The "Why you shouldn't buy the M15x" thread [OUTDATED] [FIRST GEN MODEL]

The question is. Is AW-James reading all of this? I know he's just a sales rep, but still, can't he make a couple of phone calls?

"Dealing with each individual blah blah" don't cut it IMHO. There's obviously a design flaw with the m15x screen hinge that needs to be addressed NOW.

What AW is doing right now is hurting them, that's for sure, but they're not getting rid of the problem either.

What I'm about to suggest is going to hurt them even more, but will be better in the long run, as they would attract more and more customers having a quality product.

In my humblest opinion AW should call back every single m15x unit that has even the smallest issue. Starting from screen wobble, crappy plastic hinge, non responsive touch controls, over heating, down clocking, and put it all on hold.

Write big bold letters on their website:

WE ARE CURRENTLY BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD WITH THE M15X TO GIVE YOU THE BEST 15" GAMING LAPTOP. FOR REAL THIS TIME! SIT TIGHT!

They would gain my respect as a potential customer for that after having read all these horrific stories on this here forums.

But then again, they're not going to do that.

I seriously fear that more and more people are going to have issues, and people like AW-James are going to copy-paste the same text over and over again, and that's just a real shame.

It really is.

 

As a Forums Support member, representatives such as Armando and myself visit and assist through external forums, such as NBR to help customers with technical, customer service and even sales issues. Our sole purpose is to assist current and prospective customers with their Alienware experience.

We are aware and attentive to all issues brought up through all mediums, especially forums. As mentioned in the previous thread created by Milcs, all aforementioned customers are being assisted accordingly.

 

If being assisted accordingly means being denied a legitimate refund, then yes, I am being assisted accordingly.

 

buzzin, get a grip. posts like this won't help your case. if the other guys got a refund for your problem, so will you.

 

No cause I was smart enough to wait, as I have been burned before- I let others dip their toes before I go in. Now we have established there are problems with it, and I am staying away.

The M17x is just to large for me, but seems to be of a better build, so if I was looking for a monster- that would probably be my choice.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=280316 need I say more...

 

Atol,
Uhm.. you're posting this comment IN the 'why you shouldn't buy the m15x' thread. As far as I can tell, milcs is updating his thread by adding to it and not creating new threads of similar information. With all due respect, unless this thread was merged by Chaz or some other moderator, you are in error.

I'm sure there are potential buyers like myself who like to know all about the current issues that come with a laptop of this price but don't participate in the conversation. I appreciate the posts milcs and several others have made regarding their m15x purchase.

Lastly, it's good to always try and think objectively about the issues. Even if Alienware has sold only 100 m15x's, 5 have been documented, putting the hinge failure rate at 5%. That number either increases or decreases given the total number of actual laptops sold and those reporting the issue. I'd be inclined to believe that people who make a purchase like this and do have this hinge issue will seek any outlet to vent (like here in the forums) and rightly so.

 

As the thread in which I compiled the following information was closed, due to the fact I'm (supposedely) trolling the forum, I am posting it here, as I was told by the mods of this forum.

The following information is a compilation of several already reported cases about the hinges of the M15x breaking. Here is a copy of my post that was, apparently, offensive.

I would just like to clear that, my only intention is to gather all those reports in one single place so that people will be able to easily consult it and to show Alienware that this problem should be given proper attention. It's better to avoid problems than to have to solve them.

What prompted me to do this, was to realize that just yesterday another owner had the same problem (tacomenace21). I thought it was a good idea to compile all their information into only one place (and thus, making a new thread focusing specifically on the M15x's hinge problem).

Anyway... Here are their testimony and pictures:

Fex

Jayonhavok

After being sent back from repairs the problem quickly came back:





Buzzin

mr_fro2000

tacomenace21

Images NA yet.

 

Too good to be true... slowly all issues were being solved and now comes this bomb.

 

I have more pics to upload as well. Just trying to find the USB cable for my camera.

 

Oh please. Everyone loves a drama. Milcs, you're still stirring up trouble I see. You're tiresome thread on the hinge issue got closed for a reason...

These cases appear very isolated to me and absolutely nothing like the gpu downclocking issues before the bios fix. I've been slamming my m15x in and out of luggage as well as opening and closing the lid forcefully for the past several weeks with no problems whatsoever. Still 100% satisfied with my machine.

