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    *OFFICIAL* "All Powerful" M15x Owners Lounge, *Part 3*

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Kamin_Majere, Dec 8, 2009.

  1. ArchNemesis

    ArchNemesis Notebook Evangelist

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    I bought my girlfriend's M1530 with a 256GB SSD...

    That hurt my wallet but it's fun watching her Lappy fly when she turns it on or when we play a game and she's the first to load the map while i'm lugging behind with my 500gb 7200 HDD.

    I'll eventually switch to a SSD once they have a good space to price ratio...

    a 60gb SSD is not worth it when you gotta store your games on a damn external... What's the point of having a SSD if you still gotta wait on the external? Sure boot up and shut off is practically instant... but in all honesty i think that tech shines with gaming.
     
  2. inap

    inap .........................

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    yeah i got a 160 gb right now and it almost at full capacity, 256 would be a perfect fit for me. waiting for price to drop too. just lucky i got a sweet deal on this one.
     
  3. ethanh8791

    ethanh8791 Notebook Consultant

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    I have a 60GB OCZ Vertex Turbo and yes the space does fill up quickly. With the games I play regularly installed on it and O/S I have 23.4GB remaining free space which is fine for me. Hooking up an external drive for downloads, multimedia and other stuff that doesn't need performance boost is my solution to the small ssd size. It just means you have to be more wary of what you download to your main hd, that's all.

    I also have another laptop that I use for productivity stuff, graphic design, downloads etc...so it makes it quit tolerable..
     
  4. Jstarnino

    Jstarnino Notebook Deity

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    Hello I'm back! havent been on these forums all weekend cuz i've been too occupied mesing around with my newly acquired M15x!! And i just gotta say, for anyone who is thinking of buying one, but isn't sure. the simple answer would be: JUST GET ONE! THESE LAPTOPS ( or portable desktops i would call them lol) ARE AMAZING !!!

    Yea im going to have to wait for 512ssd to come out, and for their price to be affordable ( im thinking in about a year or so). I just got my M15x, and loaded up 180gigs of music, and about 20gigs of other stuff, so thats 200/500gb (or 451 of actualy useable space) already used up for me :S. i really can't wait to use a SSD though, because it becomes so apprent with these super-fast cpus that the rpm hdd really tie their true power and performance down. Like when it runs apps off the ram it loads up in a flash, and when i start up a program that hasn't been copied to ram( and i hear the hdd spinning), it takes about just as long as my pentium 4 3.2ghz did :s

    But besides my hd, THIS THING IS A BEAST. i was running Farcry 2 in windowed mode maxed out ( 2xAA), surfing the web with about 3~4 tabs, had gpuz, cpuz, real temp and fraps on, playing music off itunes, and downloading music, all at the same time and it didn't skip a beat :D :D :D

    Ok ok so i was showing off to my friends :D but by far the best laptop experience ever. ( also i've managed to get 1:50mins of battery life browsing and downloading music) on a 6 cell batt, not too shabby!
     
  5. Jstarnino

    Jstarnino Notebook Deity

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    Also, is it just me or does 20fps seem completely playable? why everyone going for 30fps all the time? i honestly don't rly notice a diffrence ( as long as it doesn't dip below 20 i mean)
     
  6. Jstarnino

    Jstarnino Notebook Deity

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    hey bro, does ur SSD have TRIM n all ?
     
  7. inap

    inap .........................

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    just got back and already triple posting, lol yeah i got trim enable on my ssd also 20 fps is very playable, i think your eyes can see roughly about 20 fps, so anything above that is good.
     
  8. Thierry19

    Thierry19 Coffee enthusiast

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    Technically, after 17 fps, its looks fine for your eyes. Below this it just sucks, and over 25/30, the difference is not really clear.
    So Yeah, I've had it for 5 days now, they are a few things I want to tell to anyone consider buying a M15x.
    First, I have the 6 cell battery, yesterday while i was working on a paper for school, I had it unplugged, running at max brightness, Alien FX enabled and wifi on, and I ran it for almost 2 hours! (about 1hr40 min actually)
    This was one of my biggest concern when I bought it, and now I dont even worry about it, its long enough!
    Also, this laptop sure is big and all, but not that heavy or large! I mean, its about the same weight as my old Inspiron lattitude 1501, a little thicked, but a hundred time better, with a nice and quiet cooling system.
    Plus, the 900p screen is gorgeous, I keep changing wallpapers [currently using this one http://us.download.nvidia.com/downl...ers/NVArt_III/Heiko_Klug_Fusion_HR_16x12.jpg] and the colors are crisp and brilliant!
    As for the performance, I have yet to find the limit of this beast, its running Left 4 Dead 2 and bioshock maxed like a breeze!!
    Damn I love my AW.
     
