M17xR3 First Impression

So it's ALWAYS a 120hz screen, right? Does this consume twice as much battery life as a result, or no?

Can you clarify (as I'm nubbish when it comes to 3D as a whole) that the laptop isnt ALWAYS in 3D, like when we're working on a Word doc, or browsing web pages, doing homework, etc.?

Also, I use a Dell Vostro 3400 (dated November 2010) at work. The "aluminum" on the lid and around the ports seem to be decent. But the plastic around the edges, palmrest, keyboard, underneath, all seem to be meh. It's hard on all sides, but it just seems cheap on the underside due to its "orange peel" texture. The top(keyboard area) and edges of the notebook are smooth though. If possible, could you describe the quality of the plastic used in the R3?

Thx mang!

 

cant imagine it uses twice the battery for increase refresh rate; probably negligible difference. 3D is only supported:
1. if you wear the glasses
2. If you wear the glasses AND the program/game/app supports it.

 

I haven't tested this but I'm not positive that higher frequency always equals more power but I could be wrong.

Regarding 3D specifically your source needs to be 3D in order for 3D to work and the glasses it comes with is not passive. This means they also need to charge.

I'll do this when I get home so it's in front of me. I also have the "aluminum" XPS 15 at home I can compare it to.

 

I see no reason for the higher refresh rate to change the power draw dramatically, the screen is still on just showing different content.

Think of it like duty cycle on a PWN signal, if the frequency is X or 2X, at 50% duty cycle the signal is still high 50% of the time

 

Can confirm. On my new M17xR2 the keyboard flexes... Sadly.
It is more noticeable in the left zone (where the keys "q,w,e,,r,a,s,d,z,x,c" are). Even applying light pressure while typing causes this flex. First days was a bit disappointed, but now I'm getting used to this "typical" AW feature. this small thing does not spoil my general experience with this system

 

anybody getting the system in red? i wonder how it looks like, i think the red is a little dark as the rubber does not have the metallic effect!

 

I added a "notes of interest section" to the original post. I will keep that updated.

 

look at Dr.J thread..He got his in red

 

Mandrake,
no command center app? so we cant change the fancy lights?

 

The only really thing that concerns me is the noise, this will be the first Alienware laptop that i will own and I was hoping since it's a 17" screen with only 1GPU it would be quieter than most 15", although I heard the M15X is really quiet idle. Hopefully it's quieter than my Clevo W860CU, but i think that's because the Clevo 5870M didn't have Powerplay.

 

I already wiped mine so I didn't have a chance to figure it out. It's definitely not on the resource dvd.

 

Dr J is able to set the lights the way he wants them as far as i can tell
how big is the charger? is the box and contents the same as r2?

 

Charger looks the same size as the R2. M15x plug also works with it.

The box contents were the same except for the harsh smell and the 3D glasses. The box itself is redesigned a bit.

 

Have you had a chance to weigh it yet?

 

Does the box they ship it in have Alienware on it? I'm afraid of shipping it to my school if it is obvious that the box contains at 2-3K computer inside.

 

Nope, sorry.

Plain black box on the outside.

 

You said you put XMP HyperX RAM running at 1600MHZ, do you have a link on where to get it? I just looked at the Newegg site for 10 minutes and I must be dumb since I cannot find it.

 

lol, the last time I did that the memory sold out immediately and newegg kept raising their price.

Newegg.com - Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model KHX1600C9S3K2/4GX

or search for KHX1600C9S3K2/4GX


Edit: Ok just ordered 4 more GB in case it happens again.

 

Thanks for the help.

 

do the 3d glasses come with the case and nose pieces???

 

Yes, and fiber cloth.

 

i saw in the benchmark thread that the turbo duration can be changed from 1-56 and the TDP is from 1-100w, but no multiplier changes(atleast with the non XM CPUs). Does the bios mention if the duration is in seconds or mins? If its seconds then its almost pointless since even if we set the TDP to 100W the actual period of turbo would be similar to the default settings and since there is no multiplier changes we can't even change the the maximum clock for the the 56 seconds.

On the other hand if its 56 mins then we have a 2720Qm that can do 3ghz for almost an hour, instead of around the base clock given worst case scenario. In any case that would be a great selling point for alienware since i dont believe the new clevos have this in their bios.

