I just bought an m17x

Regarding the AC question.
I can't speak for the M17x but I have a Toshiba Satellite and the converter gets awful hot even when the system is not turned on. I wouldn't recommend leaving it plugged in for that simple fact. But check your own adapter and see. Your mileage may vary.

Regarding the heat question.

• Don't sit with it on your lap
• Make sure it is on a hard surface and has plenty of ventilation.
• Don't whisper sweet nothings in its microphone while playing a Barry White CD.

 

You can leave the laptop plugged in all the time; as a matter of fact you can leave it on 24/7 if you want.
I would unplug the laptop when it's off and you are not using it.

Drain the battery and recharge it once a month to keep it healthy.

 

I just received my AlienArmor 17'' Aluminum case. I was surprised to find out that it was kinda small. I wasn't sure if it's gonna fit the m17x that I should be getting in a few weeks. So I called Alienware and they told me that it won't fit. I was really furious and told them what was the point of selling it to me if it won't fit? I wasn't that angy because I actually got it for free when I placed the order for the m17x.

Anyways, that means I won't be able to return it since I got it for free, but then I called costumer service and they told me that I actually paid for it. Right then I lost my temper and started screaming at them. Then I told them what to do now, and they told me that I still have the 30-day money back guarantee till June 21st. I should be receiving the m17x on the 9th. So they told me to check it myself just to be sure. Here are the dimensions for the m17x and the case. Please let me know if it will actually fit:

Maximum
Laptop Size*
Case: 16.25” x 12” x 1.75”
*Internal case dimensions are actually 1.25” (3.2 cm) thicker than indicated by Maximum Laptop Size values.
This is in order to accommodate a power adapter and other accessories.

m17x: 16.1'' x 11.5'' x 2.1''

 

No, it will not fit.
Plus , even if you squeeze it in, you`ll do damage to it in time.

 

That's a reall bummer about the case, i wanted to get one but, seems they need to modify the inner foam layer to allow a thicker notebook.

Have you considered carefully trimming the foam on the base so that it allows for the slightly thicker m17x?

Just an idea?

ob

 

That's a real shame, I agree. Have you checked what you can get for it on eBay?

 

Not really. I still have until June 20th to check if there is a hope of fitting the laptop in the case. If not, I will return the case to Alienware.

Any ideas of a good case that would hold the m17x + the charger + other accessories? I don't want a bag pack. I want something professional, to case to meetings, etc. In other words "something grown up"

 

To be honest i'd wat until you have the beasty, that way you can actually measure it and get a case that's the right size.

I guess you can consider a photgraphy type case, the ones with the foam that you can change the shape size of for camera kit...

Just my 2p...

OB

 

I didnt think Lithium Ion Batteries needed the drain once a month thing like the old nickel cadmium batteries did?

 

it doesnt but you should completely drain it once a month to make the battery meter accurate. it helps you maintain an accurate reading of how much energy is left in your battery.

 

Congratulations, on your new monster
however i think its wise to wait a bit, cause over at PCMW they are already taking pre order for Centrino2 and 9800m GTX

personaly im gonna wait till at less for the next AW video and see what they are gonna do to counter that

 

What is PCMW? If Alienware will get the new CPU and GPU in the next few weeks, that will piss me off big time

 

I dont want to link other company stuff in AW section.....however you can search it on the net, couple of company have already announced Centrino2 and 9800mGTX for laptops, and they claim they will start the production on the 1st June

 

I hate to be the bringer of bad news guys but... Frank has already informed me that Alienware are not considering upgrading to Montevina this calender year...

I guess it's because it would involve a complete chassis re-build and changing the components etc.

Personally i'm happy with Santa Rosa, as Monty doesn't give much more, if any performance to games...mainly power consumption and that's not an issue when you're using the battery as a ups device anyway. (",)

I guess that if you want an Alienware notebook with Montevina etc. you will have to wait for the next version of the m17x and around a year or so...

OB

 

wow that really sucks, too bad for AW
but again....Monty might not seems to offer alot...but it does and its a fact.
and its does not cost a whole lot more, so why not, got my point?
we have to see what the AW have to say in the next video

 

ah well, that settles it.

pretty dumb move imo, but definitely not critical

 

.. wow.. may i ask how do you get 7k$ to spend on a laptop?

 

Great news OB. What a relief. So I guess I won't be worried right now

jony911,

Saving money for a very long time

 

lol bebarhood

btw, if this 9800 is coming out soon, expect it in the m15x relatively soon as well. It is a very simple upgrade requiring no work on AW's part except to just order the parts and update the website

 

correct me if im wrong, i remember reading somewhere saying either that 9800mGTX only works on Monty board or whats alot better on Monty board

 

MXM standards are independent of your chipset. If the 9800 is an MXM-HE/IV card (which it is, because the 8800 is as well) then it will work in the m15x.

again, don't quote me on GPU upgradability, but I can tell you at least that the m15x will not be incompatible with the 9800 because it doesn't have montevina

 

anyone thinks AW will have a price drop to counter the new plateform? ;D

 

Hm where do I have my crystal ball when I need it?

