With the sheer number of laptops and netbooks announced and released everyday, it’s really hard to get excited anymore. But we’ve been waiting for this one: Alienware’s M11x, a (very) compact, netbook-sized gaming laptop. Last week, all we got were teasers, a base price, and a vague release date, but they finally put up the preorder page today, so we got a chance to check out the actual list of upgrade options.

Just like the rest of the brand’s systems, the M11x can be customized to fit your budget and performance needs. Prices start out at the previously-announced (and much-hyped) $799 price point, which will get you a base configuration that includes a 1.3GHz Pentium processor, 2GBs of memory, a 160GB hard drive, and GeForce GT 335M graphics to give it that 3D-gaming edge.

If you have the cash (and the inclination to set up a solid 11.6-inch portable gaming platform), here are your options:

• You can skip on the rather lame 1.3GHz Pentium and go with a 1.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo for an extra $100.
• The base system comes with only 2GBs of DDR3 800MHz memory. Adding $50 will net you double at 4GBs, or you can go for broke with the 8GB option for $350.
• The standard 160GB, 5400rpm hard drive just won’t cut it for gaming (really, that’s a netbook’s drive right there), unless your concept of “gaming” is made up of the Flash-based stuff on Facebook. For more storage, you can add $50 for a faster, larger 250GB, 7200rpm drive, $75 for a 320GB drive, or $150 for the 500GB maximum. If you’re into performance and not so much on built-in storage capacity, $570 will net you a 256GB solid state drive. Screw capacity, you can pick up a cheap external drive for that.
• The compact frame doesn’t come with a built-in optical drive, so if you want an “Alienware-recommended” drive, $100 will get you Dell’s External CD/DVD burner that connects using a USB interface.
• The optional Bluetooth module will cost an extra $20.
• It already comes with built-in Wi-fi, but if you want mobile broadband for gaming in the parking lot, Alienware offers a Gobi broadband module that also adds GPS for $125. Two network options are available: AT&T or Verizon.

Dell also offers options for Windows 7 64-bit versions including Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate, plus a range of gaming accessories that include headsets, AV/HDMI cables.

However you want it configured, the M11x is set to ship on March 1st. The standard setup also comes with a color choice (Cosmic Black or Lunar Silver) and a personalized laser-etched plate to let people know who this notebook’s daddy is.

Tags: Alienware, Dell, Gaming Laptop, Gaming Systems, Notebooks

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