M17x and Blu-Ray ?s

I just got done talking to Dell Sales about ordering a new M17X-R2. I was just about ready to take the plunge when I was informed that Dell has no Blu-Ray drives for their M17x. She said that they ran out of stock and there is no estimate on when they will be available again. Now I don't know about you, but when I spend $2800 for a laptop, I kind of expect it to have a BDD in it.

So here are my questions.

How difficult is it to replace the internal optical drive? I know it is a slot load so it doesn't just slide out the side of the laptop like 95% of all others do. I have dismantled my Inspiron 9300 more times than I can count so I'm not intimidated by a little screwdriver work and some prying.

Has anyone found a source to buy a slot load laptop BDD? I've been searching and I'm coming up empty handed.

I'm thinking that if I can't get an internal replacement drive, I might just get an external BDD. The laptop has the esata port. Would I be wrong in thinking that a BDD hooked to the esata port should achieve the same performance as an internal drive? All of the reviews that I have seen about USB BDD are 90% poor.

This one is a stretch but, has anyone seen and external slim enclosure for a slim optical drive with an esata interface? I have found a couple of slim externals with USB interface, but can't find one with an esata.

Any advice would be appreciated. I really want one of these computers but the lack of BDD is a serious setback for me.

 

This type of comment seems to always be used here, it's almost cliche.

 

Good point. Would it be better if I were to state, "I'm not going to spend $2800 for a laptop and not get BDD with it."?

 

jcaulley,

Unfortunately the only company at the moment that's making a slot-loading bluray burner is Panasonic. For whatever reason, since releasing the drive they've never really been able to ramp up production. Those that are available are in such small quantities that they get easily scooped up before someone like Dell can get their hands on it.

This is the same reason you won't see bluray in an Apple laptop anytime in the near future.

Given the cost of bluray media the drives really aren't very cost effective. With a good DVD playback program like PowerDVD ultra, DVDs will look very close to bluray quality on notebooks.

If your needs are storage related, an external hard drive would better fit the bill at a much lower cost per megabyte. If your needs are entertainment related HD content is available online for purchase/download or you can upscale DVDs.

I'm kindof in the same situation as you and have after examining all of the available options discovered that at this time bluray isn't ready for primetime in notebooks.

For example, assuming a drive would happen to be available... What happens in a month or so when the drive dies or needs replaced? Given the very limited supply of these things you could be driveless for weeks or months because the service parts just aren't available.

My point is you have alot of options and the bluray one isn't all that it appears to be.

 

If you call them they can add the blu-ray manually, you just can't configure it online, but it may also delay the notebook.

 

As of a few days ago sales folks no longer have that even as an option on the R2's in the US.

Our corporate rep even tried placing the order through enterprise channels and it was immediately flagged and canceled as soon as he tried to submit it.

 

I have just order my alienware M17x. I talked to the sales rep about the bluray. She said it's possible to add the blu-ray manually, but it may delay the delivery date.

 

The slot load BD-RE that was offered with the M17x-R1 is a Panasonic UJ-235A. http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/storage/P168014/en/index.htm The install is fairly easy. See service manual at http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/M17x/ page 66-68. I saw them for sale new on Ebay for several weeks but don't see any there right now. I'm sure they'll be available again soon. I have looked around and haven't seen any other slot load BD SATA drives.

 

I'm getting an m17x as a replacement for my dell m1730... the replacement hit my account Monday as In Production and it's listed as having blu-ray. Maybe they are just trickling in and it's a timing issue.

 

Really appreciate the links. That is just the info that I was looking for. There appear to be a few places online that claim to have the BDD in stock.

 

The drive is not very easy to install. I completed it but it requires an almost completely disassemble of the laptop.

 

Since I know it will come up at some point, better to add it to the thread now for future reference. This is also posted by fastlappy in another thread somewhere.

In addition to the Panasonic BluRay Burner, the M17xR1 also shipped with the Sony-Optiarc BC5600-S Reader.
http://www.sonynec-optiarc.com/products/slim_slotbdcombo/index.html

I installed this drive and its performing fine.

 

I called again and they told me that they can not add it. I even asked for a used one or anything they had. They said no. I been calling over a month and about to pay over $3,000. I am not waiting much longer, there are a lot of other systems out there. Soon as i find one I like I am going to buy it

 

They are now offering again the Blu-ray drives for M17x-R2 on the Dell US site.

 

I do not understand. I been calling them 3 times a week and even called them this morning they said no. Now on the site it is offered. Every rep I have talked to said they will call back as soon as it is available but did not receive a call. I am going to make another call.


update. When you click it to config it it states

"Compatibility Instructions Errors: The Optical Drive you have selected is not available with the Operating System selected. Please change to one of the selected options"

 

*Lets out primal scream at Michael Dell voodoo doll*

Thanks for the heads up... maybe for laughs I should open another order and see what the date is WITH the drive....

 

Anyone have the link to that $100 coupon code going around or a better coupon? I can not find that thread. Now this dam thing is going to cost about $3,800 any type of coupon will be nice even if it is expired I can use it to bargain with. I also have epp so that will help.

 

When I try to configure with the blu-ray drive (not the burner, just player) it says it's not compatible with the operating system. Obviously it is, since I'm currently using it on Windows 7..... lol

 

Bluray's are an option again.


Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW) [Included in Price]
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW) [add $150 or $5/month1]
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Burner (BR-R, DVD+-RW, CD-RW) [add $300 or $9/month1]

However, if you choose a bluray option you will get a compatibility alert from the configurator saying that there's an issue with the OS choice. I tried all three options all with the same result.

 

Dell's configuration page is essentially just a ton of Javascript code . . . someone forgot to add in a few conditional statements.

About time Dell added this option. I have noticed that almost all of the i7-based notebooks from most manufacturers do not have Blu-ray as an option for some reason.

 

Really? What about Dell Studio? I3 and Blu-ray, no?