 

Regarding trolling - trolling is against the forum rules (see the forum rules for a definition). Please report anyone trolling in this forum and I will take care of them pronto.

 

I am happy that you're m15x is doing well and standing up to the test of time, but like you said it's only been several weeks. You really shouldn't pretend like this couldn't happen to you. I understand that you might think this a fluke, and it's possible you're right. But for those of us that have had this problem, it really does seem like a design flaw. I hope this doesn't happen to you, but if it does, please take this as you're first "I told you so".

I understand that bringing up this topic is now labeled trolling. It's obvious that it has gotten to the point that people are so tired of hearing about our problems that they'll either ignore us or close the threads.

My m15x broke twice even with in-house repairs. I am in the middle of getting a refund. Done deal... I won't be posting about this topic anymore. If you want to PM me about it, I will be happy to share my experience with you. For all of those m15x owners out there who have not (or have not yet) experienced this problem, I wish you luck...

 

Time will tell.

 

Don't jinx yourself yet. =p The fact that it has been reported multiple times shows that there might be something wrong with the build of the m15x. I don't think they're purposefully trying to stir up trouble, but rather try and get Alienware to investigate the problem instead of just merely ignoring it.

@edit: Also, I don't consider this as trolling if it's in the "Why you shouldn't buy the m15x thread." I'm pretty sure that topic is exactly another reason why you shouldn't by the m15x. (Though even with this problem, I'm still looking forward to my m15x. 8D)

 

It appears you found your answer this time, but for future reference, please private message me about forum problems. Thanks.

 

you are right in that PM was a more appropriate means...

sending a PM...

 

I agree that milcs tone could be a little less "sarcastic/ironic", but let face it... it isn't normal that 5 person got the SAME problem about this plastic hinge.

My suggestion would be a full edit in the first post, since most issues seem solved with the new bios, and stay focused on this serious issue, since this one you can´t fix with bios or other hardware tweaks if it comes out to be a design flaw.

 

what i don't quite get is... if it is such a "isolated" event... why not just go above and beyond and take care of the issues?

a nice NDA to sum up of the resolutions but just resolving it and getting this thing taken care of...

not a big loss for AW...
and a company that takes care of their customers... hey, is that concept that bad?

 

I second that. and some stuff on there should be removed, for instance the "complaint" that there's no VGA out. people know they won't get a VGA out when they buy the m15x.

 

Thanks a lot. I took care of the issue with not being able to run and aim and shot in games at the same time.

As for the webcam, I noticed if I reduce the resolution, it captures fast movement fine.

Regarding the sleep problem, when I press the power button to wake up the system, the screen stays black. If I press the power button again it turns off, and when I turn it back on it complains about not shutting the system down properly. Other people have the same issue on the AW Support forums, but I wont send the system just for that issue when I can use hibernate instead.

As for the people who say theyve had no issues at all and are happy withyour systems, please dont rub that on the face of people whove had those horrible cracking problems. Be glad your system works fine, and do what I will do: I know the build quality isnt the best, but even though Ive had no problems and I feel my system wont break, I will take EXTREME care of the system after seeing these pictures.. you should too, or you might join them. My m15x is nearly flawless, but my m5500 wasn't: It came with a burnt memory that caused BSODs, so I know what it is like to have your system go wrong, and Alienware isnt perfect, however most of the time Customer Support has been very helpful.

 

i have yet to see this. i myself am praying it won't happen to me. i won't rub that in anyone's face. to the contrary, some people are rubbing the snapping issues into everyone's face.

 

Jayonhavok & Oceanus:

You can't take 2-4 isolated instances and use them as proof that the machine is defective. Pics get posted and soon everyone is ready to march with pitchforks to the AW office because of the egregious error in manufacturing that was never caught. How dare Alienware do something like this to the consumer... You guys don't get it though. Of all the owners on 2-3 different forums, I count exactly 4 people that had this problem. Furthermore, it could result from virtually any trauma or impact to the LCD assembly that might break one of the attachment points. Maybe it happened spontaneously, who knows, the point is it's not affecting anywhere near a significant population of m15x owners. It's a statistically insignificant number of users, period. I'm sorry that you guys had such a bad time with the machine. I really am. However, there are plenty of us, nay, probably the majority that really don't have any serious issues with their m15x. I've got minor gripes, but that's it. It's holding up great with some mild to moderate abuse, and if anything breaks, that's what I have a warranty for. The sad thing though is that all of us not having problems are off enjoying theirs and don't surf this forum as much because we aren't having any technical problems. Hell, I had my LCD, dvd burner, gpu, and keyboard all break within 2 years on my last Dell notebook. Things break, you get it fixed, that's what the warranty is for. It's not always indicative of a massive design error.

