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We tested the Alienware screen with a variety of high definition movies hooked up to an ASUS USB 2.0 powered Bluray drive (model SBC-06D1S-U). We used a LaCie measurement gun for some of our analysis.
The LED panel supplied with this screen is going to be perfect for the target audience, it is a high gloss panel which is optimal for media and gaming. There is a fair level of panel reflectiveness meaning that it can be tricky to view in specific situations, such as outdoors or with a strong light behind the user.
Our colour image and grayscale testing showed that the panel was able to resolve a high level of detail, including some tests on reference HQV benchmark 1080p media. Banding is noticeable, but it is certainly at the better end of the spectrum. Focusing quality is strong across the full width although we did notice some minor inconsistency at the corners of the screen. To the naked eye we would say it would be hard to notice, but the measurement hardware we use noted some minor fluctuation. Text quality is excellent, with even fine lettering maintaining clarity.
Offset viewing is strong, both vertically and horizontally, although the glare from the gloss style screen can be somewhat distracting with light positioned behind the viewer. Obviously this is a calculated compromise necessary for rich, vibrantly rendered media. We noticed no ghosting or artifacting when playing fast paced first person shooters such as Call of Duty or Homefront. Avatar on Bluray looked fantastic and the HDMI output quality was exceptionally good thanks to the capable onboard graphics solutions. We recorded a rating of over 400 cd/m2 at full brightness.
We used Displaymate to test the panel and overall image quality can certainly be described as ‘excellent'. The Gamut range in GamutVision was significantly above average for an 11.6 inch panel, but we could already tell this with our eyes. Colour reproduction is great, although just like the 17 inch model we reviewed a while ago, we recorded a slight pink tinge to neutral gray which can be easily tuned out with software configuration. The gamut helps to ensure that realistic images are displayed, especially when watching high quality source material from a quality BluRay pressing.
White purity shows minor shifting between 5% and 18% across the width, with it being more pronounced at the lower area of the panel. This is a very good result however and whites do tend to look clear and ‘pure' when viewing high quality 1080p material. Until the screen is calibrated however there is a very slight pink tinge, which may not be noticeable to many people. It is easily removed with a little software adjustment however.
Black definition is great, with only minor leaks on the panel edges which ruin the overall result a little. It looks worse in the image above and under real world conditions its only slightly noticeable with a pure black image on screen. There is slight highlighted leak from the bottom of the screen but we would feel that many people won't notice this, or even care if they did. It is common with laptop screens and this is actually one of the better results for a screen of this size.
wow, that is simply stunning !
I had planned to come in here and slate the machine, but im sold. Well my bank balance isn’t but I am. a core i7 cpu in a 11.6 inch machine, who would ever have thought it possible !
While I know some people have issues with alienware as a company, I gotta say this is really very impressive.
Damn thats really impressive, but its way out of my price league. must be the ultimate super portable machine. certainly nicer than my 200 quid netbook anyway :p
The paint work is nice, glad to see they sent out a sample in red, not black. thats dull as dishwater.
Their software looks good going on the screenshots, especially for the power saving options.
Lovely, not my cup of tea, im a mac man, but good to see one pc maker using backlit keyboards on a laptop, its a very uncommon thing, and I always use mine.
Am ordering one for my business work later 😉
I like the internal battery, I think its a lot more elegant than a big lump hanging out the back of the chassis.
I have read horror stories about these laptops falling apart. the older ones anyway, loads of threads on forums. Anyone here a current Alienware customer ? good or bad purchase decision?
It was all going great until the last page and I saw the price. clearly not even in the same market as a netbook ! Cant see too many of these selling.
Looks very nice indeed. Core i5 model would probably be more cost effective with less memory.
I know alienware get slated a lot, but I have the first revision of this and its still working great. its a bit chipped around the edges, due to me dropping it a few times, but I can’t complain. I love it. I would also love this, but the wife would have my head.
Thats an impressive build, but their pricing always gets me. they are always 200 quid over the odds. at least.
Good paintwork, like the keyboard a lot, my friend as a macbook air and it has a pink keyboard. cool the way the software can change it on this one.
Excellent, look forward to playing with my friends,. he owns about 10 alienware computers. he has more money than sense 🙂
Its expensive, but its a custom style machine, many manufacturers just use the same clevo chassis and put a sticker on them. its boring.
I am not sure I would buy one of these, but I like their styling and the effort they put into the builds. I would never spend more than 500 on a laptop, but when I see them at lan meetings and stuff, the alienware laptops always stand out. respect where it is due.
How much does this machine weight ?
around 2kg.
Its certainly very attractive and powerful, but it is a hell of a lot of money for a superportable like this.
Good review thank you, very detailed. Quick question, are Dell going to be selling batteries for this also?
I wouldnt think they would be selling batteries Steven cause its not easily changeable. I doubt people are going to remove the rear panel on a bus to replace the battery. way too many risks on the move for that.
m an electronics engg student n i need a notebook which can run a few simulation programs as well as can manage a few games too…….can any1 tell me if this one can hold its own??
It certainly can, read the review 🙂
i recently ordered the r3 m11x, and simply got the best options on it possible save for a ssd. I was wondering why your tester comes with a cpu that isn’t available on the dell website. It only goes to an i7 2617m, not the i7 2630um that came on yours.
Very good question. ill ask and try and find out.
“It only goes to an i7 2617m, not the i7 2630um that came on yours.”
I have the same M11x R3. Same processor. Intel changed their naming convention.