By now, almost everyone knows Alienware’s position in the notebook market; reputable for producing edgy, high quality gaming notebooks that are industry leading for their innovation and power. Lately, the sluggish economy as had an negative effect on the notebook market. But Alienware wants to make it clear that gamers can get quality gaming performance from a budget notebook- à la the Alienware m17 Notebook.
Sticking with the black Alienware design, the m17 is stacked with two powerful Ati Mobility Radeon HD 3870 and an Intel P8400 CPU for under $2000; the m17 can play any new game thrown at it.
Full Specs:
What’s in the Box:
Like all new Alienwares, the m17 comes shipped in a tidy box with an Alienware mesh cap, AC power adapter and driver discs. If customers designate they wanted a respawn CD in their order, the respawn CD is included in a new Alienware leather binder with a metallic Alien head on the outside.
Design
Instead of redesigning a third mind blowing style (the first two being the m15x and m17x), Alienware took the m9750 chassis and created an entirely different beast. The result is still a stylish black gaming notebook, with some additional features under the hood. Alienware realized how popular their Alien FX features were on the m15x and m17x, so users can change the color of the keyboard like before, only this is now done through the m17’s hardware configuration instead of keeping it software based. The advantage to this is users can switch colors of the keyboard on the fly, while playing a game, instead of exiting out of the game to enter Alien FX.
On our forums, some members have mentioned the builds of the m15x and m17x feel very delicate and fragile, which is understandable considering how beautiful those machines are. The m17 goes for a more rugged and stable approach. The lid is not glossy like it’s predecessors so there is less worry about scratching or denting the lid. The m17 build is sturdy, and feels just like m9750. The lid opens and closes very crisply with two latches that hold down the lid tight.
Screen:
Picture quality is never an issue on an Alienware’s screen. Never have I seen a dead or stuck pixel and the resolution and brightness is very impressive.
Keyboard:
The keyboard is the only vastly new external feature that is different from the m9750. The m17 keyboard is a more updated version of the Alienware style, resembling the m15x and m17x keyboards that feature a backlit option, outlined keys and more defined function key pictures.
Alienware also changed the way the notebook handles AlienFX. AlienFX is the interface that allows users to customize the colors of the keyboard. AlienFX colors can now be changed "on the fly" and is no longer software supported which means you can change the colors of your notebook in the middle of playing games by pressing the Function Key and the F10 key simultaneously. Setting the specific colors was a nifty feature on the m17x and m15x, but the m17's approach is much faster, and more efficient.
The keyboard is not exactly the same as the m15/m17x. Alienware had made is simple by labeling the commands on the function keys. For example, "suspend" is printed on the F1 key so it is obvious that pressing Fn+F1 will Suspendyour notebook. On the m17, Alienware went back to icons. So the Suspend F1 key now looks like a moon, the function key F2, disables wifi, F3, switches through the notebooks output, F4 enables/disables the notebooks webcam, F5 enables/disables the notebooks touchpad, F6 mutes the sound on the notebook, F7 and F8 lower and raise the brightness of the LCD screen respectively, F9 enables/disables bluetooth functionality, F10 changes the color of AlienFX (the keyboard) F11 enables/disables the multimedia keys.
Touchpad:
The touchpad is pretty much the same as the Alienware m9750 with the exception of the vertical line that separates the touchpad from the scroll pad. There is still a line that exists on the touchpad, but it is not raised, therefore you cannot feel the separation as before.
Features
Security - The Alienware m17 is equipped with two lines of security defense. A fingerprint reader and facial recognition software. Using Alienware Sense, the facial recognition software takes about two or three times to learn your face before you can unlock your Alienware m17. By looking into the webcam and at the notebook screen, a blue alien-like outline, outlines your face on the screen as it remembers certain facial features. It is fast, easy... and way cool!
Multimedia Keys -
The same multimedia keys or “instant access” buttons from the Alienware m9750 are back. The access buttons are touch sensitive and all it takes is a slight wipe of the finger and the button will active. This is a very sleek feature allowing quick access to your default web browser, your default e-mail client, windows media player, Power DVD 7 which comes preloaded on the 9750 and a button to access the Windows Media Center. There is also a play/pause, fast forward and rewind button for controlling your DVDs or CDs.
