*OFFICIAL* M11xR1 Owners Lounge - Part 4

I have a soft spot for intel SSDs, but unless you get a G2 intel I'd just get the samsung or ocz vertex.

One thing I've noticed lately with my intel G1s is they both seem to have some sort of strange stuttering problem when they try and refresh themselves without TRIM after a long time of fragmentatation. It's a strange thing that you might not notice unless you stress an HD as much as I do.

 

I don't have this problem. Sounds like you got a bad chassis

 

Actually, it sounds as if the screws securing the palm rest piece are not tight. He can either open it up and check or call support and report it. Support can always dispatch out a tech with a replacment palm rest and take care of it.

 

Recently got my M11x on Friday and loving it so far, and this forum has been a real blessing for optimization and info so thanks

 

I'm currently on more than 8 hours battery with everything turned down, even alienfx is still on full brightness.

Even with discrete left on (not used) its more than half that. using the discrete will probably make at least 2 or 3 hours.

 

that definitely sounds possible, for all I know I had the same problem before I removed the bottom plate almost immediately to replace the HDD with an SSD and made sure to re-secure the plate perfectly

I'm installing both, I'm gonna run them through a fraps pass and post the results in the benchmark thread.

 

Thank you to the both of you for such a quick response. I just took my bottom panel off to check the screws, only to find that there are not any.

I'm assuming that all four of the holes with a P next to them are supposed to have a screw in them. None of these holes has a screw in it. I took pictures that I plan on sending to Dell Customer Support right now.

I would think that Dell/Alienware would have some sort of Quality Control department that these laptops would pass through. I can't imagine that it would ship like this if it had passed through Quality Control.

 

Thats a major bummer, but did you try turning off bloom via the settings.ini file?
I get a major performance boost by doing that. Went from 40fps to 60fps (desktop i5 750/ati 5850)

 

@armoured = Azn over at the gaming thread seems to have it running just fine ay.

 

lol i'm about to take the lowest setting m11x possible (bluetooth and ssd dont count) and bench bfbc2 just to prove him wrong about 10-20 fps in bfbc2.

 

@eggs = Awesomesauce. Chuck the results over at the benching thread to dan so he can post it up. Would probably end questions about BC2 performance.

Sidenote = Would you prefer BC2 over MW2?

 

Hope I'm in the right thread :S Just wondering -

Does anyone know how to access the factory restore function on boot (or perform a full factory restore for that matter inc. all Alienware software) Tried the F8 technique as stated in the manual but doesn't seem to do anything other than load normally into Windows.

The other query is - anyone else finding that the GFX mode won't switch until you end 'toaster.exe' process, which needs to happen every time?

Thanks in advance

 

I've had Binary stump me when I have Steam open, but never had a problem with Toaster.exe

 

I've seen his videos, and all due respect - go to one of the desert maps, try to capture a flag with massive crap going on around you and tell me it's playable.

 

So my order has finally been placed and I will soon be able to join the ranks of the illustrious M11x owners group.

1 224-9555 Alienware M11x, Cosmic Black
1 313-9589 Intel Core2 Duo SU7300 1.3GHz (3MB Cache, 800MHz FSB) Overclockable to 1.73GHz
1 317-8954 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
1 421-1597 Alien Red Glyphs
1 320-9963 11.6-inch WideHD 1366x768 (720p) WLED
1 320-9857 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M
1 342-8744 500GB SATAII 7,200RPM
1 313-8791 AlienFX Color, Mars Red
1 421-8558 Alienware Command Center Software for Alienware M11x
1 421-1400 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp 2.0 Basic
1 420-6436 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 421-0092 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
1 421-1573 Alienhead 3D
1 313-9856 Integrated 10/100 Network Interface Card
1 410-1883 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
1 313-9958 Integrated High-Definition Surround Sound Audio (5.1)
1 430-3796 M11x Wireless INFO MOD
1 330-6348 Automatic Updates: On
1 330-8995 1.3 Megapixel Webcam
1 410-0204 McAfee VirusScan Plus - 15-Month Subscription
1 950-3337 1 Year Limited Warranty
1 908-3647 Dell Hardware Warranty Plus On-Site Service, Initial Year
1 922-7060 Third Party At Home Service, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year
1 950-9797 No Warranty, Year 2 and 3
1 421-1721 Soft Contracts,Banktec Care,Alienware
1 994-3730 Warranty Support,Initial Year
1 421-0675 Failsafe, 1 year Standard Package
1 468-3759 Thank you for choosing Failsafe
1 994-4039 Failsafe, 1 year Standard Package
1 421-1719 Soft Contracts,Consumer Complete Care,Alienware
1 960-9187 CompleteCare Accidental DamageProtection, Inspiron, 1 Year
1 430-8555 Optional Bluetooth Module, 2.1+ Enhanced Data Rate
1 430-3773 No Internal WWAN Antenna Installed
1 421-1360 Steam and Portal Factory Installed
1 330-9855 Standard Nameplate

EDD is 4/1/2010. And the wait begins!

