Is there a solution for the M17x R4 glossy screen?

As the title says... I am preparing to purchase a mobile gaming machine and the M17x R4 is in the top of my list. The one and only concern I have is about the glossy screen. I won't be able to use it only in pitch black rooms and I have never had a glossy screen before.

Is there some sort of workaround to make it matte? I really don't want to keep looking at weird reflections. My guess would be some sort of protective/ anti reflective screen cover? Do these things exist?

 

How about wait till you get the machine to see how reflective it is, it really isn't that bad unless your working in direct line with sunlight. You can get a matte screen protector if you want, but the clarity of the screen also decreases as well.

 

Not an option... I will however try to find an M17 somewhere in a store so I can see it live. If I really don't like it, I'll probably go the Clevo way.

 

Hahaha the Clevo way ok enjoy

what was that saying, if it ain't broke don't fix it. The glossy screen is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen I wouldn't change it for anything. Vibrant colors and detail, I've never had an issue with "reflection" bothering me.

You'll regret if you go clevo instead of alienware.

I've had a glossy MacBook before this one too and I live in an apartment, one wall of my room is almost entirely window from the floor to the ceiling, and I live in the middle east its very bright. Trust me you will be fine with a glossy screen I could never go to a matte screen this one is too incredible. Alienware all the way!

 

fair enough. As I said I have never had a glossy screen and the vibrant colors do sound nice. We'll see, I'll definitely try to find an AW an see it live before buying but I've almost made up my mind to go for it.

next big issue is of course 7970 vs 680, back to reading...

 

There's no reading on that one. If you have the budget, the 680M all the way. Better control panel, better drivers, more features, more stable/reliable, less problems.

The 7970M is simply the same performance for cheaper. It's got way higher performance for your dollar value, but the 680M is all around a better card

And seriously.... The display is beautiful. It's so bright as well, it's still blowing me away months later. Do NOT worry about reflections trust me

 

Very much respect opinion, but don't agree fully with the above.

The GTX 680m is not better then the 7970m (though the GTX 680m does also have my personal preference).

I have found a single GTX 680m perform the same as the 7970m, it just differs which game you try, which card will be SLIGHTLY faster.
Driver support for the 7970m is fine now (wasn't half a year ago), it's very stable, and the problems everyone always talks about is very personal. I had more problems with my GTX 680m's then with my 7970m (none at all). It's just bad luck imho.

It's when you seriously Overclock, that the GTX 680m takes a clear lead.
Best bang for buck, without a doubt, is the 7970m.
Whatever you do, DO take one of both cards, and don't opt for one of the cheaper ones. Both are leagues ahead in terms of performance. I'd take a basic m17x any day with just one of both GPU's, over all kinds of other stuff in it but with a cheaper GPU.

I do agree about the Glossy screen!
I love it also, reflections are very doable. Also here, it's really a matter of personal preference.

By the way, seeing an Alienware m17x-r4 with one of both cards in action, likely means you immediately purchase it

 

I do believe there is a anti-glare cover for the glossy screen on the r4 by Green Onions. Go here for this :
AG2 Anti-Glare screen Protector for Dell Alienware M17x R3/R4 | Green Onions Supply
Having said that, let me share a thought on the product. It basically reduces the brigthness and clarity of your screen. Had it on my r3; thought it would be good to get rid of the reflections permanently, but i didnt really like what i saw after i had applied it. Do it only if you are really fed up of the reflections or are in no doubt that they must absolutely go. In all other cases, let that screen be as it is - and it really is beautiful the way it is

 

I overclocked my 7970m to 900/1400 earlier. I won't do it again. If the OP wants to OC, I think he should buy a 680m.

I don't know about the other things: a Clevo with 680m (a Clevo with 7970m is not comparable) costs about the same as an Alienware with 7970m, but Dell has a better (much overpriced) warranty. Customer service is a wash. In any case, the solutions for the glossy bezel decrease the quality of the screen.

