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

GJ. 10char

 

So is the 30% discount off with the discount already given, I'm guessing no but I can cross my fingers lol I thought the R2 is a stronger computer than the r3 when it comes to gameplay, couldn't I just take out my processor for a SB down the road. Anyways I messed around with r2 specs and did the discount manually but I realized something, AAFES has their original price at 1838 with the basics... Alienware.com i remembered has there's at 1600 if I'm not mistaken... Im gonna have alittle argument about that lol

 

You can't upgrade the R2's for a SB processor the mobo does not support it. Unless alienware will release a new mobo. But still, It would be a heck of a job.

 

Oh didn't know that.. Ok so for option B and the 30% discount we get, they reraised the price on the r2. The r2 is 1799. Funny thing is they forgot to change the price when u click laptops and view all 3 sizes.. It says starting at 1599 and u click it and than it says 1799..I guess there was alittle catch to that 30% off deal they forgot to tell us about

 

I think they offer the 30% to those that already have an order in place. The original 30% off ended on/around 28 Jan 11. That's why if you choose the replacement option they have a Dell tech contact you...not have you place a new order on the AAFES site.

 

Bleh i hate Dell...my EDD just got updated AGAIN...its 3/3 now...why cant they just give me one in April instead of stringing me along and keeping my hopes up -_-

 

You must be extra special or something, they're enjoying dangling that carrot in front of you and watching you run after it!

 

My EDD has been 22/02/2011 for the last 20 days, what a joke Dell! No emails or information from them, This is a replacement laptop for a failed M17X R2 and Have already returned my R2 as it failed for the 4th Time, am now 3 weeks without a laptop that cost me €4062 and then I lost my MS Office License on the old laptop and Dell charged me another €202 for another copy!!! Not Happy!!

 

Another bit of fun info. It seems Intel has taken the i7 2630QM off the market. I can find it no where on their webpage. I ordered this processor and now im kinda skeptical about it. If anyone can find it let me know. Thinking about just canceling and starting over when they re-release.

 

That would be sweet to get it by early march but it would be funny if the manufacturing team was sitting behind a computer messing with edds laughing at our pain lol I hear alot of ppls alienware failing, some guy just smashed it on YouTube with a hammer lol.

 

What do you mean can't find? Intel® Core? i7-2630QM Processor (6M Cache, 2.00 GHz)with SPEC Code(s)SR02Y

 

Poo on my face. Dont know how you found that. Ive been searching for the past half hour -_- lol kudos to you

 

Damn, my EDD's still the same "4/13 (updated)". Happy freekin birthday to me...

 

does anyone remember the price difference between the i7 2630 and the i7 2720?

 

LOL. Google dude, Google. I think it's around 100-150 bucks.

 

Ok i just spoke to someone other than a CSR at Dell. He was an order modification rep. He told me that Dell has received its 1st shipment of fixed chipsets and that they are planning on starting shipments last week of feb and early march!!!

 

Really? Have you asked them about the 6970m gpu's if they are now available?

 

In today's world, with so many of each model being produced and sent out, no matter what manufacturer you choose you'll hear about lots of them failing. There are lots and lots more that worked just fine, but you don't hear about that as much.

I've had several Dell computers that have not had a single problem (an old inspiron 1100 laptop I bought like 9 years ago is still going strong at my parent's house), and have seen friends with identical models have nothing but trouble. Same for several other manufactuers.

 

Well, looks like my R3 is the latest victim of Sandy Bridge's issues. I am currently on the phone with a customer sales rep and he's processing my return.

The options they gave me were:

Sending it back and waiting until April for them to outfit mine with the new mobo
M15x replacement
M17x R2 w/i7 840 processor for $2,800+ tax = $3,024 ($1000 more than my R3, no thanks)

I am now being sent a return label for UPS to take this POS back to the corporate suits that ruined Alienware by buying them out. Done with Dell and as long as Alienware is a part of Dell, done with Alienware.

Award winning customer service? I don't think so.

