*Official* Alienware Launch Discussion Thread

Yup, I'd agree with that, old guy! - if budget permits, get the largest you can. Then add an mSata to cache the HDD later on down the road. Win-Win!

 

Why are you people linking the 120GB/240GB/480GB versions of Samsung 840?
They are pretty much on par with Samsung 830 and offer TLC NAND, i.e crappy NAND.

What you guys should be looking at is 128GB/256GB/512GB versions because it features the new Samsung controller and have MLC NAND. And its much faster than the Samsung 830.


Also where the hell is the Alienware 17/18 reviews or owners who just recieved them? Way to put a damper on the interest Dell with your slow as hell shipments.

/rant

 

Hear Hear!

I looked high and low for real customer reviews of these machines but couldn't find any, so gave up and ordered the AW 17 anyway in the end as I recently got rid of my desktop and need a new machine asap!!

 

The TLC NAND has been tested and it has better duration than it is given credit for. They were able to write over 1 Petabyte to the 500GB 840 without it dying. So its longevity is not in question. It is also affordable.

 

@ Cloudfire - Lolz, Bro!! - I'm sure we'll see some reviews shortly...fingers crossed. As for the Sammy's, I'd probably recommend the Pro version over the standard 840 too....the standard 840 is good value for money, though...

 

I dont think that anyone has received their laptop yet...

 

That's because there are none yet. I don't think Dell has shipped a single one yet, or at least no one has confirmed. I ordered my AW 14 (14 rather than 17 because I need to carry it to campus every day and 17 is just too much to carry with textbooks, in a separate bag of course) on 6/11, and it's still "In-Production" and I keep getting emails about parts shortages and delays.

I really hope they start shipping them out soon.

 

Others can comment / confirm, and you can find some comparison charts / benchmarks on a gpu website (Google gpu charts or benchmarks)....

When I got a machine with a 680m people were comparing it to a desktop 660TI and an UNDERclocked 670 (which is supposedly what that mobile chip actually is)

Keep in mind how resolution can factor in anything you look up.

Also...just because this scaled the way it did with the 680m doesn't mean it scales the same way with 700 series...but it's probably pretty close.

 

I ordered on day 1 here and am eagerly awaiting a shipping notice. The wait is causing me to go batsh!t loco crazy.

Leaving for a beach vacation on the 13th, so I hope they deliver it early!

 

I'm starting to think they just moved the orders out of pre prod to in prod to keep us quiet for a few more days.

 

I was told by a manager that none of them will ship before the 15th. Mine has been in "pre-prod" since the 20th. I don't think i'll see mine til the end of the month.

 

Well crap. Was really hoping to have mine before a trip this weekend when I ordered on the 11th, but that doesn't look likely or even possible at this point.

 

What have Dell been like with previous releases? Are we likely to see delays on the estimated delivery?

 

We can all hope. I hope mine ships tomorrow but we all know what happens when you hope in one hand and crap in the other.

 

Great, looks like I get to keep my dead GPU laptop around for a bit longer then

Though as I'm currently travelling the earliest I would be able to get it would be next Monday, anyways.

 

I'm in the same boat. My 18 is a replacement for an m18xr2 that won't even boot right now.

 

MLC still have double life expectancy anyways- There are other factors where the TLC is worse than MLC too: Failure rates is one of them.
Then there is the big difference in speed between 840 Pro and normal.

If you really are looking to save money, Samsung 830 would be much better since its cheaper and offer the same performance as the normal 840. And its MLC.

 

Oh, man that sucks. At least mine will boot on iGPU, so while it might make for a glorified netbook, at least I can use it for internet... (and run on dGPU for about 30 minutes before crashing, not thermal though)

Of course, I still don't have an acceptable replacement specced out, either - I was expecting a call about 2 hours ago, but that didn't happen.

 

I cannot build a quality desktop with Quad-SLI 780 and Extreme CPU, etc. for the same or less than a new Alienware 18 with 4930MX and 780M SLI. I actually priced out the components and the 18 is less expensive. The CPUs are about the same price, but 4 high end graphics cards, (even two of them,) PSU that will support that, 1080p or better monitor, very high quality case, etc. adds up to a lot of money, very fast. You would not need Quad-SLI 780 to match the performance though, and I think that is part of the point you were making. If you build an extreme performance desktop, it is not going to be an inexpensive proposition by any means... unless you cut corners somewhere. If your goal is to merely match the performance of an M18x or new 18 with Extreme CPU and 780M SLI, even then it won't be a dirt cheap proposition. You're going to spend some serious cash on a desktop that matches the performance.

 

I sincerely hope reviews are coming soon. I just can`t dish out $2800 for a notebook without hearing what normal users think of the notebook. Reviews from professional sites is one thing, but they tend to exaggerate their reviews just because something new is released or maybe they are just sponsored by the OEM and have positive things to say all around just to please them. Maybe I`m just too sceptical, but I need more reviews before I make up my mind. Especially noise level is interesting.

 

In regards to the SSDs people use, I have a crucial M4 256gb, and its lasted 2 years with no problems, great speed, and the price is good too. Not the latest release, but the price/performance is still good for these. I'm going to pop it into the 14 when it finally arrives.

