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

Hello
I have just bought the alienware 17
Here are my specs



Alienware 17


4th Gen Intel Core i7-4930MX processor

16GB Dual Channel DDR3L at 1600MHz

17.3 WLED FHD 1920 x 1080 3D Bundle

256G mSATA + 750G 7200 RPM

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M with 4GB GDDR5

Would anyone have this laptop and could tell me the performance please?

Thank you

 

Yes, performance will be rubbish! ;-) What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis? You've practically maxed out all the options on the website!!

 

Yea i think i fixed it, In the intel rapid storage settings, it showed the drive as inactive, i disabled it and then re enabled it at the cache drive, it seems to be working find. Odd, but thanks for the help!

 

Updated my GPU driver to 327.23 earlier but now Optimus doesn't enable when I pres Fn + F5, its as if the button is no longer active. I've also noticed that I don't get the notification any more when I unplug the power... thinking about it though I don't remember seeing the Optimus message for a while and I've not tried to run in Optimus mode for a couple of weeks so maybe it happened when I updated to the previous Beta. Any ideas on a fix or come across a similar issue?

 

Mine seems to be fine

 

So, I have a pretty long business trip coming up in a few weeks so I had been poking around for a new laptop. I currently own an M17X R3. I've owned it for the past year and it's been rock-solid (as was my M14X R1 before that).
I'm toying with the idea of either selling my R3 or giving it to my daughter. Decision still up in the air on that....

So, as I said I have a long six week trip coming up in a few weeks. I've been looking at systems. Thought about maybe a MacBook, but I tried that a few years ago. Good quality systems, but I just don't like the apple software. I'm not a hater, but I just prefer Windows based systems. Looked at a few other systems, Digital Storm, Origin, Sager, etc. I've owned three Digital Storm Desktop systems since 2005, and most recently Feb of this year I got a new rig. They are rock solid systems. Laptops, forgive me but I need more of a coolness factor so after previously owning a M14X R1, then my current M17X R3, I decided to stick with the Alienware systems once again.

The problem I leave in three weeks, so a custom built system and waiting was going to push it too close. Until this past week, you could order an AW 17 base model at $1499 and upgrade to the 1920x1080 for $150. Everything else I could live with. Then a few days ago, I saw the option was no longer available and you would have to get the $1999 system. I chatted with a rep online and they said as I saw on the website it was no longer available. I then started looking on Craigslist locally, nothing I wanted. I started poking online and found Amazon.com was selling AW systems. What? They had the system I was wanting all along, and for a much better price, and IN STOCK. I also had a few coupons and cash back bonus from my credit card company so it turned into a no-brainer. To top it all off, next day delivery was $49 bucks. I ordered this puppy Thursday at 13:19pm, got the email it was shipped at 17:20pm. It originated out of Richmond, VA. Arrived at my house in the Austin, TX area today at 13:30pm. Not bad at all!

The only issue (and it really isn't an issue) is that the laptop is silver (I thought it would be black). But now looking at the item model number the last three letters are sLV so I'm guessing that meant silver. But like I said, not an issue I still love the silver.

The first thing I did when I took this out of the box was startup Alien respawn and back this puppy up to the factory specs, both on DVD's and a USB drive. Windows updates were pretty minimal. I then looked up the service tag, it was shipped to amazon on 9/16, so they just got it. Other than updates, and installing my software, iTunes, music, etc I haven't done much else today. I loaded up Call of Duty BOII just to test it out and bam, 60fps w/no issue. I can't wait to see how it runs BF4. I mainly play CoD and a little bit of BF, don't get into much else on pc really.


Likes:
- New lighting is superb. Very nice update.
- Keyboard font, it's more in tune to the Alienware font, which I like.
- Quality right out of the box.

Dislikes:
- Only dislike so far is that the audio controls, etc are no longer stand-alone buttons like on the previous generation. Now you have to use the FN keys to adjust volume, etc.
- Power brick cord does not light up at the end. Not a huge deal, but an easy identifier if it's not plugged in.
- Power cord now plugs into the side, instead of the back. Not sure if this is really a bad thing or not yet.
- No hat, no t-shirt, no soft sleeve to put the laptop in.