 

prolly bc2 because mw2 is fulllllllllll of hackers.

and in response to the bfbc2 framerate during some massive chaotic battle, it's like what do you expect? If it's really that bad during some crazy insane stuff, just like it may run a tad slow in sc2 with 400 zerglings on the screen...what's the problem here?

Let's assume they just killed all the power savings of using an ULV cpu and went up to an (un)acceptable substitute, they'd probably start at $900 for 2GHZ, and go massively up from there. We've seen what they want to charge for 1mb cache upgrade and VT-x support, they're obviously trying to make SOME money on what is essentially an uber powerful netbook, did you know netbooks were out of left field by ASUS because there's not much money to be made on them, and that microsoft for example has gotten into big arguments with manufacturers over the cost of windows licensing due to the small profits made on a modestly priced netbook? Anyway I'm rambling but the point is even if they offered a better cpu they'd still offer this one at the $800 price point and charge $1100 for one with just a cpu upgrade, or they'd do away with the great price for the m11x and just give up and start at $1100-$1200 standard.

Then you have the combined option of dealing with a possible dip in framerate during particularly massive battles, spend the $300 on something else (that you got by not being forced to take some 20-30W massive cpu being shoved down your throat), realize that you can get, no joke, 8 hours with the config as it is on full power savings (alienfx still on too!) and 3-4 hours even using the 335m and then when the bios is hacked or a custom setfsb is developed to allow one click 2ghz OC with hyperX ram installed you do that then you get your 30fps in large battles!

/rant

 

@eggs= Benchy done yet? Me want numbers But I've heard that BC2 is a slower-paced game compared to MW2... Personally prefer a more team oriented game with less ZOMGSNIPAHZCAMPERFTW and ZOMGOHNOEZN00BTUBAH.

EDIT: Did I forget NINJAKNIFED? Or AIMB0TZNUKEDMEWIF25KILLZTREAK?

 

hehe i like team oriented stuff too, honestly the only reason i'm not declaring bfbc2 king of everything ever over mw2 is just because my skill at either really alters how i feel about them. As in, I'm terrible at bc2 and awesome at mw2

 

I'm utterly terrible at all the prev BF games but can own on a good day in CoD4 and MW2 (MP5 ftw). Just miss VK a lot. Like a freaking heck lot. BTW, is BC2 playable on the 11 inch screen?

 

I'd imagine it's gonna be hard to spot some obvious targets playing on the m11x. I saw a sniper crawling up a hill almost halfway across the map and killed him with an assault kit. This was on a huge tv though. I'll pick up BC2 for pc when my m11x comes in this week (hopefully) and try playing it on the big tv. How are the servers for the pc version? Heard they were having issues?

 

I saw a notice on Steam Support saying something about EA's backend having some problems. Lol @ dead snipah.

 

WT.F dell automated help says my order is in boxing stage.. but the estimated date is still march 29 :|
Did that happen to u guys??

 

Yeah don't worry about it. Once your system is shipped, they will update the shipping date.

 

How long do u think i ll get mine?? :|
cant wait

 

Mine took 4 days in the Boxing Stage. I guess yours should be shipped very very soon.

 

YaY!
hope they dont send me defective piece

 

Until today, mine was in boxing since the day I ordered it (I ordered it at 7am PST BTW). They gave me a tracking number today, however, Dell hasn't sent the stuff over to FedEx yet!

And I got another bump. FedEx is giving an EDD of 3/9/10 (vs. Dell's EDD of 3/10/10.) Good thing because I'm taking this machine with me to a God Of War 3 preview event after some lab work on the 10th.

 

why are dell gfx drivers so olD!

 

I'm Preparing to ship... is that boxing stage? been almost a month since i ordered it... 2/9/10

Original EDD was 3/10/10 and updated EDD is 3/12/10...

Should i Call Dell? Can they do anything right?

Edit:
also

my dell account page it says preparing to ship...

Order status page says In production...

