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

Yessssssss.

 

Yeah, Powerexpress (Xpress?), I've read about it and seen a couple places say it has it. So, if it does, switching should be seamless, just like Optimus on Nvidia. If not, switching is still easy.

I've got my wife's computer set up to only switch when she tells it to, since she's always yanking the plug accidentally, and the little message that pops up saying "we've switched you to the low power graphics" gets on her nerves. If she takes it mobile though, she just right clicks and tells it to switch..done. Easy peasy.

 

I read Batboy respond to a person asking for advice for an R3 and one of his questions was about the 6970 "automatic switching".

"4) I know that AMD does not have automatic switching but according to the LaptopMag review the R3 has some kind of automatic switching-. Can anyone with the 6870M clarify that. This is what they say-"While it lacks Nvidia's Optimus technology (which automatically switches between a discrete and integrated GPU based on the app being used) the M17x does automatically switch between its AMD GPU and a power-saving integrated Intel HD GPU when it's unplugged. "

Batboy responded with the following:

EDIT: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/559276-planning-buying-m17xr3-need-your-opinions.html

 

Mine says the same when I called.. But says in production online.. Anyone have the same results

 

We're on the same boat bro, lets keep our fingers crossed

But I'm also thinking of returning it because 1st the new 3d bundle comes with a free Blu-ray optical drive and 2nd I'm thinking of the 6970. I hope results or test of installing an aftermarket 485m would come out before my 21 return day expires.

@Dookie
Congrats bro, at least you got to keep your discount and get the 6970 *envy*

 

Go with whichever one is closer to the finish line...just means that one updates first.

 

dell rep finally emailed me today and said they where unable to cancel my order because it was in the final stage of production.

 

I'm considering on going for this laptop. Is the 6970m upgrade worth the 250 bucks? I need some opinions. I'll mainly be using it for 3DS Max, CAD, Maya and the like. I would also like to play some games on it with max settings.

 

Go for the 6970m tol. Why get the 460m? For just $250 bucks you will get more gpu performance of 30-50%. And atleast you wont experience the regret of not getting the 6970m.

 

Ya I was wondering the same, I just got the 6870, and the reviews I read say it's pretty good but how much better would the 6970 be for gameplay? For 250 you can buy alot of cool stuff lol

 

Yup, that's one of my rules for buying: Buy something you'll be satisfied with. If you at all regret your purchase, you've wasted your money.

 

True! I've experienced it with my g73. I bought the bestbuy one. Which is the basic one. For just $200 more, I could have gotten more HD,Ram and better screen.

Buy what you want. If you're investing on a $1500+ laptop, Get the most of it, and you won't regret it.

 

Has anyones R3 actually shipped yet?

 

mine didn't yet.for what its worth i spoke to a rep today and asked him my my order is in delivery prep for so long. he told me that even if mine is ready to ship they wait for other orders to complete and send them all out together. according to this we'll all be shipping at pretty much the same time. keep in mind this might be standard dell csr doubletalk so take it or leave it.

 

However, if the 460 runs everything you need at max settings, don't see how you couldn't be satisfied . I do kind of chuckle every time folks say they have to have the fastest GPU but then order the slowest CPU...that is one I'll never understand...

Anyway, back on topic before the Batboy stick swings...any of you AAFES folks that ordered 26 Jan or later had any movement out of the April EDD?

 

Lol ya I don't wanna get off topic but this is a good discussion lol I would think even the lowest CPU would be good enough since it runs just as good as the best one for the R2

I dont think it'll ever change since it's automatic and most of ours change on the day it was suppose to arrive, I'm hoping I come home one day from school and theres this beautiful big oversized box sitting in my living room lol

 

Nope, ordered 1/26, EDD still locked at 4/15. About the CPU/GPU, you've got to look for balance with what you do. It usually doesn't take the top CPU to get max performance out of most games, which are going to be GPU limited. There are some exceptions, of course. If you're going to be primarily gaming on the machine, it usually makes sense to spend your budget on upgrading the GPU before the CPU. If, however, you are going to be doing heavy CPU intensive tasks, the priorities will be different, especially if it is for your livelyhood, where time does = money, those extra bucks spent on that faster processor may be wisely spent.

I'm quite sure I'd be satisfied with the 460M, actually. But, given what I said before about holding onto my laptops for a long time, and given the costs of upgrading later to the 6970M, it seemed prudent to go ahead and put it in now (especially given the aafes discount!).

Sometime for fun I may try to create and graph the curves for Needs vs Satisfaction vs Cost of various computer builds. Maybe I'll win a Nobel Prize like Russell Crowe.

