Alienware M17x R3 - Replacement - HAPPY

Hi

Just wanted to share my expreience with Dell and Alienware replacement.

I bought a Alienware from Dell Outlet in the UK back in September 2011 or so with the following Spec:

Alienware M17xR3 : Stealth Black
Blu-ray Disc (BD) Combo (Reads BD and Writes to DVD/CD)
Wireless: Dell 375 Bluetooth Card
Carry Case : Not Included
16 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz Memory (4 DIMMs)
Graphics: 2 GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 6970M w/ PowerXpress
Battery : Primary 9-cell 90W/HR LI-ION
750 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
MOD,INFO,SW,ANW,ALIENFX
Back Up Media Not Included
Operating System : Windows 7 Professional (64 BIT)
Processor: Intel Core i7 2720QM 2.2GHz (3.3GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
Misc
Display: 17.3-inch Wide FHD (1920 x 1080) WLED LCD
Misc
Wireless : Dell Wireless 1501 wireless-N
Certified Refurbished


As you can note it was certified refurbished. I paid around £1000 or so incl. delivery.

I since had then minor to major issues with the laptop and was offered a warranty extension for 3 - 4 years for for around £150 or so, which i took, just in case.

I am so glad i did.

I had the following failures on the Alienware laptop and were fixed:
1. LED lighting failure
2. Screen LCD
3. Keyboard
4. GFX stopped working ( more recent )
5. LCD Blackout

Dell have been out to fix it mostly next day in the last 2 years around 6 - 7 Times now

But My last fix was just before XMas and the laptop developed another fault with the screen so i decided to ask for a replacement. After being on the phone to Tech support and explaining the situation for around 1 hour or so, they finally caved in and offered me a replacement, which I think will be brand new laptop and the latest model.

I was first offered the following as replacement:

Components
1 Alienware 17 Base
1 4th Generation Intel(R)Core(TM)i7-4800MQ processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.7GHz w/
Intel(R)Turbo Boost)
1 17.3 inch (439.42 mm) WLED FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare Display
1 16GB Dual Channel DDR3L at 1600MHz
1 750GB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s + 80GB mSATA SSD Caching
1 Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BD-ROM, DVDRW, CD-RW)
1 Power Supply : Alienware 180W AC Adapter
1 Power Cord (UK)
1 8-cell Lithium Ion (86 wHr) Battery
1 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M with 3GB GDDR5
1 5G WiFi Broadcom 4352 802.11n/ac and Bluetooth 4.0
1 5G WiFi Broadcom 4352 802.11n/ac and Bluetooth 4.0 driver
1 Internal UK/Irish (QWERTY) Keyboard
1 Anodized Aluminum
1 Thank You for Choosing Dell
Software
1 Power DVD 9.6, 3D,V2
1 Operating System : English Windows 7 SP1 Ultimate (64 BIT)
1 Os Media : Included with your OS
1 System Software for Alienware M17xR1
1 Additional Software
1 Alienware Avatar -Alienhead 3D
Service
1 Standard Service - 1 year of Next Business Day coverage included with your PC
1 1 Year NBD with Premium Phone Support
1 No Accidental Damage Protection



Then i requested for the following parts to be upgraded: Processor to i7 4900, memory to 32gb and the gfx to 780, Dell rep said they would charge me £400 extra. I refused and gave the rep another call, I am based in UK and the REP was from germany.

To my surprise he agreed to the following free of charge 32GB ram - So i accepted the offer for the laptop replaccement above and asked for 2 year phone support etc.

Now my order is in production with the following spec, from what i can see the Rep managed to upgrade the GFX to 780 too.


