Alienware M11X netbook gets official, costs less than a grand
By Laura June 
posted January 7th 2010 11:58AM
posted January 7th 2010 11:58AM
Well, would you look at that: we've just gotten word on the M11X, a new Alienware netbook. It's got an 11.6-inch display, NVIDIA GT335M switchable graphics, a rumored 6.5 hours of battery life on integrated and "over 2 hours" on gaming mode. This bad boy will ship in the spring for less than $1,000. That's all we know for now, we'll update as we hear more.
@CoyM Exactly. Netbooks have atom processors in them typically. This would be in the thin and light or ultraportable category as it supposedly contains a CULV or C2D. Although most of these categories have been manipulated to death with specifications and what qualifies them.
I for one like the idea. Why not make a small ultraportable laptop that has switchable graphics for longer battery life and gpu powerful enough to play games.
I am assuming its 11.6" screen will be 1366x768 so they can claim a HD screen. On Alienware's site it apparently gets a 3Dmark06 score of 5700. This should be good enough to run most games at high settings at 1366x768 resolution.
I'm not a huge fan of the flashy looks but backlit keyboard? Yes please.
How does this chip compare to the Ion? How about the Ion2? Majority of netbook gaming should be limited to MMO's and other lower intensity games, but being able to run CS4 would be nice for making changes in the field and on the go (since CS4 uses the Graphics card versus the processor like in previous versions)
@sh0nuff This blows the Ion completely out of the water. Ion is essentially a 9400M...So ~1500 3dMarks assuming the rest of the computer could keep up. They said 6 - 7000 3dMarks for this system.
@phobos512 Good to know.. Im curious to see what the keyboard is going to be like on this.. that's the only reason i did 6 months of work deciding which netbook to buy and ended up with the Samsung n110
if it means i can play left 4 dead 2 at max detail on the train, i'm in.
I just can't see the point. I thought a netbook was specifically cheap small components like $2-400. If the netbook is the same price as a new macbook what's the point?
@radicalxedward Dell didn't call it a netbook, Endgadget is just using that term.
@radicalxedward
With the GT 335M running behind the scenes, this is way more powerful than your average Macbook. Heck, the GPU by itself is already Macbook Pro status. I'd take the Macbook Pro for the price of a Macbook any day.
@radicalxedward You're just playing with names now. Whether you call it an ultraportable gaming laptop or gaming netbook makes no difference, it will be a portable computer with a 11.6" screen and a 335M GPU regardless.
@Metayoshi
thats like saying calling it an aircraft carrier vs a raft is playing with names. but like coy said, it's engadget calling it a netbook not alienware, which makes a difference.
part of the definition of a netbook is the low cost. though this would be cool as a "ultraportable gaming laptop"
Fugly,pointless,blah,blah,blah. Go be boring somewhere else shirt and tie. I'm all over this bitch.
Exactly.. a netbook is now pretty much any laptop under 12 inches, that tends to focus on battery life versus chip performance.. Just because this uses a nicer videocard, doesnt mean that it wont be leaning on the Atom for processing power.
@sh0nuff I think I heard Core2Duo somewhere...
From Alienware's Twitter: "@blue13x - The M111x [yes they had a typo] is not a netbook - it's so much more powerful! Don't let the size fool you. it will have Nvidia's GT graphics #DellCES"
http://twitter.com/Alienware
What processor? Seems that would be important to put in the post...
I'm looking at an Asus UL30Vt at the moment with CULV and G210 discrete GPU. This might be interesting enough to hold out for. I think I would prefer a bit more real estate/keyboard size. I think I like the 13" slim form factor pretty well.
Here's the kicker: Alienware finally makes a laptop that won't cost a second mortgage on your own home.
$999.99
I'll wait for another company to do it in a more attractive, cheaper package. This is just SO ugly. Alienware doesn't own the NVIDIA chip.
Nice to see Dell has been listening to the consumers, as opposed to certain companies who think most people are jonesing for ultrashiny and chiclet keyboards and flower patterns. Sure, it isn't beautiful - gaming laptops rarely are. If it comes to a tossup between appearance and performance a gamer will choose the latter so why would you waste all that money on designers to make it pretty?
So far it looks like Gizmodo got better seats at the CES. Their angle shows the netbook a whole lot better.
Yeah, want. I do a lot of graphics and 3D work and my primary computer is way to big to take everywhere, so a small computer a must for me. The current and future crop of netbooks really don't come close to having the power for me to work while away from my computer (and I know they aren't supposed to), but I would jump in a heartbeat at a netbook form factor that can do light CS4 work on the fly. Hell, it even gets better battery life than my current netbook!
This is great news. This is for casual gamers who also use their laptop for work. Switch to integrated graphics for office work and then unwind with some gaming at some descent framerate and graphics details. I have an ASUS UL80vt and it has a G210M and switchable graphics. I wish it has a more powerful GPU so I can run FPS without lag. This laptop looks like it would be a much better gaming machine at the expense of lower overall battery life (6 vs 10 hours.) Overall a great move I think by Dell/Alienware.
What should i get a macbook pro or this which has better graphics? overall performance?
This will be a definite sell for me as long as it has a decent processor.
I'd love to go down to a thin & light or netbook, but I don't want to sacrifice performance. This could be the solution!
They say it can run MW2 at 1920x1080p with all settings on high at over 30fps.
If true, (I'll get one from America straight away!) it'll be more powerful than an MBP for gaming.
@ahanslot
@MacMan Yes, MW2 is apparently not too processor intensive and if my Mobility 4670 can do 1920x1080 at full details, so can this.
no netbook should cost over 500.00 no matter what it does.
@Ops It's not a netbook. Screen size =/= netbook.
@Ops IT IS NOT A NETBOOK. Engadget is just being facetious because of the size!
It is a gaming ultraportable, likely packing some type of ULV processor (either Core 2 Duo or i5 ULV).
Who would have thought Alienware of all companies would hit the $1,000 mark on a laptop before Apple was able to finally cave and go below it. Mind = blown.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW7cog1WTGw
this is pretty impressive, he doesnt metion the settings, but it looks maxed, definetly getting
everyone should enter the contest at alienware's website to win one :D
One thing you can count on with Alienware is it's always overpriced.
@Plazmic Flame Trust me, this is anything but overpriced. This is actually an extremely reasonable price.
I think you guys are missing something here. This is powered by an nVidia GT335m, and the GT300 series still has not debuted yet. So, three things. Either it was just a huge error, or there is some rebranding going on, or nVidia is finally going to come out with its long anticipated GT300's to fight off ATI's 5000 series graphics cards. Maybe we'll see the GT300's unveiled sometime in the very near future. What do you guys think?
@Tsumi The GT335M is basically a GT200 class chip... It's not a DX11 chip and only has 72 Stream Processors.
to think yesterday I was going all conservative with looking into HP's Mini 210 HD for portable travel needs. Today, I'm all over this Alienware MX11 when it comes out. I gotta get my priorities straight!
I heard a rumor its going to start at $800ish. M11x is without a doubt #1 on a very short list of gaming netbooks but I have a feeling a few strong competitors will arise from CES 2010.
Imagine: Asus Eee PC 120N + Ion 2 gpu + Atom N450 + gigabit ethernet + USB 3.0 = powerful gaming netbook with average battery life for $550.
hope its tough enough