- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Alienware M Series M18x
- 18.4"
- Core i7 2.4 GHz Quad core
- 16 GB DDR3-1600
- 1,024 GB HDD
Released October, 2011
by LaptopMag (Aug, 2012)The webcam delivered accurate color in both natural and fluorescent lighting.
Conclusion Check out the Alienware M Series M18x
First reviewed December, 2011
Features Key features of the Alienware M Series M18x
2.4 GHz
Intel Core i7 2760QM
by LaptopMag (Aug, 2011)The 3-megapixel webcam on the M18x delivered crisp visuals, but colors were slightly muted.
screen size
18.4"
11.6"
15.4"
M Series M18x by LaptopMag (Aug, 2011)Movies and games simply popped off the display, and it was so large that it enveloped us in the action.
M Series M18x by LaptopMag (Nov, 2011)However, when we tested a different configuration of the M18x earlier this year, we were able to game on a large-screen TV wirelessly, without any noticeable latency.
screen resolution
M Series M18x by LaptopMag (Aug, 2011)The massive 18.4-inch, 1920 x 1080-pixel WLED display on the M18x is a sight to behold.
M Series M18x by LaptopMag (Nov, 2011)Images were sharp with crisp detail, but had noticeably muted color.
cpu speed
| 0 GHz | 2.4 GHz  | 4 GHz |
M Series M18x by LaptopMag (Aug, 2012)Click to EnlargeOur $4.454 review unit has a 2.7-GHz Intel Core i7-3820QM CPU with 16GB of RAM, dual 256GB SSDs in a RAID 0 configuration and dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 680M GPUs with 2GB of VRAM.
M Series M18x by LaptopMag (Aug, 2012)In that case, the $1,999 base model features a 2.3-GHz Intel Core i7-3610QM CPU, 6GB of RAM, a 500GB 7,200-rpm hard drive and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 660M GPU with 2GB of VRAM.
processor
M Series M18x by Thomas (Dec, 2011)The only thing wrong with this computer is the processor, it says its the Intel Core i7-2670QM Processor (Quad-Core, 2.2GHz, 6MB Cache), but its actually the one right below it the Intel Core i7-2630QM Processor (Quad-Core, 2.0GHz, 6MB Cache).
M Series M18x by LaptopMag (Nov, 2011)Equipped with a 2.5-GHz Intel Core i7-2920XM CPU that overclocks to 4 GHz, 16GB of RAM, two 750GB, 7,200-rpm hard drives in a RAID 0 array, and dual AMD Radeon 6900M GPUs with 2GB of VRAM, the Alienware M18x has seriously epic performance.
memory
| 0 GB | 4 GB  | 20 GB |
Performance Real world tests of Alienware M Series M18x
3DMark06 CPU
M Series M18x by LaptopMag (Nov, 2011)s? While the AMD-powered M18x scored a little higher on the synthetic 3DMark06 test, the Nvidia-powered configuration had slightly higher frame rates in actual game play.
M Series M18x by LaptopMag (Aug, 2011)It didn't break the PCMark Vantage record, but it put up a good fight.
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
3 MP -
16 GB -
18.4" -
1,024 GB -
DDR3-1600 -
3.5 GHz -
the screen is large enough to display 1080p video without scaling -
59.39 -
watch high-definition movies on Blu-Ray discs -
Uses dedicated graphics hardware and memory -
7,200 RPM -
MMC, SD, microSD -
1920 x 1080 -
24 Mbit/s (Bluetooth v3.0 + HS) -
2.4 GHz -
1,020 MB/s (HDMI 1.4) -
15,868.8 -
572 MB/s (USB 3.0)
cons
-
5,410 g -
can't connect to high definition displays
Reviews Word on the street
 |
|
|---|---|
 |   Rated by 13 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Thomas (Dec, 2011)  Rated 100% by by Marianne (Nov, 2011) Rated 100% by by A.-Crandall--Avid-Reader (Jan, 2012) |
Gpu
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Nov, 2011)Opting for dual Nvidia GeForce GTX580M GPUs in SLI instead of AMD graphics will add $150 to the total cost.
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Nov, 2011)At present, Alienware also charges $150 more for the Nvidia cards, making the AMD seem like a better value on this rig, though Nvidia has a minor edge in real-world performance.
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Nov, 2011)But users considering this high-end system must choose between configurations with Nvidia and AMD graphics chips.
Screen
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Aug, 2012)The space was hardly needed since using multitouch gestures was such an accurate, fluid experience.
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Aug, 2011)As Alienware is owned by Dell, the M18x features the parent company's Live Central software, which lets you tweak brightness and contrast and add fun avatars and effects.
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Nov, 2011)The Joker's vibrant purple suit was noticeably wrinkled from his last encounter with the Dark Knight.
Type
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Nov, 2011)Those using the Nvidia M18x will have to download the GeForce 285.62 WHQL drivers, which Nvidia claims will boost performance in Battlefield 3 by 11 percent.
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Aug, 2011)The M17x, whose single AMD Radeon HD 6970M GPU notched a score of 20,048.
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Nov, 2011)The original Nvidia-powered M18x was slightly faster, clocking in at 3:49, but the difference is negligible.
Uses
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Nov, 2011)Those expecting to play Arkham Asylum, Battlefield 3, or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will want to make sure they've got the current drivers installed.
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Aug, 2011)What that translates to is the highest gaming scores we've seen from a laptop.
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | Rated 100% by by Marianne (Nov, 2011)My theory in choosing this laptop is that a gamer laptop would contain all the "bells and whistles" that I'd like in a laptop.
Storage
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Aug, 2011)A slot-loading Blu-ray player is also on the right, as is a 9-in-1 memory card reader and an ExpressCard/54 slot.
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Aug, 2011)About the only thing we wish the M18x had was support for SATA 6GB SSDs; a company representative said it was in the works.
Alienware M Series M18x 18.4", 2.4 GHz, 16 GB, 1,024 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Aug, 2011)When we watched a Blu-ray of Iron Man, the red and gold of Tony Stark's suit sparkled, and explosions were wonderfully fiery.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | ASUS G75VW-AS71 Lots of l2 cache ASUS G75VW-AS71 vs Alienware M Series M18x |
 | 2 | Apple MacBook Air 4th Gen Has a light sensor Apple MacBook Air 4th Gen vs Alienware M Series M18x |
 | 3 | Origin EON17-S Has a Blu-Ray writer Origin EON17-S vs Alienware M Series M18x |
 | 4 | ASUS G74 Series G74SX 6-way tie: Most CPU cores ASUS G74 Series G74SX vs Alienware M Series M18x |
 | 6 | ASUS G75 Series G75VW-NS72 Good CPU benchmark score ASUS G75 Series G75VW-NS72 vs Alienware M Series M18x |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Editions Editions of the Alienware M Series M18x
| Price | Edition | RAM type | Cinebench r10 32Bit | Internal storage | Manufacturer code | Compare | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | | DDR3-1333 | 13,680.9 | 500 GB | M18x | | ||||
 | | DDR3-1600 | 15,868.8 | 1,024 GB | AM18X-6732BAA | | ||||
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