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Alienware M15x

Specifications

Alienware M15x
Alienware M15x
Processor
Intel Core i7-720QM 4 x 1.6 - 2.8 GHz (Intel Core i7)
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M - 1024 MB VRAM, Core: 550 MHz, Memory: 950 MHz, Shader rate: 1350 MHz, 186.47
Memory
4 GB 
, 2x 2048 MByte, DDR3-1333, max. 8 GByte
Display
15.60 inch 16:9, 1600 x 900 pixel, LED-Backlight, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel PM55 Express
Storage
Seagate Momentus 7200.4 ST9250410AS, 250 GB 
, 7200 rpm, 7200 U/Min
Soundcard
IDT 92HD71B7 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
Connections
1 Express Card 54mm, 3 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire, 1 VGA, 1 DisplayPort, 1 Infrared, 1 Kensington Lock, 1 eSata, Audio Connections: Headphone, line-out, microphone/line in, Card Reader: SDSDHCSDHDSDIOMMCMSMS ProXD
Networking
Intel(R) 82577LC Gigabit Network Connection (10MBit/s), Intel(R) WiFi Link 5300AGN (a/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/), Bluetooth 2.1
Optical drive
HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GA11N
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 49 x 378 x 309 ( = 1.93 x 14.88 x 12.17 in)
Battery
85 Wh Lithium-Ion, Nine cell
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: 2.0 Megapixel
Additional features
High-end mouse pad with Alienware logo, cap with Alienware logo, thick and well-written manual in leather jacket, Software: Command Center (Alien FX, Alien Touch & Alien Sense), 12 Months Warranty
Weight
4.34 kg ( = 153.09 oz / 9.57 pounds), Power Supply: 720 g ( = 25.4 oz / 1.59 pounds)
Price
1790 Euro

 

Pricecompare

Average Score: 84.07% - good
Average of 29 scores (from 32 reviews)
price: 71%, performance: 92%, features: 82%, display: 84% mobility: 56%, workmanship: 90%, ergonomy: 72%, emissions: 80%

Reviews for the Alienware M15x

84% Review Alienware M15x Gaming-Notebook | Notebookcheck
Back from the Future? The M15x already represents one of the most unique and daring notebooks on the market. A futuristic design and illumination strike you right away, no matter where you look. Alienware also doesn't go in for many compromises under the hood and, according to their own statements, offers "...the universe's most powerful 15" laptop." If the manufacturer has bitten off more than they can chew and how the notebook does in the benchmarks can be read in our comprehensive review.
60% Alienware M15x Ships Fast 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop PC
Source: Comp Reviews English Archive.org version

The Alienware M15x oozes gaming prowess with it's aggressive design, powerful quad-core processor, and HD display. However, the lack of a decent graphics card and expensive price are very disappointing. Until the Alienware M15x (Ships Fast) notebook is updated with a better video card, there are better alternatives on the market.


Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/27/2010
Rating: Total score: 60%
70% Alienware M15x Gaming Notebook
Source: Techtree.com English Archive.org version
The M15x with this high-end bundle will cost you close to Rs. 2 lac which is a lot of money. You can, however, drop a lac by opting for a slightly lower-end bundle which include a Core i7 720QM, 4GB of RAM, 6-cell battery, 1600x900 res screen and a regular DVD burner while the rest of the components remain the same. This configuration makes it very similar to the Asus G51JX that we compared it to and from the scores you can see its no slouch when it comes to gaming. The M15x is a slightly toned down version of its elder brother but certainly shares the same gaming DNA. It's great for high-end gaming and the illuminated keyboard is one of the best we've seen in any notebook more so for its great tactile feedback. But shelling out nearly 2 lacs for this is where I draw the line; I mean I could buy a used car for this money. The lower-end variant seems more bearable which is priced around a lac. In fact, for that price, the Asus G51JX gives you more value for money since you're getting Nvidia's 3D Vision kit as well. Overall, the Alienware M15x is a wonderful gaming machine and is probably one of the best 15-inch gaming notebooks money can buy. However, drawbacks like the really high price, average battery life and the sheer weight of does not make it a very sensible buy
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/22/2010
Rating: Total score: 70%
100% Alienware M15x - Présentation
Source: Pocketables English Archive.org version
Mais quelle note donner à ce M15x ? De deux choses l’une, soit nous notons le modèle pour ce qu’il est en tenant compte du rapport performances / qualité, soit nous notons le modèle en tenant compte de ce que la concurrence offre sur le même créneau. Nous pensons qu’il n’y a pas lieu de comparer puisque cela fausserait totalement la note de la machine. L’Alienware M15x est une pièce unique remplissant les critères que l’on est en droit d’attendre d’une telle machine et même si la concurrence offre un 15,6″ plus puissant, cela n’empêche pas que ce M15x est une réussite. Nous lui octroyons donc 5 étoiles.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/01/2010
Rating: Total score: 100%
90% Dell Alienware m15x: Aliens Beware!
Source: Hardware Zone English Archive.org version
With the arrival of the Dell Alienware m15x, we're glad that we finally had a chance to test drive a state-of-the-art gaming monster unlike say, HP's Voodoo, which doesn't even look remotely like it's coming anywhere to this region. After this hands-on review, we're pretty much sold on the Alienware as one heck of a gaming notebook. Given the very hardcore nature of its specifications, it may not be easy to find a similarly equipped notebook that retains the build quality of the m15x.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/30/2009
Rating: Total score: 90%
40% Alienware M15x notebook review
Source: Pocket Lint English Archive.org version
We love the Alienware M15x for being an unadulterated gaming rig that is so exuberant. It's difficult not to be drawn to it's over-the-top looks and attention to detail. But you do pay for it. The lowest spec (which is still fairly impressive) comes in at £1199. The configuration reviewed here comes in at £1578, and that's not even the top spec. That's the biggest issue we have with the M15x. At the prices you are being asked to pay, things like a Full HD display and Blu-ray player should be standard.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/21/2009
Rating: Total score: 40%
95% Review: Alienware M15x (Core i7) gaming laptop
Source: Geek.com English Archive.org version
The Alienware M15x is, in many ways, and excellent computer. The M15x/M17x chassis design is arguably the best available today on any gaming laptop so having it in another size option is great. The M15x is a very powerful and versatile 15-inch gaming computer that has a reasonable starting price. With the right build it can be a great computer that still manages to bring a fair bit of value along with it.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/10/2009
Rating: Total score: 95% price: 80% performance: 90%
80% Alienware M15x review
Source: Techradar English Archive.org version
One of the best gaming laptops around and comes at a very reasonable price. The M15x is a result of Dell's overhaul of PC and laptop gaming manufacturer Alienware, which it obtained in 2006. The M15x is one of the best gaming laptops we've seen. Its great design is perfectly complemented by decent performance and it's also very reasonably priced – not something we can say very often about gaming systems.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/09/2009
Rating: Total score: 80%
80% Alienware M15x (Core i7)
Source: PC Mag English Archive.org version
Alienware is at the top of its game, as its otherworldly creations have few equals when it comes to gaming laptops. The Alienware M15x (Core i7) is essentially the smaller version of the M17x, which, covered in heavy metals, dominated opponents in both looks and performance. The M15x is the first Alienware laptop to transition to Intel's Core i7 processors, but the M17x is looking like the better pick when it gets the same Core i7 treatment.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/03/2009
Rating: Total score: 80%
Alienware M15x review
Source: CNet English Archive.org version
With the same look and feel as its 17-inch M17x sibling, the 15.6-inch Alienware M15x is an imposing black slab of computing power that's thicker and heavier than most 17-inch laptops. We love having high-end options, such as Intel's uber-powerful Core i7-920XM CPU, and it's a plus that Alienware has finally hopped aboard the 16:9 display bandwagon. The Alienware M15x can become very expensive when you take advantage of the wealth of configuration options, and it's not particularly portable, but it makes up for these issues with cracking performance.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/01/2009
Rating: price: 40% performance: 80% display: 80% mobility: 80%
Out of this world
Source: Star Techcentral English Archive.org version
It is hard to gauge whether Windows 7 could have cured the distortion and minimisation issues but it’s likely it would have helped in some way. Besides for that, the Alienware M15X lives up to its promise of top class gaming even for their laptop models but it may be too ­strenuous to carry around. The faulty touchpad is also a major concern but overall the M15X is intense both in style and substance. It is relatively cheap and is can be a highly useful while waiting for friends at a coffee shop, assuming it was practical to haul it over there.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/01/2009
Rating: price: 80% performance: 90% mobility: 40%
80% Alienware m15x review
Source: PC Authority English Archive.org version
Over the years, Alienware's laptops have been many things, a lot of them completely contradictory. Big, small, gaudy, powerful, expensive and even sometimes good value for money. If it's an unstoppable gaming monster you're after, the bigger, faster m17x is probably the machine you want – or one with an older, faster quad-core chip. As a distinctive, powerful desktop replacement that is good, but not great, for games though, there's a lot to commend the m15x..
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/26/2009
Rating: Total score: 80%
80% Alienware M15x 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop PC
Source: Comp Reviews English Archive.org version
Alienware's M15x is the latest redesign of their 15-inch laptop that features the same styling designs of the M17x. The system offers a high level of performance thanks to the new Intel Core i7 mobile platform and the NVIDIA GeForce GT series graphics. The performance clearly rivals many other gaming specific laptops but the system is very large and heavy for a 15-inch laptop making it less appealing for those wanting portability.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/18/2009
Rating: Total score: 80%
83% Alienware M15x
Source: PC Pro English Archive.org version
Gaming laptops are a curious breed. Over-priced and under-powered compared to their desktop PC cousins, and heavier and bulkier than your average laptop, they’re the definition of an awkward halfway house. But if you’ve got your heart set on a mobile powerhouse, then the Alienware M15x could prove the machine of your dreams. Fusing extrovert styling with serious gaming power, the Alienware M15x is sure to impress.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/17/2009
Rating: Total score: 83% price: 67% performance: 100% features: 83%
80% Alienware M15x (Intel Core i7 720QM, 250GB HDD, 3GB)
Source: CNet English Archive.org version
Keeping the same revised look and feel as the recent 17-inch M17x version, the Alienware M15x is an imposing black slab of computing power that's thicker and heavier than most 17-inch laptops. We love having high-end options such as Intel's uberpowerful Core i7-920XM CPU, and it's a plus that Alienware has finally gotten onboard the 16:9 display bandwagon; but if you want serious gamer options such as dual video cards or two hard drives, you'll have to trade up the bigger 17-inch model. Alienware's big and bulky 15-inch M15x pulls out most of the stops, thanks to a superpowered CPU.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/13/2009
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 90% features: 90% mobility: 90%
Alienware M15x with Intel® CoreTM i7-820QM Mobile Processor review
Source: notebookforums.com English Archive.org version
To sum it up, actually I wanted to buy a Precision m6400 which was going out my budget. Then I was considering the M17x which had a potential but had an inferior processor in model which I was aiming for under my budget. Afterwards M15x came as a Life saver for me. Order it right away and I hope it would be my video, audio and image editing companion for at least 3 to 4 yrs...
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 11/01/2009
Rating: performance: 80% display: 100% mobility: 40% workmanship: 90%
89% Alienware M15x
Source: Computer Shopper English Archive.org version
From its slick-looking, Cosmic Black chassis with multi-colored lighting effects to its collection of high-end components, the M15x is everything you’d expect from Alienware, which typically spares no expense when it comes to manufacturing its gaming systems. This scaled-down version of its category-defining M17x is as solid as they come and actually outranks its bigger sibling when it comes to productivity-application performance. The M15x, one of the best-performing 15-inch gaming notebooks around, is loaded with cool features and top-shelf components. It’s also quite expensive and heavier than most notebooks in this class.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/01/2009
Rating: Total score: 89%
80% Alienware M15x
Source: Laptop Mag English Archive.org version

