The Alienware M11x is an intriguing entry into the laptop gaming market. Never before has a laptop offered such a combination of portability and gaming performance. That being said, there are a few other very attractive options in the gaming laptop arena, too. Does the M11x do enough, or are gamers better off going with one of the alternatives?
Positives
While the gaming notebooks of the past have really pushed the limits of the term “laptop” – usually being way too big, bulky and hot to be used comfortably on the user’s lap – the Alienware M11x may represent the start of a paradigm shift in this respect. This is an 11-inch laptop that is only a bit thicker than some netbooks.
The most impressive thing is that the designers at Alienware have managed to pack a respectable amount of punch into the compact M11x. The recommended setup, usually priced at around $1000, boasts a 1.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, and a switchable NVIDIA GT335M GPU.
All told, the M11x provides gaming performance comparable to that of the bulkier Clevo M770CUH at a slightly lower price. The M11x has some nice design touches, too, especially the customizable LED backlights. You can set up and change the lighting color scheme at will, and although this may not make any difference performance-wise, it is pretty cool.
Negatives
The portability of the M11x may make it a tempting prospect for users who are looking for an all-purpose laptop and just happen to like games. Unfortunately, there is one major issue that hampers the M11x’s non-gaming usability, and this is the switchable GPU. In order to cut down on power usage and heat generation, the GPU can switch to a low-power mode when you’re not playing games or using other graphically-intensive software. The problem is that, when the GPU switches from one mode to the other, the screen goes blank for a second, and you may be prompted to close certain applications. This is a bit inconvenient for everyday computing purposes.
The Bottom Line
The Alienware M11x isn’t as powerful a gaming machine as the ASUS G73Jh, but it is a more portable, and much sleeker-looking option. It’s also quite a bit more affordable. For gamers who aren’t quite able to justify the huge investment that is the G73Jh, the M11x is a very good option.
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