M18x Makes Landfall! Pictures, Videos, Unboxing Thoughts, etc. Share away!

Should be the bottom. Easy initial access for stock 4GB configs.

 

It's what I am assuming. I'm planning on having 12 in the end, but if they are in the bottom will probably just run with 8 for a bit before tearing down the machine to get at the ones under the keyboard.

 

Documentation

According to the M18x manual, slot A & B are located on bottom side of the mainboard, C & D on top side. For Dual Channel, those 2 sticks should be on A & C which means both sides of the m18x.

 

M6400 was the same way, had to open both sides to install one pair. Probably the idea is that by buying the memory from Dell you won't have to open up both sides of your machine just to install memory chips

 

See attached... The default 4GB configs will be accessed via the bottom panel. As noted in the picture, its just one possible configuration.

This was also the case on the 17xR3.

 

You not the only one trsut me, we are in the same boat, I even talked to my rep and complained and his answer was " people who already got it probably didn't had same configuration as your" Yeah right.

 

M17x-R3 has both sticks in A&B running in dual channel. There's no reason the M18x would be any different.

 

Holy sh.... no wonder why AW offering 16GB at a premium price. they are using 2x8GB instead of 4x4GB. That would be great idea for later 32GB upgrade though.

 

the info for the panel --> http://i.imgur.com/MFwb3.jpg
I used astra.

 

Thanks Jfbarea! Do you like it subjectively?

 

@ m18x owners. What happen brothers not more pictures?

 

Ok. I have a Studio XPS 16 and I know for a fact it's RGB LED and I have the same manufacturer listed in mine, different model number but the SEC number is the same. 5448 also it says "RGB Color" so that is very interesting info indeed.

 

What does astra say for the M17x panel?

 

Thanks, that's a Samsung panel. The only Samsung panels I was able to find on it's website were the following: SAMSUNG's Digital World

The 16:9 one they have listed is 300 nit and 90% gamut WLED which would be very nice if this was the one but Dell has it listed as 72%. I don't know why Dell would opt to go for a lower quality panel when Samsung has a very good one available. A 90% gamut would be preferable to RGB LED since it would not have the significant red shift but still maintain nearly the same gamut. I'll know this week what gamut the display is since a buddy of mine is mailing me his spyder 3 for calibration.

 

Dell often make mistakes. I trust more the specs on samsung website instead of those on Dell website.

 

So, I feel I don't get it right: the SEC5448 "RGB COLOR" is WLED? or is it RGB LED?

 

I won't say what it is for certain but that sure is an interesting rar file in the background behind the astra screenshot.

 

If it were 90% gamut, Dell would use it as part of their marketing.

 

Not sure what it means. I just know that is what Astra said on my Studio XPS. Mine is on the truck so I will be able to do a side by side comparison and let you know once it's hear. The RGB LED does have a much warmer screen so the red shift is there unless you tune it out with calibration.

 

I'm going to agree to disagree.

They had a major press release on using Klipsch audio but it was nowhere to be found on the Alienware site until weeks later. I've had over 10 years experience with Dell in both home and business and if there is one thing I can absolutely say without a doubt is they have tons of mis-information on both their sites and in their support.

Now that's not saying their specs are wrong in this case but I've seen it all too often before so there is still hope.

Plus in all honesty Dell marketing failed miserably on the release of the M18x. Most vendors when they release something so profound as the "The Most Powerful Gaming laptop in the Universe", you would think martketing wise they would shop around the best configuration to all the well known internet tech sites to ramp up expectations as well as enthusiasm for the product and you would see all of our questions answered in reviews from these sites not in the backrooms of notebook forums. But what does dell decide to do? We get 1 obscure review with the lowest end configuration and no technical measurements and even questionable results.

 

Naw, most people (even enthusiasts!) don't even know what gamut means.

 

I would appreciate too if (after the landing of your Alien) you can provide us some comparative info on the DPI's... actually I have a 147DPI (according to Samsung)... if the 18.4 SEC 5448 is just 119DPI (again according to Samsung for it's 90% gamut)... it's a BIG DPI reduction!

 

Of course the DPI is lower....your screen got bigger while showing the same resolution.....I fail to see why this is so crucial to you?!

 

I agree that the M18x launch was a total fail on Dell/AW's part and there is a slight chance that they just missed the fact it's 90% gamut in their official display spec page. However, I'm still strongly leaning towards it being 72% and spot on with what they quoted. It is a shame that their most powerful notebook ever was sent to hardware heaven in the form of a low end configuration. Remember, for M17x-R2 they had no problem marketing the display as RGB LED and selling it for a premium.

 

Dell have probably made an error by copying the 72% from the 17.3"


Off topic but here is another glitch with Dell :

Since the M18x was released on Dell Canada french website, when you add 6970M CF, at the checkout, the PSU still remain on 240W A/C Adapter and show a compatibility error. Still not fixed as of today.

 

I would love for this to be the case. Until one of us tests it through hardware calibration, it'lll remain a mystery. I'll have the results by this Friday hopefully.

 

It's also possible they are planning on sourcing the panels from multiple manufacturers and used the lowest specs from the ones they plan to use.

