*OFFICIAL* Alienware 18 Owner's Lounge Thread

same preferably this week so I can use this 17% off coupon that expires on the 1st


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Same here, I have these coupon codes but It expires soon and with the looks of it, Dell won't have them back in time.
I spoke with a hand full of dell reps and basically pleaded to them to give me the 780's with the lower base model however they all stick to their story and said it was ONLY available on the maxed out one.
None of the reps know when will these come back as a configurable item, as so I am told.

 

With the 17% coupon you can get the maxed out one for 4,100 and I am sure the dell reps can give you an extra 5% on top of that. So that should get you slightly under 4k.
You might have more luck than me because your budget is a not so constrained. I am trying to get it under 3,600 which I doubt would happen lol.

 

battle stations thread.

 

Next big discount is black friday

Source: some Dell rep

 

still a stake in the ground

 

Can someone tell me what is the screen panel model in the AW18?

 

I am uncertain of the model however there is only one screen option. So everyone has the same screen essentially.

 

Hi guys, got my Alienware 18 about a week ago.

It has the base 8gb memory setup, and I was wondering whether I could upgrade it to 24gb by adding 2x8gb modules. Are there any particular specs of memory needed for this laptop? I'm pretty sure it needs to be 1600MHz DDR3 1.35V modules. Is this correct?

Thanks!

 

Correct 1.35v modules.... Adding 2x8gb "should" work alongside the 4gb modules... I would download cpu-z and check the timings of the ram you have and make sure you get some 1.35v modules that match those timings...

Mine is Nanya Technology branded 11-11-11-28 (stock)

So I would atleast find some crucial or kingston, maybe the new gskill with cas 11 to get it as close to the stock as possible.

 

impressive OCing... gotta love the underdogs ! I thought I'd be disappointed with my 765m but so far I'm quite happy.

 

Yeah I know that. Just want to check if I can find a proper review of the screen's gamut and contract as Notebookcheck haven't review it yet...

 

Alienware is running a 8 hour flash sale right now on the Alienware notebooks. $500 off the price on the Alienware 18.

Go get it while its still running!!!

EDIT: It seems to be only for students. :/
EDIT2: They are tricking us. RAM have been lowered to 4700MQ (instead of 4800MQ) and 8GB RAM instead of 16GB RAM.
Maybe not saving so much money after all. Sneaky!

Students buy select Dell PCs, get a $200 promo eGift card* | Dell

 

One upside to that ^^^^ is that it does mean that it makes it cheaper for those who really did not want 16gb ram to start with - still a bit sneaky, though

 

That deal has been running for 2 months now.

 

he linked to the student models not the 8 hour flash sale (which Alienware isn't part of anyways)

 

Thanks,

Is there any performance difference between say this kit, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Patriot-PSD38G1600L2S-1600MHz-Ultrabook-SODIMM/dp/B009WIW9GE
and the crucial branded one Crucial 16GB kit (8GBx2) DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800.. | Ebuyer.com

They seem to have the same specs, but this particular Patriot RAM seems more budget, as it's aimed at ultrabooks.

Thanks

 

That's what I was going to say cause it did not mention Alienware at all.

 

I am not sure if anyone noticed, but dell changed the estimate ship date of all their alienware 18's to september 9
I am hoping this means they might put the 780's back for the lesser models.

 

Guys, I swear to you the Alienware systems was listed on the flash sale page earlier today. Dell must have removed it after selling enough of them.

------------------------

Alienware Norway says this:

770M SLI ETA 09/03/2013
780M SLI ETA 10/02/2013

Alienware US:
770M SLI ETA 09/09/2013
780M SLI ETA 09/09/2013

Now Alienware US only offer 780M SLI on maxed out system, so obviously they will ship it out as fast as they can because they make a ton of money on a system will all those premium parts.
As for 780M SLI, only Norway offer it on non maxed out system, but as you can see, the ETA is moved up 1 month. The same would apply if US offered 780M on non maxed out system as well imo.

 

can a U.S customer buy from norway's website?
if so, how much more or less expensive will it be? I really trying to purchase this laptop with the 780's that I might just buy from 3rd party reseller. Hidevolution.com has the 780's on a 3,150 pre config model. I might get that one.
any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Alienware 18 with 4800MQ and 780M SLI (the one with most rebate), will cost you $3900 here in Norway.

Have no idea if the shipping and purchase from Norway to US works.

Dell Online Store: Bygg systemet ditt


HIDEvolution takes $3350 for the same specs. Its pre order there with no ETA. You will probably get the system when Dell removes the block on 780M on non maxed systems, making the purchase from HIDEvolution a waste of money since it will be cheaper to buy from Dell US.

 

oh please, oh please

 

Thanks for your reply.
Yeah I guess your right. I need to be more patient, but man I want it lol.

 

A) I don't see why you say less heat. On my AW17 my 780M is around 50c on desktop stuff and an average 65-70c on games. It is barely making noise during games. Only at some really random occasions (even when browsing or watching something), I get high RPM and then it goes back down to <1000.
B) As I said before it should max out them -expect Company of Heroes 2, where even desktop GPUs are strangling with.
C) I used to have the same question; most people say that it should outperform it by 20-30%, but that is situational with the game/drivers' SLI scalability. I don't think existing games will have such issues.

Edit: Just to add A) I guess in an AW18 due to the extra space if SLI is not needed, disabling it, will allow a single 780M to run even cooler than it does on the 17 or even in the SLI mode, I doubt the temps are that bad! Some people in other threads reported around 75c on their AW18. My old MBP used to run at 85-89c when gaming through a virtual machine and it is still working!