I've been a member on these forums for a few years, mostly lurking and don't post a whole lot. So I've read some of the horror stories with these (and other) systems. I know people are more inept to leave negative than positive reviews a lot of the time. I've always had pretty good luck with my computers so I hope this is no different.

In the future, I'm planning on upgrading the ram, and adding an SSD drive. I have a SSD drive in my desktop, and boy that's no joke they are lightning fast.

 

Congrats matey, enjoy this amazing gaming laptop

 

For the first issue, it might help using the four macro keys on the right. From what they tell me, you can bind volume controls to them.

As for the power cord, do you mean the end to the plug or to the laptop? I saw videos in which the laptop end lights up when plugged in.

 

Congratulations on the new system.

The power cord should light up as the previous generation did. Did you buy it directly from Amazon, or a third-party reseller using Amazon? They may have sent the wrong power adapter. If the system is brand new, factory sealed, then I would call Dell and ask for a replacement adapter.

 

Power cord should definitely light up with a blue ring. Check to make positive that they gave you the right one, should say Dell on the first line of the sticker on the bottom (you didn't get the 780m so I don't know if they give you the same power output, mine is 19.5v / 12.3A). You can also see the ring when its not lit, it just looks like a clear plastic ring about an inch from the metal plug, it could just have a dead bulb. I like the plug better on the side, cables in the back get in the way when I want to push it up against the back wall.

 

Hi, thanks for the info on the power adapter.

J.Dre, -Yes, it was new from Amazon not a 3rd party seller. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Thatoldguy, Yes, the pwr cord brick says Dell on the sticker.

I will call and find out to make sure I have the correct power adapter.

I did watch some un-boxing videos on YouTube, I noticed the small cutout next to the laptop was missing something. They didn't put in the small info card in the box.
I also noticed that the little alien head on the laptop didn't have the protective plastic on it. The box was sealed when I got it, and I closely inspected the laptop for any scratches, etc.
It was clean as a whistle. No finger prints, marks, etc that would be cause for alarm. The two unboxing videos I saw both did have the ring on the pwr adapter plug.

 

I bought directly from dell uk.. And my power cord does not have the lights on it... So i guess it depends on how lucky u are.. They seem to send whatever is available at the moment of shipping...
Probably this same power brick is shared with another dell laptop

 

Hello
I have a alienware 17 base model that I ordered online from dell. The power supply cord is the same as yours. It does not light up and also I didn't have any stickers at all.
I am wondering if dell is recycling the returned laptops and selling them as new? Really how would we know?
I have just ordered another alienware 17 and the specs of that one cost me $3750 usd....Maybe this time I paid enough to get the lit cord and protective stickers?? LOL

 

i have just ONE tip to you guys who looking to buy this awesome laptop
......GO FOR THE 120HZ TRUE LIFE SCREEN...(its way better, both smoothness and quality....games, photo & video editing,,,etc)

i mean...playing +100FPS on a 120Hz screen......what more can i say
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
looking for this system.....cost me about £2000.

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ i7-4800MQ Processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.7GHz w/ Turbo Boost)
OPERATIVSYSTEM Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64-bitars, Svenskt
GRAFIKKORT NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 780M med 4GB GDDR5
MINNE 16GB DDR3L-minne med dubbla kanaler av 1600MHz
HÅRDDISK 750GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s + 64GB mSATA SSD Caching
LCD-SKÄRM 17.3 inch (439.42 mm) 120Hz WLED FHD (1920 x 1080) TrueLife w/3D Bundle
FÄRGVAL Anodized Aluminum (3D)
OPTISK(A) ENHET(ER) Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BD-ROM, DVDRW, CD-RW)
TRÅDLÖS ANNING Broadcom 4352 802.11 ac 2x2 and Bluetooth 4.0
PRIMÄRT BATTERI 8-cells litiumjonbatteri (86 wattimmar)


you might notice i choosing win 7..........great of DELL having that choice.

