Alienware's 'Phantom' concept became M11x, cranks through Left 4 Dead 2 on video

It's turning out to be quite the day for Alienware, eh? First we see that the M15x and M17x are finally up for order (with their swank Core i7s within), and now we've got the first public video of the M11x doing its thang. If you'll recall, we only had enough time at CES to snap a few quick pictures, but now that the starting-at-$799 ultraportable (or "netbook," if you must) is said to be "coming soon," it seems that parent company Dell is feeling pretty good about showing it off. An employee recently had the chance to sit down with what was originally coined the Phantom (full story awaits you in the Source link), and even though it can be hidden behind a standard sized magazine, this diminutive monster is still potent enough to cruise through Left 4 Dead 2 with nary a hiccup. Don't believe us? Check the video for yourself after the break.

See more video at our hub!

[xCrunk Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:26PM]

Damn, I want one!

[Almo Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:28PM]

@xCrunk

Indeed! Awesome!

[One Love Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:01PM]

@xCrunk: You want a chubby gamer chick?

[Collman Posted Jan 29th 2010 7:08PM]

@xCrunk Me too...but I can't afford it ):

[mokotoamoina Posted Jan 29th 2010 10:32PM]

@Almo Yeah, Seeing it played 50FPS Crysis, 30FPS Call of Duty on High Settings, with Nvidia GT335. And now 800 USD only... Is pretty amazing for a netbook at that price. More of the M11x for gamers: http://bit.ly/alienware-m11x-details

[seadoggeorge Posted Jan 30th 2010 2:16PM]

@xCrunk For me it was either the m11x or the iPad. Seeing how the iPad fails and looks like a huge step back in portable computing, I'm eagerly awaiting the new Alienware m11x netbook!

[XGM Posted Jan 31st 2010 7:45PM]

@xCrunk "It averages 40-50 (fps)"

Hmm below 20 during a rush isnt that close... Still want one

[sgweiss Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:27PM]

Wow, she's actually less useful than a bot teammate, that's a new low :P

[AirieFenix Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:57PM]

@sgweiss haha, yeah, she's BAD.

[j3ff Posted Jan 29th 2010 5:16PM]

@sgweiss She stood in the spit and went from full health to incapacitated in about 10 seconds; I think she is the worst L4D2 player I've ever seen.

[j0e Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:27PM]

The grown man's netbook. Do want.

[xCrunk Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:30PM]

@j0e Who's calling this a netbook? It doesn't even seem like a netbook. And only compares in size, maybe. Looks more like the ultra portables.

Apple iWhat?

[Wikimon Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:57PM]

it's netbook sized.

buy a HP Mini311, it has nvidia ion and hdmi out and probably plays 3D games about as good as this alienware for only 399$ (minimally loaded)

unless the alienware is running pine trail or something "new", it's not worth the lofty price they're throwing out

[geeeman89 Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:01PM]

@Wikimon

This doesn't use an Atom CPU. You definitely won't be able to run higher end games "about as good" with the 311.

[philburkhardt Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:16PM]

@Wikimon Have you read ANYTHING about the M11x? It doesn't have crappy netbook innards. No, your Mini 311 can't run games like this can.

Unless it has Pine Trail?!?! A Pine trail equipped netbook can't do what this can either.

What a horribly un-thought out comment, bleh.

[Alexandertron Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:25PM]

@Wikimon Its has a core 2 duo and a 1gig Nvidia graphics card. its not a net book. and no netbook can even come close to that kinda of performance.

[max1001 Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:27PM]

@Wikimon
It's running a c2d you moron.

[ImSpartacus Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:53PM]

@Alexandertron It has a C2D?

Holy crap, I thought it had a dual core CULV or something. How'd they fit all that in that little package? And with that battery life!

[Wikimon Posted Jan 29th 2010 4:06PM]

i'm sorry but the article doesn't give me anything TO read about it. so what would you expect.

the Mini311 does world of warcraft at 45fps, 1366x768. i'm sorry if that's not up to your gaming standards

[Valentine Posted Jan 29th 2010 4:14PM]

@Wikimon My toaster plays WoW @ 50fps.

WoW is a god awful benchmark of anything more than the most basic graphical abilities.

[Wikimon Posted Jan 29th 2010 4:21PM]

just watched a video of the mini311 doing L4D2 and it wasn't much worse than the m11x. both of them were barely playable at 15-20 fps...

color me unimpressed for twice the price i get a >minor< increase in power...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G31W4cywkWA

[jir0 Posted Jan 29th 2010 4:38PM]

@Wikimon

HP mini11 - NETBook. Basic functions
AW m11X - mobile gaming device, for Gamers on the Go.

I think you're pushing your game on your netbook, buddy.

[Arkv2 Posted Jan 29th 2010 5:17PM]

@Wikimon
WoW has basic and old graphics.