203-41570 1 N00AW703
210-AAPS Alienware 17 Base 1
338-BCHV 4th Generation Intel(R)Core(TM)i7-4800MQ processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.7GHz w/
Intel(R)Turbo Boost)
1
391-BBEM 17.3 inch (439.42 mm) WLED FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare Display 1
340-ADEV Setup Instructions English 1
340-ABFJ English Shipping Docs 1
340-ADEL Alienware 17 Anodized Aluminum 1
370-AANP 32GB Dual Channel DDR3L at 1600MHz 1
400-ACNC 750GB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s + 80GB mSATA SSD Caching 1
429-AAFS Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BD-ROM, DVDRW, CD-RW) 1
430-XYFV Power DVD 9.6, 3D,V2 1
450-AAJI 240W AC Adapter 1
451-BBCB 8-cell Lithium Ion (86 wHr) Battery 1
470-AATE UK 250V Power Cord 1
490-BBGQ NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M with 4GB GDDR5 1
555-BBES 5G WiFi Broadcom 4352 802.11n/ac and Bluetooth 4.0 1
555-BBJK 5G WiFi Broadcom 4352 802.11n/ac and Bluetooth 4.0 driver 1
580-ABEE Internal UK/Irish (QWERTY) Keyboard 1
619-ACML Operating System : English Windows 7 SP1 Ultimate (64 BIT) 1
620-AANG Os Media : Included with your OS 1
658-BBNS System Software for Alienware M17xR1 1
658-BBOF Additional Software 1
640-BBIN Alienware Avatar -Alienhead 3D 1
754-56825 Standard Service - 1 year of Next Business Day coverage included with your PC 1
754-81457 INFO 1 Year NBD with Premium Phone Support 1
754-81458 2 Years NBD with Premium Phone Support

So overall i am happy with DELL's attitude and would recommend them again to anyone. There is only one thing which concerns me: "658-BBNS System Software for Alienware M17xR1 1"

I hope its not R1

/ me OUT

 

I'm glad you got to a good resolution on this case. Thanks for sharing your experience with the community.

 

Glad you see they're sorting you out there, I ordered the same laptop as you will be getting, on the 27th December, only to have the ordered cancelled on 9th January, the only difference in spec being I had the 3D bundle for mine, I then contacted customer services (rather annoyed, having waited 3 weeks) they told me the reason my order was cancelled was because the model is no longer in production, but they can offer me the same as what you have been offered, but with 3D, but a newer model which uses less power/battery etc, that order was confirmed on 10th January, and is currently in pre-production. Just wondered if yours was in-production yet or not? and if you have any updates/issues regarding your order, could you be so kind as to keep me updated.

Thanks,

T

 

Great that you got the outcome that you wanted, you know after they offered me the same deal you had originally I never thought to give them a call to try and get something better as I was more then happy with what they were offering me! It's great news that you got that though!

So did you get those upgrades free after or...?

 

hi
I did enquire about the 3d bundle during the offer too, but they were asking for addition £125 or so. I decided not to upgrade to that due to a possible delay by 10 days or so. They did not have the screen in stock at the time.

the laptop was sent to production around / on the 6th or so and it saying its has been shipped now. And expected delivery is next week.

All in all the final build is :

i7 4800 + GTX 780 + 32GB + blu-ray + 17" WLED Screen 1920x1080 display ( all free upgrades thanks to great alienware offer team)

 

You mentioned something about the new battery or something or a newer system. I am getting N00AW703 if that helps. Not sure how new or old that is

8-cell Lithium Ion (86 wHr) Battery

 

mine is also listed as the 8-cell Lithium Ion (86 wHr) Battery on the order form, the gentlemen that called me said that the machine uses less battery power, although it was quite difficult to fully understand what he was trying to explain as he had a very strong foreign accent, he sent an email through for me to look at whilst I was still on the phone so i could see the spec, but there were only 2 differences, so I'm not entirely sure what the 203-41570 N00AW703 is or means, google searching that just brings up a tomshardware review for the AW 17, but no further information aside from what is listed on the UK alienware site for the M17x.

I'm hoping that it isn't delayed too long, as I've already waited 2 1/2 weeks now to have the first order cancelled, and if it gets cancelled again after a further 2 1/2 weeks or so, I'll be shopping elsewhere, as I've spent a lot of money on this system for a spec which I'm hoping will last me a good few years. I'll keep everyone updated, as it may be useful to others viewing the thread.

