Alienware m9750: now with dual 512MB NVIDIA GPUs

We can just imagine the smiles creeping over the faces of FPS freaks everywhere as they dream about owning a laptop with twin 512MB NVIDIA GPUs, and thanks to Alienware's refreshed m9750, you can now replace those visions with an actual order. The newly revamped 17-inch machine still offers up a WXGA+ or WUXGA display, up to 400GB of internal HDD space in a RAID 0 array, Blu-ray support, and a plethora of connectivity options, but it now includes Intel's 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo and a delightful pair of 512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 GTX graphics cards for all the battery-drainin', high-rez gaming you can handle. The freshened up system is due to ship late next month, and while you can get your own for $2,099, the upgraded graphics rig alone will set you back another $600.

[Andrei Vassiliev @ Jun 26th 2007 1:45PM]

No 8-Series card? No thanks.

[Dae @ Jun 26th 2007 1:51PM]

Andrei has a point. i can spend my 3000 bucks elsewhere.

[marcomera @ Jun 26th 2007 1:53PM]

I'm not a gamer at all so I'm curious if gamers would spend that kind of money on a new gaming computer that doesn't have directx 10 graphics cards? And why doesn't this bleeding edge computer have Santa Rosa? seems strange.

[XGM @ Jun 26th 2007 2:01PM]

Because Alienware is overpriced gimmick PC's.

Seriously, any true gamer would go for a homebuilt PC instead of wannabe pre-built ones...

[Alex @ Jun 26th 2007 2:02PM]

marcomera, it doesn't have Santa Rosa because it's just another rebranded Clevo model -- one that has been out for months now, and has been rebranded by every gaming laptop rebrander from ProStar to Sager.

It is really time the Engadget writers learned to spot a Clevo, and not post every time someone else starts selling it! (But I suppose I can understand it if it's Alienware...)

CLEEEVVOOOOOO!!

CLEEEEEEVVVOOOOOO!!

[JohnTitor @ Jun 26th 2007 2:26PM]

actually Alex, I don't think Alienware uses Clevo anymore
especially after Dell's takeover
what may be confusing is that Sager-Midern makes a Clevo laptop under the number 9750
but this is not like it, it's more like the Sager 9260 or more properly the Clevo D900C

[JohnTitor @ Jun 26th 2007 2:28PM]

and marcomra, to answer your questions, both AMD and nVIDIA have yet to release a mobile DirectX 10 card faster than the GeForce Go 7950GTX at DirectX 9
and using Santa Rosa means using an intel X3100 integrated graphics chip

[derred @ Jun 26th 2007 3:31PM]

@Alex,

before u make shame of urself, Do ur research. Alienware's m9750 is not a Clevo rebranded. It is made by Arima and designed by Alienware themselves. I know it is expensive, but that doesnt mean u have to be bias and a jerk. I hope u learn ur lesson.

AW m9750 is equipped with 7950gtx-es for now as that are the high-end mobile cards for now. AW dont even bother with 8600GT or 8700GT, they only care about the high-ends; thats what AW always stands for, highest end. m9750 have the potential of upgrade-ability to a dual-8xxx high-end series (ex. 8800gtx,8900gs,8950gtx..)

[Bachus @ Jun 26th 2007 2:02PM]

i still don't understand why gaming laptops exist. they're too fatass to actually carry and the same rig as a desktop usually costs about $1000 less...

[Zeus the God @ Jun 26th 2007 3:38PM]

Maybe you just can't life more than that cheeseburger?

No, but really, gaming laptops aren't really for use on like, a plane or something, or even to take to work with you. Its more for the gamers that maybe go on vacation relatively often, or go to LAN parties... Places it would be too hard to bring a normal desktop PC, but don't really need the mobility of a notebook.

[fred @ Jun 26th 2007 2:05PM]

Ya know, this seems like such a typical thing. A company buys another company because of the name, and the cache that goes with it, and then they pump crappy products out under that brand name! Anybody need a Compaq? It just blow my mind. Good Job Dell!

