Intel Press Release - Sandy Bridge Issue - What does this mean for the M17xR3?

hey ppl signed up to post here,

just got off the phone with my UK rep, they said they still had no idea when they would get parts and be able to ship, but the person I talked to estimated about 5-6 months!!!
When I spoke to his supervisor they offered me instead of waiting that I could get an alternative, any other dell model, and they suggested a Dell Precision was the closest spec laptop available...

I'm now wondering whether to accept the offer, or to bite the bullet and wait aages for the R3. Dell has disappointed me in the past but I was able to get a good discount this time.. hmmmm

Now I'm debating if its worth it, I have doubts about the Quadro FX 3800M, if it'll match up even to the 460M, although I havnt experienced it so I dont know...
Or I suppose I could instead just go for an R2? they offer ATI HD 5870 Crossfire, but no NVIDIA option, and you can no longer get the RBG LCD in the UK...

overall disappointed and a bit confused...

 

Yeah so Dell seems to have no idea what's going on. I called again today because I needed the laptop before March 4th. they kept telling me, yes yes, it'll be ready before then. I called today and now it's No actually it wont at all. This leaves me in a bad spot as I need a laptop for March 4th and I kept holding on to Dell cause they said they would be able to.

I ended up ordering a M11x instead for my travels (I'm in india, go figure, for all of March, then Shanghai, then LA). Of course now it might be too late for that to arrive. it has an arrival date of March the 3rd...

I asked if I could upgrade the shipping and he just kept saying "I'll see what I can do" which means nothing to me. Does anyone have a number to a North American agent that might be able to help me out? It's amazing how bad the India center is.

 

Ordered my r3 on 1/27 about 4pm est. EDD was 2/17, but now its shifted back to 4/14!!

Do you think I could try to bargain my r3 price lower as compensation for the wait? I forgot to order by phone, and I really want dell to atleast add the blu ray drive for free.

 

I am sure you could try.......

 

No harm in trying, the most I think you can get - unless the rep is extremely nice, would be Nest Day Shipping. Of course you could try the fake cancel route, just say you wish you cancel and most of the time they will offer you a $100 towards another purchase or you can use it towards your system.

You should definitely read this topic though, saved me a bunch of time and money when I bought my M15x

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/456885-aw-dell-ordering-advice-how-save.html

 

Welcome to the forum. Please review this section and re-post there.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/what-notebook-should-i-buy/

Be sure to review the sticky thread for the 'What Notebook should I buy section' before posting -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/wha...ould-i-buy-form-must-read-before-posting.html

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For general discussion relating to Intel and this issue, please post here -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...upgrades/551902-sandy-bridge-design-flaw.html

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Posts in this thread must specifically relate to the M17xR3 and Dell's response/handling of the Intel SB issue.

Thanks everyone.

 

Gah!

Been out of internet for 2 days. My EDD has changed online from 2/16 to 4/13, it's still NBD. For the last 2 days, over the phone, it still says "In production, in the build stage," but no EDD. It just says "That's all the information I have for you right now."

Damn them. Full recovery and THEN send it out? Damn cheapos should just send ours already, cuz we ordered almost a month ago!!!!! (that is if Intel has already shipped new mobos to the OEMS aka Dell).

 

Hi, I just registered here because I too ordered the R3 and have been following this thread for awhile.

Anyways I've noticed some people saying that their EDD is changing to April and at first i thought maybe it that it was because they ordered through aafes but then some people that have a April EDD said they didnt order through aafes. So maybe it could be based on when the order was placed? Like maybe would it be possible that because the new chipset will be limited people who ordered earlier will get the new chipset sooner and people who ordered later will have to wait for a new shipment?

