Refreshed Alienware notebooks finally receive Ivy Bridge update
For some reason, Dell seems to favor a step by step approach in refreshing their Alienware notebooks, rather than all in one go. It was only a week ago when the company updated their M14x, M17x and M18x with NVIDIA 600 Series GPUs and mSATA support, and now the trio is being fitted for the latest Intel processers.
Starting from today, the Alienware M14x and M17x can be configured to include a 2.3GHz Core i7-3610QM, a 2.6GHz Core i7-3720QM or a 2.7GHz Core i7-3820QM. On the other hand, the larger M18x is privy to the previously mentioned Ivy Bridge CPUs as well as the 2.9GHz Core i7-3920XM. The M14x also retains the option for a Sandy Bridge Core i5-2450M.
Furthermore, Dell has cleared up the exact GPU specs for the refreshed Alienware notebooks, starting with the NVIDIA GT650M, which will be available in 1GB or 2GB flavors within the M14x. As for the M17X, it can now be equipped with an NVIDIA GT660M/GT675M or an AMD HD7970. Unfortunately, the M18x doesn't offer any new options, but the GT675M and HD7970 can be configured in SLI or CrossFireX, respectively.
The notebooks are currently available online, with the M14x starting at $1,099, the M17x starting at $1,499 and the M18x beginning at a solid $1,999.
Press Release
Dell's Enhanced Alienware Portfolio Delivers Exceptional Mobile Gaming Experience
M14x, M17x, M18x Offer Powerful Performance Options for Mobile Gamers
M14x and M18x Are Most Powerful 14-inch and 18-inch Laptops in the Universe
Collaboration with EA for an Enhanced PC Gaming Experience
Alienware, Dell's high performance PC gaming brand, is taking the mobile gaming experience to a new level with its enhanced gaming laptop portfolio that lets gamers choose a system that best fits their mobile lifestyle. The enhanced systems include: the M14x, the most powerful 14-inch laptop in the universe, for the gamer who requires a balance between mobility and performance; the 3D-capable M17x for an immersive high-definition, surround-sound sensory experience, and the M18x – also the most powerful 18-inch laptop in the universe – for gamers whose priority is performance above all else but who also require the option to occasionally 'go mobile.'
The Alienware M14x, M17x, and M18x laptops deliver immersive sensory experiences, with each offering the latest NVIDIA GeForce and AMD Radeon HD graphics cards and the Creative Sound Blaster audio chipset with THX 7.1 digital surround sound and Klipsch-branded speakers.
High-Performance Mobile Gaming
A perfect balance of performance and mobility, the Alienware M14x allows gamers on-the-go to experience uncompromising gaming performance. The M14x features optional dual drive configurations, up to 16GB of memory for extreme multitasking, a Blu-ray combo optical drive, and an NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M graphics engine with GDDR5 graphics memory[ii] – the most advanced GPU in a 14-inch form factor and the first time Alienware is offering GDDR5 graphics on a laptop of this size.
The Alienware M17x immerses the customer in the game with every dimension, pixel and sound, for a bigger, richer gaming experience. The M17x delivers the latest NVIDIA and AMD graphics card options, up to 32GB of memory[ii], optional 17.3-inch 120Hz WideFHD WLED 3D display, and THX 3D surround sound. It is one of the first laptops to offer the AMD Radeon HD 7970M graphics card and the latest GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GT 660M and 675M graphics solutions[ii].
Alienware's flagship gaming laptop, the Alienware M18x, is equipped with technology capable of matching high-performance gaming desktops. The M18x delivers up to 200w of mobile graphics power when configured with the optional Dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M graphics enabling an NVIDIA SLI experience and up to 4GB of GDDR5 graphics memoryii. A configuration featuring dual AMD Radeon HD 7970m with CrossFire will be available in the coming weeks. An 18.4-inch Full HD 1080p WLED backlit LCD, up to 750GB 7200RPM SATA hard drives , support for a triple solid state drive option – 768GB SSD (3 x 256GB SSD), and a stylish, anodized aluminum shell all combine to make the M18x a gaming and entertainment powerhouse like no other.
