Are the new M15xs improved?

Well, we could make a very through thread (and more professional one as well), but I'll keep this one short and simple.

So, to the new people receiving their laptops, did you have the chance to check the following?

- Test the security lock to check whether Kensington locks can now be used with it (as this is not possible on laptops that were originally shipped)? ps: Do not buy a Kensington lock before you are sure they can fit your M15x.

- Test the webcam to check whether they improved the quality (or if you only have a blurry out of focus image like it used to ship in the beginning)?

- Does your lid creaks, squeaks and, above all... wobbles like it was belly dancing?
(For a good example about screen wobbliness, have a look at the Cnet M15x video review http://reviews.cnet.com/Alienware_Area_51_m15x/4660-13855_7-6826250.html. Pay attention to the lid when he is moving the laptop around.)

- Is the paintjob in the lateral side of your lid thick enough not to let any light bleed through from the lights in the light pipe (this is... you have the pipe and that's all or there's light bleeding through the plastic as well)?

- Does your keyboard flexes close to the arrow keys? Does it show any noticeable lag while writing and using touchpad at the same time?

- Did you monitor the temps of your CPU and GPU to check for idle temperatures and temperatures under stress?
(Refer to the following threads for guides on how to monitor the temperatures:
GPU- http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=257737
CPU- http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=248848)

It would be nice if all the new people would take some time to check whether some of these common issues are still present. We can only hope AW listened to us and made something about it.

Hope you guys can help us clear this out.

Thanks,
M.

EDIT: It would also be interesting to compare what improvements (if any) are there in US vs European costumer. I'm sure if any improvements are made, they will firstly be introduced in the US and then, at a later stage, brought to the old land.

 

You can be rest assured, Milcs, that when I get my M15x I will test all of these for you, although us "new" owners would not have experienced the old webcam quality to accurately comment. I would also have to buy a Kensington lock. (For the information of people who may want one of these locks, can you please start a new thread just for the reply to this, as I do not want to get your thread off-topic).

 

Thanks for that Cat.

Regarding the webcam, if it's obvious enough that it's bad then you have your answer. The webcam is a 2MP one but the image quality is just very bad. Comparing to my previous XPS M1530 or MBP 2MP cameras, this camera is the worst by very far. As someone stated, the image is worst than most of mobile phones' cameras.

Regarding the lock, I wouldn't encourage people to buy a Kensington lock as very likely, this won't work with your laptop. Just ask someone from work/college to lend you one. On the "old" M15x, only locks like the Targus Defcon CL can be used (but there's a whole thread about this somewhere on the forum).

 

Don't worry Milcs the Fedex truck should be here soon

 

Hay Milc's

After reading every post for the last 5 months on this board....

Well I've chucked intelligence and money out the window and ordered the following spec - I'm just praying the new case (skullcap) will fix some heating prob's but I'm not counting on it - will do a review when I recieve it only up to product/parts inspection stage 3 or something atm.

If I can I'll do a mini review and do as many tests as I can - prolly won't be able to do security lock one though... and also fill in the worldwide m15x survey.

Upgrading Ram/hdd myself - thanks again for the tips - couldn't see enough reasons for the turbo memory to get it - and I splashed out painfully for the extreme cpu - I figure take a chance ( a big one I know ) maybe they'll unlock the bias later to overclock - I basically got everything max that I can't upgrade myself (and paid extra for virus scanner/dvd backup cause I'm lazy)

Design & Display: Silver Skullcap Design
Display: 15.4" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD (720p) with Clearview Technology
System Lighting: Alienware® AlienFX® System Lighting - Blue
Operating System: Genuine Windows® Vista Home Premium - English
Graphics Processor : 512MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 8800M GTX
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme X9000 2.8GHz (6MB Cache 800MHz FSB)
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 512MB
Turbo Cache Memory: None
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 120GB 7200 RPM SATA with Free Fall Protection
Smart Bay: None
CD/DVD/RW: 8x Dual Layer Writer (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
Sound Hardware: Intel® High-Definition Audio (24-bit, 192Khz) with surround sound
Keypad: Alienware® Area-51 m15x AlienFX® Keyboard - English
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® Wireless 4965 a/b/g/Draft-N Mini-Card
Warranty: AlienCare 1-Year Free Phone 24/7 and Collect & Return
AlienContact: Added Bonus with any AlienSupport Selection
AlienContact - Remote Alienware Support
AlienRespawn: AlienRespawn v2.0 Recovery DVD – Windows Vista Edition
Security Software: McAfee VirusScan Plus 15-Month Subscription - English

