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Alienware have a well earned reputation for creating some of the most exotic, ludicrously specified gaming machines and today we look at their M18x laptop which features the latest flagship Intel Core i7 2960XM Extreme Edition processor, Bluray drive, 8GB of 1600mhz DDR3 memory and dual Nvidia GTX560m graphics.
The M18x is no superportable, nor is it a bargain sub £500 machine either, with specifications ranging from £1,700 to over £5,000 it is a serious investment for a serious enthusiast. The model we are looking at today costs around £3,568 inc vat and features the Intel Core i7 2950XM Extreme Edition processor.
We already know the M17x is a killer laptop, so we were particularly interested to experience the bigger brother with dual graphics cards. With the ability to manually overclock the system even further, is this the ultimate performance laptop?
Review System Specifications:
| Item | Description |
| Base | Alienware M18x Nebula Red |
| Memory | 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 Dual Channel (4x2GB) |
| Keyboard | Internal UK/Irish Qwerty Keyboard |
| Video Card | Dual 1.5GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 560M SLI™ |
| Hard Drive | 256GB Dell Mobility Solid State Drive |
| Microsoft Operating System | English Genuine Windows® 7 Professional (64 BIT) |
| Optical Devices | Blu-Ray ROM Combo (Blu-ray read only, DVD, CD read and write) Drive |
| Sound | Integrated High-Definition 5.1 Performance Audio Powered by Klipsch® |
| Wireless Networking | Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 – EUR |
| Cables | UK 2M 250V Power Cord |
| Shipping Documents | English Documentation |
| Gedis Bundle Reference | N08W1801 |
| Standard Warranty | 1 year Next Business Day Hardware Support included with your PC |
| Enhanced Service Packs | 1Yr Next Day Hardware Support included with your PC |
| Bluetooth | Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Card – EUR |
| Order Information | Alienware M18x Order – UK |
| Primary Battery | Primary 12-cell 96W/HR LI-ION |
| Carrying Cases | No Carrying Case |
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i7 2960XM Overclocked Turbo Boost (8MB Cache) |
| Dell System Media Kit | Alienware Resource DVD |
| Camera | Integrated 3.0 Mega Pixel HD Camera |
| Avatar | Alienhead 3D |
| AutoMatic Updates | AutoMatic updates – On |
| Wallpapers | Redefining your standards Wallpaper |
| TimeZone | (GMT + 00.00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London |
| AlienFx Colour | Mars Red |
| Accidental Damage Support | No Accidental Damage Protection |
| LCD | 18.4″ (47 cm) WideFHD (1920 x 1080) WLED LCD |
| Hidden NamePlate Engraving | Generic Name Plate Engraving |
| Protect your new PC | No Antivirus Software |
| Power Supply | 330W AC Adapter |
That really is insane. the price makes my wallet cry however
🙁
That is an incredible computer, kind of a dream machien for most people. Also that CPU is amazing, its like a desktop chip in a mobile package.
The 2960 extreme edition is breaking new groud, especially for mobile systems. problem is the price, its a hell of a lot more than the closest CPU which is only moderately slower (until its overclocked anyway).
The red is much nicer than the boring black IMO. the bare bones system isn’t a bad price, do you get the same panel for the entry level priced model?
How did you update the driver? my m17x says it isnt a supported device on the Nvidia site? ill have to try again with that driver you used.
This is a great laptop system, I have the m17x and love it, but im sorry I didnt buy the 18 🙁 id love dual 560m
They cost so much money, but they make a statement. I dont think this machine could be carried about however it is far too big and heavy. almost 6kg? ouch!
The appearance is spectacular, the black one looks so dull. Its interesting to see they dont charge more for the red in this range, but the lower specification machines it costs £10 extra.
They should make some with specialised Alienware skins, like they allow for on the inspiron 17 inch range, but make them all alien based transfers for the lid.
I would not pay this much money just to get so little in return. But i’m not reach and i don’t need/like laptops, if i were all that i guess i’d take it. As stands i can make a desktop that outperforms that laptop with $1k.
Sure, I think we all could, but its missing the point. its a laptop, and it looks pretty nice to me, with a very impressive screen.