All three laptops feature Intel's 3rd Generation processors and Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 technologies, HDMI 1.4, USB 3.0 for fast data transfer, Bluetooth 4.0, optional 3D HD gaming capabilityi, optional Blu-ray disc drive and exceptional surround-sound quality from Klipsch speakers. In addition, the Alienware laptops feature AlienAdrenaline, which enables users to create shortcuts associated with games, or applications capable of triggering a chain of commands meant to improve system performance or to customize the experience.
"Our customers want the most immersive gaming experience possible, and we've taken the all-powerful M14x, M17x, and M18x laptops and made them even better, delivering the latest technologies for almost every need," said Frank Azor, General Manager, Alienware. "We've always offered the latest technology for the best gaming experience possible, and our enhanced lineup will let you pwn any competitor and provide the sensory experience that we know you crave."
AlienFX Implementation in EA's Battlefield 3™
Dell is also announcing its ongoing collaboration with EA to implement an AlienFX software and lighting control system as well as an exclusive Alienware Arena dog tag in Battlefield 3. Customers can experience these AlienFX implementations while playing Battlefield 3 today, which will provide gamers with a more personal experience by adjusting lighting colors and effects settings. Gamers will see unique loading and menu and player health lighting effects that will change throughout their Battlefield 3 gameplay experience.
Availability and Pricing:
Alienware M14x, M17x and M18x are available now on Dell.com and Alienware.com with standard configurations starting at $1099 for the M14x, $1499 for the M17x, and $1999 for the M18x.
Detailed Information:
Alienware M14x
· 2nd and 3rd Generation Intel Core i5 and i7 Processor Options
o Intel Core i5-2450M 2.5GHz (3.1GHz w/Turbo Boost, 3MB Cache) (Standard)
o Intel Core i7-3610QM 2.3GHz (3.3GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)
o Intel Core i7-3720QM 2.6GHz (3.6GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)
o Intel Core i7-3820QM 2.7GHz (3.7GHz w/Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache)
· Powerful NVIDIA Graphics Card Options
o 1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M using NVIDIA Optimus technology[ii] (Standard)
o 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M using NVIDIA Optimus technology[ii]
· 14-inch WLED HD display (1366X768) (Standard) or optional 14-inch WLED HD+ display (1600X900)
· Configure with up to 16GB of DDR3 Memory[ii] (6GB Standard); 2x 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM SDRAM Slots
· Configure with up to 750GB 7200RPM drive[iii] (500GB standard) or up to 512GB Solid State Drive[iii]
o RAID 1 and 0, and Dual Drive options available
o mSATA Boot and Caching Drive Options available
· Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate available
· 1.3MP HD Camera with dual digital microphones
· Slot-Loading DVD drive (Standard) or optional Blu-ray Disc Reader
· Creative Sound Blaster Recon3Di High-Definition 5.1 Audio with THX TruStudio Pro Software (Standard) or 2.1 Speaker configuration with Subwoofer Audio Powered by Klipsch; 7.1 Digital Audio out using HDMI out connection or S/PDIF Optical port
· Integrated 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet NIC and Integrated Wireless-N with Bluetooth 4.0 (standard); optional WiMax configuration available
· USB 3.0 (2); USB 2.0; Mini-Display Port; HDMI 1.4 Output; VGA Port; 9-in-1 Media Card Reader; Audio/Microphone In; Audio Out; RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet
Alienware M17x
· 3rd Generation Intel Core i7 Processor Options
o Intel Core i7-3610QM 2.3GHz (3.3GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache) (Standard)
o Intel Core i7-3720QM 2.6GHz (3.6GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)
o Intel Core i7-3820QM 2.7GHz (3.7GHz w/Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache)
· Powerful NVIDIA and AMD Graphics Card Options
o 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GT 660M[ii] (Standard)
o 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GT 675M[ii]
o 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 7970M[ii]