 

I have my 7970 over-clocked to 950/1300 and have had no problems. I can play Crsis 3 on very high settings all night long.

 

Aftermarket screen protector
swap the screen (as long as you don't break anything)

 

7970m and 680m are pretty much the same card, or have the same performance. I personally like nVidia more because they are always on top of issues and releasing new drivers to fix them. AMD also does so but sometimes it takes a while to get the updates. It really depends on preference and budget.

 

I have always been with nvidia so I was reluctant to consider the 7970 in the M17x but it seems true that most of the driver/support issues are gone. In real life gaming the shouldn't be noticeable differences except maybe in some very few games.

Availability will be the main issue for me. I live in europe and AW prices here are much higher than in the states. The good news is that I have an upcoming trip to the US in a few weeks but I am concerned about the production/delivery times as I will be there only for about 2 months. The ideal situation for me would be to find an already built M17x R4 in some retail store and just buy it on the spot.

Maybe you can give me some recommendations about such retail stores in/around Dallas, TX (a few hundred miles radius is ok)

 

Yeah the drivers issues are "gone" but how long ago was the 7970M released? Then the 8970M will come out, or new games will come out, etc... and Nvidia will release drivers weeks ahead of AMD just because they FINALLY have decent drivers for the radeon doesn't mean it's worth the 200 bucks saved to roll with AMD, not reliable IMO!

 

is there anyone here who has some anti-glare screen protector on their M17?

I would really love to see some pictures with it.

 

don't worry about the glossy screen the only time it is reflective is when you are outside in the actual sun. Not sitting in a room where sun is coming in unless you have your laptop directly in the line of the sun.

 

Guess it's subjective as I always notice my reflection and my screen is at 45 degrees to the window. IMO the worst thing on my AW, but if the trade off is clarity and definition then I go for glossy

I have seen some threads where people have tried anti-gloss covers specifically designed for the M17x but all said that contrast suffers

 

I'm going to have to disagree with you there. Just sitting in my room with the screen facing away from the window and the blinds down halfway and my m17x is literally a mirror on black screens while my roommates macbook (also glossy) with the screen facing toward the window is nowhere near as reflective. (And my 2560x1440p Asus panel is not reflective at all =)).

I knew that going into buying the laptop though and it is something you are going to either have to get over or get another machine. I would buy a Matte sager before even considering putting a matte screen protector on my laptop. I can live with the glare since I only game on my Asus 278q panel.

 

I'm with Micky on this, I would trade off clarity for definition any time without hesitating.

I don't like matte screens at all, in my opinion they look old and only remind me of the first LCD monitors that came out.

 

I bought the anti glare screen protector when I ordered my laptop because I had concerns about how glossy the screen would be. But after owning the laptop since Nov, I have yet to install the screen protector because the natural state of the glossy screen is perfect for me.

 

I don't know if this is the solution you might mean, but I plan on picking up a M17x from HIDEvolution because they will install this screen

17.3-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED Ultra Bright 90% NTSC Color Gamut (AUO B173HW01 V4)

I have long analyzing which exact laptop i want to get this year. Having gotten past the question of SLI, laptop cooling and screen quality has had me looking long and hard. I could get a better screen in a clevo, but cooling and what I feel is better build quality kept me looking at the M17x. Obviously not a cheap solution.

 

I don't see at all how a clevo has a better screen. Just because it's matte doesn't mean its better. Gloss has more vivid colors. Matte is just good for people who freak out about glare and reflections.

 

I think you misunderstand.

First, I am pointing out a screen upgrade. Its not a Matte Screen. I am talking about too much glare as a problem, not necessarily just matte or glare type as the only options.

And also there are a wide variety of Clevo/Sager reseller and boutique computer builders who offer all kinds of upgrades, including screens. Its far easier to find a better screen with so many choices. Only one Alienware Reseller is even offering something outside the stock screen options, ... So thats kind of where I was coming from.