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Alienware M17x R4

Specifications

Alienware M17x R4
Alienware M17x R4 (M17x Series)
Processor
Intel Core i7-3610QM 4 x 2.3 - 3.3 GHz (Intel Core i7)
Graphics adapter
AMD Radeon HD 7970M - 2048 MB VRAM, Core: 850 MHz, Memory: 1200 MHz, GDDR5, 8.934.2.0
Memory
8 GB 
, 2x 4096 MB SO-DIMM DDR3-SDRAM PC3-12800 (1600 MHz), 4 slots, max. 32 GB
Display
17.30 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel, LGD02DA (D3WCF_173WF1), Full HD, WLED, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel HM77 (Panther Point)
Storage
Samsung SSD PM830 64 GByte mSATA, 64 GB 
, + Seagate Momentus 7200.4 (ST9500423AS), 500 GB, 7200 rpm
Soundcard
Creative Sound Blaster Recon3Di @ Intel Panther Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller
Connections
1 USB 2.0, 4 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 DisplayPort, 1 Kensington Lock, 1 eSata, Audio Connections: 1 Line-In, 3 Line-Out (incl. S/PDIF), Card Reader: 9-in-1, 1 HDMI-In
Networking
Atheros AR8151 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (NDIS 6.20) (10MBit/s), Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230 (b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/), Bluetooth 4.0
Optical drive
HL-DT-ST DVDRWBD CA30N
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 46 x 410 x 304 ( = 1.81 x 16.14 x 11.97 in)
Battery
90 Wh Lithium-Ion, 9 cell, 11.1V, 0.52 kg
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: 2.1 Mega pixel with two digital microphones
Additional features
Power adapter: 240 Watt, velvet casing, mouse pad, quick reference guide, further information booklets, Resource DVD, Resource Media DVD, Application DVD, Windows 7 DVD, McAfee Security Center DVD, CyberLink PowerDVD 9.6, 12-36 Months Warranty
Weight
4.36 kg ( = 153.79 oz / 9.61 pounds), Power Supply: 820 g ( = 28.92 oz / 1.81 pounds)
Price
2109 Euro

 

Pricecompare

Average Score: 85.27% - good
Average of 11 scores (from 13 reviews)
price: 67%, performance: 96%, features: 79%, display: 76% mobility: 75%, workmanship: 90%, ergonomy: 83%, emissions: 85%

