*OFFICIAL* Alienware 13 R3 Owner's Lounge

I have been looking for a decent, halfway portable (i.e., 15,x inch and 3kg max.) gaming laptop with bearable noise levels for a while now. The AW 13 R3 promises to be just what I want, and thanks to a 12% black friday discount that is valid til 28th, I am on the fence of ordering one.

However, I am torn between getting the version with OLED screen and the one with the FHD-IPS panel:

- QHD OLED, 512GB SSD is 2199€ incl. VAT (~2330$), 1935€ incl. VAT (~2049$) after rebate

- FHD IPS, 256GB SSD is 1849€ incl. VAT (~1958$), 1627€ incl. VAT (~1724$) after rebate

So for "only" 300€/325$ I could get the awesome OLED screen and double my SSD capacity (upgrading th FHD version to 512GB SSD via Dell store is a whooping 200€, which is outrageous considering that, e.g., a Samsung SSD PM961 512GB costs ~240€ retail).
While ~1600€ is already a lot of money, from a purely price/performance aspect, it seems going for the OLED version is a no-brainer, in particular since I would definitely have to get a secondary SSD for the FHD version anyway to put into second M2 slot, as the default 256GB is not even close to being enough for my usage scenarios (gaming of course, but also RAW image processing with Lightroom).
However, I am a bit worried about the long-term durability of the OLED screen. Since I will definitely not be getting a new laptop within 2 years like some of the rich folks in this forum do ;-), I am worried about burn-in and color shifting. I had two OLED devices so far, a Galaxy S2, which had severe burn-in (until I broke the screen and got it replaced ;-)) and a Galaxy S4, which after about three years of use is still much better than the S2 was after only two years, but shows traces of burn in of the browser address bar and a hint of a slight yellowish color cast.
I looked for complaints about burn in with the OLED version (the R2, having the same display, is out there for a while now, so if there is an obvious problem, some folks should have encountered it by now), but my googling turned up nothing.
I also can't seem to find any reviews of the FHD version's display.
Does anyone here in this forum have the FHD version and can find out the panel model?
If it is the same panel ("9T7WM-133HL", monitor ID SDC4848) used in the GTX960 version tested here
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Alienware-13-GTX-960M-Notebook-Review.142854.0.html
which scored really good as far as IPS panels go, I would probably be happy with it and go for the IPS model.

 

Honestly speaking—the OLED display is bragging rights and I feel it isn't worth the price increase. Furthermore, it actually uses more power, especially during light use, such as web browsing (web pages typically have white backgrounds - white on OLED uses waaay more power than on LCD). Not to mention that the resolution of the display is quite high for a 13.3" screen - Windows still doesn't have decent Hi-DPI scaling.

Third, the GTX 1060's sweet spot is at 1080p, and you'd lose unnecessary performance in trying to run games at 1440p, or upscale from 1080p, which is generally shied away from.

Consider speaking to Dell's representatives to purchase the model with the IPS display, but with an SSD capacity upgrade. I think they should be able to accommodate your request. Your battery, GPU and eyes will thank you for it.

If not, get a SATA M.2 SSD with the IPS option, your wallet will thank you too.

 

Exactly this well put, I would only add it will use a lot more power

QHD needs a 1070 not a 1060, if you call dell they will always do you a better than on the website even with Black Friday deals on.

I just called managed to get 14% instead of 12 an extra 8gb of ram, free copy of adobe elements and a free vindicator 2.0 messenger bag all thrown in

You don't ask you don't get, and for your needs then FHD is a sensible option, if u don't like they will always exchange it too.

 

Dunno why the price difference is. I'd pick the960 if I had a choice. But I bought my from the bay at the equivalent of $375 (£300) so for me it was a beggars can't be choosers option. Plus it's the most I've ever spent on an ssd topping the 250ish? On a Samsung pm841 msata I think


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You got a great rep right there.
Couldn't even get the neoprene bag chucked in........still with the 12% offer on, feel like I got a great spec for a price I'm happy with.
Cant wait for the 12th, back in the game.