 

nice one milcs, glad to see your still on the ball

i think a good starting point would be to update the driver download page on the .co.uk website. if AW is one big company split into geographical regions then why is the uk site lacking many many driver downloads compared to the usa site.
also how about letting the european owners have access to the AW members Customer Support Forums as they are owners and members after all.

 

My skullcap m15x should be here in 30min-1 hour I'll let you know how it turns out

 

Try and keep this thread as objective as possible. Try to use it a source of information. I know everyone is going to make a review and spread it all over the forum, but if we could save this "small space" (or any other) to find out whether there has been anything done regarding improving build quality and several know issues, it would be a fantastic source for all of us (old and new owners alike).

Thank you and looking forward for new owner's feedback.

 

Moved from another thread upon request

First off, Specs:
Ripley m15x
1900x1200 (LOVE IT so far)
8800 GTX
T9300 2.5 GHz
2 Gb RAM
120Gb HDD (will upgrade to SSD in about a half year)
Blu-Ray drive
All the fancy lights and such

After reading so many bad reviews about the chassis, I was surprised. Although it still isnt some aluminum macbook, the plastic (or whatever it is) chassis seems pretty tough. It does depress at some hard pokes, but they are about the hardest anything will get if it is taken care of well. The only flex that worries me is on the bottom underneath the ethernet and USB plugins, but it seems to hit some part/barrier/rollcage? a few centimeters in, so it's not too bad.
The hinge mechanism seems to be the same plastic as the body, and it's nice and stiff. When opening, I hear a little creaking, but it is from the depressions my hand cause at the top of the lid as it's opening. The hinge doesnt crack/moan/scream at me at all. It does wobble a bit, but either AW tightened things up, or I have a blessed model (yay!) because it is far less than what i've seen in some videos on the M15x.
On first startup, the only thing that didnt work were the touch controls, but on a restart, they are just fine. Like Chr15green says, the touch controls are pretty sensitive. No hard pressing required, just a second or two of patience The volume slider is a wee bit more difficult, but 3-4 mid speed swipes get me from full volume to mute.
Whew. Did I cover anything? Questions? Bueller...bbuueeellller?

Edit: The back right fan spews heat like a dragon, but the left one stays pretty cool. I havent gamed too heavily yet though, we'll see.

Adding more: The light pipe now, unlike some pictures i've seen, only shines through on the seam around the black monitor plastic and silver outer chassis. I do like it, but miss the uber-pipe some pictures show. No light bleeding through now though.
Keyboard flex equally all around, and under some hard pressure, nothing you should encounter daily. No lag at all.

Edit redux: re-evaluated touch controls after reading below post. Re-wrote that part.

 

Hi,
Have only had my m15x for 4 days now, but have given it a good looking over (I finished college when it arrived so have had 4 full days to look it over), I have no security lock, so cannot check if kensingtons work on it, am going to got a targus regardless. I havn't monitored GPU of CPU temps, but I havn't noticed it getting too hot (top or bottom), even after 2hours of crysis, nor have I noticed any downlocking - this could be due to the 8700mGT, other specs in sig apart from: 1440x900screen, and I didn't opt for the 1GB turbo memory.

Firstly, the screen. It wobbles, yes, but not much at all, certainly no belly-dancing here. It takes quite a push to get it wobbling aswell, so doesn't wobble when on my lap and typing.

However, the hindges do creak noticably, but only when i begin to move the screen, when it is in motion (so to speak) then there is no creaking. To be honest, it is not that loud either - certainly not screaming. It doesn't really bother me because maybe I have been lucky, but my Dell 8600 happily creaked away for a good 5 years, and is sat behind me in full working order - not once has it had a problem. Although there is noticable flex in the screen when opening it from the left or right extreemes, not major, but enough to make me take extra care.

