The "Why you shouldn't buy the M15x" thread [OUTDATED] [FIRST GEN MODEL]

Well maceto I went for the M17X So I can upgrade later. I did not have the funds to buy super high end. At the time When I got the M17X I still had the M5550. I did not want to be left out with out a computer. So when I got the M17X I sent the M5550 Back for a refund. Which I got This week.

So now I am looking at upgrades . Yes I had many people think I was stupid for doing it this way.

 

if you are going to pay the same price for the 2 8800s as you were when you were configuring the machine i think its actually smarter to get the 8600s in sli. you can call them and order the 8800s install them yourself and when your 8800 dies you have a 8600 spare. you can even sell the 8600s sli on ebay and it will bring the cost of the 8800 down. pretty smart choice imo.

 

heres another reason to not buy an m15x. the build quality is horrible. as a specific i mean the keyboard design is terrible. the spacebar is build improperly. it doesn't go down all the way no matter where you press it. i actually have to consciously remember to press it in the center, or close to.

And as for removing the keyboard. you need to remove the backplate. remove the cpu fan, not kidding, and take out 2 screws beside the cpu fan and gpu fan. then the keyboard removes properly.

its horrible. i have 2 keyboards from them and both have had problems. 1 had a broken w and a slanted spacebar. the second spacebar didn't fit properly and made an annoying clicking noise when pushed.

 

i dont think the keyboard design is terrible. i think you just got a crappy keyboard. i can push the space bar on the side and it goes down all the way just fine. there is no squeaky or clicking noise when i push it down either. i think you should call and get them to replace the keyboard again.

 

yeah I also think you may have a bad keyboard or something cause I have never had an issue with my keyboard.

 

I'll be the third to say that the only problem I have with the Keyboard is the extremely minor flex near the arrows keys. A very negligible problem.

 

stirfried is right, the overall build quality is crap. i would expect this from a toy laptop, not a high end premiere notebook.

 

If you read my thread i have 3 updates on everything that has broken or screwed up in some way, both mechanical and support wise, on that machine.

Honestly if you get a good m15x then it isn't a bad machine, but all the baggage that comes with a bad one isn't worth it.

hope i get a refund (somewhat at least) and i can get the dell m1730 or a sager.

 

hey Stir if your looking at a 17" laptop i think you should really give the m17x a chance because nobody has had any problems with it and the build quality is MUCH better on the m17x you can see it if you look at knowledge base and check out how to reseat the CPU heatsink on the m17x and the same on m15x its much harder on the m15x like ive said on the other thread the m17x took about 8 screws to change the CPU which in my opinion is just as good as my desktop. you will have much less problems with the system the only problem i have seen anywhere with the m17x is that someone ordered 8700s with Vista Ultimate (which supposedly it does not support) but personally i have the 8700s and they work great on vista home premium and you can upgrade later to 8800 or even the 9800 if you want the upgrades are soo easy to do to the m17x

 

i don't want to get the m17x. i can get a better dell for cheaper on Ebay. But idk what i'm doing yet, it depends on my return mostly. i may even get a desktop..... maybe

 

well its up to you was just giving my 2 cents personally i usually have buyers remorse why didnt i get this or that ALOT after i buy anything over $1k but with the m17x nada love it just as much as the day i got it you treat it well it treats you well well hope everythign goes well with your refund

 

thanks, very nice to have support from people. i just got off the phone with them and she said the cancellation department will call me soon. hopefully they will see my side as well as the rep i dealt with.

IF YOU ARE ORDERING OVER THE PHONE ASK FOR LORENA, she is very nice, I've dealt with her twice now and she is very professional and quick. too bad she isn't tech support.

 

chalk it up to a lesson learned stirfried. do yourself a favor and save the migraines for someone who hasn't learned yet about the poor quality builds and even poorer customer service from alienware.

 

Ummmmmm i heard the hinge the overheating and most of the look flaws were fixed. Obviously AW would fix it otherwise people wouldn't still buy them

 

thats true, problems were fixed. doesn't mean that some unit's cannot have them.

 

To clarify a bit on what you "heard".

Alienware fixed several problems that were initially identified when the M15x was released by releasing Bios updated. As you can imagine, Bios updates only operate on Hardware performance on the M15x.
The problems addressed by the Bios updates are:

GPU downclocking
CPU downclocking
Touch button responsiveness
Touchpad problem while using keyboard

Construction wise, nothing as been revised since the release of the M15x (appart from the release of a new GPU, the Nvidia Quadro). This includes all the hardware components, cooling solutions, hinge system, plastic components and everything related to the M15x manufacturing.