LEDS – The backlit keyboard is a huge esthetic improvement from the m9750. There are also a few blue indicators adding to the appeal and usefulness of the notebook. A wifi indicator, AC Power indicator, hard drive access indicator and the typical, Caps, scroll and num lock.
Alien Eye - The same Alien Eye from the m9750, but equally as awesome.
Input and Output Ports
Front: A typical laptop latch holds the lid down while two three inch speakers are located on the left and right side of the front. In the center of the front is the CD/DVD tray. The CD/DVD tray is in an awkward position if you are using an external keyboard. If you wanted to change a CD or DVD, you need to move the keyboard. On the front of the laptop is also a 2.0 Megapixel Camera that can be used as a webcam, which is an upgrade from the m9750’s 1.3 Megapixel Camera.
Ride Side: Volume control is located on the right side and when you adjust the sound, a blue progress bar appears in the middle of the screen letting you know what volume level you are at. Also located on the right side is microphone and headphones jack, a firewire port, an optical port and two USB 2.0 ports.
Left Side: The left side of the laptop has the exhaust vents, a 4-in-1 Memory Card Reader (SD / MS / MSPRO / MMC), Express Card Slot /54mm and the laptop lock, reset button and no USB ports.
Rear: The back of the notebook has the power jack, coaxial input for the TV tuner, eSATA port, VGA output, HDMI output, one USB 2.0 port and an RJ-45 LAN (10/100/1000Mbps). Note there is no DVI output like the m9750 and no modem jack.
Size and Weight:
Rated: 17" WUXGA 15.65" (w) x 11.80" (d) x 1.7" (h) and 9.5 lbs
Actual: Weight: 9.9 lbs
Heat and Noise:
The noise from the fans is what one would expect coming from a notebook packaged with two graphic cards. There was no discomfort while resting the unit in my lap on or my stomach in the times I sprawled out. The left side exhaust vent reached temperatures up to 110 Fahrenheit at max performance. The following is the heat map of the keyboard in Fahrenheit.
Battery Life: The battery life is very encouraging. It may be due to the lower power CPUs, but I was able to get 100 minutes of battery life while watching a DVD and the brightness on full. It even beat out my Power Saving Mode test while using wifi.
1/8 Screen Brightness – 88 minutes - streaming Sirius radio on wifi, while surfing the internet (Vista Power Saving Mode)
8/8 Screen Brightness – 100 minutes - Watching a DVD (Vista Balanced Mode)
The 3Dmark Benchmarks are the most common benchmarks used to determine if the notebook is configured to play the latest games. More specifically, it is used to determine the direct X performance of the graphics cards. The higher the score, the more suited your notebook is to playing games. The number behind the 3dMark Benchmark (3dmark2001, 3dmark03 etc) is related to the year the test relates to technology, which is why the 2001 scores are always significantly higher than the 06 scores. You can compare the scores of this notebook to other notebooks by going here.
3DMark®2001se
(Build 340)
29,478
Compare Benchmark Here
3DMark®03
(Build 340)
50,552
Compare Benchmark Here
3DMark®2005
15,178
Compare Benchmark Here
Super Pi calculates Pi to a certain amount of digits you prescribe, and the faster it does it, the better your notebook performs. For all my tests using Super Pi I calculate to 2 million digits of accuracy.
5.2
This next benchmark I ran is called HD Tune which measures raw performance of transfer rates, access times, CPU usage, burst rate and the overall health of your hard drive setup. A couple of obvious notes; the burst rate should always be higher than the maximum transfer rate of your score. In this case it is. The second number to look at is the Access Time. The bigger the number, the better the performance.
SATA 150 7200 (rpm)
16.9/167.1MB (access time in seconds /fastest transfer speed in Megabytes)
Every benchmark/screenshot in this section is run on the highest settings available, with AA off, unless otherwise noted. Every resolution is run at 1920x1200p (unless noted) on Vista with stock Ati Catalyst Graphics Driver 8.52.4.
