Alienware Notebook Cosmetic Modifications and Custom Builds

Definitely a good decision with the body shop. The paintjob looks very pro (this is a metallic paint isn't it?). I have already made up my mind that I will follow your lead as soon as the warranty on my R1 expires. I'll go 'nvidia green' I think.

 

Why wait? Buy a spare set of lids

 

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fox!!!!

 

this is Dazzlingly beautiful, I want one!!!

 

+rep Very Cool!!! Wish I had the time to get my act together and do something similar with my m17x. Would be more complicated because of the plastic though I think.

 

What a coincidence; I just posted this over at IdeaStorm a few days back - a M18x mock up for 'Solar Gold', featuring metal dust particles in the paint to bring a lively shine in light...



Speaking of which, does anyone have any experience with painting or otherwise aftermarket modifications of the exterior for the smaller M14x? I don't reckon the M18x is nearly as troublesome to disassemble for replacing a lid/chassis.

 

I am not rushing anywhere. Let me finish my "DIY AlienArmor" suitcase for M18X project first. Pictures soon (enough).

 

Thanks for the compliments, everyone. Yes, it is a "metallic" color. Pearl colors have a reflective mica powder in them.

The AlienArmor suitcase sounds very interesting. Looking forward to seeing that.

I'll look for the post on IdeaStorm... that is a funny coincidence. Hadn't seen that yet. [Edit: found it.]

Cobalt blue was one of the colors I was thinking of and almost went with. Maybe when I get an M18x R2 or R3 we'll do that color.

This Camaro is basically the same color that I used...

 

Exactly there is no excuse look how affordable they are

122RP | Refurbished Black Alienware M18x LCD Back Cover

 

Sunburst orange (at least in auto lingo) is one of my favorite colors. That is a sweet custom job, Fox

 

I was specifically referring to an effect similar to what the Grigio Reventon (Reventon grey) is on the Lamborghini Reventon roadster;

I'll admit I don't know what this looks like in person (who really gets to see a Reventon in their life?), but I was thinking of something that resembles sparkle-paint, just not as obnoxious looking.

The cobalt color I offered is likewise, a matte-powder finish, but with a bit more shine to the grain - something like what is offered on the PSP Mystic Silver color:

It looks better in actual, this isn't a very good photo.

 

The nice thing about choosing an automotive finish, especially a base color (one normally mixed with other colors) is that color matching and touch-up is simplified.

I almost went with the legacy Aurora skullcap blue or green and still think both very awesome colors, but decided to go with something unique.

 

Yeah in the US. Here I'd have to order new form Dell. Nothing on local ebay.

How about viciously vivid pink then? Save that one for your R2/R3

 

Cobalt Dust look cool too.

 

I like it! alooooooooooooot.

 

Man, I'd buy that in a heartbeat.

 

For the convenience of everyone here who isn't planning on heading over to IdeaStorm;


Twilight Blue - a vivid, deep, darker blue, in soft-touch


Cobalt Dust - my personal favorite - a more demure grayish blue, that gives way to a vibrant powdery-shine in light


Martian Green - a vivid, deep metallic green - this will be familiar to owners of older Alienware systems


Click any of them to view larger.

 

LOL, definitely would be unique, but...

Plus, that might clash with my blouse.

 

That is fantastic. I'm a big fan of custom paint jobs on almost anything - there used to be a company called Voodoo that did this kind of work on computers but now they're gone (bought by HP and squashed years ago). Haven't see something like this since. Excellent stuff!

 

Thanks, Charles. Appreciate the compliments.

 

Falcon NW does some pretty legendary custom paint jobs on their desktops and laptops, but the price is EXTREMELY high.

 

That thing looks beautiful! Love the choice of color! Your making me want to start another project on my spare chasis Gorgeous, +1

Also, can you post the background you used with the Alienhead, and carbon fiber look? I think it was the last think on the YouTube slide show. I love that background!

 

Thanks for the compliment. You will find it and a bunch of other Alienware wallpaper in my profile album. It should be set up for shared access to all NBR members.

Here is a link to the one I think you asked about.

That kind of work is labor intensive and talent intensive, so it demands a premium. FalconNW is not far from where I live. I'm not sure who is doing their custom paint work now, but it used to be Smooth Creations (also not far from where I live). The guys from Smooth Creations are incredibly talented... masters with an air brush. Here is their Laptop Gallery.

The down side is FalconNW products are simply overpriced Clevo laptops... plastic, of course, unlike the awesome aluminum M18x.

 

So you are saying you don't wear pink? Right.

 

And to rub it in, http://voodoopc.com is still there.



