What users want in the M18x R2

@BlazeGaj
good proposal ! I add it

21) HDMI 1.4a and a bit more "firmness"

 

Thanks the idea was really at the time to m17 rd 3d version since I'm sure many wanted to do that. If they offer 3d version on M18 I'm sure a lot of people would love this feature. I wonder if they can expand this hdmi input to have more set features which can be enabled and disabled pretty quickly like recording quickly some goal you just scored and then turning the button/option off just as quickly while the file recorded is saved on the hard drive.

So basically a set of features that makes it more than just a plug & play device i.e recording.


Also they could maybe give options/use better paste since some would like that and some really don't want to do it themselves.

 

I agree. I think that is a good idea as some users may not be comfortable repasting cpu's and gpu's - if they offered a service to use good thermal compounds, that would be good......kinda like HID do.....

 

Ok I add that :
7) CPU & GPU Artic Cooling repasting service

 

I doubt we'll get a boutique-level repasting service, but it would be nice if they would use higher quality thermal paste and have even better QC on the pad/paste/heatsink being installed perfectly since it's so critical to cooling and overall performance in a gaming laptop.


The reason I'd want BOTH a seperate Thunderbolt port AND a Displayport (mini or otherwise) is to use the Thunderbolt for media access (i.e. external hard drive) and the Displayport for a monitor or TV.

Yeah, HDMI can be used for monitor output, but it would be nice to be able to have TWO monitors hooked up, one with Displayport and one with HDMI, and not be stuck only having the HDMI out because the Thunderbolt is already used.

Maybe Thunderbolt ports can use a splitter like USB though, not sure about that yet.

I wouldn't want ALL the USB ports on the left side (left handed people would hate it), plus you'd at least want one on the side if you were using a wireless mouse for the adapter. I'd rather the USB ports be located farther toward the screen, and have two in the back.

 

What's the problem if you get 2 THUNDERBOLT port ?

For the USB port I think they put them where they can, and like you said the Left handed must be taken into consideration.

 

@BlazeGAj
Can you make me a very short sentences for the "tools for HDMI input" I dont know how to write it.

I just ask myself about the abillity of D/AW to write a light and usefull application ?

 

Why not put it under the hdmi feature like this:

1) HDMI 1.4a
-Adding a set of features i.e recording


Also a nice little bonus would be Personalized Plate for non-US customers especially for people in Europe. I know it's not very important but it makes one feel a little left out.

 

Hi guys, the idea of THUNDERBOLT is to be a unique universal connector, you will not need anything else. Of course, it is a new interface (released few months ago), and with lots of hardware not supporting it yet we may need something else, but please understand this:
Thunderbolt can feed MULTIPLE devices at the same time (3 displays, 3 external HDD and whatever).
Thunderbolt and Display port connectors are phisically exactly the same and 100% compatible, as USB 3.0 is to USB 2.0. If you have Thunderbolt you already have Display Port (understood now?)
For about 5 dollars you can buy a Display Port/Thunderbolt to HDMI adaptor.
Thunderbolt is bidirectional interface (HDMI 1.4a input could be possible).

For only $5.70 each when QTY 50+ purchased - Mini DisplayPort | Thunderbolt to HDMI Adapter w/ Audio Support | Mini DisplayPort to HDMI / DVI / VGA Adapters

I vote for m18x with HDMI 1.4a input/output and THUNDERBOLT, that's it.

 

@BlazeFak
Ok I modified the line in the first post.
Thank you for your investment in this thread

@Wacamole
One more time thank you for your incredible comment here !
I just have one question, is there THUNDERBOLT and mini-THUNDERBOLT ?
I case of yes, we want one of each ?

 

Thanks Anentropik, I don't think there is one as of now... but is not really important, it's just connector size... like USB's, etc.
Basically what I meant in my last post is that having Display Port or Mini Display Port when you already have Thunderbolt makes no sense at all. Make sense to have USB2.0 when you can have USB3.0? It is happening now because USB3.0 is not integrated in Sandy Bridge, but I don't think we will see USB2.0 anymore in Ivy Bridge being natively supported.
I just read that Thunderbolt is not going to be integrated in the next Intel Ivy Bridge chipset, although it's fully compatible, that means that it will be an option and available only in some platforms, I hope that alienware's motherboards is one of them...
Ahh!! some more information guys, (by the way, I do not work for intel, ok?) thunderbolt is also a multiprotocol interface, I think it presently only support PCI Express and Display Port, but this means that the possibility of external Graphics Cards is also open... does it sound good?
Anentropik, can I request to have Thunderbolt in red?? hehe

 

Nice try, but I put in red only what has been, or could be a cause of non-purchase.

But like you I'd be very happy to see two port THUNDERBOLT! (I would pay gladly for that)


@ALL
Everyone is ok now ? The first post is acceptable for everyone ?

 

6) No slak Keyboard (particularly in the center).

Is that addressing the keyboard flex a lot people got on their m18x?

 

I think yes, but I'm not sure to have understand your sentences.
If you mean "lack keyboard" mean "flex Keyboard", I say yes.