With regards to the 1060 and QHD, my thinking was it'll play all the game I want it too with great fps and when the card ages we all have the option of the gpu amp and a new card.

I was gutted about no mxm this generation but with the gpu amp option I'm happy this isn't a problem for future upgrades.

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Are you worried about screen burn in?

 

Anil_L was the guy, didnt even ask for the bag or the adobe, at the end of the order he said do you want a bag for it? i was like not at those prices!, he laughed and said no mate have a bag free just pick one, i said why not! then i checked via the web page on what he had added i thought there must be some catch but no catch top guy.

then i saw he had added adobe elements free when i asked him he said i had to add it to enable me to give you the extra 2% on top of the 12, but i didnt have to charge you for it though, he wasnt totally perfect as it took him 7 hours to prcess the order meaning the original EDD slipped a couple days, i had to call in to remind him! but hey im not moaning.

I did say at the start of the call this was my 3rd attempt at new alienware i had to return an 17r4 and really wanted to stick with the brand and all that bull.... he said I'll do the best I'm allowed, cant fault that.

so ask for Anil_L

 

Not at all, I think oled has come a long way. None of my amoled phones have ever shown any signs of burn in over say 3 years.

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That's cool. Sounds like a great rep. Seems a lot better speaking to someone. I just went to live chat. They were extremely helpful but at the same time didn't quite know what builds or options were actually available. Still, got there in the end.

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While battery life is apparently a con for the OLED display at least for most usage scenarios, I certainly would love the OLED's huge color space (RAM image processing...).
But without a chance to actually see and both the IPS and the OLED with my own eyes, at least I won't know what I am missing, so... ;-)

So I should just open up a chat window and discuss my problem (insane price for the SSD upgrade) with them?

Well, by all account, there is no noticable difference between mSATA and PCIe for virtually all applications, and if I use the second SSD mainly for data and non-performance critical applications, I will probably be just fine.

At work I have developer workstation with a PCIe SSD (alas with software-based encryption on top... :-/), that thing is FAST, but it is hard to tell how much the PCIe SSD contributes to this impression.

 

ALWAYS do the deal through live chat.....

Even better call them mate you will save a packet, if you dont ask you wont get

even if u dont get exactly what you want i doesn't cost to try

 

Yeah I had Anil_L for my AW15 R3 purchase and he gave me 15% off with no questions - PM me and I will give you his extension to reach him directly through Dell if you like.

 

In regards to oled vs LCD there's no question where I'd put my money. Yeah you loose some battery performance but what you gain is a panel in a completely different league.

I can't understand one reason to choose a decade old technology over the future technology other than the price. And if the price is the issue I would save up some extra cash.

 

Cool, thanks but already purchased with the 12%.
Great saving that 15%... Very nice.

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Pretty much this!
Cant wait to get some gaming in on the OLED. Really looking forward to it!

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For plenty of people, price is an instant deal-breaker. Not everyone is made out of money. Speaking of old tech...

Hard disk drives are nearly half a century old at this point. Find me a 10 TB SSD at a price point of 10¢ per GB.

 

I totally agree, there's a price for everyone.
I'm usually mid range myself but with the discount available and the chance to get a quality oled screen to game on..... For me it was well worth it.
(if it was full RRP, I would have probably given it a pass and talked myself out of the need for portability and gone with the 15 and 120hz for same money)

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I'm curious:
- Has anyone in the US moved to "Sent" status with an OLED panel?
- For those of you that have it as "Sent" now (regardless of country), did you choose any customizations or did you go with one of the default configs? I'm wondering if my upgrades have come back to bite me

I'm pretty close to rage quitting and buying an Aorus X3, especially since it is now on sale for $1799 on Newegg.

 

My AW13 OLED, from US, is still not shipped. EDD range unchanged, ranging from this week to the beginning of next.

 

December 7. Not that bad I think, if I can trust that date...

 

Hi, could you send me the extension number for Anil_L? I'm looking at getting a AW 13 R3 with a few extra bits.

Many thanks in advance.