I hope that clarifies a bit on the information given to you.

The reason why people "still" buy from Alienware is the topic of several other threads spread around this forum, that you can easily find.

Kind regards,
M.

 

Unless you have something useful to say that will help other members, I suggest you quit being a troll.

 

yeah the m15x plastic hinge issue has not been addressed and causes "screen popping" and the inability to open your laptop.

 

everybody, let's not forget this has happened just six times so far. let's not blow this out of proportion.

 

Yes, I've had my m15x for about almost half a year now, and my screen hinge is still good.

 

Only real mark of doubt on the m15x are the plastic hinges. Rest is solved.

 

i still think this is an isolated issue. this seems like the time there was a lot of talk about the gap above the ethernet port issue. does anyone remember the gap about the ethernet port issue where the top part of the m15x would seperate from the ethernet port. i have seen a complaint about that for a while.

 

i think this thread should die now....seems everything that needed to be said was. the rest is just repetative garble...

 

Final answer is everything but the chassis is high quality then? Chassis isn't even really that bad, minor issues other than the isolated issues.

 

there are other issues, but if you get a good one then it is fine.

 

new review: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/dell-alienware-notebook,review-31219-13.html

don't worry I linked to here

 

Telling someone to get product Y instead of X because you will not get problems is not sound advice. Everything man made has a chance to give problems.

I was made by God and my wife complains about me on a daily basis.

If 94 people came in the forum and said they did not have any issues with the build quality of the Alienware m15x, would you change your opinion of the m15x's build quality?

It is def not an Xbox 360.

 

Fact is 5 People with the same problem. Dose not mean everyone has the same problem.

I vote to have this tread closed.

 

That's what I tried to say in another thread. There's way more of us that have not had any major issues with the m15x at all. Not every m15x/Alienware user signs up for NBR. So, I hope interested buyers aren't being intimidated here.

 

This thread was written in May.

Things changed and I have also changed the OP to reflect the changes that AW introduced.
As I mentioned several times, most of the hardware problems have been solved (if not all). I'm still a bit suspicious about the temperatures, but maybe it's just normal and OK.

Regarding manufacturing problems, they are the same. This is, for the vast majority of people, not an issue. But that the M15x has a poor build, that's a fact that pretty much, everyone agrees with.

So... I don't see why this thread should be closed.

Obviously, we have to reflect a bit on how this thread has been used. It was used as a "battleground" for people that love and dislike AW. As I mentioned way back, when I wrote it, this thread was meant to be an informative one.

That is, at the present time, still the intention of the OP.

As it stands (and as I mention on the 1st post), the M15x's problems have been solved, with the exception of build problems (like wobbliness, creackiness, camera, speaker quality, security lock, etc...). The build problems are rather minor and SHOULD NOT BE blown out of proportion. The M15x is working as it's expected. Some will feel dissapointed with the quality of the material, some will not (which might be highlighted by the ammount of money AW's machines cost).

More... Because I thought this was an outdated thread, I tried to compile the problem that 7 owners have had with their hinges breaking into a new thread (a problem that, to my eyes, is worrying). I was expressely prohibited to do so and I was ordered to stuff that information here as well.

I don't see why people shouldn't have the right to be informed about it... It would actually be quite irresponsible not to let people know what's happening. Everyone should then be inteligent enough to judge positive vs negative reports and make up their minds.

 

I agree with milcs. The purpose of this thread is to keep an organized list of the problems that have surfaced with the m15x, in order to help potential customers get an in-depth view of the product, before they buy it. Since Alienware products cannot be purchased from brick and mortar stores, I think it's extremely important to have as much information available online as possible. As such, this thread is very important, and should not be closed.

In fact, I believe it would be great to have a thread like this for every new release - not just from Alienware, but from all the other botique brands, including the ever-touted Sager [which is encountering issues of its own with the new 5796 and 8660 models]. The simple truth is that all frontline hardware is going to have problems. Having all of those problems in one place is extremely helpful for new buyers.

I understand that not everyone is going to encounter the same problems, I understand that happy users don't often come to say that everything is going fine, and I agree that some people are blowing things way out of proportion. That's not an excuse to completely ignore all the problems, though - and it's certainly not an appropriate reason [by my judgment] to sweep them all under the rug by locking this thread.