Under Order status with Dell Purchase ID it says Shipped... which should i believe?? LOL

 

@tom = The drivers for this machine isn't standard fare so personal opinion says not to expect it to be updated all too regularly.

@mikel = Call and be nice. It might get you something nice.

 

My rep has actually been pretty nice to me. so far he gave me $25 Dell EPP promo code off next purchase, M11x Portfolio Case, Display Port To HDMI adapter, and Steel Series Mouse pad. I'll be nice at first and if he doesn't offer me anything else i'll just push nicely :]

 

they have Steel Series mousepads in stock? Wow, never knew. Nice rep you've got.

 

i'm looking to change the ram to Kingston 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 N-ECC Ultra LL CL5 (5-5-5-15) SODIMM (Kit of 2) Intel

 

@tom you mean these?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=ddr3_1066_hyperx-_-20-104-139-_-Product

i just ordered it today along with the razer kabuto. hope to get it soon.

 

Might be worth running FRAPS. I've also installed HL2 and get over 200fps on full settings with no keyboard/touchpad lag

 

I am in the UK and this is perfect. It fits the m11x, power supply, my external USB drive and my latest addition, Sennheiser PC350 headphones.

http://www.gearzap.com/targus-xs-backpack-rucksack-for-netbook-and-mini-notebook-tcb006eu.html

 

yea those are the ones

they ok ?

 

Boxing seems to include shipping to a distribution point...so 4-5 days is normal.

 

please can somebody answer my query

 

I've had a number of Dell laptops over the years and I've never known Dell to partition the hard drive from the factory (excluding the utilities partition that is sometimes created).

 

i actually wanted to know the space allocation they have done for each drives in the hd

 

I'll give that a try as well, thanks!

 

i think mine was 10-30GB reserved for something on a 160GB standard HDD, can't check because I already swapped it out, and you should fresh install windows anyway as I've noticed a marked improvement.

BTW, bfbc2 campaign first area until the tanks roll by:

Frames, Time (ms), Min, Max, Avg
5898, 206118, 11, 45, 28.615

not quite as good as I'd have expected but nevertheless respectable imho. It barely got down to 11 fps that was like during a big firefight. The majority of the time it was 30 fps - 40 fps. this was low settings although medium was still around 30 fps the majority of the time. ill try multiplayer later.

 

Anyone else get the email from dell about a netbook for $150 with any laptop purchase? Im guessing the m11x is valid for the offer. Pretty awesome deal...

 

Guys any idea what the lifespan is on the keyboard/logo/speaker lights? I know its too early to tell but I am asking those who own/owned an m15x or an m17x. I would assume the lifespan would be similar. So any ideas?

 

See I'm not trying to bash or anything because I own the damn machine and am disappointed myself........but this is Battlefield - 80% of the time (if you're not a noob recon camper on attack) you are rushing in to take objectives surounded by tank and mortar fire.

That gets REAL intense and the M11x just dips to as low as 9fps and STAYS there till the flag gets captured and everyone leaves or you die. Now it's all fine and dandy for example when Azn's video looks up at the sky to take out the UAV and gets 45 fps......but for real world gameplay (multiplayer) the M11x is not up to par.

 

Have you guys tried forcefully disabling dx10? I will test it out later tonight but that should add better performance.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/genmessage.php?board=957944&topic=53764732

 

thats a very good suggestion I'd imagine it would definitely help. DX10 is overkill IMHO

and armoured, I'm gonna try the multi soon so ill let you know if i get the same results in a 32 player game.

I still, for all i know incorrectly, hold on to the hope that I can reach 2GHZ with an OC at some point in the future. I'm gonna go so far as to get hyperx ram just to try that out, maybe return it if it cant make it.

 

I used dx9 and I think it runs smoother lol but only played in dx10 for a match or two and it still ran fine. Anyway couple short vids in my sig if interested in sime bfbc2 multigameplay.

 

I am more concerned about the lack of performace with the integrated HD4500. I have tested this GPU with PSXE and seems to play smooth on the Asus, but is not as smooth on the M11x and I have to activate the 335m. Seems the HD4500 is cut down on the M11x for power saving (IMO). Same for higher res video like on Hulu. Seems any taxing video or 3D has no choice but use the more power hungry 335m. Makes no sense, since the HD4500 can handle general 3D and hi res video. I hope drivers correct this and this is not a design intention. Nice to be able to use the full ability of either GPU when needed. 335m rocks, but nice to save some power when the integrated can handle it.