*Official* Alienware Launch Discussion Thread

Dell called me today to pretty much say "we have absolutely no idea what's going on but we'll let you know when we do". They also promised it would be expedited. How is it possible they can do that with everyone? Oh Dell...

 

Just checked my order status online for my 17. It has been cancelled...for the second time.

Dell - you don't deserve my business. Processing the order is the easy part. Just imagine if they have to do something requring above average intelligence - like actually building my computer!

 

Sucks to hear that bro, ask for more discounts

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

Compal builds their alienwares.

 

I dunno, I'm seriously thinking of just letting them leave the order cancelled. It may well be a sign of things to come. New design means new gremlins means several hours get wasted on the phone with India. Look, the fact that they can't even process orders reveals this product was not ready to go to market. Who knows what other loose ends were not competently addressed. I find this very frustrating. The price premium warrants better service.

 

This is what came into my mind reading all this LOL

*image deleted by moderator*

 

I still need to know if the Alienware 17 can be fit in a Microwave. If not, I have to buy an Alienware 14 which obviously has less power.

 

Considering that it has already shipped, I think so. (though I can always ship it back, I guess)

Considering how well the BBB complaint worked, I might as well... Not like sending an email costs me anything

I'm just mad that I'm effectively getting a stock system to replace my current one, and that there has been absolutely no give anywhere in the replacement specs - the only non-standard part is the screen (though matte will be very nice to have, it's not worth losing so much else)

 

You guys are killing me with all this silly fretting about delays in an insanely popular new product. This is normal when awesomeness is first released. Should have been here last year for 680M and 7970M. It was a real zoo. And, the year before that for 580M, LOL. It was the same thing. Chill out and it will be here before you know it. Probably before the original expected delivery date for many. Before the launch, everyone was whining and moaning that it was taking to long for launch.

Owning an Alienware is a privilege, not a right.

 

I haven't been active on this forum for a long time yet, but I agree on that most guys here behave like little kids. Relax, they'll be shipped soon.

 

I agree, it tends to be like that for every new Alienware launch. People get excited. Although.. at the time, perhaps the 7970M xfire really should've been delayed.

 

Yeah, and Clevo delayed 7970M (as they should have) and people were ready to burn them at the stake because of it. Alienware was first out with it (before it functioned correctly) and people were going nuts about it. After finding out it was messed up, the same people that wanted Clevo to die, turned on Alienware (and AMD) for giving them what they demanded. Nothing like new tech to bring out the little kid in us. But, this was just getting way too silly to watch without saying something.

 

Will getting the overclocked 4900MQ be resulted in easy overheating/high temperature?

 

Indeed, funny how this game works. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Back on topic, I am excited to see the new systems getting into everyone's hands. I'm sure the latest generation won't disappoint. I can't wait to see some more benchmark competition.

 

Not likely that you need to worry. Alienware is famous for having the best cooling available in laptops and it should be the same with this generation. The people that design them (not the factory workers in China) are gamers and enthusiasts that are passionate about what they do. The 4900MQ probably won't overclock more than about 400MHz and that should not be anywhere near high enough clock speeds to create a problem. I run my 3920XM (and the 2920XM before that) around 4.3GHz all the time as thought it were not even an overclock and temps are fine.

 

Thank you. I was getting worried and should consider getting the non overclocked option. Now I don't have too. I hope I don't have to get a cooling pad too since I hate how uncomfortable it is imo.

 

Glad to help. No need for worry. Get a cooling pad because they are "cool looking" but not so much for cooling. I have a U3, which is arguably the best, and it is awesome for both looks and ergonomics. A cooler might lower your temps a fraction, but they will not cure or compensate in an overheating condition. The cooler moves a little bit more air. If the air is too hot in the room you are in, all you are doing is moving hot air at a slightly higher velocity. I think they might be a little bit more useful on laptops with defective design. The nice thing about the U3 is the fans can be optimally placed and modded with extremely high velocity (i.e. very loud) fans, and that can be more helpful than the stock cooler fans. (The stock cooler fans are quiet, and move very little air.)

