*OFFICIAL* "All Powerful" M15x Owner's Lounge, *Part 2*

I think this goes for US customers too - mine was "In Production" for a long time and then it just appeared in TN and as far as I know Dell does build laptops in Nashville TN.

 

Wow! That's pretty nice.

I'm curious about whether or not the Solid State drive is worth it right now. It's alot of cashola but at the same time looking at prices on newegg right now it seems to be a good deal to get it from Dell. Can anyone who opted for one comment on the quality of it/their impressions?

 

Just got back from taking a gander @ my boy's M15X.

#1. Yes, it does have a BT card installed

#2. Wow, what a NICE system. Very cool and quiet even when gaming. Only way to get an appreciable amount of noise out of it was running Prime95. Runs WoW like a champ @ 1600x900. Screen is very bright and crisp. PSU is much smaller than expected and the keyboard is deceivingly solid and firm.

It's big for a 15" form factor but in a solid, quality kind of way. I really couldn't find any faults with it with the initial once over.

He went with a 820qm and popped in 4GB of Kingston low latency goodness and a 160GB Intel SSD. To say things loaded wicked fast would be an understatement.

I wanted to take it apart, but he firmly said no and handed me a glass of Banfi red vino so that was that.

I might have to eat crow and get one of these. Watching him run a Ony 25 pug clear with no slow down was most nice.

 

Hmmm... my computer does not have bluetooth either.

 

What?.. really? What is going on?

 

Hmm indeed.
Must have bluetooth! Manufacturing error, or need to reset settings to turn on bluetooth?

 

i personally think its a typo on the site. its not listed as an option when you build even though it should be.

i have the dell (samsung) SSD and from the little bit i played with it before i took it apart it was very fast. its a good deal since the 256gb drives on newegg are much more.

other than my screen issue the build is superb. the laptop is nice and solid, everything fits well and layed out nicely.

my biggest gripe so far is the nameplate not matching the picture on the website. the one on dell.com looks engraved. the one i recieved just looks like it was painted on

 

Oh I have question - what program should I download so I know the gpu's temp and stuff?

 

The documentation mentions disabling internal bluetooth. I also seem to remember when I ordered reading someplace that it had bluetooth.

 

When I had my M15x, it did have bluetooth. Wonder what is going on? Why would they remove it?? I hope this is not a case of removing things under customers noses.

 

if the Alien FX does not work, call ALienware tech support: they tried installling and re-installing the software before stating it was a motherboard issue: next day tech support were skeptical, tried a couple of things and finally swapped out the motherboard -- lights worked straight away!
AlienFX will work: if it is not it is symptomatic of a bigger, mobo, issue which ALienware fixes.

 

Well, I know on the Studio 1747 (i7), the bluetooth is backordered and causing delays. It, along with the webcam, is the major delay in getting them out the door.

 

It is surprising though, that they are not informing customers who are expecting bluetooth in their systems. I hope they don't expect people to have them installed later via tech. I have an orochi that I would like to use and am thinking of re-ordering the M15x. (this is really starting to make me hesitate now)

 

these work and have a small footprint:
core temp http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/
and gpu-z http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/

For Canadians waiting on their M15, delivery in Canada is with Purolator and the website does update with a tracking number once the unit has made it to the depot in the States. Mine has a made in China label, which is Alienware's main factory, as opposed to Malaysia where Dell's are built.

 

Thanks so much ^_^

 

Well, you've had one before and you liked it except for the issues that the new BIOS cleared up. I wouldn't deny an order based on a $20 card, personally, but that's just me.

Then again, I was really impressed with the fit and finish and especially the keyboard and screen crispness and brightness of the M15X. I fully expected to go over there ready to rail on it. But I was impressed all the way.

 

well apologies to shadowaracc, seems that while my invoice has all the bluetooth parts listed, none appear to exist in the system when I search using device manager or system devices -- maybe they are shipping without the back ordered part (positive spin) or there's a problem on the production line and the minicard got skipped (less generous suspicion). Sent Dell and email so see what comes of that first.

Meanwhile, as somebody else had posted, my GeForce 240 shows up in system description as 1gb and not 512mb -- awesome!

 

Dell seldom replies to email... its better to contact them directly through phone imo.

 

electrosoft so you saw a M15x at 1600x900 resolution and the viewing angels are awesome? Quality was brilliant?

When you said you saw WoW, was it in Ultra settings with MAX Shadows with AA 8x? What were the frame rates?

 

I'm nearly at the point of about to buy on of these puppies. I'm a photographer and need the power to handle lots of raw images open at one.

How does this screen go for colour gamma? Maybe compared to the MacBook pro? Is th m15x screen do you think good for photo editing?

