Bowing out...

Well, my fellow Alienware aficianados, the time of confession has come. I'm out.

I'm cancelling my M15X order, and I've placed an order for a new Clevo M570RU, marketed by PC MicroWorks here in the Silicoln Valley as their Horizon model. Same thing as the Sager 5793.

Here's my new specs:

Intel® Core™2 Duo T9300 (2.5GHz/45nm/800MHz/6MB L2 Cache)
4096MB Ultra Speed DDR2 800MHz Extreme Performance Memory
320GB @ 7,200 SATA300 Storage 16MB (1x 320GB 7200RPM)
8X High Speed DVD-RW / CD-RW DL Burner
nVIDIA Geforce 8800M GTX 512MB DDR3 EXTREME GPU
17" HD WSXGA+ 1680x1050 Ultra Resolution GlassVision Wide Screen Cinema Display
8 Channel Advanced SRS WOW Surround Sound System
High Speed 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Networking Adapter
Internal High Speed V90k Dial Up Modem
802.11AGN 300mbps Ultra Speed Wireless Adapter
Built In Biometric FingerPrint Scanner
Microsoft® Windows Vista Ultimate (32bit)

It took a fair amount of thought and indecision to finally arrive at this point. I had ordered the M15X because I wanted a 15" laptop that was reasonably light, and had plenty of power. My current laptop has a fried motherboard, and is BSODing several times per hour. I need a new machine sooner than later, and want it to be one that does everything I want it to, and that I can really feel good about. I know that many people have loved their machines, and that many more will, and I hope that all M15x and M17x owners can get any issues resolved and truly enjoy their laptops.

I realize that the Clevo is a 17", but it is significantly lighter than the M17x or Dell XPS 1730. The extra size will be something I will get used to for the performance and build quality. The later is what really sold me on this machine over against the Alienware. So many reviews, and personally handling one (and comparing it to the M15X I was able to use for a few days) convinced me. The Clevo chassis is built like a rock. No flex, no creaks, solid hinges, robust cooling system, etc, etc. I'll be hauling it around a lot, and want it to be really sturdy. The m15x is plenty sturdy, I believe, but the Clevo system is especially tough.

It also looks more "professional", which will be good for me as I will use this computer for everything - gaming, video editing at home, and work applications as well. It has more of a streamlined, simple look, with a matte-black case. I like the less-is-more design philosophy, and despite the orange highlights on the Clevo case, I think they got it closer to my taste.

The other benefit is that I ordered it from PC MicroWorks, who offer an expedited build option, which gets your machine built and shipped in 5-7 days, which should still get it here sooner than my estimated ship date from AW (ordered 5/29, estimated ship 7/3!!). They're based in Fremont, CA, which is just 30 miles from where I live. That plus the $400 instant rebate they're offering this weekend sealed the deal.

Again, I truly hope that Alienware sorts out what it needs to in order to regain its reputation as a top-end gaming company with great products and services. I do think that many if not most people who buy the M15/17X line will love their machines. And again, I hope that those of you who have had problems can get them resolved.

Thanks for all the input and advice, it's helped me make some decisions that I can feel very good about. That goes for you, especially, milcs!

Guess I'll go hang out in the Clevo/Sager forum from here out! Be well, all.

 

m17x is not that much bigger than m15x, I compared them both side by side. also my 5793 only took sager 3 days to built. I heard someone ordered it on monday and received it on friday within the same week.

 

How long have you had your 5793, Nirvana? And more importantly, how do you like it?

 

Man I wish I could have the luxury of getting a 17", but those things are simply too heavy and too big for me.

I suppose I'll have to wait for the clevo m860tu since the issues with the m15x are definitely scaring me as well.

sorry for slightly derailing the topic, lol.

 

I received it on 21th april. there are some minor problems, but well, clevo engineers did their best.

 

Yeah, I seriously considered waiting a few weeks for the m860, since it's a 15" w/similar specs. But the initial cost will be significantly higher, as it's the newest model, whereas the one I ordered is priced less, being an older model. Also, it's an established model, where the m860 will need to prove itself capable of dealing with the heat of the 8800mGTX in a 15" chassis. I didn't feel comfortable ordering it before it's passed the consumer test - for the same reason I'm cancelling my m15x order.

