M17xR3 WiHDI + 6970M 2GB...

Check it out:
YouTube - Alienware M17x WiHDI Demonstration

 

Good find! 6970m + Wireless HD. FTW!

 

didn't he also mention $3300 worth of the system? that's just about ridiculous IMO. i spent less money for maxed out r2 , lot less money.

 

You could've passed that amount easily back when the R1 and R2 were out also.

 

Any one else catch the part where he said you can purchase in about 1 week? And the price includes 256 ssd?

 

yeah you are right.

well it's funny how he tells you that it's totally playable and when they show the actual call-of-duty-screen it's all "laggy" and the screen freezes every fwe seconds

love that.

 

yes he says that but it's for the 3300$ he's talking about.
Also there's no proof that he has the 6970 inside so let's not start speculate again/review a youtube video.

 

Well, that makes me happy about pre-ordering my factory overclocked 6970 for $525 CAD
lol@ paying $3300 USD for something that cost me $2200 CAD - total - (assuming it works)

 

Where? When will you get it?

 

I've been told "Some time late next week"
...which is now this week.

I'll give info once I can confirm that it works, or works without a bios revision.

 

i smell a hoax, notice that once he starts broadcasting he zooms in on just his screen. Then he pans up and "poof" magic, he is broadcasting wirelessly. he coulnd have jsut plugged in a cable at that point and we woulnd have seen it (The camera never pans back down low enough to see his ports). Then while he is playing notice the video transition/edit and he is right in the middle of the action of his game. he could have an HDMI cable plugged a different lappy and we woulndt know. ....He never displays "HIS" screen to the TV. He couldnt have anything plugged into that TV and we woulndt know. If you are showing wireless HDMI, shy wold you dosplay a movie on that screen. And its available next week? lol... Dell hasnt gotten or had enough time with the new sandbridge yet. Seems fishy to me.

 

I don't think laptopmag has any reason to make up a fake review. Here's there review on the site. Alienware M17x (2011) Review - A Review of the Alienware M17x (2011)

 

The review says 5 hours on battery when switched? wow

 

Yes. Maybe the single ssd hard drive affected it.

Can you return it if it doesn't work?

 

Yes, I can.
I'll either have to drive back up there or pay shipping to return it.

 

Yeah if that works I want to know ASAP, wouldn't mind seeing if it worked in my 3D rig if it works in yours

 

Is this going to be available in the US?

 

Definitely. The only question is, When?

 

Also, is the WiHDI built-in, or is it an upgrade? And, will WiHDI require the 6970m or is it usable with any of the gpu options?

Man, I hope that they'll let me exchange it for these new features, cuz the wait definitely gave me lots of time to change my mind, etc. Fortunately for them (AW aka Dell), I decided to wait on them to re-release. But this long wait has introduced me to the 6970 and WiHDI, which were "supposed" to be available with the system at launch. Who the heck has ever heard of a gpu or features for a system being advertised online, but only available some time down the line? Why not make EVERYTHING available at launch?

I hope (they better ) let me upgrade, and utilize the aafes discount

EDIT: I was just re-reading the laptopmag review, and it said that the Wireless HDMI is "built-in". Does that mean our new R3s which are coming to us will have it built-in? Or did they mean built-in as in it's an available upgrade that is inside as opposed to something outside, which = built-in?

EDIT2: Nm, their conclusion suggests that Wireless HDMI is an upgrade/accessory. Saddo Nonetheless, I might not need it afterall, since I don't have a TV, nor own any blu-rays. I could really use the 6970 though, for futureproofing

 

Theres no way its going to cost $3300, take away the ridiculously overpriced SSD and RAM and it will be alot less. Also the 6970m should only be a max $150-200 upgrade.

 

Does that mean like a $100-135 upgrade for me (aafes) ? I'll be checking tomorrow if they'll allow the upgade

 

I haven't been able to make contact with AAFES. Dell was unhelpful with this.

 

Ditto, the aafes guy was busy on the other line, and I ran outta lunch time .
However, when I asked the Dell rep I spoke to today about upgrades, he said that at this point, an upgrade is not doable, as production has already "began" (In production status is what he was referring to, not the literal construction of my computer). He said that I'd have to cancel in order to make ANY upgrades (I was asking about warranties at the time).

