M17xR3 - Owner Answered Frequently Asked Questions *READ BEFORE POSTING*

There's no other option other than the 9 cell battery with the M17x, only the M15x has the 6 or 9 cell battery option.

 

Did Alienware scrap their "quickbay" idea or whatever it was called? Where you can pull out the CD drive and put a second HDD or second battery in?

My m15x has that feature but I haven't seen it advertised in any of their laptops as of late.

 

That was scrapped about the time that Dell actually took over Alienware, the last computers you'll see in the AW lineup with that feature is the Area 51 laptops. It was a ridiculously cool feature that gave decent to very good battery life to larger computers, but it would possibly eliminate the need for more than one computer so it was scrapped.

 

Guys, in reading these Q&A's I think we need to make a tweak. There are observations/opinions of owners, ie:

What is the case made of? Soandso: It's made of plastic. It has that plastic feel.

And there are the facts: Alienware: It's made of solid magnesium coated with a rubberized plastic soft-touch coat.

I think we need to state the factual answers that we know so as to be accurate for those wishing to make purchases. The body construction is one such issue where the case appears to be constructed of magnesium but the Q&A would imply plastic.

Just my suggestion.

 

For anyone who's purchased a non-3D setup with 460M and received it already: How's the battery life, and is Optimus working well?

 

I fixed it.

Also, just so you guys know I'm really busy as of late and not able to keep up with all the current M17x R3 news nor am I updating the FAQ as often as I'd like.

If you want me to update something, send me a PM! I get an email whenever I receive PM's so I can jump on when I get them!

 

Can we ask if anyone who has an R3 already has been contacted by dell regarding the SB chipset?

I know this is not answerable immediately but I am curious to see how it gets handled.

 

Read my last post in the 17xR3 OL.

 

I did, but basically got nothing so far. So did the others. I believe we will have the response from Dell in this week.

This is from my sale rep:

 

Yah, mine is basically the same. I did speak to a person on teh phone though, and he expressed similar sentiment/lack of data atm.

I guess as long as Dell will commit to doing recalls/repairs for free, then I'm game. Otherwise, Amex takes care of refunds also if the retailer will not take it back within 90days.

 

Folks, I just posted this in the main Alienware forum. It is a sticky thread and will remain a sticky until we have official word from Dell/Alienware on what this means for the M17xR3.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...sandy-bridge-issue-what-does-mean-m17xr3.html

Feel free to post and discuss - please do review the Intel Press Release *before* posting. Also, if you received any response to reaching out to Dell, please re-post there.

Thanks - questions, pm me pls.

-BB

 

I really like the design of the Alienware laptop. I love the keyboard. We poor Asus G73 owners have had to endure the worst keyboard and touchpad ever put in a laptop.

Anyway, I can't seem to find any info from current owners of an R3 that talk about gaming performance using the 3D feature of this laptop. I know that the performance of the Asus G series laptop with the 460m is very bad. The framerates at it's native 720p resolution are acceptable without the 3D. When you enable the 3D it has to draw twice as many frames to generate one image for the player. The frame rates basically drop to half which is perfectly logical. I assume the same thing happens here. If the 460m can't keep up with 720p, I'm assuming it is abysmal at 1080p. Is that correct?

If the FPS in games are as bad as I think they are, then it's basically a regular gaming rig. It can play 3D movies which I can't do with my laptop. That is certainly a plus but I am shopping for an awesome gaming laptop. I guess I want an R3 with a 485m and it doesn't exist right now.

I've read speculation that if the 485m did ever come out for this laptop it would cost at least $750 in case I bought one with the intention of upgrading it later. Does that sound about right?

I want to buy a new rig to replace this G73 and I'm seriously considering the R3, an R2 with the RGB screen and XFired 5870s, and I'm peeking around the corner at a Sager NP8170 too. I just don't know. I want an m17x but I don't want to be disappointed in the performance of such an expensive piece of hardware.

I would appreciate your thoughts on the performance of what is available right now in the m17x. I'm struggling with the decision on whether to get what's available or wait to see what comes out.

Thank you.

 

Thats the trouble with speculation...

Nobody can say for certain what Dell's pricing plan will be until Dell actually makes it available (if they ever do). If so, then we'll know.

The 3D gaming performance question does need to be answered at some point with its own thread. In the meantime, check Dr.J's thread and Mandrake's thread - I believe both of them have played with 3D now - there may be some details there which can answer your q.

As for the comparison with the R2 vs. R3, XFire 5870's vs. the R3's offering, etc., you'll find many different opinions on this. Check the recent pages of the 17x forum as I'm sure we have a few threads touching on this.

A reminder to all concerning the R2 vs. R3 topic -

 

The R3 gets a bit of a boost from the sandy bridge processors but if you were unimpressed with the performance of the Asus 460m (at your graphics settings, on your games etc.) then you prob wont find the R3 with the 460m much different. I would look up what the 460m is getting in the games u wish to play / at the settings and cut the frames in half, would at least give you a guideline until someone gets a more detailed 3D gaming experience thread going.