 

To be honest I am glad u made this decidion because buying m15x is like playing russian rhulette <-- dont know how to spell it lol.

I cant understand for the life of a company that sells very little number of computer would have problems with shipping out the orders. What's with all the BS about phase 1 phase 2 blabh blah blabh it's all BS to me.

They are trying to pull a wool over our eyes by manipulating supply and demand. Low supply means they could demand higher prices. That's what all this bull dust phrases mean.

It seems to me they lack the expertise in fullfilling customer orders more than anything else, and it shows with the end product when customers finally received their computers. Not to mention of course the dodgy way they try to wriggle out of warranty and their well known reputation of giving you a below substandard customer service leave very little to be desired.

You just got to remember you are investing in a vastly fast out dated technology you would want some one to be there for you especially when you just folked out over $5000 bucks for a computer that is already out dated by the time you receive it.

 

Friar, you will be missed. I'm happy for you and can only say that you saved several nights of bad sleeping. I am convinced I will be following you soon to the Clevo forum (but with the M860TU). Great choice. One that browses through the Clevo forum as a feeling that people focus on sharing information and expertise, rather than sharing nightmares.

For every client AW is losing, we have a little victory.

 

I know waht you mean.... despite wanting one of these I have still not quite managed to push the order button on the m15x yet and i've just discovered Kobalt will be acting a a UK re-seller for the M860TU. They're are a hell of a lot more local than AW are (just south of London) so support will hopefully be better....

 

Indeed... and Kobalt is supposed to have it released middle of July as well. It's really the inteligent thing to do right now. Wait and see what's the M860TU is going to bring.

 

PC MicroWorks is currently taking pre-orders for the m860. Their branding of it is called the "Edge", and it's on their website. They claim that they will begin building them second half of June to ship by end of June/beginning of July. Coming right up!

 

Hey, a wise decision, hope your happy with your notebook... im also getting the M570RU but the TU version hehehehe it'll be my 1st 17". Ordered it due to want to experience the 17" inch feeling, probably a lot differences comparing to my m15x

 

god i am jealous look at the memory speed 4096MB High Speed DDR3 1333MHz + upto 8 gig ram makes me so sick my alienware is crap compared to it.

 

Hmm... people are canceling left and right now heh... might as well do the same. I too have been watching the Clevo M570RU and M860TU... I don't know which one to go for.

 

You guys need to chill out and stop being influenced by the extremely vocal disgruntled users on this forum. Some of you that have had bad experiences are turning into zealots intent on spreading doom and gloom on this forum as a way of exacting "revenge" against AW and it's getting tiresome. You guys jump on any new user that's wanting to buy an AW and scare the living piss out of them while everyone else who's enjoying theirs is off playing games.

Keep in mind that we've had plenty of people post positive experiences with their m15x. There were many more legitimate problems a few months ago before the bios update came out. At this time, yes there are a few more issues but nothing that doesn't have a work around while AW tries to find a better fix. I'm talking about the cpu downclocking that some people are experiencing and the keyboard lag. The only other major issue for some people that probably won't be addressed is the build integrity. It's really a personal thing to be honest. I wasn't crazy about the flex and creaking but it's not a deal breaker by any means and some people are bothered less by it than others. In fact, nobody on this forum has received the new skullcap lcd assemblies to see if anything has changed.

If you don't like the notebook, send it back to AW for repair and if it still isn't satisfactory, get a full refund with no stocking fee. It's as simple as that. Can't you do all of that before the Clevo m860 comes out?

 

I wouldn't worry to much about it. Keep in mind 4 gbs of ram has nowhere close to becoming completely used and I imagine the difference now between 4 gbs and 8 gbs is pretty much nothing in terms of usage. 4 gbs is still much above the mainstream.

 

bahh double post but anyways, while I strongly agree with your points the thing that I don't like the most is that many people began posting here before they got their systems, meaning it wasn't necessarily a totally biased thing. They had been following the system before it came out and once they received them many of them had problems so it would be much like taking a random group of people who purchased the computer and surveyed their results. I agree their are a few users who have gotten working systems but it seems many have not.

 

I said this in another thread, and need to say it here too.

Look, a lot of people love their m15xs. My sister has one that she loves. If I had one that worked like her's works, I'd keep it. But I haven't got mine yet, and have decided that there's something that fits my particular needs better .

