Alienware M14x

Dell sent along a review unit of its Alienware M14x laptop.  This 14-inch gaming laptop incorporates Intel’s full-voltage, second generation Sandy Bridge Dual-core or Quad-core Core i7 CPU, discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M with up to 3GB RAM and up to 8GB of 1600MHz system memory. It doesn’t belong to the featherweight class where its weight is concerned though, and is pretty hefty with a starting weight of 2.92 kg.

Anyway, the unit that arrived on Monday came with the below specifications:

  • WLED HD+ Display (1600×900)
  • Quad-core i7 2820QM 2.3GHz Intel processor
  • 4GB DDR3 1600MHz RAM
  • 750GB 7200RPM HDD (Not SSD unfortunately)

My initial impression towards the M14x is that it booted practically as fast as my dual-SSD (RAID 0) equipped Sony Vaio.  In addition, the M14x’s 1600×900 screen resolution is also one of the highest around.  It is clear that Alienware have spared no efforts to cram the highest spec’ed hardware into its 258.3 x 337 mm (37.8mm height) chassis.  This can be evidenced in the Windows Experience Index, which handily trashed my 6-months old Vaio in every category other than its hard disk performance.

I’ll probably have more to report once I’ve used it for a few days.

Alienware M14x

On my left is the Windows Experience Index of my Sony Vaio laptop; on the right is the Alienware. Click on image to enlarge

Alienware M14x

Alienware's exclusive lighting system in its default configuration (Red)

Alienware M14x

Note the new colors after a few quick tweaks