Alienware M18x (GTX 580M SLI, 2920XM)
Specifications
Notebook: Alienware M18x (GTX 580M SLI, 2920XM) (M18x Series)Processor: Intel Core i7 2920XM
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M SLI 2x2048 MB
Display: 18.4 inch, 16:9, 1920x1080 pixels, glossy: yes
Weight: 5.64kg
Price: 5084 euro
Average of 6 scores (from 9 reviews)
Reviews for the Alienware M18x (GTX 580M SLI, 2920XM)
Powerhouse. In our review update, we look at the fastest notebook graphics system currently available, the GeForce GTX 580 SLI, in the very well-equipped Alienware M18x.
Source: notebookforums.com
The anodized aluminum chassis is built like a brick house. There is no other high performance laptop that runs as well. It overclocks like a dream and it can be upgraded about as easily as a desktop computer.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 12/03/2012
Rating: Total score: 100% performance: 100% features: 100% display: 100% workmanship: 100% ergonomy: 100%
Source: Gadgetmix
Ability to play the newest games at maximum settings and resolution is probably to be expected for over 4000 euros, and all in all the Alienware is about as future-proof a notebook as money can buy. So what is there to complain about with? Lack of Firewire? Not really. Perhaps the price. Amazon sells nicely loaded Dell Alienware M18X laptop with case for $2,349.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/28/2011
Source: Hot Hardware
The Alienware M18x is a notebook built for gaming and performance enthusiasts, plain and simple. This isn't a machine designed to strike a balance in power efficiency or portability by any means. Dell's Alienware division apparently built the M18x with one mission in mind--to deliver the best possible gaming and multimedia experience available in a self-contained, "desktop replacement" form-factor.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/04/2011
Source: Laptop Mag
To paraphrase Samuel L. Jackson in Jackie Brown, if you absolutely, positively need to kill everyone at the LAN party, accept no substitutes. If you can only afford one GPU, the $3,300 M17x is a better option, but its chassis can only accommodate a single graphics card. But if you can swing for two GPUs, then the M18x is the way to go. From power to weight to price, this notebook simply has more--the most--of everything.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/29/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Techreview Source
With the highest configuration, gaming performance was simply outstanding at the highest graphics setting for all of the games tested. It is definitely the best-performing laptop that we've tested to date, thanks to the amazing specifications and uncommon SLI-graphics setup. Battery life, as you can expect, with the Alienware M18x is rather poor compared with all other laptops at about 1.5 hours, so you'll definitely want to stay near a power source if you do any portability.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/17/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: CNet
While 17-inch desktop replacement laptops with decent gaming performance are easy to find, if not exactly common, to truly move into the realm of mobile home entertainment center, there's nothing like an even-larger 18-inch screen. Alienware again pushes the boundaries of laptop performance (and price) with high-end parts and a great-for-gaming 18-inch screen.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/16/2011
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 90% mobility: 70%
Foreign Reviews
Source: Notebookjournal
DE→ENSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/17/2011
Rating: performance: 90% features: 70% display: 70% mobility: 70% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 50%
Source: Notebookcheck
DE→ENSingle Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/06/2011
Rating: Total score: 88% performance: 99% display: 82% mobility: 59% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 87% emissions: 88%
Source: The Hikaku
JA→ENSingle Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/12/2012
Comment
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M SLI:
Two GeForce GTX 580M (GF114 Fermi) cards in SLI mode. Because of the maximum power usage of 2x 100 Watt of both MXM boards, the GTX580M SLI can only be used in very large laptops.
These graphics cards are able to play the latest and most demanding games in high resolutions and full detail settings with enabled Anti-Aliasing.
» 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.
2920XM: Fastest mobile Quad-core processor in Q1 2011 based on the Sandy Bridge architecture with an integrated graphics card and dual-channel DDR3 memory controller. » Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
18.4": 18 inch display size is a rare and very big size for desktop-replacement laptops. Laptops with 18 inch displays did not exist before 2008. The DTR-laptops can't be carried easily, need much energy but on the other side texts can be read easily and high resolutions are no problem. DTR mainly are intended for stationary usage on desks, where the weight and the energy need are unimportant.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.
5.64 kg: This laptop is heavy. Especially desktop replacements with 19 inch display fit in this class of weight. This class is too heavy, even for 17 inch DTR.
Alienware: Alienware is an American computer hardware company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dell. It mainly assembles for high-performance gaming. Alienware also offers for sale rebadged laptops and computer peripherals, such as headsets, computer mice, monitors and keyboards. Alienware was founded in 1996. The corporate headquarters is located in Florida. Alienware established its EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) headquarters in Ireland, in 2002. 2005, Alienware brought in upwards of $170 million USD in annual sales and launched an international in 2003 with a presence in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Costa Rica. The international market share is limited.
87.67%: This is a good rating above average. Nevertheless you should not forget, that 10-15% of all notebook-models get a better rating.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.
