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Alienware Command Center:
The M11x comes pre-installed with the Alienware Command Center software which allows you to completely customize the color scheme of five different zones.
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Alienware Command Center
Through this software you can create savable themes defined by you as well as define changes in color to designate system events. These can include notifications for new e-mail, changes to color scheme by opening different programs and more. one of the most useful programs I have seen that combines aesthetics and function in one.
AlienRespawn:
The AlienRespawn is the name Alienware gave to their backup solution. The software works excellent providing you have a large enough spare USB drive lying around to dedicate to the backup of your M11x. The only issue I found is that the included software is not apparantly a full version and will only allow you to make a backup of your system back to factory state. The advanced features are an upgrade which cost $39.99. For a laptop which has few compromises I found the upgrade tactic a cheap trick and not worthy of the Alienware brand. That being said based on my testing of the AlienRespawn software it is worth the 39.99 upgrade. Our backup using an 8GB USB thumb drive took approximately 20 minutes to make and 35 minutes to restore. At the end of the process my M11x was returned to complete factory state and fully functional.
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AlienRespawn Interface
Intel My Wifi
The Intel My Wifi software made headlines at CES 2009 and has since then only just started showing up on laptops and become more and more used. Essentially the software allows your laptop to become a hotspot thus allowing other portable devices to connect to the internet through your laptop. This has more benefits than just internet connections as you can essentially carry your LAN capability with you without the need for wires.
The software is not perfect though as we found the need to consistently troubleshoot connection types and internet sharing. The software has the tendency to lag behind actual connections and show devices connected which are not. We also had some issues getting iPad’s and iPod’s to connect consistently.
Still the software did always work in the end and is extremely useful. On my trip currently to Taipei for the Computex Conference the software has saved me money by allowing TechwareLabs Managing Editor Dan Shannon and myself to pay for s single internet connection and yet have two or more devices connected. This alone makes the software very, very useful.
The Intel My Wifi software additionally allows you to setup connection types as well as implement security such as WEP, WPA, WPA2, and more. Should you open your network up you can always interactively block devices realtime.
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Intel My Wifi Technology
OS Customization:
The M11x comes out of the box customized with your choice of desktop wallpapers as well as color scheme and startup/login screen background. These customizations are done according to your selections made during the configuration and checkout process. I should note that in the screenshot below I have already taken the liberty of customizing the start button myself and replaced the stock Windows 7 Start button, why Alienware does not do this from the factory I do not know. It would be a simple way to further customize the user experience.
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One of the default desktops you can create or customize on the M11x
As you can see the widescreen desktop looks very aesthetically appealing and is a real eye catcher. The desktop of course when used in conjunction with the Included Alienware Command Center really gives you the entire experience.
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