 

Yes, I'm sure that would look fantastic with the 120hz screen.

Bu...to get that you have to start at the $2399 level and then add that screen option (+$150). I got mine for $1500, not worth the extra $1,000 in my opinion.
I know there is a level of performance between the two, but I got what I wanted and needed.

 

I also ordered the 120Hz 3D bundle. It's going to be sweet (I hope).

 

Hi guys, for those who have received their AW 17, I wanna know what is the "normal" temperature for the CPU? (Like when nothing is running)
I received my AW around a week ago and I noticed that my CPU temperature is around 60 to 70 celcius even when idle, keeping the fan runs at full speed for almost all the time.
I have installed some programs but I am pretty sure that I don't have any heavy programs running in the background.
Is this normal? Or should I consider repasting?
My CPU is overclocked 4900mq

Thanks.

 

Repaste the CPU as soon as possible. The i7-4900mq pushes the limits of the 17's cooling system.

 

i have the exact same Samsung 17" 120Hz True life panel DELL using on their Alienware 17....
.......(on my DELL 7720)

AND ITS FANTASTIC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
pggarthw8....well...here in Sweden ( Europe) you just choose the 120Hz True life screen and it cost you just $200 extra (no strange extra prices, just usual DELL configuration)


every time i buy a PC from DELL, i do my deals on the phone... and i always get better deals (just a tip)

 

Thanks. I'll repaste it soon.
By the way, what temperature do you get when the system is idle?

 

Ordered my AW17 last week and I'm super pumped. Can't wait to get it.

4800QM
16GB Ram
780M
120HZ 3D Screen
750GB/64GB Caching (will probably throw an SSD in this after the fact).
3 Year Warranty

Altogether it cost me $3500 CAD Taxes in. This is the first premium laptop I've ever owned. I've always reserved the big budget for desktops (which I build myself, and even then, nowhere near this price--less than half actually) but just got a promotion at work with a raise so I thought I'd use some of that raise to treat myself. Surprisingly, my wife didn't even put up a fight.

I already have a bag for it, but will be getting a new one around Christmas time as well as the afore-mentioned SSD and an extra power adapter (I had a dell long ago and the adapters were crap, this still the case?).

Anyone suggest a decent bag/briefcase that doesn't break the bank? Messenger style bag preferrably.

 

Hi
What is your ETA for you laptop? I also ordered on the 19th of this month and they are telling me the 14th of October.
4930mx
16GB RAM
120HZ 3D SCREEN
256G MSATA BOOT/ 750G HD
780M

 

They're all saying the 14th - 16th of October, even mine.

 

I ordered on the 17th (actually on the order was submitted the friday before, on the 14th but the paperwork wasn't signed and submitted until the 17th) and they are telling me the 17th of October.

Kind of really pi$$ed me off because I went into online chat prior to ordering to find out about delivery dates and was told if I ordered then I would have it by the first week of October. Missed that date by almost 3 weeks. Almost 5 weeks total from order date to estimated shipment date, which seems quite excessive to me.

 

It is a long time. I've had second thoughts about buying the AW17 now because of that. A few weeks after we get our systems there will be some big sales. However, I've put in a request to expedite my order. If it doesn't work out, not sure what I'll do...maybe attempt to renegotiate.

 

If I wasn't told before hand ~2.5 weeks, then the wait probably wouldn't bother me too much, however being slapped in the face with the wait time after the fact ticked me off. I expected more from a rep than to stoop so low to lie about delivery dates in order to try and make a sale. I've dealt with a couple of different reps now throughout the process and they come across worse than used car salesmen. Just about turned me off the whole purchase altogether.

Also they kept flip-flopping on how much I could finance, which is why I'm now getting the adapter, ssd, mini-display port adapter and laptop bag after the fact. First they said it was OK, then it wasn't, then it was, etc, etc. So I just told them to nevermind and I'll just get the laptop (and save myself a few hundred dollars in the process). I mean honestly, the difference in payments would be another $20/month so it wasn't a whopping extra amount, but meh, their loss, my gain.