I might try and contact alienware directly for an update on my order later this week if it hasn't moved from "pre-production", just need to find some contact details for that.

 

Shipped Configuration:

1
203-41570
N00AW703
1
210-AAPS
Alienware 17 Base
1
338-BCHV
4th Generation Intel(R)Core(TM )i7-4800MQ processor (6MB Cach e, up to 3.7GHz w/ Intel(R)Tur bo Boost)
1
340-ABFJ
English Shipping Docs
1
340-ADEL
Alienware 17 Anodized Aluminum
1
340-ADEV
Setup Instructions English
1
354-BBBB
Anodized Aluminum
1
370-AANP
32GB Dual Channel DDR3L at 160 0MHz
1
391-BBEM
17.3 inch (439.42 mm) WLED FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare Disp lay
1
400-ACNC
750GB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s + 80G B mSATA SSD Caching
1
429-AAFS
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ra y Reader (BD-ROM, DVDRW, CD-RW )
1
430-XYFV
Power DVD 9.6, 3D,V2
1
450-AAJI
240W AC Adapter
1
451-BBCB
8-cell Lithium Ion (86 wHr) Ba ttery
1
470-AATE
UK 250V Power Cord
1
490-BBGQ
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M with 4 GB GDDR5
1
555-BBES
5G WiFi Broadcom 4352 802.11n/ ac and Bluetooth 4.0
1
555-BBJK
5G WiFi Broadcom 4352 802.11n/ ac and Bluetooth 4.0 driver
1
580-ABEE
Internal UK/Irish (QWERTY) Key board
1
619-ACML
Operating System : English Win dows 7 SP1 Ultimate (64 BIT)
1
620-AANG
Os Media : Included with your OS
1
640-BBIN
Alienware Avatar -Alienhead 3D
1
658-BBNS
System Software for Alienware M17xR1
1
658-BBOF
Additional Software
1
754-56825
Standard Service - 1 year of Next Business Day coverage included with your PC
1
754-81457
INFO 1 Year NBD with Premium Phone Support
1
754-81458
2 Years NBD with Premium Phone Support
1
755-10605
No Accidental Damage Protection
1
799-AAMQ
Dell Order - United Kingdom
1
800-BBEV
Thank you for Choosing Dell
1
990-10175
Free Freight
1
998-23881
Thank You for Choosing Dell
6
817-BBBC
Not Selected in this Configura tion

 

210-AAPS Alienware 17 Base 1 1,911.93 1,911.93 SR
203-41570 N00AW703 1 SR
338-BCHV 4th Generation Intel(R)Core(TM)i7-4800MQ processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.7GHz w/
Intel(R)Turbo Boost)
1 SR
391-BBEI 17.3 inch (439.42 mm) 120Hz WLED FHD (1920 x 1080) TrueLife w/3D Bundle 1 SR
340-ADEV Setup Instructions English 1 SR
340-ABFJ English Shipping Docs 1 SR
340-ADEN Alienware 17 Anodized Aluminum - 3D 1 SR
370-AANN 16GB Dual Channel DDR3L at 1600MHz 1 SR
400-ACNC 750GB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s + 80GB mSATA SSD Caching 1 SR
429-AAFS Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BD-ROM, DVDRW, CD-RW) 1 SR
430-XYHQ Cyberlink Power DVD BD 1 SR
450-AAJI 240W AC Adapter 1 SR
451-BBCB 8-cell Lithium Ion (86 wHr) Battery 1 SR
470-AATE UK 250V Power Cord 1 SR
490-BBGQ NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M with 4GB GDDR5 1 SR
555-BBES 5G WiFi Broadcom 4352 802.11n/ac and Bluetooth 4.0 1 SR
555-BBJK 5G WiFi Broadcom 4352 802.11n/ac and Bluetooth 4.0 driver 1 SR
580-ABEE Internal UK/Irish (QWERTY) Keyboard 1 SR
619-AAKB Operating System : Windows 8 64bit, English 1 SR
620-AALL Windows 8 /Pro OS Media MUI 1 SR
658-BBNS System Software for Alienware M17xR1 1 SR
658-BBOG Additional Software 1 SR
754-56825 Standard Service - 1 year of Next Business Day coverage included with your PC 1 SR
754-81456 1 Year NBD with Premium Phone Support 1 SR
755-10606 1 year Accidental Damage Protection 1 OS
800-BBEV Thank you for Choosing Dell 1 SR
817-BBBC Not Selected in this Configuration 7 SR
354-BBBC Anodized Aluminum (3D) 1 SR
799-AAMQ Dell Order - United Kingdom 1 SR
998-23885 Thank You for Choosing Dell

