Alienware M17x

 Specs review :

• Processor : 2.00GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000
• Memory : 8GB RAM Dual Channel DDR3 1333MHz
• Hard drive :  256GB Solid State Drive
• Graphics card : dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M, 2GB
• Screen : 17-inch WideXGA+ 1440x900 (900p)
• Operating System : Genuine Windows 7 Ultimate, 64bit, English
• Dimensions (HWD) : 2.1x16x12.7 inches
• DirectX 10 supported  
• Optical Drive : Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
• Additional 9-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery for Alienware M17x Laptop
• Monster Cable MDP 650 Digital PowerCenter Surge Protector
• 1 Year Basic Service Plan
• Plus internal system. 

Prices : $3,420.00
Starting prices : $1,799.00
Starting weight : 11,68 pounds.

The specifications above are all the Alienware M17x's recommendation for Core2Duo/Quad/Extreme processor-based system, including operating system software. These components exclude external accesories (TV tunner, gaming controller, gear store, keyboard, mouse, headset), to minimize the cost.

Actually, the components are customizable, so the prices might vary from the components chosen, starts from $1,799.00. As mentioned above, these components are the Alienware's recommendation for Core2Duo/Quad/Extreme processor-based system.

For more informations about components, customizations and prices, visit here for the Core2Duo/Quad/Extreme processor-based system, and here for Core i5 and i7.

Dell's Alienware M17x is known as the fastest gaming laptop so far. The 2.00GHz Intel Core2Quad Q9000 is the second ultimate engine (after Extreme QX9300 from the processor options available for this laptop, but still below Core i7) for high-definition multimedia and gaming, with 6MB L2 cache and 1066 MHz FSB.  For the best performance, 2.53GHz Intel Core2Extreme QX9300 with 12MB L2 cache is the option. However, it'll be much more expensive, with an extra cost of $700. Besides, Alienware doesn't recommend it.  The 256GB solid state drive speeds up game load times and has solid state reability. Solid-state drives are less fragile than hard disks and are also silent. Nvidia Geforce GTX 260M graphics cards, along with max resolution of 1440x900 give rich colors and a remarkably crisp image. Plus the 8GB memory of RAM, M17x is capable of playing HD games smoothly and fastly, such as CoD : Modern Warfare, World at War, Age of Empire III, Left 4 Dead 2, Crysis, NFS : Shift and even Far Cry 2 with the visual effects set to high.

The  downside of this amazing gaming laptop is its battery life, which can last maximum only for 1 hour and 45 minutes (without additional battery). This is reasonable due to its 'heavy' graphics cards and processor, which need a huge amount of power to work. For the hard drive... err, SSD (Solid State Drive), 256GB for a high-end gaming laptop? Too small compared with space required for HD games, which means you will have to instal-play-finish-uninstal-repeat HD games in order to keep up the space of your SSD. But it's customizable, so you can replaced it with any bigger-space hard drive, though it won't  follow Alienware's best recommendation. And urggh... it is heavy! Ever carrying a single 12 pounds (remember, 1 lb = 0.453 kg) laptop?  Push it up and down, and you'll be doing fitness with a laptop. Another downside, which always occurs on every single good item : price. M17x comes with a shocking price at $3,420.00, as recommended by the Alienware. Is it worth enough to spend $3,420 only for a gaming laptop? You decide...

References : 
http://computershopper.com/laptops/reviews/alienware-m17x
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=dkcwqt1&s=dhs
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=dkcwbn1&s=dhs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_state_drive