Alienware M18x, Haswell

Specifications

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Reviews for the Alienware M18x, Haswell

Alienware 18
Source: Hot Hardware Archive.org version
If pressed, we’re not sure we’d change much of anything on this gaming beast. It would be nice if the optical drive could burn Blu-rays, and the front edge where your wrist rests while you use the machine could be a little more comfortable. Other than that, there’s really nothing else you could ask for.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/26/2013

80% Alienware 18 Review and Ratings
Source: Computer Shopper Archive.org version
With its SLI-powered graphics, Core i7 "Haswell" CPU, and a liberal helping of speedy RAM, the Alienware 18 delivers some of the fastest frame rates we've seen to date. It's a hefty beast with a monstrous price tag, however.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/19/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% Alienware 18 review
Source: IT Reviews Archive.org version
The Alienware 18 ($4,499, direct) gaming laptop is an unapologetic show of opulence and riches. Big, bulky, and ostentatious as heck, the Alienware 18 is the ginormous gaming laptop you want to use to show off your riches on the game grid.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/13/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% Alienware 18
Source: PC Mag Archive.org version
The Alienware 18 is a huge gaming laptop, but it throws performance, features, full-featured keyboard, smooth trackpad, customizable lighting, lots of I/O ports, and a great screen into the mix. It's the high-end gaming portable gaming rig you'd want if you want to show off, and if you can afford the just under $4,500 price tag. The Alienware 18 beats the Origin EON17-SLX on flash, performance, features, intimidation, and looks. That's a recipe for our latest Editors' Choice for high-end gaming laptops.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/11/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% Alienware 18 Review
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
For the same price as the $4,399 Alienware 18, you could buy 63 Amazon Kindles, 22 Google Nexus 7s or a brand-new Honda CBR250R motorcycle, and still have money left over. Or, you could buy the most powerful gaming rig we've yet seen, with dual Nvidia cards, a quad-core Intel 4th-generation processor and a blazing 512GB SSD.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/11/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

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 780M SLI: Two GeForce GTX 780M graphics cards in SLI combination.

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.  

4900MQ: Haswell-based quad-core processor clocked at 2.8 GHz with Turbo Boost support up to 3.8 GHz. Offers an integrated HD Graphics 4600 GPU and a 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.

5.5 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.

80%: This rating is not earth-shattering. This rating must actually be seen as average, since there are about as many devices with worse ratings as better ones. A purchase recommendation can only be seen with a lot of goodwill, unless it is about websites that generally rate strictly.

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

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

Devices with the same GPU

Devices with Same Screen Size and/or Weight