 

Edit: Delete

 

Shoot, just realized I was crossposting about the 6970. Woops.

Anyways, yah, that's a good idea to call when I receive the unit. BUT the aafes is 30%, so I'd be down for 30% off NOW on the upgrade if its available, as opposed to later. Or does it really make no diff since it's out of aafes's hands atm?

 

In the end when he's listing the spec's of the system at $3,300 he says SAndy Bridge CPU, AMD graphics (Doesn't specify which one exactly, but yea we can assume as descrption says 6970) But then he says " And an Intel 256 gig SSD". Now what exactly is that? because I don't recall such a product, nor Dell even equipping their systems with Intel SSD's.... Or Intel having 256 gig size drives as I only know of 160 gig drives by Intel, and then to add to that if it has AMD graphics it obviously doesn't have 3d, so how did this system get up to 3,000+ dollars? All of my SSD's are Intel Drive, and if a 256 gig drive is out there I'll be the first to jump on it, but i know of no such product.

All things considered though, if the PSU brick is no different from the R2, I'd actually just rather stick with an R2 RGB led system with dual GPU's. Can you use the m15x power adapter with this system at no loss in performance? I suppose I need to ask Mandrake that question as perhaps he'd be the only one that really knows that answer, and even then there is no telling with the 6970 GPU.

 

Yeah. I know that laptopmag is a reputable reviewer of new laptops, But there are alot of inconsistencies. First the DODGE CAMARO? Wth. And this, Intel 256 ssd. Since when did dell package an m17x with intel ssd? Those things made their review unreliable. Booooo.

 

sorry, but why do i wanna stream hd to my tv from my laptop?
My tv has a "Wifi WD live TV" which can browse my whole network and stream HD and anything else over WIFI, and it costed only $150

 

I agree, as with even HDMI-in, but everyone has their own thing, I mean some people still prefer DVI over HDMI out there, so to each his own. I remember the first series of the Sony LED televisions or newest XBR systems had wireless inputs on the TV, the physical TV only had a power cord. But as time passed Sony had to discontinue the product due to costs and limited range of the system. Point is, you just never know sometimes.... Even good products might be just too ahead of the time within the given consumer market.

 

I believe the reviewer was mixing up the manufacturer of the SSD (Samsung) and the controller the SSD uses (Intel Sandforce).

 

Intel Sandforce? Those are two different companies for controllers. And Samsung is also the controller of their ssd drives.

 

That's what I get for not looking it up. I don't know what the reviewer is smoking then.

 

The reviewer can't understand why it costed 3,30 dollars so he's just making up stuff as he's going along to fill that void, next he'll be saying the LED is RGB and that it's gorgeous.

However on a more serious note, I do believe that Dell/Alienware charges a PREMIUM for SSD drives and if the 256 gb Samsung drive costs an additional 500 or 600 I wouldn't be surprised. I don't think anyone has nor would recommend other users to customize their laptop out of the box with a 256gb Samsung SSD Drive.

 

As far as the SSD upgrade goes, that is what I originally thought. I recall finding the same drive on new egg for about $450 a few weeks ago. I think paying about $150 premium to have Dell install, configure and warranty it would be worth it. Especially after seeing a couple guys here struggle with driver and Bsod issues after upgrading themselves.

 

Mine cost me 3491 cdn.

2820
256 ssd (i remember it being $600)
blueray
intel6300
120hz screen

all i can remember but the ssd was the big chunk of change. 3100 + taxes. I believe test system they had was 8gb of ram which mine is 4. and thats $300 or so right there. he was spot on with the price.

i cant wait to get a red 2820 +6970 beast !

 

I hope you don't live in Ontario or B.C.
HST is killer! My system was just under 2k before tax and I still cringed @HST

 

The samsung Drives are not all that great though, I mean yea they're SSD drives, but compared to Intel, Crucial, Patriot, OCZ, I don't believe them to be nearly as fast.

 

Do you guys think I will be able to get a M17x R3 with a 2630QM, 8GB RAM, 500GB 7200RPM, no Blu-Ray (just DVD-RW if that's an option...or blanked out?), and 6970M for $2500 or less? I'm trying to keep costs down (at least initially). I can upgrade later on (I'd pay for the next level CPU if the price is reasonable...but otherwise I am totally find with entry level Sandy Bridge quad core for gaming ). Thanks!

