Buying an m15x within the next few days

Do you think I should. I've been waiting for months for this. And it's my bithday on the 26th.

Can anyone link me to some reviews with lots of pics please.

Thanks

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=266924

 

I kinda regret buying my m15x as the new intel montevina platform just came out. I would get the NP8660 if i hadn't bought my m15x

 

Trust me, I have an acer 5670 (if you look you might be able to find my review when I bought it). And it has 2GB of ram, 1.6core duo and 5400 120gb HDD. It run at an idle of 63C.

Ive had nothing but problems with this laptop, so it's going to be a BIG step up regardless.

 

OP, you should read this.

 

what's so great about montevina?

 

It features 1066MHz FSB CPU's, DDR3 (also 1066MHz) RAM, Turbo Memory 2.0, and Intel 5100/5300 wireless cards; and it's newer.

 

Montevina isnt "great" per se, but it is "better" than SR.

 

yes I would say never get a lemon, eh AW

 

omg....can we just close this thread.....

ps: yes you should...if you decide you want one. all i can say is research the forums. your question elicits too much of a personal response as some people have had issues and do not desire to acknowledge that most if not near all have been worked out.

 

MOST OF THE INITIAL hardware problems have been solved by BIOS updates (which include CPU and GPU overheating and downclocking).
Several users are perfectly happy with the m15x now, so if you want an Alienware, just go for it.

Just assume you will have an added risk, due to the design and build characteristics of the m15x and components used in it. But just as long as you have an extended warranty I'm sure you won't have any sleepless night.

 

I read, that most of the problems happened in the USA. Such as overheating, hairline cracks etc.

So if I'm situated in the UK then I should be ok.

Also, people with the hinge problem are they in the UK or USA?


EDIT: also, it seems the hinge problem was in the old "ripley" design. I will be going for the skullcap design

 

There's been one user in the UK and the rest USA and Canada (I think...).
Regarding USA vs UK... I think the differences have only to do with the different ammount of people that order an AW system in the USA and here. Appart from that, I think that the machines are exactly the same build.

 

Milc's: I'd assume due to the huge amount of purchases, the quality control might drop in the USA. The UK will have less, so hopefully they will inspect it better!

I also edited my post:
"EDIT: also, it seems the hinge problem was in the old "ripley" design. I will be going for the skullcap design "

 

Go for it. Great choice.

 

You changed your tune pretty quickly lol, how come? One minute your saying "not a good idea", and next your saying good choice

 

It's what I said...

You obviously want an Alienware, because you want an Alienware. So, just go for it and I'm sure you will be happy.

 

It's because he knows we're going to bash him when he discourages people not to buy one. =P Right Milcs?

 

It's true though. Things are looking good for new m15x owners. There have definitely been issues in the past but just as milcs said a lot of them have been resolved. We're just not finding out that one of the biggest issues, the hinge breaking issue, might actually be resolved with new models as well. We're not positive but we'll learn over time. Alienware CS has been telling people of some new m15x batch but no official statement on it has been made.

So yeah, go for it. There are still risks, but as a new m15x owner, I think you have less to worry about now. Hopefully, nothing to worry about.

 

Hahaha!

I have been looking into this for months! So hopefully I'm making a good choice (Which I think I am).

BTW what's the status of black versions of the m15x?

 

I recall someone saying they announced that it was "in the works" or a phrase similar to that. But he also mentioned that it was very long ago and now none of us are even sure if their still working on a black m15x.

I dig the silver though. Yeah, if I had a choice I might've opted for black too but, still a gorgeous looking machine.

 

Nah, they scrapped the idea. There was a convention earlier that Alienware attended and a certain person on these forums asked if they were going to make a black m15x and they stated that they weren't going to go through with it. I'll have to see if I can find that post again though since I don't quite remember their reasoning behind it.

Edit: Found it.

 

Oh that sucks

 

It's not completely concrete yet. You'll never know if they'll change their minds about it.

 

Oh, in that case then it's safe to say you shouldn't hold your breath.

 

I'm assuming 1440x900 is the best res to go for, for gaming/photoshoping?

 

For higher FPS, then yes, the 1440 x 900 will be better. Not too sure what the impact would be on photoshop though.

 

linky for the resolution question....

 

I love glossy screens though

 

WOW! THERE IS GOING TO BE A BLACK VERSION!!!

"Thank you for contacting Alienware.

Regarding your inquiry, we do plan to offer the option to configure the Area 51 m15x in black. However, we do not have an estimated date when this option will be added."

Shame they still don't know

 

You might actually want the 1920x1200 display for photoshopping. Don't know how serious you are about PS though.

