*OFFICIAL* Alienware 15 R1/R2 Owner's Lounge

Porras any explaination for the cheapening out with the 180W PSU? Really now Dell can't afford 240W PSU? It makes them no different from Clevo with what they did with the P650SG/670SG..

 

owners where are your reviews? Im trying to see the how people like the 4k and 1080p screens.

 

The works is still pretty quiet no reviews no unboxings or anything yet so still a waiting game but the more I research the im turning myself off these don't seem to be a worthy upgrade

 

Yes, that's the wrong way to disable Optimus there is no switch for optimus you disable it by going into the bios and there is a setting to set the video to igpu/pcie setting this to pcie completely disables the integrated and runs 100% through the dedicated.. However the way gab systems are set up the dedicated is usually used as a slave and all video pass through is connected straight to the cpu and use the integrated ...

I could be wrong about all soldered systems using this type of tech but in all my previous systems that use components soldered directly to the motherboard this is how it goes down...

On a light note I never really had a problem with Optimus only ubbisoft games have problems with Optimus shockingly since they are the worst publishers in gaming outside of anything uplay related I never had any issues and it helps a lot with battery life

 

does malaysia can use? XD

 

I have been updating the OP with information as it is coming in. I've added an update log at the top so that people who have already read the post don't have to skim through the whole thing each time to find what has changed.

With all due respect to Mr. Fox in that older Alienware 17 thread, to comment on the items it has:
1) link to a review: when reviews trickle in, I plan to link to them in the OP;
2) tech specs: that can be found on the Alienware web site, so I instead created a list of confirmed (by users) part models (e.g. manufacturer of SSD, screen, etc);
3) useful teardown photos: if anyone has or finds a collection of teardown photos, I would be happy to include that in the resources section of the OP;
4) full part list: this is often included in service manuals (such as the list in the Y50 service manual). Unfortunately, this does not appear to be the case with the Alienware 15. If anyone does find a full part list (not tech specs), then that could be a good addition to the OP.

Just keep the solid info coming, and I'll try to do what I can to maintain the OP as a "living" resource

EDIT: A couple years ago I would have created a full on review of the Alienware 15 by now, like other reviews I have on YouTube, but I have too much on my plate right now to adequately put the laptop through its paces. Sorry to contribute to the anticipation. Please do keep asking questions, and I'll see what I can do to answer them.

 

I agree with Docsteel. BGA is seemingly inevitable at this point. I'm assuming Clevo will follow soon. Skylake is looking to be soldered as well. Intel loves BGA.

Luis is also a very cool Tech Support Agent. He has helped me a dozen times. Don't hesitate to ask him anything. But remember he's just an employee, lol. Don't flame him for Alienware's new "direction."

 

Does it run mine craft tho :thumbsup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiZvEkqDB4I&feature=youtu.be

 

hey dre did you go with uhd or 1080 and did u get the extended. Im tepted I got a tech willing to do 3 years total coverage for 350

 

I went with 1080p because even the GTX 980 (desktop card) struggles with 4k gaming. I don't want that stupid Graphics Amplifier, either. I just want a "mobile powerhouse." As for the warranty, you should get at least "2 Years of Enhanced Support" but I recommend more. See my post here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ranty-option-worth-getting-3.html#post9899642

That link should be of some help. :thumbsup:

 

Forgive me....I've never played Minecraft...but....30fps on a 980m is a major win?? I would have never guessed that game to be so graphically intensive? Or am I totally missing the point?

 

Maybe the question should be more like "who cares if it can run minecraft....." - I'd rather be locked in a room and be forced to pluck out my pubic hairs one by one with tweezers before resorting to playing minecraft......grab a console if you wanna play that crap

 

I don't believe so, no. It looks like only U.S. customers.

 

Yes please! Could anyone please answer if the M2 SSD drives are PCIe or only SATA?

 

I wasn't intending on commenting on the gameplay....rather the fact that something that superficially looks like an NES would so heavily tax such a powerful card?

 

cool, My laptop shipped today. i should have mines this friday.

 

Hi everyone. Do AW 15 has an HDMI input as well as AW 17? How about temps with this model?

