Dell Alienware M11x

Alienware, the ultimate laptop for gamers

The M11x Alienware promises. Components of quality, size nomad: a 11.6-inch which rules!

Dell announces the release of a new machine Alienware brand for gamers: the M11x. After M15x and M17x (also sadistic), two monsters filled with high quality components, it is the turn of a 11.6-inch small configuration out of cardboard manufacturer. Please note that your breath away!

Alienware between CULV and gaming machine?

The M11x is an ultra-portable for the player. With a 11.6-inch screen with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels (HD 720p), this configuration is available on the manufacturer’s website and now offers several choices of components that will, as always, ride price. Dell offers dual-processor Intel Pentium or SU4100 Core 2 Duo SU7300 (double heart, 1.3 GHz), and the amount of memory varies between 2 and 8 GB, DDR3 and 1066 MHz. Also variable, the hard drive capacity which can be between 160 and 500 GB or 256 GB SSD. The graphics card, meanwhile, is fixed as Alienware uses the services of the Nvidia GeForce GT 335m with 1GB of GDDR3 (it is possible to move from integrated graphics chipset for Nvidia by a simple operation) .
Not having had that model in the hands of GPU, we are unable to issue any opinion on, but it’s a safe bet that the low resolution of the screen will facilitate his work. Please note that the DVD player-recorder is optional to allow the installation of video games (not available on French site but Dell promises to remedy soon)!

Aesthetic devastating but a bit thick!

Although we have not yet tested by the laboratory, it would appear from the few pictures that we publish, the thickness of the machine is slightly larger than a regular laptop ultra low power. However, the look is still in line with the standards of the brand: matte black or white, sharp edge and the provision of connectivity to the millimeter to the expectations of players.
Forget about the eight-cell battery, type “Prismatic” is to say that the cells are arranged differently than in a battery or Lithium-Ion Polymer for better recovery of the load on the long term. Autonomy is announced at 8 am 30.

The expectations

Who would have bet one day that Alienware will launch on the segment of the ultra mobility? But as it is difficult to deny its origins, the Alienware M11x has small ultra mobile PC that front! Then, an ultra mobile to play everything, is it really possible? We had the chance this time to test it thoroughly.

The reality

After having the prototype M11x hands, he was difficult to contain our impatience until the final version. Dell spoiled us because the assembler has sent us a reference high end of this 11.6-inch laptop for players weighing less than 2 kilos.
A simple body and interior but damn effective!

Once her black hood raised, the M11x laptop reveals a surprisingly sober. Of course, the chassis is not new, it’s just a miniature version of one of M15x and M17x manufacturer.
Exists also in silver, the PC has an excellent finish, nothing is sticking, everything is carefully thought and intelligence. The rich connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, a card reader, a mini-FireWire, three USB ports, two headphone jacks and a microphone input.

The definition of the slab is bright 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 pixels, high definition content is usable. The latter provides a color rendering quite stunning. Bright, well contrasted, play or watch a movie can be enjoyed.
Another great advantage: a keyboard pad occupying much space and, especially, backlit. The palm rest are of good size and has a touchpad surface just enough for office tasks and internet browsing. However, for the game, it is obviously excluded from use, we must go through an external mouse.
Finally, as usual, via the AlienFX and Command Center. It is possible to customize the colors of light different parts of the machine, but also adjust battery usage patterns precisely based on activities done on your machine. Note also the facial recognition program to unlock your machine.

A timid kitten roars

As for the engine of this M11x, he gives voice. Noise pollution is ubiquitous, but the low hum is annoying quickly. In terms of components, the recipe is consistent with what we had said Dell. The version tested here is equipped with an Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 “overclocked” in the factory at 1.6 GHz on each of its two cores (instead of standard 1.3 GHz), 4GB of DDR3 memory and a 256 GB SSD
The use of such a storage device is beneficial because the machine uses less battery, that access times are fast and Windows proudly announces an index of 7.1 for the disc, the best of the entire machine .

The graphic is provided by an Nvidia GeForce GT 335m, a real speed demon who, thanks to its 1GB of dedicated memory, runs Mass Effect 2 full resolution with many details above. We also tried many video game titles that are practiced in Lan Party as Warcraft 3, Call Of Duty 4, Counter-Strike: Source, World of Warcraft even Aion. All passed without problem, but sometimes you adjust levels of detail, especially for Aion.

Some video games a little heavy

Caution, however, Crysis, Far Cry 2And a few novelties like Assassin’s Creed 2 are struggling to be fluid! It is then necessary to sacrifice beauty to the game play. Let’s be clear, it is a laptop for mobile players have fun on playing relatively few applicants for physical resources, because the configuration quickly show its limitations (because of the processor) and can not be improved.
In addition, if you want to install games on DVD, you’ll need an external drive because, although originally planned by Dell, it seems that this device is not supplied as standard or even optional purchasable on the site yet !

Very autonomous PC gaming ..

The Alienware has two graphics processors and it is possible to spend Chipset Integrated Intel to Nvidia dedicated card on the fly with a single key combination: Ideal to save battery power when you are not playing.
We have several measures of autonomy through our test movie playback. When you activate the various lighting elements and you use the Chipset integrated, the M11x is 4:30 away from the outlet. With the Nvidia card under the same conditions, 3 hours, 36 minutes.
Now, if you turn off all lights and, via the BIOS, you turn off the overclocking, 5 hours and 45 minutes are achieved in 2D. With the GeForce, it will be “satisfied” to 4 small hours. Finally, use 3D battery, the PC takes a little over 2:30. Not bad!

Review conclusions

The Alienware M11x is a very small PC player without a war machine, it will not be possible to play any and all settings at the bottom. The platform is not as well equipped for the game that models from 15 to 17 inches. The basic configuration is available from 799 euros. This test is sold in our 1293 euro (plus postage), the fault in SSD leaden order. With a 500GB hard drive, it takes 1000 euros. Hail to the tour de force is to be fitted into a small PC enough to play, and the value for money: four stars.

In general, Alienware, pretty things at a price. This time, however, to 799 euros, the M11x is like, on paper, at a bargain!

Positive points

* Product awaited
* Look
* HDD or SSD
* Price

Negative points

* The Pentium SU4100 is insufficient

Specifications

type
Portable gaming
Screen Size (inches)
11,6