 

New Alienware 18 review.
Alienware 18 Notebook: Haswell, GeForce GTX 780M - HotHardware
Battery life is better than on R1 and R2.

 

Isn't the battery in the Alienware 18 smaller than the two previous versions?

 

Dunno about it, but logically Haswell and the 780M need less power?

 

That is correct. Both Alienware R1+R2 have a 12 cell 96Wh battery.
Alienware 18 have a 8 cell 86Wh battery.

But like Athonline mention, there could be some improvements with the Haswell CPU. Plus who knows if they use different fans this time that draw less power. Then its the display on the Alienware 18. It feature a PLS screen, compare it to a IPS, it will be just a vibrant but use 20-30% less power. So maybe it draw less power than the TN display you find on R1/R2 which will result in longer battery life.

 

I just ordered my Alienware 18! EDD is 03/10/14 while on Dell's site it is 26/09... I will be without a laptop for 3 weeks as my AW17 pickup is on the 6th. No regrets however!

Anyone ever returned a laptop to Dell? I was thinking putting the laptop into the sleeve (I am also returning that) and then into the box. Just put some tape on the box. Or should I wrap it as well?

 

For UK people: The 3rd option for the AW18 is discounted by £510! That is around 18%! And the you can claim another 10% from a sale rep, as long as you act fast as the offer ends tomorrow.

It is odd, as the other tiers didn't get the same amount of discount!

 

Same as here in Norway

So I reckon you bought 770M SLI as well?

 

Haswell, maybe. I've seen conflicting reports on whether or not it actually uses less power. The 780M is a power hog though, and uses more power than the 680M. My battery life is about 2 hours during web browsing with the 780Ms, and about 5 hours with the iGPU.

 

I went with the 780M. After all the discounts the 780M upgrade was practically "free"! Also got a year of accidental protection warranty.

My battery life is around 2,5-3 hours with the 780M using Skype/Web-browsing. That is better than my 2.2 hours on my MBP with the HD6750M. I can't speak compare to the 680M...

 

Im a US customer, i got the same deal with all models. John gave me a code for 17% off, plus 2% with member program, so in reality 18.5% discount. Then i used my dell preffered account to double the 5% cash back offer, so 10% egift card. Next day shipping free from rep. EDD: 9/11/13

 

For the UK it is hard to get a such discount ;-) Plus we don't get next-day shipping neither free nor as a paid.

 

Am I seeing this right? I just checked on dell's website and they took out the 5,100 config.
Does this mean they are completely out of dual 780's? because all the other laptops in the dell page doesn't have an option for dual 780's. The only one that did have it was the MAXED out config which isn't there anymore.

 

Not surprising Dell is talking to nVidia to see how much they will be getting and them probably knowing that they are sold out for the next shipment allocation...

I hope the people who ordered over a month ago aren't being pushed back even more with their order. Feels like flying standby on a plane.

 

Oh I forgot. I have a 17% coupon if anyone is interested. But you need to act quick since its expiring soon. I didnt need mine since I got a good offer here in Norway.

Give me a PM if you are interested

Edit: gone

 

still shows up to me on the US site

 

There aren't many unboxing and review videos o,O

 

Ah can't pm yet

 

Dell aus has it on the website but was told there is 4-8 weeks waiting for 780sli

 

Yea its back up now. That is very weird. Dell keeps screwing with people's hope for the 780's on cheaper build lol.

 

In New Zealand they have removed the 780 as an option for the top-tier machines, but left it in for the lower tier models with a warning that shipment will take 3-4 weeks. (Dell in NZ seems to follow reverse logic. You can get a 780m, but only if you are thrifty!)

Not only that, 3-4 weeks seems like a fond wish for those of us still waiting for our orders to arrive ...

 

Wait, people that ordered around June with 780M still havent recieved theirs?

Seriously?

 

In light all these depressing news regarding the 780's, I just went and brought the 3,199 config model with the 770's.
I got it with 17% discount plus another 5% cash back for being a student, free next business day shipping. and a total of $500 ($300+$200) in dell e-gift card which will arrive 10-20 days after purchase.
The quote was $2,684. So I just went and purchased that, because I may not get a better deal later down the road.
The rep was a nice guy and gave me a lot of stuff I didn't even had to ask for.
If anyone is interested, I'll PM you his contact info.

By the time dell ever gets the 780's, the maxwell's will be released so I see no point in waiting that long.
I have been wanting the 780's but I am confident the 770's won't disappoint.

 

I have installed an Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 + bluetooth and got intel wireless display to work with intel graphics. Dell said it couldn't happen.
Taking the palm rest off was not bad at all, easier then I thought it was going to be.

I cannot get the bluetooth to work properly. Anybody know why or how I can get it to work. Also a Broadcom bluetooth remote control remains in Device manager under human interface devices.

 

If possible, I would wait for the 780s. The 770m is in between my 580m and 680m. Maxwell will not be out for about a year realistically so I would go the route of 780m. This same argument can be made when Maxwell comes out and then there are delays as usual. 2,700 is still a lot of money so I would try to get what you want. An extra 4 week wait would definitely be worth it IMO.

 

Yeah I'm sure the 780's would be a delight, however I really need a laptop for school and gaming. I waited since I first seen this laptop which was aug 10. I wish I would have known about this beast earlier though.
The one reason why I decide to purchase it was because he said fi the 780's come back as an option within the return period, he will let me return it and buy the one with the 780's, but the best part is that he will still honor my 17% off coupon which actually will expire this Sunday.
So its kind of a win win. Well at least I like to think that lol.