[Bhaal @ Jun 26th 2007 2:19PM]

couldn't you just get a lightweight work laptop and build your own gaming PC for the same money. As you're hardly going to be using the gaming feature on the move wouldn't that also give you exactly the same features?

[Tom @ Jun 26th 2007 2:26PM]

Gaming laptops ARE useful - I'd take hauling a laptop and a mouse to my buddy's house over lugging a tower, monitor, speakers, keyboard, and mouse any day of the week. I had a Hypersonic gaming laptop (Clevo rebrander) for a couple years, and it was wonderful at LAN parties and at college (gaming in the common areas was fun). I definitely don't see the point in SLI laptop setups though - as SLI barely has much of an advantage in desktop setups to begin with.

[mark wright @ Jun 26th 2007 2:32PM]

I love my Alienware m9700. I would pay for 20 more if I could afford it.

[Spider1981 @ Jun 26th 2007 2:43PM]

Sounds great! Now, lets hope it doesn't burn up it's motherboard every 6 months like my $4,000 Area51M 7700!

[Gihan @ Jun 26th 2007 3:56PM]

Put that on your lap and kiss your testicles and furture children goodbye.

[adrian @ Jun 26th 2007 4:19PM]

now that's one laptop I'll gladly reformat to remove that theme.

[BBX @ Jun 26th 2007 4:55PM]

Hey, I did that theme :(

[BBX @ Jun 26th 2007 4:55PM]

Er, actually I did the WMP skins and the secondary windows for WMP - somebody else developed the theme based on my design.

[BBXboy @ Jun 26th 2007 4:58PM]

And if I'm not mistaken, it actually requires a willful download and install - it doesn't ship installed.

[Z @ Jun 26th 2007 5:02PM]

Well it's about time Alienware got an Intel chip paired with dual NVidias. Thought they'd never get around to doing that. Better late than never, I guess.

Although the 7950 GTX is a bit of an old hat, now, isn't it? Or not.

Alienware FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY internalized Blueooth. Took long enough.

This m9750 seemingly has everything - the WUXGA screen, Blu-Ray, WiFi a/b/g/n, BT 2.0, Intel Core 2 Duo, NVidia SLI, VideoCam, RAID w/large capacity 7200 rpm drives, and good looks...


There are only two things I don't like:

1.) They put the optical drive in the front. That is the WORST spot imaginable for an optical drive in terms of day to day usability. Optical drives should ALWAYS be on the side.

2.) They're missing a biometric fingerprint reader. Every laptop should have one of those as standard. A person may be able to add one via a PC Card slot, but I don't like that solution. It should just be integrated.


If they change/add those two things, I couldn't see this laptop having any flaws.


Too bad it's the price of a house.

[Ken @ Jun 27th 2007 9:58AM]

You're wrong Colonel Sanders.

1. I'd kill to have my optical drive in the front. For one, if it's on the side its usually on the left. That makes it a minor pain in the ass for left handed users with a mousepad situated right in front of it. And, I don't have a ton of room on either side of my laptop, but the front is easily accesible in almost any user configuration except on an airplane.

2. Biometrics!? Who uses that? It feature creep that can be easily bypassed by clearing the CMOS.

[Z @ Jun 30th 2007 8:35PM]

Meh! Nonsense, Burger King. How often do you see an optical drive on the front of a laptop? It's very seldom, and there's a reason for that. It's about convenience. Because if you ever do have this thing on your lap (and many people use larger laptops on their laps - I do), or on a lapdesk of some sort, you're always going to have to slide it backward toward your knees or toward the back edge of the lapdesk to open up the optical drive. What a pain in the butt that would be. Left or right, optical drives belong on the side.



And who uses biometrics, you ask? Oh, I dunno... Government? Law enforcment? The military? Corporations? Medical, science, and engineering facilities? Does that clarify things a bit more? And an increasing amount of consumers in general are using biometric readers. We're seeing them more and more on laptops these days - the demand for an extra layer of mobile security is growing, otherwise, manufacturers wouldn't mess with integrating them. They thwart most people from accessing the drive and files, and that's the point. Not to mention, at the very least, they're convenient - replacing having to memorize, keep careful track of, and hand-enter a thousand passwords; so it's not just about protection.

