 = Battery
F3 = Wi-Fi ON or OFF
F4 = Brightness up
F5 = Brightness down
F6 = Switch between GFX on the go
F7 = Mute button
F8 = Lower sound
F9 = Increase sound
F10 - F12 = Multimedia buttons
Touchpad
The touchpad is big and very responsive. If you use the new drivers from Synaptics you can enable Multi-touch on the Touchpad.
Wifi –
The Wi-Fi is very easy to use and is quite strong and seems to reach further than my 15.4 inch notebook. Its great.
Speakers
Speakers are one of the things that really surprised me on this small laptop. I mean for such a small notebook it has quite strong speakers. Yes they are not professional but they are quite loud.
Input and Output Ports
Front:
Speakers on front only
Webcam Pictures
Webcam is great and very easy to use. The software that comes pre-loaded is also fun to play around with.
Right Side:
2xUSB ports and 2 audio and 1 for Mic
Left Side:
This is the most busy part of notebook. It has VGA, 1xUSB, Ethernet port, HDMI, Display Port, MMS-SD-Flash adapters, Mini-Firewire port (1394)
Rear:
The exhaust for the fan and the Power plug cable.
Bottom:
An Exhaust port accompanied by a Design tag made by Alienware with your name.
Benchmarks
Size and Weight
Its not that heavy for such a little fella.
Heat and Noise
Heat is not an issue due to the fan. The fan turns on mostly when you have some tasks that involve the access of the Nvidia GPU mostly. The CPU tasks seem not to task the system that much to initiate the fan.
Battery Life
Battery life with brightness on 20% and web-browsing and listening to music is about 6 hours. (that includes the lights on also.)
Max battery life without the lights and browsing the net is about 7 hours and 14 minutes.
Software
Camera software and Personal Alienware theme software for the notebook's lights.
Pros: Great notebook, Nice battery life, Great for mid-level gaming, Easy to carry and use, Auto OC is great for more performance.
Cons: FingerPrint magnet, Screen could have been bigger, powerbrick could have been smaller.
Conclusion: If you are looking for something small to play on the go. Buy it.
Here are some pics
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
I have to agree with you on the fingerprint comment. I have to be very careful when I grab it otherwise it'll be full of smudges.