AW CES 2011 Discussion Thread

As far as I know about the DRM integration it's just for the new movie streaming service which Dell will launch in the near future. This is just to make sure that you can't copy the movies which you are streaming. An integration of hardware DRM for controlling torrents is impossible to implement.

 

They are purposely ugly... the current R1/R2 designs struck such a good balance on performance, durablity and styling to me it was a no brainer. I look at Clevo/Sager and all I can think of is "lunchbox". Yeah, it may spank the pants off everything else, but damn... is it that HARD to make something with a little style to it.

It's like they want to be the nerd in the class that wants to be cool while wearing a bowtie and suspenders to the prom ...

 

That's the more relaxed 'let's not cut the Intel CEO's head off' version that seems to make most sense.

Looking forward to more info as it arrives.

Many thanks for the advice - much appreciated.

 

Did you really take the time to tweak it out? Those machines put down good numbers really, like what 13K plus in 3dmark06? Core parking, throttling, etc all need to be adjusted... if you didn't do those things you would be disappointed.

All this is making me consider just getting another M15x-R2 since no M13x appeared... I've come full circle... should have kept my M15x-R2... the more time passes the more I regret selling it.

 

After this "downgrade" with AW i think that Clevo/Sager will never think of changing their looks(luchbox with integrated keyboard).

 

The styling with sager does not bother me as much as the lack of backlit keyboard and the completely f'd up numpad/keyboard layout

 

Here is the only report on 3D performance I have seen so far....
Dell's 3D Laptops: Yes, They Can Play Crysis 2

It allegedly can do Crysis 2 in full res all details high in 3D (also the M17x will include the needed glasses while the XPS will not)

 

Nice "Hands on" article. fail. We could publish a better article than that.

 

Which GPU is running hot...

 

I would have to assume the GTX 460m since that is what has been shown to be the installed GPU in the device manager on the endgadget shots

Also, ATI does not do 3D gaming mainstream yet do they?

 

^^^ Lols, and the throttling saga begins...

 

ATI doesn't but AMD does.

 

I know they introduced it in the 6900 cards but my understanding is no one actually uses it yet lol

 

No one uses it yet because there are no HD6000M notebooks out yet.

 

Posted this somewhere else but ATI does 3D with a 3rd party app add on from their website. The 5870 had it.
ATI Radeon Finally Supports Stereoscopic 3D Output - X-bit labs

 

Well regardless, I guess we can agree that the M17x they tested was running the GTX 460m.....

 

i cant help but laugh. Better buy an r2 while ya can. No rgb screen, no dual gpu's, intel widi wireless 1080p cant be used for gaming the input lag would be annoying so thats a useless feature, 120hz display another useless feature unless u like playing games in 3d on low graphic settings, wouldnt surprise me if they switched to plastic to bring the price down

the r3 is a huge downgrade. Just get an r2 and overclock the 920/940xm to like 3-3.4ghz all 4 cores full time and crossfired 5870's. Enjoy the superior performance the rgb screen the higher resolution and the tried and tested design of the m17x r2.

Even better yet get a desktop for the hardcore gaming and a lighter more portable laptop for gaming on the go. Maybe im biased cause thats what i do but its worked the best for me. No matter what laptop you get my custom built desktop will smoke you

 

Any idea how long previous Alienware models tend to remain available, following release of successor models?

 

the r1 was available for atleast 4 months after the r2 came out

also refurbished system will be available from the dell outlet for a year after or more

 

Shoot the M17xR1 sold into the middle of this year if I remember correctly, and they'll probably be available in the outlet for a long time to come.

 

Closer to 7 or 8 months actually.....and it is still on the outlet

And comparing laptops to desktop will always be a fail haha.....obviously the desktop is better value assuming mobility is not a requirement.

I built this for the same price as my laptop was (they ended up like less than $100 difference)

 

I suppose I can assume then (no guarantees, obviously) that I'm reasonably secure in holding off on a purchase until the R3 release (Europe), and making a comparison/decision regarding R2/R3 at that point?

 

yea scook your 3dmark vantage on ur m17x gets destroyed by my desktop 14959 my P score is 20k more points then that and my E score is 10k higher then ur P score

my point is i think its just alot better to get a desktop for hardcore gaming and a light portable good battery life laptop with decent gaming for on the go gaming hence why i have a custom built desktop and an envy 14

 

Yes, definitely. That should work out fine.

 

BTW, has anybody come up with any more theories/sourced more info regarding the R3 casing (anodized aluminum/plastic/magnesium)?

 

Cheers for reply... just waiting to see how long they're gonna force us to keep waiting over here

 

From that report it seems evident that the R3 is more powerful than the R2, of course assuming the report is correct.

This would be good news and if the wireless HD is without lag as confirmed so far by the many that have seen it then it will be a great addition to the laptop. I just regret the RGB screen so much.

 

Sorry to return to a bypassed topic but, on subject of casing materials, please look at the second-and-third-from-last pics (pics 27 & 28) on:

Dell Alienware M17x and Aurora hands-on - Engadget Galleries

Given the dullness of the finish under bright lighting, could this be anything other than plastic (or can ‘soft-touch’ denote something other)?

