*OFFICIAL* M18x Owner's Lounge Thread

Yes. You'll need to purchase the SLI cable as well (of course).

 

Interesting SLI cable. So the motherboard allows both SLI and XF (not at the same time obviously ).

Thats great news, so in the future if the nvidia options are better than the ati I won't have any issues hopping over!

One more question, I was looking at the dell documentation (I will literally read ANYTHING m18x related lol) and I saw that the cpu is easilly swapped. So upgrading cpu's is an option down the road?

 

Yes. . . .

 

Thanks for the swift reply but your last answer, was that towards the cpu question?

 

LOL Sorry. Yes, the CPU is not soldered to the motherboard so yes, you can change it.

 

No problem I am just happy I have somewhere to talk to about this. I have so many questions and I am so eager in getting to play with this sexy laptop!

Last question (for now ) what socket for the cpu does this mobo use and I assume that cpu's purchased from newegg will work just fine in case I decide to buy the higher tier cpu.

 

Tell you what Oni, review the documentation which will answer many of your q's. After, if you still have q's about configurations, let us know.

Please reference the M18x Documentation -
Documentation

Check the owners manual for the specs.

Also, since you are new to NBR, please also take a moment to review:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-information-read-before-posting-updated.html

Welcome to the forum!

 

I can tell someone is excited....haha

And congrats on getting Dell to act reasonable! (even if you had to strong arm them a little but )

 

I was talking to my business rep the other day and I was asking him about the availablity of RGBLED for the M18x, as I was considering an order.

This is what he told me (and he read from an internal memo, more or less):

RGBLED will be available for the M18x but due to technical issues and compatabilty issues, this is likely to take around 3 months before it can be offered.

Now, I take everything with a pinch of salt, but my rep is pretty clued up....I was asking him as obviously, if it was due soon, it would affect my order and I would be mad if it came out in a few weeks.....

He definetly said that, yes, it would be coming but Dell have to iron out compatabilty problems first....so, it may be an option on the first revision or sooner.....possibly!

 

In June they are releasing new graphics cards models you can see them on Eric G.'s posts. Makes me strongly consider canceling my order as the new cards will be much stronger.

 

In 3 months I will have an IPS matte screen in my M18x

 

that must cost at least a grand, where are you getting it? O_O

 

It will cost around 600-700$ + some lid modding. The source is still under NDA. But the meaning of my previous post was, in 3 months from now many things will change, it's a huge time frame

 

Nice....if an rgbled DOES become available as an option later on (as I cant wait 3 months on the off-chance), I wonder how much it would cost to buy one and retro-fit it....probably cheaper to sell and then re-order WITH it....

Glad ive got my U2410 Ultrasharp now - that will suffice for the time being!

 

If Dell doesn't make some "secret" arrangements and simply uses what's available on the market at that time (like with the M17X RGBLED), the panel will cost 100-200$ tops.

 

Hehe yeah excited is not big enough a word. I waited close to 8 years to get a Flagship alienware laptop and now the wait is killing me.

I just hope the estimate ship date of 5/31/11 is completely wrong and it ships much sooner.

 

I could live with that - it would probably be a Dell "optional" at that kinda extra cost, d'ya reckon? - I think when I config'd the R2 in my sig, it was about £200gbp more to have it....but then we always get stung in the UK....just like dual 6970's are £490gbp up from base!!

 

So I purchased my rig on the 7th. I find out today that Dell gives out STUDENT discounts ? Anyone knoe about this ? I goto ITT Tech. I was curious If I could get a discount! so I can make a upgrade lol.

 

Are there not other ways to have it shipped, like 3rd party at american prices ?

 

If the RGBLED screen becomes an option for the M18x later down the road, would it be "fairly simple" to buy one and replace the WLED in the m18x Im waiting for currently? Keeping in mind this is my first laptop ever but I have been building desktops for over a decade so I know my way around computer hardware. Ya.. I used to be one of those "Laptops cant game!" people until this current generation of mobile hardware.

 

Wow, that doesn't sound like much more considering how much folks here rave about the RGBLED panel.

I suppose having no time/money at the moment will work out for me if I have to delay my purchase anyways.

