M18x ? News article looks bogus

[Docsteel]

Even though it says, "best seller" next to the M15x, I was told their M17x was by far the better seller. In fact, AW is one of Dell's only real profitable consumer divisions and they will continue to expand it.

I am SO glad to hear that!

They've probably looked at how Clevo does it. Single high-end GPU, 17" machine for the mainstream, and then larger, SLI/Crossfire machines for that very niche audience who wants that.

Every company needs a more mainstream 17" gaming machine right now. It's smart business, and the only way to survive. Those who want dual GPU monsters can be happy with the M18X.

Makes sense, be interesting to see if the M18x isn't some absurdly overpriced rig now.

[darth voldemort]

Being a relatively large person, if it existed and I could afford it, I would buy a laptop the size of an area 51 desktop with a 3 foot screen attached and a touchpad 1 foot across and 4 gpu's and 2 processors... But that's just me...

[Meaker]

If they were making money on the M17X, they would've kept it. Dual GPU machines are way too niche to be your bread and butter, especially when you're spending all of that money on metal chassis.

They've probably looked at how Clevo does it. Single high-end GPU, 17" machine for the mainstream, and then larger, SLI/Crossfire machines for that very niche audience who wants that.

Every company needs a more mainstream 17" gaming machine right now. It's smart business, and the only way to survive. Those who want dual GPU monsters can be happy with the M18X.

The R3 is still going to beat two Mobility 5870s, fyi.

How is a single 5870 mildly overclocked going to beat two in crossfire

I doubt even the (which the R3 does not ship with) is going to be able to manage that.

[mb67]

Well, I'm 66... (and still counting!) And many of my friends also have been AW aliens adepts for a while...
Some of us (like me) cannot afford two different computers... Of course not two laptops: one for computing needs and one for multimedia, gaming, whatever...
So, 1920x1200, SB, two GPU w. XF (we don't like SLI)... etc. is the way to go for us. 3D? certainly no way!!!
Another substantial reason to preffer Dell's machines among other well known brands mentioned here, is the warranty systems that let us enjoy some security all over the world...
Many of us have had experiences with other well known brands (which I respectfully reserve their names here). NO ONE, clearly stated: NO ONE give us NBD full warranty services ouside the US werever we go... (even deep in the Amazon forrest as I could experience).
So for us the marriage between Dell warranty system and AW was, until now, perfect...
I have been waiting a lot of time for my new desktop replacement, it seems that I (and my friends, as far as I could hear from them), will have to keep waiting for the promises lands of the 18x...

Good points. Also good to know I'm not the oldest one here (I'm 43)

[stamatisx]

I will be happy too if they go with dual GPU, 1200p (sorry but I hate 1080p) and stick to aluminum

[alienware-dell]

If M18X is really coming out I would go buy it first up.

[nobodyshero]

Did AW ever release Google Page Ranking, praising the M17X's popularity and sales?

I doubt it was a profitable venture, which is why this decision was made.

Let's say we take your argument (in which both sides neither have demonstrated proof) that the M17x is a low sales earner. Being "popular" doesn't serve purely as a sales number, being popular can be an advertisement machine in itself.

The M18x could be used to create controversy, intrigue, assertion to having one of the most powerful notebooks again and yet keep it at low yield productions so they don't overextend themselves and lose profit on it. Alienware has a choice to make to become the next Asus or retain themselves as some sort of luxury hybrid serving both high end casual and enthusiast consumers.

[Kevin]

^ I think M17X R3 + M18X will be good for business.

An 18" desktop replacement will even draw in some of those who were considering an Alienware desktop setup. That thing will be beautiful.

How is a single 5870 mildly overclocked going to beat two in crossfire

I doubt even the (which the R3 does not ship with) is going to be able to manage that.

Sorry, I thought it was already shipping with the 6970M. One of those overclocked will do it.

[5150Joker]

^ I think M17X R3 + M18X will be good for business.

An 18" desktop replacement will even draw in some of those who were considering an Alienware desktop setup. That thing will be beautiful.

Sorry, I thought it was already shipping with the 6970M. One of those overclocked will do it.

Looking at 5770 vs 6850 benchmarks, it doesn't appear an underclocked barts would be able to match xfire 5870s. It would put up maybe 60-70% of the performance in most dx9/dx10 games but the dx11 performance is quite an improvement and would possibly match xfire 5870m in a few games. For a single card that's quite impressive but I think the 485M is around 10-15% faster than that or more in some cases. Besides, there's a chance the M17x-R2 can be equipped with the 6970s. Also, I think the R3 is more limited than the R2 with respect to cooling.

[Docsteel]

Good points. Also good to know I'm not the oldest one here (I'm 43)

Try a young and sleek 45