Questions about Alienware?

I am thinking about getting Alienware because with the EPP discount and the ability to haggle, it seem like this is easily the best bang for the buck. Initially I went with Sager notebook, but it seem like you can get a 6990m here for much cheaper as well.

So I have a few question and will constantly update it if anything new arise.

1. Does Alienware (mx18 and mx17) offer Matte screen anywhere? I game outdoor a lot of the time and not having this option or standard Matte is a disappointment. If it does not have any Matte Screen, how is this screen 18.4-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 WLED for those who own Alienware. Do you like your screen would you still recommend it, does it bother you that there is glare?

2. Warrantly: Do you get basic or advance warrantly? Advance warrantly is only for accidental damage (is that correct) or is there more to it? Does their 4 year basic warrantly ($128 only?) include parts and labor and free shipping both way?

3. Someone told me there is a lack of parts, if so are you guys waiting a long time for your notebook or will it take only about 11 days?

4. Mx17 or Mx18, for those who own either one, please give me your response and reason. I take it the Mx18 is not that much bigger than the Mx17 but it is future proof with duel 6990m crossfire. I mean isn't that better than most desktop graphic card?

5. Does Alienware charges tax? I live in California, is the price on the cart screen the price you pay or is there tax added to that price?


Thanks!

 

1: No all screens are glossy. I have the 1200p RGBLED and the glare from reflections does not bother me, but the brightness of the screen does. I use the screen on 24% brightness to reduce the eye cutting brightness.

2: Basic is enough, unless you go skydiving (or something similar) with the laptop

3: -

4: I own the M17x R2 which is very similar to the M18x and very different from the m17x R3 in terms of design. This machine is not something you will want to move often, its huge.

 

What is RGBLED?

Are you saying the M17xR2 has the same cover as the M18x, dang I want that cover it so much nicer than the M17xR3. I'm thinking of getting it in black instead of Red only because it stand out less and as a college student, last thing I want is for people to know I have an Alienware.

Another question is can you disable the light on the Alienware when your using it in class. I'm not talking about just the keyboard light, but the alienware logo and the two light that look like car light on the Alienware system.

Are you saying the Mx18 is too big to carry around or are you saying the Mx17 is big as well? It can't be any bigger than the Asus G74SX-A1 I am guessing?

Thanks

 

RGB LED = Red Green Blue LED

The M17x R2 is a bit smaller than the m18x. The most noticeable design difference is the redesign of the speaker grills.
A picture of my R2 is in the spoiler (due to the image size). Compare it to a m18x and you will see a bit of a difference

Spoiler

You cant turn off the lights on the hindecover and touchpad (touchpad can be turned off only with an external mouse).

M17x R3 is more suitable to carry around than the M17x R2 and M18x.

 

Do you know if the Targus XL backpack can fit a mx18?

Does build quality even matter if you have warranty, is it just more for anthestic purpose?

So what is RGB, why is it important and where is it located on the notebook itself. I take it only dell and Alienware have the RGB, and no other gaming notebook has it? What does RGB do?

Is 15 lbs really heavy? My macbook is 4.5 lbs and I hardly feel a thing. Now the Mx18 is 3 times more heavy but I doubt that it really heavy to carry in my backpack. Grant without text book or anything it should be heavy. Only thing I worry is not having enough space to play. Also since I never had a big gaming notebook, is it hard for your hand to reach the A,S,D,W key since you have to reach over versus a regular keyboard or a smaller notebook?

So I can't actually turn off all the lights? This could be a major turn off for me. Wow I can't have light on all the time, I like my notebook to be discrete. If I was in high school, yes I want to show off, but as a college student, the last thing I want is to catch other people attention. I also take it would be awkward and weird in a business environment as well?

 

I have got no idea about the Targus XL

RGBLED is the backlight of the screen, it is better than the traditional WLED (white led). Alienware does not have RGBLED screens now in the current models.

5KG is heavy, I would not lug this to school. WASD keys are easy to reach.

Its not wried in any environment, especially if you get the black one.

 

Thanks Simplified the Awesome

OK so is RGB the same as RGB LED and if so how do I get it, as you seen my screen only has WLED. What type of LED do Sager notebook use then, WLED?

So you suggest I get an Mx17 instead, I am lugging this thing to school, going to starbuck, the mall, the beach, hell pretty much anywhere, or should I stick with Sager NP8150 instead?

I'm going with Alienware simply because of the 6990m and the 25% EPP discount.