I ordered mine on 1/23 btw and my EDD is 2/23

 

idk i ordered mine on 1/30 and my EDD is 2/23 also. Im giving them till monday to see if it has shipped and if the 23rd is truly the real date for it. If not im canceling and gettin a Mac

 

i think you guys might be right. why update our EDDs to later feb (mines 2/24) and some ppls to april. it would seem if they took the time to update your EDD it should be accurate. as far as why theres such a big gap in time im not sure...

 

Maybe it's a big gap because Intel is also shipping to other OEMs and the ones Dell gets they don't want to use all on just m17x r3 orders

Btw my original EDD was 2/16 and another thing I've noticed is the people are only mentioning having their EDD updated once. Some being updated to around 2/23 and then some being updated to April. Anyone have their EDD updated twice? Also all this EDD updating stuff seems to be going on at around the same time give or take a day or two. Mine updated a couple days ago.

 

Correction: my EDD updated on the 12.

 

if this is true then im very upset that dell gave the earlier edd to ppl who ordered after me (i ordered on the 27th about 3:00 pm est) while im stuck waiting till mid march. if anything it should be first come first serve.

am seriously considering cutting off my nose(canceling my order) to spite my face(dell)

 

Dell upgraded my EDD on 2/16... the same day as my EDD. If your EDD is 2/23... they will update it again on 2/23. Everyone's EDD will likely be changed to April.

When Dell gets enough motherboards to start production.... they will start shipping the computers out. EDD is just a guess... Dell has no clue when it will actually ship.

Your EDD has no effect on what order Dell is going to ship them out in.

 

At this point... there is no point for people to keep posting about their EDD... clearly the EDDs are not correct. Until someone actually sees their system ship, we really have nothing else to discuss. We have no clue when Dell will get new motherboards, and even if they get motherboards, it does not mean Dell will use them in the Alienware. If I was Dell, I would use it for the XPS laptop first, since that is more mainstream and prolly affects more users.

If you can't wait until April... just cancel your order. Simple as that.

 

i swear CSRs are no better than automated machines. Corporate inputs command and they spew out the same info over and over. God forbid one of them actually goes and does some research of their own. Im so sicked and tired of Dell by now. This was my 1st Dell/Alienware but i think i might go back to Toshiba. Dell is sadly retarded.

 

Nice Rant.......

Dell is actually quite good, this is a very unique situation and there is LOTS of conflicting information out there, even within Dell. I currently own 2 Alienware R2 systems, my son has a Dell desktop, and I have purchased several Dell's for a non-profit I help with, and I have had great experiances with Dell CSR's.

I am sorry YOUR experiance this time has sucked, but, as the saying goes... things happens.

As for your comment regarding CSR's, you are basing your judgement on what ? What other people have said or your own experiance ? If you are basing your opinion on what others have said, well then, thats a bad idea....

Dell employes THOUSANDS of CSR's and its a bit unfair for you to paint all of them with the same brush...even if you account for EVERYTRHING that has been posted here a CSR "he/she said" its what, maby a total of 100 MAX out of THOUSANDS ?

So, step back from the situation, realise its a unique issue and calm down. If you wish to cancel your order, so be it....If you dont cancel, posting the above comment accomplishes what exactly ?

BTW, I might point out, calling a entire company "sadly retarded" doesnt do anything to help with your arguement does it ?

 

Sorry im calmed down now. I was venting from my own experience as i had just got off the phone again with a CSR. They just seem to spew out the same garbage. Didnt even know that Intel had begun shipments already. This forum has been a sort of therapy for me so excuse my outburst

 

NP....everyone needs to vent sometimes. Its all good

 

Ok so I got off the phone with this guy (who promised to call me today) whose been helping and he said that because of the intel problem that my order will automatically be cancelled in a month or so because of it's length of edd and I should go for a different model, he wanted to transfer me to cr to place the order. He wasnt trying to get a sale out of me since he was transferring but the automatic canceling seemed like a bluff for some reason.. I have no problem going for the R2 if they give me a 30% discount as well

 

You've got to be kidding me. They better not try to pull that with me, cuz aafes already charged me and my cc bill's coming up soon, and I've made EVERY csr/techguy/salesperson I've spoken to add it to their notes/memo that I DO NOT WANT TO CANCEL AND AM WILLING TO WAIT TILL APRIL IF SO BE IT. I'll update ya tomorrow

 

since my EDD is 2/23 and i got 3-5day shipping mine should ship tomorrow if its going to ship and be delievered by my EDD. I got a sneaky feeling it wont ship but hey heres to hoping so i guess I'll have to wait and see what happens...

