Add WirelessHD (WiHD) later?

Hi guys, I have asked this question in 2 other threads but have yet to receive an answer.

I was wondering if it's possible to add WirelessHD at a later date to the M14x.

In most countries other than America, it appears that WirelessHD is not provided as an option and cannot be added to the system.

If this can be added at a later date by acquiring the card and antenna cable, that would be ok.

After having conducted a search on the topic, I found this thread on the M17x forum:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/571384-so-where-wireless-hd.html

It appears new M17x r3 owners are unable to add WirelessHD later themselves due to the motherboard shipping with their machines not supporting it. Many r3 owners were given the impression that it could be added later by purchasing the part, so they went ahead and purchased their r3's with intent to add the feature later to save having to wait to buy their machine. Now reps are saying that it will not be possible due to the mobo difference in their machines.

This worries me, because if the M17x r3 mobo doesn't support adding the feature later, I wonder if this is the case for the M14x. With any luck the mobo in models with and without WiHD are identical, but who knows.

At present I am really trying to avoid getting the M14x through a freight forwarder just to get the feature as my config isn't much more expensive locally.

I'm not very tech savvy so would greatly appreciate any comment as to whether the adding of WirelessHD later is possible.

 

Your best bet is getting ahold of these guys. They could answer those questions and you could also order the M14x you want and they will ship all over the globe. You might even get a better price.

hidevolution.com - Alienware M14x Custom Built to Order

 

Hi revdiesel, thanks heaps for your response.

I have looked at the hidevolution option which is actually the thing I'm trying to avoid. I haven't used them before but I've heard both good and bad stories.

My build through them isn't that much cheaper and this includes halving system ram, choosing a smaller hard drive and having a lesser warranty to keep the price down. Seems like a bit of a compromise and an awful lot of trouble to obtain that single feature, which is why I was hoping its possible to add it later.

 

i also want to do the same thing... I will try and speak to a rep today, because wireless HD is very important to me

 

Just make sure they don't confuse WiHD for WiDi like the rep I talked to did.

I'd be interested in knowing if they can add the option from their end for you. Considering all the pc's come from the same place, surely this is possible.

 

yeah and if not surely they can ship just the Wireless hardware from dell US to me or to where ever the UK manufacture there laptops

 

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Exit
12:06:31 System
You are now being connected to an agent. Thank you for using Dell Chat
12:06:31 System
Connected with Marlon B
12:06:36 Marlon B
Welcome to Dell US Chat! My name is Marlon B, and I will be your Dell.com Chat Expert. I can be reached at [email protected] or via voicemail at 1-800-379-3355 Ext-2160085. Hi there, how are you doing today?
12:06:41 Marlon B
Hi Jon
12:06:48 Jon
Hello marlon
12:06:54 Jon
i have a quick question for you
12:07:01 Marlon B
Glad that you chatted in today, I'll be more than willing to assist you.
12:07:14 Jon
its about the wireless HD for the m14x
12:07:39 Jon
It is not available to us here in the UK and i was just going to ask 2 quick questions
12:07:57 Jon
is the wireless HD something that i can install my self ?
12:08:25 Jon
and is it possible to just buy the wireless HD and have it shipped to dell in the UK ?
12:08:35 Marlon B
Let me check
12:08:42 Jon
Just try to find a way that i can get this option in the UK
12:09:16 Jon
Internal 60GHz WirelessHD Transmitter and VIZIO XWH200 Universal Wireless HD Video and Audio Kit
12:09:24 Jon
That is the item if it helps
12:10:56 Marlon B
Thanks for waiting, the wireless HD is only available at point of sale. You have reached Dell US Sales and we cannot be able to ship overseas.
12:11:49 Jon
ok do you know the name of teh wireless Transmitter that you use ?
12:12:26 Marlon B
Intel Centrino wireless card
12:12:55 Jon
Intel Centrino wireless card is the Internal 60GHz WirelessHD Transmitter ?
12:14:06 Marlon B
yes Intel cards are usually used.
12:14:25 Jon
do you have a part number or anything for me ?
12:14:37 Jon
be very helpfull if you do
12:16:46 Marlon B
let me double check
12:16:58 Jon
ok thanks
12:20:26 Marlon B
Thanks for waiting, it seems that the Wireless HD can only be selected in the configuration.
12:20:51 Jon
so theres no part number or name for this chip
12:20:52 Marlon B
there is no separate part number for it
12:21:13 Jon
so theres no way for me to find out what this chip is and buy it online else where ?
12:21:51 Marlon B
Im afraid there is no available external part for the system
12:22:21 Jon
not as an external part, i know theres a guide online to remove this chip
12:22:37 Jon
so if i could just find out where to obtain one i could install it myself
12:23:46 Marlon B
the part is only available on the configuration page of M14x
12:24:05 Jon
right ok
12:24:09 Jon
thanks for the help
12:24:14 Jon
have a good day