  9. inap

    inap .........................

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    also if any of you guys have time to do a few benches, that would be sweet. so people could know what this system can do.
     
  10. Thierry19

    Thierry19 Coffee enthusiast

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    Errr, I hope that wasnt meant to be mean :(

    @ InnapropiateName_3; Why dont YOU do it? You are the one with the 920XM in here!
     
  11. {IB} Unforgiven

    {IB} Unforgiven Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ha! he did do it, its in his sig!
     
  12. anand00x

    anand00x Notebook Evangelist

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    What windows experience score do you get with the OCZ?
     
  13. Smeggit

    Smeggit Notebook Evangelist

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    I plan on doing some benchmarks and boot/load time comparisons before and after the SSD upgrade :)

    On a side note, I got an Everki 17" backpack and it was not up to the task. Size was good but after just 2 months the carry handle has ripped off completely.
     
  14. echoblack

    echoblack Notebook Consultant

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    Ya, the 30GB works for me because I use Linux. It doesn't take up any space.. OS ~3GB. I can use a FileSystem that never gets fragmented. I can also put want needs to be fast on the SSD and what doesn't matter on my second drive which is a HHD.
     
  15. echoblack

    echoblack Notebook Consultant

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  16. caduceusnz

    caduceusnz Notebook Consultant

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    I hear your pain. Where are you located anyway? Seems where InappropriateName_3 comes from they send out an adaptor as standard.

    Looking around I don't see many monitors with DP cables (including Dell!). Going for DP/VGA instead of HDMI and/or DVI is definitely my main "what the...?!" with the M15x.
     
  17. Wattos

    Wattos Notebook Deity

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    Its because Dell invested in the DP standard. Hdmi can be thought of the competing standard and thats why they are not placing it in their notebooks. Spreading DP in all of their notebooks is a way to make DP, the most accepted standard, even if its a bit late now/
     
  18. Laxxi

    Laxxi Notebook Evangelist

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    Ok so I ordered my M15x last Tuesday, it apparently shipped on Thursday and the Dell rep said it would be here in 48 hours (liar) but no joy. I've been checking the UPS website and it would seem they haven't even received it yet... The tracking number just comes up with "Billing Information Received - 02/02/10", which is TODAY... But still no change. Should I be worried? Because I am! Getting very corncerned/paranoid and could really do with some reassurance or advice. When I did speak to the (lying) Dell rep he said that the matter was out of Dell's hands which kind of pissed me off a little bit... So, whats the score?

    *I'm in the UK and its only 11am so maybe I'm panicking a little early, maybe the tracking number will change, but for some reason I really doubt it.

    :*(
     
  19. Amy189

    Amy189 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I had a similiar problem. Showed as shipped on a monday but ups didn't get it until the thursday. Hopefully they should pick it up soon. One good thing is that ups are very quick at getting it to you in uk (mine should of been 48 hours from netherlands but was delayed by the weekend). Hope you get yours soon
     
  20. echoblack

    echoblack Notebook Consultant

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    Ya, that sucks... UPS is fairly good about updating there website but not always. I don't think your going to get completely screwed. I am sure you will get your laptop.... Boy it shipped last week? UPS works M-Sat I think they even work on Sun but just don't deliver on Sunday.... Still though I bet you will get it. That really suck to have to wait so long. Keep us posted.
     
  21. vafaskillz

    vafaskillz Notebook Geek

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    Feb 2, 2010 8:46 AM
    On FedEx vehicle for delivery
    NASHVILLE, TN


    MMMMMMM.
     
  22. Laxxi

    Laxxi Notebook Evangelist

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    Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

    It finally updated! I'm over the moon. Delivery date is set for the 4th (two days time!) so it should be here real soon! Thanks for your encouraging words guys, I was all outta faith for a while.

    Just one little question... Where are these systems put together, because apparently mine is chilling out in Holland as we speak... If I'd have known it was going anywhere near the Netherlands I would've popped over to pick it up and killed two birds with one stoner...

    ;)
     
  23. Avengement

    Avengement Notebook Consultant

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    Hmm. My M15x's screen is no longer turning on right away when I turn on the computer. It stays off until the windows login screen comes up. It was working fine last night. Any suggestions anyone?
     
  24. inap

    inap .........................

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    i haven't seen this issues before, is it happening everytime or just random once in awhile? also what display driver are you using?
     
