Couldn't be happier with my new 17... couple reasons why

WHEN I GET MORE TIME, I WILL UPDATE THIS WITH A LEGIT REVIEW WITH BENCHMARKS, PICS, DETAILED THOUGHTS ETC.

1. It fits in a normal backpack!!!
2. Speakers are wonderful (mind you, not amazing, but still pretty good)
3. Keyboard does not bleed light when alienfx are on
4. Rests comfortably on lap/stomach with a beveled bottom case
5. It's got macros! Nice for protools etc (more on this at a later date)
6. Matte screen is wonderful and doesn't scratch or smudge like the old gloss screens (edit: you need to adjust it to 85-90% green and 60-75% blue see here for instructions http://www.laptopmag.com/advice/tips/color-calibrate-your-screen.aspx)
7. Keyboard has a nice feel, but that might just be me. Flexes in the upper right on the iop[ keys, but only when I type really hard. Not even something I considered until asked about it.
8. The deletion of the media board... I love the new media keys on the arrow pad.

I don't like the touchpad. WAY to sticky... we'll see if that mellows out with time. Update: The trackpad is no longer nearly as sticky, and that after only 10ish hours use.

New problem: The lid doesn't snap closed, so if you are hibernated or sleeped in a backpack, it can turn on... NOT good. (this can be fixed by going into alien fusion to set all power plans to do nothing on lid action for both battery and ac use)

Regarding the fans, cpu fan is louder than the gpu fan, and they are both silent compared to any audible music/sfx in game. Oh, and btw, the 780 blew me away compared to the 580...

(I know I could just post this in the owner's lounge, but I really feel like it was too hard for me to find this info myself digging gopher-style )

Bob

 

I agree with everything you've said, love my M17 it's perfect for me!
I thought the same about the touchpad at first, but it has definitely smoothed out nicely into probably the best touchpad I've ever used as well. Great purchase!

 

I love the touchpad when it works correctly, I think more of a problem with my hands, I notice if they are 100% dry with no moisture on them at all, then the touchpad is by far the best one I have ever used. If I just washed my hands or they are slightly clammy or anything, then my fingers stick to the touchpad and I have trouble using it. Either way I love this laptop and everything about it.

 

What about gaming ? Is the fans get loud while gaming, is it becoming really hot ?

 

I'll be updating the original post with any other pertinent review item thingies.

 

That's kinda funny. My GPU fan is craaazy, but my cpu fan barely blows.

but then again my gpu was overclocked to high hell.

 

Okay, question now. Disabled the lid action for the sleep/wake issue, so that is solved, but is there anyway possible to set the touchpad up so that it so that it doesnt disable entirely while typing? I takes about 2 seconds to turn back on... kindof annoying.

 

Update:

Still love my 17!

The trackpad still drives me nuts, and the link I was given in another thread by an AW was dead...

That said, the speakers began to disappoint after I started listening more carefully. The woofer will perform great at low volumes, but it fails miserably at high volumes. I took the computer and turned on spotify on repeat at max volume and let it run for two days in a sound isolation box. This "burns in" the speakers. Better performance now for sure. Much better? No, but at least the max hi-fi (i use this term very liberally) volume is better. This might help some of you peeps.

Bob

 

hi does your alienware OSD works ? on windows 8 ?

 

Yes, OSD is perfect. I am running windows 7. However, I would rather use 8...

 

Hey would you mind posting some benchmark scores and in game fps? Possibly BF3, tomb raider or crysis 2? I've got a m17 with a 780m just wanting to compare performance. Thanks

 

I would, but I dont game at all... not a bit. I play age of empires... but fps is never an issue there. I could do 3dmark, but i am under the impression that I need to buy that... guidance?

Would sell the gpu if anyone wants it.

 

I wish I could say that myself. Sadly I have gone through 2 defective Alienware 17 units. (1 bad gpu and the other bad mobo)

 

ew that sucks... that really is pathetic. Shame on AW for screwing up so bad. Their sub-50 IQ call centers dont help...

 

Well I am a Dell certified tech through my company so I was able to explain to the tech this time all the troubleshooting steps. He was quite happy to save us the time in troubleshooting. Right now I am just waiting for the parts to come in and the onsite tech to do the repair work. What sucks is that I have a LAN party on Friday so hopefully the repair is done by then.

 

Could you tell me if there is still keyboard flex? On the R3/R4 it had flex in the W-S-D area.

 

absolutely no flex over there for me. However, the keys iop[ do flex if I push really hard. still... not like those will be used outside of typing...

Downloading BF3 now. I will get a fps reading for everyone else. I may also opt to refresh the title post for these updates.

ttfn

Bob

 

Good stuff man. Plus rep for you!!