 

04/23/2011 11:37:35AM URL Shown: "https://chatadengine.dell.com/chatadsengine/adengine/Default.aspx?Queue=fa4ed55a-b5ad-4da2-8919-5c2bc1b3f166"
04/23/2011 11:37:40AM Session Started with Agent (Ram_Swaroop)
04/23/2011 11:37:40AM Jon: " Momentus XT //// Wireless HD"
04/23/2011 11:37:45AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "Welcome to Consumer Chat Sales, This is GS Swarup, your Sales Advisor. My email address is [email protected]. Hope you are doing Well."
04/23/2011 11:38:04AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "."
04/23/2011 11:38:06AM Jon: "Hello"
04/23/2011 11:38:08AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "There are a few instances where chats get disconnected (we don't disconnect you on purpose),just in case this happens Can I have your contact number to get back to you or alternatively please email me or come back on chat ask for GS Swarup"
04/23/2011 11:38:10AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "."
04/23/2011 11:38:14AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "How may I help you"
04/23/2011 11:38:14AM Jon: "I have a few questions"
04/23/2011 11:38:32AM Jon: "but i dont know if its better to speak to a rep on the phone or if you can help me"
04/23/2011 11:38:47AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "what is your query"
04/23/2011 11:39:15AM Jon: "basically i have phoned up a rep before when i was going to order another laptop"
04/23/2011 11:39:29AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "ok"
04/23/2011 11:39:39AM Jon: "and he allowed me to choose a hard drive that wasnt on the internet"
04/23/2011 11:39:46AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "ok"
04/23/2011 11:39:50AM Jon: "it was the momentus XT hybrid hard drive"
04/23/2011 11:40:00AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "ok"
04/23/2011 11:40:03AM Jon: "and i was wondering if you would allow me to do this on the m14x"
04/23/2011 11:40:31AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "do you know the part number"
04/23/2011 11:40:45AM Jon: "just a second i will try and find it"
04/23/2011 11:41:51AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "ok"
04/23/2011 11:42:07AM Jon: "ok i cant find a part number any where"
04/23/2011 11:42:08AM Jon: "but"
04/23/2011 11:42:23AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "ok"
04/23/2011 11:42:27AM Jon: "if you customise any other alienware laptop you will see 500GB Momentus XT Solid State Hybrid Drive [Included in Price]"
04/23/2011 11:44:36AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "ok"
04/23/2011 11:44:43AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "do you have the link"
04/23/2011 11:45:07AM Jon: "heres a link to the m17x"
04/23/2011 11:45:08AM Jon: "http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=n00w7x01&c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&model_id=alienware-m17x"
04/23/2011 11:45:23AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "ok"
04/23/2011 11:45:24AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "let me check"
04/23/2011 11:47:00AM Jon: "thanks, the reason i really want this is because its only a £55 difference between that and the standard 500 GB hard drive... and if i can not get the Momentus XT hard drive it would mean i would just have to remove the hard drive myself when i get the la"
&nbsp ptop and buy anotehr hard drive online, which would cost alot of money
04/23/2011 11:48:57AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "you can opt for"
04/23/2011 11:48:59AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "500GB Momentus XT Solid State Hybrid Drive [add £155.00"
04/23/2011 11:49:04AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "on the given link"
04/23/2011 11:50:04AM Jon: "yeah i ment price differnce between a standard 500 GB and a momentus 500 GB "
04/23/2011 11:52:00AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "let me check"
04/23/2011 11:52:19AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "standard one is"
04/23/2011 11:52:23AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "500GB (7,200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive [add £100"
04/23/2011 11:52:56AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "and by going for momentus"
04/23/2011 11:52:57AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "is"
04/23/2011 11:53:00AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "500GB Momentus XT Solid State Hybrid Drive [add £55.00"
04/23/2011 11:53:10AM Jon: "yes"
04/23/2011 11:53:25AM Jon: "But would you allow me to have this on the M14x ?"
04/23/2011 11:53:44AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "let me check"
04/23/2011 11:53:57AM Jon: "thank you"
04/23/2011 11:54:09AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "are you placing the order today"
04/23/2011 11:54:24AM Jon: "possibly"
04/23/2011 11:54:39AM Jon: "i just need to know what my options are first"
04/23/2011 11:56:05AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "we do not have this option for M14x"
04/23/2011 11:56:32AM Jon: "yeah they dont have it online"
04/23/2011 11:56:43AM Jon: "but i was wondering if i was to pay a premium for it"
04/23/2011 11:56:45AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "even offline we are not providing for M14x"
04/23/2011 11:56:55AM Jon: "ok"
04/23/2011 11:57:11AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "Is there anything else I may assist you with today?"
04/23/2011 11:57:17AM Jon: "is it possible for you to sell me the M14x with out a hard drive ?"
04/23/2011 11:57:37AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "we do not sell any computers without HD"
04/23/2011 11:57:51AM Jon: "right ok"
04/23/2011 11:58:02AM Jon: "1 last question regarding wireless HD"
04/23/2011 11:58:04AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "ok"
04/23/2011 11:58:09AM Jon: "can i send you a link ?"
04/23/2011 11:58:23AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "ok"
04/23/2011 11:58:52AM Jon: "http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dkcwbr1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&model_id=alienware-m14x"
04/23/2011 11:59:11AM Jon: "Ok if you go to the wireless HD tab on this link"
04/23/2011 11:59:55AM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "ok"
04/23/2011 12:00:09PM Jon: "Right so this is a mjor feature i would liek on my M14x"
04/23/2011 12:00:19PM Jon: "but it doesnt seem i can get this in the UK"
04/23/2011 12:00:30PM Jon: "or can you ?"
04/23/2011 12:00:39PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "are you looking for this"
04/23/2011 12:00:41PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "Internal 60GHz WirelessHD Transmitter"
04/23/2011 12:00:49PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "or"
04/23/2011 12:00:54PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "Internal 60GHz WirelessHD Transmitter and VIZIO XWH200 Universal Wireless HD Video and Audio Kit"
04/23/2011 12:01:00PM Jon: "yes"
04/23/2011 12:01:02PM Jon: "or Internal 60GHz WirelessHD Transmitter and VIZIO XWH200 Universal Wireless HD Video and Audio Kit"
04/23/2011 12:01:09PM Jon: "yeah sorry"
04/23/2011 12:01:12PM Jon: "thats the one"
04/23/2011 12:01:19PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "ok"
04/23/2011 12:01:20PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "let me check"
04/23/2011 12:02:11PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "as of now we do have not launched this part yet in UK"
04/23/2011 12:02:37PM Jon: "ok right, can i install this into my lapto myself ?"
04/23/2011 12:02:44PM Jon: "laptop *"
04/23/2011 12:02:53PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "this needs to be purchased in the beginning only"
04/23/2011 12:03:28PM Jon: "Ok , well to me it seems that the UK will never get this option"
04/23/2011 12:03:40PM Jon: "so is there anyway to get this"
04/23/2011 12:03:51PM Jon: "can i order it in from your US company"
04/23/2011 12:03:59PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "you can contact Dell U.S."
04/23/2011 12:04:21PM Jon: "because your one big company i should think you can transfer part between your selves"
04/23/2011 12:04:35PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "we do not have this option"
04/23/2011 12:04:40PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "either buy in UK or U.S."
04/23/2011 12:05:03PM Jon: "right ok"
04/23/2011 12:05:08PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "ok"
04/23/2011 12:05:11PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "Is there anything else I may assist you with today?"
04/23/2011 12:05:14PM Jon: "well thanks for the help anyway"
04/23/2011 12:05:25PM Jon: "no thats it thank you"
04/23/2011 12:05:31PM Jon: "bye"
04/23/2011 12:05:34PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "Bye"
04/23/2011 12:05:38PM Agent (Ram_Swaroop): "Thank you for contacting Dell Sales Chat and allowing me the opportunity to assist you. Have a wonderful Day ahead."
04/23/2011 12:05:39PM Session Ended