  25. clay00024

    clay00024 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Has anyone order it with the i5 chip?
     
  26. stargtsi

    stargtsi Notebook Guru

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    mine does the same thing when its hooked to ac power when i pull the plug and plug it in it again then shows the boot screens
     
  27. Laxxi

    Laxxi Notebook Evangelist

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    If they have, then somebody needs to do this to them for being such a fool! "Crapping out" on your processor, as one user put it a few days back, should be a crime punishable by death!
     
  28. inap

    inap .........................

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    haven't seen anyone with i5 either, maybe its too new.
     
  29. clay00024

    clay00024 Notebook Enthusiast

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    You would think someone out there has one. I want to know if it has better battery life than the I7
     
  30. {IB} Unforgiven

    {IB} Unforgiven Notebook Enthusiast

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    I remember reading about this? what is your brightness set at? try turning it up a notch or 2 and that should fix. My will be here tomorrow so i cant test but pretty sure thats it.
     
  31. corrupt05

    corrupt05 Notebook Consultant

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    ok dudes I might have the definitive fix for the iphone sync issue :D .. today my dad received his new 16GB 3GS, he has a new i7 acer laptop with PM55 chipset...

    As I expected he was bombarded with the usual errors and unable to sync.. Finally got it to work, I'm seeing if I can post the neccesary files without having it include any personal info from my own iphone..
     
  32. hemingsen

    hemingsen Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sometimes when I start up my m15x the fans will run at full blast for a few minutes and then stop. Is there anyway to get it to start up normal always, when the fans are at full blast for only a few seconds?
     
  33. inap

    inap .........................

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    do you have something in the disc drive when this happens?
     
  34. hemingsen

    hemingsen Notebook Enthusiast

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    I do not have anything in the disc drive.
     
  35. jujojujo_2003

    jujojujo_2003 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So can some one tell me how I can access the Advanced section of the alien FX Control panel?
    I can see only a basic section.
    I want to do some color morphing and other stuffs like pulsing lights,etc
    Any Idea?
     
  36. inap

    inap .........................

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    when you make a new profile it will ask if you want basic or advanced. or just download the one from my sig and use it to edit. enjoy the many hours ahead of you, when making one of these. :D
     
  37. anand00x

    anand00x Notebook Evangelist

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    I think I finally decided on an SSD any input would be greatly appreciated.

    OCZ Agility 60GB SSD
    Firmware 1.5 that has both TRIM and Garbage Collection as well as a much better wear leveling algorithm.
    3 year warranty
    Interface Type SATA II
    Features 64MB Onboard Cache
    Sequential Access - Read Up to 230 MB/s
    Sequential Access - Write Up to 135 MB/s
    $155 Shipped

    Pull the trigger?
     
  38. inap

    inap .........................

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    from everything i read, it seems to be a great ssd. and price wise is pretty good too. so do it, do it now,lol.
     
  39. Thierry19

    Thierry19 Coffee enthusiast

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    Does any of you guys use the intel turbo boost gadget? Its petty sweet imo
     
  40. vafaskillz

    vafaskillz Notebook Geek

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    Got my laptop this afternoon. What a ing WORK OF art! Its absolutely gorgeous and constructed with amazing care. I am really impressed.

    No one talks about the keyboard much, but DAMN is it slick and crispy when you type.

    The trackpad is responsive, however looks grainy moving across the screen....is there a fix for that, or are we stuck with that crap!?

    I got the 720qm and it screams speed. Very impressive thus far.

    Im currently pimping all white lights and a red media control. Sexy.
     
  41. Thierry19

    Thierry19 Coffee enthusiast

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    Youan simply uninstall the touchpad driver, it works muh better with th MS one :p
    And congrats for your system!
     
  42. vafaskillz

    vafaskillz Notebook Geek

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    after I uninstall the driver, do I do anything else?
     
  43. Mutoloco

    Mutoloco Notebook Guru

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    vafa, it's a mutha sexy machine! I'm still learning Lighting system, in fact, I just learned few days ago that it could blink and morph colors at same time! jeezbux! Right now, I got full aqua (easy on my eyes) for gaming n surfing and a police siren theme (flashin blue n red) to show off hahah!!

    Congrats and welcome!
     
  44. echoblack

    echoblack Notebook Consultant

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    After you Un-install the touchpad driver in the device manager. Windows should pop up relatively soon after saying New Device found and then you ask it to go to the Internet to look for the Driver. Then it will download and install the MS driver form the Microsoft servers.

    If it doesn't pop up asking about a New device found. I am sure it will do it shortly after a reboot.