That's the spec sheet from my order form, only major differences hardware wise are the RAM and the 3D screen, I can't stop logging into my dell order status pages every couple of hours to check if it's status has change to in-production yet

 

I wonder if i should have pushed for a 3D 120HZ screen now. Ah well.

My status is showing up as "DEPARTED MANU.FACILITY" since 10th. NO Updates either.

Just cannot wait any longer !!!!!!!!!!

 

My laptop also says "DEPARTED MANU.FACILITY" since the 10th as well. My EDD on Dell tracking did say 22nd, but has disappeared. And Walsh Western now says ETD: 17th. I really hope it does arrive this week!!

Is your ETA similar to mine?

 

I spoke to an advisor last night and they said that my last order didn't have the 3D screen due to stock, but my current order does and will be delivered on or before 3rd Feb. The chap I spoke to the day my last order was cancelled said that there would be no issue this time, so hopefully, they haven't lied to me because I really wont be happy lol it's just painful having to wait, mine is on pre-production since the 10th. hehe

 

Hopefully yours does turn up this week, I feel your pain waiting lol

 

You definitely know the pain! lol checking the tracking info often haha

It's still really strange how you ordered before me, and yet it still got cancelled, but I have not heard anything as of yet. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it arrives and makes my week

 

Well spoke to an american today regarding my order, alot more helpful than the chap I spoke to last week (language barrier issues) they advised me that the last order was cancelled due to the 120hz 3D screen being unavailable, but said this shouldn't be an issue on the new order, and should receive it within the next 3 weeks which takes me up to my EDD of 3rd Feb, so they've got 12 working days in which to build/deliver the machine lol

The option for the 120hz 3D screen is still not showing up on alienware.co.uk for the AW17, so there must be an issue with stock at the moment.

 

Or they are looking to change it to the new QUAD SCREENS ... THEN I would be so Annoyed. !!!!!!!

 

That really would be. Just a heads up, my tracking on Walsh Western has now changed:

Date Time Location Activity
16/01/14 11:17 PLAN COMMITTED NOTE.
10/01/14 16:00 CHINA DEPARTED MANU.FACILITY
10/01/14 08:00 PENDING.

So hopefully that means its coming shortly!!!!!!

 

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!

Date Time Location Activity
16/01/14 15:32 WWI - LUTTERWORTH ORDER DISPATCHED FROM HUB.
16/01/14 15:32 WWI - LUTTERWORTH FIRST BOX SCANNED OUT OF HUB.
16/01/14 15:31 WWI - LUTTERWORTH ORDER COMPLETE IN HUB.
16/01/14 15:31 WWI - LUTTERWORTH FIRST BOX SCANNED INTO HUB.
16/01/14 11:17 PLAN COMMITTED NOTE.
10/01/14 09:00 CHINA DEPARTED MANU.FACILITY
10/01/14 01:00 PENDING. PENDING.

 

Looks like our lappies are TWIN's ---

 

I CANNOT WAIT!!!! Hopefully here tomorrow!!!

