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    *OFFICIAL* Alienware 17 Ranger (2013) Owner's Lounge Thread

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Mr. Fox, Jun 12, 2013.

  1. Woot

    Woot Notebook Enthusiast

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    There must be some other difference Because I ordered my laptop at ~8 PM EST. is there some major difference between my order and yours?

    I'm typing from tapatalk so forgive me if the info is in your sig. I'd wager to guess that the difference is either between the 4700 and the 4900 or the 3-D screen versus regular antiglare 1080 P
     
    Woot, Jul 2, 2013
    #151
  2. mmolteratx

    mmolteratx Notebook Consultant

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    I went for a 4800MQ, 3D screen and the 256GB mSATA/750GB HDD combo. I'd guess it's the 3D screens that are the problem.
     
    mmolteratx, Jul 2, 2013
    #152
  3. Mr. Cuddles

    Mr. Cuddles Notebook Consultant

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    Can somebody give me an advice concerning SSD's. I want to stay below 200 $. I found some potential ones on Amazon.

    Amazon.com: Corsair Neutron Series 256GB (6Gb/s) SATA 3 Exclusive LAMD LM87800 Synchronous 2.5-Inch SSD CSSD-N256GB3-BK: Computers & Accessories

    Amazon.com: Samsung MZ-7TD250BW 840 Series Solid State Drive (SSD) 250 GB Sata 2.5-Inch: Computers & Accessories

    Amazon.com: 250GB - Samsung 840 Series Solid State Drive (SSD) with Desktop and Notebook Installation Kit 250 sata_6_0_gb 2.5-Inch MZ-7TD250KW: Computers & Accessories

    Can somebody recommend any of these? Do I need all that additional stuff that comes with the SSD in Link 3 or do I just have to stick in the SSD?
     
    Mr. Cuddles, Jul 2, 2013
    #153
  4. likeicare

    likeicare Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank you MickyD1234 for your explanation.
     
    likeicare, Jul 3, 2013
    #154
  5. CSHawkeye81

    CSHawkeye81 Notebook Deity

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    I am really getting frustrated with the run-around with customer service. Man its gone down hill the past few years. All most do is just read off a screen.
     
    CSHawkeye81, Jul 3, 2013
    #155
  6. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    Corsair Neutron all the way. The Samsung SSDs you link to is the non PRO models so they are slow in comparison to the PRO.
     
    Cloudfire, Jul 3, 2013
    #156
  7. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Or grab an 830. They're only about 2% slower than the 840 Pro.

    830, 840, and 840 Pro - won't even be able to tell the difference with your average daily use. But power consumption is less with the 840 series.
     
    J.Dre, Jul 3, 2013
    #157
  8. Mr. Cuddles

    Mr. Cuddles Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for your replies. Do I need any kind of adapters or cables to install the SSD?
     
    Mr. Cuddles, Jul 3, 2013
    #158
  9. ThatOldGuy

    ThatOldGuy Notebook Virtuoso

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    Sometimes you need a spacer. Most 7mm SSD's come with one. If not you can cut out a piece of cardboard.
     
    ThatOldGuy, Jul 3, 2013
    #159
  10. Mr. Cuddles

    Mr. Cuddles Notebook Consultant

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    Okay, thanks.
    I bought the Corsair Neutron 256 GB. It has a good price/performance ratio and 5 years warranty :)
     
    Mr. Cuddles, Jul 3, 2013
    #160
  11. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    Quick video from an Alienware 17 owner with a comparison against the old model :)

    YouTube
     
    Cloudfire, Jul 3, 2013
    #161
  12. shinamura

    shinamura Notebook Enthusiast

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    Watched it.....

    The first one of us to get the Alienware 17 and he opens up the box all wrong and drops it on its lid, and now he has a row of broken pixels on the screen... smh
     
    shinamura, Jul 3, 2013
    #162
  13. l00king

    l00king Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yeah that was quite a pants video !!!

    Anymore good ones out there that don't hurt your eyes :eek:
     
    l00king, Jul 4, 2013
    #163
  14. Serephucus

    Serephucus Notebook Deity

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    When someone with the 19x10 60Hz panel gets theirs, could they please check what panel is used? As it turns out, I'm considering one of these...

    (Damn it, but that stupid trackpad looks a lot better in person than it did in the press shots)
     
    Serephucus, Jul 4, 2013
    #164
  15. Prolixious

    Prolixious Notebook Deity

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    I'm guessing "LGD02DA."

    Dell recycles panels. It's a TN option for the Precision m6700 and the anti-glare version of the m17x r3/r4 screen, and it has about the same brightness, color gamut, and contrast that an Alienware representative posted for the new screen.
     
    Prolixious, Jul 4, 2013
    #165
  16. Serephucus

    Serephucus Notebook Deity

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    Thanks. I don't have the laptop to hand, but I think that might be the same panel as used in the L702x and 7720 (17R SE), in which case it's a very nice one. Colour reproduction is decent, and the viewing angles and contrast are fantastic.
     
