Alienware m15x General Information - Post m15x questions here!

which is good.

 

What? I kind of wanted them! Well, maybe they'd have looked a bit gaudy...

 

I see. Actually, it looks kinda childish with that side lighting. For me, the current looks and color option is perfect combo. You have the better lasting color (compared to black matte which chipped over time) and the keyboard lighting make it looks different and in the same time, doesn't look like "overly/randomly" designed. It's like when some movie/games/things trying to look futuristic but ending up make it looks like a cartoon or like a toy (if u get what I mean). So if you asked me, this design is just perfect to my taste.

OR, it could be because the Ripley is targeted towards more professional or business purposes, which exclude the side-lighting. Maybe the black/SkullCap will have it (which I hope it won't, sorry).

 

If it has it, the command center will let you turn it off...

 

You may be right about the ripley not having it? check some videos from CES maybe they will show it.

 

what really gets me about this is that they have a touch activated volume control.... but do they have the touch activated play/stop/rewind/fastforward/pasue?!

, maybe i'm asking for too much, but i hate to have to minimize my game to switch songs, etc.

 

...You play music while gaming?

 

I'm thinking about getting an Optimus Mini Three for that kind of stuff. I made a post about it in the Accessories forum but nobody responded, guess nobody owns one. My only issue is that I don't know how hard it will be to program new functions into it. I'm not THAT tech saavy.

 

Hmm...has anyone seen pics of the Ripley laptop during the NYC launch on November 19th? That was the only time they released pics of the Skullcap, which had the side monitor lighting. I don't recall Ripley laptops during the NYC exhibit. There may already be enough information on the web that shows that Ripley has no side lighting while the skullcap does. This could (but probaby not) also be the reason the skullcap isn't out yet - they are launching the Ripley since they are quicker to produce and then Skullcap afterwards. Just a thought?

I hope the skullcap has the side lighting! It looks s*xy! (not sure if that im allowed to say that on forums? lol)

 

Ripley with side lighting:
http://www.engadget.com/photos/hands-on-with-alienwares-area-51-m15x-and-m17x-laptops-2/498288/
http://www.engadget.com/photos/hands-on-with-alienwares-area-51-m15x-and-m17x-laptops-2/498275/

 

What's the problem with 25fps? As long as it's fairly constant, that's playable, and it would be significantly better with a lower resolution than 1900x1200.

I have a question regarding RAM.. If I order an m15x with 4GB or RAM, how will Alienware set up Vista? Will they keep it at 32-bit?

 

Alienware ships all of their notebooks with a 32-bit operating system. 64-bit OS do not have a minimum RAM requirement or anything like that . . . you could run Vista Ultimate x64 on 1GB of RAM (not that you would want to). You could also use Vista x86 with 4GB of RAM but you would only see 3 - 3.5GB.

 

I think I have a disease....m15xDevoidPhobiosisMania....lol. (Scared of being deprived of the m15x? with the word Mania at the end?)

I decided to call Alienware just now and I straight up asked them if their skullcap case had the side-lighting on the monitor and he was like "let me check on that for you" - he came back about a minute later and said YES IT DOES.

Then i asked him "so the only difference between the Ripley and Skullcap is that the ripley doesn't have side lightong on the monitor" and he's like "the ripley also had the side lighting."

And then i told him that the pictures on their website show NO side lighting and he said that it's not in the picture, but they do. So i confirmed by asking "So even though it does not appear on the pictures, the Ripley and Skullcap have side lighting on the monitor?"

and he said "yes"

and then (sorry, im obsessive about confirming m15x info) I said "really?" (either that or I said "are you serious"?) and he says, "I work here!"

LOL!

Well that's the conversation I had....let's see what happens!

 

its a very hard job answering questions like yours

 

LOL!


I also forgot to mention that he wasn't sure about the release date for the black case + Skullcap, and it could be end of january or even push anytime into february, and hopefully not march. ugh!

They're going to wait to ship these preliminary configurations and ensure that there are no complaints, aren't they...

UGH!

Is there anything more to be discussed on this forum now?

I can't think of what we haven't covered. Maybe this thread will turn into one of those "3 word stories" where one person posts 3 words then the next person posts the next 3 words until we have a huge long story.

