AlienwareM11x
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Maingear's Pulse 11-inch gaming laptop has designs on M11x mourners
Gamers who'd been eyeing up an Alienware M11x may have been rightly irked when the 11-inch form factor was yanked off shelves. Fortunately, Maingear is stepping in with a laptop that slots an Ivy Bridge CPU into equally compact hardware. The Pulse 11 has an 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 LED-backlit display, supports up to 16GB of dual-channel DDR3 RAM while packing HDMI-out 1.4a, USB 3.0 and THX TruStudio Pro sound. Graphics-wise, there's an NVIDIA GeForce GT650M with 2GB RAM for fragging your enemies, and an Intel GMA HD GPU for fragging your spreadsheets. The hardware will begin shipping on June 3rd, with prices starting from $1,099 for a Core i5, 8GB RAM and a 320GB HDD.
Alienware's M11x is no more, bigger is apparently better
While Alienware's revealed a trio of updated machines for its gaming laptop range, one device, the M11x, was conspicuously absent. Yes, the 11-inch gaming midget won't be getting the same attention and will be "phased out", according to Alienware at a recent press event. While the device was critically well-received when it launched, gamers were now apparently looking for greater keyboard space and a larger screen in their mobile gaming purchases -- and this went for battery-life too. Those looking for a small form-factor in their mobile gaming rig will have to step up to the hulking 14-inch M14x. Hey, don't get too upset -- at least there's now an optical drive option.
Dell to fix faulty M11x hinges the world over regardless of warranty status
Are you one of the unlucky Alienware M11x owners who had hinge issues with the laptop, but feared you'd be stuck with a faulty folding mechanism due to an out of date warranty? Well, worry no more, because Dell has extended its hinge replacement program to include owners anywhere on earth with an R1 or R2 M11x regardless of warranty status. Getting those busted bits replaced is easy peasy, as affected parties need only contact Dell Tech support to get the repair process started. For full details about getting your afflicted alien fixed hit the source below -- and feel free to give Dell some daps for doing the right thing while you're at it.
AMD announces the Radeon HD 6990M, has some pointed words for NVIDIA
Here are five words you've heard before: "the world's fastest notebook GPU." Why, NVIDIA made just that claim two weeks ago, when it touted the GeForce GTX 580M as the nimblest card this side of Pluto. Not so fast, says AMD. The outfit just unveiled the Radeon HD 6990M with DirectX11 and HD3D support, and it insists this is the speediest GPU on the block -- specifically, up to 25 percent faster than any other GPU that's been announced to the public. And yes, AMD's well aware of that 580M. Just like NVIDIA came out swinging, making pointed comparisons to the Radeon HD 6970M, AMD's got some fighting words of its own: the company says the 6990M can whip the 580M in the benchmark AvP and games such as Batman Arkham Asylum, Dragon Age 2, Shogun 2, BattleForge, Left 4 Dead, Metro2033, Wolfenstein MP, The Chronicles of Riddick, and ET: Quake Wars. We don't need to remind you that these numbers merely represent the story each company wants to tell. Still, you get the idea: these are the top-of-the-line cards each has to offer at the moment, and they'll likely be competing for space in your next gaming rig. As you can imagine, the 6990M joins other Radeon HD cards in supporting the company's Eyefinity technology, as well as GPU app acceleration. Let it be known, too, that while the 6990M supplants the popular 6970M as far as performance claims go, AMD tells us the 6970M will still be available for the foreseeable future. Speaking of availability, the 6990M will be offered in the Alienware M18x -- right alongside NVIDIA's 580M. Additionally, you'll find it packed inside Clevo's P170HM and P150HM. And you didn't think we forgot about specs, did you? Head on past the break to find the full PR, along with a handful of technical details straight from the horse's mouth.
