*OFFICIAL* M17xR3 Owner's Lounge Thread - Part 2

Well ichime has OC'd his so like I told Speedy, ask him about it. I'd assist but without a 6970M in hand, I can't do much.

 

Oh I was not aware, I will ask him.

 

Oh noise is something i don`t like. Especially with a gaming beast like this one it is amazing that it can manage to be so quiet.

How is the noise when browsing internet, watching movies etc?

 

Just a quick update on the Function-F7 key combination (Integrated/Dedicated GFX).

Although it didn't do anything (and said so) on the pre-recall 460m unit, now (with 6970) it says "Switchable GFX Key press detected. Choose Yes to enable or No to Cancel".

 

It's non existent on integrated graphics.

 

I get this too, sometimes it won't let me switch though.. I think it might be something I set.

I'd agree with this
________________

Someone asked about the headphone jack popping - I just used my DT770 Pros on it..

Let me start by saying that these are HIGH POWER headphones and most of the time require an amp to run at decent volume. I had no issues with the volume on the m17x.. I am currently sitting listening to music on them at about 75% volume and I'd call it "on the loud side"

And no, I have no issues with the jack popping at all.

 

Works best when desktop is the currently selected active window (as in click on empty desktop spot and then Fn-F7).

 

So it DO have switchable graphics? I have heard people mention it but noone have confirmed it. Is it automatic?

 

Of course it does. Who said it does not? When you have the 6970M it has switchable graphics and it is not automatic but a manual process which is very easy just press fn +f7

 

Joe, I guess what cloudfire is referring to is the 460m/3d combo that nixes the integrated graphics.

 

Made a video for anyone wondering about keyboard flex; Ultimately I'll make a big review with all of the links together.

YouTube - M17x R3 Keyboard / Media Key Flex

 

No i meant the 6970M yes
No one has directly said that R3 did NOT feature switchable, but people only referred to a PDF. file or something and said it -should- feature it. I just wanted it confirmed. Good to know. Especially important with such a high end GPU.

Shame that Asus couldn`t do the same with 460M. Looks more and more like i am getting the R3.

Me like
Now the waiting game for Intel 320 SSDs follow. Only piece missing

 

Mine's silent (or at least not noticable at all) while browsing. That was one of my concerns, I didn't want a really noisy computer when I'm just puttering around online and this one is nice and quiet

 

Physically cut the back of the panel? You've never replaced an LCD before I'm guessing. You'd probably just have to buy a different cable if it was different. You don't have to cut anything to remove the lcd panel, you just have to remove four screws and remove the bezels.

 

The M17x screens are sealed inside of the bezel so you have to cut open the back to remove the screen.. (We went over this on the R1 and R2)

If they were not sealed inside there would be mass amounts of dust between the screen and the glass layer infront of the screen.

These panels are one piece from Dell with the glass attached to the LCD.

 

Got it ! all i need is ATIflash 384_

 

@quadzilla. Wow. Oh well. I wish I went with the 1080p screen now.

 

Anyone want gameplay videos with fraps showing FPS? Just did BFBC2. Can do BFBC2: Vietnam if requested.

Gamelist can be found here (Click to see full list).. If it isn't installed I can install it anyway

 

My God this card is a monster only 100mhz core and memory and is flying

http://img38.imageshack.us/i/100mhz.png

 

thats 400 point more than my R2's benchmark.

 

I remain somewhat timid as my replacement hasn't arrived. Maybe when I get it and check it out, I will be swayed.

This is what I am afraid of! The R2 RGB is so awesome, and I love the 1920x1200 real estate. Think I'm gonna miss the extra inch.

But, scores and results like this make me happy!

 

The 6970m is easily at least a match for dual 4870s (never mind the lower power and added features). If coming from dual 5870s it is less of a boost (maybe less in some scenarios) but still an upgrade I would do....

 

Has anyone swapped out a 460m in a 120Hz R3 for a 6970m? Does it work? Can the monitor still do 120Hz?

Also, is anyone else's lid skewed from the base so when closed, it doesn't line up left to right?

 

BFBC2:
1920x1080
2x AA, 4x AF
DX11 Forced
Everything medium but textures, which is high

60-80 FPS, doesn't EVER go below 30 even in the most intense smoke / flames / explosions

Specs in sig.. I'd say thats pretty good performance

 

So I already ordered a sager 8170 but I just put the order on hold after doing some more research on the m17. Before I cancel could you guys just confirm a few things I have read?

If I were to get the 6970m are you able to switch over to the integrated graphics manually?

What is the quality of the LCD? How are the viewing angles? I know it's not rgb but is it a quality screen?

If I got the 2720 and added the intel 6300 wifi card myself would I still have bluetooth and would I really be able to wirelessly play games on my tv?

Can anyone tell me what the battery life is like both gaming and surfing?

Thanks

 

You can switch to integrated manually on the 6970
LCD Quality is better than most I'd say, I like it.. Viewing angles are fine but not great (Then again I'm coming from an IPS panel)
Yes, you'll keep bluetooth

Currently you cannot play games wirelessly on the TV straight from the computer all in one package but they will support it in the future.

 

Great news thanks. Any idea what is missing for the wireless streaming? Is it a software or hardware issue?

 

I dont think they've made the vizio receiver everyone is seeing yet.

 

Ok cool.

Are people repasting their CPU gpu with id7?

