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

It's the 2016 version (refreshed one).

 

Thanks, Game7a1. Just debating between this, the P650SE and the GS40.

Can anyone comment on the average battery life just web surfing with a little YouTube with the 965M 13? Thanks.

 

Can't speak for the 965m battery life, but I've been getting an average of 7 hours Chrome browsing on the 960m/i7 variant. So I'd assume you'll get a bit less than that.

 

Any updates on the OLED screen...they been teasing it since Jan.

 

There is a new teaser on Youtube from Computex 2016


Sadly in silver this time.. but a real product is better than nothing

 

They had a demo @ CES...6 months later a demo @ Computex...just curious whats taking so long..its just a display not a new platform.

 

Alienware has always been slow to release new technology and updates. Usually lag behind other company new tech release by a few months.

 

Yea looking to get a 13" to hold me over til the P870 refresh, I'm assuming something is up with the panel since HP or Lenovo have not released their 13" OLED displays either (I am guessing its the same panel).

 

I know it is a bit early, but any thoughts on the upcoming OLED versus the QHD+ screen? I'm considering getting an AW13 (alternative is a Razer Blade Stealth...), and here in Sweden the configuration options are limited. 965m and QHD+ are only available in the top end version. Given this I would not rule out that once the OLED screen appears, it will become the sole choice for the top end version, pushing the QHD+ to the cheaper variants with the 960m. That is fine if the OLED is a good choice, but a problem otherwise.

 

I think I read somewhere that QHD will stay as top end since it has higher resolution.. but still it is vaporware .. I am sitting on my hands aswell.. I want a good screen with the gtx 965, but at the same time see no need for that QHD screen.

So my hope is that we get +100mhz cpu (i7 6600U), oled screen, gtx 965 and 16 gb ram at the same price as the top end is now..

But I guess it is more likely we wont see anything before Christmas since that is the normal refresh time..

 

Apparently you can at least order the OLED-version in the US: AW 13 R2 B
"Ships in 42–46 business days", as of today... :/

Same CPU and GPU as before, though, and I cannot spot any other differences either.

 

Interesting, it has touch. I thought it was advertised to not have touch.

 

Agent: "hi, I hope you're doing great "

jason : "it says alienware 13 oled screen model will ship in 46 days?"

Agent : "Glad you chatted in today. I'll be happy to assist you."

Agent: "Give me couple of mins to check on the package."

jason: "k"

jason: " http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-13-r2-b/pd"

jason: "model on far right"

Agent: "I got it. The package is actually like a pre order. It will not ship until Aug 16, 2016."

 

Hey guys,

Having an odd issue with my AW 13, specifically with the Caps Lock LED. There seem to be times where the LED simply refuses to light up until I press the Caps lock key several times over. Seems to be some kind of software glitch, because oddly enough when I'm in a word processor or typing a longer comment (like this post, for instance) it works completely fine. But other times when I'm entering passwords in Chrome, the indicator simply refuses to light up. Anyone else having this issue?

Also, another windows 10 specific issue that I simply haven't been able to solve is that a lot of times when the machine wakes from sleep, the keyboard repeat rate is reset (very slow), and I have to go into keyboard settings (where the GUI clearly shows the same settings as I have set, but doesn't register those settings until I move the slider back, move it forward, and click apply). Minor glitches, but really, really annoying. Wondering if anyone else is experiencing these issues and/or has a solution.

Thanks!

 

That's not a W10 issue, but a general problem with the laptop. I forget who, but someone made a string of code in command prompt that upon waking up, the keyboard repeat rate refreshes to the maximum to circumvent/avoiding the problem.

 

I see. Well, looks like that's the only way around it then. I've scheduled a batch file and VBS script combo to run on wake/log-on without a command prompt window. So that's sorted it out.

Do you have the issue with your caps lock indicator too? Or does anybody? That's annoying the hell out of me

 

https://na.alienwarearena.com/news/how-to-take-care-of-your-oled-screen
Well this is interesting.

