Forget the cataclysmic events forecast for 2012 -- the world's already imploded. Both Ferrari and Porsche have made hybrids, somebody's invented a jetpack you can actually buy, and Alienware has made a netbook.
It's no ordinary netbook, either. Alienware says the 11.6-inch M11x will deliver the sort of gaming and graphics performance you'd normally expect from 15- or even 17-inch laptops, while still offering a relatively compact body. The M11x starts at about £750, although our review sample, which sits near the top of the range, retails for around £1,185.
Floats like a butterfly
The M11x is noticeably larger than your average netbook. Its chassis measures 286 by 33 by 233mm, and weighs 2kg, so it has more in common with a small ultra-portable laptop than an Eee PC.
That's not to say it's particularly hefty, though. Both the M11x and its power supply will slot into a medium-sized man-bag with ease, and it's light enough to carry pretty much anywhere you go. Given its gaming credentials, which we'll explore later, it's the perfect machine to take to a LAN party.
Flash git
The M11x may be highly portable, but it's not something we can see our mums using in public. In typical Alienware fashion, its styling is aggressive, and there are enough flashing lights to put your local disco to shame.
The power button, the keyboard, the left and right front corners of the chassis, and the status lights above the keyboard can all be assigned their own independent colour from a palette of 19, or told to cycle between a pair of colours. Consequently, there's no need for your M11x to look the same as anyone else's.
Connect the slots
One upshot of the M11x's extra girth is its awesome connectivity. The right side of the machine is home to a mic jack, two USB ports and two headphone jacks -- so multiple users can listen to headphones in relative privacy.
On the opposite site, portmageddon has broken loose. There are three video output ports (D-Sub, HDMI and DisplayPort), a third USB socket, an Ethernet port, a 4-pin FireWire port, and a memory-card reader. There's also a SIM-card slot into which users can connect their own 3G SIM card for true go-anywhere Internet access. Unfortunately, Alienware has yet to install a 3G modem in UK-spec M11x machines, but the company will add this as an optional extra 'in a few months'.
Inside job
High-speed components are what really sets the M11x apart from its rivals. The basic model uses an ultra-low-voltage, dual-core, 1.3GHz Intel Pentium SU4100 processor with 2MB of L2 cache. If this doesn't quite meet your performance needs, Alienware will chuck in an Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 for an extra £55. This chip has much in common with the SU4100, but is marginally quicker, thanks to its 3MB of L2 cache.
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User reviews8
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von dutch 5 July 2011
Good: blisteringly fast, relatively portable, looks the shit
Bad: not much really, but the price is almost as epic as the actual product.
Comment: brilliant, especially plugged in to an alienware 23" monitor
HandyJay 21 June 2011
Good: Well For Starters the PRICE, Performance, Styling, Brand, Customisation, Security Application, Expandability.
Bad: Delivery Time :-(
Comment: I have just bought the M11X R3 and I can't complain about anything, I am truely happy with spending £450 of my hard earned money, all I can complain about is that it didn't get here sooner unfortunatly but perfection takes time. And by goodness they have got it spot on this time :-).
alienwareiss*** 20 September 2010
Good: nothing
Bad: case, hardware, mothboard, crap advice, technical support
Comment: Area 51x,
What a piece of expensive junk. 2000 sterling is what I paid for, for what I thought was a state of the art machine two years ago, It died after two years. The advise given by technical support, ' you can always sell it for spares' thanks boffin, Within three weeks of ownership it was back in the depot for an overhaul, the graphics card was wrong. Then the Bios was wrong, It came with crap ViSTA, I put up with that mess. Then the top lid hinges just came away from the case. Alienware repared that as it was a latent defect. Now the motherboard has just packed up. Im stuffed, I will buy a VAIO and break open the Alienware to get the hard drive out. My opinion, if you have the money to spend on an alienware laptop you have more money than sense. If you like forking out two grand every two years for an illuminated gaming banjo to kill dragons in your bed room , go ahead, its most likely your parents money, but if its your hard earned, dont bother. If you do, you have been warned.
See all 8 user reviews