 

3406229

 

what country?
the guy helping me says he cant answer the phone till Tuesday because hes busy with cyber monday

 

UK
01344 3788887 ext 3406229

Good luck he's one of busy ones, they must work on commission he told me he was working Black Friday through Monday with hardly any sleep 18-20 hour shifts.

I called at 3 am UK time as I had just finished a late shift myself

 

Does anyone know if the Vindicator 13 sleeve fits the new AW13 r3? I bet the dimensions is off vs the r2... need some light protection and found it on sale for 35 dollar...

 

99% No i think it seems none of the older bags fit the newer models, thats why there are the "2.0" bags out

apparently the new 17 will fit in the old 18 vindicator rucksack, only just though

so i guessing but the new 13 probably goes in the older 15 bags and bigger

 

r2: Height: 0.94 – 1.339 in (23.9mm-34.0mm) │ width: 15.19 (358.8mm) │ depth: 10.64 in (270.2mm) │ Starting at weight: 7.07 Lbs. (3.207 Kg.)
r3: 1. Height: 0.92 inch (23.3mm) | 2. Width: 15.35 inches (390mm) | 3. Depth: 10.20 inches (259mm) | Average Weight: 5 lbs (2 kg)i

will def fit in the older 15 bags.


r2


r3

 

The dimensions from the site for the AW 13 R3 are wrong...

Here's the dimensions from the setup guide.

Height
Touch: 22 mm (0.87 in)
Non-touch: 24 mm (0.95 in)

Width
330 mm (13 in)

Depth
269 mm (10.60 in)

Weight
2.63 kg (5.80 lb)

 

hey still a 1lb less than last year.
thinking it wont be too hard to adjust to coming from a 15 inch, the 13 is relatively big

 

The Vindicator 2.0 bags are designed for last years models i believe, the internal dimensions for the 13 model come up too short...

13.1" x 9.25" x 1"

http://www.mobileedge.com/alienware-vindicator-2-0-neoprene-sleeve-13.html

 

I just tried to discuss the SSD upgrade with Dell Chat. The rep said, she couldn't offer any additional rebates due to the current 12% discount.
Well, even the 12% discount leaves 176€ to get a 512GB instead of a 256GB SSD. Considering that the retail price difference is usually somewhere between 80-120€ (depending on brand and model), I will not do this.
It is even funnier if you consider that taking the pre-configured OLED+512GB variant, it is 2199€ (plus 12% discount), if you take the FHD+256GB variant (1849€) and then change the SSD to 512GB and the display to the OLED version, you end up with 2299€!
So there is a 100€ price advantage taking the OLED variant.

 

It's not relatively big. It's not 390mm as you put in your dimensions. It's 330mm wide. It's not even close. That width you had was for the aw15. It was a mistake. They corrected it after. If they was both the same size I'd just go with the aw15 and 1070.


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What was your deal again. If it's worth it I might reorder again but keep the one that comes early till the better offer comes and then send the first one back.

P.s how many times does this make you ordering the aw13 now


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I got 14% with a bag and adobe elements thrown in.

I ordered a 15 6700/1070/FHD now just been lurking here see how people have got on and am still keen to see what they are like

I know its really embarrassing I've been like a weather vane changing direction every 5 minutes

I bought and am still using a really nice MSI gs63vr 15" with a 1060 and its made me realise 15 is the size for me but it only has a 67whr battery and it's poorly optimised runs flat in 2 hours just browsing and watching movies right on the limit of being a deal breaker for me.

I have until feb 17th to return it to amazon prime for full refund so i thought I'd try an AW 15 with the 99 battery and FHD for battery life, most people seem to be getting 5 hours out of those models

so it'll be the weight of the aw15 vs the poor battery on the msi that decides which one i keep.

so as long as the 13's dont turn out to be the perfect laptop then I'm nearly there!!

 

Don't waste your money on their cheap OEM ram and ssd's. Aftermarket upgrades are far better.

 

My order just switched to "in production"

I ordered on the 2nd delivery date is still the 6th of december.


US order.

