M17x-R2 screen replacement/upgrade

Hi all,

I've had the M17x-R2 for nearly a month now and haven't had any problems so far(other than the touch pad polling rate issue,
but I solved that by rolling back the driver to MS default) anyhow...

When ordering, I only got the standard 1440x900 display and would like to upgrade it with a 1920x1200 RGB LED.

Does anyone know where i can purchase the 1920x1200 RGB LED for my system?
I have the means and experience to replace it myself, just cant
seem to find one after searching.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for the wealth of knowledge you guys disperse in this forum.

 

You can watch eBay I've seen a few here and there over the last couple of weeks, or you can buy one straight from Dell/AW. I can tell you that if your machine is in good shape it would be cheaper for you to sell your current machine and buy another one with it on it, or if you've had your machine for around a month you could call and try to talk them into taking yours back if you order another one. I think the upgrade is only like $200 more if you do either of the last two options and the prices I've seen for the screen or screen assembly for these on the RGBLED's run between $800-$1500 so it's just not worth it. Even if you had to sell yours at a loss and buy a new one it's going to most likely be cheaper and less of a headache.

 

Heres one on ebay for less then $300

 

That's the LCD style off of the R1, if you want to go with the 1200p that's the non-RGBLED than you can do it decently priced. The RGBLED on the other hand is going to cost a lot more and be harder to find.

 

Thanks for the helpful info.

I think I'll just hold off for a while and wait for the RGB prices to fall a bit.

Does the RGB call for the 240w PS or is that just for the CF option and/or the 920XM ?

 

Until you go over the 150w adaptor requirements on what your machine needs it's not necessary and the RGB screen alone isn't going to cause that. The only downside about the waiting game is they're not going to fall until one of two things happen: either something newer and better comes out(then you'll want it instead if you're like me), or a third party company starts making screens that work which is unlikely :-( either way good luck and you're very welcome!

 

Yea you're right, our OCD seems to get the best of us tech junkies lol.

I couldn't rep u again right not so thanks again!

 

No problem man, seriously if your system has decent specs throw it up for sell on here if it's only a month old. Or if you play your cards right they can take your system back and build the same one just with the RGB screen, call and get a quote on the part and just act like it's too much then say you'd love to get it but your just barely out of your return policy if you get a good rep they'll pull strings for ya!

 

It's worth a shot to try, I' give a call tomorrow and see
what they can do for me.

 

Let me know how it goes!

 

I thought about doing the same ting, i went with the 1200p screen non-RGB, and i regret it. Tell me the prices you get

 

Hi, Well it didn't go too well for me as I had the laptop just over 21 days. I would have taken too much of a loss to justify the upgrade (over $800)

Maybe I just got a bad Rep that wouldn't work with me. IDK

Anyhow, I am extremely happy with my current system and the price I paid, just regret not dropping the extra $200 for RGB when I placed my order.

 

Dellienware's prices on those screens for just an upgrade are ridiculous. I asked for the pricing and got quotes of anywhere from $1200 up to $1500! I asked to pay the difference when I got my replacement R2 and they refused saying all they could do was sell the part for those prices. If anyone really wants one for cheaper than their prices there's an RGBLED screen assembly(everything but the back panel) on eBay for $999 that's about as cheap as you can get em brand new right now.

 

Hey Dane, noticed yours landed the 28th. You got you got the RGB this time i suppose? What was your complete specs and total if I may ask?

 

I don't think the price of the RGB will fall if you are buying from Dell parts. I was quoted $400 for a 4 year old LCD for my XPS 1710. The price of parts sometimes rises rather than falls. Dell is being rediculous as I could have bought a really nice 24" monitor for half that price.

I noticed on Ebay there were some pretty amazing prices on M17x R2. Perhaps you could find one cheap and strip it for parts and than sell the parts you don't want back on ebay.

 

@Buehlar-Nope didn't get the RGB, tried every way I could think of to get it but they refused to do anything other than ship a computer to me with the 900p screen then sell the $1200 part to me to swap out. But the specs I got were i7-820qm, 8 gb 1333, 2x500 gb hdd's, single 5870, 1440x900 screen and the total they put in the cost was a little over $2800.
@FalconMachV-I second that. Honestly if you get a machine without the RGB and decide you want it, it's cheaper to sell the machine at a loss and buy another one. I will never order another computer without the top screen again, I can deal with upgrading the rest of it but the screen will always be top dog from here on out.

 

You're a freaking genius Falcon!

I'll buy one, take out the 1200 RGB, put in my 900 LED and resell for a little less $.

I'll have to wait for some funds to come in but meanwhile I'll be looking around.
Thanks for the tip. LOL

 

I'll weigh out this option too, will depend on how much my current system will bring in and at what loss I'll expect.

I'll have the RGB... eventually

 

Noticed you joined in May. The 21 day return policy is not written in stone. If you contact your sales agent and tell him that you are wanting to upgrade they may make an exception. If you are taking parts apart also snag the ultra wi fi card as well. Thanks for the postive feedback . Perhaps you could tell him you are having trouble with photoshop colors and this is why you want the RGB screen. Also I think there are a couple places to buy used Alienware laptops, some official from Dell and others on Ebay that are consumer sales. Also look for other hardware you can swap as well such as ram.

 

The option Falcon mentioned is a good one for sure, but the only thing I would caution you on is to get those swapped you either have to switch the full LCD assembly which is a royal PITA and risky, or you have to cut brakets to change just the panel which is more of a PITA and a LOT more risky. Either way you risk jacking something up and totally voiding your warranty. Dell also will not warranty your screen at that point too. Just a couple thoughts. If you want to do it and have the know how by all means do it and save some money.

 

Sell your systems at a loss and buy a new one with RGB LED. That's the best and only true viable way to do it.

 

I've changed a few LCD panels pretty familiar with the procedure, but I never had to mod anything. what brackets are you referring to? The side brackets that the panel screws too?

 

Or do a trade with someone who doesnt really care all that much about the LCD RGB and cash... maybe someone will say sure.

I know I would.. it doesnt mean that much to me But my system is only like 2 weeks old, and is mint, I wouldnt want someones used junker

 

I've used the original m17x screen and that has got to be the worse screen ever made! The colors were horrible, the auto dim feature was purposeless, and overall the worst screen I've had the displeasure to use!

 

Ok then.. there goes that