 

Ya I was already charged too, I even cancelled my order for an XPS just cause of the deal with this computer aafes. AW is on top of my list and I don't wanna settle for something else. Ya I already emailed the guy saying I want 30% off and free next day shipping like my original order if I'm going for the R2. I'll keep u posted as well on his response, maybe I can throw in a " can I get crossfire or an SSD for free" haha

 

Yesterday got an e-mail from a Dell csr two days ago asking if i wanted to canx or keep my order. I told them i'll wait. Was a great deal at 30% off. I ordered my R3 via AAFES on 1/31 EDD was 2/21 today it went to 4/18, plus the time it takes to get it to Okinawa. I'll see it in April. Good things come to those who wait. Today they upgraded my shiping and added a Razer mouse.

 

What was your order date?

Who'd you email? Michael Orabek @ aafes (the dell rep) ?

Who'd you call? I'd like to call tomrrow and get something too!

 

Who'd you call? I'd like to call tomrrow and get something too![/QUOTE]

Didn't call i live on Okinawa cost to much. I just e-mailed my Dell csr that e-mailed me asking if i wanted to canx or wait for my R3.

 

Didn't call i live on Okinawa cost to much. I just e-mailed my Dell csr that e-mailed me asking if i wanted to canx or wait for my R3.[/QUOTE]

Ic. Still, Im gonna call and see what they can do for me. It really pains me to know that it's not coming until 2 months from now, and I've already been charged...

 

I ordered mine on 1/23 with original EED of 2/16 and on or around the 12 it changed to 2/23.

 

You sure are lucky. I ordered 1/28, EDD was 2/17, then 2/16 for the last 2 weeks. Now it's "4/13 (updated)"....

 

No he's title on the bottom of his email is customer care expert in the epp department. I asked for a supervisor or American rep and this girl transferred me saying I'll get u to an American rep but his name is Indian and he sounds Indian lol but he seemed more helpful than others ( most ppl I got were oblivious to everything and were like that's ur edd and here's ur case number call again and maybe U'll get a better cr lol) so I'm trying him out, he did well until he gave me his call of trying to get me to buy an R2 and canceling my beloved r3

 

I'm in the UK and I just got off the phone to my rep and I am reeeallly frustrated...

not only can they not give me a due date for the fix and delivery for my r3, but when they offered me a replacement they also said that for some reason they've stopped production of ALL Alienware models, including the r2 and m11x!!! I am SOSOOOOOOO angry

not only that but they refused to give me any information regarding a refund when I asked!!! WHAT THE HELLLL

they kept pushing for me to get a dell precision instead, but their graphics cards arnt designed for gaming and I wont be doing any CAM design at all..

anyway, I will go back to harbouring my rage...

 

Got an e-mail from my AAFES rep overnight. Basically mentioned the same three options earlier in this thread; 1) keep order and wait, 2)change to an R2, 3) cancel.

Funny thing was, they offered to keep the 30% discount (AAFES) if I went with the R2. Said if I chose that option a Dell rep would contact me. I maintain to this day Dell is pushing VERY hard to try and clear inventory since they didn't do it very much before the release of Sandy Bridge/R3. They should learn from Apple, who does very well at clearing stock prior to release of new hardware.

Anyway, I chose option #1...I'll just wait, since I am in a postion to do so (have another laptop available). Just thought I'd let you AAFES folks know you should be seeing similar message soon from an AAFES rep.

