Alienware GeForce 7900 SLI Notebook Tested 149
MojoKid writes "Dual Graphics in Notebooks have been in development for a long time now but
very few Notebook vendors have actually brought products to market.
Recently, NVIDIA's launch of the GeForce 7900 series enabled manufacturers like
Alienware the ability to configure Dual GPU SLI systems in a Notebook form
factor.
HotHardware has a world's first look at the Alienware
m9700 Aurora, that comes equipped with a pair of GeForce 7900 MXM modules in
a Desktop Replacement form factor. With a 2.4GHz AMD Turion64 processor,
SLI and a 17" panel,
this machine has more horsepower and features than many high end Desktop
setups."
Printer Friendly (Score:1, Redundant)
looks pretty sweet
notebook? (Score:5, Insightful)
I would call that more a luggable than a notebook. As powerful as it might be, that's no laptop I'd want to carry around...
Re:notebook? (Score:3, Insightful)
The starting weight is 8.5 lbs. Adding spare battery will only increase its weight. I admit that I have have never gamed on a laptop, but I fail to see its charm. A kickass destop is always better/cheaper/upgradable
Re:notebook? (Score:2)
Re:notebook? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:notebook? (Score:1)
Is there a market though? (Score:2)
However, are there enough LAN gamers (the obvious target market for such a computer) to make a company profit from selling them? I kind of wonder if Alienware is not making such a thing today if anyone would.
Currently to me the Intel iMac actually seems like one of the better LAN solutions, it can run Windows and is really an all in one unit with a great big display in the way almost
Re:notebook? (Score:1)
Feh.
Re:notebook? (Score:1, Insightful)
No offense, but I'd suggest this laptop is not being marketed to you. I suspect the target audience is students who:
-Play games
-Always near a power outlet
-Need portability for study sessions, classwork, etc
-2lbs extra weight is minor compared to the 30lb Bio book
Call me crazy, but its a big market out there, and not everybody wants what you want.
Re:notebook? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:notebook? (Score:1)
its not that heavy. jeez. with the shoulder strap thats nothing.
Re:notebook? (Score:2)
Try travel often with something that heavy (and by often, I mean as part of your job). It gets old, quickly.
Re:notebook? (Score:1)
I'd call it a notebook.
Plays any game and has a huge screen!
Probably a really nice development machine too!
8.5 lbs is perfect for everything you get!
Probably too much though if you only want email and blogging.
Re:notebook? (Score:1)
Everything is relative.
KFG
Re:notebook? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:notebook? (Score:2)
Re:notebook? (Score:2)
It weighs 8 lbs. WTF is in this thing to weigh as much as a ruggedized metal laptop?
Hot Hardware (Score:2)
Re:Hot Hardware (Score:1)
Afterwards, ya, I'd think it be great at frying sensitive areas. Laptop is a misnomer for this machine.
I've got blister on me knads! (Score:1)
Probably pretty darned quick. I've found, even with a good pair of corduroys (nice air venting) or thick jeans, that many laptops run pretty darned hot, especially near the CPU(s) and the video card(s).
Is there a ThinkGeek laptop thing like you see for those 133L people in New Yorker who read books and have a laptop tray? I could use one big enough so I can sit on the couch and watch my HDTV while using
Re:Hot Hardware (Score:2)
Of course if you had it on your lap it would probably just crush your legs before it would burn your vitals.
Re:Heat can be a good thing! (Score:2)
Then you can cook burgers while getting your game on!
easier way to make rocky mountain oysters (Score:1)
Re:easier way to make rocky mountain oysters (Score:1, Insightful)
Notebooks != Laptops (Score:1)
When I go off to college, I will occasionally want to take my computer back. Carrying a desktop machine home on the train? No thanks.
Repeat after me: Get a computer that fits your needs.
Glossy screen... (Score:1)
Re:Glossy screen... (Score:5, Funny)
Fast video, fast disks, fast cpu all in a laptop (Score:2)
Yes, but... (Score:2)
(seriously, Breezy Badger didn't work in any notebook I tried)
Re:Yes, but... (Score:2)
Ubuntu on a Toshiba (Score:2)
So, it's still running XP and my wife is using it...
My next portable will be selected based on compatibility, not only on price...
Re:Ubuntu on a Toshiba (Score:2)
Re:Ubuntu on a Toshiba (Score:1, Flamebait)
Re:Ubuntu on a Toshiba (Score:2)
I think this is a case of either trolling, or stupidity.
In your case, both, apparently.
Re:Ubuntu on a Toshiba (Score:2)
The only thing that didn't work was the wifi card, because Intel insists on keeping their "regulatory compliance daemon" closed source.
