Alienware 17 Pre-order Configuration Questions and Order Status Discussion - Part 5

For that price get them to add an SSD. You're going to love that setup :thumbsup:

 

The options for 250 ssd w/1tb is costing 300$ (

 

1Coop, did you get your baby yet?

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Hell ya. Had to wait a day till my SSD got delivered . Got it installed also swapped in a 750 hdd in the second bay . Think I pretty much have my software sorted now. Have all my Steam games downloaded .

I'm amazed at how fast this boots up with the SSD.

 

No joke bro, thing boots up insanely fast! Glad you got it!

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Would you mind sharing which you got and what pride? Is it fairly simple to swap out?

 

Here you go . http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Elect...qid=1394125860&sr=1-1&keywords=500gb+sata+iii. Wasn't to bad. Make sure to go into bios after you swap the drive and set it to AHCI Mode . I followed some of this guide . The SSD Optimization Guide Ultimate Windows 8 (And Win7) Edition | The SSD Review . The biggest issue I had was getting the WIFI working . The drivers on the disk supplied didn't work . Make sure you download the latest from the support page .

 

Sweeet!! So I just ordered my spaceship!
M17
I74910mq
16 gig ddr3
Geforce gtx 880 8gig
256ssd+1tb
2 year extended/2 year accident protection
2800$ got an awesome deal through one of the dell reps ! Pm me for details

Expected day June 18!!
Hopefully sooner

 

That's a great deal! Did you get the 1080p screen as well?

 

Yup! And the gift card which is paying for Titan fall I'm also getting watch dogs free apperently )

 

That's awesome man would you mind sending me a pm with the info of that rep? I'd like a similar deal! Lol

 

I'm in production !!!!! Refreshing that page everyday ( waiting Is hard

 

Hey all I've just got off the phone to dell and I've had a cracking quote for an Alienware 17. i7 4710MQ, 8GB Ram, 880m and 1TB + 80G msata. Instant saving of £50 brings it to £1699 and they've discounted it further to £1511. Just waiting for Monday so I have the weekend to think about it. The only bad thing is I wanted an SSD. Is this something I could do myself? Is it easy? It pushes price up too much if I have dell fit one.

 

Yes it is very simple literally 2 screws to take bottom cover off. and a few more to remove the caddy and pop the ssd in. Disconnect HDD and install windows. Format HDD. Then boot to windows in seconds!

 

Thanks for that. What do you think to the spec?

 

I dont see option for 880mGPU + 3D 120herz Screen on web site, are they not compatible?

 

They should be compatible, as I have a replacement laptop that is on it's way with an 880m and 120hz screen. I would say do not take the website configuration as a definite, if you are unsure, then you can call a Dell Rep who can let you know what is available.

Another example is that I have my system coming with 32GB ram, but none of the current AW17 configs on the website show that as an option.

 

Would you say that 860+3D is something worth considering?

 

Hey guys, is $2643 a decent price for this Alienware 17 laptop (see specs below)? This price reflects a 17% off coupon code through my employer. I'd rather have the 120Hz screen but it isn't an option on the configuration page. Are there any known problems with the Alienware 17? The 18 looks nice but it's quite a bit more cash ($3497 for same config except dual 880M graphics, 512GB SSD boot, and 18.4" TrueLife display).

Alienware 17 Specifications $2643
Operating System: Windows® 8.1 Pro, 64Bit, English
Memory: 16GB DDR3L at 1600MHz (2 x 8G)
Video Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 880M graphics with 8GB total GDDR5
Hard Drive: 256GB mSATA SSD Boot + 1TB 5400RPM SATA 6Gb/s
CD ROM/DVD ROM: Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BD-ROM, DVDRW, CD-RW)
Wireless: Killer NIC 1202 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0
Processor: 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-4910MQ processor (Quad Core, 8MB Cache, Overclocked up to 4.1GHz)
LCD: 17.3" WLED FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare Display

Alienware 18 Specifications $3497
Operating System: Windows® 8.1 Pro, 64Bit, English
Memory: 16GB Dual Channel DDR3L at 1600MHz can upgrade to 32GB for $122 (after 17% off is applied)
Video Card: Dual NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 880M graphics with 16GB total (2x 8GB) GDDR5 - NVIDIA SLI® Enabled
Hard Drive: 512GB mSATA SSD Boot + 1TB 5400 rpm
CD ROM/DVD ROM: Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BD-ROM, DVDRW, CD-RW)
Wireless: Killer NIC 1202 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0
Processor: 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-4910MQ processor (Quad Core, 8MB Cache, Overclocked up to 4.1GHz)
LCD: 18.4" WLED FHD (1920 X 1080) TrueLife Display

 

Yeah my third system replacement is underway now too. Seems every year one of my machines gets a replacement. Mind you, the machines I get from being replaced, rarely if ever have an issue, the only issue I ever had was one I caused myself. So, if you ever get a replaced machine, you can expect its handled better or from a better stock or something. Its just odd that these are the models that break down less - but thats my experience.

 

The 17 inch looks like a ridiculously good deal that many people would jump on if it was made public.