Paintjob is fine, and very even. There is no bleeding of the light pipe or screen when the lid is down. Although there were some scratches to the top of the laptop - about 3 measuring 2 inches - when I revieved it, they are only shallow, so have done nothing about it, and as I will make more scratches in it as time goes by it doesnt bother me, but still not perfect.

Webcam is brilliant, cannot fault it. Focus's when I am far away and when I am up close without a problem. Is far better than my previous webcam, and actually the camera on my phone, and works brilliantly in the dark.

As I'm here I'll mention the touch controls which following the reviews, I thought would be difficult to use. However, they work brilliantly, require no force, only laying my finger over it for a second. The volume slider took a while of getting used to, but I can now use it with ease, although cannot go from min to max in one clean sweep - but I think this is ineviabtle without it being over sensitive to your swipe, or being huge.

The Keyboard does have some flex at the arrow keys, but again, no more that my old Dell, so doesn't bother me, and isnt enough to make me stop using them. There is no noticable keyboard lag, and is lovely and spongey and springy to type on.

As I said before, heating appears not to be an issue, often through gaming 'sessions' of 2-4hours, I check the left side of the chassis top and bottom with the palm of my hand, is supprisinly cool, but then I do use a notebook cooler (Zalman ZN1000). I have noticed no downlclocking, although there are some issues with the GPU at the moment (putting the wrong textures in the wrong places, and white cubes appearing instead of rocks), particularly in crysis but I think these are driver related, and only happens every now and then for a few mins.

Overall, from what I've read, the majority of 'issues' remain with the M15x, although to me they don't seem anywhere near as bad as earlier reports/reviews. Possibly because of improved design, possibly because I've only had it for 4 days, I don't know. But as far as my m15x is concerned, I am very very happy with it, and have found no major issues.

Thanks very much milcs for coming up with this topic by the way, brilliant idea.

Am a 'UK' customer by the way, in response to MrDJ's comment, another good idea.

 

Ok, I think you're going to want to track your GPU temp more objectively with something like RivaTunre. What you're describing sounds like artifacting, which tends to happen to GPUs when they overheat... Maybe not - I could be wrong, and it may just be a driver issue. But don't risk it at that price! Run Crysis with Riva running in the background. Run it for a few hours, and try to get it to exhibit those issues again. Then alt-tab over to Riva and check the max-GPU temp real quick, to make sure you're not cooking it.

 

For the little I've read, there's no indications regarding any "upgrades" on M15x chassis. People still talk about the same issues and, like in the beginning, some are more sensitive than others.

It would be nice if we could keep collecting more information. I would ask (again) the new owners to please quickly read post 1 and answer with your experience.

Thank you for making this an amazing community and a very valuable source of knowledge.

 

Since you made a consolidated thread of what to check I'll post my results here to for people inquiring about the laptop.

Security Lock:
Not sure, didn't test. Don't really plan on it cuz i will never use the lock.

Webcam:
No blurriness. Actually looks pretty good. Same picture quality as my 2MP Sony Ericsson w580i

Lid Creaking/Wobbling:
Nope And damn just saw that video, wow that's wobbling a lot.

Paintjob/bleeding:
Nope, no bleeding through.

Keyboard Flex:
None present.

CPU Monitoring:
No Downclocking or crazy temps noted during testing.

GPU Monitoring:
A little bit of a low 3dmark06 score (9131). No apparent overheating. Will confirm with this with my final test using the Crysis demo in about an hour or so.

 

I think Most people should post there info on the sticky link Worldwide m15x Forum Survey http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=260275

I think it will help the techs from alienware and help people choice the laptop or choice another laptop. Like this part of this Post

Reason for contacting Technical Support: M15x chassie problems.

If my laptop had a faulty chassie I would post it on in technical support in Worldwide M15x Forum survey.

One thing milcs making more then one post about the same problem is not going to help the users or Alienware help fix the problem.

Posting it on one fourm like world wide m15x forum survey will help. It give a list of problem and will give alienware techs more to work with and the users like Us.

 

I completely fail to see your point Atol... and I'm sure you completely fail to see the point of this thread (even though I think it's quite obvious).

