M17x "All Powerful" General Information Thread

If you are going to jump into a new system and order today, stick with the refresh version. Order R2. I say this not because I believe the R1 is plagued with issues, I myself have no issues with my R1. There are current issues as you have already read which several members with the R1 are having. These are being worked on.

I suggest the R2 if someone is ordering fresh since its more current than the R1. Stick with the fresh technology.

 

Thanks batboy.

 

Has anyone actually seen the new RGB screen? I wonder if it is worh the money. For me this is my problem. If I go with the R2 it will be for he new screen. I really would like to hear how it performs. I heard sometimes these diplays are so brightly backlit that it actually washes out colors.

 

Ok I waited for some more imput. I guess Ill just order what I thinkI should. So if I have problems I have 7 days to return? Is that correct?

 

21 days actually, from invoice date (if I'm not mistaken - may have been changed to 30 days).

 

Ok I ordered mine. I got the corei 540m with the single 4870 video card. I also got the RGB 1200p panel. Thanks MOO for the extra help.

 

21 days from when it ships

 

How is the 1440 x 900 LCD? I have had 2 notebooks with 1920 x 1200 and now find it to be too high of a resolution. The reason I came to this conclusion is I now have a 24" LCD on a desktop and it its so much easier on the eyes. I did customize my icons on the notebooks but after using the 24" LCD it is a bit difficult to go back. What I am wondering on the 1440 x 900 resolution is brightness, color rendering and sharpness. Thanks!

 

one drawback of the lower resolution is there will not be an RGB led option, only the ccfl screen that many users did not like

 

If the 1440 x 900 LCD is substandard, I would be inclined to get the higher resolution screen. I have also heard mixed reviews on the rgb LCD display.

 

if you have the led screen in your M6400, rumor is it will be the exact same panel as that

so if you like that, you can have it in the M17x R2 as well

 

Interesting. My M6400 suffers from a gray/blue cast. I have compensated by adjusting the nVidia color settings. Hopefully the M17x's LCD doesn't have that. It may be due to the video card though.

 

Ok I know I just ordered but I am already impatient. I told myself I wouldnt even think about this untill the laptop arrives lol. Ohh well. Can anyone tell me the stages there are? Mine is currently in production. Is this good? I thought there were different stages. I did end up getting the new version with the RGB screen. I hope I made the right choice. Does anyone have the new screen on these forums yet? If so can I get some imput? Sorry I hate acting like a noob but I am excited.

 

Here's all you need to know about the order status.

 

I have been researching computers for years. Although Alienware and Falcon are Top-Notch Laptop Builders and their machines are out of this world, are they really worth the price? If you think about it, a High-Grade Mobile Dual-Core (Such as Core 2 Duo, i3 Duo, and i5 Duo) Can be just as fast as an intel i7 Quad Core in Most Cases. However, there is a significant improvent in Alienwares Video Cards over Standard Notebooks, but again; worth the price? I dont think so, considering Dell has terrible Reputation with building computers and I can get a NewEgg "Open Box" deal with an Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.2GHz, 4GB DDR3 RAM, and an ATI Radeon 1GB Deticated 4570 Graphics Card for under $600. On top of this, I have used over 50 Computers extensively and Intel Chipsets, Processors, and RAM seem to run faster with ATI cards rather than NIVIDIA, even though NIVIDIA is run by AMD. Its kind of a wierd combo, but its extreme! An Intel Pentium D Dual Core at 1.8GHz with an integrated ATI HD Card was able to pull PassMark's 3D Testing Software at its hardest lavel at >30 FPS! AMAZING!