"One day George"

"got the m15x"

 

Sometimes ago I was about to say that, but I thot it will be laughable. Long time ago I have seen a digital wood clock (I mean not plastic with wood-looks, but really a wood) that have digital illuminated numbers appear somehow inside the wood. It's like when you turn of the clock, all u will see a box of wood. I was thinking maybe that's how they make it on the m15x, perhaps. Still, until now I found it's hard to believe it's like that, since I never seen them in person.

(I saw the wood clock on magazine, i think Stuff mag or something, the price was quite expensive for a clock imo).

 

Yes there's one thing. I don't think the height of the m15x is 1.30 inch, it's probably 1.6 inches.

And whats magnesium alloy, is it lika a metallic case?

 

Magnesium allays they use alot in snowmobile and other recreational products they want to make Tough but light. It's tough but it can still breka quite easily. I wonder why they don't use aluminum. It should be light and super strong.

 

* Height: 1.30”
* Width: 14.55”
* Depth: 10.73”
* Weight: 7 lbs

 

This would actually make a lot of sense because this is how the edges of the touchpad light up. I remember seeing it in a short review somewhere (probably cnet.com) that there are no edges or lips at the edge of the touchpad, so you can not tell when your at the edge of it without looking at it. They said that the edges are defined by the lights under the plastic of the case.

This would also be good for the people who think the side lights make the laptop look cheap because you can probably turn them off in the Alien Command Center and no one will ever know that they are there because they are under the plastic of the case.

 

COOL. I think the lights would look a little childish for work. But with the lighst turned off it will be a great work laptop.

 

I can't imagine they would post 1.3 on their tech sheet and then send you a 1.6 inch laptop NTTG. I'd be sending mine back and demanding a full refund if that were to happen, which it won't, as 1.6 inches would push it over the easily portable edge for sure.

 

I think the 1.3 is without the rubber feet

 

That's cuz its actually ON the battery.

 

Yes i know, but I think AW is lying.


You know what i did?? Just go to AW side, go to m15x gallery and look at the picture that shows the side of it.

Then you will se the actual size of the USB ports on it. The height on the m15x is around 5 USB port( im not sure if it was 5, somewhere around 4,5-6 UBS, AW.com doesnt work atm)

 

Thought I'd add another thought about the side lighting and the M15x providing it. If you go to where its featured:
http://www.alienware.com/product_de...Code=PC-LT-AREA51M15X-AI1&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT
Then click on AlienFX and watch the flash video they do not feature side lighting there... so that could dampen the fact that they will implement it. But the continuing description (click on "more") says 'Countless configurations across six distinct lighting zones mean your computer will truly be one of a kind.'
and counting the lighting areas by zones; keyboard, mouse, quicktouch, back head, and the alienware name, that still leaves one more zone to be defined. So I thought I'd like to throw that into the haystack

 

Again another thought on the side lighting even tho i just posted, on the interactive flash with the link i posted go to gallery and the final image in there looks like the rim of the lcd screen and you can see an outline of something possibly.
I've been hooked to this thread and the M15X so i apologize for the plethora of info, i just need somewhere to talk cuz no one at my home will listen to me! lol too obsessed with this and it will probably be 2-3 mo. before i can probably get it.

 

They're not lying. It's entirely possible that the 1.3" figure doesn't include the feet, but that's about the extent of it. A company with any reputation to maintain at all does not put out false figures like that.

 

Try goin on to the configuration page for the m15x (2699$)
Out there, the AlienFX pic does show six circled zones which i believe are the ones that will light up and they definitely dont include the sides...unfortunately, i cant log onto the website right now but i think those include the alien head at the back, the alienware name, the keyboard, the quicklaunch buttons, the touchpad and the power button

 

AHA! very perseptive! I also couldnt get onto the config page, but i went through google cache and found it... maybe they are updating the config page or something <.<

 

ehehe i thought it was only me that couldnt get on the config pages maybe theyre updating options/priceS?! i cant wait till the preconfigs are gone so i can make it the way i want it :/

 

Maybe they are adding the M17X to there site!!!!