The purpose of this thread is to clear out whether any improvements have been made regarding the M15x. There was a big delay on M15x shipping lately, new chassis options, etc etc... and people actually created lots of expectation regarding an "improved chassis". I'm trying to find out whether something was really done.

This has nothing to do with possible problems people might have. I think the "world survey" is great for the purpose it has and I also believe this thread is useful for the complete distinct purpose it has.

 

Hi Atol. I don't know about anybody else, but I would much rather check this thread to reassure myself than trundle through post upon post in the worldwide one. The worldwide one is for people who have been satisfied and/or disappointed as I understand it. This thread specifically deals with whether there have actually been any improvements made to the newly shipped M15x's... and as mine will fall into this category (when I re-order one), I find this thread quite useful. Every bit of information helps when it comes to the infamous M15x, so lots of threads and spin-off threads can't hurt us really.

 

Well milcs Crysis demo ran fine on high settings and no crashes and temps didn't go past 90C. It's looking more like those crashes i had are related to my RAM, time to go find the .DMP files!

 

By studying your pictures milcs on The "Why you shouldn't buy the M15x" thread. Could something other then alienware made the case crack. How many people you know have there laptop Open where you have to stand up and look down at a laptop. There a toddler chair in the back ground. I am not saying it the problem.

But Alienware could be looking at the same images as us and going that could be that is problem.

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/6773/dsc00630ug7.jpg

Look at this tread Faulty monitor casing "not covered" by warranty. I am NOT amused.

Which is showing logic between alienware and problems.


To Gunsmith_Cat and I am finding points of facts.

One how many people use the laptop all the way back and would it do that damage.

Two if a child pulled it all the way back could it also damage it?

I am looking at a few things people who had the same laptop and working great with no crack or anything.

I know from having a 2 to 5 year old try to touch a screen on a laptop and pull them away from a laptop to keep the laptop from damage is hard.

I am also thinking alienware seeing the same thing. Which could be why alienware change the warrintee.

 

Can I kindly ask people that do not have anything to say regarding making a contribution to this thread, to please do not post here?

As I stated (and Cat) very well... The purpose of this thread is very obvious and its trying to find answers. If people do not have anything to say regarding finding those answers, would you please go and post somewhere else (somewhere appropriate) as not to detract from what could be a very useful source of information?

I will underline again, this is not about discussing problems... I would simply like new owners to comment on what's written on the 1st post as a way for us to understand if anything is being done regarding build quality and problem solving.

I hope everyone sees how simple and unpretentious this thread is. I'm sure we all just want to find answers. Looking forward to everyone's positive contributions.
M.

 

Please keep the comments in this thread constructive, thanks.

 

Hmm. Two people seem to be reporting that the webcam is now actually decent. Could one of you with this new batch of machines post a pic taken with it so that we may compare to the old one?

 

Yeah, I'd like to see a webcam snapshot too, just to compare it with the webcam I had on the ROCK. It was really good quality.

If somebody could take a snapshot of an object, and another of an actual person, that would be great. Don't be shy! Grab a friend and stick them in front of it if necessary.

Also, how good are the streaming settings? Is there much delay when you are using the webcam online?

 

Well another excellent thread from milcs. Looking forward to seeing the responses on this thread because if they are improved I might consider getting it.

 

milcs since you are getting a new machine, you should now be able to help verify the build quality of newer machines. can you do another review of the build quality when you get your new m15x.

 

After major let downs concerning the m15x recently, I'm very happy to be reading some apparently good news. Good thread, I hope it gets some answers, and I hope those answers are the ones I'm looking for because nothing appeals to me like the m15x. (I'm a sucker for pretty lights)

 

@Exiled- I will make a double review and a very fair (and objective) comparison between the old and the new. I have everything regarding the old computer completely documented (pictures, graphs, temps, etc etc etc) and I am just praying the new M15x will be exactly what everyone wants it to be.

I still have hope...

Thanks everyone for your positive comments and I hope we can hear from all the new owners.

 

Milcs, isn't your impending M15x just an adjusted return of your old one? Or have they issued you with a brand new one from scratch? I am wondering (if it's the former) how much they can do to improve on it.

 

I got a call and I will be receiving a completely new system. I've posted about it somewhere else. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=262245&page=5

 

Webcam works fine, as well as mic.