[leillox88 Posted Jan 29th 2010 6:39PM]

@Wikimon You are just a stupid troll who cant accept when he's wrong this is not even comparable with the HP 311, both are great machines with different purposes in mind. Think before you talk again

[fel Posted Jan 29th 2010 7:24PM]

@ImSpartacus
a dual core CULV is a C2D...

[Metayoshi Posted Jan 29th 2010 8:46PM]

@Wikimon

Did someone just compare the Nvidia ION to an Nvidia Geforce GT 335M? Talk about ignorance...

[shadowj0 Posted Jan 29th 2010 8:55PM]

@Alexandertron

So just because it carries a c2d, it is not considered a netbook?

I'm sorry, I forgot they let you rule over the regulations of netbook specs.

/s

[Smigit Posted Jan 30th 2010 6:36AM]

@shadowj0 Although it doesn't have an Atom or an 10 inch screen I think its fair to say my refrigerator is still classed as a Netbook.

The M11X isn't a netbook on the other hand because the only thing it has in common with them is the screen size. While there may not be an absolute definition and it will surely evolve over time, its currently widely regarded that netbooks are laptop like devices that use ATOM chips. Theyre certainly lower powered than this anyway and if you are going to ignore the CPU as the spec you may as well say they've been shipping netbooks for the past decade.

[Smigit Posted Jan 30th 2010 6:40AM]

@shadowj0 Ohh and Dell/Alienware aren't calling it a netbook either...

[yodinyer Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:31PM]

Is she playing on the base model?

[Chuck Dugan Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:34PM]

@yodinyer good question

[HW90 Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:35PM]

@yodinyer the only difference between the base model and better models will be a slight CPU speed increase and/or more memory and storage, neither of those will effect left 4 dead 2 to a major degree.

[krunal126 Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:38PM]

@yodinyer

there is a lot to be said about your comment

but let me watch the video first so i can properly understand what you are talking about lol

[Alexandertron Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:32PM]

@(Unverified) you seem to know a lot. any one respond.

What are my controller options on PC games?? I saw this playing street fighter 4 at 60fps and higher. so i want to use some sort of controller. is that something that i can find easily??? and as you can tell i dont know a lick about PC gaming. if any one has the time to spare some knowledge let me know. i will appreciate it thanks.

[yodinyer Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:45PM]

@Alexandertron USB controller (360 wired controller for example) + xpadder. It's easy enough to configure with useful features. Otherwise, some games allow for joypad configurations in game; it's a case by case kind of thing. As for SFIV, I'm sure lots of people play the PC versions with arcade sticks so it's probably safe to assume SFIV has in game configurations for joypads (can someone confirm this).

[bolezhinkov Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:49PM]

@Alexandertron

super easy. you can get a logitech controller for $30 . . . its similar to the playstation design. thats just the bottom end though, you can get more elaborate stuff. they can connect over wireless, usb or bluetooth depending on the controller

[r3loaded Posted Jan 29th 2010 4:23PM]

@Alexandertron Xbox 360 controller is best. No configuration necessary, just plug it in and "it works". And its the most comfortable controller ever.

[Chuck Dugan Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:31PM]

Selling my Macbook. Buying one of these!

[Smurf Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:24PM]

@Chuck Dugan
Welcome back. Beer is in the fridge.

[SolidSnake Posted Jan 29th 2010 4:44PM]

@Smurf
lol, good comment.
I wanted a MBP for the longest time but got tired of waiting for a refresh. I will get this to "complement" my iMac at home. Different computers for different purposes.

[zeec Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:37PM]

any idea when its going to be available for order?

[DarrenMurph Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:37PM]

@zeec Alienware says "this Spring."

[Raziel66 Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:26PM]

@DarrenMurph Well that's dissapointing :(

They kept saying early February.. wonder why it's getting pushed back.

[kevin25a Posted Jan 29th 2010 5:48PM]

@Raziel66

I have read several places, that quoted Alienware staff saying this will be released world wide February 2nd, or at the latest the 5th. So next Tuesday will be the day!

[Raziel66 Posted Jan 29th 2010 6:00PM]

@kevin25a Sweet! Thanks! Definitely looking forward to this launch

[Richard Lai Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:37PM]

Too bad she's married.

[AirieFenix Posted Jan 29th 2010 3:48PM]

@Richard Lai Too bad she's bad.

[scudly Posted Jan 29th 2010 4:40PM]

@AirieFenix Actually I've played with her before and she's not that bad, think it's because she's on the smaller keyboard or something.

[AirieFenix Posted Jan 29th 2010 10:51PM]

@scudly Ok, I believe you (seriusly)

[logic thinker Posted Jan 29th 2010 2:38PM]

No thanx. I'll Stick to my Xbox. Only $179.
Plus I rather hook it up on my 52" sony 1080. 120hz. With 2000 watt 7.1 surround sound. Trust me it's a way better gaming experience.