Conclusion: Gamers feeling pinched in this tough economy need not worry. The Alienware m17 is a powerful and affordable package that will get through the toughest graphic-demanding games. The added security features are another plus allowing college students comfort bringing their units to school. The m17 is proof that you do not have spend outlandish amounts of money to get a high performing system. Upon speaking with Alienware representatives, it is very obvious Alienware is “up to no good” with some additional notebooks in the works. Be prepared for some breathtaking Alienware invasions later this year.
Sticking with the black Alienware design, the m17 is stacked with two powerful Ati Mobility Radeon HD 3870 and an Intel P8400 CPU for under $2000; the m17 can play any new game thrown at it.
Full Specs:
- Alienware M17
- Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Onsite Service and 24/7 Toll-Free Phone Support
- Chassis: 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD
- Keyboard Options: Illuminated Keyboard – Exclusive Design
- Video/Graphics Card: DUAL 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870 X2
- Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 P8400 2.26GHz (3MB Cache 1066MHz FSB)
- Operating System: Windows Vista® 64 Premium
- Memory: 3GB Dual Channel DDR3 SO-DIMM at 1067MHz – 1 x 2048MB + 1 x 1024MB
- System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 160GB 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
- Optical Drives : 8x Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
- Notebook Tuners and Remotes: Without Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner
- Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® WiFi Link 5300 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO
- Sound Card : High-Definition Audio with surround sound
- AlienRespawn: AlienRespawn v2.0 Recovery DVD – Windows Vista® Edition
- MSRP: $1,999.00
- STARTING AT: $1,399.00
What’s in the Box:
Like all new Alienwares, the m17 comes shipped in a tidy box with an Alienware mesh cap, AC power adapter and driver discs. If customers designate they wanted a respawn CD in their order, the respawn CD is included in a new Alienware leather binder with a metallic Alien head on the outside.
Design
Instead of redesigning a third mind blowing style (the first two being the m15x and m17x), Alienware took the m9750 chassis and created an entirely different beast. The result is still a stylish black gaming notebook, with some additional features under the hood. Alienware realized how popular their Alien FX features were on the m15x and m17x, so users can change the color of the keyboard like before, only this is now done through the m17’s hardware configuration instead of keeping it software based. The advantage to this is users can switch colors of the keyboard on the fly, while playing a game, instead of exiting out of the game to enter Alien FX.
On our forums, some members have mentioned the builds of the m15x and m17x feel very delicate and fragile, which is understandable considering how beautiful those machines are. The m17 goes for a more rugged and stable approach. The lid is not glossy like it’s predecessors so there is less worry about scratching or denting the lid. The m17 build is sturdy, and feels just like m9750. The lid opens and closes very crisply with two latches that hold down the lid tight.
Screen:
Picture quality is never an issue on an Alienware’s screen. Never have I seen a dead or stuck pixel and the resolution and brightness is very impressive.
Keyboard:
The keyboard is the only vastly new external feature that is different from the m9750. The m17 keyboard is a more updated version of the Alienware style, resembling the m15x and m17x keyboards that feature a backlit option, outlined keys and more defined function key pictures.
Alienware also changed the way the notebook handles AlienFX. AlienFX is the interface that allows users to customize the colors of the keyboard. AlienFX colors can now be changed "on the fly" and is no longer software supported which means you can change the colors of your notebook in the middle of playing games by pressing the Function Key and the F10 key simultaneously. Setting the specific colors was a nifty feature on the m17x and m15x, but the m17's approach is much faster, and more efficient.
The keyboard is not exactly the same as the m15/m17x. Alienware had made is simple by labeling the commands on the function keys. For example, "suspend" is printed on the F1 key so it is obvious that pressing Fn+F1 will Suspendyour notebook. On the m17, Alienware went back to icons. So the Suspend F1 key now looks like a moon, the function key F2, disables wifi, F3, switches through the notebooks output, F4 enables/disables the notebooks webcam, F5 enables/disables the notebooks touchpad, F6 mutes the sound on the notebook, F7 and F8 lower and raise the brightness of the LCD screen respectively, F9 enables/disables bluetooth functionality, F10 changes the color of AlienFX (the keyboard) F11 enables/disables the multimedia keys.
Touchpad:
The touchpad is pretty much the same as the Alienware m9750 with the exception of the vertical line that separates the touchpad from the scroll pad. There is still a line that exists on the touchpad, but it is not raised, therefore you cannot feel the separation as before.
