Fool me once and shame on you...

You all know the rest of the saying. Anyway, Once upon a time I owned an M7700. Awesome laptop. Six months after purchasing it the motherboard died. It was replaced and then 6 months later and 2 weeks out of warranty it fried again. I sold it on ebay for $1500 with no motherboard. The buyer was aware.

Fast forward to 2011 and I'm really interested in the M17x, well not really. I need a system with an HDMI out port and the M17x is the only Alienware system that has it. Lame. So my choices are limited.

Given my previous experience I'm slightly concerned over whether or not the product has improved. I've spent the past 3 days reading a lot of posts here and some people think that they're getting an open box or refurb unit. That is 100% un-frickin-acceptable in my opinion.

Since I've read that the SSD's sold by AW with the systems are spotty I plan to do the buy a base system and upgrade the hard drives and RAM myself route. Easy peasy, I've been around computers since the Commodore 64. lol.

But my concern is over the build quality. I liked the R2 because it was aluminum but hadn't made up my mind. Is the R3 aluminum as well or did they go back to a plastic shell? Also, this topic has been beat to death but the issue about finding a laptop bag is a big issue. I don't want one that advertises AW and the Slappa bags are awesome but I don't wan anything with a funky design or one that stands out (obviously the size of it will stand out). Spire makes awesome laptop backpacks but they're largest boot is too small for the M17x and they have no intention of making a boot that fits. SO again, what the heck do you tote it around with?

Lastly, I'm a Linux guy as well. So while this system would be running W7 I would also be running Linux for most of my work. Any issues there?

So what say you... is it worth looking into AW again or should I go and seek out a Falcon Northwest or Sager build? I'd like AW, but if what I'm reading here is true than I just can't see dumping $5k on a laptop that may or may not be new and may or may not burn up another motherboard in six months. Regardless of that, if I choose AW then I'll be getting the 3yr Premium warranty.

... Fool me twice and shame on me.

 

As far as I know the R3 is not aluminum but I'm sure someone who does know will pipe in, I would search for an R2 in the Outlet Store since you will get a better deal......

 

You mean HDMI In? If not, why are your choices limited?

 

Alienware/Dell doesn't manufacture their own systems. The current version of the M17x is produced by Compal and the previous versions from Flextronics. The Falcon Northwest and Sager systems are Clevo based.

Here's the kicker....the Alienware M7700 was produced by.....CLEVO! To be exact it was a Clevo D900K. So if you want to avoid the ODM who made your M7700 then avoid the Falcon Northwest and Sager systems.

 

Not aluminum but feels very solid. No issues at all.

The irony

 

I meant HDMI out. The M17x is the only model that has it.

That is ironic... lol. I guess it's back to the drawing boards then.

 

m17x is the only AW system that has out? really? Take a look at m11x ...
quote from specs:
DP / HDMI - Video Output

 

M11x - Too small.
M15x - Just right, but no HDMI out.
M17x - Big, hard to carry, HDMI out.

 

M15x does have dp out.and it comes with DP to HDMI converter.

 

seriously if you need a laptop with hdmi out you can go for something else than AW... i own r2 and it is pain in the X to carry it around, additionally i have no idea how would i ever do that w/o my orion backpack. but that's the price you pay for performance. if you need one?
something like HP Envy or an Asus

 

The r3 Is pretty much close to the dimensions of the 15x so no it's not big or hard to carry.

Remember that pretty much everyone will post about their problems and not about the good stuff. I know I do because tmehen you need to vent or are looking to a solution to a problem there is no better place than the aw forum.

I've had an r2 and have an r3. The r2 had a nice solid feel and the aluminum cover was brilliant. The r3 in it's own respects is a great machine. It's smaller and lighter and ist bulky and weigh as much a a rock.I haven't had a software or video issue with my r3 and my SSd has worked flawlessly fast. If everyone posted good things on the forums it would be a mess to try and read all the topics.

 

I own the R1 and Ive had my small issues like other R1 owners but i wouldnt trade it for anything. I've also owned an older Asus G50 and I loved that as well. The AW is a hobbyists Pc. I'm not saying don't go with it but if hdmi out and weight and size is your big concerns maybe consider a newer Asus like the G73 or wait for the G74. Reliable, powerful laptops for a quarter of the price. I'd still like to own a R3 though.

 

Well after it was pointed out that Falcon Northwest and Sager are based on Clevo which is what my problematic M7700 was based on... I'm kind of leaning toward the R3 now. Size aside, I can live with it. I've decided on a base config and I'll upgrade the HD and RAM myself. I think it will be sufficient for my needs.

 

I second that. I had been considering Sager myself, but now I think I'm glad I stuck with AW. I'm not a major gamer but I am a heavy user who demands performance and reliability. I am delighted with the build quality of my Alien. There is nothing else quite like it.

I am using DisplayPort for digital video output, and from what I read, it seems that's the way it's headed for computer monitor hookups in general.

 

Well I've decided on the M17x. I've got my configuration planned out but had a question that I'm sure has been answered before. Does upgrading the RAM and HD void the warranty? I would think not but I've seen dumber things before.

 

I'm not sure, but you may have issues getting the hardware buttons working (wireless on/off + media)

 

No, but obviously Alienware will not cover these upgrades under the warrenty.

 

I knew that AW/Dell would not cover the upgraded parts under warranty. Here's what I got in mind:

CPU: Intel® Core™ i7 2820QM
RAM: 4GB (See Note #1)
GPU: 1.5GB GDDR5 Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
HDD: 750GB (See Not #2)
LCD: 1920x1080p 60Hz (Non 3D)
WiFi: Intel® Ultimate N WiFi Link 6300
DVD: Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader

Note #1: The RAM will be upgraded to Kingston Hyper X 16GB.
Note #2: The 750GB drive will be moved to storage duty and a Crucial 256GB C300 will become the primary drive.

I'm not a big gamer anymore but I prefer performance in my systems. I do a lot of network analysis work and mockup so I opted for the bigger CPU and more RAM. Also, I've never been an ATI fan, always gone with Nvidia.

 

Could have fooled me Great system spec.Have Fun.