 

You can refer to this video to see what I'm talking about:
m18x Keyflex compared to m17x-R2 video by Mavricke - Photobucket

This is known as "keyboard flex"... we don't want it in the R2.

 

I returned my M18x after having issues with it and its replacement. I definitely plan on re-buying the M18x, but I think I am going to wait for the R2 to see what they improve. I've got a decent laptop that will tide me over until then.

 

what kinds of issues?

 

Nothing hardware related, just many physical defects. With my first one, the edge-to-edge screen was popping out at the top and the webcam wasn't centered at all, almost to the point where the circular area around it was blocking its vision. The second one was even worse with a huge and very visible gash at the upper left area above the keyboard. The keyboard also had significantly more flex than my first one did. I just find it ridiculous how terrible their QC is that I would receive two imperfect (very expensive) laptops in a row.

I doubt the R2 will be any better in terms of QC, but I'll cross my fingers that I get a lucky gamble.

 

Probably assembled in China... QC is always going to be hit or miss when cheap labor is involved in manufacturing. I would be willing to pay a few bucks more for them to be assembled in the USA or another location somewhere in the Western Hemisphere... that might help with QC consistency.

 

Dear Mr. FOX
TOTALLY AGREE!!!
I'm too ready to pay the more bucks for a "made and QC in..." (USA or another western hemisphere location).
+1

"Let's stop 'exporting' jobs", "Let's bring jobs back...!"

 

I add this on the line about QC:
(STOP CHINA VERY BAD QUALITY ASSEMBLING)

 

Anentropik - based on the inconsistent quality control, I was merely speculating about that and wondering if anyone might confirm it to be the case. Do we know that they're built in China?

 

So does "keyboard slak" = "keyboard flex"? I've never heard the term keyboard slak and I just want to confirm.

 

I would assume so considering that during the build process, it is indicated that they are in China. From there I think they are shipped to Texas.

 

If no new requests to add, I will tell to IdeaStorm to update and change the status of the request.

 

@MartinReyes
The term is due to my bad englais, I'll change that.

@Mr Fox
ok tu a raison, on en est pas sur et je vais enlever ce que j'ai ajouté.

 

Did people want the lunar silver color option back?

 

I rather have other colour instead.


Maybe they could give us design options like XPS has but I doubt it.

Finger crossed they would

 

yes, manufacturing is based in China. that is a fact, im trying to find the source. ill post it up as soon as i can find it.

 

Translation: you right, it is not and I will take what I said

Pas de soucis mon ami. Juste vérifier si vous faites l'impression positive et professionnelle vous êtes si assidûment travailler au maintien. Continuez votre bon travail. Je ne parle pas français, mais Google aide.

Translation: No worries my friend. Just checking so you make the positive and professional impression you are so diligently working to uphold. Keep up the good work. I don't speak French, but Google helps.

Thank you, bro. Please do post the source for reference. I had heard that also, but we should be sure of our facts before we present that on our wish list. Whether assembled in China or elsewhere, I think the inconsistent quality control is something we would all like to see remedied.

 

Thank you Mr.Fox, it's easy to do a good job here, because there are many people like you, very knowledgeable and very pleasant.

Besides, I thank all the speakers on this topic!

@3demons
Thank you, I wait on your investigation.

@Color Boys
I add this in rhw Cosmetic section :
8) More color option for the body of the m18x (Lunar, Yellow, ...)

 

My wish is to have the next gen M18xR2 with such specs:

- 4.8-5Ghz Ivy Bridge CPU 22nm
- MATTE IPS 120Hz panel with NVIDIA 3D VISION 2 support (no Glass);
- 4x4Gb 2133Mhz RAM 9-9-9-27;
- 2x256Gb SSD SATAIII 22nm;
- 2xGTX680M SLI 28nm (possible 20% OC)
- 350-400W PSU (at least of the same size)
- NO DVD-rom (make it external, to save space and weight)
- no optimus tech (GFX reboot switch is the way to go)
- JBL speakers.
- 4xUSB 3.0 ports

I'd even leave the stock cooling, cause 2012 GPU/CPU's are going to run cooler than they do today. Im totally attracted by the overall design and i doubt there's a need to change it so early as the next revision. My last wish is to make the access to the components like GPU/CPU easier, like in Clevo's (but it's nothing major)... tnx

 

@Red Line
Hello,

I don't agree with your requests on some points :
First All the 3D display without glass I have tested are bad and not immersive.

I absolutely don't want to reboot my laptop to switch between GPU an IGPU.

I wish to have Optimus technology that bring us a laptop that can stay alive all the day.

I wish a DVD/BR in my laptop, but it could have an option to remove it and/or replace it by an HDD/SSD

The PSU will probably give the good power like the actual one.

SSD are incredibly too much expansive at Alienware, you can go buy the one you want where you want. it's Easy to upgrade yourself.

Ram is the same as SSD, but it's more difficult to upgrade all 4 slots, ok I add this :
22) Better RAM options, like 4x4Gb 2133Mhz @ 9-9-9-27

Ivy surely come no need too specify this.

I think 2 non-mobile GPU are probably too hot for the m18x, no ?

 

Considering what we pay for laptops relative to most of their customers, how about we get North American support for free?