 

I also think they learned a lesson about overrating panels from the R1 fiasco haha

They were boasting 300nits dual CCFL and people were getting like 230nits at best, Public outlash was considerable

 

Where are these built? China, Malaysia?

 

China I believe

 

Like every other piece of electronics in the world, China.

 

mine is landing tomorrow will have more pictures up then!!!!!!

 

I ordered 5/4 and all these people are getting before me, that makes me jealous!

 

It was interesting how they gave the screen a 10/10 on HH and compared it to the M17-R2's.

There was never any followup to Jokers questions though so I guess it will be left up to interpretation.

All I know is I have an RGBLED and I'll put them directly next to one another in a dark room and I'll snap a shot with remote release on my canon so I can get the cleanest shot. Now of course you are not going to see exactly what they look like because the LCD or the screen you are viewing on probably isn't calibrated the the profile as others but it will give you an idea. Also I'll give a more informed comment and details about saturation, ghosting, scaling etc...

To me I don't care what the numbers say, if my eyes say this is one helluva screen then that's good enough for me, but if they say omg what a horrible piece of trash then well it will go back to dell and I'll wait for the 18xR2.

I'm most certainly hoping I'm impressed.

 

I ordered on 5/3 and I still don't have mine. May be on the way from china though.

 

I need the best density I can get for media editing... when the DPI density falls eyes (and mental focus) pays the price. Heavily!

 

True. I'm hoping the screen is 90% gamut, even though it doesn't seem so from those youtube vids.

 

But you missed the point....same resolution on bigger screen = lower DPI

That is simple geometry and something you should have expected

 

Lower DPI tends to have a more grainy look to it but alot of laptops have the glossy screens when smooth things out and "enhance" contrast but I won't know until it gets here and I can give you initial impressions then.

 

Maybe, just maybe...Dell have confused themselves regarding the gamut.....if you look at the Samsung website you linked, the 17.3" 1920x1080p just above the 18.4" is actually listed as 72% gamut.....now, Dell may have listed the wrong info by mistake as its obvious Samung dont do a 18.4" gamut wled screen in 1920x1080p.....and like you say fella, why on earth stick a lower quality screen in it if THAT one is available!

Fingers crossed.... ( I dont think Dell would have paid Samsung for a "Custom Job" if indeed that screen was available.....why on earth would they commission a lower quality screen!)

 

Scook9, I do know (and understand) the geometry. This is why I ask the new owners (some pages before) for comparative pictures to SEE how it's look and also to get the "feeling" of some one that is in front of the two... the one with higher DPI and the one with the lower DPI. Unfortunatedly I have not the new 18.4 to compare side by side...

 

I know that from a general DPI standpoint, I regularly use 2 24" WUXGA screens at home and have never had a complaint. Comparing them to my M17x R1 with the 17" WUXGA screen I had the same user experience with them both and never felt one was superior to the other.

 

That's the kind of info I need... (specially now regarding the new display on the 18.4). Now if you can spend some time to insert here some comparative pictures... I certainly will be most grateful!
Thanks!!!

BTW: Can you tell me please, what's the DPI on the M17x R1 and on the 24" WUXGA?

 

I could not say, the M17x R1 is already boxed up and shipping out

I use Gateway FHD2400 monitors at home though. I am no professional photo editor, but I have never had any complaints about graininess or image quality with either screen. And I used the M17x for my entire senior year in college as my primary computer making presentations and such.

 

grrrr....I want my lappy toppy

I put an email into my Rep to forward to the Technical Advisor for Alienware Systems of America regarding the screens Gamut. I'm not sure i'm going to get a answer, but I have believed it was that screen that whole time. As Akimox has pointed out, there are scarce amounts 18.4" screens out there.

I wouldn't put too much trust into Marketing departments for large corporations. As it has been stated already they sort of botched this 18.4" launch a little.

Bottom line is I agree with Scook, to my eyes I think it will be just fine for my eyes

 

Since I value high quality screens and I've been using the M17x-R2 RGB LED, I'll let you guys know my honest feelings about it in a few hours when it arrives.

 

Anyone else receive their m18x yet? I need more picturesssss to feed on
and see some crysis 1 and 2 benchmarks. I believe Joker's laptop is supposed to arrive today.

 

lol.. your staring out your office window now aren't you ?

I can see it already, stocking the window like some crazyed person... nervous... happy.. angry with FedEx for not being there already..... I would like a quick brief on the screen though.

I use 17.0 inch 16:10, 1440x900 pixel, Toshiba TruBrite WXGA+ TFT High Brightness Display right now. I hope the M18x is as good.

 

I'm chilling at home today, skipped work (benefit of owning family biz). The anxiety level has dropped off a lot for some strange reason. Just watching TV waiting on it to arrive. First thing I'll do is an unboxing vid, quick inspection for defects and if I find some, call Dell. Then I'll take some pics + benchmarks for all of ya.

 

Are you a photo guy on the side? I'm asking because I'm curious what attracts you to the highest quality screens. I'm not saying that I'm not a screen snob, because I'm using 3 2311's. I guess it is hard to understand without seeing a R2 in person. To me the pinnacle of screens has been the Apple screen on my 17 Pro, beautiful colors, amazing brightness, overall good monitor.