This 15-inch beast of a gaming rig is tops in all categories—including price. The Alienware M15x is undoubtedly the fastest 15-inch gaming notebook we’ve tested, and its looks match its performance. However, other rigs offer better bang for your buck. For example, the ASUS G51J-A1 may not have the cool backlit keyboard, edge-to edge display, or a Blu-ray player, but it gets comparable gaming scores, and costs $1,100 less. Nevertheless, if you want the best-looking and best-performing 15-inch rig on the block, this is the notebook to get.


Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/16/2009
Rating: Total score: 80%
Alienware Core i7 M15x Review
Source: notebookforums.com English Archive.org version
Hey Im Yoob@NBF and I like ridiculously powerful notebooks with little regards to its battery endurance and/or weight. Ive always been a fan of the bang for buck category ever since my first upgradeable notebook the Dell Inspiron 8100 which featured a blazing fast 1Ghz Pentium3-m CPU and what was the powerhouse known as the Geforce 440mx with 32MB of Vram. Till this day its always been a Dell for they have always been able to match the right stuff inside a computer with right stuff in my wallet. Today is no different since my Alienware is still technically a Dell and for once Alienware has finally reached the coveted BANG-4-BUCK title.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/06/2009
Rating: performance: 100% display: 90% mobility: 50% workmanship: 90%
90% Alienware M15x Core i7
Source: Driverheaven English Archive.org version
The first thing which is immediately noticeable about the M15x is how sturdy the machine is. There are other laptops out there which use the same material in their construction but they are often flimsy and can damage easily. The M15x uses a much thicker chassis and should withstand some very rough treatment when on the move. The good build quality continues when we open the lid and find a bright and crisp screen which has a visually appealing design thanks to the edge to edge finish. Those people who open the underside of the machine will also find a well arranged and tidy design with each of the component separated from the others. Airflow has also been taken into consideration with the fan and vent placement pretty much perfected.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/23/2009
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 80% performance: 100% workmanship: 90%