 

Bummer. It's sounding more and more like there is only one way to get this feature and that's from the USA.

 

im gonna try and buy one from someone in the US, if there kind enough

 

Why not just use MyUS?

 

You would have a US keyboard though

 

eBay. That's what I'll be doing anyway.

It might take a week or two for them to appear, but provided you're not looking at ordering one now, it's probably the easiest option. It'd give you the WirelessHD that you want as well.

 

Has anyone used this company before ? Worth trusting with 1k + pounds :S

 

I've used them for a few smaller things - computer components mostly - and they've been fine.

I know the OP of the "Ordering from Dell US" thread also used them.

 

So which out of the two would you use ?

 

Which two?

 

Never mind lol... Miss understanding

 

What I understand about the wireless HD streaming is that, if we do not order when config. we won't have the internal transmiter but we still can buy the Vizio hardware appart and have contents streamed throught it, isn't it right?

 

yes thats correct, you MUST HAVE THE TRANSMITTER IN YOUR LAPTOP FROM CONFIGURATION

 

Only if you want to have an internal transmitter and transmit wherever you are…. But if you buy the Vizio hardware (from Amazon let’s say) it comes with a transmitter (which connects through HDMI) and a receiver, so there is no need to have the internal since you can have the external to make the same job, am I correct?

 

From what I've read, it looks like you will want to have that $99 internal WirelessHD card. The Vizio kit has a transmitter and receiver, but you are probably not going to want to plug your small laptop into a bulky transmitter. It should work, but it kind of halfway defeats the purpose of the whole thing. There are also other third party manufacturers making WirelessHD receivers, so you can likely just buy a receiver by itself for less $.