The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Dell Delays shipping of "Outlet" M11X

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by kingfrog, Sep 8, 2010.

  1. kingfrog

    kingfrog Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    16
    Messages:
    176
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Now this is strange. Dell charges my credit card last week for this order. Then sends me an Email today, shipment has been delayed until the 18th......

    Why would they delay a paid for outlet product they apparently just need to take off the shelf an ship? Needless to say I canceled the order and something is fishy. I may turn around and order another one just to see what the deal is...

    They did not try to talk me out of canceling. It is as almost as if they wanted the order canceled. I could have waited I guess but after reading the hinge thread and screen/keyboard thread I thought maybe this is a good thing. I should wait awhile and see how these issues are resolved.

    There are always 20% off coupons and sometimes 25% of outlet machines...

    Strange though......Maybe they dropped it putting into the box and would have had to send me a new one? LOL Yeah right....
     
  2. runthrough

    runthrough Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Mine took over a week just to be shipped and cosmetically looks great and runs good so far. Besides ever since the release of the "coupons" they've actually raised their prices quite a bit on the M11XR2 refurbs...now that's fishy.
     
  3. kingfrog

    kingfrog Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    16
    Messages:
    176
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yeah I think I will sit back and watch the pricing awhile......The i5s can be had for $800 after the coupon with 4GB/BT/TacTx Keyboard $99 accessory)/64bit/250 GBHD/

    But I am a little concerned about the hinge issue a I expected the machine to be a lot more hearty...for an 11" screen. I can see that with the 15 and more with the 17...but no 11" notebook should have hinge issues at all.

    In this game waiting is not a bad thing. Prices come down, newer stuff comes out.....I am not sure if the i5 was all that much better an idea than the SU series as I like the idea of controlling the clocking of the machine rather than Optimus.
     
  4. tldoney

    tldoney Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    30
    Messages:
    258
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I have the R1 and I love it. I don't have any problems with the hinges. Look for one on ebay. I bought mine on ebay, new in box for 850.00.
     
  5. ggcvnjhg

    ggcvnjhg Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    37
    Messages:
    616
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Happened to me twice when I ordered a few Precisions. Turned out that it got shipped to another customer for some reason.
     
  6. runthrough

    runthrough Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I'm still wondering about the hinge issue also...nobody has clarified if the issue arose from continuous opening of the lid from one corner or from opening from the middle... the lid hinges are cranked pretty tight.

    I would agree that Optimus is a no go...

    Anyhow, it would be nice to see if the R3 will have a stronger GPU/CPU combo.
     
  7. stevenxowens792

    stevenxowens792 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    952
    Messages:
    2,040
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    @Tldoney - you look way to happy with your m11x.. Dont let Dell see you smiling! J/K

    No smiling aloud here people!

    :)

    StevenX
     
  8. slickie88

    slickie88 Master of Puppets

    Reputations:
    973
    Messages:
    2,566
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    56
    It's been pretty well established that it doesn't take anything more than normal opening and closing of the lid, and in some cases, very little of that which can lead to hinge failure. Opening from the corner or the middle, it really shouldn't matter as these laptops are supposed to be a cut above in terms of build quality.

    As for Optimus being a no go, why? What is it that you aren't able to do with Optimus?
     
  9. stevenxowens792

    stevenxowens792 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    952
    Messages:
    2,040
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    @Slickie - Man, you and I agree on a lot here...but... the optimus support needs.. well.. extra support... Better driver updates, that dont require user modification to work. The punkbuster thing is a flat deal breaker for me. I was really thinking about grabbing an I7 and I held off. In truth, I think they could do better with both optimus and hybrid. But I dont like to be a negative nancy. I think optimus is the equalizer that is needed for those that desire a balance between a more powerful processor and battery.

    I know I am probably the niche of the niche here that likes an ultra fast, ultra portable gaming machine. I dont care about battery or power capacity.