Reviews for the Alienware M17x R4

88% Alienware M17x R4 Notebook Review | Notebookcheck
It's partytime! While Nvidia's Kepler flagship still keeps us waiting, AMD's new Radeon HD 7970M is seriously mixing up the gaming notebook segment. In combination with Intel's new Ivy Bridge processors, Alienware had enough reasons to refresh its Luxury gamer M17x. Will the 17" notebook be able to score our "Gaming Reference" title again?
80% Alienware M17x review
Source: Tech Advisor English Archive.org version
There’s no doubt that the M17x is one of the most powerful gaming laptops currently available. However, in the form we tested it, it’s also one of the most expensive, with a price tag well over £1700. The machine’s sheer size and weight may also deter anyone looking for anything portable.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/10/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%
80% Alienware M17x review
Source: Tech Advisor English Archive.org version
There’s no doubt that the M17x is one of the most powerful gaming laptops currently available. However, in the form we tested it, it’s also one of the most expensive, with a price tag well over £1700. The machine’s sheer size and weight may also deter anyone looking for anything portable.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/10/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%
83% Review: Alienware M17x R4
Source: PC Authority English Archive.org version
Alienware’s M17x R4 is a heavyweight in every sense of the word. The Ivy Bridge processor delivers outstanding performance, the AMD Radeon HD 7970M is flat out the best gaming GPU in the mobile space at the moment, and the gargantuan chassis oozes quality from every port. It isn’t cheap, but spend some time judiciously sifting through the options and it’s possible to get the price closer to the $2500 mark. If you’re looking for a multimedia powerhouse to take the place of a bulky desktop PC, this Alienware machine is simply out of this world.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/24/2012
Rating: Total score: 83%
90% Alienware M17x 2012 review
Source: Techradar English Archive.org version
Despite its chunky frame and weighty anatomy, the Alienware M17x is the perfect gaming machine and also a fantastic desktop replacement, thanks to its impressive HD media features. The performance is lightning fast, there aren't many (if any) demanding tasks that seem to bother it and you needn't worry about longevity, since it's packing a wealth of cutting-edge, latest generation technology.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/15/2012
Rating: Total score: 90%
90% Alienware M17x R4 Review (i7 3610QM/ AMD HD7970M)
Source: Kitguru English Archive.org version
Today we are looking at the latest, 4th revision of the ever popular M17X laptop from market leader, Alienware. The M17X R4 features a quad core Ivy Bridge processor and AMD’s Radeon HD7970M discrete mobile graphics solution for enhanced gaming performance. If you have a couple of grand spare is this the best way to blow it ?
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/15/2012
Rating: Total score: 90%
Dell Alienware M17x – Review
Source: Gadgetmix English Archive.org version
Battery life delivers 4hrs-plus of WiFi web browsing, thanks to a 9-cell battery and Optimus switching hibernating the dedicated graphics card when it’s not needed. Which is most of the time when doing anything other than gaming, since the Intel HD4000 intergrated graphics solution rivals entry-level graphics cards for capability.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/01/2012
80% Alienware M17x Review
Source: Stuff TV English Archive.org version
So, we like the M17x a great deal. Gaming performance is better than most ‘proper’ PCs and it’s twice as fast as the majority of gaming laptops released just a year ago. The only flies in the ointment are the fact that it’s too heavy and power inefficient to be considered genuinely portable, and that you could buy a full gaming rig and an ultrabook for the same price. Still, if you don’t have the room for a big rig, the M17x is an excellent, compact alternative.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/01/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%
83% Alienware M17x R4 review
Source: PC Pro English Archive.org version
Alienware’s M17x R4 is a heavyweight in every sense of the word. The Ivy Bridge processor delivers outstanding performance, the AMD Radeon HD 7970M is more than a match for the latest games and the gargantuan chassis just oozes quality from every port. It isn’t cheap, but spend some time juidiciously sifting through the myriad customisation options and it’s possible to drop the price closer to the £1,500 mark. If you’re looking for a multimedia powerhouse to take the place of a bulky desktop PC, this Alienware machine is simply out of this world.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/18/2012
Rating: Total score: 83% price: 67% performance: 100% features: 100% ergonomy: 100%

Foreign Reviews

89% Spiele-Notebook so schnell wie Desktop-PC
Source: Gamestar German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/09/2012
Rating: Total score: 89% performance: 100% features: 80% display: 80%
Alienware M17x R4 (HD 7970M)
Source: Notebookjournal German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/03/2012
Rating: performance: 80% features: 50% display: 50% mobility: 70% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 50%
95% Dell Alienware M17xR4
Source: Notebookinfo German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 05/21/2012
Rating: Total score: 95% performance: 100% display: 90% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 95% emissions: 91%
Alienware M17x R4 mit Radeon HD 7970M
Source: HardwareLuxx German DE→EN Archive.org version
Positive: casing, gaming-performance, fan control; negative: slow SSD, reflecting top case
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 05/22/2012
80% DELL ALIENWARE M14X (INTEL CORE I7-3610QM)
Source: 01Net French FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/04/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%

Comment

AMD Radeon HD 7970M: High-end GPU by AMD manufactured in 28nm and based on the GCN architecture.

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.  


3610QM:

An Ivy Bridge-based quad-core processor clocked at 2.3 GHz with Turbo Boost support up to 3.3 GHz. Offers an integrated HD Graphics 4000 GPU running at 650-1100 MHz on a dual channel DDR3 memory controller.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


17.30": This display size is a standard format for desktop replacements (DTR). The DTR laptops are heavier to carry, need more power, but texts are easy to read and high resolutions are no problem. DTR are mainly intended for stationary desk use, where weight and energy hunger don't matter. In return, you enjoy the advantages of high resolutions (more details, better legibility).» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.


4.36 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.


85.27%: This is an above-average rating. Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that about one fifth of all tested models receive a better rating.


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

 

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Current Prices
Stefan Hinum, 2012-05-24 (Update: 2012-05-26)