 

Neither have it.

 

Woohoo.. my Alienware 15 shipped out today and I should get it next week!

 

I order my alienware 15 on Jan 16, with expected Delivery date of Feb 24th. i got a email today that says my laptop has been shipped out. I should have it tommorow

 

Too bad I just ordered mine day before yesterday!

 

I don't buy new tech very regularly and after a lot of research, I pulled the trigger on a base I7 $1499 Alienware 15! I've been a fan of Alienware for a long time but couldn't validate spending the premium until now where the performance and overall package and expandability truly provide a good value.

4710HQ
8GB
GTX 970 (295X didn't seem worth the extra $ - esp, considering the GA and the fact that the 970 is very fast)
1920x1080
1tb hd @ 5400rpm (...really Dell... 5400rpm...?)
USB OS key
Alienware Vindicator 15" Neoprene Sleeve (when released)

Honestly, I wish the 15 lost more weight and became thinner in a similar style to the MSI GS60 Ghost but considering I'll be using the machine for 3D modeling/rendering and some FPS gaming, the thicker chassis with a better heat management system should serve its purpose well and, all things considered, 7lbs for these specs is not bad at all (and is still better than my work Dell 6800M and gigantic psu). This laptop will be resting on the Cooler Master NotePal ErgoStand Lite to help with the heat and expand USB accessibility. Since I'll be working primarily from an external display,the onboard 4K screen didn't seem worth it to me as I'll be upgrading to a 4k external display when the refresh rates come up (if not before) as well as the fact that I hate glossy screens. I'll be upgrading the RAM and adding an SSD at some point in the future and depending on how much I get into gaming, the GA may even be in my future. Speaking of the GA, I am excited about the "overclocking" that happens to the CPU when the GA is plugged in... how much does it overclock the laptop (this could come in handy during long renders)?

In a perfect world...

Styling: Well..., they do what they do and this iteration is one of the more subtle versions that I've seen which helped me make the purchase. I personally would prefer an almost-stealth type of slab that is particularly understated visually and aesthetically but that's just me.

RAM: would lbe nice to be able to expand to 32+gb as my model sizes increase
HD: a 7200rpm drive seems minimal and expanded cache nearly a requirement but you can't really argue with 1tb of capacity
Display: Why couldn't the 4k panel be offered as a matte finish?
Keyboard: 15.6" isn't a small machine and since I'll be doing some work with this rig, a full numeric keypad would have been sweet (but would have thrown off the appealing symmetry of the layout)
Thickness: Would have been great to have a thinner and lighter A15... but as I already mentioned, if thickness helps with heat and overall durability, I'll suck it up.

I opened a Dell Preferred account and they mailed me a coupon 2 weeks later for 10% off of all new desktops and laptops (thanks Dell)... I nearly bought the newly redesigned and wicked Area-51 but wanted the portability.

All in all, I haven't been this excited about a tech purchase in a long, long time. I hope it lives up to my expectations and I'll post benchmarks as I'm able.

Ordered 1/20 - delivery expected 2/5

 

Wait, are you saying that AW 17 R2 does not support HDMI in anymore? That was one of the best features over any gaming laptop out there

 

Has anyone discovered the make/model of the 128GB SSD?

 

Okay, so I got my 15 today... But it's having MAJOR issues... I did a clean install on an SSD which I am happy to report it took just fine but I cannot get the Nvidia drivers to install at all. Guess what, Dell's driver page had the nvidia drivers for the 13...winners. Anyway my MAJOR issue is I have a bad fan. Sounds like a bearing issue, it even vibrates the palm rest. Not happy, going to try and get and RMA tomorrow since I have the Dell RMA center on speed dial from my Alienware 13 issues...Just a really bad time. Otherwise the lappy is nice, very premium feel. One note though, the keyboard is off center, its really going to take some getting used to.

 

I'm 99% sure it doesn't anymore. You may want to get confirmation from someone else on that though. It definitely would have been nice to have.

 

Come on I know some people got there's waiting to see pictures and reviews

 

I'll try to have mine up by tomorrow night.