So despite Intel's best efforts to make my system unusable, I prevalied and it worked fine. Won't be buying any Intel products agai
Re:Ubuntu on a Toshiba (Score:2)
I've not tried SUSE 10.1 on it, because I've been pretty impressed with Ubuntu, but I have put SUSE 10.1 on a Thinkpad R51 and eveyrthing worked fine on that.
Re:Ubuntu on a Toshiba (Score:2)
The new dapper is the only version of linux that works on my system flawlessly. I bought the cheaper $740 compaq pressario 4000.
However I do notice strange anomaly with the keyboard on linux. But its the same way with a default install of XP without HP quickkeys. I think it uses a software based ps/2 filter so when you type text it will occasionally move to a different part of the screen. I am sure there is a work around in linux because its very e
Re:Yes, but... (Score:1)
Re:Yes, but... (Score:2)
On any you tried? (Score:2)
Got it running at my work on everything from a crappy old Toshiba up to a Compaq nc6220.
In fact, I was running it on a Dell 610 - and aside from some port replicator issues it worked just fine. Had to edit that - forgot I upgraded to Dapper this morning.
So, to address the topic, I don't see a problem with it running on this Alienware monstrosity. Wonder if I can get work to buy me one for testing?
seems okay until.. (Score:1)
Re:seems okay until.. (Score:2)
and it'll be behind the curve in 6 months (Score:3, Insightful)
I guess I can imagine some niche markets - demo machines for software salesmen, stuff like that where a desktop is absolutely infeasible, but sheesh.
Re:and it'll be behind the curve in 6 months (Score:1)
Note that, with 2GB of RAM, it actually is Windows Vista Premium capable.
But your basic point on the difficulty in upgrading laptops is a very good one.
Re:and it'll be behind the curve in 6 months (Score:2, Insightful)
People buy Alienware because it's expensive and has the latest bells and whistles. For that matter, most people never u
Re:and it'll be behind the curve in 6 months (Score:3, Insightful)
It's like why eat 2000 calories in a day when you CAN eat 3000. It is not like this thing has efficient low power components. It's just an amalgamation of the highest end parts in one package.
All it gives you is gloating power, as in "I shelled out a lot for this and you can't".
Tom
If it's behind the curve in 6 months, it's a boat (Score:1)
They're a lot cheaper than boats or fancy cars, and they work a lot better. Plus, you can expense them if you're a consultant - I used to expense my computers when I ran a play-by-mail game business in Canada, including my Apple II+ and software for it. Not the game software, unless
Re:If it's behind the curve in 6 months, it's a bo (Score:3, Insightful)
I dunno, I'd wager my car works a lot better as a car than that Alienware does. Looking at the photos, I don't think it'd seat more than two.
I'll be here all week, folks.
Seriously tho, my point is that they're bad at being laptops: short battery life, weighs a ton. I guess some people just like spending money, and that's fine, but I guess what I'm saying is that I'm surprised at the (apparent) number of people who think it's a g
Re:and it'll be behind the curve in 6 months (Score:2)
Re:and it'll be behind the curve in 6 months (Score:2)
Re:and it'll be behind the curve in 6 months (Score:2)
This is perfectly suited for two jobs: video editing and 3D "pre-ziv". This is going to be the hot laptop on movie sets everywhere, especially with the dual display and dual hard disks. These folks need all the power for video editing and rendering available, need huge screens but a
Re:and it'll be behind the curve in 6 months (Score:2)
You can upgrade the videocards and processor, so no.
With a battery life of 2 hours (Score:2)
Re:With a battery life of 2 hours (Score:1)
KFG
Re:With a battery life of 2 hours (Score:2)
His battery is slain, and all on AC he fights (Score:4, Interesting)
"A fuel cell, a fuel cell, my kindom for a fuel cell!"
SLI in laptops! So neat, but so...immobile. Portable, yes. But only within the range of the extension cord. Perhaps when that day comes when we get better mobile power sources we will not come to expect reduced (even if slightly) functionality from our personal devices. When that day comes we will come to expect only greatly increased prices!
----
Music wants to be free [myspace.com]
Re:His battery is slain, and all on AC he fights (Score:2)
Re:His battery is slain, and all on AC he fights (Score:2)
Re:His battery is slain, and all on AC he fights (Score:1)
Nonetheless, I agree with you that requiring a power cable by no means trounces the function of a device. But it would be nice t
Heh (Score:3, Interesting)
Yea, probably cost alot more too.
Re:Heh (Score:2)
For the price of one Alienware... (Score:2)
Missplaced purpose? (Score:3, Interesting)
To me, adding SLI to a DR laptop is just another draw on the battery with diminishing returns in performance. Does someone have a contrary opinion they'd like to share?
Re:Missplaced purpose? (Score:5, Insightful)
What they are meant for is transporting a VERY powerful machine easily. The reality is that with this machine you have very powerful processing, a very high end lcd screen (you can't even buy a wuxga screen for a desktop), a built in UPS, keyboard and mouse all in one compact package.