And yeah, supposedly a new Breed video Sept. 9th? Could that be an announcement for it? Time will tell!

 

I'm pretty serious about it, I create websites and designs:
http://www.touch-innovation.com
(recent one).

But anyway the smaller res, has better colours from what I can see. So I think I'm gonna keep with 1440x900

 

Okay, then you would know more about it than I would. They both have their pros and cons so whatever works best for you personally.

 

What would you say, as a owner of the 1920x1200 say about it?

 

I wonder if you could ask them for a black version of the chassis if your silver m15x hinges break. :< HMMMMM.

 

I personally love the 1920x1200 to death. The colors don't bother me, as I have Digital Vibrancy up 30% constantly. The real estate is just plain kick ***. I have a bunch of stuff on all the time and if I don't have to minimize something I won't. I also play around with PS CS3 for fun, not as serious as you are though. And it is more demanding in gaming, but I've been able to run Crysis on medium-high, which still looks **** gorgeous in DX10. I'm not complaining. In fact, I'm rather pleased.

 

I wouldn't like to rely on digital vibrance because then they're fake colours...

 

What makes it "fake" ?

 

You won't need to. It's just preference. <:

 

Well my acer has just packed it in! It won't start up... SO will be ordering it tomoz D:

 

i always wondered why alienware didnt give crazy color options like green, blue, black and whatever for the m15x like they did for other systems they created.

 

Don't do it. I know its your birthday and all but I was once a noob like you (don't take offense to that). When I was 15 and in 8th grade, I told my mom I wanted an AW because they were the premiere brand in gaming and they only made the best computers.

After I got my M5550, I used it for awhile until I started to notice the problems with the GPU downclocking. I had to replace the GPU over and over for a year (couldn't just keep sending it back because it needed to be used for school). While I defended AW at the beginning, I soon realized that they were taking advantage of me.

Finally, I recieved a credit on my M5550 and purchased a M9750, a laptop that I had thought would be rock solid. However, within the first day of getting the M9750, I ran into Sli problems (which led to me creating the SLi guide). Right now, I am sitting without my M9750 and have been for 2 - 3 months now.

If you want to buy the M15x, go ahead. I'm just going to go out there and say that AW doesn't care about you, and they NEVER will. All AW wants to do is look cool and rake up tons of money. If AW actually gave a **** about you they would make the roswell crew more public, as it is the ONLY way to get anything done in my opinion, and even they suck.

I think you're getting sucked into the AW craze but it could be me. I'd say don't go for it.

 

stone825, thats quite extreme...

anyway i dont think you should buy the m15x.

 

Ok, here goes...

Firstly what do you want the notebook for, if it's gaming then i recommend the m17x, it's solid and has very few problems, certainly no overheating anyways...

Secondly, to be honest most people who have had or have a m15x have problems, be it software based or worse.

It's a great 15" notebook if you remember that it's packing alot especially of you put all of the most powerful "gubbins" inside of it, it get's really hot...

My advice/suggestion, go for the m17x but, if you're set on the m15x, get it and enjoy it, just be prepared for a slightly bumpy ride (",)

I say this not to put you off, just to cushion the blow if you do have any problems, I know i'd hate it so just trying to help.

OB

 

I actually haven't heard of any recent m15x overheating issues at all. I certainly haven't encountered any. There were initially but that's long gone now, it seems. I'd only be worried about the hinge at this point.

 

They were issues but the BIOS fix for the fans seems to have fixed them. They still run hotter than the m17x because of the smaller chassis and less apparent cooling ability.

I'm not saying they are bad or anything like that but, yes the build quality (hinges) seem to be the only remaining issues.

OB

 

I just have a question to make you all think...

If to prevent overheating and downclocking, they have to introduce a bios fix that has to decrease the voltage of the CPU to cope with the heat... what does that tell you???

Isn't that a clear answer saying "We can't solve the overheating problem by improving cooling, so we have to reduce the normal working voltage of your CPU to be able to keep it cool."

But, I'm sure you will enjoy your laptop a lot. I have no doubt...

 

Well trust me... heat is NOT a problem - after owning an acer for the past 2 years I am very used to hot laptops!!

It's been shipped and in depot now! So it's either at home, or on its way... Can't wait till friday (my birthday)

 

I thought reducing the voltage doesn't affect performance, so why does it matter than? They solved the problem, and it never resurfaced. Good fix, IMO.

 

Ahhhh... Do I have to remind you of the high latency on Biox X34? Good fix?
And I don't define that as a fix, but as a way around. Liking, putting the dust under the carpet and not vacuum cleaning.