Dell kills Alienware M15x, government denies it ever existed
This is sort of the gaming laptop version of a politician stepping down to spend more time with his family. We've confirmed with Alienware today that the M15x system is no longer available -- the company has opted to focus its efforts on the rest of its line of glowing extraterrestrial gaming laptops. After all, while the 15-inch form factor will no doubt be missed by some, devoted gamers should be able to find solace in the arms of, say, an M11x, M14x, M17x, or M18x. It may be gone from sight, but surely grainy teardown footage from a New Mexico bunker can't be far away. [Thanks, Zach]
Alienware M14x laptop now available to order... in Malaysia (update: M11x too)
Well, it looks like those eager to get their hands on Dell's much-leaked Alienware M14x laptop now finally have at least one option, although it might not be the most convenient one. The gaming laptop has just turned up on Dell Malaysia's website, where it's now already available to order starting at RM 4,799, or roughly $1,600. Of course, this is an Alienware laptop, so there's also quite a few higher-end options available for some extra cash, including up to a Core i7 2820QM processor, 8GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M graphics with 3GB of DDR3 memory (and Optimus technology), and your choice of either a 1,366 x 768 or 1,600 x 900 resolution on the 14-inch display. As for a broader release, Pocket-lint is reporting that both the M14x and M18x will be officially announced (if not released) on April 19th which, last we checked, is tomorrow. [Thanks, koinmove] Update: Looks like the US (or global, perhaps) release for the M14x is indeed on. Or, Alienware's coincidentally teasing something else entirely at the exact same time. Thanks, Jason. Update 2: Ah, and now we have the little M11x R3 showing up on Dell's Australia and New Zealand sites. Thanks everyone. Update 3: As expected, the UK's also getting the M14x and the new M11x. Thanks, Thomas.
Alienware M11x R3 specs leaked, brings Sandy Bridge to your next LAN party?
Alienware's laptops first hopped on the Sandy Bridge bandwagon when the company's top-of-the-line M17x got Intel's second-gen Core processors, and now it appears the more budget-conscious M11x may get some Sandy Bridge love too. According to Dell News and more -- who correctly foretold the 3D screen on the M17x R3 before its January debut, among other things -- the littlest alien laptop is getting your choice of Core i5-2537M, Core i7-2617M, and Core i7-2657M chips ranging in speeds from 1.4GHz to 2.7GHz. Accompanying the new silicon is an optional 750GB HDD (up from 640GB) and an upgrade from 800MHz to speedy 1333MHz RAM. And, to keep you gaming wherever you please, the company will offer optional 3g, LTE, and WiMAX radios as well. Unfortunately, one minor detail didn't make it out -- how much will the extra goodies cost?
Alienware M11x starting at just $599, but not for long
Alienware's M11x was never outrageously priced -- at least not in comparison to Dell's Adamo XPS -- but there's just something beautiful about sneaking in under that magical $600 mark. Right around a year after it was first introduced, the world's most potent ultraportable is stooping to just $599 in a presumed effort to clear out inventory. Dell makes no bones about this being a "limited quantity sale," with the baseline model sporting 2GB of DDR3-800 memory, a 64-bit copy of Windows 7 Home Premium, 160GB 5400RPM hard drive, an overclockable 1.3GHz Core 2 Duo SU7300, 11.6-inch WLED panel (1366 x 768), 1.3 megapixel webcam, an integrated 10/100 NIC and a 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M GPU. Naturally, the Core 2011 models will cost you more, but if you're kosher with buying yesterday's best, that source link is where you need to head, STAT. [Thanks, Benson]
Alienware M11x gets overseas Core i3 / i5 / i7 and NVIDIA Optimus bumps (update: US too)
We've been hearing about an impending CPU update to Alienware's M11x for some time now, and now Dell Malaysia has quietly updated its website with options to order the revised not-quite-netbook. So what's new? Well, there's NVIDIA Optimus for starters, and the Intel Core 2 Duo processor has been thanked for its time and shown the door in lieu of Core i3, i5, and i7 CPUs on a QS57 chipset. Prices start at RM 3,699, or about $1,110 in US bills. Speaking of which, while Dell's US site has yet to update, we've seen what's purported to be some internal documentation that pinpoints the official stateside launch for the revised M11x as tomorrow (technically, it's already Tuesday in Malaysia). No confirmation yet, but hey, it'd make for a pretty nice pre-E3 gift. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Update: UK Alienware lovers can now also get their Core i5/i7 M11x fix, as the new hardware options have gone live on the laptop's local microsite. Yes, Optimus is there too. [Thanks, Mike] Update 2: And now it's live in the US with prices starting at $949 with a Core i5 520UM. Less if you're thinking Core 2 Duo, which you're not. [Thanks, MastrCake]
Four more major laptop manufacturers will use NVIDIA Optimus by the fall
It's no secret that we've been big fans of NVIDIA's automatic graphics switching Optimus technology, but we've had one major complaint -- there's just not enough systems with it on the market. While ASUS has been employing the technology in most of its new systems, others, like Lenovo and HP, have been quite tight-lipped on the GPU tech. But apparently that's about to change. When we crossed paths with NVIDIA's Vice President of Worldwide Sales Rene Haas at the Netbook Summit, he revealed that at least four more major manufacturers will be using Optimus by the end of the summer. He wouldn't share any details on brands, but he did say that there should be a total of 50 Optimus lappies on the market by the fall. Of course, we don't know how many of those will be made by ASUS or will be Ion 2 netbooks, but it surely looks like the momentum is growing, and we're hoping to learn more at Computex next week. Fingers crossed that we can count the Alienware M11x among them.