 

That noise is readily and steadily present in all the G73's I've messed with at Bestbuy and Frys. It's also available in just about every brand computer I can think of nowadays, which is very sad. Once again, I'll say it. My dinolaptop does not have any of that noisy stuff

If I were to order it, what size should I order? 16-17.5 or the custom? If custom, what dimensions should I order?

So does it work for sure for the 6970model?

You're nothing but bad news That's hella flex, yo. Can we put double-sided tape underneath to reduce the flex? Do you know if there's space or proper locations which are adequate enough to fit something like a piece of plastic or the tape?

Get it. If you follow any of my posts from 2 months ago and before, you'd see that I've been searching for the perfect laptop for almost a year now. Finally came upon it when I discovered the R3. Coupled with the aafes discount, I just had to have it. Do it! Join us!

 

anybody tried running PCSX2/Dolphin on these machines with the 2720qm/6970 combo?

 

Just go for the 16-17.5 cloth, It'll do fine.

Also about the keyboard flex.. It REALLY isn't that bad for typing. I was pressing pretty hard. It only flexes a little when typing (As in.. nearly nothing)

I'm not sure you can stick anything under it as I didn't take the keyboard off when I disassembled.. Kind of wishing I did LOL.

I have a feeling there is a wire or something under the middle because as I sit here poking at it the sides are WAY worse than the middle.

It might be raising it up from the plate or whatever people was saying was there... I'll check sometime tomorrow.

 

Ok man dookie.. I just rewatched mandrake's keyboard flex video ( HERE)

*cringes* ... I feel fortunate now LOL.

 

I'll be sure to. This is a good request btw. One of the reasons why I picked this notebook in the first place was cuz of its ability to play high-level games (especially the CPU intensive ones). Someone else chime in though, if you have experience, on the ability of the 2720QM to play emulators such as PCSX2 or Dolphin. @Technos, the 6970 doesn't matter for emulators. The 3820TG, 4820TG, and ENVY14, which all had i5-cpus and ATI 5650s could handle both emus.

Yah I remember that video. That TOTALLY revealed that AW is indeed a DELL machine. That's too bad. I'll figure it out though. There's tons of tutorials/methods out there to address flex. Just wish they hadn't become this way (HP too).

 

Can anyone tell me if Klipsch speakers are on your R3 already or is this something that will come a bit later to for new buyers.

Also another question if you have a warranty and say your power brick or battery stopped working or was damaged do they give you a replacment?

 

Speakers come on the laptop

not sure on power brick / battery.

 

PSU is covered for length of the warranty. Battery is only covered for one year regardless of warranty length.

 

That's good to hear.

Thanks.

 

How much did you pay for the extra design? Niceeeee.

 

I'm in the same boat as you...

Now, can't any laptop do that wireless link to a TV? It's not specific to the laptop, but to if you have the Vizio adapter, right?

So is bluetooth integrated in the M17X as opposed to the 8170, which has it only with Wifi-bluetooth combo cards?

I also have a question about the keyboard...I read that the keystrokes are pretty deep for a laptop, almost as far as a desktop keyboard. Is this true?

 

The Clevo laptops right now use the Intel 6230 card which is wifi and bluetooth on a single card. The Alienware laptops have a dedicated bluetooth card/chip so this will not be an issue.

 

Are there any reviews of the 60hz 1080p panel?

 

Laptopmag has the 60hz+6970 on review. I think notebookcheck has the 3D version only.

 

perfect thanks

 

I have an SSD coming today and I was wondering what the best way to transition was. I don't really have any files I want/need to backup, but I would like to be able to save Final Fantasy XI so that I don't have to download the update again. If the best route is to do a clean install, then so be it.

Also, my lid doesn't line up with my base when I close it! Anyone else have this problem?

Lastly, my backspace key squeeks with repeated tapping. Is that normal or is there something I can do about it?

 

I can't say for all the 6970 models but it surely works for me If only there was some sort of indication which card is currently active as it only asks whether you want to switch or not, not to switch from what or to what. But it works like a toggle, do it twice and you're back to where you were.

 

Just called and said I want to return, legitimately listed the issues I was having (but fixed) and she said "We can return that" after offering a replacement.

I then said "But I like the system other than these issues I just paid WAY too much for this.."

and she instantly offered me $100 off.

Then I said "Well the laptop I was looking at was $300 less. It is the same thing but isn't a Dell product... Could you make it $200 and I'd be more than willing to keep the laptop"

She agreed and took the money off... So far I've gotten $250 off AFTER sale so $3143 sale but now costs 2893.

 

Nice lol

I would have a hard time swallowing more than $3k for a single GPU system....when it was the top laptop in the world (Summer 2009 when it was new design) my M17x R1 was $3500 for me and that was about $900 in savings from what dell list price was. More than that and I would have not gotten it.

 

Yeah.. I just said stuff like
"Well the keyboard wasn't mounted right" (Fixed that)
"I found a plastic wrapper in my CPU heatsink" (Fixed that)
"There is slight rattling" (Will call tech support if this becomes an issue)
"And one of the links in the speaker mesh is broken" (It is.. but I'm not going to return for that)

I'd totally even accept a replacement system in hopes that I got one with less keyboard flex, non broken mesh, and no rattle but I am kind of doubting I'm going to find better after seeing how this was shipped to me. I'd rather not [verb] off Dell by accepting a replacement system and then getting it and wanting another / saying I don't want it because of more issues than this one has.

Performs well (once I repasted it) so I'll keep it.. Also got $100 off on sale so in total savings was $350 + Whatever NBD shipping costs.

 

I think I have a dead pixel. I am not sure if it was there since day 1 though. This troubles me.