Dell Alienware M11X 11.6 Inch Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300,1.3GHz,4GB RAM,320GB HDD,WLAN,Webcam,Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit)

I just recently bought this amazing little Notebook from Amazon after much debating and research. It is an incredibly powerful little machine that feels more like a decent desktop PC stuffed into it`s small frame. The M11X handles everything i have thrown at it with ease - which includes 3d Gaming, Watching HD movies and Multi-tasking. I did use the O/C from the Bios right of the bat, which boosts the CPU to 1.7Ghz. The battery performance is superb and is even better if you disable Alienware FX and Fusion from start up.

It`s an Alienware and it certainly looks the part...sleek contours on the chunky frame, glowing changeable led lights(even the keyboard), an excellent responsive keyboard,that is much better than any others I have tried. The screen looks fantastic, although a little bit glossier than i would have preffered but it`s not a problem. Everything smacks of quality and you can be sure that your little notebook will be regarded by envy by others. I have had, both, the Asus 1008ha and the Asus 1201N, and i can honestly say the Alienware M11X stomps them into the dust for looks, build quality and sheer power.

Now the only down side to this model of the M11X (R1) is that there is a major flaw in the build quality regarding the hinges. This flaw was also present in the previous Area 51 models also. For some reason, they decided to use a plastic strip, that is very weak and a bit on the small side, for the part that screws the hinge to the LCD display lid. This bit of plastic can come away or break off after a few months of opening and closing the lid, resulting in a request for a DELL technician to refit a whole new LCD Display. DELL is apparently now refitting any of the R1/R2 models, with this type of fault, with the newer and redesgined R3 hinges, because they have a larger and stronger plastic strip. Some of the signs of possible hinge failure can include creaking noises when opening/closing the lid, screen canting to one side, the plastic hinge covers bulging outwards or worst scenario - a loud crack when the hinge gives way.

Not all M11X`s have had this happen, but there is a large number of cases reported on DELL/Notebook Check/Alienware Club forums. I checked my M11X as soon as i unpacked it and noticed when you lightly push the lid when open, just how much play there is. It feels pretty delicate. For piece of mind you can get DELL to sort it if this fault does happen. They will also do a one-off repair for this problem if your Warranty has run out. Nice one.

Apart from this, I can honestly say it is the best mini Notebook in the sub 14 inch class at the moment. It may be over a year old but it will happily play games like Mass Effect 2 on max settings or Battlefield Bad Company 2 on medium. Achievments that many 15 inch and even 17 inch laptops cannot admit to. I was playing Vietcong the other night on highest settings and happily burbling over my M11X when it dawned on me that i hadn`t even switched on the 1Gb Nvidia GT335 video mode. I was playing on Intel GMA mode. It still ran perfect..

Anyone thinking of buying this notebook - you won`t be disappointed! It`s fantastic and at this price...a superb deal. DELL is selling the REFURBISHED version of this model around this price on their DELL outlet web site. Well done to Amazon for such a good price.

I`m not worrying about the hinges anymore because if the suckers go, then i`ll just slap epoxy around a stronger bit of plastic and screw them back into that myself.

This netbook is excellent! Sure it might not have the most up-to-date CPU, it is over a year old. But for games it absolutely canes all my mates laptops that cost way more. It's pretty chunky for a netbook but still smaller and lighter than a full-size laptop. It has all the show-off factor of being an Alienware, without the huge price tag.

I have had my Alienware M11x for JUST over a year now. I am a light user, mostly stays in the house. Recently the hinge at the back has cracked and Dell have thrown the full charges at me (about 60% of the cost of a new laptop). If you are thinking of buying an Alienware remember that you can not get anyone to repair / work on the laptop other than Dell and that's gona hurt.

Jon