 

Just logged into dell to check my order and its been cancelled for the second time! Whats the deal with that?!

 

I'm like to know if all the CPU's are fitted with the same Heatsink...?
Or if its a similar setup as Sandy/Ivy?

 

Does your order say Anodized Aluminum - 3D but you didn't order a 3D screen? If so that is probably why

 

Just phoned to see why my order was cancelled apparently there was some software issue and a batch of orders have been cancelled lol!

Was told that my rep should have been in touch with me and I should have at least got an email, none of which happened! Can't believe they're actually telling me this to make me more angry than I am already.

Rep should call me later today, if he does unfortunately I'm going to have to cancel my order, great sales service DELL!!

If you cant get your pre-sales and sales service right how is everything else going to fare?

 

It does but so does my first one. I'll give dell a shout and find out

Ive had no call or email either. No doubt i'll be given the same excuse

 

For me they said they have shortage on parts that why it was cancelled... Because they couldn't no longer satisfy the delivery date which was in my case.. 22/07...
Stupid

 

Aparently it is.A privilege indeed...

of a couple of people amongst thousands of orders that are cancelled...

I'm not complaining about the product but how dell behaves and how the lack of customer care affects us... I always say this imagine that your company makes things like this.... where would you be right now??

 

I don't think it's a privilege, i think its your right if you've paid for it!!

I don't think they're giving them out free, LOL!!

 

I'm still in progress of negotiating price with the sales reps via email
but looking at all this trouble.... it makes me think again before proceeding....

anyway In my humble opinion, it's not a privilege since there's a trade it's not free, but not a right either since they haven't take your money.

 

Although delays are to be expected, and Alienware probably will still deliver before EDDs despite the delays, it doesn't really explain the order cancellations people are getting - this is not normal. Thankfully it hasn't happened to me..

I think we are all privileged in many ways, but owning an Alienware is not one of them lol. More a right because you work hard for the money you earn in order to buy an Alienware.

 

Well i spoke to someone via the online chat and they are supposed to be ringing me back about the order being cancelled but they have yet to ring so im still unsure as to why mine was cancelled.

Oddly though i've just got home to find my AW Vindicator Backpack has been delivered even though it still says its in Pre-Production within my order status page...? As well as that the backpack its self seems to be missing a compartment/separator between the very back and middle compartments. On the one i have here, the middle and back compartments are one big compartment with a zip inside where a separator clearly should zip into it making the one big compartment into two - sorry the photos aren't the best



Has anyone had their backpack delivered yet, if so can they throw up a couple of photos?

 

I received my backpack since lastweek, I'll take some photos once I get home. Something seems to be missing from the backpack

 

Just spoke to my reps supervisor who told me that the reason for the cancellation was the factory had cancelled the order and not the original software glitch reason that was given, apparently it's to do with some parts or something or other. I think they're just making it up as they go along.

I'm in two minds now should I cancel or proceed

 

That would be awesome if you could. In the meantime I'll get onto dell again

 

I am really getting frustrated with the run-around with customer service. Man its gone down hill the past few years. All most do is just read off a screen.

 

I have been dealing with issues since 6/5. In my case I just need a laptop! If you are in the same boat - I would recommend that you call and request compensation for your lost time. You can probably get a $100 credit. Also if you have not gone through order modification yet - you may be able to get some upgrades.

 

Just talked to my rep.. He really is a nice guy... Said that the problem with my order was that the gtx765m is out of stock and is a procedure to cancel the order when they try to build it and there is out of stock parts... That been said... It still is stupid procedure...
As asked for another £100 discount... He will return later...

 

I get that we are not talking about a cure for cancer here. I also appreciate that delays can happen. All of that said, cancelling orders multiple times without even notifying purchasers is shabby service. It's no way to treat enthusiasts willing to pay the AW premium. There's no way around the fact that this should have been handled better.

 

Agreed

I am on my 5th order number.....