Features
Security - The Alienware m17 is equipped with two lines of security defense. A fingerprint reader and facial recognition software. Using Alienware Sense, the facial recognition software takes about two or three times to learn your face before you can unlock your Alienware m17. By looking into the webcam and at the notebook screen, a blue alien-like outline, outlines your face on the screen as it remembers certain facial features. It is fast, easy... and way cool!
Multimedia Keys -
The same multimedia keys or “instant access” buttons from the Alienware m9750 are back. The access buttons are touch sensitive and all it takes is a slight wipe of the finger and the button will active. This is a very sleek feature allowing quick access to your default web browser, your default e-mail client, windows media player, Power DVD 7 which comes preloaded on the 9750 and a button to access the Windows Media Center. There is also a play/pause, fast forward and rewind button for controlling your DVDs or CDs.
LEDS – The backlit keyboard is a huge esthetic improvement from the m9750. There are also a few blue indicators adding to the appeal and usefulness of the notebook. A wifi indicator, AC Power indicator, hard drive access indicator and the typical, Caps, scroll and num lock.
Alien Eye - The same Alien Eye from the m9750, but equally as awesome.
Input and Output Ports
Front: A typical laptop latch holds the lid down while two three inch speakers are located on the left and right side of the front. In the center of the front is the CD/DVD tray. The CD/DVD tray is in an awkward position if you are using an external keyboard. If you wanted to change a CD or DVD, you need to move the keyboard. On the front of the laptop is also a 2.0 Megapixel Camera that can be used as a webcam, which is an upgrade from the m9750’s 1.3 Megapixel Camera.
Ride Side: Volume control is located on the right side and when you adjust the sound, a blue progress bar appears in the middle of the screen letting you know what volume level you are at. Also located on the right side is microphone and headphones jack, a firewire port, an optical port and two USB 2.0 ports.
Left Side: The left side of the laptop has the exhaust vents, a 4-in-1 Memory Card Reader (SD / MS / MSPRO / MMC), Express Card Slot /54mm and the laptop lock, reset button and no USB ports.
Rear: The back of the notebook has the power jack, coaxial input for the TV tuner, eSATA port, VGA output, HDMI output, one USB 2.0 port and an RJ-45 LAN (10/100/1000Mbps). Note there is no DVI output like the m9750 and no modem jack.
Size and Weight:
Rated: 17" WUXGA 15.65" (w) x 11.80" (d) x 1.7" (h) and 9.5 lbs
Actual: Weight: 9.9 lbs
Heat and Noise:
The noise from the fans is what one would expect coming from a notebook packaged with two graphic cards. There was no discomfort while resting the unit in my lap on or my stomach in the times I sprawled out. The left side exhaust vent reached temperatures up to 110 Fahrenheit at max performance. The following is the heat map of the keyboard in Fahrenheit.
Battery Life: The battery life is very encouraging. It may be due to the lower power CPUs, but I was able to get 100 minutes of battery life while watching a DVD and the brightness on full. It even beat out my Power Saving Mode test while using wifi.
1/8 Screen Brightness – 88 minutes - streaming Sirius radio on wifi, while surfing the internet (Vista Power Saving Mode)
8/8 Screen Brightness – 100 minutes - Watching a DVD (Vista Balanced Mode)
Synthetic Benchmarks 64-Bit
3DMark:
3DMark:
The 3Dmark Benchmarks are the most common benchmarks used to determine if the notebook is configured to play the latest games. More specifically, it is used to determine the direct X performance of the graphics cards. The higher the score, the more suited your notebook is to playing games. The number behind the 3dMark Benchmark (3dmark2001, 3dmark03 etc) is related to the year the test relates to technology, which is why the 2001 scores are always significantly higher than the 06 scores. You can compare the scores of this notebook to other notebooks by going here.
3DMark®2001se
(Build 340)
29,478
Compare Benchmark Here
3DMark®03
(Build 340)
50,552
Compare Benchmark Here
3DMark®2005
15,178
Compare Benchmark Here
Super Pi calculates Pi to a certain amount of digits you prescribe, and the faster it does it, the better your notebook performs. For all my tests using Super Pi I calculate to 2 million digits of accuracy.