 

You could just move the optical drive to SATA port 1 and keep the HDD at SATA port 0, and you wouldn't be affected by the chipset problem. You could then use your laptop fine. When the replacements come in, then just tell dell to come and replace the motherboard for you.

I definitely wouldn't take any of the options listed, especially the overpriced r2, they should at least offer you a decent discount.

Best of luck, and sorry about your bad experience

 

I hate to side with Dell but they gave you valid options.

You can wait until the fix is implemented BY INTEL (Note dell has absolutely nothing to do with this)

OR

You can get a weaker replacement

OR

You can put the money YOU SPENT into a system of higher value.

You're only entitled to what you paid for.. Unfortunately you didn't pay for a $3000 system.

Purely out of curiosity what DID you pay for your system? Also, if you're going to complain remember the sandybridge issue is not because of Dell / Alienware.

I build computers every day for clients and even built my own, Its not effecting "just you" its happening to everyone who has ever built a sandy bridge system.

 

Seems the customer service was fine, they gave you valid options. Oh, and you think you entitled to a 3k system and you onjy paid 1k less ? Dream on.

BTW, if you have been reading its NOT Dells issue, its a INTEL chipset issue. Dell has been fine with every dealing I have had with them, that includes 2 Alienwares in my sig, my sons Dell Desktop, and several dell's I have been involved in purchasing for a non-profit.

BTW, Alienware is a seperate company, yes Dell owns them, but they are still a seperate company with their own tech support and csr number (which, I assume you dident look for, just called dell 1st thing)

You wanted options, Del gave you options, dont blame them if YOU dont like them. When this whole thing happened, I decided to look around and decided to make a different purchase of a different system, should be here in a week or so.

 

Really need to take the Dell / Alienware fanboi-ness down a notch. Im sick of seeing people getting barked at for the slightest bit of badmouthing. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I certainly agree those options were not acceptable. The option of having a tech sent out when replacements are availible should have been given.

 

Not a fanboi, I would say the same thing if it was HP or Gateway or Sager or Clevo or ASUS or Toshiba or Sony in the same circumstances (which BTW they ARE). Wether those options were acceptable or not doesnt matter, those are the options presented. Take it or leave it.

The issue was not caused by Dell, it was a INTEL problem, dell is doin what they can. There are LOTS of people on this forum and on others who have been effected by the INTEL issue, its not just Dell.

He is being offered a refund or to wait or to buy a diff computer with a price difference...

The option of having a tech sent out, in YOUR OPINION, should be given, but it wasnt.

If you dont like the options, its real easy to get that refund and buy something different.

While you may be sick of the "fanboi-ism" I am just as tired of people crying like little babies because they dont get their way. Handle it like a adult. Stuff happens.

 

Lets learn to disagree folks...

thanks,

BB

 

Which one did you go for, may I ask? I presume you picked something comparable, right?

 

I'm well aware that other people are affected by this issue but this is my own situation and my reaction to it. Others may react differently. This being my first AW lappy means it hits a little harder as opposed to someone who has already dealt with AW ownership.

Second, I'm also aware this is an Intel issue but Dell has chosen to utilize Intel's products so they should stand by them. I'm in sales and keep my customers happy - especially if there's a good chance they'll provide repetitive business. I didn't expect Dell to give the farm away, but felt their willingness to resolve the issue could've extended beyond what they offered.

I don't expect everyone to agree with how I view Dell's treatment - I'm above your lack of respect for my perspective and won't get into a back and forth discussion into the wee hours of the night. For the record, though, I did contact AW tech support, not Dell's.

 

I'm not sure this is possible in a laptop situation, since the various devices are located at specific headers on the motherboard, and not connected via SATA cables to the different channels. In a Desktop situation you could do it. But, remember, this isn't an issue where it just doesn't work, this is an issue where over time the SATA II channels degrade. So one could use it just fine and wait for a repair to come.

