M18x Owners - Are You Pleased with Your Purchase?

Can their dinky little tables even support an M18x? lol

 

How about...I'm not gonna use a table, it's a LAPtop!

 

I'm loving the look of the black. Dunno if I'd have the stones to bring it to work if I got the red...

 

That is preposterous....lol

 

I know what you mean but don't really care what others may think of me. I had both R1 and R2 in black and got really bored with it. Red feels fresh and energizing.

 

I had silver for my R1....people still thought I was crazy when I took it to work...the color is not the first thing they notice haha....the size is

 

Normally I couldn't care less what others thought of me but work is a different story since it's not really "me." It already stands out as it is, which is cool.

 

M18x is HUGE, it will stand out no matter what color it is.

 

They are sending me a replacement M18X rather than repair my current one. I'll have to see how I like having a working one with crossfire for a couple of days. If not, will send it back and go back to a 3D M17X.

 

I forgot to mention that the touchpad is very well multi-touch capable and I am loving it. I am actually enjoying using a touchpad for the first time ever!

 

Same here, the first touchpad I'm pleased with (heavy TP user).
BTW, Scook, how did you enable multi-touch?

 

Control panel>Mouse>Device Settings (Tab)>Settings (button)

There you can enable one and 2 finger scrolling, rotate, ping to zoom and other goodies

 

Got it, thanks!

 

Greatest-Games-evurrrr!

 

My girlfriend actually hates Jane Nash at this point haha

 

Just received mine and not happy at all after I open the lid....keyboard is flex...and the most unacceptable is there are some dents on the media button panel.....seems I need to wait for more weeks for the replacement....and fight with CS people.
Here are the photos

 

Sorry about your disappointment. I'm surprised it got dented and I am surprised Alienware shipped it this way. Even though I would be dissapointed with the dents, if Alienware offered me a big enough discount, I would keep the laptop with the dents.

I wonder how much varience there is in keyboard flex between different m18x's? It seems to me there couldn't be much difference.

 

I'm one of the lucky receivers of a replacement M18x. My feelings with Alienware are truly mixed. My original purchase was the M17xR1 - notorious for it's terrible DPC latency. I bothered Alienware enough about it, and finally received an R2. The R2 was an incredible performer, but unfortunately died a couple weeks ago. Fortunately, there were no 'exact' matches for my system, and the tech on the phone was kind enough to get approval for a maxed out M18x replacement.

The warranty is without a doubt amazing. Quality assurance from Alienware... questionable at best. There are obvious design flaws with the GPU heat sinks, and the thermal paste used has the thermal conductivity of saw dust. I can only hope for a system as nice as my R2, but even then it will without question require some repasting to achieve optimal temps.

I don't want to hijack the thread and go off topic, but I would like to request that anyone who has performed alterations (clip mods, repasting, etc.) to their system and achieved positive results please post a 'how to' guide. If a moderator could please open a new thread for modifications It would be greatly appreciated.

 

Second that!

I too don't want to 'hijack' the thread and go off topic but I already propose that somewhere: Indeed, a sticky "Tutorial Folder" (with threads by topics) is a must! Hope the moderators will help achieving that. Thanks in advance!

 

I have a question about M18x, ¿how is the noise level under load?, I´m thinking about this or the M17x. Thans.

 

Quieter than my M17x R1 was but you will still hear it

 

That's really good to know. While my R1 was quieter than my M1730, the fans can certainly get crankin' if I'm doing something graphically intense. You have a non-scientific guess as to how much quieter it is (10%, 50%?) during a full-on gaming session?

 

Jane Nash at 80+FPS = hahaha

 

m18x doesnt have that high pitch whine that my m17x r1 had. id say about 30% quieter.

 

I think someone else posted that using a laptop cooler would keep the M18x fans from spinning up higher during gaming, but could some more folks confirm if that's true? I wasn't planning on a laptop cooler myself, but would probably go that route if it was more quiet.

 

I am personally satisfied. I'd say that the noise is acceptable considering the power and performance of the 4Ghz OC CPU and the dual 6970. The Mx18 looks, feels and performs great.

 

I love mine. I'm really impressed with the quality of the hardware. I've taken the HD chassis out and the keyboard out and everything I touched along the way seems to have very tight tolerances. The LCD/top lid hinges are so tight they didn't even include a latch. Even the connectors like USB fit real snug campared to any other USB socket I've used. My previous computer is an M9750 which I thought was well made but I'd say it is about 60% of the quality of the m18x.

