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    Alienware Notebook Cosmetic Modifications and Custom Builds

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Speedy Gonzalez, Jun 5, 2011.

  1. MartinReyes

    MartinReyes Notebook Consultant

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    How can one acquire this spare case thingee you speaketh of?
     
    MartinReyes, Jul 16, 2011
    #51
  2. pmassey31545

    pmassey31545 Whats the mission sir?

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    Little sarcasm there.


    Of course not. As it is with all mods. Never tell. What they don't know won't hurt.........YOU. Hahaha!!! It is niiiiiiiiiice!!!!

    Good Question. Then, how do we ship it to inap to 'customize'?
     
    pmassey31545, Jul 16, 2011
    #52
  3. TraptPatriot

    TraptPatriot Notebook Consultant

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    Painting is fun, I always paint parts for my car. How much was the extra case and where did you get it?
     
    TraptPatriot, Jul 17, 2011
    #53
  4. AlienTroll

    AlienTroll Notebook Evangelist

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    Nice job! Looks good!
     
    AlienTroll, Jul 17, 2011
    #54
  5. inap

    inap .........................

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    the casing i got from dell, my laptop came with a few imperfections so they sent me a new case.
     
    inap, Jul 18, 2011
    #55
  6. Bartlett

    Bartlett The Prophet

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    Nice job everyone. I am thinking about doing the Vinyl on my R3. The biggest problem I have had with disassembly though is taking off the surrounding part of the keyboard. I heard 3M makes the best though?
     
    Bartlett, Jul 18, 2011
    #56
  7. MartinReyes

    MartinReyes Notebook Consultant

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    MartinReyes, Jul 18, 2011
    #57
  8. hypershadowcat

    hypershadowcat Notebook Guru

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    I so want to do this!
     
    hypershadowcat, Jul 21, 2011
    #58
  9. CptEzz

    CptEzz Notebook Enthusiast

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    I might just do this when I add RAM under the keyboard! I'm thinking a brushed aluminum looks. That would be fairly good looking!
     
    CptEzz, Jul 21, 2011
    #59
    deadsmiley likes this.
  10. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    iPhantomhives, Jul 21, 2011
    #60
  11. MartinReyes

    MartinReyes Notebook Consultant

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    The carbon fiber is an easy modification. I guess it depends on if you want to spend the time to do it yourself.

    I'm not sure why you would want carbon fiber on your laptop lip though. The paint job is superior looking.
     
    MartinReyes, Jul 21, 2011
    #61
  12. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    not sure about the lip , but its useful for the palm rest prevent sweat on your system. I might spray my m18x into space black when the replacement comes , I'm still not used to it with gun metal black. （miss my m17x-r2 black)
     
    iPhantomhives, Jul 21, 2011
    #62
  13. tetsussaiga

    tetsussaiga Notebook Evangelist

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    tetsussaiga, Jul 21, 2011
    #63
  14. Speedy Gonzalez

    Speedy Gonzalez Xtreme Notebook Speeder!

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    Speedy Gonzalez, Jul 21, 2011
    #64
  15. hypershadowcat

    hypershadowcat Notebook Guru

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    I like yours more! If I was going to do it, it would not be an half job either all or nothing
     
    hypershadowcat, Jul 21, 2011
    #65
  16. ita_a55ass1n

    ita_a55ass1n Notebook Guru

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    ita_a55ass1n, Jul 21, 2011
    #66
  17. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Still waiting for my wrap to arrive, ordered 3 weeks ago from CFWrap :(
     
    Aikimox, Jul 21, 2011
    #67
  18. hypershadowcat

    hypershadowcat Notebook Guru

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    Still looking for case onlyl
     
    hypershadowcat, Jul 23, 2011
    #68
  19. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Case only will difficult to find. Lid covers should appear on eBay soon but the lower case...dunno. You could probably buy it from Dell (Parts&Service) directly.
     
