New Alienware 18 Config and Order Status Thread

Not sure if this thread is wanted but I thought some people may want to share their configs and experiences trying to get one of these new laptops. It's been a horror story for me. I have been cancelled after 16 days of pre-production and now reordered in production with an EDD of 10/14/2015. I get different stories every time I contact them about why it is taking so long.

 

30 days of pre-production on my first order, reordered listed as in production with a delivery date of 10/14. First order had some mods, the reorder is a stock model. I am pretty much waiting for the next delay to pop up any day now.

 

My config is the default third tier model with the 4910MQ, 32gb ram and dual 980M's. The only upgrade is from 8.1 home to Pro which shouldn't make any difference.

 

Dell excuse for the delay:
That system is not released that is why the system has such a long lead time.

internal dell source:
The system was so hot we over sold and ran out of stock.
I was told that it would be "well worth the wait".


Order date: 9/02/2015
EDD: 10/5/2015 Delayed
New EDD: 11/18/2015
Status: In Production

Order Config:
1 210-ACKD Alienware 18 Base
Hide itemized list
1 370-AANG 16GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (2x8GB)
1 580-ABEK English Keyboard
1 490-BCWR Dual NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GTX(TM) 980M with 8GB GDDR5 each (NAIDIA GeForce SLI(R) Enabled) **Nice typo "NAIDIA"
1 555-BCCI Intel 802.11n/ac Wireless and Bluetooth 4.0 driver
1 400-AJZD 1 TB 7200 rpm 9.5mm
1 619-AHEY Windows 8.1 64-Bit English
1 429-AANL Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (9.5mm)
1 555-BBPU Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 @ 5GHz + Bluetooth 4.0
1 470-AAKG US 125V Power Cord
1 340-ABEU Documentation, English
1 801-1287 Dell Limited Hardware Warranty Initial Year
1 803-1719 Premium Support, 1 Year
1 803-1701 Premium Support with Onsite Service After Remote Diagnosis, 1 Year
1 801-1292 Accidental Damage Service, 1 Year
1 640-BBLG Alienware Command Center 3.0
1 658-BCDH Resource DVD windows 8.1
1 340-ADGB Placemat English
2 332-1530 Dell.com Order
1 332-1286 US Order
1 451-BBCB 8-cell Lithium Ion (86 wHr) Battery
1 338-BDSI 4th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4710MQ processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.5GHz w/ Turbo Boost)
1 320-BBDZ Alienware 18 Silver Anodized Aluminum
1 328-BBEK Shipping Box Alienware 18
1 340-ACQQ No Option Included
1 658-BBTV Cyberlink Media Suite Essentials for Windows without Media
1 525-0016 Dropbox, Digital Delivery, 20GB for 1 year Promotion
1 800-BBEV Thank you for Choosing Dell
1 391-BBDS 18.4 inch (467.36mm) WLED FHD (1920 X 1080) TrueLife Display
1 630-AAAU Software: Microsoft Office 2013 Trial
1 658-BCCM OpenLabs StageLight
1 658-BCHS Additional Software, DAO
1 817-BBBP None Included
1 450-AAKK 330W A/C Adapter
1 620-AASU Windows 8.1 DVD OS Recovery(English)
1 A5750525 Dell Advantage Rewards

 

Just called them and the latest lie is that there is a delay due to a shortage on the "cover". I don't think they are ever going to ship them.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/official-alienware-18-owners-lounge-thread.721574/

This thread is redundant. Can you guys post it here instead of making a new one?

 

It's not redundant. They aren't discussing order status and configs. Most of what is in that thread skews into other topics.

 

Something interesting on my order status today. It changed from next day delivery to 7 day delivery. Still an EDD of 10/14. Anyone else have this happen?

 

Nope, I'm still listed as "next business day". With the holiday tomorrow(Monday), how would they ever get it to you without next day by the 14? My original quote for some time last week and the more specific update of last Thursday from just a few days ago obviously never came true. My order is a generous replacement with 4940MX and 980m SLI (highest base model but with 8.1 Pro). I realize now that they probably gave me such a generous upgrade because of part availability over anything else. I guess they rather lose a bit of money that way rather than delay new orders or push my replacement into November/December (they don't seem to have any 880m + 4900MQ or better AW18's lying around to offer me). It'd be nice to get this thing before midterms hit, or they probably aren't getting my old machine in 10 days (I already warned them that depending on the timing of the delivery I may not be able to transfer my data and ship the old machine back super quickly).

PS: I've been wondering since June if Warner Brothers or Dell would take longer to fix Arkham Knight or my machine respectively. It's been an eerily parallel situation and close race (of the slowest). It at least makes all the waiting and delays into a bit of a fun/interesting game.

 

It switched back to next day. A bit of weirdness I guess. I guess I should have asked for a processor upgrade maybe. Not much difference in the 4910 though. They did give me $400 off and the os upgrade. I really don't think it will make the EDD. This is my 3rd AW laptop and I always received them early except this one. Something has seriously gone wrong with their service. All the lies and misdirection have been disappointing. If this one doesn't go through then I may look at the MSI GT80. It seems pretty decent.

 

Is your EDD still Wednesday? That would mean they've basically had the system ready since Saturday and are just waiting to ship it tomorrow (damn Columbus). That's what I'm hoping happened with my system.

If we all get our systems shipped tomorrow (IF), we should compile a list of tests/questions for people looking to grab one of these. I'm planning on just doing a couple benchmarks in W8.1 as a control before doing a clean install of 10. Firestrike and Cinebench and anything else if someone really wants it. Then I'll upgrade and check that W10 somehow isn't killing performance and do more thorough testing. If I don't do a clean install now, I probably never will as this is my primary work machine and so I basically need it up 24/7.

 

I'll be amazed and impressed if they ship tomorrow. We shall see. Have you read the thread about Win 10 killing LCD's? Not sure if I should upgrade or not. I'm definitely pulling out that hdd when I get it and putting in the two new Samsung 500gb 850 SSD's. I will just do a clean install of 8.1 pro and see if anyone reports issues with Win 10 on these newest laptops. If everything is good with Win 10 then I will do a clean install of it later. I am on the insider program so I'm getting the latest builds and can create install media of it. I have 10 on all my computers and laptops at home right now and it works great with everything I use.

 

I also orders on the second of september...I can't take 5 his anymore my END IS THE 16TH

 

I ordered the tier 3 model on 9/2 my EDD IS THE 16TH ...ONE PLUS ON THE DELAY OS OM GONNA GET A BUNCH OF FREE STUFF BUT IM JUST HOPING THEY GET THE MISSING PARTS SOON...this whole delay is due to the custom parts made for the system...All the business advances we have and things still don't happen in a timely matter. .I also saw someone got 400 dollars off has every one gotten some type of compensation??...would love to know so I can see how much I can push them and how many accessories I can get out of them

 

I ordered mine October 6, just a base model 18 with dual GTX 970s to replace my 5 year old m17x r3. My EDD says 10/21 so I am not as far into waiting as some are. This new system should be massive improvement over my old r3 so I will be fine with the waiting, to an extent.

 

Lucky you I literally got white hair from this nonsense

 

Order status on Dell's webiste just updated from pre-production to in production. Maybe they got themselves sorted out, one can hope anyway.

 

When did you place your order?

 

10/6 last tuesday.

 

Wow did you hold somebody hostage? That's an insanely quick turn around

 

May be that i didn't get the 980s but you never know. They may have just got their situation under control. They may have just looked me up on facebook, I have been told that I am a scary looking individual. Never know.

 

Well, with all the converging evidence (your EDD, my previous EDD that was possibly just off by one long weekend they couldn't ship, Axle's order, etc) I have hopes for it to ship tomorrow or the next day. I made sure to ask my rep very specifically about Windows 10 and he said all the latest drivers should be fine now and it should be perfectly safe to update. I've also been on W10 on my current AW18 since a few days after release and no fried display. I specifically got him to say in writing that any issues that may occur just from upgrading to Windows 10 will be covered completely by warranty.
If it does kill my display, I still have my slightly crippled system to rely on and will have to wait a few weeks for another order. This wold be disappointing, but not catastrophic. If I send my old machine back and then upgrade down the line, then I am absolutely screwed if something goes wrong. Also, like I said, it would be extremely difficult for me to finagle a clean install since that means downtime and this is my work machine. So I'm just gonna go for it. I'll let everyone know how it turns out here and over in the other thread.

 

When was your order date and EDD IF YIU DONT MIND ME ASKING...AND DID YIU RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION FROM DELL?

 

Oh no 980 Is definitely why it's so quick. ..I need a future proof laptop for the next 4 or 5 years so I went all out

 

It's a replacement machine and a very generous replacement at that, so I'm not really gonna push about compensation. They are giving me a machine with much greater performance than what I currently had. Given that I initially reported my problems in June and had horrible service for months and then was offered some really crappy downgraded system, I don't exactly feel like I'm getting something for nothing. However, I also don't feel like I deserve any more. See my thread here: *** Official Alienware Notebook System Replacement Thread ***

My order seems to have been put in 09/21 from what my rep told me. Although it is a replacement order, not a direct order, so it may be handled differently. Bear in mind that my case has been escalated (a replacement has been approved/they are processing it) for over a month and a half now.....so I think I am well due a working system. I don't have an actual EDD on my order site, but I was originally told a date range that was basically all last week and then later told last Thursday. Haven't heard from them since. I'll contact my rep if it doesn't ship by Wednesday or Thursday.

 

So are you getting your old machine with upgrades or the new machines that were just released?

 

It's a replacement. So the new machine that was just released and then I send my old one back. Conceptually it should jus be like any other order of the new machine.