 

It's a soft touch to the best of my knowledge, much like the M11x R2. Even the lid casing is a design taken from the M11x.

 

I think it has been confirmed the kind of finish... it's a "nice" plastic, but someone said it tends to crack, etc with time and use. If on the other hand it is a soft touch ala the M11x I *might* reconsider...

My M17x-R2 might be the Delorean of laptops in a few years... but it will always look good, I don't think I have to worry about cracking or peeling

 

Plastic hasn't been confirmed. All anyone is basing that off of is a short comment by a journalist on a short clip who said it has a "soft feel". It could be rubber coated metal or carbon fiber. I would wait to call it confirmed plastic until we have more concrete proof. There are still many possibilities as to what the soft finish could be...

 

None of that sounds good… (adding to the woes): I’ve been waiting an age (8-9 months) to buy my (first) M17x – before reading, 2 weeks ago, about the existence of the R3 (had stopped researching).

I had prepared the following build, with which I was reasonably satisfied:

Processor: Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 940XM (2.13 Ghz, 8MB, 4C)
Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate, 64bit, English
Graphics Card: CrossFire™ Dual 1GB ATI® Mobility Radeon™ HD 5870
Memory: 8192MB 1333MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x4096]
Hard Drive: 256GB Solid State SATA Drive
LCD: 43cm (17") Wide UXGA (1920x1200) - Beyond HD (1200p) RGBLED
Optical Drive: Blu-Ray ROM combo (Blu-ray read only, DVD, CD read & write) Slot Load Drive

Then, having discovered the soon-to-be-existence of the R3, I waited… and then… aaargh!!!
I really don’t want to end up with the ‘previous model’, but neither do I want to pay more (potentially) for less. I’m sure that I’m not alone here, but this is a serious head-wreck!

 

I like I was saying earlier in the tread, it may be like a paint job finish that colorware provides. check the link

gloss or softtouch are you choices for finishes

ColorWare - Alienware M15X

With the way the chassis wraps around like R1 and R2, IMO I'm sure its still the same...

I hope...

 

That link is nuts (in a good way)!

Regarding the journo who mentioned the 'soft feel', I saw that earlier but have lost, and can't re-locate the link. Does anybody have it?

 

Here it is:

Alienware M17x Hands-on: Stream Games to Your Big Screen in 1080p

 

ummm....i think i would like a r3 if it came with a gtx 485m single gpu is fine


On the other hand Clevo will have that already and i am hoping alienware will follow the lead or i might just hang onto my r2 and build a desktop. What is nice i do not have to worry about spending money on a newer model that will not be as powerful. I would be fine with a single BEAST gpu but with alienware's timeline it might be 6-9 months before we see a HIGH HIGH end GPU outfitted in the m17x and by then it will be about gtx 5xx

 

GT X 500m is not coming out this year so do not worry

Only GT S parts that are weaker and not SLI capable

The GTX 470m and GTX 485m are going to be the top nvidia mobile GPUs for this year (Not that I can complain, they are both monsters)

 

Yes, that is why I said "think" it's plastic... but its best to be clear for everyone and not start rampant rumors like my beloved M30x with trifold out 3d screens, ARM processor array and the latest mobile games running Mac OS XII - LOL

Why do people bring this point up on a site devoted to laptops.... we ALL know that desktops cost-for-cost will smoke laptops... that's not the point.... we want as much MOBILE power as we can get, even if it's a desktop replacement style.

-1 Rep

 

well did u guys notice in this pic ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting ... may its not visible... i dont see the middle vent on the back (where cpu resides on R2).... so may be its like m15x with 2 vents on the either sides hence no Crossfire/SLI???? ...wat u guys think??

 

I'm with you on that!

 

I think your picture does not show the back of the laptop?

 

The one across the table. I know it's not clear.

 

Thank you, nk290...
Much obliged

 

I would have to say that the picture is too noisy to make a conclusion based off of that....

 

Two more day, and what? More disappoints?

 

They should have 360 degree views on Dells site Monday when they go online.

But it is not looking good for the R3 IMO

 

Yes you know!

 

If you accept the worst now you can't be more disappointed on Monday.

 

I don't understand, m17x r2 had aluminum case?

 

Had posted something similar earlier, but would you judge the following to be reasonably accurate, regarding the R3… ? (any comments on any individual points appreciated – brackets imply a partial or complete lack of knowledge) (not the previous brackets… or these )

Pros:
• Faster (apparently) CPU
• Refreshed design
• Wireless HD (unsure of it’s use, as yet)
• 3D (but is this format likely to become obsolete quickly?)
• USB 3 (is this confirmed? – can SATA replicate this anyway?)
• Intel P67 Express chipset (can't say that I yet understand the significance of this)

Cons:
• Possible plastic casing
• No SLI/Crossfire options for GPUs
• No RGB display option
• Reduced screen size – 16:10 - 16:9
• DRM embedded in 'Sandy Bridge' chips (though this point may be a bit sensationalist - don't fully understand the implications yet)

So…
…would I be a complete luddite, in going ahead and ordering an R2 ?