! m15x !

Well, I’m back… I stay away from alienware.com and sites like this after buying a notebook because I’m crazy. As soon as I see the next great thing, out comes the wallet!

Well, I caught the m15x the other day, only because I reloaded OS on my current AW and it sets the IE homepage to alienware.com and there it was in all its beauty, the m15x! a “true” high performance 15” notebook !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So looks like I’m going for my 4th AW in the past 4 years (lol).

I read the reviews, but I had some specific questions if anyone’s willing to answer.

Again, I need battery performance… AW does have a horrible history of turning notebooks into expensive paperweights when running on battery. Everything from the ½ the CPU when on battery (cannot be disabled, 7700 9700 etc), to lowering GPU clock frequencies while on batter (again, cannot be disabled mALX )

I see it has dual GPU’s, the integrated Intel and the Nvidia. I see you can disable this but is that true on battery? Anything else it does automatically, which cannot be disabled, while on battery?

I know I sound crazy, but the most important thing with a notebook for me is to get full performance while on battery. Battery life is not an issue, I only need 20min but it “must” not lower gaming framerates…

Also, what about Bluetooth? I pray its integrated but it does not say anything about BT when you custom build this system on AW.com. they don’t even offer an external dongle which they normally do so i'd like to assume it is integrated but idk..

Have to disagree with ya there, been gaming on battery for many years. the only downfall is batterylife, there are no other consequences and no reason why you cannot do this. To be completely honest, if you feel you "must" be plugged in you maybe better off with a desktop as thats pretty much what it has become..., especially if it’s a 17” notebook =)
The problem is finding a system that performs well on battery. Most PC manufactures place battery life > performance. this includes AW, my m7700 was useless on battery, same for the 9700. my m5550 at least preforms well on battery, but its really only a mid-grade gaming box. hence my interest in the m51x

Thanks guys! to answer your question, my most dearest MMORPG of 6 years does not tolerate "AFK" at all, and for good reason. anyone who has played FFXI knows what i'm talking about. i need the 20min to take the lappy to the kitchen and make a quick sandwitch, run outside for a smoke, Throne Room, etc. I really like about an hour of battery (which is pretty much what i get from the other 3 systems) so on my lunch break i can hook up through my mobile and get some stuff done.

YES, odd, i know...

anyway, not bought yet, really want to know about any automatic downlocking (that cannot be disabled) before i make the purchase. any advise is greatly appreciated. i.e. this system will support Intel Speed Step, but its up to the manufacture to include the ability to disable this in the BIOS (for example). GPU downclocking (i.e. mALX) is a whole nother story…

HH still here, YES! the "master" of AW IMO.
I did take a good look at the m17x. 17" notebooks just really have not worked out... and trust me i wish they did, i'd like to go back to SLI mobile gaming. Still, i've gotten everything i really need out of the m5550 with everything UXGA on just the GeForce Go 7600. but I'm always taking a huge AA & AF hit (0, lol) and i'm about sick of disabling shadows and grass effect on everything... Also looking forward to DX10 support.

This m15x is perfect for me! been dieing for a 15" UXGA with GTX or equilivant GPU (remember how excited i was for the m5550!, OMG with this one)

I think i'll give AW a call about the BT, but i would really love if someone with one of these could check battery performance. The system (by default) will swap from the Nvidia card to the intergrated mobile card when you swap to battery... if this cannot be disabled (or other, similar battery saving options) i'm back at square 1.. =(

Edit: I'm a noob, BT is right on the tech specs page just not in the custom build page(s)
way to much invested in A2DP BT equipment to be without that