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    *OFFICIAL* Alienware 13 R1/R2 Owner's Lounge

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by Mr. Fox, Dec 10, 2014.

  1. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    This thread is a place to discuss all things related to your new Alienware 13 and share information your experience with fellow owners, or a place that prospective owners can read and ask questions.

    Below are some links that owners of this model may find helpful.

    Manuals
    Alienware 13 Service Manual

    Dell Phone Directory
    Spare Parts and Accessories: Purchase your Upgrade, Accessories, or Replacement Parts 1-800-357-3355

    For Alienware Support, avoid calling Dell Support. Call 1-800-ALIENWARE whenever possible.

    Drivers
    Alienware 13 Official Driver Downloads

    Benchmark thread
    *OFFICIAL* Alienware 13 R1/R2 Benchmark Thread

     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 19, 2016
    Mr. Fox, Dec 10, 2014
    #1
  2. blacknouvo

    blacknouvo Notebook Enthusiast

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    It was good impression with the FHD screen on my old Alienware 14, I hope the Alienware 13 may delivery a same or better FHD screen quality with the reasonable price :D.
    However, in fact, I always play game on my external display because I prefer bigger screen for better experience. Therefore, the option with HD screen to save money for upgrading SSD is a good considered.
    I am telling that because the price of this new beast is quite expensive....$1,600 for standard configuration (I5, HD, 8GB, and 1TB HDD 5400rpm) in Australia.
     
    blacknouvo, Dec 10, 2014
    #2
  3. Blueneon

    Blueneon Notebook Consultant

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    Hello All

    Has any one disassembled there Alienware 13 yet?

    I just wanted confirmation that the CPU can not be upgraded on this model as it uses the FCBGA1168 socket.. (Which is soldered on to the motherboard...) :mad: :(

    Thanks
     
    Blueneon, Dec 10, 2014
    #3
  4. TheSandman2236

    TheSandman2236 Notebook Consultant

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    TheSandman2236, Dec 10, 2014
    #4
  5. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    Both cpu and gpu are soldered. Ram and HDD/SSD can be upgraded
     
    ninja2000, Dec 10, 2014
    #5
  6. AA9510

    AA9510 Notebook Guru

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    Can anyone confirm if a thicker 9.5mm thick harddrive can fit inside the bay?
     
    AA9510, Dec 10, 2014
    #6
  7. TheSandman2236

    TheSandman2236 Notebook Consultant

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    Yep -- that's me!

    Anyone want to gift me Far Car 4, Dragon Age, or any other games for testing ;)
     
    TheSandman2236, Dec 10, 2014
    #7
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  8. reborn2003

    reborn2003 THE CHIEF!

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    reborn2003, Dec 10, 2014
    #8
  9. AA9510

    AA9510 Notebook Guru

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    I wish there was a teardown of this beast!!! Any one in the mood for some surgery??
     
    AA9510, Dec 10, 2014
    #9
  10. Toscan

    Toscan Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello guys,

    I Just registered to this forum because im thinking of buying the Alienware 13. I currently have a macbook air but im not satisfied with its display.
    Now im wondering if the 1080 display on the alienware 13 is a big step up compared to the air ?
    Also i would like to hear from some people who have the alienware 13, how is the build quality ? does it feel like a quality product or more like a cheap made laptop ?

    Thanks in advance guys !
     
    Toscan, Dec 10, 2014
    #10
  11. TheSandman2236

    TheSandman2236 Notebook Consultant

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    There's a manual (PDF) floating around on this thread, shows the whole process.
     
    TheSandman2236, Dec 10, 2014
    #11
  12. TheSandman2236

    TheSandman2236 Notebook Consultant

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    While it's hard to beat solid machined aluminium, the build quality is very very solid. As for the display, the 1080p display blows it away in terms of quality. At least from my experience. I've owned 3 macbook airs in the past and the only complaint I have on the 13 is some gradient banding.
     
    TheSandman2236, Dec 10, 2014
    #12
  13. AA9510

    AA9510 Notebook Guru

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    Really Iv been looking and haven't found it
     
    AA9510, Dec 10, 2014
    #13
  14. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

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    13's manual.
     
    Game7a1, Dec 10, 2014
    #14
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  15. AA9510

    AA9510 Notebook Guru

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    Thanks it's very cool seeing how these things r put together
     
    AA9510, Dec 10, 2014
    #15
  16. Toscan

    Toscan Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the quick reply!

    With the gradient banding.. do you mean on the air or the alienware ?
    My biggest complaint is that text doesnt look that sharp on my air.. and i hope its a lot better on the alienware.
    Im aware that that the build quality is difficult to beat on the air, and ofcourse its weight is also terrific.

    Having said that and since youve owned multiple airs.. do you think its a wise decision to buy a alienware 13 and sell the macbook air ?
     