 

Dell actually makes great computers

They are just judged by the crappy inspirons that they sell the most of. You get what you paid for at that price....at $3000 you got a top of the line laptop and support to match

 

Well in my 5 Years of studying (Bachlor's Degree), Dell has made STUPENDOUS Desktops but incredibly horrible Laptops. Reports (over 30 of them) indicate Dell Laptop Life Expectancy under 5 years, but Desktops are expected at over 8 years. I own a 9 year old Optiplex GX270 That still runs as if i bought it yesterday. I also own a 5 year old Dell XPS M140 Notebook that has system crased twice in the last 3 years requiring XP Re-install and Replacement of FRIED RAM! I currently know of ~40 Dell Notebook owners and ~30 Have Problems; ~50 Desktop Owners and i can only remember one problem reported to me. Obvious Result: For Notebook: NOT DELL; Desktop: DELL! Their new Optiplex 380 and 720 series look Promising! There is an exeption to my rule though, In all my years i have never seen or touched an Alienware for myself. Does this new Dell Sub-Company have what it takes to alter their current Terrible Laptop builds? You Tell me? I only judge based on reliable experiance is all.

 

Plus you must repect the fact that most people (Like Me), who are making <$50,000 a year, cannot spend $3000 on a laptop unless you are a lunatic. Therefore, A much more suitible price is needed for us "Common Folk". Let us say... Under $1000. The Newegg comes with support and warranty and is expandable, plus the already built-in warranty and service is 2 years! For a laptop under $600, you must admit I have found an incredible deal. What would you say you would recommend for under $1000?

 

Lol I am actually Re-Programming my Girlfriends XPS right now. Her's is 3 Year old and crashed! What a piece of junk! The Acer Deal I found is expected to last more than 7 years! Dont you think that is more worth it? Again this only applies to Laptops, Dell is still incredible with thier desktops.

 

HP's reputation is worse, as is Acer. You may have a lot of "local experience" and I'll grant you that. But Consumer survey's don't show the results you are listing.

Facts are though that you hit upon something key. Laptops are luxury items. They compromise a lot to reduce space and size to a minimum. In doing that, durability is likely to be less than a desktop. What counters that, however, is that most computers that are more than 5 years old are decrepit pieces of junk, even if they are still "running".

Mind you this isn't a car that gets old but still gets you there. Old machines are slow, and are usually completely decimated by machines a fraction of the cost of what we are talking about in this thread.

So I have a question for you. If you don't like something, does that make anyone who does like that given something insane? Food for thought anyway.

 

Okay, let's not forget one thing: as stated on this section of the laptop forums:

Alienware Alienware is the world's largest boutique brand, offering high-performance systems for gamers and enthusiasts.

So... you're either into it as a style/concept, or you're not; there is part of the price difference, even for Falcon.

You can get the same performance from an NSX that you could get out of a Ferrarri for 1/3 the price. If performance is all you care about, then get the NSX. Otherwise, if style matters, get the Ferrarri, in this case Alienware.

Worth is a relative valuation, it's just that simple

 

Docsteel... I see your eta date is 2/5. Mine is 2/16. When I check online status it says in production. When I call the 800 number it says my order is beeing proccesed. It has only been three days lol. I didnt think I would be so anxious. I orderd mine and told myself just wait a few weeks and It will be here. No I cant stop thinking about it<sigh>. What stage is yours in doc?

 

Wait until you start having dreams about the delivery and they then turn into nightmares when you don't get what you ordered.

 

When you say not what you ordered, do you mean:

1) different components, or

2) not living up to expectations

Is this a common problem with Alienwares?

 

I placed and original order that had an ETA of 02/01, then the RGB LED and i7 option (m17x R2) and reordered on 01/20... with an eta of 02/05 (overnight, shipping by the fourth).

Mine still says: in processing, building

 

I was talking about having dreams like that, not reality.

 

LOL - I thought you meant dreaming then a sudden shift upon a startling reality

 

doesn't matter Mandrake, the seed is planted in his head now lol

 

Yeah, now I am picturing it coming with a cracked screen, no software and a Q9000 processor and a single Nvidia 240m video card - lol, and the worst thing being the wrong color

 

I called the 800 number to check my status. I ended up talking to a csr that went and checked the status. She came back and told me it would be shipped on the 15th instead of 17th. She also said she upgraded the shipping to next buisness day for free. I didnt complian or ask for it or anything. Is this normal? I was happy. I just wondered if this is the norm? I ordered this kinda on a whim. I have really wanted this thing bad for a long time. I just decided one nite to just order one. I really didnt think much about it. Now I cant stop thinking about it lol. I usually only spend money on modding my car that never gets drivin . My wife accepts my obsession with spending money on my car but the laptop has caused a tad of friction lateley . Oh well from what I have read its well worth the money. I want to post a vid of me tuning my car on the M17X and see if anyone notices on the car forum I i am always on. Who says a car guy cant be a gadget nerd too.