 

Thats got to be a record!! You must be getting a hefty discount for your troubles, lol

 

The delay has something to do with a parts shortage specific to my 17. On the assumption that an 18 might be delivered sooner, I am considering switching the order.

Sooooo, here is a question, perhaps a stupid question: Are dual 770s still better than a single 780? Obviously dual 780s are the best, but I am wondering whether dual 770s might suffice for me.

 

Hard to say as there are no benchmarks for dual 770's yet. Probably they are faster than a single 780 for supported sli games (which are basically all modern games now). On the other hand, I get the impression that the single 780 will be easier to overclock and get better driver support as the flagship chip.

 

7th here!! (Though admittedly 2 of those were my fault). Just had a call from my account managers supervisor and he said around. 800 orders were cancelled and rebooked. Wouldn't give me anything even though my EDD is now a week later than it used to be...

 

Yes, GTX 770M SLI will be faster than GTX 780M. No doubt about that.

GTX 770M: 5038 GPU score in 3DMark11
Say SLI scale 85%.
GTX 770M SLI: 5038 * 1.85 = 9320 in 3DMark11.

GTX 780M score about 7800 in 3DMark11.

 

My rep told met hat my AW14 has shipped=) the tracking number says it was shipped yesterday (July 2). Btw the order page still says 'in-production'.

 

zaycha, yeh that happened to me too, and it was delivered today. So congrats! Are you outside the us? I think it shows shipping only after the laptop clears customs, cause the Purolator shows the laptop was shipped on the 28th in my case..

 

Customer service supervisor indicated that thousands of new AW orders have been cancelled due to logistical issues relating to the launch (he did not elaborate). Apparently it is not unique to any of the 14, 17 or 18 but impacts them all. $100 refund offered as a customer service gesture to preserve the sale. That takes me to 16 per cent discount.

Dell will frustrate you but they do put a priority on remedying problems...

 

Irregardless of how 770M SLI compares to 780M (1), just grab the 18 with SLI. You'll be set to rock GPU upgrades in single or dual configuration for the foreseeable future. With the 17 you will have limitations that don't exist for the 18. Unless you are going to join the ranks as a benching warrior, 770M SLI should give you loads of high FPS gaming awesomeness. If you want today's best, grab 780M SLI. It should be king of the hill for at least 6 more months, LOL.

 

Would the same reasoning cause you to endorse an 18 with 765 SLI over a 780M on the 17?

 

Thats preference. I would however roll with the 17

 

I received by backpack today and i really like it You do seem to be missing the wall between the 2 pockets though?

 

Probably so. It can always be upgraded later on if finances are stonewalling the purchase with 780M SLI. If you don't plan to keep it for a long time, it probably doesn't make a lot of difference. You will have fewer boundaries with an 18 as far as upgrades and performance are concerned. In all cases, including a GPU downgrade, I would choose dual over single GPU due to performance advantages and flexibility that a dual-GPU platform offers.

As Kevin said, it is preference. To a fairly great extent that is true. Now more than ever, because build materials quality and sturdiness factor between the 17 and 18 is now a level playing field. That was not so with the previous generation.

But, if your preference is having the most performance available (18 is approaching double that of the 17 configured with the same CPU and GPU) it's not a flippant decision. You have to chose whether shaving an inch and a pound is a fair trade for halving the performance. For some it might be OK. For others, not so much. Some don't know and others may refuse to believe there is such disparity in performance, but it will become more obvious very soon. Once people start benching and looking at other benchmark scores on here at NBR and the Futuremark web site, there are going to be more than a few that wished they had spend more for the 18. (This happens at every launch.) Others will be satisfied with what they have and not care about it. What matters most is that you end up happy after making an informed decision and setting your expectations correctly.

 

No doubt the 18 is much more powerful than the 17, however SLi GTX 780m's would be crazy powerful. Probably more than is needed for any game right now. Which is why i would go with the 17. SLi GTX 780m's would pull like 150 FPS at 1080P in BF3 lol.