Now I feel real damn tempted to get my M14x painted. Just not sure how.

 

Love the proposed colors. Now I want to pick up a spare chassis, when will this upgrade/mod splash end?!

 

Don't know how many would know this but it reminds of Elder scrolls 4 oblivion shivering isles. The amber armour in terms of colour and shine

Awesome with a capital A

 

Awesome Laptop Mr.Fox, just a question - has anyone ever had their laptop vinyl wrapped? Would it work?

 

If I'm not wrong, XoticPC offers this. With partial disassembly of the machine for edge-to-edge wrapping.

 

It belongs in an art museum!

 

Thanks for the compliments.

As far as vinyl wraps, I think there are some examples of that in this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/583983-m18x-cosmetic-modifications-custom-builds.html

I will be merging this thread with that one in a few days.

 

The green would have been sexy. Awesome job

 

I only just got around to finding this thread but.......Holy COW, that thing is just the dog's danglies - as you know, your paint job is about to inspire me to do something with mine, well....get started with getting some spare parts on board....then it's a case of having to choose an "uber cool" paint - decisions, decisions !!!!!! so many paints, so little time.

One thing I had thought of (but would be cost prohibitive in reality) was to have the aluminium stripped back and electroplated with real gold......BLING BLING!

Awesome work, Bro......well deserved rep heading your way!!!!

 

So sweet. Can't wait to see all the NBR custom rigs rounded up on the Facebook page.

 

Awesome job, i'll be in the market for a new laptop soon and i gotta say i'm a fan of custom paint jobs as well, definitely something i'll consider.

 

Thank you for posting the link to this thread over at IdeaStorm Mr. Fox. Did you notice that the idea about offering different colors for Alienware is now "Under Review"?

 

You're welcome, Cy. I am very glad to hear that. Salanos had some great suggestions for colors, too. Having a wider variety will definitely add some excitement to Dell's already killer Alienware product line. Thank you for letting us know it is being considered.

 

Too bad I won't be buying another notebook for three years. But at least I feel I can expect some more colors by then.

Now if only the perfect fifteen incher would happen.

 

Perfect is relative to the user salanos.

 

Mr. Fox, all I can say is wow! Well done sir! The color really pops with the black. Want to do it on mine and paint it the old school AW green, but after seeing the yellow, not sure.... +1 for the super win man!

 

That would be awesome, but another problem, along with the cost, would be the fact that looking like it was made of freaking gold would make it even more of a thief magnet than an m18x already is lol.

 

One of dells biggest customer groups is college students, I am sure there are plenty out there who would be willing to pay an extra couple hundred dollars to get an AW with their school color(s). Take note dell!!!

 

Hahaha, yeah....didn't think of that aspect. My M18x is the opposite of Elvis though.....it rarely leaves the building, so not too many jealous eyes....

 

Probably not school colors... lol

On the topic of additional colors being "reviewed" what about the switchable lids? For an AW the top and bottom plates preferably. I wanted to paint mine pearl white, but what if I feel like rocking purple with aqua blue led accents? If alternative colors become an option, I feel it would be more effective to make them interchangeable. Just my two cents.

 

I may be demanding, but I've got a lot of the popular requests in mind
I've already run the checklist through a few people who reckon it's doable and would like it themselves.

 

Thank you, Brother Mark!

Not sure how many Alienware owners would agree with that. I suppose it depends on what it would end up looking like. As long as they leave the M18x alone and keep on making it with an aluminum chassis... that has to be skillfully disassembled with tools, like a real machine, I will be happy. I'd be majorly P.O.'d (probably stop buying the product altogether) if they started with the interchangeable snap-on/snap-off plastic panel nonsense like the low end laptops for kids that some brands offer. Give me real metal, massive horsepower and leave the plastic-coated "transformer" toys for the kids to play with.

The other thing about that is that it could become very mundane... no longer a highly desirable and unique product if all you had to do is snap a skin on and off to change colors. It would lose its "special-ness" for a lot of folks. Just my opinion here...

 

I'm sure you've heard enough praises already brother Fox but still, spectacular job! This is truly a work of art!

 

Thank you, bro! I don't think most people can every get "too many" compliments to not enjoy receiving them. I'm no exception. Glad you like it.

 

I agree that the aluminum should NOT be ditched in favour of interchangeable lids - that would be a HUGE turn off for me also. Stick to the metal guys.....at all costs....

 

Check this out, Mark:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ack-nebula-red-lunar-silver-nvidia-green.html



Slightly darker than my previous area-51 m9750 (cyborg green) though.