Alienware m15x General Information - Post m15x questions here!

Question: Why does Alienware have the option "Alienware AlienFX System Lighting" permanently selected and then have different selection buttons for colors like White, Aqua, Fuchsia, etc. etc.

Can't you make your laptop have any and all of those colors in the Alien Command Center program?

What is the purpose of selecting a color? Thanks!

 

So you can have the color you want when you first boot the beast, I guess

 

dang the thing is far pricier than I imagined. I wonder if Alienware purposely leaked the page with reasonable configs so that people would wait for it only to realize it's not so reasonable anymore. I mean I know that Alienware is a boutique brand and the case and what not is pretty cool but the price is still too high if you ask me. I mean I didn't expect to pay an extra $500+ so that I could have the Alienware graphics card software and like -1.6" in my screen size.

Oh well, perhaps I was just too optimistic.

 

I hate the price, and I don't understand how they can do that? Well, I guess if people are buying them at that price, Alienware sure as heck can sell them at such high rates...

On another note, so apparently for the m15x the optical CD/DVD/Blueray drive IS in the smartbay drive...meaning you can either have a Disc Drive, Extra hard drive, or additional battery in your laptop at any given time - not a combination of those.

Unless I am mistaken for some reason?

 

actually I kinda take back what I said when I said it was that much overpriced..well I think it still could be better priced considering it's a 15" and usually smaller screen = cheaper logically. Of course, I bet they can price it like that since people are like "oh my gosh! 15 inch with 8800M GTX is like amazing! okay gotta get one!" personally I just wanted a 15" because I was expecting it to be cheaper but oh well. Maybe the price will drop after the m17x comes out whenever that may be..but either way I'll have to wait for some reviews and see if there's anything wrong with it before I get one

Still, at least it's thinner than I expected, although there's still a fairly large amount of space around the screen.

 

you guys are nuts... these arent overpriced at all... they are very good considering the kinda stuff you get... I mean alienware could be charging some ridiculous premium for a 15" with the 8800m but theyre not. Just think about it a little while longer and youll see

 

The new m15X DOES NOT HAVE A PENRYN PROCESSOR !!!

What the heck are they thinking? If I am going to spend PREMIUM money on a laptop, I want the latest technology. Sony seems to have plenty of Penryn processors available....

 

I agree, and I assume they will have penryn processors soon, but they want to burn through their old stock, or else they'd never use them.

I'd love to wait for the newer processors, but since we've got no idea how long that'll be I just don't think I can...

Also, ok people...what resolution should I get! I've never seen 1920x1200 on a 15.4 in screen...is it still sharp and crisp like the better LCD's I've seen?

The dot pitch is so small, I just want to make sure it will still have good screen quality.

 

Yeah, about the pricing; you can't just look at it as a 15" machine and assume it must be cheaper.

The remarkable thing about these machines, at least from what has been revealed, is the size and weight relative to the available hardware options. An 8700M GT or 8800M GTX in a 1.3" chassis that is only 7 pounds? That's really pretty remarkable, compared to the thick and heavy 17" machines you'd normally need to accommodate that.

I think the hardware is perfectly reasonably priced; this isn't a typical 15" machine. Just as something like the MBP commands a price premium for having an 8600M GT in a 5.4 pound 1" thick chassis, this machine warrants a significant price premium as well because its cramming some incredible power and options into a machine significantly thinner and lighter than normal for these kinds of specs.

 

Coverage of CES this year has been BAD. Like you pointed out, hardly anyone reported on the Alienware laptop, let alone the brand new ALX Desktop they showed off.

 

The "smartbay" is a modular bay - you can swap different things into it. Yes, only one device at a time, so that would mean a modular battery, hard disk drive, or the optical drive.

 

Possibly a dumb question. I know the Blu-Ray reader drive obviously can't burn BD's, but can it burn a regular dvd? I definitely want a Blu-Ray drive, but I'm torn on whether I need the burner or not.

 

By that do you mean any laptop 2.5 inch harddrive that I can buy off a computer shop?

 

Should upgrade to the Core 2 Extreme 2.8 GHz? I mean will I really see a big difference over the Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz? Is a 650$ upgrade justifiable in this case? Thanks.