 

Now its gone, at least for me

 

It shows up for me sometimes, sometimes it is gone again. No idea what is going on with their site. Anyway, here is what it says:

Previewed five months ago at CES, the Alienware 13 is the world’s first gaming notebook to offer revolutionary OLED display technology designed in partnership with Samsung. More consumers are embracing OLED graphics in televisions and smartphones, with self-lighting pixels that can switch off completely to achieve perfect black for significantly higher contrast. How much higher? The Alienware 13 OLED’s touchscreen display offers an astronomical contrast ratio of 100,000:1, also delivering better color saturation. With the fastest response time on an Alienware notebook, typically 1ms, gamers get a display performance experience never before possible on an LCD.


OLED is a brand new technology so here are the recommendations for users to take care of their OLED screen:

1. Use a low contrast Alienware wallpaper, preferably use the one loaded in the system
2. If using a different wallpaper than the original one try to change your wallpaper often, every couple of weeks
3. Set display off timer to less than 15 minutes if possible for both AC and DC or use the per-loaded OLED profile
4. Use transparency effect for taskbar
5. If possible add a screensaver
6. Set screen brightness at 75% or less with A/C on
7. Set screen brightness to 50% or less with battery

Sounds like a hassle, to be honest - not sure I would trust that technology at this point. Then again, reviewers are raving about the image quality compared to conventional screens. Hard to decide.

Edited to add: Ah, I now see why it only showed up sometimes for me. The link goes to the American site na.alienwarearena.com, but due to my location it will auto-redirect me to the EU version eu.alienwarearena.com, which does not yet have that article. When I instead copy&pasted the link into the address bar, this apparently forced the browser to the American site, skipping the redirect. So to others, make sure you have the "na." in front to get the proper page.

 

This is what I did for the annoying indicator lights that can't be turned off using the lighting utility. If they don't work properly, I won't notice. I don't need them anyway.
I wish they allowed the power button light to be turned off, and I wish they had put it on the side of the laptop so I could use it with the lid closed while connected to the graphics amp.
Next time I have it open, I'll consider disconnecting the lights from power.

 

Sounds like a PITA.

 

http://hothardware.com/news/alienware-13-with-oled-video-preview
A first impression of the OLED screen.

 

That OLED screen and those who preorder it are going to fill the forum with new posts. Be prepared for mass posts regarding burn-in, uneven colors and light leakage.

 

Light leakage on OLED lol ? yea i am curious about burn-in and colors as well, currently have an LG OLED that i have had zero issues with but curious if this laptop (or others) will have the same reliability or performance.

 

LG has supposedly solved (or at least greatly ameliorated) the problems of OLED using its proprietary Kodak-based technology and other tricks. Might be marketing BS, but the press seems to buy it. The panel in the AW13 on the other hand is Samsung, and that how-to list does not read like there is no reason to worry. :/

 

Hello,
the Alienware 13 r2 and the 13 r2 2016 OLED share the same hardware modularity? I mean, if I get the new OLED version, what can I update by myself and which brand/model you suggest?
If I don't go wrong, I can change the 2 storage unit (PCI and M2), WiFi Module, RAM and... GPU? CPU?


Thanks!

 

As far as I know, CPU and GPU are soldered to the mainboard. so no upgrading there.

RAM and WIFI can be upgraded.

Harddrives can be upgraded, but there is a different bracket in units born with Sata vs M2 drives. So either you have one traditional drive, or two spots for the newer M2 drives.

 

Exactly

 

Do you guys have to wait 2 weeks to receive an order from dell?.. after 5 days, mine has not even gone into production.

 

Doesn't look like these will ship for another 3 weeks or so, multiple reps have referenced "pre-order" when speaking to them.

 

Yeah, but my order is without OLED, it is not even an option here in Denmark yet.

 

I just ordered a 13 r2 and want to know a few things about the machine that I couldn't find on google.
1) some people say that if u unplug the amp while the laptop is on, then the laptop will freeze. Is that still the case?
2) can anyone confirm if there is a sata hdd connect AND a m.2 pcie slot inside? Or just one depending on the model?