    Toscan, Dec 10, 2014
    #16
  17. xxpmrong

    xxpmrong Notebook Consultant

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    yep we are on the same situation... i am looking to replace my MBA 13 mid 2012 model with this AW 13
    wifey is happy to settle with a hand me down MBA 13 =)
     
    xxpmrong, Dec 10, 2014
    #17
  18. TheSandman2236

    TheSandman2236 Notebook Consultant

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    This all depends on the likes/dislikes you have with OSX. If you buy a mac, you know what you're getting -- if you buy an Alienware...you're buying an Alienware.

    Nothing bad, just specific choices. And yeah, the banding occurs on the AW 13.
     
    TheSandman2236, Dec 10, 2014
    #18
  19. Docsteel

    Docsteel Vast Alien Conspiracy

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    Well, I have a Macbook Air 11" 2011 I got with a class. Although I dont have an AW 13 in hand yet, I can tell you from having multiple AW models on hand that the quality of the build and materials is close to equal depending on which model we are talking about. The AW 13 will have more plastic, but it is high enough grade I don't think you will mind. The screen OTOH if you get 1080p or higher will blow away the Macbook Air. The color palette on the MBA is roughly equal to an iPhone 4/4S which is good, but not equal to the current IPS panels in use. From a gaming perspective... well, there is simply no comparison ;)

    Still waiting for AW 13 to move out of Production :(
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2014
    Docsteel, Dec 10, 2014
    #19
  20. TheSandman2236

    TheSandman2236 Notebook Consultant

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    Mine didn't exit production until I had steam installed. Call Dell!
     
    TheSandman2236, Dec 10, 2014
    #20
  21. Docsteel

    Docsteel Vast Alien Conspiracy

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    You just called in and requested Steam be installed and that kicked off the process? I think you ordered a good long time before me, when did you originally order?
     
    Docsteel, Dec 10, 2014
    #21
  22. TheSandman2236

    TheSandman2236 Notebook Consultant

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    No I mean, it was already on my desk, delivered, and I was logging into steam before it ever said it was "shipped"
     
    TheSandman2236, Dec 10, 2014
    #22
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  23. hermitmaster

    hermitmaster Notebook Consultant

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    That happens pretty much every time I buy a Dell. Even when I buy stuff from the outlet it goes to "In Production" status, and I usually receive it before it changes status.
     
    hermitmaster, Dec 10, 2014
    #23
  24. bumbo2

    bumbo2 Notebook Deity

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    ^ hey doc steel, same thing here^
     
    bumbo2, Dec 10, 2014
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  25. Darioe726

    Darioe726 Newbie

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    So you got it before your Estimated Delivery Date? Or did it just stay "in production" but still got it there on the original ETA?
     
    Darioe726, Dec 10, 2014
    #25
  26. roar-k

    roar-k Newbie

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    Due to this forum I ordered my AW13 today! Went through the order process via the chat and they gave me the option of the $50 coupon or a FREE Win8 Tablet. It is not set to be delivered until February! Long wait, but I am excited.
     
    roar-k, Dec 10, 2014
    #26
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  27. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    Mine just arrived! Setting it up now then on to some testing.
    Love the size of this thing, a proper m11x successor. Unfortunately I got rid of my old m11x so I can't take any photo's to compare.
     
    ninja2000, Dec 10, 2014
    #27
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  28. gabswiss

    gabswiss Notebook Consultant

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    Still on the fence in getting one, but with current discounts it gets tempting..
     
    gabswiss, Dec 10, 2014
    #28
  29. TheSandman2236

    TheSandman2236 Notebook Consultant

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    Congrats! Let us know what other benchmarks you plan on running.
     
    TheSandman2236, Dec 10, 2014
    #29
  30. gabswiss

    gabswiss Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry for stupid question but does the laptop need to be plugged in on the AC Adapter to use the NVidia gpu?
     
    gabswiss, Dec 10, 2014
    #30
  31. TheSandman2236

    TheSandman2236 Notebook Consultant

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    Nope! It will scale the nvidia card depending on how much performance you want. 30 FPS = More battery 60 FPS = More Performance
     
    TheSandman2236, Dec 10, 2014
    #31
  32. gabswiss

    gabswiss Notebook Consultant

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    Ah wow awesome, is this something new for this system or have I been out of the loop?


     
    gabswiss, Dec 10, 2014
    #32
  33. Toscan

    Toscan Notebook Enthusiast

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    Oke I think I will go for the AW 13 then. With the 1080 display doesnt make it text to small ? And how long could the battery last with only webbrowsing ?
     
    Toscan, Dec 10, 2014
    #33
  34. ninja2000

    ninja2000 Mash IT

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    Thanks mate,

    Planning on benching:
    BF4, Titanfall, Shogun 2, Red Orchestra 2, Arma 3
    Will leave it downloading the games tonight so I can give it a good run tomorrow.