The ship date is Feb 01 anyway, so I wouldn't encourage anyone to buy it now, just wait and see for a couple of weeks.

 

I'm curious about that too. I'm sure that I would have to buy the extra battery from Alienware, but I don't want to buy a battery or HDD until I see exactly how I'll be using the computer. If I can buy a cheaper HDD somewhere else I am all for that.

 

Just got off the phone with Alienware...

The 'smartbay' battery is not yet available...and as typical, no availability estimate...(interesting side note: Not that optical drives were ever hard to upgrade, but you should be able to purchase a Blu-Ray burner down the line since it's 'smartbay' and just plug it in...maybe massage a few drivers...but upgrading to a more expensive optical drive will be extra easy...no need to buy the Blu-Ray burner on the front end...buy the LightScribe...and buy the Blu-Ray later...I think LightScribe is pretty cool...just my opinion...)

If you click on 'More Info' when looking at the 'smartbay' HDD option, they mention recommending Raid 0 or Raid 1...THIS IS INCORRECT...the 'smartbay' is hot swappable...you cannot run Raid 0 on a removable drive...when the OS looks for the striped data, it will be gone...maybe Raid 1 but I doubt it...most gamers want Raid 0...

The sales rep did mention that the m15x can boot off the Smartbay HDD so a hybrid drive in that slot is not a complete waste of money, but I wouldn't recommend it...hybrid for internal...something else for the Smartbay...

The sales rep would not tell me what the integrated graphics controller was (I suspect a GMA X3100 as previously mentioned since that is the standard with a PM965 chipset which the m15x has), and he wouldn't tell me how the BinaryFX system is implemented...manual switch at bios level, manual switch within Vista, and/or auto switch based on dedicated graphics chip use or non-use...anyone here know any more?

And now some sobering news...the sales rep was coy about a Penryn upgrade...he told me that it's standard procedure for Alienware, if they update the m15x, to offer the same update to previous purchasers...he called it a patch...I don't know whether this 'patch' will be a bios revision or a mobo revision to allow Penryn use, but what bothers me is the following: It's true that the Penryn doesn't significantly outperform the currently offered Meroms...however, Intel is making Penryn available at roughly the same price point...a T9500 (Penryn) costs Alienware the same as a T7800 (Merom)...the price of the m15x shouldn't change when Penryns become available...but if I buy now, I will have to pay to upgrade to Penryn if a mobo revision is needed (I hope the bios update would be free)...no official word from sales rep on when or if Penryns will be available on m15x...

Turning to sports, the sales rep confirmed that other configurations (eg, black and skullcap) will be available in a couple of weeks...though it was a non-specific 'couple'...I wanted a black skullcap, BUT since everyone else here wants that too, my counter-culture nature has now opted for a silver ripley...the sales rep didn't suggest any other colors than black or silver...

And I was curious about the m15x and being able to play audio CDs, movie DVDs or mp3's without booting Vista...the sales rep said he thinks you will just press one of the direct buttons and that's what will happen depending on what's in your optical drive...that still leaves out mp3s on the HDD...and he didn't sound too confident...does anyone here know if Alienware generally offers this with their laptops and specifically if the m15x has it?

Thanks...

 

Unless you are doing ausio or video editing, I would not get the X7900.
Maybe wait and upgrade later when the price comes down or upgrade to the Penryn perhaps?

 

Thanks for the info

 

Not a dumb question, but the answer is on the Alienware page...select the Blu-Ray reader and click 'More Info' right above the optical drive choices...

You will see the various media along with read and write speeds...

The Blu-Ray reader does it all (except BD-Rs) including Dual Layer...

 

Thanks! That's probably what I'll end up going with when I order.

If you are asking how to actually switch from one to the other, you touch the UFO button to bring up the Alienware control panel where you access the lighting and battery controls.

 

Does any one know if there will be a resolution of 1680x1050 will be available in a few weeks?

 

Who else here is amazed that this notebook has been released without Penryn as an option?

 

http://reviews.cnet.com/Alienware_Area_51_m15x/4660-13855_7-6826250.html
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/0,39029450,49294959,00.htm (different than the above video)
http://www.notebooks.com/2008/01/07/alienware-area-51-m15x-announced-video/

 

I'm not. Took a long time for them to get Santa Rosa out the door. Either they are really slow at adopting certain technologies (or technology updates I should say), or they are somewhat careful and try to pick ones that they know are "stable".

