Couple of questions on an imported M17X R2, US to UK.

I live in the UK and ive just bought an M17X R2 from the US, i have a couple of questions about what i need to do when it arrives.

1. Power supply: Is it basically just a question of buying a UK adpater that takes a 2 pin plug and converts it into a 3 pin ? At a later date if i wanted too would it be safe to buy a genuine Dell UK power supply with a UK plug connection ?

2. Keyboard: With the keyboard being a US layout can this be changed in the operating system so that the key positions become UK ? Obviously a couple of keys have different characters on, on a US keyboard the @ is above the 2 and on a UK keyboard the @ is above the ' key. The M17X R2 that ive ordered comes with windows 7 professional 64 bit.

I may even buy a UK M17X keyboard if they are easy to change.

Thanks

 

If you haven't left US, you could probably buy the entire cable which connects to the PSU (UK version) from different stores. Or yes, like I do when I travel: I have in the bag a travel adapter which doesn't cost more than $20 (you can even buy it in any airport); converts the wire plug to any type of plug you want. Ex: Europe, US/Canada, UK etc.

You may be able to buy a keyboard from ebay.uk (specific your needs).I think you should get this answer on the alienware UK chat. Meaning? To be 100% sure do exist (sorry I am not in UK) the way you want them, ask the sales guy if they look exactly as you have described. You can even ask him for the 'parts department tel. no.' and order one over the phone from them.

Best of luck and enjoy your new toy

 

1. You do NOT need to buy a so-called "UK Dell" power supply. If you look at your PSU, you will notice that there are two cables coming off of the central "brick". One goes to the laptop and is hardwired to the "brick". The other can be unplugged. That unpluggable cable is the only one you need to change. It costs about a single pound in any pound shop. Also known as a "kettle lead" cause some kettles use the same plug. Also, ALL desktop computers use that lead so if you happen to have two of those lying around (I've got like 5 of them cause everytime you buy a new power supply for your pc one is included).

Do NOT worry about the voltage, the PSU will automatically switch from US110Volt to Europe's 220Volt.

2. You may change the keyboard layout freely to any worldwide keyboard with Windows 7. Its in the control panel, and then "keyboards and languages" I think. Ebay UK does offer UK keyboards for the M17x for sale, but they ain't cheap....
Changing it yourself is, however, easy. Read the Alienware manual that came with your laptop. It has a very good description of how to change any component within your laptop.

 

Thanks Juliant and zchay7e, that info is appreciated.

I didn't like the sound of an R3 with the plastick feel and the various issues that some people have reported, the M17X R2 will suit me down to the ground for a couple of years until the M18X R2 comes out, i don't like going in early with new releases as it gives them a chance to iron out the bugs with an R1.

As for as the power brick goes i'll probably do what you said zchay7e, i'll just replace the length that goes from the power brick to the plug as like you say thats a standard power lead that you get with hi fi seperates and kettles etc and i have a few of them spare, i just wanted to make sure it was safe first.

So are the US and UK M17X's designed to run on the same voltage ? Are the internals identical apart from a different plug on the outside and a couple of keys in a different position on the keyboard ?

 

yes. All power supplies for PCs (even for desktops) these days work anywhere in the world. Don't forget Japan is totally different again, cause there its 100v, 50/60Hz, Europe its 220V, 50Hz, USA its 110V, 60Hz.

On the reverse of your PSU you will find a label with the manufacturer and underneath the voltages it can handle. What you will normally find is something like "100-220V, 50-60Hz". This means its certified to work anywhere in the world.
This should be the same for just about any electrical equipment you buy anywhere in the world, eg Canon Digital Camera Battery Chargers. They will have this same label on the back.
This wasn't always so. Until about 15 or so years ago electronics sold in the USA only came with PSUs that worked with 110V, so it used to be a pain in the to haul one over here to Europe cause u had to buy a new PSU or a converter.

The computers you get from dell are identical no matter where in the world you buy it. Makes sense doesn't it? Instead of buying in 50 different motherboard designs for 50 different countries Dell only has to buy ONE motherboard design for ALL countries!

 

^ That.

I've bought an M17x-R1 in the US and used it in Ireland with no problems. The PSU's power brick automatically adjusts the voltage.

Keyboards are also easy to replace, just pick one up on eBay.