16/01/14 15:55 WWI - LUTTERWORTH ORDER DISPATCHED FROM HUB.
16/01/14 15:55 WWI - LUTTERWORTH FIRST BOX SCANNED OUT OF HUB.
16/01/14 15:50 WWI - LUTTERWORTH ORDER COMPLETE IN HUB.
16/01/14 15:50 WWI - LUTTERWORTH FIRST BOX SCANNED INTO HUB.
16/01/14 11:17 PLAN COMMITTED NOTE.
10/01/14 16:00 CHINA DEPARTED MANU.FACILITY
10/01/14 08:00 PENDING.

 

Fingers crossed you both get yours soon!

I on the other hand may very well be taking my business elsewhere soon, having received this email this morning, I'm hoping it is nothing to worry about and that I do eventually get my machine on or before the EDD listed below, but I have a grim feeling it's just going to be the same as last time.

"Thank you for contacting Dell UK Customer Care regarding your order. We apologize for any inconvenience you had. I will be happy to assist you with this.

Your current estimated delivery date is on 3-2-2014. Due to the popularity of the product, our demand has exceeded supply. Our factory is working with our suppliers as efficient as possible to provide you more promptness in delivery.

Rest assured that we at Dell always thrive to speed up our process of delivery as our factories efficiently work with our suppliers.

I am keeping track of your order and we will contact you in case of any change.

I have also logged this information on our internal system with Service Request Number XXXXXXXX

Please do not hesitate in replying directly to this mail if you have further questions or queries. I will be more than happy to assist you anytime.

King Regards,

Dave Allan D. Pascual"


I'll keep you updated.

 

Awww man that sucks! Don't know if it is of any hope, but my initial delivery estimate given by dell was 22nd, but fingers crossed they make it early (as per the Walsh Western tracking info) of the 17th.

I really do hope your order gets prioritized, especially as you did order round the same time as me.

I'll also keep you updated to see if anything arrives tomorrow.

 

Update, Walsh Western have handed my laptop to UK mail and is due for delivery today! got an email and text confirmation for delivery this afternoon. So the ETA could be spot on.

 

Right i got mine. :hi2:

DOB: 9th Jan 2014
Original Delivery date was 24th Jan 2014, Delivered today 17th Jan 2014.

 

I got mine The most painful wait is over! Now for the hours of setting it up!

 

Pleased for you both! Glad the painful wait is over! I'm just really hoping I don't get let down with mine now, if i get good news regarding my build next week, it will make my 30th birthday celebrations even better lol

 

Awwwww man it's everything I expected, and more. The wait was worth it. Really hope yours finds it's way to you shortly. This is my birthday and Christmas present for myself all rolled into one lol. Keep us updated!

Ordered 31st December 2013
Original eta 22nd January 2014
Delivery 17th January 2014

 

Pleased to hear it's what you were hoping for and more, I'm hoping I feel the same as you when mine eventually arrives, just been looking at the dates, mine would work out roughly the same sort of wait time as you had. Mine is meant to be a joint Xmas/Birthday present to myself lol

Will let you know how I get on, what's the build quality of it like? Nice display? Great performance so far?

 

I'm impressed with the quality of the laptop. It looks and feels even better in person. The soft touch finish to the interior is excellent. The 120hz screen is very crisp, I love the slightly glossy finish.

My favourite part about my laptop so far is the SSD, worth every penny! I'm managing to play all games on ultra or max so far. It really does well as a desktop substitute, can most certainly keep up. It is quite weighty so having it on your lap may be a slight issue, but the performance makes up for it.

I've never had a laptop with lights but it certainly makes nighttime gaming fun, especially being able to see the keys!

Certain games have lighting linked in, so in battlefield 3 when you are shot, the LEDs start flashing, very nice feature.

I'm sure I'll keep finding out more things, but like I said, it really was worth the wait!

 

Really please for you, especially given the price of them It would be gutting to know you weren't enjoying it or impressed with it, I'm looking forward to experiencing one myself now.