 

I got my alienware 14 today about +-18 hours from now I will post some pics and temps!

 

ZOMG, for realz?

 

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Congrats!

Please give us a word or two regarding the BUILD QUALITY!

Hope it's better than the R4...

 

How hard would it be to replace the 750gb drive with two 500gb ssd in the Alienware 17?

 

Okay, it has to be said (yet again). Dell not having an actual storefront sucks at times. You can't go and, you know, actually see what you are dropping thousands $ on. Exactly how much different does the 18 feel and look relative to the 17? How do the various screen options look beside each other?

Also, no store = no store inventory = you have to wait forever and a day for your configuration. You can't return to the store to physically show a customer service rep a problem you are experiencing with a recent purchase.

And yet I keep buying Dell. I think I am part of the problem.

Fack 'em. I say we order all of the configurations we are considering and then return the ones we decide against!

 

Bah. And you ordered way after a lot of other people as well. What's going on with Dell? Congrats on your new machine anyways. Just wish my day 1 order would get here...

 

Me too

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

So in addition to cancelling people's orders (without telling them), delaying orders, screwing up the screen specs (400 nit or not?) and offering different discounts to different customers based solely on such relevant information as the weather outside, we can add to the list that Dell can't even follow a first-in, first-out queue. If the AW wasn't so good I wouldn't bother with these biatches.

 

The icing on the cake is that the discounts are based on the weather in ... INDIA!!!!!!

 

Too true. And before anyone does down the path of making an accusation of racial or cultural insensitivity, keep in mind that they have even added as part of the opening monologue "Please let me know if you cannot understand what I am saying". Obviously this is a widespread problem.

 

Guess it wasn't just me they did this too then?!

 

Nope - I discovered my order was cancelled when I checked my order status online. When I phoned, the rep didn't sound surprised at all. Left me wondering whether they were, you know, planning on actually telling me or just waiting for me to fossilize while my order remained outstanding. Geez...

 

So I just talked to Dell on the phone. They'd offer me a 5 % Off Coupon, 2% Discount + Free 2nd Day Shipping for the AW 17, 780m, 16 GB Ram, 4700MQ, Regular screen and 750 GB HDD.

Subtotal: $2,155.02
Shipping & Handling: $0.00
Tax: $177.78
Total Price w/Discounts: $2,332.80

What do you guys think about this offer?

 

Is it a 5% off coupon, or a 5% gift card? Either way, it's not particularly great. Push for a minimum of 10% off, plus free NBD shipping and the 5% gift card. Very doable with little effort. If you're a student, the gift card should be $200 instead of 5%.

 

It's a 5 % gift card. I was a little bit let down when she gave me the numbers.

 

Update on the new 17s - according to the Executive Customer Support Representative I just talked to, my replacement should be shipping "In the next day or two". Which would be much nicer if I was actually going to be home before Monday, but no matter.

(And Dell still isn't budging on the replacement specs - so no vPro, no VT-d or Trusted Execution Technology on the CPU, and while I understand basing a replacement on the original system specifications (before warranty part replacements), getting a 765m as a 6970m replacement is kinda disappointing for someone who does mostly GPGPU)

 

When did you ordered this replacement.. And since when is "in production" status??
Just wondering how long mine should take

 

How are you guys getting these new shipping dates? Just got off the phone with Dell and all they'll tell me is that my EDD is still the 19th... Guess I need to try and find a US rep?

 

Was that their response to the BBB case was the 765m?

 

I need the name of a us sales rep that gives discounts. I have tried 3 over 4 hrs and only got promises and sorries. That is why I loved buying 2nd hand. fast and direct.

 

If you guys want to see a unboxing video someone just posted one on youtube of the Alienware 14.

DELL Alienware M14 Unboxing - YouTube

 

Hi everyone,
I am brand new to the forums, but have been lurking this thread for the last week because I am interested in getting my first aw laptop. Here is the offer I am currently contemplating: alienware 14 with 1080p screen and gt750m gpu for $1224 pre-tax. It's about 9% off from the $1349 msrp. Dell is also including a $200 gift card, and hopefully if I apply for Dell Advantage I can get 5% back and free 2 day shipping. Does this seem like a good deal to you guys? I am also considering buying the lenovo y410p, which only has a 900p glossy screen and a gt 750m, but for a much lower cost of $809. Thanks in advance for any helpful input.

 

this is really sad... some of the people in notebookreview got decent discount...

a reps that contacting me (i'm guessing that rachid@dell forward my PM to him/her) via e-mail

this is so damn sad...

 

They offered me the same...

 

I like the new packaging....kind of like 'mission impossible briefcase' style. I also like the look/colour of the anodized lid., which is something I was unsure about......I hope to god that there are some OS discs etc in that little 'extras' box he opened, but discarded rather nonchalantly LOL.

And .... man, that clip was what, like 3 mins....did that thing even boot to windows LOL (I know, I know - windows is preparing for first use blah blah blah hahahaha)

 

2% Lol thats why you call them so you can laugh at them.