Alienware M11x getting Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 upgrade next month, says Dell rep
Meet Pearce Clune, Dell's Head of Consumer Operations for Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. Clune's gone ahead and given a pretty brief demonstration of Alienware's laptop lineup to Shuffle Magazine, include the mighty impressive M11x powerhouse in netbook clothing. It's all pretty standard fare until about 2:20 into the video, where the fine gentleman casually drops that the Core 2 Duo processor is about to get a modern upgrade with Core i3, i5, and i7 options. That's right, a Core i7 processor in a 11-inch form factor. We'll let that sink in for a second. But don't just take our word for it -- video after the break. Now, is Optimus en route, too? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Alienware M11x getting NVIDIA Optimus and new Intel CPUs this summer?
Either someone at Alienware is reading our reviews or the engineers over there happen to be as smart as us. What was our top complaint about the M11x? The lack of NVIDIA Optimus to automatically switch between the IGP and the GT335M GPU to help save battery life, of course. Well, if Notebook Review forum commenter Darkhan, who apparently has some affiliation with Alienware, is to be believed the company is working on adding just that to an updated M11x. Said to be released in the June / July time frame, the refreshed 11.6-inch laptop will apparently also be getting some new Intel Core 2010 CPUs. It does seems a bit early to update a product that started shipping just a month ago, but we wouldn't put it past those crazy gamers. Dell wouldn't comment on the rumor, so the only thing we can promise at this time is that we'll be keeping an ear to the ground on this one. Updated: Darkhan has updated the Notebook Review forum page saying that he isn't an employee of Dell or Alienware and that he just hears rumors like everyone else. We still have a hunch that some sort of update is headed to the M11x, but to reemphasize it is all just wishful thinking at this point.
How would you change Alienware's M11x?
Call it the little laptop that could, or just call it Alienware's most adorable machine ever. Whatever you call it, Alienware's M11x made all sorts of waves when it splashed down into an essentially empty market segment earlier this year, offering hardcore gamers the opportunity to take their first-person shooters onto cramped buses and coach airline seats with more comfort than ever before. Of course, all that power comes at a price, and while we already expressed our own feelings on the thing, we're interested in knowing how you feel about seeing triple-digit FPS numbers on an 11-inch display. Is the experience better or worse than you anticipated? Have you ditched your desktop replacement for good? Are you wondering why on Earth you chose this over a netbook? Let us know how you'd overhaul the M11x if you had the chance down in comments below. And make it good.
Alienware M11x gets torn down, earthly components found inside
Having filled our business laptop lust with a T410 undressing yesterday, today we've come across a comprehensive teardown of Alienware's gamer-friendly M11x ultraportable. Touted as the world's most powerful 11-inch notebook, this is certainly one of the most tightly packed, with the battery and CPU cooling solution taking up more than half of the real estate, while the hard drive, memory, and wireless modules leave just enough room for an asymmetric speaker arrangement. From this strategic view, the examination moves into a very finely detailed investigation of the onboard components, including the particulars of the heatpipe-equipped heatsink, the SU7300 CULV processor, and the GT 335M GPU from NVIDIA. The whole thing culminates with the weighing of all the important parts, leaving us with pretty much no mysteries about this decidedly manmade machine.