 

For those being offered precision mobile workstations; I would be willing to trade my non-3d r3 for it.

 

Just found this online (techreport.com), nothing about Dell but I can't believe that they wouldn't be getting them around the same time as these other companies:


Bug-free Sandy Bridge laptops could launch this month
by Cyril Kowaliski — 9:39 AM on February 18, 2011

On Monday last week, Intel announced that shipments of bug-free, B3-stepping 6-series chipsets for Sandy Bridge processors would begin in the middle of the month. Now, DigiTimes has word from sources at notebook design manufacturers that Intel is indeed shipping the new chipsets to "first-tier notebook and motherboard makers." On the mobile side of things, DigiTimes expects a "number of brand-name notebook vendors" to launch new systems later this month.

Toshiba, for instance, is expected to unleash three Sandy Bridge notebooks on February 23—one with a 13.3" display, another with a 14" panel, and a larger 15" offering. Actual availability will reportedly follow in mid-March. DigiTimes adds that Acer and Asus should start shiping Sandy Bridge laptops in mid-March, as well.

The story doesn't go into detail about motherboards. However, if Asus gets to ship bug-free Sandy Bridge laptops in mid-March, perhaps some bug-free motherboards will find their way into the retail channel around the same time, too. On its support page for owners of buggy Sandy Bridge boards, Asus only says it "may take several or more weeks for replacement services to begin."

 

Such a delay would be hugely frustrating . I contacted Dell a while ago. Didn't get much in the way of useful info, but am just posting the conversation FYI. Interestingly, the agent made no mention of the discontinuation of production of other Alienware models. It's difficult to see Alienware abandoning the European market. Anyway... (the 5-6 month wait relates to a posting from another UK customer... the RGB question relates to that posting also)...

Me: " Back at the end of January, I was about to order an Alienware M17X R3. Then I heard about the Intel problem with the Sandy Bridge processors, and that Dell had to stop taking orders for this laptop. After reading Intel’s statement, I had hoped that Dell might start taking orders again in March / April… Then, I read on a discussion forum that a UK Alienware customer, who had ordered his R3 before the Intel problem, was told by a customer care representative that it may be 5-6 months before this model would be available again in the UK (and Ireland also, I’m guessing)… Can you please tell me if such a long wait is likely for the M17X R3?

Agent: "I would rather suggest you to go for other machines as we do not have any idea as to how long it would take for this come back."

Me: "If I go for a different machine, I'm afraid that it won't be a Dell/Alienware. Is the 5-6 month wait a possibility then?"

Agent: "May be earlier."

Me: "I see. I'll be happy to wait until about mid-April, if I thought that that was a possibility. Have you rough info on the likely date?"

Agent: "Sure, I will email once we get them back."

Me: "Thank you... I look forward to hearing from you. I have one other question... I notice that the RGBLED display is no longer available on the M17X R2 (the previous model M17X) on the Irish site. If this display was available, I'd consider this laptop instead. Will this display be returning as an option on this laptop, or is it gone for good?"

Agent: "I am afraid we do not have them available now."

Me: "Will they available again, in the future?"

Agent: "Yes, we might get them back. I will keep you posted."

 

Yeah, I just got contacted by an AAFES rep, with the same offers. R2 has a better screen and better graphics, so I'm considering going that route, since I can get such a large discount. Processor isn't as good, but that isn't as important to me as the graphics. Anyone know what the weight difference is? I can't seem to find conclusive evidence.

 

R2 - 5.5 kilograms/12.1 Lbs

R3 - 4.3 kilograms/9.46 Lbs

This is without the Power Supply

 

Heh. Thanks. I was actually coming back to edit my post, since I just found it. Still haven't made up my mind for sure.

 

Im not giving in to the R2. That new processor is such a beast. Even the lowest 2630QM is better than the top mobile processor of the previous generation. I would highly advise on waiting for anyone on the edge of getting an R2.