TEX: Sorry about your experience...I feel a bit bummed too, as this is to be my first AW product. I think you're coming down a little too hard on Dell though, by calling it a pos, etc. If the Intel issue had not occurred, would you have been satisfied?

I'm not being argumentative here, just inquisitive: what do you think Dell's response should have been, since you were not satisfied it? In my situation, I'm in a bit of a time crunch, and am trying to build a comparable R2. I would love it if Dell would pitch in a free upgrade here or there to help me recover from all the emotional trauma of this situation.

 

I did not know that was possible.

 

Yes I would. You're right about referring to it as POS - It's definitely not that. Call it 'initial response'

First, the tech visit would have been a nice gesture. Second, I think an R2 with comparable specs for the same price & free expedited shipping would be acceptable - they wanted me to pay $800 more.

I don't think it would help in my case. Mine is a video issue - was experiencing BSODs randomly over the past 2-3 weeks and today it finally crashed, restarted in Safe mode, and ran off VGA with no detection of integrated or Nvidia graphics.

 

That sucks. Sounds like the cooler on the video card didn't get seated well.

 

Texasrho83: That's very likely not related to Sandy Bridge at all. I've discussed a suspiciously similar issue with another member of this forum, we both experienced graphics probelms and BSODs. Note -- it wasn't a cooling issue, the card was running relatively cool. Seems to me like Dell just screwed up something in these R3s and now they keep saying "oh it's because of the bad chipset" .

 

You could be right, but at this point, I've already got the box down from the garage and halfway re-packed. No stopping now lol

 

I went with a Sager, will update my sig soon as I get it. I sold one of my R2's to help offset the cost diff, but wont actually transfer the R2 to the nw owner till I have my new system set up and configured, because its dual use...games and work.

 

in all fairness, i agree with Texasrho83, man's making a point. i was new aw customer too, and the way thy treated me i think is somewhat from very unrespective to completely-dont-care.
Most amusing thing for me however was the fact that when they call you they advice yo an older system that costs more money (even tho is more powerful) not offering you any sort of discounts above what is already running, and when you get mad about their business, representatives always say same thing "Sir, i understand your frustration, bla bla bla,however, please understand I have personally nothing to do with this, its not even dell, its all intel, la la la "
to me thats just poor executive judgment to expect people to deal with this amount of trash sending another amount of it.
Facts for matter: 1) spent all money I had 2) waited 1 month 3) no laptop 4) no quick refund (30 day block charge expires tomorrow, and yes, I am aware its 1 case of 1000, but hey, did they do anything about it?) 5) loss in university 6) loss in job as i need laptop for 5&6 HEAVILY.
this is just personally my opinion.

 

I completely agree with you. The small change from 7day to NBD isn't really an upgrade at all, if they're completely missing the initial EDD deadline. They better damn well deliver it NBD/asap if they miss the EDD, shoot.

Aside from that, I'm thinking that they really need to compensate folks who are waiting. Especially those like myself, and various others who ordered through AAFES and have already been charged. So frustrating!

EDIT: BTW, I know what some of you are already thinking: the 3 options they offered us are reasonable--what do you expect, blah blah blah. I call that bs--cuz it's like if you go to a restaurant, and order crappy food, they can comp it for you. Or, if you order something to-go, and they mess up, or it takes too long, they can comp it for you also. Seems like dell can do something similar (doesn't have to be a free computer obviously, but some kinda compensation even if its a Razer mouse like someone else on nbr received).

 

I would agree, IF THE ISSUE WAS DELLS FAULT which it isnt......

The sence of entitlement here on these boards is amazing.......not saying specifically you, but those who keep complaining in general. TBH I am much more sympathetic to those of you who ordered through AAFS who have already been charged, but the others take your refund and buy something else for gods sake if you dont like your options. It really is that simple

This forum has turned from a place to get information to a place QQ'ing....

