New M11x-R1 arriving today! Any tips suggestions?

Woke up early today to do some household chores to get a good jump on the day. Once those were done, I jumped on the computer to check my email, and low and behold, my M11x shipped last night and luck be me, the origin point is only 90 miles from my home and I now have an estimated delivery of today at my office!

In preparation for the event, I would like to ask the folks here what should I go about and do first with the new laptop outside of updating drivers/BIOS from the dell site and removing unneeded software?

Are there any Microsoft updates that I need to steer clear from with this laptop? Or is it safe to accept all updates from Microsoft?

I didn't notice any new drivers on the dell site for the Intel integrate graphics. Is it OK to download the updated drivers from Intel for my integrated graphics chip?

Any must have software?

Thanks in advance.

Rob

 

i would suggest, wipe it and start fresh ;o).

Sounds drastic, but it will improve your performance considerably.

Gratz.

Phil

 

Don't bother wiping the hard drive and reinstalling everything - that's just a big headache and won't get you any better performance. There's no real junk on the laptop. I just removed McAffee and unticked some items in msconfig.
Make a backup of the virgin state before you do anything. You can use the Windows 7 backup or the Alien Respawn on the Start button or Acronis True Image if you have a copy....
Go to Ninite Easy PC Setup - Silent Unattended Install Multiple Programs At Once to easily install apps you want...like Opera browser, Google Earth or whatever.
Go to Alienware Computers - AlienSurface Wallpaper Maker to make yourself some nifty custom wallpaper for your new toy.
Wait awhile before you start updating drivers and such....probably not necessary because the latest WORKING drivers will have been installed already.

Congratulations - you will love this laptop.

 

Before you do anything else, use AlienRespawn to create a backup of your hdd. It takes a couple of blank DVDs, or a flash drive with enough space. That way you can always restore it to factory condition later on.

Also, the directions above for the nvidia driver are for the r2. The latest drivers for r1 are still 197 on dell's support site. There's a thread here for installing unofficial 260.99 drivers--if you want to go that route, be sure to read the instructions carefully and be patient as it can take a few tries.

What I did first with my new m11x? Load it up with games and play away.

 

The Search Link Provides the following...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/513360-new-m11xr1-optimization-must-have.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/497228-r2-optimization-thread.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...lem-technical-question-thread-new-owners.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...field-bad-company-2-optimization-m11x-r1.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/524257-how-supercharge-m11x-core-i5-i7-um-cpus.html

 

Get a screen protector to cut down on the glare and protect the screen from the keys rubbing.

 

Beyond referencing the links Steven posted, I would just say...

I'm probably stating the obvious, but.... I would go in and benchmark it using say 3dmark06 or whatever your taste is, then go into the BIOS, turn on overclocking and do it again to confirm everything is up to snuff.

As an R1 owner (and since yesterday an R2 as well), there are a LOT of tweaks you can do to improve performance if you're into that.

If you haven't already heard, KEEP the cotton pad between the screen and keys - use this whenever you close the system as it will cut down on the incidence of scratches which the M11x is prone to, and skin oil being transferred to the screen from the keys.

I would scope out EVGA's precision tool for OC'ing the GPU (again, if thats your thing) because there is a lot of untapped potential there as well.

I'd also recommend a good antivirus tool and malware, I run Avast AV and Malwarebytes, both free.

 

EDIT: double post - admin please delete

 

Regarding EVGA precision and MSI afterburner keep in mind that your mileage may vary from others.

 

Thanks for all the responses folks! Just got some time now to play around with the new toy. One thing I noticed was that my OSD when I switch from Binary to GFX is very quick. Is there a way to delay this so I can see what Im going from and going to? Or is there an easier way to know what graphics Im currently using.

 

I absolutely agree. I ran my system with the stock image for a couple of months, optimized it as I do all of my systems (disabled unnecessary services and startup items, uninstalled a few applications I didn't need). The system was lean and clean. Benchmarked every way possible and was more than happy with its performance.

I did end up doing a fresh install eventually. Zero difference in performance. None. Nada. Not in boot time, not in application opening closing, drive I/O, games, 3dmark06, furmark. The stock image - when optimized properly is fine.