 

Well this just confirms my decision to wait. Assuming there is truth to the validity of RGB coming to the m18x, I'm gonna hang on to my new R2 and enjoy it while I can.

RGB + new cards drops on m18x, seeya later R2, hello m18x.

 

If purchased from Dell, it would be very easy to replace but the price would be about $1000+. If you buy it aftermarket, you would have to break the seal for the display and risk getting dust in there when you replace it and void the warranty.

 

I'd do exactly that if my R2 wasn't dead. Still a damn fine machine!

 

Now you guys have all ordered your M18's and are patiently waiting for Santa, how is the excitement level?

Any favourite games your going to fire up first to test it?

 

I play a lot of LoTRO so I'm looking forward to seeing it in full DX11 glory. It has an amazing engine for an MMO.

 

I have a bunch of games on steam that I want to play. My current desktop is nice with a GTX260, however I want to experience more. So I will go all out with COD BO Multiplayer, Crysis 2, and Starcraft 2.

Plus, I am thinking about upgrading my monitor to help out. Not sure what I am going to do with my quad desktop though...

 

Well my excitement is a sick anticipation that is driving me crazy when I think about it. I cant even play games on my laptop anymore...lol.

I preorderd Duke Nukem due out in June, So I know Ill be playing that, and Quake Live for sure. I never played Crysis because of poor performance. So Ill be playing that. And Of course I beat Doom 3 again

EDIT: And Portal 2.

 

Well, when I was talking to my rep, I was quite specific and asked a great deal of questions about my order. The main thing was the rgbled. As I said, he told me 3 months .... that was an earliest case scenario. No time definitive answer...just that it was coming and that 3 months was the ETA while Dell iron out compatability issues.

I wish I could hold on and wait another 3 months but I cant...thats not due to excitement but circumstance. I either stick with my R2 right now or take a refund and buy an M18x.....sensible money is on the M18x - even without the rgbled, though I will miss its quality.

 

Has Eric commented on the RGBLED screens? Would be weird to have info on one coming, but not on the other

RGBLED is the only thing that will make me seriously consider cancelling my order, but that will depend on how peoples reviews of the screen are since the M18x is due this week. Are there any 18.4" laptops out there with RGBLED screens though?

The new video cards look to be slight boosts, nothing major

 

No, there are no 18.4" RGBLED screens out there, not yet anyway.

 

Why on earth would anyone cancel their order because of the gpu ? When you can just buy another one later and self install. Whats in the machine now will get the job done just fine.

 

I think what he means is that he would cancel due to the RGBLED and to be honest I am thinking that myself. As far as the GPU I won't worry about it until next generation cards start popping out.

 

well its just a laptop to me. It will be one of my first MONSTER laptops... but I know Ill buy another one in a couple years. So I'm not even sweating the RGBLED. I'm sweating my EDD

 

In the interest of the RGB discussion I emailed my contact at Dell, whom has been dead on with EVERYTHING he has told me thus far.

"*******,

I was curious if there is any merit to the discussion that the RGB Screen is on the way for the M18x? Although I not to worried about it currently I would hate to order the laptop and find out that there is a better screen option available just months after debuting. I saw a post online claiming that the RGB screen was delayed due to technical difficulties, any merit to these?

Thanks,
Nick

PS I need to order 3 more M17 R3's for employees next week, lets talk Monday"

Here is the complete response from my contact

"Nick,

I contacted *********, lead technical ************, in our local office and voiced your concerns from the post you read. His response was pretty simple, "We currently do not comment or speculate on rumors or future products launches/revisions, but I will tell you this. Look at the current market of 18.4" screens and tell me how many you find. If you find an abundance than yes, clearly, this must be happening soon, but chances are you won't find more than 2, if any".

Will we launch RGB eventually? Probably, but it needs to be of Alienware standard and quality before we will include the screen in our current lineup.
I would tell you that the person who posted that online is full of speculation without any merit. If you find out who the rep is let me know

Talk to you tomorrow,

*********"

I trust my rep.