    I will say this.. if I see better driver updates or punkbuster fixes (something we can replicate over and over for each driver release) than I may change my mind and get a R2. .. The m15x is scratching me as well.. but 10 pounds..

    Take Care, Stevenx
     
  10. tldoney

    tldoney Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    30
    Messages:
    258
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Steven, love my Alienware computers. My friend/office mate bought an M17xR2from a member here and now wants the M11x because she's seen mine.
     
  11. seeratlas

    seeratlas Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    272
    Messages:
    869
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I ordered one of the R1's and got several conflicting messages about expected delivery and shipping dates. First it was like 3 days, then I got a note saying delayed, and they added a week, then I got a message that it was shipped, and it arrived next day, apparently flawless in all particulars. I have been flogging it pretty hard and not a hiccup yet. From order to arrival turned out to be in fact 3 days, and I ordered on a weekend. I was sweating the gamble, but hey at less than 650 for this thing? I consider it a great deal.

    oh, config was r1, su7300, 320gig 7200 drive, 4 gig ram, bluetooth, tactx or whatever backlit keyboard, n wifi, etc. I have oversized hands and have no problems typing for hours on the keyboard, I wear a pair of reading glasses to get razor focus on the screen, and have had zero heat problems, bsod problems, freezes, reboots, ...i.e., no problems whatsoever, zip, nada. In short, at least for this one, I have zero negative to say about Dell/alienware, and in fact, an affirmative 'thumbs-up' on this one. I'm amazed at the games it can play, and well. after fooling with the config on the new wow beta a bit, I got 103 fps flying around north rend, and and between 80 and 100 swimming around in Vashj. The vast majority of settings were at very high levels.
    nice box.

    Seer
     
  12. kingfrog

    kingfrog Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    16
    Messages:
    176
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Fantastic becasue.......
    Well low and behold.... I get an email.......my unit has been shipped...arriving TOMORROW!!!!!..after I cancelled it.....becasue it was "delayed" 9 days..... Now what?

    DO I keep it or take the $50 Dell will inevitably offer to keep it. It was a good deal at $735 -$60 for the Taxtx Keyboard The i5 was not that much more than the SU.....They have since gone up $20 for the same config....amazing the way Dell does things.

    for the i5/250GB\4GB\BT\TacTx Keyboard My total cost will be less than $600 if Dell offers a stipend to keep the machine...Hard to beat considering what I priced loaded new Dell and HP netbooks for...

    Soooo DO I keep it or chance an SU. Can I run the machine on the dedicated graphics only? and choose when to use integrated for more battery life? I won't be playing many games. FSX...and since it will be living mostly on an endtable in my living room where my flat screen and the PS3,Wii and Xbox live..I will be using it mostly for browsing...However I need the power for remote multi track recording and lite video editing....and FSX of course.I am replacing an E1705 which will go on a kitchen desk. The smaller footprint is what was important. M11x is the ONLY 11" screen that has any power at all beyond surfing and word processing......It is the mega netbook I need......Plus I already ordered a slim DVD RW drive (we needed it for my wifes netbook anyway)

    I am not worried about the lid IF it comes intact I will be very gentle with it knowing it may be weak.

    I am heartened to read you have not had any issues...
     
  13. seeratlas

    seeratlas Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    272
    Messages:
    869
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    if you can get the r2i5 for that kind of money, i'd sure take it out of the box and see if its a good one or not before sending it back. I was sweating when i read a post on here that one fellow received one that was scratched significantly on several sides, but mine didn't even have a fingerprint on it. I am confident they will sort out the driver issues and the i5 will clearly be faster than the su's.

    I'd fire it up, and see if it will overclock. :)

    oh, btw, I also "almost' called to cancel when they told me it would be another 8 days, was still thinking about it a few hours later when the email arrived telling me 3 days, then it arrived the following morning LOL.