 

I know what you mean, my car tuning phase got sparked by my OC'ing and tuning of my PCs. Speed, speed, must have MORE speed.... Ludicrous Speed!

Then a professional team stole my ride and stripped it

Ah well, we live and learn, but I got a faster car thanks to my insurance!

 

what are my options if i want to return a not even 3 month alienware back ? Sell online or is dell willing to eat up a couple hundred bills and take it back ?
Thanks for the help

 

zyk, you'll need to contact technical support/customer care. From invoice date, you have 21-days to return it. Full Return Policy Details can be found here:

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/policy/en/policy?c=us&l=en&s=gen&~section=018

If you are not in the USA, check your regional Dell site for specifics which may differ from the USA Return Policy.

You also have the 'Sell Online' of course.

 

If you do enough complaining, a few members have gotten full refunds months after purchasing the system in relation the DPC problem and a lack of effort on Dell's part to resolve the problem

 

HI,

I would like to know if by any chance alienware will put again the 280GTX in the MX17 or only keep this ati 4850 ?

thanks

 

hi walalang023 im also from a country which i can't buy the m17x.They dont ship to overseas countries so im thinking if someone could buy it for me and for you

 

hello im from Greece can someone tell me how can i buy the m17x. In my country they don't sell even the m15x.Thanks in advance

 

ebay? maybe

 

i have looked on ebay and i cant find the m17x i want(with i7 2,28ghz 8gb ram)anyway thanks claxdog

 

What is the component that sits in the very far bottom right of the laptop? is it just the disk drive?

Everytime I switch my M17x on it makes a noise like a soft " scrape scrape" but then it's fine after that and no performance is affected. Hoping it's not one of the quad processors or a fan or something.

 

By bottom right do you mean front right? Optical drive and card reader. Wouldn't worry too much, probably just an init routine in the optical drive.

If it's back right then that would be the secondary GPU (primary is back left). Wouldn't worry too much either unless the noise becomes more prolific (i.e. bearing failure etc...). Then you'd just need to get a replacement fan.

 

I am about to buy the M17x R2, but I have been waiting now because I would like to know if there would be a new graphic card that support directx 11 for the M17x that might come out with it.

 

Can someone point me to a program for monitoring GPU temps on my M17x-R1? HWMonitor won't show them. Thanks guys.

Turbo.

 

with the 4870s I have not heard of any good program for it except GPU-z

 

Dang. I've had that program installed for quite awhile and never noticed the Sensor tab. Thanks scook.

 

Some great info here, thanks to all the contributors.

 

Interesting ATI update on Tom's this am regarding mobile drivers;
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/catalyst-eyefinity-radeon,2559-2.html

 

Hey GadgetBoi, how are you able to run the 10.2 drivers? I try to Mobmod them and get errors.

 

Go to Device Manager, right-click one of the video cards, and select update driver.

Next, choose Browse my computer. Then "let me pick ...".

Click "Have Disk"

Navigate to the extracted folder. For me it's Downloads\Support\10-2_vista64_win7_64_dd_ccc_wdm_enu\Packages\Drivers\Display\W76A_INF.

Double-click the file with the CH in the name. Start installing.

NOTE - I had a problem with several flickering black screens after install. I have since hard-shut down (held power button down) and restarted. I'm showing 10.2 and so far so good.
__________________

 

Go to this thread and click on the link in dondahdah88 sig:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=392653&page=77

Follow Lord_Zath instructions.
Good Luck