Super Pi
51 seconds
Compare Benchmark Here
This benchmark evaluated how well internet browsers run on notebooks. The benchmark is run on the browsers listed in the screenshot below and put through a verity of tests. In this outcome, Safari was the clear victor.
Windows Experience Index
51 seconds
Compare Benchmark Here
Quote:
|
In addition to the standard tests, there are 7 summary results plus the overall "PassMark Rating" result. The benchmark results are presented as easy to read bar charts so that you don't need to spend hours studying the number to know the result. Timing for the tests is done using high resolution timers, which are accurate to approximately 1 millionth of a second on most PC's. A major advantage is the support for built-in baseline results which allows you to compare computer systems (a baseline is a standard set of results from another computer). These baseline results can be used to determine how fast your computer is in comparison with other computer systems. PerformanceTest comes with six baseline results as well as the ability to search and download thousands more from our online database of user submission. |
This benchmark evaluated how well internet browsers run on notebooks. The benchmark is run on the browsers listed in the screenshot below and put through a verity of tests. In this outcome, Safari was the clear victor.
Windows Experience Index
Quote:
|
The Windows Experience Index is a new feature built into Windows Vista that is designed to help you better understand how well Windows Vista and other software will perform on your PC. Your computer, running Windows Vista, is assigned a rating number called a "base score" that is achieved by measuring the capability of your computer's hardware configuration. This base score rating will help you to more confidently buy additional hardware, programs, and software that are matched to your computer's base score. The scale of the Windows Experience Index ranges from 1.0 to 5.9. A higher base score generally means that your computer will perform better and faster than a computer with a lower base score, especially when performing more advanced and resource-intensive tasks. |
HD Tune:
This next benchmark I ran is called HD Tune which measures raw performance of transfer rates, access times, CPU usage, burst rate and the overall health of your hard drive setup. A couple of obvious notes; the burst rate should always be higher than the maximum transfer rate of your score. In this case it is. The second number to look at is the Access Time. The bigger the number, the better the performance.
SATA 150 7200 (rpm)
16.9/167.1MB (access time in seconds /fastest transfer speed in Megabytes)
Gaming Benchmarks 64-bit
Every benchmark/screenshot in this section is run on the highest settings available, with AA off, unless otherwise noted. Every resolution is run at 1920x1200p (unless noted) on Vista with stock Ati Catalyst Graphics Driver 8.52.4.
Company of Heroes Stress Test
61.8 FPS @ 1920x1200 Resolution -
Compare Benchmark Here
Half Life 2: Lost Coast Stress Test
89.17 FPS @ 1920x1200 Resolution -
Compare Benchmark Here
Half Life 2 / Counterstrike Source Video Stress Test
217.93 FPS @ 1920x1200 Resolution
Compare Benchmark Here
F.E.A.R.
26 FPS @ 1920x1200 High Resolution
Compare Benchmark Here
Doom 3
105.1 FPS @ 1024 x 768 Ultra Resolution
Compare Benchmark Here
Quake 4
53 FPS @ 1920x1200 Ultra Resolution
Compare Benchmark Here
61.8 FPS @ 1920x1200 Resolution -
Compare Benchmark Here
Half Life 2: Lost Coast Stress Test
89.17 FPS @ 1920x1200 Resolution -
Compare Benchmark Here
Half Life 2 / Counterstrike Source Video Stress Test
217.93 FPS @ 1920x1200 Resolution
Compare Benchmark Here
F.E.A.R.
26 FPS @ 1920x1200 High Resolution
Compare Benchmark Here
Doom 3
105.1 FPS @ 1024 x 768 Ultra Resolution
Compare Benchmark Here
Quake 4
53 FPS @ 1920x1200 Ultra Resolution
Compare Benchmark Here
Conclusion: Gamers feeling pinched in this tough economy need not worry. The Alienware m17 is a powerful and affordable package that will get through the toughest graphic-demanding games. The added security features are another plus allowing college students comfort bringing their units to school. The m17 is proof that you do not have spend outlandish amounts of money to get a high performing system. Upon speaking with Alienware representatives, it is very obvious Alienware is “up to no good” with some additional notebooks in the works. Be prepared for some breathtaking Alienware invasions later this year.
Greed is good. 