Who knows.

 

The sales rep I spoke to yesterday said the "other configuration options" (skullcap, black color, etc.) should be available within 2 weeks.

So that's basically by end of Jan. I asked her if it would run into February, and she said no. This is, of course, according to whatever guideliens Alienware gave her....I just hope they're right because I'm pretty sure I've waited enough!

 

I think the wait might be for them just to get rid of their old Meroms in the factory so that they can start offering penryns in their M15X when the full configs come out

 

thanks for the links!

 

Thanks for sharing

The notebooks.com video said that with the extra battery you can get up to 4 hours battery life... but the crave.cnet video person said that using the integrated GPU you can get up to 45 minutes more battery life. So... does that mean that using an 8800M GTX you can somehow actually get 3 hours of battery life? If that's really true then I'm definitely getting one sooner or later.

 

With smartbay you can add an additional 6-cell battery to the m15x's (and m17x) 9 cell battery, other 15" notebooks would just use one 9 cell or one 6 cell battery. The integrated card also great brings up battery life, and Alienware has also developed software to better optimise the m15x and m17x, so 4-5 hours of battery life could be true.

 

Just a quick quetsion. Can you overclock the graphics cards on the M15x. The Dell m1710 I had you coudn't without a bios hack. Will the overclock function be locke din these new laptops.

 

the m15x hasn't come out yet has it?

 

it did, email subscribers got an email that links to the page where you can buy it. Even if you're not an email subscriber, someone on the forum posted up the link anyways so you can still buy it.

However, currently not all the configs are available but you can get a general idea of things or buy one of their available configs.

 

I can't seem to find the link is it on this thread

 

What is better for gaming and whatching blu-ray 8600GT or 8700 GT?

 

http://www.alienware.com/product_pa...sdmh=dm11.102709&from=EMAIL:gen_20080110_m15x

 

I think most people will agree that this laptop isn't worth getting without the 8800.

 

yup you said it

 

Well that makes it easy I don't have the budget for the 8800 option

 

I though u got ur XPS 1530 already ?!?

 

Oh I see I watched just like u said but I see a $1499 configuration coming soon which means you were exactly wrong. Nice try tho.

btw if some of you are wondering what the heck this reply means, this was a reply by this guy some time before the m15x is released, and he was so confident with repetitive postings about how he thought everyone who HOPED will be disappointed: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=2802943&postcount=82

For those who think this is overpriced, think again. Remember this, last time handphone/mobile phone were huge like brick, and as technology goes it becomes smaller and smaller, with tons of features included. Logically, the newer the technology (smaller phone, extra features such web browsing/emailing or whatever the last generation couldn't do), the higher the price. Maybe it's not compulsorily higher but at least it shouldn't be cheaper. The same goes with this laptop. It's the first 15.4 incher laptop within 1.3 inch thick laptop, and how could that be cheaper? It's a top technology so the price you see now is pretty much "best deal" one could offer if you asked me.

Specifically in laptop segment, I believe Alienware has proved themselves are the best boutique brand/company there is.

 

haha! Good catch

 

I'm not exactly sure what your "issue" is or why you have so little to do that you thought it was worth your time to make this post but what the heck, I've got insomnia so lets take a look at exactly what I said...(1) I said people shouldn't get their hopes up for the price that was listed on the "cache pages", which was $1399. I never said it wouldn't happen. I just said people shouldn't count on it because they could end up being disappointed. You seem to think you are so smart...show me exactly where I said the pricing would not be there...not where I said you shouldn't get your hopes up or that it was possibly going to be higher (which it is) but exactly where I said it would definitely be higher...come on show me that...you can look but you won't find it because I never said it; (2) In fact, there isn't a $1399 option is there? Nope. Its $1499; (3) Go back in this thread and the other m15x related threads since the official pricing for the m15x was launched and what do you see...oh, that's right, its a number of people commenting on how much more expensive the m15x was than they were hoping; and (4) you know as well as I do that those "hoping" the leaked cache pages were correct were thinking about getting the m15x with the 8800m, not as the $1499 version is configured. So how exactly was I wrong again, junior?