 

Hey guys I called Dell and the automated voice service came up and I asked it when my order is to be shipped and this is what it said order placed on Jan 27, it was shipped on April 11 and expected on April 12.. Idk how that's possible lol but I guess it's cause I have nbd shipping and it'll arrive tomorrow or monday

 

No EDD still 4/18. The CSR says it's in the build stage. I'm also happy with the 460, do not like ATI/AMD. Had to many problems with them.

 

So dell called me today to get my quote to send back to aafes for my "reorder." In the quote (which he was nice enough to email me), it has an EDD of 3/30 if everything goes right.

Went over my minutes usage this month, all cuz of this intel fiasco and confusion that dell didn't exactly help with until the last minute(yesterday to be exact). It's almost over though, as soon as I see the order pop up in my order tracking on aafes.

2720+1080p+6970+3year just in case you're wondering if I decided to spoil myself and make dell even richer.

Can finally change my sig PM me for more details if you're curious about my adventures.

 

dookie, we all now are on the same boat. The waiting period is definitely shorter than I thought, lol.

Just imagine how bustling this forum will be in the next 2-3 weeks.

 

You in the same boat that canceled by dell, and reordered through aafes?

And do you mean bustling as in it will be quiet in next few weeks, or bustling as in busy like it's been ? This thread by far is the one I've posted in the most. Even more so than the ENVY 14 thread I used to frequent lolz. But I cannot honestly attribute it to my purchase alone. YOu folks are among the nicest ppl to talk to online. Unlike some other forums/threads/sites that have alot of e-thugs.

 

boat of people who ordered then cancelled/waited/exhausted..... and now...... EXCITED
2-3 more weeks when we all receive our "new" R3

 

Hey all, got an update on my order today. Both my R3's ordered 1/30 are showing "shipped," complete with Fedex tracking numbers on the Dell site. Mine will be here 3/5 (tomorrow). Finally!

 

You lucky bastid. Let us know how it goes (the fedex shipment). Just want to make sure someone other than me can sign for it if I'm not home.

 

It does say signature required, but from past experience, Fedex accepts any signature. Not sure if that's necessarily a good thing...

 

So lucky! I ordered on 1/31 hope it ships soon too!

 

Mne shipped today and the delivery date 3/8.....finally....

 

Mine Just Shipped With Edd Of 3/10!!!!!!!

 

congrats guys ! No one would expected the fixed machines to be released this soon, lol... If I HAD known this......................

 

It's like with the mandrake's R3 again. He received it at jan 26? While edd is on feb something.

 

Wow, I'm starting to feel left out. I ordered on 1/28 and mine still says 'in production' . And whats worse is that my XPS 1750's graphics card is dying so i have to run it in safe mode right now. I'm thinkin of trying out the oven bake technique on it.

 

Hey all! I got my M17x R3 yesterday, I am sooo glad it came, I guess when the said they would prioritise my shipment, they did. It went from in production to shipped and delivered in two days! I will be live streaming my overview and opinion on it as well as some gameplay tests on Alien Gaming on USTREAM: This channel is where I stream any other games that aren't Minecraft, mainly Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Modern ...

 

I've baked several of the cards in wife's old Inspiron E1705 to get more time out of them while waiting on a replacement. It works well.

 

Don't feel left out...ordered 1/25, EDD still 4/15 and still "in production". So there's at least two of us!

 

Make that 3. Ordered 1/27.. and still nothing. I will prolly get on the phone and start yelling at them until they send it to me.

 

Same here up until yesterday. Original order placed 1/25 and EDD of 4/13. I called and canceled my original order after seeing the new 3D bundle includes the bluray reader for an additional savings of $50 for me. The CSR I spoke with yesterday was a little more open to negotiate, so I ended up getting the 2820 instead of the 2720 for $68 over my original price. EDD is now 3/29.

 

Do you think that Dell will match its current price for the same exact order without me having to reorder it since technically we haven't received anything yet?

 

They wouldn't do it for me when I called on Thursday. They insisted that I had to cancel and re-order. With Dell, it seems to be hit or miss on anything. One time you call and they can't do anything for you and the next time they seem to bend over backwards for you. Try calling or chating to get some new quotes. I found it much easier to get a better deal this time around.

 

hey does anybody have any info on dells return policy? My order shipped today with an EDD of 8 March and well I can get a better set up 500 bucks cheaper on aafes.

 

Given r3 is now back on the site for ordering and those of you who ordered before the sales halt are in process, I am closing this thread.

Order status related posts now belong here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/487300-m17x-order-status-discussion-part-3-a.html

Thanks.