Conclusion
From an engineering standpoint the M11x is a marvel. There is no other laptop available that offers this much gaming performance in such a small package. The fact that Alienware has managed to cram so much into so little – and managed to do so while also providing good battery life – indicates that some smart folks are working over at Alienware.
The M11x also excels in terms of aesthetic design. Although chunky, the M11x is undeniably unique and modern. It is a serious gaming laptop for serious gamers, yet at the same time it doesn’t come across as tacky or overwrought. When closed the laptop is downright mundane, and while I wouldn’t suggest the M11x for business travelers, it doesn’t look out of place in a family home.
Still, the M11x is a niche product. I can’t recommend it as a primary laptop because of the uncomfortable keyboard and trackpad, and I can’t recommend it as a primary gaming computer because it isn’t powerful enough (for the price) and because gaming on an 11.6” display is likely to become tiresome after a few months.
Gamers who already have a gaming desktop or large gaming laptop, however, should consider the M11x as a second system. The ultraportable market is terrible for gamers. Most 11 to 13 inch systems struggle even with older 3D games, and even those that offer passable gaming performance are two to three times slower than the M11x in modern games.
Yes, the M11 is expensive, but the M11x also breaks new ground. It is the first truly portable gaming computer. Even the smallest 15-inch gaming laptop is a monster in comparison. Cutting edge products like the M11x are aren’t cheap, but buying something that pushes the boundaries of what is possible is often its own reward.
Further Reading:
- ASUS U33JC Core i3 13-in Bamboo Notebook Review – ASUS Gets Classy
- Dell Inspiron M101z Review – Laptop Power in a Netbook’s Frame
- Toshiba T235-S1345 AMD Turion II Notebook Review – Entering the Nile
- Lenovo Z560 Core i3 15-in Notebook Review
- Apple 13-in MacBook Review – A Pro in disguise?