 

Can anyone PM me with the contact info of an AW rep that gave them a good deal? I cant seem to get one built the way I want it.

 

Unfortunately, 99% of the time you can't customize your order beyond what's available on Alienware's website. There have been exceptions for people who need system replacements and they no longer offer the exact specifications, but that's rare.

 

Ciao a tutti!!!


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I'm writing from Italy. I'm considering a new Alienware 17 laptop with these specs: i7 4700, 880m, 16 gb ram, 1 tb hdd. I have only one important question to solve: which monitor? Please help me if you can. I have readed a lot about this, but I'm very confusing.
Thanks


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Get the 1080p screen. The 880M is a beast GPU, it can handle any game at 1080p.

 

Thank you J.Dre! And what about the 3d monitor? In this forum many people are very satisfied about it. But I'm concerned about its glossy finish.


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I have no experience (yet) with glossy screens, my last laptop XPS 17 (L702x) came with a matte screen and yes it isn't very reflective but the colors specially white are horrible.

Anyway the point i would like to make, when you have a glossy screen you can add a anti glare screen protector (these only cost about 15$). However you can't go from a matte screen to a glossy screen.
Just check ebay for some pictures.

 

The Alienware 17 does not have a glossy screen, at least not in the traditional sense. It has TrueLife technology, meaning: it has a glossy screen with anti-reflective technology. Basically, you have the pros of a glossy screen with some of the pros of a matte finish.

 

Hey guys, been reading through these posts to help me decide. I'm thinking of ordering through Amazon and getting this Amazon.com : Alienware ALW17-8751sLV 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop : Computers & Accessories

It doesn't seem like a bad price for the spec compared to the AW website, but it seems that you can sometimes get a deal by calling in. I'm sure I can get it quicker through Amazon because I have a Prime membership. I can also get 1 year interest free using my Amazon store card....but I was hoping to have some input.

1. Can I get additional warranty even though I'm ordering through Amazon? Should I buy additional warranty and/or accidental protection?
2. If its better to order from AW over the phone, what specs could I drop to get a better price and not sacrifice on gaming? I do have a Samsung 840 Pro 256 GB SSD that I plan on using for it and some old 500GB HDD's I could use if needed.
3. Any extra input is appreciated. I'm racking my brain researching over and over and am tempted to just pull the trigger on the amazon offer.

Thanks All!

 

I just went through the exact same scenario you are going through, only with Newegg not Amazon. I contacted Alienware and asked about warranty extension/upgrade. I was told over chat it was possible, but over twitter that it was not. I also called them to see about price matching the system spec for spec. They agreed to do so, but after taxes and warranty it still came to over $2700 for the exact same config. In the end I bought the Newegg model and if I cannot upgrade the warranty like I was told was possible, i'll just get a Squaretrade warranty after the fact (you have 30 days to purchase it). You can do the same thing from Amazon.

 

Did you get the same model as I posted? I've thought about going with the 780M to get it under $2000 but I figured the 880M would help it stay strong longer.

 

I got the exact same model. It's the same retail sku as the one on Amazon.

 

Nice, hope you enjoy it. Is it coming in soon?

 

Hopefully I'll have it tomorrow. I'll post here when it arrives.

 

I'm about to purchase a new AW 17 as well and I like that amazon price but do they offer a 780? I really don't want a 880 given all the trouble people have had with them and Nvidia being shady about it so far.

 

Yeah they do, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IMUAYVK?ie=UTF8&at=&force-full-site=1&ref_=aw_bottom_links

What kind of issues are they having?

 

Have a look at the couple threads on the "Alienware" forum here. No specific model forum, just the general one. It seems they have had their performance gimped by downclocking during load (throttling).

 

We don't know for sure what is causing it though. Nvidia is currently working on it with a couple of members here and on GeForce forums. Hopefully I'll have my system tomorrow and I'll be able to test it myself.


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I just purchased a Alienware 17 with the following specs.

32GB Dual Channel DDR3L at 1600MHz (4x8GB)
NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GTX 880M graphics with 8GB total GDDR5
1TB 5400RPM SATA 6Gb/s + 80GB mSATA Caching
4th Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4910MQ processor (Quad Core, 8MB Cache, Overclocked up to 4.1GHz)
17.3 inch (439.42 mm) WLED FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare Display


There was an option to use 3 SSD($800 difference) instead of a HDD, and I was wanting to now if anyone knew if there would be open drive slots when I get my package in. (I'll find out when it gets here, but I would like to order a drive now if I know I will have an open slot.)

If there is an open drive slot, wha SSD do I need to get for it?

 

There are open slots available. You may have noticed that "$800" option (which I chose for my system) removes the Optical Drive and replaces it with an SSD.

Your system supports 2.5" 7mm SSD's. I personally recommend Samsung SSD's, preferably the 840 EVO or new 850 PRO (coming out Monday).

 

Ok, thanks a bunch; I'll look into ordering an SSD then. Will I be getting a Windows 8 install disk? As I assume a fresh install will be the best option for the SSD. Or will I have to call dell and download the install files, or something similar? Thanks a bunch.

 

It should come with a disc, yes.