    ---------------------

    Man, I am stoked to have a laptop with unbelievably cool Lighting system. I am going to take it to star-bucks as soon as I get some cool morphing flashing theme going on. It will be fun to watch people as they keep looking over at my flashing color changing lights on my laptop.... While there doing that I'll be sniffing their face-book password :p

    ---------------------

    I'm glad to here the Keyboard is soo good. That is vary important to me. I've used a someones dell before that had a honorable keyboard. Like there was no click at all. So, I ended up having to like pound on the keys to make sure they were working. With out that max tension about half way down the key travel then no tension the rest of the way, it is hard to type fast...( you know the like, click). You know what I'm saying?

    ----------------------

    Ya, man that OCZ Agility looks like The One to buy. $150 not bad to pay and 60GB is big enough. No large archive of movies but it is worth it for the reliability and performance of the SSD. It is a tad slower then the Vertex but I don't think you would ever notice in reality. Also, one of the main things that Is noticeable is that all SSD's have like NO latency, Much unlike a HDD that has to seek around every time it has to find some data. As far as Gaming goes the Read speed is what is going to get the game going fast. It needs to Read all the data for the textures and stuff. I don't think Games Write all that much to the disk in game play. So, the slightly slower Write speed flat out doesn't matter when your talking about Gaming, if all that is true. Also, OCZ has Amazing costumer service. They are on the forums all the time. The Vertex was built with specs that the costumers on their forums were asking for. As they were making new firmware versions they were asking the people what they wanted and that is what they did. When making a SSD there are a lot of triad offs... Like faster speed or better ware-leveling... Faster Sequential write or Faster Random write.... Like the forums is the designer department. For the Agility too.

    I'm going to buy the 60GB Agility also. Then with the money saved by not buying the 60GB Vertex. I'm going to keep my 30GB Vertex and put it in my eSATA external drive case. That way I don't have to worry about my external drive braking in my bag or getting knocked around on the table.
     
  45. vafaskillz

    vafaskillz Notebook Geek

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    sweet! it worked...the touchpad is now working flawlessly with no lag. Why do people complain so much if the fix is so simple!?

    I also want to say that I owned an area-51 m17x and a dell xps m1730....both had the 1080p screens and I always felt like the screens could not get any better/brighter. BOY WAS I WRONG. The screen on this machine is to die for...and this is coming from one of the pickiest people on earth....wowowowowowwow

    The size is also perfect. Who says this isn't portable? Now, if you are a tiny little girl, then it would look huge if it were on your lap, but to a normal man....this thing is the perfect balance of size and power. I even like the added few pounds...feels like you have more balance on your lap.

    The speakers are a HUGGGGE improvement over the last generation alienware speakers. I am actually very pleased with the sound. It is loud enough to fill an entire room comfortably and the sound is crisp. Sure, there is not bass, but who wants their 2000+ dollar laptop being rattled by a puny subwoofer? Not I. if you want that kind of sound, just hook it up to some externals.

    Face recognition....working flawless for me.

    I have not done any of the stress testing, and I won't until I break it in for a few weeks.

    Amazing. I will add more thoughts as the days come. I finally found a laptop I can say is close to perfect. w000t!
     
  46. echoblack

    echoblack Notebook Consultant

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    vafaskillz: I am vary glad to here you like the screen in this laptop and that you have seen other 1080p screens to compare it with. The screen on my current laptop is one reason I am selling it after only 4 months. I want a nice 1080p with bright LED backlight. I am vary picky about that stuff too. My current laptop screen is good pixel density 1680x1050 15". But it is the CCFL or what ever the old school kind. This screen is vary dim and unevenly lit. Like around the edge it is brighter then anywhere ells.

    I'v watched like every video on google like 20 times and it doesn't look big to me at all. It looks fine. I too like a little beefyness. Makes it feel solid.
     
  47. inap

    inap .........................

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    wow congrats on new laptop, welcome to the family,lol :D
     
  48. vafaskillz

    vafaskillz Notebook Geek

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    well, if you are as picky as me...then you are in for a treat. The screen is so bright and sharp that it doesn't even make sense. It made call of duty MW2 look better than my 22" samsung being powered by a gtx 295!
     
  49. inap

    inap .........................

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    yeah it great to see how many cores your using on an application. :D
     
  50. anand00x

    anand00x Notebook Evangelist

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    I found another discount for my current in production order. Will let you guys know tomorrow after my rep responds to my email.

    If all goes well it will be applied to my current order so I don't have to reorder for it to be applied.
     
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