 

I write software that produces EPS files for printing on industrial printers. 1000mm wide and up to 5000mm long.

The preview of my EPS files look very accurate, much better then on my 24 inch Ilyama pro.

Some reviews have reported that the 1080p screen needs turning up in a bright room for best results.

I found exactly the opposite, on a cloudy day I have to turn my display down as the white windows background is too bright for my liking.

Best future

Already after a few days everyone in the office knows, if the lid shows a red Alien head, they leave me well alone = busy programming.

If it shows blue it's Ok to have a chat and a coffee.

 

Thanks, i know, it wont be that easy to handle as the old one, but its a great machine and i dont mind carry the AC plug

just have to confess to my wife, that i spent 3k on a gaming machine but i will blame it on you guys tell her, that you convinced me to buy it

whats the bluetooth issue all about ? production mistake

 

hope not... still awaiting my system, but the specs sheet says it has bluetooth included. I guess we'll see soon!

THe people with arriving systems without bluetooth -- US or Canadian or Other?

 

i dont know, but my order receipt stats that i'll be getting Bluetooth: Internal Bluetooth 2.1 Mini-Card - 2.1 Enhanced Data Rate, so i guess we'll have to just wait and see.

 

Well from outside US I can confirm my one does have BT by default, ordered 20/10 arrived 30/10.

 

Thanks for your reply much appreciated
So do you think this would be better for photo editing, lightroom, photoshop ect than a mac? In terms of speed, power, accuracyin colours?

For me its between this and a Macbook Pro

 

I can only vote on speed, if that helps?

I run;

Windows Server 2008 RC2

SQL Server 2008

Visual Studio 2010 Beta2

Windows 7 Pro in virtual mode (to pretend I connect to the Server 2008)

Plus my software on top of it all in the development environment.

ALL at the same time!

And the little Alien does not even switch the fans on

 

vek2001 What's the status on your AAFES M15x bro? Any problems on your order status or money order?

 

right now its saying on the AAFES website that the Order has been received by supplier. Shipping in process. my account has been charged, and i will be calling back later to get my PO# so i can track my order.

no problems as of yet, i will keep my fingers crossed.(and toes) so are you ordering through AAFES Nivaku?

 

Hell yeah vek, Semper-Fi Marine Corps.

I'm still currently deployed atm so once I go back to LeJeune then I'll take leave sometime first week of December. But I'll order my Lappy through AAFES mid November, so when I'm at home on December it should be at my door

I just hope there is no problems when I receive it. *knocks on wood* My back up laptop if Alienware fails me is the Asus G51J from newegg.

 

sounds good man, i know your excited about that, what better feeling then to come home to the family and friends and that sweet m15x lappy.

 

I would recommend calling Dell and talking to them about it. The online Chat person I spoke to yesterday confirmed it is part of the default spec and only shows up on the Tech Spec because it is not a custom option. The only things that show up on your order are options you have to change.

I will let everyone know if mine comes with BT or not by Thursday.

 

actually you cant change the wireless card or the sound but they are still listed in the config

ive already talked to them and will be receiving my BT card this week. now just to deal with the display. if the part sent isn't right either ill be requesting a replacement laptop.

 

Are they coming out to install it?

 

Did anyone else order the M15x with the 512MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M on or around 10/19/2009. If so can you confirm for me if your video card is showing up as 512mb or 1gb

 

lol no. if you go back i've already disassembled the laptop because of the lcd. i much prefer to take it apart myself as i'm the one with the $$ invested. you never know if you are going to get a tech that doesn't care if they scratch anything or do a poor job.

 

Hey shadow I must have missed it, but what is wrong with your LCD?

 

Yes!... Getting my m15x Tomorrow.

about the bluetooth... So my first order listed the bluetooth 2.1 card.

I canceled that to modify the order and I didn't notice but the new order
doesn't have it on the list....????

Also

I went onto the alien ware site and built my config and in the review order section.... Bluetooth is not shown... did they do away with it?

I'm kinda upset since it was supposed to be on the order but besides usage with a mouse... what else is BT good for? Can you sync up laptops via bluetooth? bc if you can that I'm really pissed! ><

 

Shadows to zero. It is just a knee jerk reaction now.

Everything to max at 1600x900. I think AA was 4x. Tonight we're trying (let me emphasize trying) some team PvP with a few other buds who have MSI GX720's and one with a GT725 (along with the glorious M15X), so I'll get a chance to really dig into it either before or after and run some more tests, but the Ony25 pug passed the litmus test (Phase 2 when you group up the whelps and it is AoE-palooza).

My druid hasn't cleared Ony 25 this week (My Hunter has), so hopefully I'll be able to queue up and snag a group and give it a try myself or take a gander into WG.