The whole process seemed completely convoluted to me, tbh. It should be simple, I say what I want, and they tell me yes/no. However it's anything but simple and they try to talk you into "cheapo options" that are extremely over-priced while trying to steer you away from items that have a much lower profit margin for them.

If I would have listened to the guy, I would have ended up paying for something for 4 years, with a 2 year warranty, the bottom processor, display and the 770 m. For the same price he was trying to sell that to me, I got payments over 3 years with 3 years of warranty, the 780m and 4800qm processor and the 3D display. I forget the exact config he tried to steer me towards, but I was not interested at all and he was somewhat rude when I disagreed with him about the build, insisting I follow his instructions/selections to get the "best machine for my money."

 

Yeah, they'll tell you what you want to hear, just to make a sale...

 

Hello
I was just checking on alienware.com and the laptops just went up in price. Not the basic just the custom ones.

 

this is a freaking great laptop............the only tiny little thing i wanted, is of course it could be little slimmer

( i know its packed with fat dual heat pipes, bigger fans, etc, etc, etc .....so its ok.........it looks million times better then old design (that what VERY chunky & ugly)

i think except from the hardware & the 120Hz screen.......the Design of the front-chassis & lid is my favourite

 

So, I've been doing some research but I'm somewhat confused. When you plug in an external monitor, can it work off the integrated gpu? Or does the dedicated gpu always kicks in? And is there a difference maybe between hdmi/display port?

 

They run off of the dedicated GPU, as far as I know. I've never tried iGPU. I can't imagine being able to do much with external peripherals on iGPU.

Yes, this is quite normal around this time of the year.

 

anyone knows what's a good Core clock and memory clock for overclocking the gtx 780m?

Oh, and here's a picture of the GTX 780m for those who hasn't seen it yet

 

You can find clocks and other information here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...ks-overblocks-vbios-afterburner-evga-etc.html.

 

Bummer. So if I'm using an extended desktop on a daily basis, just for Word docs, I'd be effectively forgoing Optimus? I had no idea. It's kind of a big deal, especially in terms of noise and heat.

 

The GPU shouldn't be getting that hot unless you're gaming or doing something graphics intensive. My 780M on my previously owned AW17 never got above 45C when just doing normal stuff, like word docs and YouTube or something. You can still use integrated graphics with the laptop screen.

It may end up working, you never know. I haven't tested that before.

 

Don't know if it will get me anywhere, but I've escalated the delivery date issue. Missing a promised date by almost 3 weeks is completely unacceptable to me when spending this amount of money on a laptop. I expect premium service with the premium laptop.

 

I have done the same! However, I am being ignored by the specialist handling my request. I've sent three emails to him in the last three days and there has been no response. I then called and was told that he would have to contact me and they could not assist me because he is handling the request. And strangely enough...about five minutes ago I received an email (from some random case specialist) stating that my order is still set to be delivered on the 14th of October.

I'll keep calling until I get a straight answer. I think they're giving me the runaround.

Edit: Just an FYI: I don't expect the system to be delivered tomorrow or something ridiculous. But I do expect it to be shipped (not delivered) by the end of September, maybe the 1st of October.

 

Same thing happened with me, been emailing/chatting for 5 days with no response from emails, BS from chat reps. I emailed a couple of managers yesterday (actually got their names from the out of office replies from the agent on my case) and received absolutely no response so I emailed Michael Dell directly.

I'm not naive enough to believe he will actually be doing something or even that his office will do anything but it worked. I just received an email from someone at the Executive Customer Service Department and an incident has been opened on my case. They did call as well, but I refuse to talk to them by phone. I want everything in writing. It's difficult to deny you said something when someone has it in black and white.

Like I said, I doubt anything will come of it, but I'm sick of being ignored. If I wanted sub-par service, I'd go to Walmart and buy an Acer Netbook....lol I agree about the shipping. I just want what was promised to me.

 

Speaking of which... The guy who handled my order, while negotiating, promised me 2 Years of Enhanced Support and Accidental Damage Service. But after the order was submitted, I checked and it only have 1 Year of each, and asked him to change it, and he said the deal would no longer be valid if I cancelled the order. So, that's probably the worst experience I've had with a representative while ordering... He wasn't very nice either, but I did get about 10% off, which is fair.