 

I'm not trying to pick a fight with you nor am I choosing sides. I'm just merely stating that it's a problem that should not be ignored. What's the point of a warranty when they can't get it fixed? If Alienware does not want this problem to escalate, why won't they get it fixed/replace it?

Look, I didn't really want to wage an argument against you, nor was it my intention to even get involved in this. I wanted to voice my opinion, but since you have pointed me out, I feel obligated to respond.

I feel that there could be more Alienware could do with this situation than play the blame game. Had they have resolved it in a more ethical manner, these 4 people would have been a bit more satisfied with the service they have been getting. Also, you also have to weigh those consumers who don't voice these issues on a forum (or on these forums). I'm sure that since these 4 people have had the same problem, it's not a coincidence and it could happen to other people.

Regardless of how small this issue is, it still is an issue that Alienware needs to resolve. Whether it be giving them a replacement or giving a refund in full, it would show that they actually care about their customers. The sooner they resolve the issues with these "4" people, the sooner they could keep people from storming in with pitchforks.

Also, because it is my birthday, I kind of have to be selfish with a request. I do not want to be directly involved (nor pointed out) for an opinion. If you have other things to say to me personally, please keep it in PMs. Otherwise, if you feel you need to be persistent against anything I've said, then fine. So be it. I won't argue against you anymore. It doesn't help to be constantly arguing about who is right (everybody has their own opinions and there isn't always one right answer.)

I really respect what you're trying to say, I really do, but you have to consider the other people who don't/can't voice their opinions on forums, either because they don't know about it or don't have the time and resources to do so. Perhaps a lot of people are having the same problem. Who knows? Having 4 people on this forum complain about this problem is enough to guess how many other people (who don't access forums like these) are affected with this same issue.

 

6th Crack sighted (iElsayed: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=273885&page=11)

I agree however that a single forum can be a standpoint for an issue, but come on, 6 CRACKS?

Seems we got a design flaw with those plastic hinges. Time to AW to look this matter at.

@Milcs
Could you edit the first post:

CPU downclock = repaired
GPU downclock = repaired
Overheat = reasonably repaired.
Keyboard lag = (half?) repaired

Things you may dislike (not necessarly flaws):
- Woobling;
- Touchpad needs stickers to be user friendly;
- Creacking.

Real issue: Plastic hinges weakness? (Design flaw?)

 

that's personal. i can use my touchpad just fine without any stickers. each to his own here.

 

That's why i put it on the "things you MAY dislike". And (not necessary flaws).

 

When I first started a new post, it's intention was to focus on this particular problem. I was personally offended with several people's attitudes.
Well... we are now on the 6th case of hinges breaking, so I guess I will let time talk for me and give me reason.

From now on, I will reduce my participation on this forum to the essential. I feel personally offended by some mod's attitudes and I am frankly tired of being judged and having my help and effort I dedicate freely to this forum constantly judged.

On a side not, I had already updated the 1st post by adding a edit note at the end mentioning several problems have been solved with the new Bios.
I won't be doing more on that post besides updating it with pictures and information regarding the breaking hinges.

I am still profoundly shocked for having that thread closed. Now it is all cramped up in a post that was made 3 months ago, completely out of place and without a proper focus and attention.

Anyway... We will be speaking now and then.
To all of you, good luck. I will keep looking at all your fates.

Keep smilling,
M.

 

I really think compiling all of the problems for it to be easier to find was a great idea. If I were a representative trying to get a feel for what should be fixed for a product that my company had made, a compiled report (with all of that) would help me immensely.

 

Oceanus, i hate to be a dream crusher... but i hardly doubt that AW or any other big computer seller looks into forums to get a gasp of the problems.

They, as any big company, just care for troubles directly reported to them thou the standard ways.

And yes, this topic is becoming useless because of the tons of commentaries and little war opinions.

 

*shrug* I think the underclocking problem was noticed that way, wasn't it? A representative took notice of it, found out that a lot of people were having the same issue and then reported it.

Having seen what a forum can do for the company, I'm pretty sure they'll come back to find out what other problems might be arising.