I suppose anything could be hacked with physical access, the right knowledge, and plenty of time, but that's the crux: most people aren't going to have the access, the knowledge, and enough time to bypass biometrics - all three of which need to intersect in order for someone to have even the slightest chance of succeeding; and which subsequently reduces that likelihood by about 95% or more. And the technology is advancing all the time - we're not just using optical-based biometrics anymore.

I mean, clearing the CMOS on a laptop? You make it sound like it's as simple as 1-2-3. What are you going to need for that? Three hours of privacy and a sledgehammer or special tools to get to the motherboard? I mean, if you're laptop is stolen, then what you're suggesting isn't as much of an issue because at that point, someone would have all the time in the world to patiently figure something out - that is, if they ever do. Naturally, we'd all want biometrics to protect our data even in the event of theft, but I guess that's what encryption is for. What matters most here is what people can do while you're away from your system only for a short while with no physical theft involved (which is what would be most common). Besides, if clearing the CMOS on new systems was as easy as you make it sound, then we'd all know about it and no manufacturer would bother integrating biometrics into their systems; either that, or they would've been completely redesigned, especially for all the industries I listed above. And yes, I suppose there's always room for improvements, but again, the technology is advancing and it will defeat most people which, as I pointed out before, is the point.

In regards to the CMOS, first of all, how many people even know how the heck to do that on a laptop? How many people would even want to invest the time and effort to learn how to do that? And how many people would ever have the opportunity to do it once they learned? Most people don't even know what the CMOS is. Besides, often times, hacking into a system requires more than just one type of attack - you may have to approach from a number of angles to succeed.

Look at it this way: All your passwords could be found out with a keylogger (which are cheap and would be easier for someone to implement than clearing out the CMOS), but that fact isn't going to keep you from using passwords, is it? Same logic applies with biometrics.

But if you insist it's as easy as pie, then why don't you provide us with a more, in-depth tutorial? Because I'm certain we'd all love to know.

[BBXboy @ Jun 26th 2007 5:02PM]

Oh, and I was actually at the Alienware HQ last month and got to stroke the new Stealth Black surface - I have to say, it's absolutely freaking sexy. Batman Armor is the best I can do to describe it... feels tactile like rubber but it's totally scratch-resistant and looks HOT up close and personal.

[Neebs @ Jun 26th 2007 5:02PM]

But still overpriced.

[Concepticle @ Jun 26th 2007 6:22PM]

It's not a Clevo morons, just looking at the chassis would tell you that. Even the m9700 wasn't a Clevo, they're both rebranded Arimas.

As for "not having a DX10 GPU," while I agree that DX10 would be a logical improvement the fact of the matter is that there still isn't any DX10 GPU that matches the 7950gtx in terms of power. While the newly released 8700M may change that, the 8700m is an overclocked 8600M GT and quite frankly, the 8600M GT's performance doesn't even come close to the 7950 GTX.

In terms of Alienware quality, it's quite simple. You either get a good one and love it for a long time, or you get a lemon and hate Alienware forever because their incompetent CS department is unable to provide any sensible solution.

[Paul @ Jun 26th 2007 6:51PM]

This thing is cheaper than the MBP, which I always considered to be a good deal. And considering the specs on this thing, I might get it. And why would they put a low end DX10 card in there when AW is all about high end parts? I'd rather have dual 7950GTX's than a 8700GT.

[christine @ Jun 26th 2007 7:54PM]

I looked around for a gaming laptop, couldn't really find one i liked until I stopped by the Alienware kiosk in Dadeland mall. Ended up buying the m9750. With taxes included it came out to $2,251. Of course I had $3000 that I was willing to spend. So yeah. I saw it in person and its very nice.

[mudzipper @ Jun 27th 2007 1:38AM]

that's a lot of porn renderin' power

[Matthiasa4 @ Jun 27th 2007 6:46AM]

I agree with Andrei. I have send Alienware an e-mail but they didn't answer yet. I'll post the answer as soon as possible.