    50 bux back would buy a great gaming mouse :)

    seer
     
  14. kingfrog

    kingfrog Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    16
    Messages:
    176
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yeah I just read a great article on Ananadtech about the Optimus system and I think it will be fine as well. I will stick with the i5..... if it works. I already sent a 15 and a 17 back...last chance Texaco here...Don;t want the Hat Trick....

    I am not as concerned about cosmetics as I am about function. I will accept a few scratches on the case . (although if there is a chunk of plastic missing and it looks like it went down a flight of stairs , I may get a little concerned. The guy who had issue may have left the "scratch and dent" box unchecked when ordering. I don;t because I want to see all the options. I can then tell by unchecking the boxes which category of refurb I am to expect,

    I just want an Alienware refurb that will at least BOOT INTO WINDOWS out of the box.........LOL That would be a nice start.

    Yeah Not sure about a gaming mouse but I would LOVE if anyone knew of a SMALL flight stick. Like a Mini Thrustmaster.
     
  15. faiz23

    faiz23 Macbook FTW

    Reputations:
    1,012
    Messages:
    1,493
    Likes Received:
    213
    Trophy Points:
    81
    Can you double check that it will actually come with a Alien ware Tact -X keyboard and that is not the keyboard the are describing in the laptop it self. Dell is notorious for labeling stuff wrong on their site and i wonder if all the outlet m11x come with a keyboard since that would be cool because you can flip it if you already have a good keyboard. I don't see why they would give you a extra keyboard that is normally $100 included in the price and then use the 20% on top and give you a concession credit to keep it. I have messed around with outlet and got them to take of decent amount of money to keep the systems if they do not meet my standards.
     
  16. kingfrog

    kingfrog Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    16
    Messages:
    176
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    '
    Frankly I don;t know either. i didn't even know what that was!! LOL
    I really didn't know if they call the keyboard on every M11X a "TacTx keyboard"......Did not see that name anywhere when looking at new ones and did not know what it was so ...Thinking like you, I Googled the keyboard and it turned out to be an accessory.
    No where is it listed asa a trademark of the M11x keyboard......only a specific item separate from the notebook...
    http://www.guru3d.com/news/alienware-tactx-gaming-keyboard-and-mouse-/


    I don't know why Dell would list ANY keyboard on their list of stuff in the units as it is assumed all notebooks have a keyboard...LOL The "Alienware Tactx keyboard" is listed in all of the refurbs. When I called Dell back they said they believe the "delay" was for the "accessory" which would be shipped separately...but they really don't know.

    This was copied from the machine I ordered" (and all the refurbs list that exactly)


    Soft Touch Stealth Black
    11.6 inch High Definition WLED Display (1366x768)

    8 Cell Primary Battery
    Dell Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card

    Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth Module
    Integrated Webcam

    Alienware TactX Keyboard


    90W Adapter

    125V Power Cord
    64BIT Operating System DVD

    Microsoft Works 9.0
    McAfee Security Center, 30 Day
    Price........ $919.00 -20% = $735

    If I don't get that part listed it will be a good excuse to send it back. They will offer a credit to keep the machine. They seem to always do that when you call to return a machine.
     
  17. drofu

    drofu Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Yeah I just got mine yesterday and I didnt get a tactx keyboard. I think I may call to complain maybe I'll get some money back to sweeten my deal even more.
     
  18. kingfrog

    kingfrog Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    16
    Messages:
    176
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    GO ahead and do that...They are advertising that particular Accessory with the notebook. It is not a trademarked name for the stock keyboard as It is not mentioned anywhere ion their advertising..
    DO you see the word TacTx Keyboard on this page anywhere including the list of features?

    Alienware M11x Laptop Details | Dell

    There is a good case for you getting some money back. I think after reading about the hinges, I am just going to send it back when it gets here. I don;t buy Extended Warranties and when I feel compelled to do so I don't want the product. Reading these threads I don't think another $200 is worth it for a Warranty. rather spend that money on a Sagar, MSI or Asus.