No problems with lid. Just the general "creak" of opening like any laptop lid.

Perfect paintjob.

No keyboard problems.

GPU on standing runs cooler than my 8600 GT in my desktop.

CPU seems to run at less than 30 C.

 

the fact that no one has posted webcam still shots makes me think there was never a prob to begin with... all the info i could gain was the most idiotic webcam comment i can imagine.

"its blurry/laggy when u move" or some such statment... clearly they don't use many webcams.

can some one please give me a webcam shot ^_^

 

There's a way to state facts and opinions without insinuating that others on the forums are idiots. Find it.

 

About the webcam - perhaps in the Device Manager you can get some sort of part ID that would tell you whether the recent m15xs are shipping with a different model or not.

 

In regards to self-upgrading, not all components available on the market are validated to work with the specific configurations on Alienware systems. Please keep in mind that upgrading memory with non-validated memory components can create instability and thermal issues. Upgrading to non-validated components may void your warranty.

For customers interested in upgrading their memory, prior to upgrading, we recommend calling our support staff to verify which memory components have been validated by Alienware in order to preserve the warranty. A component does not need to be purchased from Alienware; it simply needs to have been validated by Alienware.

 

Excellent idea. I'll try to see if I can locate the ID on my older machine and hopefully someone with a new system will post theirs.

 

They just shipped mine with the new Skullcap design, so it should be here soon. I will go ahead and post a pic of the webcam use if no one else does by the time I get it.

Along with all the other technical/cosmetical stuff.

 

----------------
Mine should come in any day now. The shipping number comes up as unkown on fedex's site (too early?). That and that theres two of them. Whats up w/ that?

Now playing: Lupe Fiasco - Go Go Gadget Flow
via FoxyTunesYa me too.

 

if you ordered smartbay those items comes in a seperate package. there 2 numbers. one for laptop and one for smartbay

 

yea, i had the same problem wraith88. My order shipped friday and it still isnt coming up on the tracking page

 

It'll show up on Monday. It's just because of it being the weekend.

 

Hmm, thats odd. Because I didn't order a smartbay, and mine too, has two shipping codes. It shipped on friday, and has feedback from fedex as of sat.:

Info on first package:

ID *****AREA51M15X


Jun 21, 2008 1:05 PM

Departed FedEx location

ORLANDO, FL



1:01 AM

Arrived at FedEx location

ORLANDO, FL



Jun 20, 2008 6:36 PM

Picked up

MIAMI, FL



11:20 AM

Package data transmitted to FedEx


Second Package:

ID: *****AWPADF


Jun 21, 2008 1:03 AM

Arrived at FedEx location

ORLANDO, FL



Jun 20, 2008 6:36 PM

Picked up

MIAMI, FL



11:20 AM

Package data transmitted to FedEx


I think that second package is my little notebook thing I ordered.

 

It would be interesting to hear about the quality in both of the laptops you are getting if you could post a report as it were on it. It would really help me decide on whether to get it or not. Which country are u in?

 

I will, of course. I'm in the UK.

I have to say that I'm again a bit dissapointed with the M15x. I know several people had positive experiences, but look at these:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=263843
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=3520683&postcount=48
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=263196
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=3517778&postcount=11

These are all people that have received their laptops in the "new improved" batch. I have to say, this doesn't give me much hope.

 

Ye its things like this that make me nervous about getting a m15x, if not i'd be getting ready to order it by now

 

Don't give up hope, Milcs. But I know we're all doomed on here (and also Alienware) if you receive another faulty machine!

 

Ahaha... no you won't. I will simply quit and let all of you live happy ever after!

 

Yeah....I didn't give up hope....I ordered my M15x praying it would be perfect. I will post up a small opinionated review once I get it.

Im still sooo stoked about getting it. Should be here by thursday hopefully.

 

Bumping up... Still interested on having new owners to share with us their "answers" to the first post on this thread.

Thank you all.
M.

 

Milcs, the last person in your list has had his laptop for a while. He ordered it in February.

 

If that happens then what are your future plan milcs? As in what laptop you gonna get?

 

Go and torment people in Clevo's forum or go back to Dell (for the M860TU or the Dell XPS M1530 respectively).