Groove is right, and I DON'T think everyone should go cancelling their orders. If you love the features and design of the m15x, then get one. If you hate it after 3 weeks, return it. Simple. Chances are you won't hate it. Chances are you'll love it because as long as it doesn't suffer from some of the problems that some customers have had, it's an awesome computer - and yeah, I differ with some of the others in that opinion. Even though the one I got to test-drive for a week or so worked great and had no problems, it just wasn't the right one for me.

I got to see it up close and use it and decide. Don't cancel anything before you can do the same. Keep your order. When it comes, you're going to love it if it isn't defective. If it is, get it fixed or get a full refund. But I'm sure AW has sold thousands of these machines, and that even though there have been numerous problems, the vast majority of customers are happliy gaming away.

 

Rep for that.

 

Well said Friar.

 

Like what?

you won`t have issues with the RU, Friar...and you'll get it fast.
I have one, I know...

 

@Groove - I've said this to someone else before but the problems that the m15x is having is not normal. A lot of people (by the forum standards) are reporting the lid coming off, the x9000 downclocking, etc. Take a look a year ago about how many threads we had for the M9750 or M9700 about any problems. I guaruntee you will not find identical problems because there wasn't any problems with the laptops, just quirks here and there.

With the M15x, the problems are there and they are occurring more than just once. It is obvious that these problems are widespread throughout the laptop as once again, look at the history of the forums and you can tell which AW laptops were problem free.

 

There are 2 whole people on this forum that have had the lid pop open. How does that constitute the majority or a statistically significant percentage of users?

 

The lid popping out was in pretty much the exact same place. Like one persons lid did not pop out on one side, they both were pretty much identical (I couldn't tell them apart). What this means to me is that others are having this problem because it wasn't a one time thing, 2 people showed this happening. Look for a problem like that in other AW laptops and you won't see anything except for maybe SLi. So when I say a lot of people even 2 is enough. Since it was exactly the same, there must be a problem in some of them when they were manufactured. I'm just looking at a problem and seeing if it could apply to more people, which it can in this case.

For example, some people are having problems with SLi on their M9750. It isn't everyone, but I assure you that a majority of people with the shotty SLi drivers from AW are going to have problems.

 

I've thought about canceling but then i just thought.. if i don't like it or there is something wrong i'll just get a refund and get the Clevo.. that simple really.

 

1) the case is unnecessarily big compare to AW m9750
2) minor users reporting fan vibration/ramping issues
3) minor users reporting headphone jack issues
4) right side of palm rest area gets warm even at idle
5) awkward numberpad layout
6) S.R.S WOW effect is pointless
7) super strange position of speakers, I always need to push volume to 100% for movies dialog. also they are not as loud as they look like.
8) USB devices on the right side are blocking my mouse usage.

 

That is more in the line of preferences than issues...
But yea, no laptop is perfect.

 

That's now how business work in you wont get your money back just because you dont like it

 

My laptop was almost perfect except for the scratches all over the sata cage, the rounded screws, and the cheap tape on an electrical wire.

There were not new parts as expected inside a brand new laptop.

 

the m860tu will be cheaper than the m15x

 

Right well my pc finally gave up to ghost yesterday and died (I’m writing this from work).

I now find myself in need of an immediate portable replacement and i think the potential issues i could face with the m15x are just to much of a risk for me personally, so I’m opting for a M1530. True this option has far less kick to it but it should be more portal (I’ll be able to use it on my lap) sturdy and other than gaming, it will meet all my other needs.

The money I save on this system I will put aside and maybe in a years time take another look at a gaming laptop. I would like to point out here that I will definitely be looking at the m15x again as i think this has the potential to be a great system. What will be interesting to see however is that in 12-18 months time, will the m15x stand up against the competition...

Cheers for all the comments and advice given guys...... milcs you can chalk this up as another dissuaded AW customer if it makes you feel better.

 

I am really going to stop as people are really thinking I am a "paladin" fighting against AW. I'm not in a "religious" war against AW itself... I still have hopes I will be able to keep and appreciate my M15x when I get it back. I just want all of us, new and old, to receive perfect M15x... only what we paid for.

Regarding your choice, I can only say the M1530 really impressed me when I had it (for one month only). Go for the 1400X900 screen though as you don't want to be receiving a Samsung screen.

Good luck.