 

Yes it has the newer parts in it and there wouldn't be any refurb stock so you are waiting like the rest of us on a new one.

 

Anyone get a delay message? My new EDD is 10/23. I bet you they won't make that date either.

 

I got the same updated date. I agree that date will probably missed as well.

 

Still no EDD for me, but I'll email my rep and see what's up. Thanks for keeping me updated so I sound informed to my rep rather than just nagging "where the hell is my system???". This is getting ridiculous now. I wonder if I should push for a warranty extension or some small compensation. I totally understand why they tried to push a 780m system on me instead of one of these new ones. If it does come, it should be worth the wait though.

 

Called again to see what was wrong this time and supposedly it's a hard drive shortage and our laptops should ship in 4 business days. Always a different story lol.

 

I'm being proposed a new Alienware 18 for replacement of my out of order one (since 08/08). I'm in Europe (France) and they tell me that it will be available here at the end of the month.
From what you are all saying, I may be going down a long way before getting anything...

 

I can only speak for what is happening to me in the U.S. I'm not familiar with how the ordering and shipping process works out in other countries. I don't know if our issues are happening because this is a recently revised and released AW 18 and there is high demand or if they are just misinforming us. Every time I call to see what is taking so long they tell me a different part is out of stock. Being "In Production" is supposed to mean according to them that all parts are gathered and the build is taking place. It also is supposed to include packaging and the time it takes to leave Shanghai and get to our international hub. Then when picked up by the carrier from the main hub it is to be marked shipped and your credit card will be charged. That is how it is "supposed" to happen. It used to be that you would get a tracking number as soon as it was picked up in Shanghai and then you could track it all the way to your house from there. I guess people complained that overnight delivery or whatever was not really overnight because it takes a while to ship from China. So now they hide that part of the shipping process.

 

Yes, I understand. But as we are talking about the same computers produced at the same place. We Europeans will be encountering the same problems during the process I think.
From a French forum, people ordering an Alienware 17 face some problems too. Supposed to be delivred tomorrow (10/15), the new delivery date is on the 10/28. I was in this case before they proposed me an Alienware 18.

 

Parts are expected in on Friday and my new EDD IS 10/23 I got the tier 3 alienware 18 so there's nothing else on the market that compares so I have no choice if I want a super laptop but I'm definitely gonna push for free stuff for waiting 7 weeks

 

Yeah the MSI GT80 is the only one that compares to this one. It has very good reviews and performs very well. It's LCD also doesn't get killed by Win 10. If this one doesn't work out then that is what I will get.

 

I don't like the look of the msi and I believe it needs to be attached to its external water cooling unit. ...like I said nothing like the alienware 18

 

Wrong laptop. No water cooling. It's this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YPAVIX4?keywords=gt80&qid=1444855725&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

 

Meh, the GT80 has a sissy-boy BGA wuss CPU though. No bueno.

You would be a WHOLE LOT better off with a EUROCOM Sky X9 with a 6700K, 980M SLI or single desktop GTX 980 on MXM. It has dual 330W AC adapter and it's a man's computer. That MSI has a little boy CPU in it. The Sky X9 (in my humble opinion) looks much better besides being built better, more features, and more powerful.

 

Niether of those hold up one only has 24 gb ram and the other is a 17 inch screen the euro would be the only fall back of it only had an 18 inch screen and I can't wait till december to have it ....God damn dell and the outsourced ********

 

The gt80 thats about to come out with the desktop sli 980's was said to have a 6820hk cpu or something along those lines, its the best thats going to be available for the foreseeable future or so.

 

Nope. No tickey, no laundry... not socket, no rock-it. BGA CPU sucks, even on the remote chance it actually works OK. I bet it doesn't. I bet it throttles like a turd, as they all do. Sadly, the 6820HK is just a wimpy 45W BGA CPU.

 

Dell just called me to tell me I will receive my laptop on the 23rd. I said I'll believe when I see it.

 

Well if we call Friday and the parts arrived then the 23 is correct if it's not in on Friday then all dates will change again well know friday...I'm about to use the 4 grand to get a ticket to India and suicide bomb the customer service department I'm at my wits end and am it's actually affecting my mental health. ..I haven't been this angry since I was a teen. .. I better get at least 3-4 hundred in compensation or I'll wait till its on the assembly line then cancel...and I can because American express is awesome and will pull the funds...If that happens I'll just build a super desktop with the 4 thousand dollars ....sorry for the rant but I feel better and a few of my white hairs receded

 

I could reorder but not sure I want to deal with the 330W tripping out when dealing with 980s...

Clevo is really the only option.

 

Which system are you referring to?

 

GT80

 

I went from an 4+k aw18 to the gt80 and never looked back. You wont regret it and you should weigh the considerations because at least it works and works well.

Sent from my SM-G925T using Tapatalk

 

The throttling will be a mess...and nothing will hold a candle to the Alienware 18