 

Keep us in the loop, also you are pretty close to me so how long did it take from order to ship out?

 

Dang. Good luck with the drivers and RMA. Keep us posted.

 

just curious, how useful is HDMI in?

youd surely want to watch on a bigger screen right?

 

can you give a sneak peak please!!!!. Like what screen did you get are, you happy with it. Is there a boarder around it. did you get a warranty. come on red just a peak

 

my order has been reset

Ive been waiting for a week and the status was stuck at "order received"

after i checked with them the sales agent gave me a call saying there was a problem with the initial order
she cancelled the previous order and gave me a new order number

now its back to square 1 - can the alienware rep here tell what happend?

 

haha I would but I still haven't gotten to open it yet! I got the 1080p screen and no extra warranty. I'll let you know what I think about the screen as soon as I get to it.

 

yea im about to order but I am waiting on screen, cause Im getting the amp. Also trying to see on warranty I got them at 400 for 4 years with accidental.

 

If you've got the money for the warranty then go for it.

My MacBook died after 3 1/2 years (no warranty would have covered that) and replacement of all faulty components in the system cost a flat rate of about $320 (for me that included the motherboard with a soldered CPU and GPU, Wi-Fi card, and some internal cables); that's why I didn't go for a warranty this time either. I'm hoping Dell has a similar program, and if it lasts as long as the MacBook I'll be happy.

Honestly I'm surprised the MacBook didn't die sooner because that CPU was always sitting at 99 degrees Celsius when playing games.

 

I got Dell to setup a replacement, 7-10 days which sucks but they offered a small credit for the inconvenience. I was also told that there is only one Nvidia Driver that works with the 970m and that is Nvidia 344.73. They don't even have it listed on their driver site because " The laptop wasn't supposed to get to the customers before Feburary" so they haven't updated it with everything. Sounds like a bearing issue in the fan but definitely there. Has anyone started an Alienware 15 troubleshooting/problems page?

 

Yea mainly Im trying to see what you think of the 1080p when you open it. I want the 4k cause of the amp but man if the 1080 is nice I will save the money. Come on red open that baby lol, if your at work go home and play it

 

its the best feature of my aw 18, the ability to plus in a ps3/ps4 to your laptop is god like

 

:hi2:Hello All,
I have started this thread for all of you eager Alienware 15 2015 owners. I have recently received my 15 and had issues that required an RMA, I wanted to create a place where we can gather and share information about our new machines!

 

NM, I created a new thread for all things Alienware 15 2015 Heres the link: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/769849-alienware-15-2015-owners-questions-hardware-troubleshooting.html

 

guys so the aw 15
get any m2 ssd also can
no problem right ?

 

Tell me more about it please.

I only can find a coupon with 100$ off.

Can it use together with your coupon?

Thanks

 

I got Dell to setup a replacement or RMA for my 15. They quoted 7-10 days which sucks but they offered a small credit for the inconvenience. I was also told that there is only one Nvidia Driver that works with the 970m and thats Nvidia 344.73. They don't have it listed on their driver site for anyone doing a clean OS install so you'll have to go to Nvidia for it. The RMA is for a faulty right rear fan, it sounds like a bearing issue and its driving me nuts.

 

Can someome provide me some info about the Screem quality??

Because I saw on Dell website it said Anti glare. I used a vaio pro once with touch screen and it so glossy as hell i can barely see anything.

 

Well, I Ordered Today. Estimated Delivery Date 02/102015

 

Hey guys, how easy is to upgrade the hard drive on this bad boy? RAM upgradability? Temps?

One of the things I loved about my M15X was how easy it was to upgrade the components.

 

guys i not sure the m2 ssd stuff
is this all below is m2 ssd?
samsung 250GB : mSATA : MZ-MTE250BW
CRUCIAL M550 mSATA III SSD 256gb
CRUCIAL mSATA III SSD 6Gb/s 240gb
plextor M.2 2280 256GB N/B
which better?

 

plextor m6e M2 should be faster

 

Can't stack coupons. But you can configure a system through the Dell University pages and they will have about $100 off the regular prices already.