 

now 8 days IN PRODUCTION i hope its worth it

 

Yeah, I just went and put together a order to see, and the BT doesn't show up in the, "Also Included," section anymore. Probably a supply issue IMHO.

I have never really used BT much on laptops. I still swear by my Microsoft wired optical wheel mouse, for which I use several and have several new ones in a OEM pack for when the current ones die. Same goes with Apple Extended Keyboard II's. I have 2 new ones for backup when my current one (which is my 3rd one overall) dies.

 

Mine was ordered on the 21/10/2009 and my GT240M shows 1gig.

UK Spec says it should be 512!

Wonder if they had run out of 512 cards?

 

at first i thought i had a dead pixel but it turns out there was a piece of trash behind the edge to edge cover. the lcd and the lexan coer are bonded together. my replacement is already in but i wont put it all back together til tomorrow when the bluetooth card arrives.

if i still have an issue after that the tech is going to call in and have the entire unit replaced.

 

apologies to anyone I have confused, but this has been a learning journey with the new laptop: having stated I did have the BT module and then retracting that when I could not find it in device manager, I have since downloaded the BT driver from the Dell site and successfully connected a BT mouse. Seems the mouse shows up in device manager but not the minicard itself.
So anyone concerned with whether they do or do not have the BT module installed, make sure you download the driver and attempt to connect something first, rather than just relying upon device manager or system properties to list out the components.

The 240 card is definitely 1gb in my machine.

 

I will post an update when my machine gets in tomorrow on BT and the video card. My order does not list it but according the the online tech they all should come with one.

lgsshedden - Thanks for the info, I will check for the drivers before I make any assumptions. I doubt I will take my machine apart to look for the card on the first day I get the machine

shadowarachh - Sorry - I remember the post but had forgotten. I am glad you are getting everything squared away.

Roxy - I am still waiting for more pictures!

 

Oh thats right. I had forgotten that I did read your post regarding that. It is a shame, I thought this problem was more focused on the XPS16. Sorry that had to happen to you. I hope it turns out well for you!

Edit: Thanks lgss, gives me hope that it just maybe that there is no driver installed. *crossing fingers*

 

ok, just an update on my order ... im currently in the build stage, i talked to an AAFES rep yesterday and told them I want it expedited, but they don't do that,.. but she was cool and she said she'd email dell (I know dell doesnt respond to emails very well) and see if they could get it to me my the 16th.

oh yeah, my EDD is the 24th of nov. im about to call back and talk to the dell rep at AAFES and see what magic he can work with his people. below is a list of my specs.

1 224-6812 BASE,NBK,ANW,BLK,M15X
1 317-2396 Intel Core i7 720QM 1.6GHz (2.8 GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
1 317-2401 6GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz 1 x 2048MB + 1 x 4096MB
1 320-0936 15.6-inch Wide FHD 1920x1080 (1080p) WLED
1 320-0938 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M
1 341-9754 500GB SATAII 7,200RPM
1 330-6174 Personalized Nameplate
1 330-6106 Personalized Nameplate Trigger
1 313-8792 AlienFX Color, Quasar Blue
1 421-1590 Alienware Command Center Software
1 421-1400 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp 2.0 Basic
1 420-6436 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 421-1572 Alienhead Glow
1 410-1883 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
1 313-8569 Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
1 421-1304 CyberLink PowerDVD 8.0 Software
1 421-1305 Nero 9 Media Burning Software
1 313-8944 5.1 Channel Audio
1 430-0686 Intel WiFi Link 5300 802.11AGN Half Mini Card
1 330-6352 AUTO-UPDATES,OFF
1 312-0206 Primary - 9-cell (85Watt) Lithium-Ion Battery
1 988-7347 No Warranty beyond 1 year
1 905-3017 Dell Limited Hardware Warranty Plus At-Home Service, Initial Year
1 990-8029 1 Year Limited Warranty and Next Business Day,Desktop
1 906-0700 Next Business Day In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis , Initial Year
1 994-3730 Warranty Support,Initial Year
1 421-1721 Soft Contracts,Banktec Care,Alienware
1 421-1593 Alienhead Chrome Blue
1 430-0684 Internal Bluetooth 2.1 Mini-Card - 2.1 Enhanced Data Rate

 

Thanks for the update vek, and congrats on your purchase!

Edit: I unfortunately have to wait for my refund from HP due to a Envy 15 that was DOA.

 

no prob @ bubba, .. now im just waiting for a email or a call to let me know if they'll be able to expedite.

 

Many times if you call the Dell customer service and have it escalated to resolutions, they can expedite for you. Especially since the order is now in Dell's hands/computers.