 

The chassis is made of hard plastic around a magnesium alloy frame.

Yeah I saw that too.

 

Please post information on your systems when you get it .... like if it's a trouble machine like the 7700.... battery life, gameplay, design, any out of the box problems, and fan speed/sound etc etc......

User-opinion is appreciated!

love you allz <3

 

that will take a long time. ship dates are in feb in think

 

the 8700gt models started shipping 1/17, so the earliest someone could have it is today. That is, if they ordered it on 1/10, got the $2099 model, had no billing issues, and live in florida!

My unit has an arrival date of 1/23, I might be the first on the boards to get one

 

didu get it with the 8800

 

I hope you're ready and willing to answer *many* questions - whoevers first is going to be bombarded - I can hear them now - size, screen, keyboard, screen, lights, screen, battery life, screen. Notice a trend?

N

 

someosns gotta be the guinea pigs love you mrwaters!!

but honestly i'm just waiitng for non-preconfigs and penryn if its within reasonable time

 

So it's settled. Mrwater, we're going to need a fifteen page report on our desks by friday. Or else.

 

Don't forget the new cover sheet

 

how bumpy is that little ^ on the top of the laptop... i kinda wish that it wuld be flat, but thats just personal preference.

I guess it would be hard to fit the alienhead in that way too :/

 

Hey I got a post one one of my threads about the Alienware Area-51 m15x, but it seems you cant get it in the UK! On the uk Alienware website you only get 2 offerings of Alienware laptops! I much prefer the look of the American one as I think it look cleaner!
All i can find on the UK site is the
Area-51 m5550
Area-51 m9750
& the styling on both of these are a bit extreme in my opinion, so will this Area-51 m15x become available in the UK?

 

I recommend (since you are in the UK) to check out:
- www.rockdirect.com
- www.Novatech.co.uk
- Evesham
....etc...

Look towards the Clevo M570RU (aka. Rock Xtreme 770, etc..), its the best 8800M GTX notebook thats bang for the buck.

 

Everyone keeps talking about "non-preconfigs"...but what other customization options are you talking about? Assuming you mean the 8800 model, the only thing I don't see being configurable at this moment is the color (black or silver) and design (ripley or skullcap). Is there something else that we are supposed to be able to customize on the M15x? I was actually surprised that there is no TV tuner option...maybe that will be on the M17x???

Regarding Penryn...I would also like to wait for them but I read on a thread here something about a supply delay until February/March and that there are some heat issues. This worries me because the 8800 notebook GPU itself is new and not "real world" tested yet so I'm thinking I might pass on the Penryn. I'm not sure I like the idea of buying an expensive notebook with a fairly new and only lab tested CPU and GPU. Granted a Penryn CPU will cost the same as its equivalent but the results with Penryn don't seem to be that impressive. As they always say, if you keep waiting for the latest technology you will be waiting forever.

 

It's also a 17" notebook.

The m15x will be available in the UK eventually. I think I've heard end of February..

 

By non-preconfigs they mean that all the options open up so that instead of selecting a 2099 or 2699 model, you start at their very base price and then you have options such as any graphics card (8700, 8800, etc.), RAM (1GB, 2GB, 4GB), AlienFX lit-up keyboard, Skullcap/Ripley, etc.

Right now if we want the AlienFX with lightup keyboard, we are forced to start at the 2600 model.

And as for waiting forever if you always wait for the latest technology, Amen!


haha

Oh and other note: MrWaters - if you could PLEASE do an UNBOXING video of your m15x that would be LOVELY!

last thing - I seriously had a dream last night that my dad somehow got a shipment of some m15x that no one was supposed to know about and that I got a sneak peak and that they did have side lighting hahaha!!

 

nah, no unboxing videos- i'm in a horrible mood at the moment. my car decided to die on me (piece of **** car), and my current laptop is giving me issues. i'll take pics, but an unboxing video is just not something i can do when that laptop is pretty much all that's keeping me from doing something really stupid now.

 

Eh, I hope you're right. An when do you think they will enable the non-preconfigs?

If so I'll probably get 2.0 GHz Case: Ripley. Color case: Black.
1GB RAM
8800m GTX
Budget HD
1440x900