Your system also comes with a recovery program called AlienRespawn. Do not immediately format the system! I highly recommend backing up your system using an 8GB USB 3.0 drive. It will create an exact system image of the "out of box" state, which will allow you to restore it on your new SSD or when you need to repair the system. You can find this program in the start menu.

EDIT: Oh, and you should do the backup as soon as you get the system, before even connecting it to the internet.

 

I was doing some reading, and saw that suggested. I was debating either to start the system, then make an image backup, or just go straight to a fresh install.

I read that some people were having issues with the alien respawn method, but it seemed that was more because their backup was larger than the SSD. If I do the alien respawn, and it fits on my flashdrive, it should be fine right? That way I won't have to worry about reinstalling drivers, and such.

My main concern with that though was, I read that there were some settings that are made on windows install that are SSD specific, and can cause problems if you just do an image clone.

 

I've done it more than a dozen times and have had no issues whatsoever, even going from HDD to SSD.

The old AlienRespawn program caused the issues. In January they launched a new version - a completely redesigned program for Windows 8 - and it works very well. You should do the backup immediately after starting up the system the first time, even if you plan to do a clean install. I guarantee you it will come in handy later on.

 

My Alienware 17 came with the 120Hz 1920x1080 3D Vision screen along with the 880M graphics card and I, for one, am very happy with it. It has handled every game so far at ultra settings. Playing games in 3D is a complete joy! I've even watched a few movies in 3D as well. I highly recommend this screen. It's way less glossy than my XPS 16. I have no regrets with my purchase. Only issue I've had so far is the power brick crapping out twice on me (unplugging it and re-plugging it seems to make it work again). When it happens, the graphics (while gaming) become very choppy. This is because the 880M needs the AC power to perform; DC power won't cut it. I'll have to notify Dell and see if I can't get that replaced.

 

Hmmm, wish I would have seen this before I went and installed a bunch of stuff. LOL!

 

Got my system this weekend, http://www.amazon.com/Alienware-ALW...405952073&sr=8-1&keywords=alienware+17&dpPl=1

I usually consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable about computers....but after reading a lot on the forums here I just feel computer literate now lol. I hope y'all forgive my ignorance and can offer me some advice on what to do next.

Think I backed up my system correctly. I used AlienRespawn, then bootable backup, and then made a factory backup. If this isn't right please let me know.

Ran some windows updates and updated my nvidia driver to 337.88. There was one optional update that won't install. It's the update for the Intel Graphics. Keeps giving me a code 80070103. I've started searching for what I can do next, but I'll be leaving to take my grandpa for an appointment in a bit and will be gone most of the day. Was hoping to get some advice while I'm gone cause I can check in on the forums through my phone.

I have a Samsung 840 Pro 256 GB SSD that I figure I should install as my primary drive and move the stock drive to the secondary. Will AlienRespawn do this for me, or should I do a clean install of Windows 7 and then add the AW stuff back to my computer? I've read about some issues when swapping from a big HDD to a smaller SSD using AlienRespawn.

Any advice for extended warranties? I bought it through Amazon so I wasn't able to add the Dell warranties during the process but I plan on trying to add some now. What would y'all suggest I go with? I was lucky to get a full refund on my last laptop through a Square Trade warranty, but they did not keep to their 5 day guarantee. I feel like the Dell warranties are a better option after reading some on the forums, but they do seem to be kinda costly. Any input from folks that have used them before is much appreciated.

Sorry if I've asked a lot of questions here, just excited about my new purchase and want to treat it right!

 

Hi guys, it has been a long time since i posted anything on notebookreview. but nonetheless I have faithfully been reading others' postings.

I have a ordered a Alienware 17 (non 3D) to replace my current M17x R4 (3D). Just wanted to mention the ordered specs so that some of you may give some input etc.

i7 4910MQ Processor
WLED FHD (1920x1080) Non 3D
16GB Ram
256GB mSata SSD boot+ 1TB 5400rpm Sata
Dual layer Blu Ray Reader
8 Cell Lithium Battery
Nvidia GTX 880m 8GB vRam
802.11ac Dual band WIFI + Bluetooth 4.0
I year accidental Coverage etc.

I hope i made a good combination. Waiting for your replies guys!

 

Make a copy of the alienrespawn and keep it somewhere just incase you need to restore to factory for whatever reason (diagnostics/troubleshooting)

I would recommend a clean install, you are allowed to download a windows 8.1 image legally, you just need to 'tweak' it slightly to install a trial version which you can activate after its installed by retrieving your windows 8 key when running windows its stored in the BIOS.

My old HDD was 1TB and it refused to install on a 480GB partition even though there was only 60GB of data.

Most drivers are included on windows 8.1, it only took about 1 hour to get up and running on a clean windows install.

Nice spec machine, hopefully they sort out the 880m issues and a word of warning the 4900mq I have runs quite hot. Might need a repaste down the line. I went the opposite direction, going form 60hz to 120hz and I feel the difference, but I don't need battery life anymore so not a bad tradeoff.

The 1TB stock drive is very loud (compared to an SSD) so you might want to consider making it external or replacing with an SSD.

God choice going for best GPU out right now, should last a fair while then.