[-OFFICIAL-] Alienware M17x Owners' Lounge

intel has only the fastest read times but write times suck. ocz on the other hand has the second fastest read times and the best ratio of read/write too. and much cheaper too. i am going to use my ocz vertex 120gb on m17x

 

Which of the following upgrades will speed up my AW:

Option 1:
T9600 ---> T9800

Option 2:
Single NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M, 1GB ---> Dual NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M, 2GB – SLI® Enabled

Option 3:
4Gb Ram ---> 6Gb Ram

Option 4:
0 Raid ---> 1 Raid

Which of the 4 would you upgrade? (Note: This is not a gaming laptop. Might use for CAD)

 

Option1 and 2 will but it won't be noticeable outside of benchmarking. The only one I definitely would not do is 3 and I would only do 4 if I needed the redundancy of Raid 1.

 

Anyone know for sure whether the Samsung SSDs support TRIM in Windows 7?

From what I've read it looks like they don't but I haven't found a solid answer. I do know that the OCZ Vertex will support it.

 

No one knows for sure, except the SSD manufacturers

Word has it that the newer ones should be firmware-upgradeable with TRIM commands.

 

Definitely #2 only, unless you find yourself running out of memory, then #3 is an option.

#2 is requisite.

 

guys that you have previously used alienware. can i configure raid through bios or is it locked?

 

I'll definitely go with an aftermarket then. What I've read indicates that the Samsung SSD currently used by Dell won't but the new ones will. Without knowing for sure if the M17x will have old or new I'll go buy aftermarket and make sure for myself.

 

The 256GB SSD Dell uses if fairly new.

I would say the chances of samsung releasing a TRIM update for that drive are very good.

 

For orders on Dell Europe payed this week delivery will be around 21st of july.

 

I remember speaking to Alienware customer service in Germany (before the release of m17x) and getting assurance that the unit will be shipped within 2-3 weeks after ordering. Good that I didnt believe it. Maybe the folks had no idea that time that they are not going to sell it .

 

Any service members order their new M17x thru AAFES? If so, did you get Complete Care and how did you get it?

Also, for non-service members. How many of you said the heck with Complete Care? Just wondering.

 

I received another mail saying it was not July but June. So i'm supposed to receive the laptop around the 21st of June. Stay tuned

 

So what is true?

 

I went with basic care and will upgrade to Complete Care later. I had Complete Care when I was over in Manas Air Base (Kyrgyzstan), but the problem with that... even if there was an issue with the laptop, due to the mil-post, if I had to do a repair to my laptop it'd take about 2 months at least to ship the laptop back for servicing and get it back.

 

$99 for the extra added insurance on a $3K system was a no-brainer for me (I have a 2 year old). Plus in the past I always got complete care because it helps with resale value.

 

I have to find a way to get Dell to add it for service members. Right now it's not on the AAFES website and according to two Dell people I chat with, if it's not on their, you can't get it.

I'll have to call to see if you can add it on after purchase or something.

 

Yup, you can enable raid in the bios.

 

shipping should be just over 3 weeks from last week

 

I got it. It is completely worth it. I handle my electronics very carefully and take all precautions to ensure a long life. I even have friends and family say i baby them too much.. lol However, there are always those accidents that happen. With a 3k notebook, it is completely worth it to me to have piece of mind. You drop it, a drink gets spilled on it (crazy lan parties. I did have this happen once), ect...

I know with my more pricer purchases with dell, I have always opted for this and I have had it pay for it self with my old xps 710 system..

I have had the MB, VID cards, and fans, replaced twice.... Since it was complete care, they didn't really fight me at all. Asked a few questions which I had already tried before calling so I had the answers. They scheduled the next day replacement. So to me, it is wise.. For some it is a waste.. All depends on your circumstances..

With a 3k notebook I think it is a no brainer since there is so much that can happen to it... My luck, I would be walking across the house, trip on something/loose footing and down it goes... I can see it happening.. and at least with complete care I dont have to worry about it.

 

A hundred bucks is pretty cheap for that kind of insurance.

I pay $200 a year for complete+accidental insurance through Safeware.

 

on the subject of insurance and complete care, im planning on upgrading the cpu as soon as i get it. this won't void that warranty? cuz if it does then to hell with paying $100!

 

No, it won't void the warranty. The proc you install of course isn't covered.

As long as you don't damage anything during or after the install you're good.

 

On my old systems with dell it never voided them. Well they never knew I upgraded the components.

As it has been mentioned before, just keep original items to put back in for warranty work.

I have always upgraded things on my own and if I had to send back to them, I just put original items back in the pc.

 

Please read this for further clarification on your warranty.

 

Still trying to see how service members can get Complete Care with AAFES. It maybe something like making a call afterwards but I want to hear someone from AAFES or Dell say it.