    Aikimox, Jul 23, 2011
    #69
  20. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    My wrap is finally shipped, 5 weeks after placing the order. According to CFWrap, they had some issues with USPS (lost/retuned package). Hopefully, this time around it will get here...fingers crossed.
     
    Aikimox, Jul 29, 2011
    #70
  21. Speedy Gonzalez

    Speedy Gonzalez Xtreme Notebook Speeder!

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    Good, can you post some close up pics of your mods when is done here? that way we have everything in one place :)
     
    Speedy Gonzalez, Jul 30, 2011
    #71
  22. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    sure! BTW, what glue/tape do you recommend for attaching the bezel to lid?
     
    Aikimox, Jul 30, 2011
    #72
  23. Speedy Gonzalez

    Speedy Gonzalez Xtreme Notebook Speeder!

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    The same stuff they use 3M double side tape you can get that on auto parts because is something they use for body trim parts :)
     
    Speedy Gonzalez, Jul 30, 2011
    #73
  24. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Something like this?
     
    Aikimox, Jul 30, 2011
    #74
  25. Speedy Gonzalez

    Speedy Gonzalez Xtreme Notebook Speeder!

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    yes that's it but you don't want to order from hong kong and wait 30 days lol if you can get it from Napa,Auto zone ,oreilly's,carquest
     
    Speedy Gonzalez, Jul 30, 2011
    #75
  26. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Sure, I'll get it from the US or even Canada, just wanted to double check the product type. Thanks!
     
    Aikimox, Jul 30, 2011
    #76
  27. SOS4DELL

    SOS4DELL A Notebook Philosopher

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    There is a 3M tape (two sides) that it's not permanent... you can take it out and glue it back... The ideal will be a sorto of extension clips on the lid (or on the bezel) so the glass can be 'snap-out/snap-in' according to our needs... ;)
    (just 0.01 cent... ;))
     
    SOS4DELL, Jul 30, 2011
    #77
  28. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    The current design wouldn't work with clips, the acrylic glass is too flexible and would require too many clips to be attached to the lid. Moreover, even with the permanent tape you can easily remove it later on without removing the lid. But I like the idea of a removable tape/glue. Any links to that 3M (non-permanent)?


    Regarding the snap-in/out design, -
    if anyone wishes to invest into prototyping it, - let me know. Fortnax doesn't provide the funds even for the current project and it is done solely on personal enthusiasm and limited time/money resources.


    And most importantly, -

    Not many would dare to go for it even if we make the snap-in/out design, since there's no 100% guarantee that removing the E2E won't damage the system (screen, glass, etc).
     
    Aikimox, Jul 30, 2011
    #78
  29. Quadzilla

    Quadzilla The eye is watching you

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    My suggestion to Speedy was only use small squares in a few places to hold the bezel on.

    That tape is so bloody strong even a tiny amount in the right places will hold it there till you want to take it off.

    Point of using less tape is for easier removal :).

    There is 0 reason to go edge to edge with tape because its not like your trying to keep the dust out .
     
    Quadzilla, Jul 31, 2011
    #79
  30. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Aikimox, Jul 31, 2011
    #80
  31. MartinReyes

    MartinReyes Notebook Consultant

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    that looks tight!
     
    MartinReyes, Jul 31, 2011
    #81
  32. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    This is just the beginning. There's a lot to do before it becomes appealing. The letters will be made with laser not by hand :eek: Also, the material will be a smoked acrylic glass to eliminate graininess.
     
    Aikimox, Jul 31, 2011
    #82
  33. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    More sick fun - Carbonated bezel! :)

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
    Aikimox, Aug 9, 2011
    #83
  34. SOS4DELL

    SOS4DELL A Notebook Philosopher

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    Sorry Aiki for this late answer. Here you have a link to the red question in the quote: 3M Scotch 665 Removable Repositionable Double Sided Tape at FindTape.com
     It's called: "3M Scotch 665 Removable Repositionable Double Sided Tape (Linerless)"
    Hope it's help.
     