 

Np, 8GB kit here.
Newegg.com - Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model KHX1600C9S3K2/8GX

 

I need to do lots of testing on this front. It will be fun figuring it out.

 

one last thing before i turn in. I would love to see some images of the inside. especially interested to known if the CPU heatsink fins are copper and it's size compared to the M15x.

thanks a bunch.

 

Drake, check out the picture link for the expanded device manager in the other first impression thread. Let me know if you need anything else.

 

Will do when I'm done setting it up.

It's more than likely the Compal Embedded System Control. Big shock Compal.

Spoiler

 

How is the noise when the machine is idle, I don't mind if it's loud when gaming but i'm very noise sensitive when i watch a video or browse the web. Hopefully it's not like the W860CU, but i thinks it's because that machine didn't support powerplay

 

hmmm, nothing stood out at far as noise when not under load. I guess that's a good thing.

 

Mandrake, does the M17x come with 3D receptor? and what color do you think is better? red or black, because i dont know which choose

 

If it does it's not external.

Red will show less finger prints but stand out more. IMO, if you like playing with the AlienFX lights it will look better on a black system. Others think black is too basic and boring. Unfortunately only you can pick since it's a very superficial topic.

 

Overall are you happy and Satisfied with your System Specs? If not what would you change? And Feel free to suggest that you still need more time to determine this, as it's kinda of a loaded question, Thanks! Do you think you're going to miss your m15x?

 

Does anyone know if the LCD is a true 120hz? I did searching but couldn't get a definite answer anywhere. When reading about tvs it sure sounds like this has a 60x2 since it can be turned on and off ?

 

I need to get the system into my every day work flow to really understand how much I'll like it.

Regarding specs, sure I would like the 485M and the 2920XM but in the end they are more useful to me when benchmarking. That is usually only fun in the beginning. The whole optimus/3D issue doesn't bother me. I think I would prefer 120hz over IGP battery saving capabilities.

Regarding the M15x it did everything I wanted it to except play Star Wars Force Unleashed II. That game kept crashing on me. I can't wait to start playing that one again.

 

If there is some type of software available to test it we can give it a go.

 

There are 1 or 2 inch white ALIENWARE on the bottom border of each side of the outside box. Nothing too overt.

 

Funny how it is 60hz and set on SD and HD in the nvidia control panel. You have to set it to PC to get the 120hz. Did you notice that Drake? I think you said you had to go into the window's setting to enable 120hz...

 

Yes, didn't play with it too long. Don't know if there was another way.

 

I think I just read somewhere that nvidia only works on true 120hz.. I hope it's true. Have you guys tried any videos, movies or games? Noticed if it's fluid etc?

 

was star wars from steam, i bought the retail disk and that worked fine on my M15x.

 

TBD, damn work is in the way.

Yes, from steam running on the 5870.

 

the retail version worked very well for me, but the game graphics didn't look as good as i hoped for. i was using 940/5850 at stock speeds.

 

Mandrake, do you have two external monitors?
Can you see if connecting two for extended desktop works and using the laptop screen aswell!
2 Dell reps have told me it will work, but forgive me for questioning them.

 

Hey drake? Could we have some side by side photos of the r3 with the m15x. Your picture are good but they are just ones of them stacked. I'm thinking whether replacing it is justified. Thanks

 

^^ I think he already posted it.

 

I only have 1 external monitor.

M17x R3 by Mandrake Photography, on Flickr

 

That one is good but I was kinda looking for one where we see the fronts of both so we can judge width. Summat like this:
Sorry for being a pain.

 

Mandrake... quick question.

If you are using the WASD keys, is it unconfortable to use your thumb from the same hand to tap the trackpad buttons?

I don't like using a external mouse... but instead use the trackpad for gaming. But the trackpad looks very far left. COuld you check if it is unconfortable for gaming while using WASD.

 

Whaat? have you tried it on a m17x?
the keyboard if it's not the same it get's close to the R1/R2 keyboards and it's close to getting cramps every 2 seconds like that.

 

Quick shot


M17xR3 by Mandrake Photography, on Flickr

I used and external mouse but I can see if you use it during gaming being an issue unless you have super small hands.