· 17.3" WideHD+ (1600 x 900 ) WLED LCD (Standard); optional: 17.3" WideFHD (1920 x 1080) WLED LCD or 17.3" 120Hz WideFHD (1920 x 1080) WLED LCD w/3D Bundle
· Configure with up to 32GB of DDR3 Memory[ii] (6GB 1600MHz Standard); 4x 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM SDRAM Slots
· Configure with up to 1TB (2x 500GB) RAID0 7200RPM drive[iii](500GB standard) or up to 512GB Solid State Drive[iii]
o RAID 1 and 0, and Dual Drive options available
o mSATA Boot and Caching Drive Options available
· Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate available
· 2.1MP FullHD Camera with dual digital microphones
· Slot-Loading DVD drive (Standard) or optional Blu-ray Disc Reader
· Creative Sound Blaster Recon3Di High-Definition 5.1 Audio with THX TruStudio Pro Software (Standard) or 2.1 Speaker configuration with Subwoofer Audio Powered by Klipsch; 7.1 Digital Audio out using HDMI out connection or S/PDIF Optical port
· Integrated 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet NIC and Integrated Wireless-N with Bluetooth 4.0 (standard); optional WiMax configuration available
· USB 3.0 (4); USB 2.0 and eSATA combo port; Auto-sensing jacks for Line-out (3); Microphone In; Mini-Display Port; HDMI 1.4 Output; HDMI 1.3 Input; VGA Port; 9-in-1 Media Card Reader; RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet
Alienware M18x
· 3rd Generation Intel Core i7 Processor Options
o Intel Core i7-3610QM 2.3GHz (3.3GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache) (Standard)
o Intel Core i7-3720QM 2.6GHz (3.6GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)
o Intel Core i7-3820QM 2.7GHz (3.7GHz w/Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache)
o Intel Core i7-3920XM 2.9GHz (3.8GHz w/Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache)
o Intel Core i7-3920XM Overclocked Turbo Boost (8MB Cache)
· Powerful NVIDIA and AMD Graphics Card Options
o 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GT 660M[ii] (Standard)
o 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GT 675M[ii]
o Dual 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 7970M - AMD CrossFireX[ii] (coming soon)
o Dual 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M - NVIDIA SLI[ii]
· 18.4 inch WLED WideFHD display (1920 X 1080)
· Configure with up to 32GB of DDR3 Memoryii or 8GB 1866MHz (4GB 1600MHz Standard); 4x 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM SDRAM Slots
· Configure with up to 750GB 7200RPM SATA drive[iii] (500GB standard)
o RAID 1 and 0, Dual and Triple Drive options available
o mSATA Boot and Caching Drive Options available
· Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate available
· 2.1MP FullHD Camera with dual digital microphones
· Slot-Loading DVD drive (Standard) or optional Blu-ray Disc Reader
· Creative Sound Blaster Recon3Di High-Definition 5.1 Audio with THX TruStudio Pro Software (Standard) or 2.1 Speaker configuration with Subwoofer Audio Powered by Klipsch; 7.1 Digital Audio out using HDMI out connection or S/PDIF Optical port
· Integrated 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet NIC and Integrated Wireless-N with Bluetooth 4.0 (standard)
· USB 3.0 (4); USB 2.0 and eSATA combo port; Auto Out Ports (2); Microphone In; Mini-Display Port; HDMI 1.4 Output; HDMI 1.3 Input; VGA Port; 9-in-1 Media Card Reader; RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet; Combo S/PDIF Optical output / Analog Headphone Line Out
Related Articles
- GTX680M equipped M17x and M18x now available News @ 06/21/2012
- Alienware laptops will include Wireless-N 1202 Module from Killer News @ 05/23/2012
- HP carries out a 2012 refresh of its dv and g Series, debuts the Pavilion m6 notebook News @ 05/10/2012
- Fujitsu launches the LifeBook LH772 notebook with Ivy Bridge processor News @ 05/08/2012
- Ivy Bridge Alienware gaming laptops coupons surface News @ 05/07/2012
- Dell launches special edition Inspiron 14R and 15R notebooks News @ 05/02/2012
- Samsung Ultrabooks first to receive Ivy Bridge? News @ 05/01/2012
- Ivy Bridge makes its way to Samsung's Series 7 notebooks News @ 04/30/2012
- Dell refreshes Alienware line-up for 2012, leaves out the M11x News @ 04/23/2012
- Details leak on upcoming Alienware M18x R2 News @ 04/18/2012
- Alienware M14x, M17x and M18x could be receiving 2012 refresh News @ 01/26/2012
- Dell offers to fix Alienware hinge problem, for free News @ 09/10/2011