My XPS 1730 "replacement" M17x-r2

My XPS 1730 recently began over heating and shutting down (M1004 error). Admittedly I have had quite a few problems with this laptop over the last 9-10 months, luckily I have the extended warranty with in home care. When I called Dell the service tech placed me on hold so he could review my history. When he came back on the line I asked if they could just replace the system. He did get approval to replace it from a supervisor.

I've been away from pc hardware for awhile and I am just wondering how much of an upgrade the Alienware is going to be over the XPS.

My current system has:
T8300
6 GB Ram
320 G HDD
dvd burner
Dual Nvidia GeForce 9800M GT/ 512 Mb Each
Webcam
Blue tooth
802.11 b/g
Windows Vista 64

My replacement system consists of:

1 224-8107 Space Black - Anodized Aluminum
1 310-0173 Airborne Documentation, System Exchanges,Factory Install
1 313-8792 AlienFX Color, Quasar Blue
1 313-8944 5.1 Channel Audio
1 313-8977 8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive,QuickSilver
1 317-3654 Intel Core i5 520M 2.4GHz (2.93GHz Turbo Mode, 3MB Cache)
1 317-3661 6GB DDR3 at 1066MHz
1 320-8856 17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED (1200p)
1 320-8858 Dual 1GB ATI Radeon Mobility HD 4870 in CrossfireX
1 330-6175 Standard Nameplate
1 330-7841 Alienware M17x 240W A/C Adapter
1 342-0667 320GB 7,200RPM SATA-II HDD
1 410-0191 Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 - English
1 410-1883 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
1 420-6436 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp 2.0 Basic
1 421-1304 CyberLink PowerDVD 8.0 Software
1 421-1305 Nero 9 Media Burning Software
1 421-1360 Steam and Portal Factory Installed
1 421-1400 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
1 421-1573 Alienhead 3D
1 421-1591 Alienhead 3D
1 421-1721 Soft Contracts,Banktec Care,Alienware
1 421-2261 Alienware Command Center, M17x
1 430-0628 Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR
1 430-3688 Dell Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini Card

 

I think it's a great replacement, they matched everything close to what you had. They could have upgraded your CPU, but Apples to Apples, its a updated version of what you had, and you have the new i5 tech to boot.

 

Yeah I'd be happy with that, when do you expect to get your system?

 

The Dell rep I worked with agreed to expedite my replacement system so I was hoping to have it today since my order went to production on April 1st. I called Dell today and they said it would be a few more days because the keyboards are on back order. The good thing is since they are expediting my order I get free next business day delivery.

Maybe I am hoping for too much but this looks like a pretty big step up from my current XPS.

 

It's a huge (and awesome) step up. You'll love it. Congratulations!

 

I am also hoping to get the really nice black box with the owners manual, hat, mouse pad etc. Can anyone tell if those items are included in my order? I don't see the restore disk etc in there either, I may have to call cust. service if I do not get them. I did with my XPS so I expect to get them with the new system.

 

Rest assured, they are included. You'll get your sexy hat, a thick mouse pad and a thicker anti-noob manual. The respawn disk might not be there but the OS and the Resource DVDs will be included.
Congrats on the awesome replacement!

 

And to think, my replacement probably won't even go into production for another two weeks, and then I "might" get it around May 7th... Gotta love the disparity...

You will be getting a nice replacement. I am surprised that your M1730 has lasted this long. When I had the line, I went through three of them in less than 6 months. I think you will be most impressed with the solid feel of the AW, no more chassis flex when you pick up the laptop.

 

I wouldn't be so sure, expediting doesn't seem to mean too much. My replacement system was expedited as well (went in production the day after the order placed), but it seems it takes just about as long once you hit production. Mine has been sitting in production since March 23rd.

 

That's a sexy freaking laptop! Grats!!

 

jesus what a deal its goin to blow your 1730 away. congrats

 

i'm in the same boat as you. my m1730 died after a lousy 6 months. took the smokey part of beeing smokey grey a little too serious..
also getting m17x-r2 and ordered on 1 april
only dual ati has 16 days leadtime....
my order was also on expedite but as far that is worth it will take time. i'm not expection it within the next 2 weeks.

my order status:
it's still in pre production.. since 1ste of april.
edd for my system is still 7th of may

 

What's the difference between a respawn disc and OS?

 

Respawn disc is a disc used to restore your system to the day you got it. Useful if your system crashes or you get new hard drives. It comes with everything loaded on it that came with your laptop. O/S disc only has windows 7. Respawn disc will already have all the drivers and alienware stuff so you won't have to spend extra time reinstalling disc. It's an Image of your laptop as shipped from the factory.

 

I'm in a similar boat getting my 2 year old m1730 replaced with a m17x (btw, for those of you who disliked the m1730, I personally felt it was a great machine and had 0 issues with it until the 8800's decided to melt down)

I think the OP is being overly optimistic though. My order was also "Expedited" and "put on a hot sheet". It was approved on the 23rd of march and has been In Production since the 24th. I called earlier this week (Monday the 5th of april) and was informed that on that day, they were starting to process orders from march 14th. Their estimated shipping date for mine was the 20th of april.

Good luck getting yours in one week

(oh, also, if you push a bit, you should be able to get an i7 in there... My T9300 was matched to an i7 720 after I insisted the i5 was insufficient)

 

My rep told me they upgraded my processor and ram because I had an NVidia card and those are no longer offered in the M17xR2, so that's how he could compensate. HUGE upgrade for me, coming from T8300 and 8800GTX SLI, I think the R2 in production for me is just decked save for SSDs

 

My Alienware didn't ship yesterday like I was told, new ship dates are 15th is earliest, and 20th is the latest. I have a buyer for this thing but he is getting anxious. I think he maybe dropping off