Mine is quiet enough. I've had the GPU's up to 79c while gaming and with the sound moderate I could hear the fans but it was not conspicuos.

I've been playing Mass Effect 2 on its highest setting with a 2560x1600 monitor with no problems. This is by far my best computer experience.

My Intell 510 SSD was essentially plug and play but it was't real fast until the Intel SSD Toolbox, which needs to be downloaded, solved a couple of problems. Now it gives a 7.8 Windows Experience which we all know is the quintessential SSD test!

My cheap non plug and play Kingston 1600Mh RAM was also plug and play.

The LCD looks fine to me even when it is in front of my Dell Ultrasharp IGN high res and high gamma monitor.

Before I got the m18x I thought the lighted keyboard was a little "Over the top" but I like it and it is amazing the array of color options for the nine different sections. I don't think it will help me pick up chics but my cats like it!d

The first thing I checked was the keyboard flex and I was disappointed that there is some if I push hard enough but when typing I don't notice any flex and I like the action of the keyboard. It is soft and smooth compared to my m9750 but fast and responsive.

The only thing about it that isn't ideal for me is the lid doesn't fold down all the way. If it did, the laptop my tilt onto the top from its weight. I'd prefer it to tilt a little lower so that I can slid it further under the external monitor on my desk. This is a special circumstance.

Party on,
Doug

 

There are hundreds of coolers out there. Here's some coolers that I personally have tried and liked.
CM SF-19
Logitech Lapdesk
Cryo LX
It really depends on where you intend to use the laptop. Many of the coolers out there are designed to be placed on a flat surface. If you prefer to have your laptop in your 'lap' then check out the logitech for a fanless solution, or the coolermaster if you want some lower temps.

Here's another one that I am considering buying for my wife.
Logitech Speaker Lapdesk

 

I received my M18x as a replacement. I was allowed to keep my R2. Even though the specs are higher on my M18x, I have yet to feel/see that wow factor that most NBR owners experience. I find myself using my R2 more because of my space limitations, fondness of the R2's RGB LED display and the R2's built in IR receiver I use with my Dell PCMCIA remote. I know most NBR members think the M18x's screen is the cats meow, but I think it's unacceptable for Alienware's flagship model. Even some of the XPS models have better screens than this. For me the screen is the most important component.

 

That's not the impression that I get. I'd rather have RGBLED but considering it wasn't possible due to the non-standard size screen what the M18x came with gets the job done. And aside from the screen the M18x is superior to the M17x in almost every way.

 

If you calibrate the M18x display, you won't miss the RGB LED. I know I don't miss it at all, I enjoy the larger screen size. Other than that, the M18x to me is better in every single way.

 

And Joker was a big advocate for the RGBLED so that means something. Know it made me feel like I was not missing out

 

The stock screen is decent, even after the IPS I can live with it. Doesn't mean it won't be upgraded
The system truly rocks!

 

My screen definitely needs to be calibrated. I do enjoy stareing* at the speaker grills.

 

Question (and I'm not sure if this can be found elsewhere...did a quick search but came up empty) - what's your recommended method for calibrating screens? Like what should I be buying?

 

I'd also like to know the answer to this.....

 

Spyder3 Elite I think Pro version is also fine.

 

I calibrate my monitors regularly (Sometimes I'm forced to because my photo editing software insists on it.) and I usually notice very little difference. Therefore, if you don't mind the looks of your LCD and the colors are fairly realistic, I wouldn't buy a calibrator.

 

Yes, if you don't do color critical work, hardware calibrators are not really needed. You can still use software for adjusting most stats to your eyes.

 

Calibrating an M18x makes a significant visual impact, not just a minor one. It gets rid of the blue shift entirely.

 

Joker you of all people should not be calibrating displays. You change laptop as frequently as you change clothes . Look at your sig now already got an exchange going on the BEAST. Then you will get it calibrated and BAM the newly rumored m18x with ATI 6990m comes out and you sell your laptop and upgrade. You catch the drift with all these different laptops you have within a 1 yr period. You might need special help and want to seek a DR to help you (hahaha DR....get it DR)

 

MWHAHAAHAHAHA....JANE NASH FTW

She brings back memories of late night benching sessions and man some days i was so frustrated with results. When she would pop up on my screen during a vantage run it would make it all better until the next BSOD. Wifey hated her too but man did I love that loose shirt on her especially when she was working it.