    First impressions with it are positive:
    - no soft touch finish on sides or lid which is good as it wears easily on the 14/17/18
    - sides feel like magnesium
    - Keyboard feels solid, only a little bit of flex. Great to type on.
    - palm rest soft touch finish much more subtle than the 14/17/18. Hoping this will mean it will wear better.
    - IPS screen is great, only a small touch of IPS glow which is only noticeable on full brightness with black background
    - speakers are OK, really lack bass but I wasn't expecting anything special.
     
    ninja2000, Dec 10, 2014
    #34
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  35. craigery81

    craigery81 Notebook Evangelist

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    Can someone please test WoW or a MMO that will tax the cpu? I really need insight on the performance of the laptop on games that use at least 25% of the cpu.
     
    craigery81, Dec 10, 2014
    #35
  36. Docsteel

    Docsteel Vast Alien Conspiracy

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    Humorous, I took your advice, and they assigned some Care specialist... I kid you not, within 1 hour I suddenly got notified my unit had shipped and it is apparently heading out of Nashville, TN as we speak!!!

    It's now showing delivery tomorrow, yay! Thank heavens for the holiday return period!
     
    Docsteel, Dec 10, 2014
    #36
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  37. roar-k

    roar-k Newbie

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    ^ This

    I know I have already ordered, but it would be great to see!
     
    roar-k, Dec 10, 2014
    #37
  38. TheSandman2236

    TheSandman2236 Notebook Consultant

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    Why are you returning it?
     
    TheSandman2236, Dec 10, 2014
    #38
  39. raiden87

    raiden87 Notebook Evangelist

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    i will test wow right now. got my 13 today with ga and gtx980.
    I sadly noticed that there is no overclocking (cpu) for the aw13 :(
     
    raiden87, Dec 10, 2014
    #39
  40. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

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    Alienware 15.
     
    Game7a1, Dec 10, 2014
    #40
  41. AA9510

    AA9510 Notebook Guru

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    I'm now a little sad for my i7 purchase :( hopefully it's worth the wait
     
    AA9510, Dec 10, 2014
    #41
  42. Docsteel

    Docsteel Vast Alien Conspiracy

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    This is one possibility, but that might be a good excuse to move my M14x-R2; then use the AW 13 as my M11x replacement. Frankly, I am a big fan of small computers (I use my M11x-R3 literally an hour or more every day, my desktop for work and gaming some, my M14x for gaming on the road and work), so as long as it isn't too loud in gaming, it's a keeper. Right now as we get news my plans keep changing, I *might* take advantage of the long return period to "upgrade" to an i7 if the cost vs. performance warrants it and I can get a good deal. Otherwise, it's i5 until Silverlake baby!

    The videos you posted Sandman give me a lot of confidence I will be pleased with the setup, so the odds are very high I will stay with the i5-unit for at least a year or more.
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2014
    Docsteel, Dec 10, 2014
    #42
  43. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

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    Hey, you're getting it 2 to 3 weeks earlier than most people, including me. Be proud. Be happy.
    Then moan and sob.
     
    Game7a1, Dec 10, 2014
    #43
  44. raiden87

    raiden87 Notebook Evangelist

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    I got ~50 fps in Orgrimmar (WoW) with everything maxed + cmaa and 16x AF. But sadly OG wasnt very populated at this time :/ but its still a good sign.
    In LoL i got ~100 fps at maxed settings + aa
    Everything done without GA... I will test the GA tomorrow, going to bed now

    *EDIT*
    Couldnt resist :D but i got a wired problem: with GA i get less fps then without it. I think its starting the games with the intel GPU, but i cant force it to use the GTX980. Do i need to use the dell driver for the GTX980? Because i installed the official nvidia one
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2014
    raiden87, Dec 10, 2014
    #44
  45. CapitalPrince

    CapitalPrince Notebook Guru

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    wait, what is the return policy for the alienware/dell laptops? until 1/15/15?? any restocking fees and also do they pay for return shipping??
     
    CapitalPrince, Dec 10, 2014
    #45
  46. Docsteel

    Docsteel Vast Alien Conspiracy

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    Docsteel, Dec 10, 2014
    #46
  47. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

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    Did you force the laptop to use the GTX 980 through command center (I think the videos about the 13 showed an option to do so, but I am unsure now)?
    Have you updated the video drivers?
     
    Game7a1, Dec 10, 2014
    #47
  48. raiden87

    raiden87 Notebook Evangelist

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    i just tried it through the context menu (right click on exe - start with high performance gpu). Where can i force it in the Command Center?
     
    raiden87, Dec 10, 2014
    #48
  49. AA9510

    AA9510 Notebook Guru

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    Yeah atound 1/25 isn't so bad for the i7
     
    AA9510, Dec 10, 2014
    #49
  50. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

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    Updated my post. Now I am unsure if you can do that; however, I would monitor the performance of the GTX 980 to see if anything goes wrong with it.
     
    Game7a1, Dec 10, 2014
    #50
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