 

Can you explain it a little more for me please ?

 

An excellent comment by Hyncharas on IdeaStorm

I think Nvidia 3D Vision 2 with Light boost is a great Idea !

In short termes, Nvidia 3D Vision 2 give to the 3D a greater quality more stable and with the Light boost the images are no more darkest, we have the same color in 3D as in 2D

 

I'm not sure if you were talking to me or not. But in case you were:

Alienware customers can pay upwards of 4 to 5 thousand dollars on a single laptop. The base price by itself is more than twice what many people spend on Dell laptops.

Since we pay such a price premium, it would be nice if we got access to Dell North American Phone Support instead of having to go through India support like customers who bought $600 laptops.

 

@MartinReyes
Yes it was adressed to you
Thank you for the explanation, can you write me a short sentence for that, I don't now how to write it.

I Live in Europe, actually should I have to pay a call to the Us or India ?!

 

I beg to differ, the glass won't change your 3D experience, calibration does!
Also there's a depth setting if you don't find it "immersive" enough and again the glass doesn't make a difference!
Screens are made like that just because they look good when exposed to the average joe.

While i don't really care about TVs being glossy, since they stay indoors, I'm totally against a reflective laptop screen and i bet that other people that work with their laptops will agree on this one.

Matte screens > ALL.

 

2cents here

 

"Free Access to North American Phone Support with purchase of Alienware Flagship Laptop"

North American phone support would probably be for Canada and the USA. I'm not sure if Europe has a premium call center.

I would rate this as a non-red issue. It would just be nice to have.

 

FYI - in concept, I would agree. However, we already have a dedicated Technical Support group, but you have to call the correct number to reach them. As an Alienware US Customer, I call 1-800-ALIENWARE and speak to the folks in Alienware Support. They are always in the US or Costa Rica. There is no reason to call Dell Support and speak to someone in India like the customers with $600 laptops.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...placement-systems-warranty-repair-issues.html

 

Good info Mr. Fox. It's interesting that Dell has North American Phone Support as a purchasable add-on when ordering though. ROFL. I guess we don't need this one on the list if we can get the correct technical support right now.

 

I woke up early and started to dream ... as still too early to leave the sheets... What else could be dreamed off since the Anentropik rich list ?

A warm tingling began to tinker... How about giving free rein to the imagination?

For example, an M18x Rx with just one hybrid discrete graphics card?:

Maybe... an AMD/ATI RadeonFirePro M9xxx SHD with 4GB GDDRx ...

Or maybe... an Nvidea GeForceQuadro 5xxx SGTX with 4GB GDDRx...

and...

each of them with, why not?... DualCore GPU with 4 surrounding pipes? (or one GPU with 2 / 4 cores ?)... After all we have already seen 4 cores in one CPU ... or those hybrid HDDs...
​

Well, just dreaming... time to weak up (and back) from the future...

 

I used LG W2363D monitor which had matte finish, and it was awesome. the only downfall was 3D ghosting observed in many 1-year old 3D monitors. But now the situation has changed with Vision 2 tech i guess. so it's the perfect timing to develop new 3D 120Hz for M18x (120Hz panel is such a releif over 60Hz even in 2D mode) if the display is not IPS-based, something like this should rox too!

Optimus is really gimmicky. i don't know if you've ever used a laptop with such tech, but most games runs on internal GPU and you have manually switch it in nvidia control panel, untill the proper game driver comes out. 1080p movies could be handled by IGP, while sometimes it swithces to discrete in MPC, which is annoying and reduces the battery life.

Mind that M18x is not a portable rig, so 1 reboot at home before going outside should not bother you. Also if you have an SSD, the system reboots in no time!

Really hope that 22nm SSD drivers comes even cheaper next year. Personally i could be satisfied completely with 2x128Gb Crucial M4 SSD SATAIII + 750Gb HDD bay (planning to do this in the near future).

 

Currently I am sick and I find it difficult to follow and bring all that is said.

I therefore answer simply and without embellishment.
Please excuse me for that.


I played games on the screen with 3D glasses and without and it's not comparable, the without glasses is awful for me. There is a big difference.

HIDevolution m18x already offers without optical drive and a HDD replacement.
hidevolution.com - Alienware M18x Custom Built to Order

Has anyone ever used a matte tape on the screen, as proposed by HID, but it seems to me that this kind of artifice clouded the picture?

I use my laptop very differently and I can regularly move from one game to the desktop, then reboot to switch between the iGPU and the GPU is out of the question. It is obvious that to switch between GPU and iGPU is feasible without having to reboot, so why go without?

I've never used Optimus, and I believe that this can cause trouble, but I think once better developed it will become an essential tool. Have a machine which use only the power required is definitely the way forward.

Once a change made in the Nvidia drivers is it permanent or does it every time you start the game again handling? If so it is final I have no problèem to select it myself.

 

Those anti-glare covers that HID uses make the screen quality worse. We want an actual matte screen, not something you can put on top of the current glossy screen.

You already have it correct in the original post.

 

GET WELL SOON!

 

@SOS4DELL
Thank you

@MartinReyes
Thanks for the info about the anti-glare covers.