 

And it could have been such a simple thing. A thread compiling a specific problem and a very serious one. A clean thread, focusing on that and that alone. I still fail to see why this got blocked, but well...

 

I think because this is getting out of hand, and it tires to see more problems arising. And truth told, this is mainly the only forum where m15x problems are exposed.

It is also a hard fact to have bought a 3,5kUSD notebook and see so many problems, or worst, having no problem and reading this lot of problems.

Personally, i think this plastic hinge will be like the CC820 intel motherboard issue (the failed SDRAM / RAMBUS mobo that lead to a mass recall years). If it breaks they will replace (if your warranty still available), if it stays fines why care?

But it is @#$#@$ disappointing to see that a brand like AW uses plastic hinges on such an expensive notebook.

Btw, Milcs, did you got back your m15x, or going for refund?

 

Milcs, I agree with you 100%. I think you are doing a great job helping to expose a problem that AW is trying to sweep under the rug. I also am not very happy with the mods. My PM ability was revoked b/c AW-James got upset that I PMed him today (he replied, and then I replied... next thing I know my PM ability is revoked). I didn't even say anything mean or insulting, just asked about why I was not being offered a refund. Anyway, I can live with no PM ability, but still do not think it fair.

 

yes, we know, okay? you've posted at least five times that you can't write PM's no more. why don't you post something constructive for a change?

 

Guys, just chill for a bit, try and avoid this pointless wars to make your point... Just chill and take it easy. You are just making everything worst.
Let's use our brains now, keep calm and see how things develop.

To buzzin, just wait calmly. There's not much you can do at the moment and you will only risk being silenced even further. If your computer is broken, just send it back again and give them a chance to fix your laptop. Keep doing this until they fix it permanently or they realize they can't fix it. Right now, keep posting on this forum as "frenetically" (does this word even exists? ) is only going to put you in a tough situation.

To the rest... Honestly, stop fighting, stop fighting for AW's side, for anti AW's side. It's pointless and quite stupid, to be honest. Try and help each other out and expose your opinions without offending anyone's susceptibilities. In the end, we should be here for one another.

Take care,
M.

 

For the people who have alienware laptops that work and work well. Keep on fighting alienware is great. This show there systems that are working.

To milcs we have a group of people who have good systems and they are working well. Why should they not support alienware?

The people of Notebookreview have been helping. They give idea and give suggestions on how to fix problem that other people had. Great Job.

I was one of many who had problems on a few laptops. Did I blame the company. No I blame the fault of the problem the motherboard. Which leads not to Alieneware but to the Oem manufactures.

I dont go this or that bla bla bla. What I did was go I have a freaken problem and I want it fix.

I did not take the battle in notebookreivew for notebookreivew is to get info on the computer. I went to notebookreivew to get help.

then I use the info from Notebookreivew.com to give me ideas on how to get my system fix.

Then my war was not on notebookreivew it was Alienware I use the facts here to help me agenst Alienware to get my system fix. This is not the only company that help me. Articsilver, Upgrading and repairing notebooks, Intel and the company that make the laptop.

One thing I do not do is use Notebookreview to join in a fight that I should do my self for a problem. That was not notebookreview job to fight for. Notebookreview was a guide.

I wonder how many good m5550 laptop that ran great. vs m5550 that had problems. But I did not want to act my problem on notebookreview. I wanted to fix the problem.

So Notebookreview thank you for giveing me idea on how to fix it. I will never use use your fourms to flame a company.

 

I think you probably missundertood what I said...
I didn't say not to support AW at any point and I didn't say to flame any company.
I just said to stop this pointless fights. Everyone here is trying to prove their points, no one is trying to share knowledge, experiences and ideas. Everyone here thinks their reasoning is the best and, more, everyone here takes sides on a war that does not exist.
What are people fighting for? There's enough conflict in the world as it is... we shouldn't be fighting for anything, we should be helping each other out. That's all... Everyone helps in their own way. I think no one should think they are more enlightned or know better than someone else.

And that's all... Let's try and make it a bit more civilized.

 

On a side note, you mention people here flamming AW... Probably there are many, and I'm sure you are totally convinced I'm one of those.
But I ask you to stop and reflect on your words...

You say you come to notebookreview to look for information about your laptop. I posted a thread about a very serious issue that happened to 7 users from Notebookreview (and most of them loved AW and would also "fight their war"), gathering all the information about their problems in one thread.
It was information... but you were the first one of accusing that was another pointless thread.