 

Ya Im in Ontario :/

If i dont buy a macbook pro i will re-order with 2720,6970, std hdd, no bluray and no warranty upgrades. I just need to figure out if I can somehow use my corporate discount through paypal or online because i will be ordering in the u.s. and driving it back over.

 

I think it will be easy to keep it below 2500 assuming you are in the u.s. Read the thread for tips on getting a better deal. Id suggest upgrading to way better ram yourself and saving $200 or so there too.

 

Loki has a point in his previous post, depending on the system Dell charges between $450 and $600 for the upgrade to the 256gb SSD. Now on this note that they're not as fast that's not always true, I got as high as 240-250ish read and 200 write out of my single drive which is right in the real world ball park as many of the other drives. If I had my pick reliable would be Intel, speed with good realiability would be the Crucial, all out speed would be the pre controller change OCZ. No matter what way you cut it an SSD is a huge speed upgrade compared to a standard platter drive so you can't go wrong.

 

My suggestion to you would be to order this:

2630qm, 4gb, 250gb HDD, no BR, 6970m, 1080p 60hz
should be about $2000-2200 without too much haggling if any haggling/discounts

Add this aftermarket:
cheap SSD or Momentus XT ~$100
8gb Kingston HyperX 1600 ~$100

And you end up with what you wanted +dual/faster hard drives +better ram for the same or less than your target price.

 

^ thanks for the tips, DaneGRClose. I'm excited to order this bad boy. It was barely on my radar but the LaptopMag.com review blew my mind. I had no idea Alienware was going to do the 6970M...plus HDMI input. NUTS. Screw Sager/Clevo.

 

You bet, if you have any more questions or need help with anything I'm just a PM away

 

i think dell focuses more on realibility than actial performance. I was going to pull the trigger on a intel 40gb ssd, but instead bought the 60gb vertex 2

 

I'm no expert, but I think its quite possible.
I would go with the 2720Qm though, just 150more and you get a lot of performance increase and it supports 1600Mhz ram natively.

Go with 2720QM, 4GB RAM (upgrade to Kingston Hyper X 8gb or 16gb), lowest HDD possible (upgrade to SSD or Seagate Momentus XT) 6970M, blu-ray, intel 6300

Without the upgrades, should be in the neighborhood on 2500, maybe a lil over, but the stuff i listed would show in the long run.

 

Kingston HyperX DDR3 @1600mhz w/xmp
2x2GB: >$85 shipped @newegg
2x4GB: $100 shipped (can find lower) @newegg [and this is also a pretty big ram upgrade - saves even more cash if you were planning to get Dell ram upgrades...which OP was planning to do]

^As far as I know, these are the only 1600mhz dimms currently available to consumers...and they have XMP. Pick profile 2 on a 2630 and you get your 1600.

vs.

$150 on CPU upgrade. +200mhz base, +300mhz(?) turbo, better HD graphics, better memory controller:
+plus+ Can also run the above ram, but at cas7 (manually set frequency @1600, set xmp #1)
-minus- ...still have to buy hyperx to utilize the nice memory controller, so this upgrade really costs up to $250


In my opinion, order this:
2630
4GB RAM
320GB HDD (I think this is lowest capacity possible? I didn't upgrade my hdd and it's 320gb)
6970
DVD (don't get the one with software package)
(screen)

And buy this elsewhere:
cheapest 2x2gb set of 1333mhz ram you can find (sale on now at newegg, 10 or 15% off all ram - can't remember)
another HDD (or ssd, but not ocz vertex2/agility2) - if you get one with same 320gb capacity, you can run them @ RAID 0 for a nice speed boost

 

^ thanks KillerBunny and kunekaden. I would love to go 2720QM but my research has indicated that although it is a nice performance boost, you're still already able to more than keep up with the 6970M GPU. We will see how pricing shakes out, though...I do like the add'l VM-related capabilities that step up offers. I could see utilizing that from time to time.

 

You should get my setup, but with your GPU of choice. It's the crowd fave besides the 3D bundle setup Best bang for buck imo.

 

Are you talking about AAFES? I don't qualify. I'm just a civvy!