Dell on Monday released three new high-performance Alienware gaming laptops powered by Intel's third-generation Core processors, also known as Ivy Bridge. The new lineup includes 14-, 17.3-, and 18.4-inch notebooks featuring the latest mobile graphics from Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices.
Along with the introduction of the new Alienware M14x, M17x, and M18x laptops, Dell announced a collaboration with Electronic Arts to implement Dell's AlienFX software and lighting control system in Battlefield 3, the computer maker said in a statement. Gamers playing Battlefield 3 on an Alienware rig will also have access to an exclusive Alienware Arena dog tag in the first-person shooter.
"Our customers want the most immersive gaming experience possible, and we've taken the all-powerful M14x, M17x, and M18x laptops and made them even better, delivering the latest technologies for almost every need," Alienware general manager Frank Azor said. "We've always offered the latest technology for the best gaming experience possible, and our enhanced lineup will let you 'pwn' any competitor and provide the sensory experience that we know you crave."
The Alienware M14x starts at $1,099, the M17x is priced at $1,499, and the M18x carries a price tag of $1,999. All three laptops are currently available for order on Dell.com and Alienware.com.
The M14x is available in a number of configurations. The standard setup uses a second-generation Sandy Bridge processor from Intel, the 2.5-GHz Core i5-2450M, but the laptop can also be configured with one of three Ivy Bridge chips—the 2.3-GHz Core i7-3610QM, 2.6-GHz Core i7-3720QM, or 2.7-GHz Core i7-3820QM. Discrete graphics options include Nvidia's GeForce GT 650M with either 1GB or 2GB of GDDR5 memory. The M14x can be kitted out with either a 750GB mechanical disk drive or a 512GB solid state drive (SSD), with standard-issue 6GB memory up to 16GB.
The M17x has CPU option for either the 2.3-GHz Core i7-3610QM, 2.6-GHz Core i7-3720QM, or 2.7-GHz Core i7-3820QM. The laptop's standard configuration uses Nvidia's GeForce GT 660M graphics processor, with options to upgrade to either the GeForce GT 675M or AMD's Radeon HD 7970M (all three discrete graphics options have 2GB of memory). The laptop can be configured with up to 32GB of memory, with 500GB and 1TB options for storage, as well as an option for a 512GB SSD.
The M18x can be configured with the same processor options as the M17x, plus Intel's 2.9-GHz Core i7-3920XM. The standard graphics option is the GeForce GT 660M, but choices also include the GeForce GT 675M, plus a dual-card option for GeForce GT 675M with Nvidia SLI or the Radeon HD 7970M with AMD CrossFireX (the AMD dual-card setup will be made available at a later date, according to Dell). Memory can be configured from 8GB to 32GB, a 500GB hard disk is standard, but a 750GB drive is also available, as are dual- and triple-drive options.
All three laptops run Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate and have integrated 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet NIC and Integrated Wireless-N with Bluetooth 4.0, plus an option for WiMax.
Audio comes courtesy of Creative Sound Blaster Recon3Di HD 5.1 with THX TruStudio Pro Software (standard configuration) or a 2.1 Speaker configuration with Subwoofer Audio Powered by Klipsch. The M14x has a 1.3-megapixel HD Camera with dual digital microphones and two USB 3.0 ports, while the M17x and M18x have a 2.1-megapixel FullHD Camera with dual digital microphones and four USB 3.0 ports.
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