He's now also ignoring any and all of my attempts to contact him. If it's not in perfect condition, out of the box, I will not hesitate to return it, specifically because of this.

Isn't that illegal? Bait-and-switch?

 

That is pretty freaking dirty.

When I was "negotiating" my "deal," I said straight out, well I don't have to buy Alienware, I can order a Sager or MSI or go down to Futureshop and buy a more mid-range pc. I forget the guy's exact response, but it was more or less "Go ahead then." I just found out to that, according to a different Dell rep that $3500 is the standard max on individual financing orders and they have to go back to Finance if the customer wants to go over that. My guy refused to go back to Finance.

I was a little sneaky and waited until I knew he was off and placed an additional order for the "extras" I wanted. Laptop bag, extra charger, SSD, chill mat and display port to vga adapter. I dealt with a different guy who actually went back to finance and told me I was approved for the extras after a day and a half. He sent me an email saying he would send me the paperwork shortly. I emailed the first guy and told him what happened.

The next day I still hadn't received the documents from the 2nd rep so I emailed him. All of a sudden, I'm no longer approved.......is it just me or is that a little fishy?

At any rate the OOP is looking into it all and assures me that it will be settled to my satisfaction, but I've heard that story before.

PS, it wasn't hard to find Michael Dell's email address. Give it a shot, you never know. [email protected]

 

If I don't hear back by Wednesday, I will send an email to that email in hopes that at least a secretary (or someone at the top of the ladder) intercepts it and directs it accordingly. I will specifically state that I have spoken with several level 1 and level 2 representatives and they have not been able to assist me, and hopefully I get a manager this time.

 

If you send to that email address you will get the Crop: Resolution Team they will take over the case. I know this because I have used it several times and that is what happens. They will take your order or case from the Rep you now have. :thumbsup:

 

Oh, really? Maybe I'll send one tomorrow.

 

It doesn't take long for them to respond either. Within a couple of hours I had a phone call and an email! Though I haven't seen any change on the order status page, my order is supposedly going to be expedited and my laptop shipped out ASAP....maybe I'll get it by the promised delivery date after all.....

 

its Absolutely Unnecessary to even think about OCing gtx780M...................

2 reasons: you dont need it & warranty gone forever if something happens...(and trust soon or later you will get issues with the card if you do so)...ive been OCing nearly all my laptop cards and i often get issues after some 6 months or so.

 

So, I've just finished speaking with a specialist at Dell and they have informed me that my request to expedite the order was denied, and there is a shortage for some component(s) for the AW 17. I was not informed of which component, but he offered to resubmit my request again, today, and will get back to me soon. I'm hoping the request is accepted this time. Either way, he assures me that the current estimated delivery date has accounted for this shortage, which is why it states it will take nearly a month to ship out my system.

I was also offered an additional discount from the cost for the inconvenience of having to wait such a long time. While that is nice, I still do not appreciate being told that my order should be done building within 7-10 days (at the time of order, by the representative handling my order) and that all components were in stock (having called and asked), which I'm now finding out was a complete lie. Salesman...

Anyway, I suppose I'll just let it be and see what happens. I'm just hoping this shortage is not going to further delay my order!

 

Sorry to hear you are having issues with your order J.Dre, at least you have now been told what's up with it and why it was delayed.

Usually, 50C-60C

 

Is there something I can say, or do, or reference at the order stage to facilitate my future installation of an SSD in an Alienware 17?

Should I ask them to install the 750gb HD in the secondary bay? Should I request any hardware accessory (like a caddy) to fit my Samsung 830? Or anything like that?

Thanks.

 

You can request that, but it would be hard to accomplish on a production line. I would just get the expectations that I would have to do all the extra work to get the SSD in it.

 

PARTS SHORTAGE INFORMATION...

There is no parts shortage at all. Where is this Dell rep getting his information?? I have a very reliable connection and there is 100% no shortage.
I just thought I would share the correct information..