 

I think "discrete" and Alienware can't be used in the same sentence. They are one of the flashiest uber laptops out there

 

RGB is a usual short form for RGBLED on the Alienware forums. It can have other meanings like AlienFX lights etc, but usually RGB = RGBLED. You cant get RGBLED on the current Alienwares.

I suggest you go for the R3, because it is much more portable than the M18x and M17x R2. If you are going to lug it around, the R2 and M18x are going to be backbreakers.

 

Yes but I don't understand why we can't have that option? You can turn off your keyboard light but why not the car lights and alien logo? Also you would save battery that way as well.

Also what happen to the Mx15? Are they no longer in production?

If only Alienware had a 15 inches notebook with a 1080p Matte screen display with a 6990m price around $2000, then just take my money!!!!

 

And your saying the mx17 will not be? It only about 3 lbs less or is it much less heavier? And remember the price difference is only $275 because the basic standard on the Mx18 is better than the basic standard on the mx17. However I am leaning toward the mx17 if the price difference is $300 or more since it just mean the price difference of the gpu itself.

 

M15x is out of production. M17x R3 is the successor of the M15x and the M18x is the successor of M17x R2.

Edit (added info): The formfactor is more compact on the M17x R3, so it is much more portable.

3:40 AM here so I am off to bed now, PM me if you have more questions and I will answer them tomorrow.

 

I can only answer a few of these as I only very recently purchased mine(on the 15th) and I won't be able to use it until the 30th.

2. I generally only get basic warranties, as I am pretty careful with my equipment and I like to fix stuff for myself. I generally only experience a single issue within standard 3 year warranties and it has always been fixable for under the amount of the warranty.

3. I was the one that got mine in 11 days.

4. I chose an M17X with a 6970. I didn't feel like the minor increase in output was worth the increased expense. The 6970 has great reviews and I expect it to last me as long as the laptop does. There's no doubt the 18 is impressive, but I would rather have a desktop later for the power and lesser cost.

5. I was charged tax based on the county my delivery was to. It wasn't very clear until after I had paid and received the receipt.

 

Chiming in.

1. Glare doesn't bother me at all coz I use curtains. Heh.
I imagine it would be hell if you game under the sun.

2. As I always say, get the best warranty you can afford.
Dell is pretty decent with their warranties.
Accidents happen and Dell will be there to fix it.
Still broken after 3 repair trips? You get a new machine.
Also the price of warranty during purchase vs after purchase is horribly far fetched.

3. No exp

4. You are getting a DTR (desktop replacement) so I suggest, get the best if you can - dual graphic cards.
I only have the M17X-R3 (single 6970m) coz this was a replacement unit.
Given the choice, M18X anyday.

5. No exp

 

@Simplified

Oh I see, so the mx15 I take it was as big as the Mx17 right now, it the name that made me thought it was a 15 inches. Please do describe me the form factor, it only slightly smaller I take it.
@Autoxidation

That suck you have to pay taxes, that really bring the price up.
@Eleven

I didn’t know they replace you a new machine, that a big plus in my book.
I may be getting a DTR but I’m using it as a portable device. I am going to buy the Targus XL backpack whether I have a 13 inches or 15 inches because I just like big backpack in general.

Thanks for the response all!

 

Wanna buy my laptop cheesy...heheh mine laptop has RGB screen...just kidding I LOVE my laptop! M18x who? LOL Cheesy why did u switched to alienware?

 

Mainly it seem I can get a better price (with EPP discount and haggling), have Xbox 360 and Ps3 hdmi output, have people come to my door and fix it instead of sending the laptop in for repair, and 4 years warranty, which is a big plus!

Oh have you been following _cheesy_ around?

 

Cheesy don't take this the wrong way but remember this "I really really hate selfish company, but it seem like they feel threaten by other companies and therefore designed to pay ATI exclusively to have only their gaming notebook come equip with the 6990m whereas other company to have to wait 3 weeks afterward.
This seem like another marketing BS. If Alienware is as great as they are,
they shouldn't need to eliminate the competition.
They are all fluff, having be behind in the graphic department for quite a while,
I don't really see the point of this all."

Are u still mad at alienware? LOL

Sorry am just bored

Hey man I live in the alienware form

 

It nice to have a domain, but I'm the jack of all trade, I live in ALL domain

I was never mad at Alienware, just mad that it take forever for the 6990m to ship

 

M17x R3 has similar dimensions as the M15x, the R3 is slightly thinner.

 

Cheesy, if you have further model specific questions - use the owners lounge threads.