So... aren't people allowed to know this information? Isn't what this forum is all about? Sharing information? Or was putting all that information together flamming and trolling?

Anyway... Let's not keep debating about this. As I said, I will step back from AW forum and will only randomly intervene. I won't certainly be mistaken anymore as being a soldier of the anti AW crusade.

Take care everyone,
M.

 

Listen I came here for a fix I did not come here for alienware wars. I won my wars Not due to notebookreview it was my own research and notebookreview help. That was with my M5550 laptop below. If you want a fight alienware leave notebookreview out of it. Notebookreview is here to give us idea on a easy fix. Not to fight.

With my frist M5550 problem 3 motherboard, 1 gpu , 7 heatsink and fans and 1 wlan card and a acer wlan card abn card. Tested abg card. Let not forget the wantabie tech that came to my house to add artic silver and did not know anything about laptops and his view was they tend to run hot.

One I had a laptop that ran at 110c while not in a game but looking over the net. Sleep mode would not work secondary motherboard problem.

Notebookreview was here to help me and others. I did not use it to flame another company.

If I see the same problem for another person I go there and try to help them. Give them the basic info and so on. That is what Notebookreview is about.

 

Come on, folks. This particular thread is an extremely informative and useful one. Let's please not get it locked. There's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to maintain an informative thread to aid potential customers in their research.

Milcs, a couple of recommended edits to the OP:

-The broken link to that tech article is broken because the forum software automatically condensed the long URL with an ellipsis (...), therefore ruining the URL. You can find the original URL by searching that site, I found it once before, but I don't have it handy.

- This thread contains images of my laptop after the repairs, which aren't displayed on the OP.

-It might be a good idea to add a "status" note under each of the 7 broken-hingers, so people can see how Alienware is helping take care of problems.

 

I think some ppl are confusing "flame" with "critics".

Any model has problems and on AW case they did a (relative) great job fixing most problems ASAP, but we cannot ignore either that this cracking issue exists, it's not a "forum can help" problem and, also, it is a VERY serious problem.

Personally, at start on this forums i truly believe that this "cracking" was more a "mishandle from user" that a "poor workmanship". But, after more issues arising, i am start believing that it is more "poor workmanship" that an eventual mishandle.

Before any other comments, MOST reviews put as a CON on the m15x the poor workmanship, aka feeling of cheap plastic.

At least, this isn't a Notebooktechsupport forum either. It is a REVIEW, in other words: a forum to, mainly, discuss if IT IS or NOT worth to buy the notebook. So you should expect to read the wonderful, the good, the normal, the bad and the ugly about any notebook.

 

Yeah, the poor workmanship is noted in quite a few reviews.

 

you summed it up there

 

If you had all these problems with the previous AW, I can't even start to understand( even if you tell me) why you got a new one....

 

Milcs, I find your post playing the placating mediator role almost humorous considering some of your venomous and heated posts towards Alienware back before you were forced to take a refund.

Also, the big problem is that this thread is completely antiquated. CPU downclocking has been SOLVED with the x34 bios as well as the responsiveness of the touch buttons. The example of gpu overheating in the original post of 87-90C is not even close to an overheated gpu. So, what you're left with is a thread of people bickering over build quality and bad repair stories. Like it or not, the technical issues have been slowly being addressed and you'll soon be left with the usual "I don't like how this was built..." or "my CS/TS experience was horrible..." stories that plaque every computer manufacturer.

I'm not denying there might be something going on with the lid assemblies though it's not happening to many of you, but what are you guys doing with your laptop? Also, things just break sometimes, you know? I had 4 things break on my Dell 9300 in the first year and half that had to be replaced. It just happens and you use the warranty to get it fixed. Sometimes they mess up getting it fixed. I had them send me the wrong LCD twice, so what? I didn't demand a refund over the experience, that's for sure.

 

Store Credit maceto. It was about a 1.2 Years after I payed for the frist laptop.

 

FYI in most cases e.g a Sony or a Panasonic ( the "normal" one) would give you "dell" problems as Dell is the top of the list when it comes to build quality...

 

well as you had few options I can see that, that also explains why you do the upgrade aspect, I think. Not giving them more than needed and you don't really need the laptop to be WOW asap, you just needed one and went for their best build of the two current range?

 

I have no idea what you just said.

 

You compared your Dell to your AW and they are both well not top build quality:

It was related to this part of your post: