New Alienware 18 Config and Order Status Thread

I just checked the Canadian dell site and they are still listed for sale and now the top configuration is $650.00 off so I am not sure what is up with Dell if they are still taking orders then they need to supply the system.

http://www.dell.com/ca/p/alienware-18/pd?oc=nam18x3_bt_b004e&model_id=alienware-18

 

They can still be ordered but they are out of stock.

 

Well order was cancelled again they said they don't know what part isn't available but it has been cancelled. They said I have to reorder so I will have to call the sales rep again to find out if I do order again will I actually get the system .

 

I was offered the following specs as and exchange and accepted. I will keep you posted on the status as soon as I get the order number today or Monday.



Alienware 18

Intel® Core™ i7-4940MX processor, 4-cores, 8MB Cache, Overclocked up to 4.4GHz w/ Intel TurboBoost

16GB Dual Channel DDR3L at 1600MHz

512GB mSATA SSD Boot + 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s

Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVDR/RW)

Dual NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX™ 980M with 8GB GDDR5 each (NVIDIA SLI® Enabled)

18.4" WLED FHD (1920 X 1080) TrueLife Display

8-cell Lithium Ion (86 wHr)

Windows® 8.1 Pro, 64Bit, English

802.11ac Dual Band 2x2 AC WiFi + Bluetooth 4.0

Silver-Anodized Aluminum

 

I have this exact configuration as my replacement for a multi-hosed AW 18

My delivery date is currently 1/19/2016

I am happy to get a much improved set of specs, but I have been without a home computer for over a month already and the delay is causing some grumbling.

Now I have to read or something.

 

Jeez.... 1/19/2016. I was thinking since I am going out of town for Christmas that I would miss the delivery but thanks to Alienware's molasses processing system/software/platform/techs/production, that won't be an issue. Enjoy your beast and post benchmarks.

 

$1637.99 for barebone Alienware 18 base. $500 for 512Gb mSata SSD and 1 TB, $170 for Windows 8.1 Pro, $1000 for the CPU i7-4940MX, $150 for 16gb RAM, and $850 for dual cards. No tax and Free shipping comes out to $4310.99 with a free game and $3 recovery disk. They have the wrong address and I even verified it with the supervisor. JEEEEZ. I called in and they tried to update the address but it was "greyed out". They put a request in to update but might have to cancel and go through the whole replacement specs process again. JEEZ DELL...killing me smalls.

 

They will have to cancel and reorder but the specs will remain the same. WOOOT WOOOT. This will delay the process 1 or 2 days but at least it is being shipped to the correct address. Also since the replacement laptop does not have bluray and no way to add it even on a $4,000 build, Dell will provide an external bluray drive or a backpack. They have been very accommodating since the software updates and specs were finalized.

 

Well, my replacement unit is apparently "In production". How long does that phase usually take?

 

Wow man..that's a pretty good price for all of that! How did you manage to do that?

 

Well mine was in for 17 days and they cancelled it without telling me. Then another 23 days once it got reordered and back in production. Maybe you will get lucky though.

 

My new order was just sent to me. This is the 2nd order as the one that had a delivery date of 1/19/2016 was cancelled earlier in the week. I do not have the new delivery date yet.

The configuration for the replacement remained essentially the same as before.

 

Finally got this machine....so disappointing so far. First boot was excruciatingly slow. I was hoping this was just some kind of first boot error, but nope.......

1. They put the freaking OS on the HDD and set the SSD aside for Data. Are you freaking kidding me?????
2. Dead pixel. Same ugly green color in nearly the same location as my last AW18
3. Obvious backlight bleed

So I'm just gonna clean install W10 on the ssd and send my rep a not-so-happy email. Anyone else have their OS installed on the HDD????

 

I am still waiting for mine....dammit

The order status page still does not have a ship date shown but in a conversation with the rep who was looking at their internal system told me directly that the ship date was going to be 12/17.

Well that was yesterday and I hear nothing concrete as to the status.

Instead, I get this wonderful example of vague nothingness





Dear BARRY,


This email is to let you know that we are following up on the exchange replacement process. The unit is still in production, but everything is going as expected. If you have any questions or concern reply this email or send an email to [email protected].

If everything was going as expected, I would have a tracking number for the shipment!

All I want is something of substance with actual information on the order. I have now been without my machine for 3 months.

So frustrating. I sure hope they do not dick up the build.

 

I can't tolerate backlight bleed. It was a serious issue on my old Alienware 18 and I sure hope it doesn't happen on this "new" unit. I'm still convinced Alienware is just scrapping up old pieces together and calling them new units.

 

The screen on my new AW 18 is perfect. No dead pixels or bleed. I don't tolerate backlight bleed. That is my biggest pet peeve besides dead pixels on a display. Just get a screen replacement so that you will get it fairly quick. That would fall under parts replacement and comes from the U.S. Then swap it out yourself. I wouldn't send the whole laptop back unless you want to wait forever again.

 

Still no update, therefore, more grumbling. I hate being pessimistic but it reminds me of the previous order that was cancelled suddenly the first time around. It has been since October and I am getting anxious.

 

Well mine shipped, supposed to get here on Monday! I hope....no screen bleed. I really really can't stand screen bleed.

 

Nice! Hoping to hear everything is fine.

I gotta say the performance on this thing is blowing me away. Once I did a clean install on the SSD that is. Boot time is snappy, it tears through every game I throw at it, and heat dissipation is a bit better than my old machine despite the extreme CPU.

Also, the back light bleed seems to have nearly disappeared. Still present if you look for it, but not obstructive unless you want to find it. I have no technical explanation for this, but I'm glad. Only downside is now that the bleed faded, I've noticed another dead pixel near the top edge of the screen.

 

I just received another vague notice saying there is now a backorder of some non-specified part in the Shipping Department now and this once again is being escalated. I am getting a whole lot of escalation but not much usable information.

 

Typical Dell, sorry to hear it mate

 

I'm planning on grabbing the Cooler Master pad (I want it mostly for ergonomics as I don't really have any thermal issues, but cooler is always better) and wanted to check on a couple things:

1. The vents on the bottom of the machine are intakes and so the pad's fans should push air up at the machine, right? Common sense says so, but it would be nice for someone to confirm I am not insane.
2. Plugging into the laptop shouldn't really starve the CPU/GPU's from any significant power right? Power and not thermals is usually the limiting factor for this machine, but I doubt three fans are going to make a massive difference. Probably about the same power draw as my mouse and headset combined.

Thanks!

 

Thanks
I try not to be suspicious but the vague nonsense that fills the lame updates really makes it seem like there is something else going on. It is hard to believe they are selling enough of these to deplete supplies of parts but maybe so. What makes more sense to me is that they are either retiring this model again or have an updated configuration being ramped up for production. Perhaps a Windows 10 supported version is forthcoming or one with the Skylake CPU?

At least that would be a more interesting answer than just saying the customer service people are given the mushroom treatment...kept in the dark and fed manure.

A production system as sophisticated as Dell's just can't be this messed up....right?

B

 

Well I got my Alienware 18 today and...screen bleed worse than the one it replaced. I'm done. So done. Fvck this computer, and fvck dell. They can't even build brand new computers properly.

 

Well that sucks. Hopefully there is a better fix than having to go through this nonsense again.

The update today suggests their escalation of my case involves contacting me after the unit arrives to make sure it was OK.

What a friggin crock. I am really tempted to go buy a copy of Customer Service for Dummies.

Yesterday, the note was suggesting a back order on some part or another was a reason for the delay but after I ask for some detail or an estimate of a ship date all I get is pablum.

Customer support is not in touch with production apparently. It is the only reason I can think of for them being so out of touch.

I am filled with Angrons.

 

New order or replacement?

 

This is a replacement. I have been without a functional machine since October and this is getting old.

 

I am spitting mad now. I just looked at the order status and they cancelled it AGAIN. This is the second time and once again after being assured it would not happen and they would escalate it and ensure it was actually produced this time.
The worst customer service I have ever experienced.

 

I would imagine now that they are having to replace a lot of machines since the issue is still persisting.

It took me a week to receive my machine from its order date. Sometime in Dec.

Replacements are low on the priority list since this is a limited release.

 

It is a shame there is no way to see how new orders are being fulfilled or if they are experiencing the same thing as well. Dell just needs to be put out of business at this point. What a pathetic excuse of a company and an absolute disgrace what they have done to the Alienware brand. On the plus side, if it weren't for them sucking as bad as they do there would be no action at all on these forums. So, there is that.

 

I am throwing the shenanigans flag on this bull. Does anyone believe that for the 2nd time, the order was cancelled on the same day the price/configuration changed on the website? I looked at the options and they are different today from what was available yesterday.
Sons-a-weasels

 

Ordered an Alienware 18 yesterday (12/28). In production currently and estimated delivery date of 1/14/16. Here are the specs:

Intel Core i7-4940MX processor (Quad Core, 8MB Cache, Overclocked up to 4.4GHz w/ Turbo Boost)
Dual NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GTX(TM) 980M with 8GB GDDR5 each (NAIDIA GeForce SLI(R) Enabled)
16GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (2x8GB)
1 TB 7200 rpm 9.5mm

Got a 3 year warranty + 3 year accidental warranty. Cost about $4150 before tax. Should also get about a $400 dell gift card for using Dell cc.

 

Good luck, hope no screen bleed for you.

 

Doh! I hope it doesn't either. Did you purchase a new build and that's how it came?

 

Yep, it was built brand new deployed December 16, 2015 and it came fresh off the presses with backlight bleed where the bezel meets the screen. Really quite disappointing, I think you're going to find the Alienware 18 is a downgrade from you M18x R1. I certainly found it to be inferior to the M18x R1/R2. The old M18x has better sRGB coverage, more ports, and much better temperatures throughout. My stock temps on stock paste was 92 degC on the 980M and 95 on the 4940MX. Too hot.

