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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:

• 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)




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.






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.




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.

A very nice review Duke.

agreed. Just one question: it got more battery life at maximum brightness playing a DVD than it did at minimum brightness web surfing? How does that work??

My guess is the wifi drains the battery while disabling it allows more play time? I was baffled by it too.

Huh. Weird. That would make me think something in the video driver's Powerplay (power savings) feature was messed up or that it's got some crazy powerful wireless card.

I'll run another test with it tomorrow.

Very well done Duke

I want this one:
""Alienware is “up to no good” with some additional notebooks in the works. Be prepared for some breathtaking Alienware invasions later this year.''

Here is what I just specd out. Gaming yes, Photoshop, Illustrator yes. Networking, testing old/new OS's (via VMWare) yes.

Can someone tell me if this is good, bad, or ugly?

----

Video/Graphics Card: Dual 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3870 - CrossFireX™ Enabled!
Processor: Intel® Core™2 P8600 2.4GHz (3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Design & Display: Black Ripley Design
Chassis: 17-Inch WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD (720p)
Keyboard Options: Illuminated Keyboard – Alienware Exclusive Design - Astral Blue
Operating System (Office software not included): Windows Vista® Home Premium (32-bit Edition) with Service Pack 1
Notebook Tuners and Remotes: Without Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner
Memory: 4GB« Dual Channel DDR3 SO-DIMM at 1066MHz – 2 x 2048MB

System Drive: Extreme Performance (RAID 0) - 500GB (250GB x 2) 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
Optical Drives : 8x Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® Ultimate N 5300 a/b/g/Draft-N Mini-Card with MIMO Technology
The World's First 450 Mbps Wi-Fi Adapter!
Sound Card : Internal High-Definition Audio with Surround Sound
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Onsite Service and 24/7 Toll-Free Phone Support
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mesh Cap
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mobile Binder
Alienware Extras: Owner Identification Card
Alienware Extras: M17 Protective Cloth Sleeve
Alienware Extras: M17 Keyboard Diagram Overlay

Total incl tax/shipping = $2,369.63

----

I also need to know if (1) dual vid cards is all its cracked up to be and if (2) upping the processor to the Quad Q9000 2.00GHz or the T9600 2.8GHz will make noticeable difference other than costing me about 4 bills more.

extend the warranty to 3 years.

Getting ready to buy the M17 or the Dell M6400 but need to know:

1. if I skimp and leave the default Alienware HDD 160gb 1.5GB installed can I later purchase and install a HDD 320gb SATA 3.0GB? Primarily concerned about the SATA interface since I can't find mobo specs on the Alienware Web site.

2. has anyone had success installing XP Pro on the M17? I don't want to deal with Vista and would rather use XP until Win 7 ships. Please do not try to convince me to leave Vista installed - if XP cannot be installed on the AW I will instead purchase the Dell M6400 with XP Pro.

1. Sure

2. Good luck. I'm sure it can be done. But it's not gonna be easy. Could try using some old m9750 drivers.

Quick question.

In your honest opinion, if you maxed out both the M17x and the M17, having experienced both whilst gaming, which one is better?

(It's a question I have failed to find an answer to for I'm considering buying one).

Thanks.

X.

Good question. I've never playing on a maxed out M17 before. It would be pretty close to being equal.

OK, thanks.

I think I'll go with the M17 'cos it's new and it's got some severely kick *ss things (8GB DDR3 RAM) and that facial recognition thingy

Thanks.

X.

Good review, I'm planing on buying a quadcore on this model.