Dilemma what would you do? M17

Hi guys,

I'm a bit stuck at the moment on waiting for the m17x r5, I have already ordered the m17 r4 I phoned up to cancel my order 2 days ago but the sales rep talked me out of it, saying there wasn't much difference in the spec and design of the r5 even tho he didn't have the spec details of the r5 and was only going off the leaked photos of the design.

I am paying £2400 for the r4 with a i7 3630qm processor, 680m graphics card, 12gb ram 3d screen, 750gb hdd with 32gb ssd bluray, 2yr warranty and 1 yr accidental damage.

Do you think this is a good deal? Or should I wait 4 weeks until alienware announce there new line at e3 on June 10th? Along with the new haswell processors GeForce 700 cards, and new design of the m17 r5

I'm really confused as what to do, any advice would be great full

 

I agree, i don't think there will be much of a difference. There are some leaks of the GTX 780m being the GTX 680MX with turbo boost 2.0. However the GTX 680MX draws 122W without turbo boost 2.0 So i'm a bit suspect.

As for haswell. 5% more performance.

 

What about the new design should I see what dell has to offer on there new line or just stick with the tried and tested r4?

 

Thats opinion and speculation since no one on here knows anything about the new model.

 

I disagree. Yes, there won't be too much of a performance bump, but Haswell in particular should see huge gains with battery life. If that's not important to you, fair enough.

There's also possible redesign changes to consider. We don't know what, if any, different options will be available this time around, but as it's only a few weeks, you might as well wait.

That said, Dell have a 21 day no-questions-asked returns policy. I'll just say that much.

 

I rest my case.

 

I hate nonsensical one-liners. They seem to be an ever-increasing fad these days.

You tell me which will give more battery life: a 77W TDP processor that has four cores running at 1.6GHz, or a 47W TDP processor with two cores running at 800MHz.

 

i didnt know dell had a 21 day returns policy i thought it was only 7 days, im thinking maybe ill take the r4 for now because its still in pre production, already been over a week so when they announce the new line up on the 10th of june i can decide to send it back or not also there is going to be a big price difference in the new r5 model as there always is.

 

Ok how about Haswell is 47W TDP and Ivy Bridge is 45W TDP. The built in power phases i'm not sold on yet.

 

Did you place your order online or via a rep? - I'm asking because you said you configured with a 3d screen which doesn't appear to be an option on Dell UK right now......

I mention it because you can quite easily save £150+ and more by simply by copying/pasting voucher codes from DMXDimension into the online order page - make sure to go through Dell's website Gaming Deals link too for more discount. Then once your build is in your cart, enter the voucher codes from DMXDimension - here's a link for them: Alienware M17x - Compare the Deals - Alienware Discount Coupons - if you use those codes (which I've just tested) it knocks a nice amount off the configuration. You seem to have paid full list price, right?

If your order hasn't gone into production, you might want to cancel it anyway and re-order at a cheaper price - not sure if you can talk to someone about the 3d screen and maybe add it manually. If it has gone into production, it's too late anyway (depending on your EDD or estimated delivery date) and as you are in the UK, you only get a 7 day return period once delivered - that's not gonna let you decide when E3 has delivered it's news - you would be stuck with what you have ordered.

If it were me, I'd maybe cancel and wait - you haven't lost a "super deal" as it seems you've paid top dollar anyway - I'd rather have latest technology than not have it. Dunno how important the 3d screen is to you......

I'd also go with 3yr warranty vs. 2yr as it's on offer for only £40 quid extra right now.....

Just my two "UK" pennies

 

Pretty much what stevie said. You seem to have paid top dollar, at worse if you cancel and reorder the same laptop, you can save few quid. Maybe also order it close to release date, so you can best of both worlds, if you want r5 then return r4 and get refund, otherwise keep it.

 

Hi yes i phoned up and spoke to the sales department because there was no 3d screen option available online and thats when they said they could provide the m17 with the screen no problem they just had a shortage.

I have been pulling my hair out as to what to do but i think you have given me some food for thought as i was originally thinking why pay £2400 for a 2012 model basically when i can wait 4 weeks and make a better decision when i know more details about the r5.

My order is still in pre production as the sales rep told me there was a shortage on parts so i think i will definitely be cancelling my order first thing in the morning, i get the impression the rep was just pushing for this sale as he was telling me why do i want an m17 r5 when there is going to be problems with the new model blah blah blah!!! GREAT really selling your upcoming products to the customer there DELL, so basically he was saying dont wait and buy a new one there sh@t , have what we have left instead. (even tho the r4 is amazing id still like to be up to date spending so much money thank you!!)

So on that note i will be cancelling first thing in the morning before im stuck in a sale

 

i would ask them if they can hold it till there is more information about the r5. if the r5 brings sli/crossfire back i would wait for the r5. otherwise just go with the r4

 

Do you think this would be possible? i will ask them if they could hold it tomorrow and see what they say

 

You can ask, but I very much doubt that Dell will postpone your order. It would probably be impossible to put "on hold" whilst you decided. I think, and just my own opinion, that the smart move is to cancel and wait to see what gets announced on or around 10th June regarding Alilenware's big news. That way you can make an informed choice, you haven't just shelled out list price for soon-to-be outdated technology and you can decide at YOUR leisure, not on the say-so of a Sales Rep.

 

I have cancelled my order today well they said there system wasnt working so i have to call back monday to confirm the cancellation (what ever that translates to?) anyway ill wait until Monday just hope they dont mess me about on this.
Then ill wait untill June the 10th its a bit of piece of mind for me to see what Alienware has to offer

Plus the estimated shipping date was 7th june really? go figure

 

I would say it is one of their tactics to keep your money and put one of their products in your hand. There are probably a lot of people that forget or get too busy to call back. Then your cancellation turns into a return.

 

I agree. I'd maybe try and get some kind of email verification that they acknowledge your request to cancel, even if their systems are supposedly "down". Once the machine rolls into the production stage, it cannot be cancelled and you will have to accept delivery of it. Either that or you can arrange before delivery with Dell that you will not be accepting delivery and you want a full refund ASAP.

 

You need your head testing if you were seriously about to spend £2400 on that config!

You can get a non alienware equivalent with the 4gb 680m cards in sli for £600 less.

 

Very true, I have to agree. PCSpecialist sell Clevo P151EM's rebranded as Vortex machines that do offer better specifications for the outlay. I just looked an you can get a 680m sli setup with a better cpu, etc etc etc for a good deal less. Of course, it is not as nice to look at, warranty support is not as good IMHO, and well.....it's not an Alienware.

Some folk are prepared to pay more for the above, right or wrong. However, if the buyer is only interested in hardware, they represent great value for money - that I have to concede.

 

Your power phases get touched by the CPU cooler though usually so they do put out some heat

 

I understand. However i'm less concerned with the heat, and more concerned with how well reliable the power delivery will be with the first generation of it.