 

The proc is nice, but really depends on what youre doing.....if youre doin photo rendering or processing, then yea, it owns, but when you look at what you can OC a R2 proc to.......

Me, I have decided on a totally different beast.....

 

Understood and weighted against what I plan to do with it, which is household finances from the couch (proc doesn't matter) and gaming, which the R2 is a bit better suited for. I really liked the greater mobility of the R3 though.

 

So I finally got a call from Dell today, my two options were to cancel or wait (the rep said I'd get my computer in April if I waited). I opted to wait, as impatient as I am I don't want feel like I'm settling for something I really don't want, so looks like April is what Dell's telling everyone now.

 

Ya don't settle for something ur gonna feel alittle bit empty about later , if ur heart is set on the r3 wait for it. Imagine if down the road you see someone with the computer u wanted and didn't get it, I bet all of us would think the same thing " I should have waited".

 

ok so im starting to have second thoughts on my R3. Im really just gonna use it for watching blu rays (already have a 3d tv) and maby a few games like starcraft 2 and dawn of war. Would I probbaly be better off just getting a R2 with the blu ray? How good is the base proc? Also is the 15x alum also?

 

If you think you might want to ever watch any of those movies while on battery, the R2 is definitely not going to do it for you. I hardly ever use my laptop to watch TV or Movies, so that doesn't bug me.

 

So I called today to Dell, and spoke to 3 diff people, 3 diff times. Each of them said that YES, the 4/13 EDD is a rough estimate, worst-case-scenario type of thing. They all did assure me the same ol sale ol, that they're working very closely with intel to solve this issue. And as always, they tried to offer me the 3 options again, of which I turned down as usual, citing the memos that they should have been referencing before offering me the 3 options, lol. Also, I asked each of them if there was anything they could do for me since I ordered so long ago, and the EDD is so far away. I asked for an upgrade in warranty, and got denied by everyone

Also, checked my email, and got an email from the aafes rep telling me my options. Responded, telling him about how I'm willing to wait, and to please not cancel my order. In that email though, he did offer the r2 for 30% off. Of course I won't bite. Seriously lolz, do they think we're gonna give up the r3 for old gen hardware? No way Jose.

Still very sad and bitter about the 4/13 EDD though

 

30% is a nice deal, I wish I could get that. But the 6970M with HDMI-IN is so tempting . Did you ask for Next Day Shipping/Free shipping?

I'm sure the April is just an estimate, Intel said full recovery should be April, so better be safe then sorry. I don't think they want to keep pushing it 10 days and having to constantly answer the phone/e-mails

 

They upgraded me to NBD a long time ago (the first time I inquired about the Intel issue, when the press release was initially released).

Yah, I'm sure April is just to they can save money. I think its hilarious how the csrs keep telling me it's cuz Dell does not want to ship machines that are faulty to consumers, because they do not want unsatisfied customers. They should really cut the crap and just be real about saving money on contracted techs coming to yer pad to fix it :/

Anyhoo, I hope it comes soon. I can't wait. The wait has gotten me so bitter that I've even debated buying the G53SW or 3820TG again...

 

I wasn't aware the 6970 had been confirmed yet...?

HDMI in is a very nice feature, but again, something I will never use. Wish I could get the best of both worlds, which would be the sandybridge chip in the R2 chassis for possible crossfire video in the future.

 

Got this from AAFES today:
Due to an Intel issue we have recently been informed that the Dell Alienware M17 X 3rd generation is currently unavailable with an ETA mid-late April. Here are the options we are offering:

· Wait for the current system issues to be corrected and sent out.

· We can build a new Alienware M17 X 2nd generation system at the 30% discounted price and a Dell Sales Specialist will contact you to configure the new system after we have been informed this is the option you would like.

· Cancel the order and a refund will be processed.

We do apologize for any inconvenience that this has caused you, and thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.

Told them i'll wait.