 

Ehahahah That was my favourite part of the Benchmark. The only part I would watch LOL!

Cheers.

 

Please, back on topic in this thread. The poll is oriented at providing not an extensive research but a "sample". So, as a sample is significant that everybody satisfied or not participate. No vote = no democracy.

Many of the participants here want to believe that maybe (just maybe) Dellienware will start to listening to its customers. At the base we demand (and have the right to do so, here and everywhere we can) that the customers deserves a better total quality control and total quality assurance from Dell for every single cent / penny / yen / euro / etc. we spend.

Among that "alleged minority" that received "issues" with their machines, I had the opportunity to receive a brand new machine that right out of the box never could boot... The machine even didn't light on... and I was scheduled to flight (for work resons) to give lectures in another country the next morning... Then a long nightmare started. (just to state it clearly: I have no issues never with the Dell warranty and total care)

 

first sytem had bad ssd and chassis defect. Replaement had bad second gpu, which overheated instantly when it came near a game and gave bsod and red bsod aswell!! Will have to get another replacement.

 

Man, Im glad I haven't had many problems with my system. I'm most def. a happy owner. There's little quirks here and there but that was due to hwinfo32 and user errors. So far temps are great for both the cpu and gpu. No hardware probs. Sorry for all you guys who do have issues. : /

 

Hello all, i am new to this forum, and so i would like to apologize if what i am going to say is on the wrong place.

I am both happy and sad with this order, although the sadness is turning into a bit of anger. I'll explain that in a bit.

I am happy because it has been one of my dreams to own an Alienware computer, be it desktop or laptop, ever since i saw the first alienware's on the market, i would love to have one, and that's why i purchased this pc.

But now for the sad part. Before i bought this pc, i purchased an Asus G73JW-3DE, and it was an amazing pc, fast, precise and i could play games with almost all of the high settings turned on. But i like perfection, so that's why i purchased this laptop, i thought that the sli or crossfire would bring a games up a notch.

So, after investigating which graphics cards should i choose, i went with what this website said, and choose the 6970m crossfire setup.

So after waiting almost a month (and them giving me for me a headset and keyboard for someone cancelling my order without saying anything to me), i finally got the laptop. And it is a beautiful laptop (and heavy! )

But i am a bit disappointed with the performance of the graphics cards, having a WEI of 6.2 (and that's now, before it was 5.8) on the graphics card, and having my areo turning itself off without reason, and the games not running as fast as i thought (and sometimes slower then my previous laptop), i am thinking of returning this laptop and going back to an Asus laptop. Unless i can reach a deal with a representative of Dell regarding this laptop.

Ultimately, it is a very nice laptop, and i am happy with it, but i would love to be exstatic with it, and i can't.

 

May be that's a problem with Catalyst drivers ot you have internal Intel HD solution turned on? Try to run a few benchies after clean driver install and tell us your results! You should get 7.6 WEI score or higher for CF setup)

 

The Catalyst drivers i have installed are the 11.5b hotfix that came out recently, i've checked the Intel HD, it can't be that because i can access the ATI Catalyst, if IGP is on, you can only access the Intel Control options, 3D Mark 11 at 1920x1080 with no AA or stuff like that, was running at 5 frames per sec, and that is with CrossfireX turned on. And it is turned on, as GPUZ states that Crossfire is enabled. I just don't know what to do anymore, i know that this is not the correct thread, but does anyone have any other ideas? I really don't want to return this laptop, but if i can't get this working properly, i will have to :-(

 

I'm sorry about that man, I feel your pain, as I had a similar problem with my Mx17 r2 -- GPU-z showed both cards working, but benchies and games ran with ridiculously low fps. It turned out that it was one of the gpu not working properly - hardware issue caused by a defective Stealth sensor that eventually, don't ask me how, damaged the slave vga. In sum, if anything on a software/driver level won't work, you might consider calling the tech support. When I did the tech guy came next day and replaced the slave card and the motherboard, and that fixed all.

In the graphic department my WEI shows a score of 7.6 and so should your system. Avoid further frustration and call tech support.