I mean us service members have an extra $100 we would just love to give to Dell. Surely Dell would take it, right?

 

CC is an insurance policy and in some states (like Florida) is not available due to consumer laws.

I really doubt that CC would be available to service members because of constant changing of locations.

Man, takes me back to the days where I could buy some nice stuff with big discounts and NO tax!

 

I hope the systems ship this week or next week ! Im keeping my fingers crossed !

 

Your only option may be to spend almost $200 a year like I do with a policy from Safeware. It covers just about anything including theft and accidental damage almost anywhere in the world.

The only places the policy doesn't cover is "war" zones.

Unfortunately for me, that's where I spend much of my time.

I guess I'd have to get creative if I file a claim. lol

 

Well I know it's offered on their other Notebooks on the AAFES site. Just not with the M17x. One AAFES rep ensured that you could but they wanted to talk to Dell first.

 

The AAFES site may not be fully updated. I'd suggest you give them a call.

 

Sorry but I'm completly new to this complete care. I know what functions it serves but how much does it cost? who do i buy it from? How do i qualify for it? Also is it possible for example my dad to put the laptop under regular insurance. I have heard mention of people putting their laptops under their insurance.

 

Already did that but AAFES couldn't verify with Dell at the moment.................. they were out to lunch.

 

Complete care warranty is an option you select when building the system. Someone here (I don't remember who) posted you could buy it afterward. It costs $99/year. Call your insurance company for the insurance questions. They are always happy to sell you something.

 

You can read the dell complete care info at
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/...upport/completecare_svc?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=dhs

You can add on the order for the note book.

Price changes per year. It runs with your warranty. If you have 2 yr, 3yr warranty then you can add complete care on for 100$ approx extra for the same duration.

You can cover it under your home insurance/renters insurance but I never have as I wouldn't want to pay the deductible and then have the rates go up. Unless of course there is a fire or major indecent at my house then my policy would cover it.. I have that written into it.

 

Yeah i just found that site after i posted, sorry to waste your time. So the regular warranty does not cover the stuff complete care does? or does it. Sorry haven't researched alienware/sell warranty's that much. But i might add this complete care. For a 2.5k laptop it seems more than worth it, though i will be as careful as possible.

 

Normal warranty is only for hardware failure ect.. Not for spills, I dropped it and screen broke, ect..

 

Hmm Yeah I will most likely get this. Lojack thing doesn't sound bad..but probably more money.

 

Yea I dont care about the lojack.. Most likely it would not help in the recovery.. Who knows.. If I am out in public with this thing, it is chained to me.. lol j/k

I messed with lojack on the studio xps 16 i have and i dont see how it would really help in the recovery.. Unless the thief was dumb.

 

Well on the dell site it says purchase them together. Complete care/lojack, just seems safer. Lojack might help...or be completely ineffective, i like the idea nonetheless.

 

Yep.

I did find this. Kinda old.

http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/showthread.php?t=7684


I suppose something is better than nothing..

 

Ok..You guys may not believe i called and talked to a CS rep asking about my order. He told me that..the black chassis is holding back my order. I asked again, so..the black chassis is what is delaying this order?!
I don't know if these guys are messing with me, but...um..who knows. Also lojack doesn't sound like a bad idea for my soon to be college campus.

 

I just checked and they finally got the custom name plate option on the EPP page. So at least people will not have to call in to have this option if they want the name plate custom.

 

Doesn't sound too surprising. I'd venture to guess that they are selling more black rigs than silver.

 

Next thing you know it's going to be the avatar you chose that holds it up. lol!

Did you ask about your T9600?

 

Yeah the Tri-tone just looks a wee bit strange... The black is very sleek and then has the alienware lighting effects, not to mention it looks a little thinner being all black

 

If you are speaking with CS and they are the India-outsourced ones, do not believe anything they say.

I asked someone to check something for me and they do not have the same DOMS (dell order management system) that real tech support would have.
Also, I have been given so much false info from them I don't bother unless it is a US-based source.

Just an FYI

 

Nah they didn't mention it so i assumed it is fine. But apparently i will be receiving a call from a dell rep tomorrow about my purchase and pieces that were on back order. Once it happens ill let you guys know what he/she says.

EDIT: Sleeyo is there a US number i can call..for ONLY us reps. The Indian reps I have talked to have been quite nice, they upgraded my shipping to next day for free and have been accommodating. Maybe the info is wrong, you are probably right.

 

Never said they weren't nice. Just that they have limited resources in dealing with things.

No, the only way to a US source is either you get a small business warranty (the upgraded SB warranty comes with US support) or you know someone at Dell.

I had serious issues in the past and was escalated to a senior XPS failure analysis guy at Dell HQ. I use him when I can (and no, he doesn't have any more info than the ~20 lead time for the M17x).

 

Yeah they said the same thing about 20 day lead time...