Foreign Reviews

91% Reiß die Klappe auf!
Source: PC Action - 4/10 German
Comparison, , Length Unknown, Date: 03/01/2010
Rating: Total score: 91% price: 70% performance: 92% features: 85%
91% Notebooks für alle!
Source: PC Games Hardware - 4/10 German
Comparison, , Length Unknown, Date: 03/01/2010
Rating: Total score: 91% price: 70%
77% Alienware M15X
Source: PC Go - 3/10 German
Single Review, , Very Short, Date: 02/01/2010
Rating: Total score: 77% price: 80%
91% Zocker-Notebooks
Source: PC Games Hardware - 2/10 German
Comparison, , Length Unknown, Date: 01/01/2010
Rating: Total score: 91% price: 70%
80% Alienware M15x Notebook
Source: Minitechnet German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/30/2009
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 100% display: 80% mobility: 40% workmanship: 80% ergonomy: 60%
96% Fette Spielemaschinen
Source: SFT - 12/09 German
Comparison, , Length Unknown, Date: 12/01/2009
Rating: Total score: 96%
96% Fette Spielemaschinen
Source: SFT - 12/09 German
Comparison, , Length Unknown, Date: 12/01/2009
Rating: Total score: 96%
88% Test Alienware M15x Gaming-Notebook
Source: Notebookcheck German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/04/2009
Rating: Total score: 88% performance: 94% display: 86% mobility: 59% workmanship: 95% ergonomy: 85% emissions: 82%
90% Alienware M15x
Source: Notebookjournal German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/02/2009
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 70% performance: 90% features: 70% display: 70% mobility: 50% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 60%
80% Alienware M15x (Core i7)
Source: Jambitz Spanish ES→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/10/2009
Rating: Total score: 80%
95% Alienware M15x
Source: PC World Italia Italian IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/02/2010
Rating: Total score: 95%
100% Alienware M15x
Source: Portables4Gamers French FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/10/2009
Rating: Total score: 100%
82% DELL Alienware M15x
Source: Benchmark.pl Turkish PL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/19/2011
Rating: Total score: 82%

Comment

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M:

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M is essentially a higher clocked GeForce 9800M GTX based on the G92b core built under a 55nm manufacturing process. Because of the architectural difference, the 260M is less powerful (and quite dissimilar) to the similarly named desktop GeForce GTX 260.

Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.


Intel Core i7: The Intel Core i7 for laptops is based on the LG1156 Core i5/i7 CPU for desktops. The base clock speed of the CPUs is relatively low, but because of a huge Turbo mode, the cores can dynamically overclock to up to 3.2 GHz (920XM). Therefore, the CPU can be as fast as high clocked dual-core CPUs (using single threaded applications) but still offer the advantage of 4 cores. Because of the large TDP of 45 W / 55 W, the CPU is only intended for large laptops.  


720QM: The Core i7-720QM is the slowes Core i7 Quad Core in 2009 and clocks between 1.6 and 2.8 GHz (due to the Turbo Mode). Therefore, it combines the advantages of a slow quad core CPU with a fast single core one. Compared to the faster Core i7 mobile CPUs, the 720QM only features 6MB L3 Cache.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


15.60":

15-inch display variants are the standard and are used for more than half of all laptops.

The reason for the popularity of mid-sized displays is that this size is reasonably easy on the eyes, often allows high resolutions and thus offers rich details on the screen, yet does not consume too much power and the devices can still be reasonably compact - simply the standard compromise.

» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.


4.34 kg:

A laptop in this weight range is a heavyweight that you rarely carry around. This is meant for desktops and the devices tend to score with a large display and high performance and replace desktop devices.