With regards to it being a good desktop substitute, that's great to hear, I've currently got a rig at home at my parents place at the moment, so that does me when I'm at there, but it's not practical when I stop at my fiances due to having to unplug a ton of cables and lug it back and forth every other weekend and such, and the only thing really letting that down at the moment is the graphics card, aside from that though, it's essentially the equivalent spec as the system I've picked from AW, it was just 4x cheaper and I was able to build that in a few hours myself haha

I was expecting it to be heavy at 4.4kg, the last laptop I had (Acer 7540g) weighed a kilo less, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue, but given the spec and size it isn't too bad I guess.

Just make sure you don't go spilling a brew over it

 

Haha, well even if I do spill a drink, that's why I bought accidental cover

The reason I decided on an Alienware, rather than building myself a desktop (for half the price) is the fact that I do take it round to friends houses to play games. The weight really isn't an issue for me as it would going from my home, to my car, then to my friends houses. On the other hand, since this is my very first proper gaming laptop, at some point I'd love to take it to a Starbucks (with everyone else on their Macs!)

One thing I did do in between waiting, is I spent the money I saved (by getting a deal from a Dell sales assistant) and I purchased accessories, then awaiting their deliveries. So I picked myself up a vindicator slim bag from Alienware, Razer Orochi mouse (which is perfect for my mouse grip) and an xbox 360 wireless controller adapter for windows. (it means my xbox controllers won't go to waste!)

Personally, the weight is not too much of an issue, especially as you shouldn't really be leaving a laptop on your lap (ironic I know)

My laptop was delivered to my work, and all my colleagues knew what I had purchased, and they still couldn't believe the cost of this thing

 

I am not happy !!!!!!!

This brand new laptop ... the screen has dead Pixel. I mean . I just noticed yesterday. (

Not sure what to do now. Get them to replace the screen by risking the engineer screwing everything up or asking another replacement or Just live with it.

 

Don't live with it!!! Get it fixed by an engineer!

For the money you spent on your laptop, expect a decent level of service. You'll only read horror stories on forums, not many success ones. Give dell support a ring and see what your options are.

 

i will call them tomorrow and see what they say about the dead pixels

i have installed a 256gb Samsung 840PRO SSD into port 2 and reinstalled windows 8.1 (don't ask why .. hehe )

Are there any ssd tweak threads for 8.1.?

 

There is one on Tweakhound if you Google Windows 8.1 SSD tweak, imagine there are plenty of resources out there for optimising windows 8.1 on an SSD though, I've got another 750gb 6gb/s HDD to go in port 2 for mine when it eventually gets built/delivered,hoping the status moves up a notch this week, apparently they're build in China, sent to the US for testing/windows installation, then sent to regional distribution centers, so quite a lot of travelling to the process.

 

Boom! Finally it's gone into Production, so excited now! Cannot wait!

 

Awesome! Its's finally been shipped today! Departed from China, so I'm guessing that'll be delivered in about 6 days?

 

Yes it will be around 6 - 7 days
Don't track every day.. haha you will get upset. Track on Wednesday next week.


I had my screen replaced today - so no more dead pixels.

 

I saw the ETA 29/1/14 on the Walsh Western tracking screen, so at least I know It'll be coming then, just annoying as that's the last day of my holiday off work lol

 

That's great news, how long did it take for them to come out to change that for you?

I noticed they've bought some new models of the AW 17's out now, with different HDD setups etc..

 

I noticed that too.

The engineer came out in two days.

HOWEVER, since yesterday the Internal GFX intel card has failed.

This will be my very last alienware i think.

 

Oh dear, that's shocking, given how much you've spent on it as well. My Acer 7540g has taken a beating over the past 5 years with alot of games pushing the cooling system on that, and it's never had any issues in those few years at all.

I'm pleased with mine so far, although the fans are quite loud at times even when not doing a great deal, just transferring large files from one place to another, quite loud whilst gaming even for short periods.