Any help aporeciated! Thx in advance everyone!

 

1. If by amp you mean battery charger, no

2. The Alienware 13 either comes with a 2.5 inch drive, or a really simple PCB in place of that 2.5 inch drive, that has 2 M.2 slots. So if you have a 2.5 inch hard drive in your AW13, it will not fit a M.2 SSD. If you have the M.2 SSD board, you can have up to two(I do). There is no way to fit both a M.2 SSD and a 2.5 Inch drive in the AW13

However, M.2 speeds are bottlenecked by the SATA controller, which is SATA3. So really, its smarter to just go with the 2.5 inch drive option and put a SSD in, as it'd be cheaper than buying a M.2 SSD which is sought after for its speeds that youll never really see beyond 500MB/s~

But the difference in price between M.2 drives and 2.5 inch SSD's is like 10 - 20 dollars, so it really shouldnt be a deal breaker which option the laptop has.

 

Damn, was hoping I could fit a m.2 and a regular 2.5mm. Oh well, it was hopeful thinking anyway. Thanks a lot for the info!

 

Not arguing, genuinely asking. When you spec the 13 on AW's site, it specifically lists the m.2 option as PCIe... So shouldn't it be able to greatly exceed SATA3 limitations?

I wanted to RAID0 two 950 Pros, as they're NVME and would be fast as hell. You're certain that would be for naught?

 

https://www.manualowl.com/m/Dell/Alienware-13-R2/Manual/458665

Spec sheet on page 14 says "Two M.2 PCIe/SATA drives."

 

I have the same issue with my CAPS Lock LED. I'm dealing with it but don't want anyone working on my laptop so I will prob just tell them to send me a new keyboard/led. Last time someone worked on my laptop, the Alienware LED on the bottom of the screen now lights up the screen while the screen is sleeping and bleeds out of the case. I'd say call and request a part to be sent to you. Trust me.

 

Same here. The Dell support told me they were out of some part in the factory and waiting for a new batch to come in.

 

picked up a 2014 alienware 13 r1 for dirt cheap for my son on ebay. wondering if the tn panel can be upgraded to an FHD IPS? guessing its not likely. searched this forum but haven't seen any help on this. appreciate it

 

The panel can be swapped with a FHD panel. There are a couple on sale on ebay, but they're close to $100.

 

Anyone know the part number for the 2.5 inch hard drive adapter for the r2? Mine came with the m.2 adapter and want to install a 2.5 drive.

Thanks!

 

Hey. Looking for some quick advice. Looking to buying a graphics amp. Does anyone have a reference design 980 gtx. And how do games perform for you.
I was looking at a twin fan Asus 980, but I don't believe they fit?

 

I do, but I haven't done extensive testing with it. It does perform better than my GTX 960 from the quick tests I have done.

 

Think I may just wait on the 1060 that is meant to be announced

Just for information.
If you wanted to play Doom* on high settings and 60fps, what type of card would you need, knowing there is only a dual core I7 in the 13


*I use Doom as the example. Assuming if I can get a card to run that at 1080p, 60fps and great graphics quality, it'll likely run most games due out this year

 

Think I may just wait on the 1060 that is meant to be announced

Just for information.
If you wanted to play Doom* on high settings and 60fps, what type of card would you need, knowing there is only a dual core I7 in the 13

And also. What the are the max size a graphic card can be to fit in the amplifier?


*I use Doom as the example. Assuming if I can get a card to run that at 1080p, 60fps and great graphics quality, it'll likely run most games due out this year

 

Does anyone know if the AW 13 (current gen) supports DDR4 Ram? According to intel the i7 6500u cpu does, but I am wondering if dell's motherboard needs to as well?

 

It's ddr3

 

I would also like to know this. If anyone has a sec to open up their 13 R2 and snap a photo of the SSD cable part number area it would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

Hello friends, I am buying Alienware 13 r2(6500u).
I would like to know things that I need to be careful about while using the laptop and also any tweaks n tricks.
Also, suggest some accessories that will help me with the laptops usage.