    Serephucus, Jul 4, 2013
    #166
  17. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    Alienware 17 with 120Hz screen tested :)

    Colours look amazing even with bad angles. Reflections are there but not like a fully glossy screen :)

    <iframe width='853' height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5F-mVywnArQ" frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe>
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 6, 2015
    Cloudfire, Jul 4, 2013
    #167
  18. winkawak

    winkawak Notebook Consultant

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    I believe once you upgrade to 120hz on the new 17 the screen is changed to gloss truelife. Btw hows the matte screen on the new 17? want one but prefer gloss.........
     
    winkawak, Jul 4, 2013
    #168
  19. shinamura

    shinamura Notebook Enthusiast

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    What game is he playing in that video? I'm just excited that there is another product video floating around there now!
     
    shinamura, Jul 4, 2013
    #169
  20. shinamura

    shinamura Notebook Enthusiast

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    What is the first game you will play when you get your 17? For me it will either be Skyrim or BF3
     
    shinamura, Jul 4, 2013
    #170
  21. Mr. Cuddles

    Mr. Cuddles Notebook Consultant

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    I'll probably gonna finish Skyrim with all graphic boosting mods available :D
     
    Mr. Cuddles, Jul 4, 2013
    #171
  22. mmolteratx

    mmolteratx Notebook Consultant

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    He's playing COD. Can't remember which one, but I think it's MW3, as that's the last one I played and I remember that sequence. First game I'll be playing will be the last part of Crysis 3.
     
    mmolteratx, Jul 4, 2013
    #172
  23. jinchun

    jinchun Newbie

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    any updates on delivery, production times?
     
    jinchun, Jul 4, 2013
    #173
  24. shinamura

    shinamura Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am in production and have an estimated delivery date of July 22nd. I paid for overnight delivery. You spend over 2 grand on a laptop, 25 bucks more for overnight shipping is whatever.
     
    shinamura, Jul 5, 2013
    #174
  25. mmolteratx

    mmolteratx Notebook Consultant

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    I haven't been able to get anything out of Dell regarding order status. Ordered 6/11 at 4pm CST, moved into production on the 20th and have been stuck there since. Called in a few times to try and get an update, and they just kept saying they couldn't tell me anything, even when asking why others ordered after mine had shipped. I'm guessing it's an issue with the 3D screen, as I haven't seen any with that option ship yet. They promised me they would put in an expedite request last time I called on Tuesday, though my EDD is still the 19th.
     
    mmolteratx, Jul 5, 2013
    #175
  26. Plutonium239

    Plutonium239 Notebook Geek

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    I ordered on 6/27 and went "in production" within an hour or two... is that weird? Still in production now with an EDD of 7/22
     
    Plutonium239, Jul 5, 2013
    #176
  27. shinamura

    shinamura Notebook Enthusiast

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    Those of you with EDD of 7/22, what upgrades did you get? I had the 1920x 1080 screen and the gtx 770m. I know we are being a little impatient witha brand new product, but spending this much money kinda makes you antsy the longer you have to wait. Maybe we can deduce which parts might be taking longer than others
     
    shinamura, Jul 5, 2013
    #177
  28. Grajjie

    Grajjie Notebook Geek

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    My EDD is 7/19 and I've been in production since 6/20. Hoping it will ship out before today's end but I doubt that will happen.
     
    Grajjie, Jul 5, 2013
    #178
  29. Imarik

    Imarik Notebook Enthusiast

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    My 17 is on its way. Tracking info tells me it's in nc and will be here (Florida) on Monday. Will post pics when it gets here.

    Edit* Its in TN not NC.
     
    Imarik, Jul 5, 2013
    #179
  30. Serephucus

    Serephucus Notebook Deity

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    If possible, could you post screen angle pictures? Pause a movie (or something with familiar colours), take a shot straight on, then one to the left, right, top, bottom, changing as little as possible between each.

    Also, I'd love to get your impression on the speakers.
     
    Serephucus, Jul 5, 2013
    #180
  31. Imarik

    Imarik Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sure thing.
     
    Imarik, Jul 5, 2013
    #181
  32. ahappypie

    ahappypie Notebook Enthusiast

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    As a note to everyone who is experiencing long production times (like me), I did some research and found that Intel Haswell products did not ship until after the laptops were announced. Apparently Dell decided to call a computer "in production" even without a processor.
     
    ahappypie, Jul 5, 2013
    #182
  33. ObserverJLin

    ObserverJLin Notebook Evangelist

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    ObserverJLin, Jul 6, 2013
    #183
  34. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    This may be a dumb question, but I'm curious: I have noticed the pipes in the new systems are black. I'm assuming they're still copper, but are they painted now? Wouldn't that affect the cooling properties?

    Also, does anyone know if a triple pipe heat sink comes with the 17 if you order the 4930MX?

    Thanks.
     
    J.Dre, Jul 6, 2013
    #184
  35. ObserverJLin

    ObserverJLin Notebook Evangelist

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    Unlikely for both your questions. The only way a 3rd cooper pipe on the GPU would be a possible if XoticPC or something offered a mod like they did on clevo and msi for $59-$79 extra.
     