This is a useful thread. Let's not spoil it, please, AtolSammeek.

 

I know that some of you guys want this thread close but in my opinoin this is a good thread for everyone to "vent" on their opinions of the M15x basically. It is better to have more people complaining / sharing info here than just ruining other threads.

So yes I agree that this is a useful thread even though it may not seem like it sometimes.

With that being said, it seems as if AW has fixed a lot of problems with the M15x. However, I can understand that people are still very angry in some cases because it took AW awhile to completely fix these problems.

 

i only opted for closure of the thread cause it was getting to the point that nothing new was coming out that was not presented within the first 20 pages or so. (give or take +/-3 pages)

kind of akin to beating a dead horse....

but ok - no worries to me if it stays open so that more of the same can be posted....

peace out.

 

"Regarding manufacturing problems, they are the same. This is, for the vast majority of people, not an issue. But that the M15x has a poor build, that's a fact that pretty much, everyone agrees with."

That is some statement and "we all know" that is untrue.

"I agree with milcs. The purpose of this thread is to keep an organized list of the problems that have surfaced with the m15x, in order to help potential customers get an in-depth view of the product, before they buy it."

If that was indeed the purpose of this thread, then the thread should be titled as such. The thread is "The "Why you shouldn't buy the M15x" thread" not the "List of Issues with the M15x". The thread is flat out telling potential consumers to not buy the notebook. You know how these threads get started?

Mr Consumer spends money on a product. The product does not meet Mr Consumer's expectations and Mr Consumer seeks out other consumers to see if they have the same problem. Other consumers have had the same problem and pesto we have these thread. My problem with the whole slanted sampling is Mr Consumer never found out how many people do not have a problem with the product to determine what the rate is.

So it comes down to we all should not buy an M15x because 10 people have had the same issues with them. Were they denied a refund or replacement? I can understand if the purpose of the thread was not to purchase one because AW's customer service was bad because all 10 did not receive any restitution, but that is not the purpose of this thread.

That is just my take and I am not trying to offend anyone and realize it may seem like it and apologize in advance.

 

Actually one of the CONs from the m15x is "poor workmanship" or "feel of cheap plastic".

And i would say this translates in poor build quality.

 

this is a good thread if it was compiled earlier i would never have bought one keep up the great work Milcs.

My m15x feels like a cheap version of a Korean Hyundai XL or worse still when i tried to use it it is so slow even with a bread new Vista installation, my laptop performs poorly when opening large applications.

The casing around my computer is warping due to heat problem and the right side of lid hinge has come off peeling back my LCD cover. The plastic is aweful feeling and the mouse pad is poor quality along with the keyboard unresponsiveness. Too many problems to list i cant be bothered anymore just hope my night mare will be over soon. My AlienFX lighting stopped working as well

 

Just from what I've read on NBR AW has a pretty strict policy about refunds. Even for people whose M15x had issues they would only offer to try to fix them multiple times, if you wanted a refund for a defective unit they'd try and charge you 15% restocking fee. Now in my mind the restocking fee is there to discourage people from buying the laptop and then just deciding they don't really like it. But when there are real problems the refund should be 100%, no penalty imo.

 

the key word in the policy is "may" be charged a restock fee.
again as i have posted in other threads, the outocme of your restock fee is a compilatin of several factors to include personal attitude when dealing with issues.
if you are professional, allow AW to fix the problems, and not berate the CS staff or techs, then when it comes down to it, you have a better argument for a "full" refund vice having to pay the restock fee.

and i agree with you about the buy then return cuase they just did not like it or they get buyers remorse.

 

I read this tread and I agree with the tread below by Stone825.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=284634

Fact is Why you shouldn't buy the m15x" thread has to much false or Missleading info.

I think Stone has the best idea. Clean up The Facts and Give the Buyers or Users ture facts. We should not have to read 50 pages of Junk.

 

this is why i opted to have the thread closed as it was going nowhere further anymore and served no real purpose...
i still fill the same, but flip-flopped (had to say it... ) since others felt it was still needed....meh.

 

I couldn't disagree more with you here, read the first post and show me one wrong or missleading info in there! It is true that this thread became polluted by a lot of rubbish informations along its 50p but the first post still stands as true and informative as it was first created - thanks to milcs constant updates!

And TBH after reading all your posts in the last time, I think you have a personal issue against milcs and just want (t)his thread closed for your own satisfaction...