 

Well, the only reason why I'm this frustrated is solely cuz I've already been charged, even though the first Dell rep had the balls to tell me that they don't charge until it's shipped out. He was wrong, cuz aafes already paid Dell... I don't think I'm that unreasonable in asking for a warranty extension, cuz the average customer would prolly ask for the same too, knowing that there was "some sort of defect (past or present)." It wouldn't be unreasonable to ask for the extension, cuz they wouldn't know, nor really be assured that they're getting a "brand spankin new, error free mobo which Intel just made to correct the previous flaw." To them, it would just be another recall, similar to toys or cars, which noone is really guaranteed/assured that the OEM really actually put in a new component... I hope I'm phrasing it correctly, and hope you know what I mean.

 

just want to try to clear the air a bit after all we're all friends here...

first off it is true that this isn't dells mess, its intels mess that dell got stuck with and therefore (technically) not dells responsibility to clean up. however from a customer service standpoint it is imperitive to keep the customer happy, after all a happy customer is a loyal one which translates into future $$$$. of course this doesn't mean that dell should cut 800$ off everyones order or send a tech to everyones house (or other such costly compensations) just to make you happy, after all the actual loss off $$$$ now outweighs the potential gain of $$$$ in the future. nevertheless some small compensation (like 10$ off your order) as a way for dell to say we hear you and understand your frustration would go a long way in turning avrg. customers into great customers and keeping already great customers happy (after all with great customers comes great responsibility )

secondly, true, the actual sandy bridge fiasco was not dells fault but the misinformation, lack of info sharing, continuous pressure to cancel, and plain ignorance of the reps is dells fault. this speaks to a complete lack of care at the management level and to me is the most disconcerting aspect of the entire issue. i belive it is this point that's really bothering most people and i completely agree that someting must be done to enhance the customers experience of dells "damage control" mode

sorry for the long post i just want to close with the immortal words of batboy

 

I actually sympathize with your situation, you have been charged so thats a totally different ball game in my opinion. The poeple I have no sympathy for are they ones who have verry viable options, have not been charged and can simply cancel and walk away (a situation you, and any AAFS buyer are not in)

 

Thanks for your understanding. Even the aafes guy offered me the option to cancel. Basically I pffffted it, since the refund probably will take as long as the laptop will take to ship to me (couple weeks + couple days = ~more than 2 weeks, since the cc has to process also).

I guess I'm lucky though, since I'm in no real need for it, as my dino desktop still keeps me happy, and I've got my ps3 to play for leisure time.

 

As one of the AAFES folks as well, I really don't expect perks due to glitches on just released hardware. One of the hazards of being an early adopter...always will be taking chances when you strive to have the newest computer hardware...

Besides, I'd rather they not give perks to everyone and then transfer the expense to the price of product!

 

Trust me, the expense is not on Dell. Every SINGLE penny is being billed to Intel and more. This just made Dell a pretty penny. That's how it works in this business.

 

a glimmer of hope....
it seems that new macbooks with sandy bridge might be released this week
AppleInsider | Apple gearing up for major product launch as early as next week - sources

i understand that apple might get priority over dell but you never know

 

Hey, AAFES folks. I cancelled my R3 last week, then got that email from an AAFES Costumer Service Assistant with the three offers. I emailed back and asked if I could get the same deal on an XPS when they're updated with SB. He said, of course, that he didn't know, and would have to email the Dell folks, reference my cancelled order, and see what happens. The plot thickens.

 

What's the specs of the XPS?

 

Has anyone's R3 EDD changed lately? (Within the last couple days? EDD of any date in April doesn't count).

 

Mine changed to 3/4 on Friday

 

Dookie, I don't know the specs yet. I'm hoping for the 2820 and at least the 460M. I just didn't want a huge DTR like the M17X (as nice as it is). When I get back from Iraq, something that big won't do me much good. I'll need something I can travel with.

 

It seems like Dell might be getting ready to launch a new product as well. While the m18x is still speculative, Eric G. over at the Dell Lab Posterous forum said that the expected launch date is early March, even with the whole SB fiasco, let's hope that's true, it could be just over a week away.