    ObserverJLin, Jul 6, 2013
    #185
  36. Serephucus

    Serephucus Notebook Deity

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    The paint won't really affect the cooling capabilities of the heatsink. The heatpipe's only purpose is to get the heat from the coldplate to the fin stack. As long as the fins are copper (or exposed metal, I should say) then they're fine.
     
    Serephucus, Jul 6, 2013
    #186
  37. Prolixious

    Prolixious Notebook Deity

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    Maybe the number of pipes depends on the GPU. That or the new heatsinks are better than the old ones. Alienware usually cuts sensible corners; I don't think it would downgrade cooling for the flagship GPU.

    The 17 in this video has a triple-pipe GPU heatsink: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzEz4XnYv6A.

    It does.
     
    Prolixious, Jul 6, 2013
    #187
  38. ObserverJLin

    ObserverJLin Notebook Evangelist

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    Good spot Prolisious, there is indeed x3 heatpipes there. The only question now is what components come with x3 heatpipes.
    [​IMG]
     
    ObserverJLin, Jul 6, 2013
    #188
  39. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Thanks for the info, fellas.
     
    J.Dre, Jul 6, 2013
    #189
  40. Serephucus

    Serephucus Notebook Deity

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    I'd guesstimate it will only be given with the MX CPUs. Possibly the 770 as well, though probably not. The models shown at E3 would have been maxed out, so what's shown above is likely as good as it gets.
     
    Serephucus, Jul 6, 2013
    #190
  41. Plutonium239

    Plutonium239 Notebook Geek

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    He mentions in the video the 3x heat pipes are on the gfx card
     
    Plutonium239, Jul 6, 2013
    #191
  42. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    Everyone knows that black absorbs heat better. Genious engineering from Dell right there. They obviously knows science. :D
     
    Cloudfire, Jul 6, 2013
    #192
  43. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    It's a coating to prevent oxidation, it has been used on some desktop heatsinks too.

    Possible that 770M = 2 and 780M = 3.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 6, 2013
    #193
  44. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Or they just didn't want shiny parts showing through the grill :rolleyes:
     
    MickyD1234, Jul 6, 2013
    #194
  45. madbohem

    madbohem Notebook Enthusiast

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    So this year i was able to finagle about an 1800 dollar budget from work to get a nice mobile dev platform and went and picked up a MSI GT60

    oh but i saw a video today that made me wish I had finagled a little more...



    at the end of the day i am still stoked to be getting a decent box to work and play with, but the breakdown of the 17 at the end of this video made me a little sad

    I don't care if you are a geek coding spreadsheets. you're a geek, you deserve power that can be broken down so easily

    I saw a configuration that was just 200 dollars more on powernotebooks, basic config 120hz screen

    kind of feels like the girl that got away
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 12, 2015
    madbohem, Jul 6, 2013
    #195
  46. Fanayd

    Fanayd Newbie

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    Ordered: June 11
    EDD: July 18
    In Production: June 20
    Partially Shipped: July 6


    No idea what they mean by "partially shipped". I didnt order anything with the system, so I'm really curious what's coming...

    FedEx tracking details say it weighs 18lbs. No other info, so not sure if that's filler data or what. Supposed to be delivered on Monday. Yay!
     
    Fanayd, Jul 6, 2013
    #196
  47. Robbo99999

    Robbo99999 Notebook Prophet

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    Yep, only 2 heatpipes, but they look pretty thick pipes to me. I've got the M17xR3, that has 3 pipes, but I think they're thinner than those pipes on the A17. There's only so much area that the pipes can cover if you look at the pics, they seem to have to fit within the confines of the X-bracket, so the 3 pipes on mine cover about the same area as your 2 pipes do on the A17. Perhaps the cooling efficiency is also therefore broadly similar.
     
    Robbo99999, Jul 7, 2013
    #197
  48. l00king

    l00king Notebook Enthusiast

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    Has anyone managed to order the AW 17 in the UK with the I7-4930MX processor i.e. the I7 Extreme Processor?

    There is no option to configure it online in the UK but it is available in the US, so was wondering whether doing a phone order they may allow it in the configuration?

    I'm thinking of cancelling my order and changing it to that processor and negotiating another price.
     
    l00king, Jul 7, 2013
    #198
  49. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    The 75W GPUs, GTX 770M will have heatsink with 2 heatpipes. The GTX 780M will have heatsink with 3 heatpipes since its a 100W GPU.

    imo
     
    Cloudfire, Jul 7, 2013
    #199
  50. ObserverJLin

    ObserverJLin Notebook Evangelist

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    Once you upgrade from 675m to 770m your power supply is automatically upgraded from 180W to 240W so I hope they also upgrade the heat pipes accordingly. Anyway we'll find out next week for sure. Right now it's all speculation.
     
    ObserverJLin, Jul 7, 2013
    #200
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