 

Yep, as I mentioned before/elsewhere, 18.4" panels are rare as is. RGBLED even more so. If they were to go for it, they'd be pretty much getting some new/custom built for 18.4", which may well mean a hefty price

But seeing as how the m17xR3 with the much more common 17" size doesn't even have it yet, I'm more in the wait-and-see crowd

 

@ Maynard.

You should ask that rep if the screen on the m11x was released to "Alienware standards of quality".

 

My current opinion is that within a year, you'll see RGB on both 17 and 18x systems.

My reasoning:

They've offered it once before on an Alienware system (obv R2), they know the reception was strong and the sales were good. They're not stupid; if they can capitalize on selling an expensive upgrade, they'll find a way to do it. They're most likely working out contracts with suppliers to give these two systems those screens, and it's taking a while. They wouldn't hold up the system launch for RGB, but they will certainly add it in down the road.

My .02 cents.

 

Haha good point. Or a 400:1 contrast ratio.

 

So the M18X is upgradeable basically for as long as they keep making cards for whatever standard it uses?

 

Yes, provided the BIOS supports the GPU you want to use. In reality however, don't expect the world. Realistically speaking, unless Dell sells the system with the GPU, BIOS support wont be added.

There is always the modded BIOS factor and one which I'm sure will be explored by the community down the road. You'll just have to wait and see.

 

If thats an inference to what I said a few pages back, I was simply going off what Ive been told by MY rep....whom I also trust, like you trust yours. We would all love to see RGBLED on the M18x.....some may know more than others about it but its up to the individual what they listen to or not.

 

Here are my thoughts. Order one of These. Swap the 2920 with whatever I get in my M18(2720), and sell it back at a reduced rate and only end up paying about $300-400 net for the 2920xm as opposed to 900

 

Reps dont know a great deal generally. People's opinion will differ depending on their feelings on the matter, how its effects them and who they drink coffee with.

What we do know is that the m18X is AW's flagship gaming machine for high end graphics. They will try and showcase this rig with the best display possible. The incumbent display does not warrant or do justice to the 6970 Xf and is the 'weak' link in an otherwise strong product.

Expect it to be changed for the R2.

 

I agree, somtimes I think I know more than MY REP.

 

Haha, I actually talked to my co worker about that almost 20 minutes after that email came back. He has the M11x R2 and he said "Yeah Alienware standard, why is my screen poop?" You know how the corporate generic responses are though

Stevie, It wasn't a jab towards you at all. He was referring to the rep and I assume he says that comment for the simple reason of he works at the headquarters for Alienware/Dell. He is close to the correct information and can talk to the source pretty quick.

 

No probs! - guess we all would like to know for sure 100% either way....would help us all out if Dell were open about it to its consumers.....last thing anyone wants is to order now and then BAM rgbled available within weeks.

Shame Dell cant take the approach of sometimes, its best for customers to actually KNOW these things! - would be a novel approach!

 

Even Apple leaks more info than Dell which says something.

 

But the apple employees get fired after leaking haha

 

Okay guys...... I finally pulled the trigger...... I was going to wait for a
deal of some sort, and Dell threw one my way. It may not be much, but, hey
it's what pushed me over the edge....

Quick notes..... I've owned 2 previous "desktop replacement" type laptops
from Dell - none of which were Alienware, and none of them built for gaming.

The deal Dell gave me was 10% off.... I know, I know, it's nothing like the
discount that some folks got using the Farmers Insurance code, but still,
10% was nice! I saved $240, and got free 2 day shipping.

I went with a stock config + dual 6970's. I'll upgrade the memory and HDD
myself. My due date is 6/1/11. I am hoping this laptop will give me 3 years
of use. I am not a heavy gamer, but I like the typical 1st person shooters,
and various Blizzard titles..... My current desktop is 3 years old, and instead
of upgrading that, I went with this laptop......

Go me!

-Birdmanicus

PS... If anyone wants to send a 7200rpm HDD 750Gb suggestion my way,
I'll take a look. I've been on NewEgg and TigerDirect, but I'm not sure about
exactly what I need as far as physical size goes (the HDD's stack, and I will
get an SSD for my boot drive, and the 750Gb is for storage - thanks!).