 

Well that is unfortunate to hear..love my m18xR1, it's just showing signs of its age now is all.

 

I am going home at Noon today to sign for the shipment delivery on the new rig. I am so glad to have this nonsense over with and get back to enjoying my nice machine.

 

I'm curious, what temps are you guys getting with your 980Ms? On stock paste + Prema vBIOS playing ARK, I was hitting a absolutely ridiculous 92 degrees C. I repasted with Liquid MetalPad on the GPU and now it typically runs around 76 and tops around 80, which is still too hot for my liking.

 

What does the Prema vBIOS give you?

 

Unlocked slider for overclocking plus supposed enhanced thermal protection and throttling removal. I don't like the voltage it is operating at though...and supposedly undervolting is not supported with maxwell.

 

The new rig has arrived. Pretty happy with the situation. I wish there had been a bit more clarity and communication of actual facts. Facts are good.

 

How long did it take once you had ordered?

 

The THIRD order was placed on 12/23 and the name plate on the bottom has a deployment date of 12/26 with a delivery date of 1/5/16

The FIRST order went in on 11/19 though and the final meltdown of the previous model occurred in October.

Regardless...now that it is here...I do love how this machine runs and feels to use.

B

 

Oh wow..I didn't know they did nameplates anymore. Ordered mine last Monday and will be arriving tomorrow..seems as if I'm very l ucky in the process going to easily and quickly.

 

Its not a nameplate. Its an info plate that marks production date, model name, and original CPU + GPU configuration.

 

Correct....that is what I meant to say. I still like it though.

 

Alienware 18 arrived yesterday....very pleased. All the hating on Alienware laptops recently had me worried, but build quality and everything still seems as solid as before. No screen bleeding. The only thing I would say that I miss is the media buttons on the top, but I can get over that.

 

Besides back-light bleed and dead pixels, how is everybody finding the displays on the new machines? I'm starting to think that this is a new panel. Most obviously, it burns very, very quickly. If I have windows side-by-side and don't move/interact with one for 10-20 minutes and then move it, there is very obvious burn-in. I don't think I ever noticed any burn-in on my old AW18 even after some pretty irresponsible use in that regard. Also, I often notice a moving texture to solid-colored patches. I can't really explain it and it doesn't match the description of any phenomenon I've read about, but it seems as if on each refresh, certain colors are very slightly different, and in solid areas, there is a slight variation between pixels. Kind of looks like very, very subtle noise or, when there isn't so much temporal variation, fabric.

I'd like to qualify all of the above by saying that overall, the screen still looks fantastic in typical use and quite similar to that on my old AW18 and M18X R2. The color and brightness are great, and the viewing angles are near-perfect. Also, the 2 dead pixels on this guy are the same dark greenish color as on the old AW18, which is good evidence it is the same panel (maybe a different controller?). I know the primary reason the 18 was cancelled in the first place was due to lack of 18.4" display supplies. Maybe they had a bunch of the other components left over and someone started manufacturing very similar displays, which is why the line was brought back? The texture/noise effect isn't very noticeable in games/media, but is very distracting when I am doing productivity or creative work. And the burn in is really, really annoying.

Anyone else experience these issues, or do I have myself a dud? (They already agreed to replace the screen if I want because of the dead pixels, but I wonder if the rest is just mine or across the board.)

 

I definitely have not had any burn in/ghosting issues on my Alienware 18, both the original and the replacement. However, they both have had awful bleed that is characteristic of IPS/PLS panels. M18x R1/R2 have no issues and IMHO, TN is a better panel to be using because Alienware cannot guarantee consistency of their PLS/IPS panels. I have had 4 IPS/PLS Alienwares, all had bleed, and 4 TN Alienwares with zero bleed.

 

TL;DR: Ordered an 18, order delayed twice, can't afford further delays, need detailed information, HELP MEH!

Hello, new member, first post!
(achievement unlocked?)

I ordered an Alienware 18 with all the bells and whistles on 2/16. The original delivery date was 2/26. As the day approached my order remained "in production". I called on the 25th and after some communication difficulties I was able to discover that some component was on back order and that my order would be delayed. The following day the delivery date was updated to 3/4. Okay, a week delay is manageable, but it's unfortunate that I had to call to find out any information. The order status site seems to tell me 90 things I already know and one thing I need to know, the actual status. But is void of any details beyond that.

As the 4th of March approached, I decided to call again. And was again told that my order would be further delayed due to a back ordered component. This time, on the 4th, the date was rolled out 10 more days to the 14th.

What is frustrating is that I am active duty military, home on leave, about to head back out in a couple of weeks and I cannot afford further delays, and I cannot ship the laptop where I am going.

If there's any Alienware techs that read these forums, I would appreciate if someone could get me some details on what part is back ordered, when they anticipate getting it in, and how that will affect my delivery date.

Regards,
Christopher