Or maybe it always was? (probably this)

 

For me aw15 is my ONLY choice 15" laptop. No numpad. And 1070. 4K. For me easy choice. In a way wish I kept my order. Was same price as my aw13.


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Pulled the trigger :

AW13 R3 [i6700/OLED/512GB SSD/8GB@2400/Killer1535]
Subtotal: $1,739.49
Estimated Tax: $154.38

Total:
$1,893.87

wOOt

 

What model of SSD is actually used in the AW 13 R3? Since their webpage doesn't say, this will probably vary depending on price and availability, right?

My problem is that the ~1630€ (after rebate) for the FHD model with 256GB is already stretching my budget. If I have to buy another ~500GB SSD aftermarket, which will be around 240€ for a PCIe model, I end up at around ~1870€, which is just to close to the ~1935€ (after rebate) of the OLED model to be considered a good option.
Yes, I would have a total of ~750GB, not 512GB only as with the OLED, variant but I still cannot sell that to myself as a good idea... paying almost OLED model price and not getting the nifty display.
If I pick a 500GB mSATA instead (which go for around 160€), I would be at 1790€... still so close.

I guess I will simply NOT buy anything right now (hell, I have been shopping for a new gaming laptop for at least two years, I can go another half year without one).
Quad Core Kaby Lakes will be available by then, and the selection of laptop models to chose from can only get bigger (considering that Kaby Lake is a drop-in replacement for Skylake, so manufacturers can easily update their existing modesl, as can be seen already with the dual-core low-power Kaby Lakes).

 

I've always recommended purchasing the lowest storage and memory options available, as those are usually included in the base price. Aftermarket components are faster, more reliable, and offer you a much better price : performance ratio.

If you do wait, I would recommend buying the aftermarket parts now during Cyber Monday sales. There are great sales. For example, 16GB's of Kingston HyperX Impact DDR4 memory is $100 on Amazon (last time I checked). This is cheaper than upgrading on Alienware's site.

 

That's a nice system. But I noticed, from your signature, you have a Razer Blade. Sort of surprised you decided to upgrade. Is the 870M not performing adequately enough? Volta will be announced at the beginning of May at the GPU Technology Conference. By Fall 2017, we should see the new 11-series GPU's on the Volta architecture, performing about 30%-50% better than the Pascal 10-series.

 

this MSI is gonna be hard to part with, after a re paste and -0.155 undervolt CPU is maxing out at 68c, actually performs better when undervolted too.

hope the AW responds as well to undervolting no reason why it shouldn't same CPU and all...

 

Hey J,

Thanks. I actually sold my old Razer Blade about a year ago [for $1500, don't ask )]. The signature is now corrected.
As for the Volta - well, you know, its a never-ending race I suppose, just as with every other component.

Besides, I'm currently on a $99 Lenovo 100S.

 

Makes sense then! Hope you enjoy the AW 13... I wanted one pretty badly.

 

pascal laptop series is a big step. volta will be smaller. also, theres the alienware graphics amplifier if needed

 

Well, there is always more to expect than a GPU upgrade. The "R4" of the Alienware 13 will be out by then, too.

Batteries, screens, etc. all tend to improve with refreshes. I was just mentioning it because I assumed he had a gaming laptop already (from his signature).

 

I always believe less power draw equals better performance because it's when the psu is taking max power which causes throttling as it may need more.


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In my experience you are wrong on the PSU. Throttling comes from overheating pretty much always. If the PSU gets tapped out the system just shuts down. I ran into the 240W limit pretty hard when I was overclocking my QX9300 to 4.5 GHz in my M17x R1. And that was with the PSU in a chest freezer (along with the laptop) to help keep it cool and more efficient.

 

I thought that was part of the reason why it overheats because it can't give anymore power. Was several years ago I tried a larger than regular psu that came with the laptop. The power brick was cooler and the Tempe of the count was cooler. But I'd Did no over clock on it. I was wasting too much time. I spent way to much time undervolting and oc just to gain 3-5fps than actually playing the game.
Not sure how much gains are now though


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any uk orders shipped