 

[Strikethrough] Ah there you are. I understand how u feel right now. I can imagine how you feel when you see the price when the m15x was announced.

U asked us to watch and see, I did and yeah you were wrong. Just admit it. I expect to pay like somewhere between 2700 and boom, there it goes. Actually the price hasn't surprise me at all, but I pity for those who hoped Alienware "is overpriced" but Alienware has proved them wrong. [/Strikethrough]

Hint: I didn't say your name this time Kem. I was kidding and I am sorry if I was offensive. I just couldn't resist it. I hope you can take it as a joke. If any of us regret going for a single 8800m gtx on 17incher of Eurocom,Rock or whatever brand out there, chill out at least you get 8800m gtx, which the only thing that matters.

 

um I think Kem was totally right so I don't know what you're talking about

being the optimistic person I am, I thought the m15x would be cheaper but instead my hopes were destroyed. Of course, I also did not expect it to actually be that thin so then again, they also surpassed my expectations in that sense.

I seriously wonder if Alienware purposely leaked those pages so people would wait since the price was more reasonable. Well, whatever, hopefully they'll offer the 8800GTX with 1g of RAM and a 100gb 7200rpm hard drive so that I can get it for a more affordable price =]

 

But if u guys think about it 2g ram is better
& ur getting a Alienware cos its Fast
& i guess thats y Alienware has put a 2g ram so the 1st impression
is Good for the machine & people dont complain its slow

Just a thought

 

I asked the following on the main screen about new on this laptop, but I think this belongs here:

I wouldn't mind buying this. But two things are stopping me.
1) Didn't Intel just release a bunch of new processors for mobile?
2) Didn't Nvidia just release something new about a GPU that would allow a lower power state when not gaming?

If I bought this laptop now, I could just imagine that the (please tell me I read this wrong) 6 cell battery would just die in like 1hr or less? I wonder why only 6 cell? Others have 9+ for longer run time, granted those are 17in but even my Asus G1s comes with a 8cell.

Does anybody know what kind of screen is that 1900x1200? I know the lower res screen says clearview or something with it. Does that mean the 1900x1200 is NOT a glossy screen? I hope its bright, I read some other posts that the LCDs from ALienware are a little on the dimmer side.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Fade To Black
Yes, Intel released the Penryn line, but nVidia didn't release anything but the 8800M GT line (X and S).
The 6 cell battery might work for an hour or two, but also consider that it has integrated graphics and you can just switch.

Wait, 2 gfx cards? I didn't see that while configuring. We're talking about the 15in model? I doubt it'll be more than an hour while gaming. But I can see it hitting 2hrs with a movie if running a "low end" gfx card.

update:
Ok I found this:
512MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8800M GTX
BinaryGFX – Switch between high-performance graphics and integrated graphics

What the heck is BinaryGFX? How slow is it, if you know. I know its not out yet. I hope it could play Dvds without skipping. I figure it probably wouldn't do the Blue-ray because of the high processing power that might take. But it would be nice to run over 2 hours while web browsing.

 

BinaryGFX sounds like the same feature that Sony has been offering on the Sony Vaio SZ line for quite a while; the integrated graphics presumably are Intel GMA X3100 (so you can find plenty about what it can and can't handle).

But definitely a cool feature to see on a laptop like this, exactly for the reason that you can get presumably pretty good battery life out of it when not gaming.

 

Switching graphics modes will most likely be done by a switch. On the m5500, you had to boot into the mode you wanted, not sure on this one. It will give you some extra life, but I don't think we should expect oodles of battery life out of this system. A 6-cell battery is probably being used because it helps keep the weight/profile down. You can always order an extra battery, and get the battery option for the smart bay (when it is available).

The m15x only comes with one video card, although there are options for different cards.

Re the processor ... I believe there are new mobile processors coming out, but Alienware is probably going with the version they've tested. I don't think 2.4GHz is too shabby, since that was just recently one of the highest options available.

 

The binary switch is enabled in the Alienware Command Center (or whatever they are calling it). You hit the UFO button to pull up the color changing options as well as power saving options.

 

Actually, you press that speedometer logo thingy right next to the ufo logo on the laptop to switch