    SOS4DELL, Aug 10, 2011
    #84
  35. Quadzilla

    Quadzilla The eye is watching you

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    Great job on the carbon fiber bezel . Looks very similar to what Speedy did on his x7200 awhile back.

    Nice to get rid of that glare on the bezel :).
     
    Quadzilla, Aug 10, 2011
    #85
  36. debaucher

    debaucher Notebook Deity

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    Yeah, that carbon pattern vinyl looks pretty nice.
    I wonder if there is non glossy material (plastic) that you could make the replacement panel out of that would not need a vinyl wrap applied?

    D.
     
    debaucher, Aug 10, 2011
    #86
  37. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    And how about carbon + custom logo? ;)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Sorry for the pic quality, will try to do a better job tomorrow.
     
    Aikimox, Aug 11, 2011
    #87
  38. Nigel8600

    Nigel8600 Notebook Evangelist

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    Nahhh, looks great in those pics.
     
    Nigel8600, Aug 13, 2011
    #88
  39. Zero989

    Zero989 Notebook Virtuoso

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    damn aikimo, that laptop is pretty pimp
     
    Zero989, Aug 13, 2011
    #89
  40. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    It is not complete yet. Wait a few more days till I get the materials for the final touch-up ;)
     
    Aikimox, Aug 13, 2011
    #90
  41. Speedy Gonzalez

    Speedy Gonzalez Xtreme Notebook Speeder!

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    WOw , now that looks like an Alienware workstation you should call it that way if some one wants to order from you that is the perfect name ;)
     
    Speedy Gonzalez, Aug 13, 2011
    #91
  42. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Alienware workstation - great idea!

    BTW, I already have carbon on the lid as well, just need to do the palmrest (waiting for the material). Also, it looks much better in real, my camera really sux :(
     
    Aikimox, Aug 13, 2011
    #92
  43. Speedy Gonzalez

    Speedy Gonzalez Xtreme Notebook Speeder!

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    I know the camera never make justice of how really looks in real life not even a decent camera as you can see on my pics they have some kind of blue tinting and that is not the way the carbon fiber looks
     
    Speedy Gonzalez, Aug 13, 2011
    #93
  44. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Another snapshot of the custom logo. It's actually much more red, than in the pic.

    [​IMG]
     
    Aikimox, Aug 14, 2011
    #94
  45. electrosoft

    electrosoft Perpetualist Matrixist

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    That is wicked, very nice. :)
     
    electrosoft, Aug 14, 2011
    #95
  46. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    your media bar key colour is really dull :/
    I hate when Dell sends me pink instead of red
     
    kunekaden, Aug 14, 2011
    #96
  47. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    It's not pink, my camera sux :(
     
    Aikimox, Aug 14, 2011
    #97
  48. 0x29A

    0x29A Notebook Evangelist

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    Re carbon fiber wrap. For those who are interested, costs in the EU:

    3M Di-Noc CA-421 carbon fiber vinyl wrap black, 50cm x 60cm sheet ~ 22 EUR (more than enough for the palmrest), 50cm x 122cm ~ 35 EUR
    3M Primer 94, 50 ml bottle (optionally) ~ 9 EUR

    Prices: amazon.de, foliencentrer24.com (german)

    The wrap has already sticky surface on it. It is applied using a hairdryer. Optionally, one can use the primer for some troublesome curves.

    The punchline: it's cheap and it's simple. May be an excellent idea if the palmrest rubber is peeling off.
     
    0x29A, Aug 22, 2011
    #98
  49. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Carbonanza!!!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Aikimox, Aug 26, 2011
    #99
  50. Speedy Gonzalez

    Speedy Gonzalez Xtreme Notebook Speeder!

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    Wow :eek: Looks Amazing....
     
    Speedy Gonzalez, Aug 27, 2011
    #100
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