Regarding Stone825s' thread, his initiative to clean up the infos is good, but I think they are stripped down a bit too much. It should inform future buyers but a mere sentence on such a severe thing like busting hinges is IMHO simply not enough information regarding a 3000+$ purchase! I hope you get my point here...

Milcs wanted to compile those problems into a new thread an extract them out of here but it got closed! Well nothing more to say here...

 

Guys, if you think you SHOULD buy them15x, make a thread... what you like about it... and such...

if you think you should NOT buy, then post here your experiences, and try to edit out the rage and emotions...

and try not to butt heads on the same threads and cause informative, to both sides, threads from being closed...

go to your corners! sheesh!

 

That fine if you want a dirty tread vs a Clean one. That up to you. I deal with Alienware for a few years. Many problems. But I centered my problem on my own and agenst alienware. I did not open a tread to Flame Alienware.

I think stone is trying to do is make a easy base tread that people can look at the laptop. See the stuff that been fix. Then go ok this laptop might or might not be good for me. Then listen to Bla bla bla bla Junk info 5 days. Basicly he seid she seid junk.

People want clean easy to read Facts. Not junk. Info that been fix and so on.

Plus you can read in 1 to 5 pages. Vs 55 pages he seid she seid.

 

Well this thread isn't for facts really. it is a collection of horror stories that need to be told. These emotions are necessary because if we didn't have them, then the m15x would look great on paper.

if i had read this thread before buying, i'd be much happier right now.

 

if i'm given a craptastic machine for my hard earned $4000, i'd be furious... i'd be fuming... i'd be dead from heart attack... but they would have heard a piece of my mind...

BUT, this, i have to agree, anger is not the best way to get your point/story through... anger and fury never does anything... you just become another madman running down the street screaming... "SOYLENT GREEN IS HUMAAAAAAN!"...

hence i disagree with some of the posts backed with furious emotions... but beyond that, i can understand what they are feeling and why they are feeling so...

but it seems, when you filter out the emotions, the many threads(perhaps excluding some) are informative threads that recount their personal experience... not flaming the company... frustrated at the company... for sure...

 

As Crizzler says, read the 1st post. Tell me why it isn't informative? Tell me why it's misleading? Also, remember I wrote this in May and I was forbiden to write in any other thread regarding problems that have been experienced by many, more recently.

And I say no more... This just became an anti-milcs parade and I'm taking no part of it.

I'm keeping the 1st post updated, it states the fixes that AW introduced and it shows problems that existed when I first wrote the post. Also, it gives particular attention to the hinge problem that now counts 9 (NINE) owners with the same problem.

I agree with something though... This became the ****hole where everyone comes to steam off their egos and play little wars. So if it became a sh**y thread, stop a second and think about your own interventions and how did that contribute to it.

I can say that if you read my 1st post in an unbiased way, I don't see any missleading information or any lie. It's purely informative (give or take my way of expressing myself).

Appart from that, for me, this is not a fight. I'm giving my time updating the 1st post and trying to keep it updated. I'm doing my best and I'm sure that anyone that reads the 1st post and not all the garbage people have spread around this thread, will only gather valuable information that will aid them on their choice.

 

I noticed and mentioned Atol's anti-Milcs harrassment a long time ago, and I've been reporting his derogatory and meaningless posts. What milcs is doing is informative and useful. Atol complaining about him is not.

 

even though i'm not a fan of milcs' sometimes, ah, sensationalist choice of words, i think what he's doing is important. the case cracking may be a rare issue, but it's good for people to know this.

 

milcs is but like any of us here that post....(so this is not anti milcs in this post)
at times we make great notations and observations, at other times we lean farther off topic then we should, at others yet we attack (or it appears that way) topics and vent.
i have seen posts by milcs that are very constructive, and on the flip side, he has posted just blatent anti-AW stuff with little more then AW sucks (not verbatim mind you, but based on responses to milcs, it comes across this way).
none of us are perfect and all of us post anti this or that at some point...
i agree that the post is informative and offers insight....but it has lacked this for several pages now and that is why i wanted it closed....
and my posting does not help either....

ok im out....

 

Let's do three things then...

1- Let's judge this thread for the initial post (as this thread's topic is, in fact, what is throughly presented on that first post. Not the avalanche of crap that was posted in response to that)
2- Let's avoid making this a personal thing
3- Let's try and do more constructive posts from now on... I'm sure it would do great for all of us