Alienware M11x UltraPortable review - Features & specifications

Features & specifications

Other Core i5 CPUs (without the U in the name) are faster due to the higher clock speed, but need more power. The power consumption of this processor is a shockingly low 18 Watts TDP (max.) and that's for the entire package, including Intel IGP.

NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M graphics - We already explained that this model now comes with NVIDIA OPTIMUS technology.

On the netbook front a lot is changing all the time. NVIDIA has been debuting their Optimus technology. The solution will actually be based on one of the company's older technologies which got canned / placed in the fridge roughly a year and a half ago. You guys know it as “Hybrid SLI” and “Hybrid Graphics”. Optimus is going to enable end-users to dynamically and automatically switch between discrete (GPU) and the integrated graphics chips.

NVIDIA's Optimus technology will in its bare essence take advantage of the performance enabled by a discrete graphics chip when it is required, while switching back to Intel's integrated graphics to save battery life once the GPU is not needed anymore. Switching between the integrated graphics or the discrete graphics chips should be pretty straightforward, effortless and nearly undetectable.

The GeForce GT 335M graphics processor is clocked at 450 MHz, 1080 MHz on the 72 shader processors and 790 MHz on the 1024MB gDDR3 dedicated graphics memory (exquisite size BTW) which is dual-data rate and thus 1580 MHz effectively.

The GT 335M kicks in whenever a game is detected. This is based on driver profiles, no need to switch with a hotkey combo or anything; if a game is recognized then the M11x it will switch to the NVIDIA GPU subsystem. Profile applications can be updated with driver releases, yet also inserted by yourself if you just bought an unsupported spanking new game.

There's more to find though; three USB ports, a three-in-one card reader, two headphone outputs, 10/100 Ethernet and a SIM card slot for the as-yet-unavailable 3G modem option.

The array of display outputs, meanwhile, borders on overkill, with D-SUB, HDMI and DisplayPort proudly lined up along the laptop's left edge. There's even a pair of loud speakers that really sound nice. Anyway, let's have a peek at the photo-shoot and talk you through some stuff.