Alienware M18x (GTX 580M SLI, 2920XM)

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Reviews for the Alienware M18x (GTX 580M SLI, 2920XM)

100% Alienware M18x R1 - Über Beast
Source: notebookforums.com Archive.org version
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%

Dell Alienware M18x – Review
Source: Gadgetmix Archive.org version
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

Alienware M18x Gaming Notebook: Tale of Two GPUs
Source: Hot Hardware Archive.org version
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

80% Alienware M18x Review
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
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%

90% Alienware M18x
Source: Techreview Source Archive.org version
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%

80% Alienware M18x Intel Core i7 2630QM 2.0GHz (2.8GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)
Source: CNet Archive.org version
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

Alienware M18x (GTX 580M SLI)
Source: Notebookjournal DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/17/2011
Rating: performance: 90% features: 70% display: 70% mobility: 70% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 50%

88% Test Alienware M18x (GTX 580M SLI, 2920XM) Notebook
Source: Notebookcheck DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/06/2011
Rating: Total score: 88% performance: 99% display: 82% mobility: 59% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 87% emissions: 88%

デル ALIENWARE M18xの簡易レビュー
Source: The Hikaku JA→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/12/2012

Comment

Series:

The Alienware M18x Haswell is undeniably one of the most powerful portable gaming laptops one could hope for. It certainly doesn't come cheap, but it’s an ultra powerful gaming laptop, made of premium materials and design. This huge 18 inch monster weighs in at a massive 5.5 kg. It serves well as a desktop replacement, with occasional jaunts to LAN parties. Covered in anodized aluminum, the feel of this machine is premium all the way. The magnificent exterior with customizable lights is a party favor that is endlessly awesome. There’s even a HDMI port that can switch between input/output allowing use of a HDTV as display, or use of the Alienware M18x’s screen with input from a game console or a cable box.

One of the most unique features of this beast of a machine is that it runs two GeForce GTX 780M cards linked by Nvidia's SLI. The 1920x1080 display is absolutely stunning. Hardcore gamers will have no problems with maxed out settings. The Alienware M18x comes equipped with a slot-loading Blu-Ray drive for media lovers who want to make full use of this machine's graphic abilities. Because of the power-hungry, powerful graphic cards, the battery life is absolutely dismal despite the power saving features of the Haswell Intel Core i7 4900MQ. Using it far from a power outlet will be a very short lived experience. If money does not matter, this is definitely the laptop to own for gaming and performance. 

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M SLI:

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.  

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.

18.40": 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.

5.64 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.

87.67%: 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.

Devices from a different Manufacturer and/or with a different CPU

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