Alienware: Alienware was founded in the USA in 1996. The European headquarters is located in Ireland. Alienware has been part of the Dell Group since 2006. The product range mainly focuses on gaming laptops and desktops, which are developed and manufactured by Dell. The trademark is a slightly futuristic design with an Alien as the logo. Additionally, workstations for private and business customers are sold.

As with every brand, there are also some points of criticism with Alienware. Some customers have complained about the high prices of the products, while others have criticized the quality of customer services. There have also been some reports of problems with the reliability and durability of some Alienware products. However, many customers have also had positive experiences with the brand and appreciate the powerful gaming computers.


84.07%: This rating is slightly above average, there are somewhat more devices with worse ratings. However, clear purchase recommendations look different.


» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

 

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Devices with the same GPU and/or Screen Size

Asus G60J
GeForce GTX 260M, Core i7 720QM, 3.42 kg
Asus G60VX
GeForce GTX 260M, Core 2 Duo T9400, 3.44 kg

Devices with the same GPU

Gateway P-7908u
GeForce GTX 260M, Core 2 Duo P8700, 17.00", 4.2 kg
Asus G72GX-TY013V
GeForce GTX 260M, Core 2 Duo P8700, 17.30", 4 kg
Asus G72GX
GeForce GTX 260M, Core 2 Quad Q9000, 17.30", 4.05 kg
Asus G71GX
GeForce GTX 260M, Core 2 Duo T9550, 17.00", 4.17 kg

Devices with Same Screen Size and/or Weight

Alienware m18 R1, RTX 4090
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-HX i9-13900HX, 18.00", 4.23 kg
Alienware x14 R2 2023, RTX 4060
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-H i7-13620H, 14.00", 1.91 kg
Alienware m15 R7, 6800H RTX 3060
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU, Rembrandt (Zen 3+) R7 6800H, 15.60", 2.69 kg
Alienware m16 R1 AMD, RTX 4070
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, Dragon Range (Zen 4, Ryzen 7045) R9 7845HX, 16.00", 3.11 kg
Alienware m16 R1 AMD
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, Dragon Range (Zen 4, Ryzen 7045) R9 7845HX, 16.00", 3.11 kg
Alienware m16 R1, i7-13700HX RTX 4060
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-HX i7-13700HX, 16.00", 2.984 kg
Alienware x16 R1
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-H i9-13900HK, 16.00", 2.632 kg
Alienware m16 R1
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-HX i9-13900HX, 16.00", 3.3 kg
Alienware x14 R2 2023
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-H i7-13620H, 14.00", 1.91 kg
Alienware x16 R1, i9-13900HK RTX 4080
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-H i9-13900HK, 16.00", 2.72 kg
Alienware m18 R1
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-HX i9-13980HX, 18.00", 3.891 kg
Alienware x14, i7-12700H 3050 Ti
GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU, Alder Lake-S i7-12700H, 14.00", 1.84 kg
Alienware m17 R5 (R9 6900HX, RX 6850M XT)
Radeon RX 6850M XT, Rembrandt (Zen 3+) R9 6900HX, 17.00", 3.384 kg
Alienware x15 R2 YMGXH
GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU, Alder Lake-S i7-12700H, 15.60", 2.5 kg
Alienware m17 R5, 6900HX RX 6850M XT
Radeon RX 6850M XT, Rembrandt (Zen 3+) R9 6900HX, 17.30", 3.3 kg
Alienware x15 R2-8PYH6
GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU, Alder Lake-S i7-12700H, 15.60", 2.5 kg
Alienware m15 R7, i7-12700H RTX 3050 Ti
GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU, Alder Lake-S i7-12700H, 15.60", 2.42 kg
Alienware x15 R2 P111F
GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU, Alder Lake-P i9-12900H, 15.60", 2.36 kg
Alienware m15 R7-VPV1K
GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU, Alder Lake-S i7-12700H, 15.60", 2.69 kg
Alienware m17 R5, 6900HX RTX 3070 Ti
GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU, Rembrandt (Zen 3+) R9 6900HX, 17.30", 3.3 kg
Alienware x15 R1, i9-11900H RTX 3070
GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU, Tiger Lake i9-11900H, 15.60", 2.36 kg
Alienware x17 R2-KTJKT
GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU, Alder Lake-S i7-12700H, 17.30", 3.09 kg
Alienware x14 i9 RTX 3060
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU, Alder Lake-P i9-12900HK, 14.00", 1.79 kg
Current Prices

Alienware M15x on Ciao

Stefan Hinum, 2009-11-24 (Update: 2012-05-26)