Also, the 6970m is available in some countries already and should soon be on the US and Canadian sites, if your interested in that card instead (no 3D with it though).

 

Has anyone been able to order the M17X R3 with an ATI graphics card and the 120HZ screen. I am aware the 3D won't work but it would be good to have the 120HZ refresh rate and the 6970M.

If anyone has been able to do that with the 6870M please let me know.

 

One more FAQ: What are the dimensions of the R3? (L x W x H), and Weight. (OK, two more FAQs)

 

I am still not sure if it will work officially...Noone has tested it yet. It would be cool if it does work though.

 

I called Alienware yesterday to see if i could do that. One of the reps said they can alter the order to allow the 120hz screen with the AMD card, you will of course have to pay for the full screen upgrade (meaning the glasses). He said he will ask his supervisor and call me back. He hasn't called me back yet. Now this could be due to the SB problem, or he lied and didn't feel like saying it over the phone.

 

Lol...Or he lied

 

Hey all,

Not sure if this has already been asked, but...

Is the screen "edge-to-edge" glass (aka hard plastic) like Macbooks/ENVY/dv4, or is it the usual like all the rest of dell's computers? Also, is it super reflective, like you can't see anything outdoors, or is it okay glossy, like you can sorta see stuff if at max brightness? Or is it matte, similar to the Vostros?

Thanks!

 

Super glossy and edge to edge plastic/glass

 

Almost mirror glossy lol, and yes definitely edge to edge probably a material like plexi-glass.

 

That's exactly what I want. A good deal for the config, but not a good deal for the price

 

has anyone found out which screens (hardware ID, specs, for the three models: 1600x900, 1920x1080 60hz, 1920x1080 120hz) is Dell using for the M17x R3?

 

All 3 of those that you listed, except in the manual they have a 120Hz screen option without the 3D bundle.

 

No, he wants to know the manufacturer and model of the actual lcd panel, not the specs

 

Just played COD4MW on highest settings in 3D with FRAPS. Did once or twice framerate dipped to 24 but stayed in the high 40's 50's most of the time. In worst fighting area's with explosions and running, it stayed in the 30's except for the rare 20's dip. Never looked less than excellent or fast.

Hope that helps.

 

In 3D or ?

 

Yup he said in 3D lol

 

exactly, this is what I'd like to know


and

CoD4 is old guys... try to play black ops in 3d... then let's know its frame rate...

 

They're definately more than above average for a notebook, but are not as good as the sound system on the XPS L501X and L701X.

 

That sucks. I thought the sound system was better on this than my 701x

 

Not sure if this was answered yet, but the question is still blue so...

Yes. I was able to hear audio via laptop speakers with ps3 plugged in to HDMI in

 

Thank you owners for answering our zillions of questions. I'm sure others feel the same.

 

How do you turn up or turn down the volume? Does the R3 go into suspend mode or anything while HDMI in is enabled? Do the fans stay on?

Please shed some light, as this wait is killing me

 

volume: All the normal ways. keyboard button, windows volume control....
HDMI in does not allow "suspend mode or anything"
Fans work as required

 

So the computer's actually on, eh? Weird. I wonder if the computer's activity is suspended/can't be used. Makes sense if it would be. Too bad if it isnt, and you could press keys and it's gonna do stuff without you knowing.

 

Sorry, I lied.
I was just playing FFXIII and the screen went black (screen turned off due to power settings) after 15 mins.

Audio control seems to be only via buttons above keyboard.

 

Which one looks correct (it's my only true 1080p PS3 game, sorry)

FFXIII - 1080p, TV
FFXIII - 1080p, M17Xr3 HDMI in

 

Interesting, Windows software for HDMI-In? Maybe hax0rs for 3D?

EDIT: The HDMI-In screenie looks like junk Pixelated

 

it's a picture from a crappy camera
But then again, I used the same camera with same settings for both pics.

 

Yes, but the AW one is real low quality IMO.

 

Curious what is the mxm slot revision on the r3?

 

It's a computer screen playing hdmi input. Not a tv. Maybe that's the diff? Or is it cuz hdmi input only does up to XXXp rather than full HD 1080p? Can someone verify this?

 

colors on the R3 looks very dull. TV was more vivid. one was with a red background, and the other, a purple/pink background(which looks weird)

 

The TV is like 4 years old, too (and wasn't very expensive)

 

in your own opinion, which displayed a better quality image, and which produce a nicer color range?

 

TV in both instances.
HDMI in makes it seem like I'm playing FFXIII in a fog bank, though the game text is much more legible via HDMI

 

i have yet to connect my 360 to my R3. too lazy to disconnect it from my projector and connect it to my laptop. not to mention dusty as well.

 

Got a quick question for u other owners if u get a second. Most of you said that the power jack felt solid.. While mine seems solid it does have some slight wiggle when its plugged in (I can actually wiggle the connector a bit without applying much pressure), do you guys also experience this or did they mess something else up (other than the sata contoller :x) ?