Engadget Podcast 185 - 02.26.2010
What would have been a perfectly fine, eco-friendly, nicely paced, and Apple-free podcast is ruined by a surprise appearance by jetsetting Engadget Editor-in-Chief Joshua Topolsky.P.S.- KHOTAR. Keyboard Haptic Operation and Tactility Assessment Review. Think about it.Hosts: Nilay Patel, Paul MillerGuests: Ross Miller, Josh TopolskyProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Mighty Mike - In Bloom (Mike's Rockabye Mix)Hear the podcast00:02:28 - The Bloom Box: a power plant for the home (video)00:05:05 - Live from the Bloom Box press event00:08:00 - Bloom 'Box' Energy Server hands-on (literally) with video!00:11:58 - Nintendo DSi XL hands-on00:15:00 - Nintendo to release 100 Classic Book Collection for DS on June 1400:23:16 - Palm sales 'lower than expected,' revenues to miss targets00:24:14 - Analysts turn sour on Palm stock, cite weak sales on Verizon00:30:55 - Motorola Devour goes hands-on, hits Best Buy for $99 this week (update: video!)00:46:05 - Engadget PMA 2010 coverage00:54:21 - Alienware M11x review01:01:55 - The winners of the 2009 Engadget Awards!01:10:38 - Engadget for iPhone / iPod touch 2.0.1 now available!01:11:47 - The Engadget Show returns this Saturday, Feb. 27th... now with live streaming! Subscribe to the podcast[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune MarketplaceDownload the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)LISTEN (OGG)Contact the podcast1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com.Twitter: @joshuatopolsky @futurepaul @reckless @ohnorosco @engadget
Alienware M11x review
We've been itching to get our hands on the Alienware M11x ever since we first saw it at CES -- it's one of the most interesting riffs on the thin-and-light we've seen in a long time. Sure, it's compact, but inside it's got a ULV Core 2 Duo paired with a switchable NVIDIA GT335M GPU, making it one of the most powerful small laptops on the market. But power never comes cheap: the M11x starts at $799, and our tester model equipped with an upgraded 1.3GHz SU7300 Core 2 Duo and 4GB of RAM clocks in at $949. That's pricey, but potentially worth it if you're a serious gamer on the go. You know we had to test one and find out -- let's see if the M11x can back up those looks with performance. Special thanks to our new favorite reader Joe Kelly, who loaned us his M11x for this review! %Gallery-86247%
Alienware M11x now up for pre-order, reporting for duty March 1st
Far be it for Japan to steal the Dell store's thunder, but the pre-order page for Alienware's M11x. The "not a netbook, not yet a gaming rig" is retaining its previously-heard $799 price tag, and with it comes a 1.3GHz Pentium SU4100, 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT335M, 2GB of memory, and 160GB HDD. Wanting to customize? Turn that processor into a 1.3GHz Core 2 Duo SU7300 for $100, up the RAM to 8GB for $350, and swap the HDD with a 256GB SSD for $570. Mobile broadband is available via either Verizon or AT&T for another $125. It's all starting to add up mighty fast, but hey, at least it started small. Ship date is March 1st, which is just around the corner. You can be patient.
Alienware M11x 'netbook' gets detailed, headed to Japan this month
We got a chance to check out Alienware's ultraportable M11x laptop at CES last month, but the company unfortunately wasn't ready to reveal too many specs beyond the NVIDIA GT335M switchable graphics at the heart of the rig. A couple of newly leaked slides have now cleared up most of the remaining mystery, however, the biggest of which is that the system will apparently be available with either a Pentium SU4100 or Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor -- making the "netbook" term even more of a stretch than it was before. Curiously, the slides also show a target price of $899 (up from the $799 we heard at CES), and a ready-to-ship date of February 5th, which would seem to indicate that the "Spring" launch tossed around earlier may have been a bit cautious -- that latter detail is further backed up by a post on Dell Japan's website, which indicates that the laptop will be released in the country this month. [Thanks, NitroFrost ]
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.
Alienware's M11x netbook gets a base price: $799
Whoa, Nelly! We learned back at CES that Alienware's pretty-much-a-netbook would launch in the Spring for less than a grand, but now we know precisely what the base price will be: $799. The starting MSRP of the M11x was delivered courtesy of the company's own website, but not in the most straightforward way. If you surf on over to the M11x microsite and view the source, you'll notice the following blurb tucked within the code: The Alienware M11x, with over 6.5 hours of battery life and weighing under 4.5 lbs. will start at an amazing $799! Leave it to the folks at Alienware to enable truly mobile performance gaming at an affordable price. So, a polarizing (albeit vivacious) design, an 11.6-inch display, NVIDIA GT335M switchable graphics and a 6.5 hour battery, all for $799. Shall we sign you up, or what? [Thanks, Daniel]