 

To be honest, lots of people have been asking/suggesting the possibility of Monty being installed/upgraded on the existing models and also the possibility of Alienware giving out upgrades whenever new stuff is released.

I've been doing some reading into the "ease" of upgrading to Montevina and it's not a simple upgrade, it's a complete motherboard and RAM change, i'm not positive but, i'm sure that the Santa Rosa platform won't be the same size/shape. Existing chassis will need modifying and cooling fans/vents will be in the wrong place. It sounds like a simple swap but, i'm betting it won't be... Life isn't usually that simple...

This is only my opinion but, personally I wouldn't expect Alienware to perform an instant upgrade just because a new technology is brought out, i mean, it would be like buying a new car and then when a newer exhaust system or better alarm system is released, taking your car back and expecting them to keep upgrading it to the latest standard...

I'm actually glad that Santa Rosa isn't being installed straight away, Monty is unknown at this time and i'd rather use a proven stable system than try out the new model for the first time... a la m15x...which still has issues with heat and underclocking...

Just My 2p...

OB

P.S. I agree with the saving up bit...i can't even think about placing an order until July at the earliest...... need to save first lol

 

Hmm.. seems to be a lot of confusion going on about this whole monty business on the forums, As oodle-bear said its a completely different motherboard. This isn't like like ram or hard-drives or any other commonly upgradeable part. Montevina is a new chipset - different fsb, memory capabilites, processor capabilities etc.

To talk about upgrading to montevina is like talking about upgrading your car, when in fact your stripping out and throwing away the chassis, engine, gearbox... ie - not something you do unless you enjoy giving your money away.

As regards Alienware releasing a new version on m15x/17x, If you'd just bought one and they did that, wouldn't you be a bit pissed? Hence I think they'd lose any customers they sold an older version to, and what company is going to destroy its fanbase like that?

I'm a bit dissapointed though that they didn't wait and release a 17x with montevina. As yet I'm still pretty undecided about which i'm buying.

 

Why isnt the m17x available to the EU yet? Its just stupefying

 

Maybe they are waiting to make it available across the Atlantic until they can actually start building it.

I ordered the day they became available with a June 2nd ship date and they have yet to begin building it.

I'm starting to get a bit anxious, i didn't expect them to meet that deadline, but after almost a month they haven't even started!

 

it might be the site, they seems not to be up to date, it might jump to the final stage within a day....but dont get your hope to high cause it AW in the end

 

+1 For You Sir...

I'm guessing they haven't waited for Monty because the m17x was already "late" in being released... i agree with the fan-base baing a little pissed lol i know i would be , there will never be an "Upgrade" and to be honest until Monty has been tested i'm not sure it's worth the "risk"

I'm still waiting for the m17x to be released but, Frank said the end of the month so that's Sunday so allowing for staff to have the weekend off it will be probably be Monday... Then we willk now how much it will cost for us to have the "new hotness" ha ha ha ha

OB

 

I called Alienware last week to inquire about the status of my m17x order, and they said everything is on hold pending the arrival of the chassis and video cards (all other components are available). My guess is those parts are sitting on a Maersk container somewhere on a freight train in Missouri. Anyway, they told me the parts are due in on May 26th, at which point they'll start assembly.

We may see some phase movement middle or end of this week.

 

AW always launch laptop without having the parts.....
I guess AW is more of a conceptual minded company

 

I just got off the phone with Franklin (one of the order support supervisors) and he said that as of this point the parts have not been released to production and that the date they are being told is mid June. So I asked if that means an end of June ship date? and he said that that was unlikely and he reinterated they are being told mid June. He also said that it takes a week for the build process.

So anyone guess is as good at this point. They are also telling you whatever you want to hear because I also told him I ordered it on the first day (which I did) and he told me I was the first to order (which we have heard from others is obviously not true). I just hope it will go out in time to be a nice Father's day gift to myself.

 

Yeah sometimes it all matters on who you speak to. I remember one forum poster said that an AW sales representative told him that the m17x wouldn't even be launched until mid summer.

My estimated ship date was June 9th when I ordered. I figure I'll give them until mid June, if they haven't shipped by then, I'll just cancel and get a Clevo or M1730.

Oddly enough, my m9750 shipped out the same week I bot it.