I have a Sager 9750 and almost never run it on battey. But I do use it for work as my primary machine where I use Maya, photoshop and eclipse. I need a wuxga screen for my eclipse work, and you simply can't get one for a desktop. When I bring the machine home I can play any game I want as the graphics adapter is very powerful and upgradable.
Finally, I have gentoo running on a second 100gb hd which I use about 50% of the time. The machine does absolutely everything, it's extremely portable and it has features (17" wuxga) that desktops don't. The killer functionality is that I can have my main machine with me where ever I go (as long as there's an ac outlet) and I don't have to make any compromises.
Re:Missplaced purpose? (Score:1, Informative)
Yes, you can. All the 24" widescreen displays are WUXGA. like apple's 24" Cinema, or Dell's 2405 or 2407fwp.
Ditto (Score:3, Insightful)
Nice and toasty on the lap if you're playing games, bu
Re:Missplaced purpose? (Score:2)
Re:Missplaced purpose? (Score:2)
If you need a gaming machine get a desktop. My laptop has a crappy intel video that is fine for what
The names of the review site is apt... (Score:2)
I made it to about the 4th page before I got an error about too many connections
Windows tax (Score:2)
Re:Windows tax (Score:2)
How much did you pay?
This message brought to you by SuSE running on a MacBook Pro
Hey, I like the hardware
Not for everyone...NO!? (Score:3, Insightful)
Half the weight of the competition. (Score:1)
Recent Reviews:
http://resource.voodoopc.com/images/default/review s_images/PDF/wired_524_art.pdf [voodoopc.com]
http://resource.voodoopc.com/images/default/review s_images/PDF/gi_524_art.pdf [voodoopc.com]
(Warning PDF Links)
A Dell in Wolf's Clothing? (Score:1)
Why would Alienware not use a Yonah? (Score:2)
Re:Why would Alienware not use a Yonah? (Score:2)
AMD is coming out with new mobile chips too...
Besides there is more to x86-64 than "48 bit addresses". People like you just like the shiny cover words. How about "twice the GPRs" and "twice the SIMD registers"?
Though I agree, MCW chips will be neat to play with. I'm looking foward to grabbing one for a desktop when they're not too too expensive [mmm benchmarking...]
Tom
Re:Why would Alienware not use a Yonah? (Score:2)
The display being bigger doesn't consume much more than the 15" displays on other laptops. The LCD consumes little, and the backlights might be a little longer and consume more power- but it's minimal compared to the CPU and disk consumption rates (And in the case of this laptop, the GPU rate as well...).
The big complaint I've got about the new Intel Core offerings is that it's not really 64-bit and I need that- and battery life is only part of the equation. Overall capabilities ar
overheating issues (Score:2)
Apple intentionally hid this because some reviewers noticed temperates as high as 95C!
They wont help the life of your system. I assume they use too much power as well but I dont know. After hearing that I intentionally went out of my way for an older Centrino system.
Re:Why would Alienware not use a Yonah? (Score:2)
Horsepower, you say? (Score:1)
Shoulda used it as a webserver (Score:1, Offtopic)
HttpException (0x80004005): Server Too Busy]
System.Web.HttpRuntime.RejectRequestInternal(Http
Version Information: Microsoft
Version:1.1.4322.2300
Guess they should have reviewed it as a webserver, instead.
New category needed (Score:1)
Not really... (Score:2)
Speaking of dual monitors... (Score:1)
On my desktop I have two computers, a Mac (PowerBook G4) and a Dell Inspiron 5150, and two monitors. While the extended desktop on the Mac works flawlessly, I am constantly frustrated when I try to use the sam mouse to reach the other computer (of course, this makes perfect logical sense as to why it does not work, it just frustrates me that it doesn't work). What I want to do: mouse my mouse not only
Re:Speaking of dual monitors... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Speaking of dual monitors... (Score:2)
Thank you!
Synergy rocks (Score:2)
Re:Speaking of dual monitors... (Score:2)
Re:Speaking of dual monitors... (Score:2)
Both allow you to share the clipboards & desktops and all of that... or am I really misunderstanding?
How come nobody yelled anything... (Score:1)
iBUYPOWER (Score:2, Informative)
"Heatmeter" rating seems about right. . . (Score:2)
What's the Name of the Mecha Game? (Score:2)
TIA.
Misleading header (Score:3, Informative)
Re:NO (Score:2)
Re:NO (Score:2)
Re:NO (Score:2)
People with too much money that love LAN parties (Score:2)
How about... (Score:2)
WUXGA screen...check.
High-end CPU (While not the top from the desktop perspective, it's still hot)...check.
High-end GPU...check.
Seems to me that these machines would be great for a
Re:sounds pretty sweet but... (Score:2)