My M17x R4 has shipped... what accessories do I NEED?

So my new m17x R4 has shipped and I'm to receive it on Friday or Monday. This is my first Alienware and I'm curious to know what everyone recommends as far as accessories and upgrades go.

I scored a FREE Logitech Wireless Gaming Mouse G700 from Dell, as they kinda sorta screwed me a bit (long story), so the mouse part is taken care of.

But what else do I NEED?


System Specs:
Alienware m17x R4
Intel 3720QM Processor (~3.6 ghz in turbo mode)
Nvidia 680M
1080p screen
8 gigs RAM
750 gig 7200rpm HDD with 32 gig caching SSD

TOTAL PRICE (including tax):
$2284.50
+ FREE NBD SHIPPING

 

Nice rig! I'd recommend the TactX headset, it's awesome!

Alienware TactX Headset Product Details

 

Yeah, the Tactx produces some pretty good sound for the price, but the microphones on those things suuuuuck.

Sent from my SGH-T999

 

Thanks! I think I scored a pretty good deal. My rep was awesome.

And yeah, I was thinking about the TactX headset but I'm a bit of an audiophile so I'm worried about the sound quality.

 

I would recommend a couple of bottle caps, mine are from 2 liter Dr. Pepper bottles. But any soda bottle cap should work. I use them to prop the back of the laptop up on the table so it cools better.

 

Oh, and if anyone is interested in talking to my Alienware rep, PM me and I'll send you the contact info!

 

+1 on the headset. This way you don't hear fans when gaming. I use a Bose QC3 headset attached to my Nuforce uDAC2

 

I would recommend a cooling pad just for peace of mind. I never turn mine on without my U3 , even if it is only making a marginal difference. A headset is always a good investment, even though the speakers on the R4 are really very decent and blow most other laptops away a good headset will sound far better. I use a Logitech G930 and love it but there are so many out there you kind of have to do the research for yourself and go from there.

 

I have the U3 pad and honestly, I regret buying it. Raising the laptop an inch is 90% as effective as the pad. It only shaves off another degree or two at best for me.

 

Holy crap you did good lol.

 

Razer Goliathus for your mouse pad,
Razer Deathadder (the best Razer mouse for me, heck it's the best mouse for me)
Razer Orochi (if you don't want to sacrifice portability then this is what you need )
and lastly, the big bad AudioTechnica's AD700, I think those things are built for FPS games. It has an amazing soundstage!

 

I'd recommend a cooling pad, proper mouse ( me self, I'm on the tactx again a bargain of the interweb)a keyboard (g110... 22 dollars), and TOTALLY recommend the ATheadphones...I'd prolly not to go for the tactx headphone, there are better and cheaper alternatives not to mention the mic on the laptop are pretty good...

 

Not much of a gamer (I play occasionally) but I use my R3 for work mostly. I have the Logitech G700 mouse and I absolutely love it so good on you for getting it free!
Keyboard I use the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate. I love the tactile feedback it gives and the macro keys are intuitively placed without being excessive.
Speakers I got the Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II 2.0 on sale. The sound is good enough for me although the bass is a little weak. Nothing my Altec Lansing speakers' subwoofer can't make up for. As I mentioned I use my R3 for work mostly so I don't really have a use for a headset with a mic. I use a pair of SONY MDR-V900HD's for headphones.
I do have the Coolermaster SF-19 but I don't recommend it. The U3 is better IMO.
I also have an external monitor which I'm looking to upgrade in the near future.

 

And you will love this, check this out
Original KH Special Laptop Cover SKin Carbon Fit DELL Alienware M17X R4 | eBay

 

^ Good on you, for bringing this up.....

It'd be a great help if some one had actually used the product with the M17x and had pictures of it applied, i have heard ppl. have actually cut up material to cover the m17's exposed surfaces. So, how does it come packaged...I.e does it include all the covers (palm rest, LCD panel, and back panel covers) or just an individual panels?

 

As you can see in the description details, it said the package includes palm rest, top cover but I'm not sure if they include the bottom cover or not, I have just send them an email regarding this matter. Waiting for their respond now. hoho

 

Wow! Such skill!
Tried haggling a rep for nearly an hour...
50 bucks was the best he could offer... sigh.

 

If the rep won't give you a break, you just hang up and call again for another rep. It takes skill, yes, but it's mostly perseverance that pays out in the end.

Can anyone recommend a great laptop bag?

 

Have a look here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ags-backpacks-cases-sleeves-discuss-here.html

I personally use the Orion M18x since i have a lot of things to carry. Heard good things about the Everki Beacon too and i think it's worth checking out.

 

Try the Everki Titan
Ncix have them on sale for 99$
Everki EKP120 Titan Checkpoint Laptop Backpack Fits Notebooks Up to 18.4IN
Such a beast of a bag... cant say the same for the laptop inside it...
Dam rly like the alienware look, too bad my balls fall off when i see the price point (couldn't haggle).
Guess the ugly Sager is my only option.

 

I checked that thread out before, it has a lot of good ideas. I'm looking for something more classy though. A leather messenger bag perhaps? To disguise the geekiness lurking inside haha.

I like the bag but a huge backpack is hard for me to lug around because of my job. I travel A LOT and it would have to be another checked bag.