 

Damn. Now that'll get me even more abset. I called them yesterday and they told me that the shipping date is still June 9th. I really hope they would ship it by then. I can't wait any longer. Plus, I have till June 20th to send back the AlienArmor case. I want to check if the m17x will fit it. Can't wait any longer

 

To be honest it might be worth you sending it back now, you can always get one of those uber backpacks that were reviewed... Looks big enough to hold the m17x...

OB

 

What about this one? By the look of the interior dimensions, it looks like it can fit the m17x. But will it fit the AC adapter and the other stuff too?

 

Eh, Interior Dimensions 16.8" x 13" x 2.5", by these i'd say it's a tad too small.

I was talking about this one Alienware Delux Backpack or

Neoprene Sleeves for Notebooks up to 17' - Jet / Cabernet Although i'm not sure about stretching to the size of the m17x, but it's not too expensive so i might get one and see...?

OB

 

Belkin seems nice.. I'll try to find the perfect case.

 

I agree they look cool, my only concern is the stretch sideways, the m17x is about 2.1" thick... might be a tight fit but, that's probably better, means no movement and therefore scratching...

Good luck, please keep me informed?

OB

 

Quick question Bebarhood, You said you got it for free right?
Why send it back because it won't fit (Granted its a bit pointless from Alienware's point of view to be sending out laptop cases they know won't fit)
Why not sell it?

 

yomamasfavourite,

I thought they gave it to me for free, but when I called AW to check, they told that I actually paid for it. That got me really mad. That's why I need the laptop to ship on June 9th so that I can check if it can fit the case, because if it won't I can still return the case. I have until June 20th to do so.

 

Oh sorry didn't see that, they cost what - 160 bucks! I'd be pretty damn pissed. Kind of a pitty if it doesn't fit,

I was thinking of getting one, I think I saw somewhere they tested it in a 10foot fall and the lappie wasn't damaged, but if it doesn't fit or fits too tightly its not going to be much use.. bummer

 

Will this fit?

I just called Belkin Tech support and I gave him the m17x dimensions and he insisted that it will fit. Here are the dimensions:

Belkin: 13” x 16” x 2”
m17x: 11.5” x 16.1” x 2.1”

As you can see, it misses a little from the height and the width, but the guye told me that the bad stretches and it can fit the laptop and also the AC adapter and other accessories. He guaranteed me it will fit. I still find it hard to believe.

What do you guys think?

 

I'd say it would fit, it's got room to stretch i guess, neoprone is a bit like lycra for that. The bag also looks very cool, i'd not seen them on the site, only the slip case things...

I'd get it and see, if it doesn't get the sales guy who told you it would fit, to give you his name and send it back to him!

OB

 

Only thing I'd be wondering about is how the transformers going to fit, from those specs - I would imagine the main compartment would be completely taken up.

So the adapter is gonna have to fit in the side panel, and if the bag is already stretching to accommadate the m17x, wouldn't it be a pretty tight squeeze, especially if the adapter is anything like the 1730's.

Although the bags do look quite nice, yet they don't screem rob me like the metal case would. I think I'd stand out quite a bit with one, poor scruffy student with a shiny metal case.. - wouldn't last 5 mins.

 

I still think your best bet is to get a new case and carefully scruff it up a bit, a few artfully placed frayed edges, scuffs and maybe a worn corner might help deter any unwanted attention? Shame to damage a new case but...

Beberhood - It looks like as long as the AW power pack is fairly flat, it might tuck at the front top of the front part of the bag? Still looks cool though

OB

 

I know but I'd still feel like I should have it handcuffed to me, and be wearing a sharp suit and have black glasses and be talking into my slieve and....

Though joking aside I really liked the

"Drop Tested
To test how well AlienArmor performs, we dropped one 10 feet (3 meters) onto concrete with no damage to the system inside."

Thats pretty impressive, and given that my bag usually get thrown about a good bit, and I trip over it regularily, and that's only if I can find it! I don't know how well a soft case would protect it.

 

Wow that is impressive, i wonder what the system inside actually was?

If it fits i'll be going for the case but by all accounts the m17x is too small...

The uber backpack is also interesting although that also has AW logo's all over it and would make a great target... Pity some people spoil things for others isn't it?

OB

 

I'd say that test was done a while back (whenever they first came out with the case) but if it could protect one laptop then it should protect a similarily sized lappie, assuming the 17x will fit.

Do you really like the backpack? - as in

http://www.shopwiki.com/detail/d=Alienware_Backpack/jumpToFirst=t/

I think I'd get the piss taken out of me I if carried it, y'no like "computer geek" and so on, which is quite funny given that I'm doing Enginneering and we're all thus nerds, aha ha..

 

Lol personally i prefer the Alienarmour case in matt black... matches the m17x and is mre slealthy looking. i'm annoyed that they can't make one for the 17" notebooks like the m17x or even Sager (sorry swearing i know lol), guess we'll have to do some more waiting....... oh, and some more waiting....

OB