The Official M9750 Owners Lounge

Product Detail



[1] Area-51® m9750

Video/Graphics Card: 512MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7950 GTX
Chassis: 17" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD - Stealth Black
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7200 2.0GHz 4MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 512MB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
Tuners and Remotes: Without Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 80GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 5,400 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 24x DVD-ROM/CD-RW Burner
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Sound Card: High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mesh Cap
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mousepad
Alienware Extras: AlienInspection - Exclusive Integration and Inspection - $100 Value - FREE!

i receive an email from fedex, my order is gonna be here in 2 days, i just made some changes,from vista to xp. and no recovery kit. guys i got a question, do the built in camera on 9750 has a built in mic?

 

tagalog ako.born in bataan,my 9750 gonna be here in 2 days.

 

Uh.. thats such a weird thing to happen... 3 pinoys getting an m9750, on the same forums..... well now I know I'm not the only one... (I will be, for a few more days lol)

 

I think you were referring to my post. It all depends on how you are going to pay but I personally paid by credit card and Alienware asked me to provide ID documentation to prove the address provided on my order form matches my registered credit card address etc. It's a pain in the a**e and its taking ages to sort out as UK customer service are sooooooo slow but it is a necessary evil and I appreciate it needs to be done. Apparently this is a standard procedure and all UK customers paying by CC have to do this. I'm still in phase 1 but now the above has been sorted out hopefully I'll see some movement soon… fingers crossed!

So bottom line is your order may be delayed due to the above but I think once you get past this stage things progress quite quickly with the build of the system unless there are any parts on your order that are back ordered.. etc

 

Technically the m9750 is compatible with the 8700M GT, Alienware has replied in three different e-mails to dif people that they are testing DX 10 cards in the m9750

 

Hi there!

what a nice forum!
after reading all your comments I am now sure that I will buy this wonder soon (it is now available in france )
But I still have a few questions before sending my order:

About buying a single GPU one, in order to update to a 88XX DX10 SLI later: wouldn't I miss the heat pipe for 2 GPU's? or is this something I could get later, as it has a default shape or something?
And if heat pipe is not an issue... I have read somewhere that you can not find MXM3 7950go...so no way to reduce the cost by buying this card elsewhere (and still getting the powerfull SLI...)?

And about buying a single hdd version, too: do you need specific things to connect a second hdd, like a specific power/data cable ? And is that possible to activate RAID by yourself (once you got two similar HDD...) or do you miss a specific controler?

and about the RAM: I was given an old toshiba laptop and tried to upgrade the RAM by buying additionnal DDR (easy to do), but i tried several different brands and still got random blue screens, even with (memtest-ok) samsung chips (same brand but not exactly the same chip that the base one)
-> Is that something that may happen for nowaday laptops memory controllers? As this one is my first laptop I really have no clue on what's going on but I really would like to know if DIY memory upgrades went well on the m9750...

and the final part is: why do everybody consider that DIY CPU upgrade is not really an option? Is it glued to the mother board or something like this?

(I am not really carring about the warranty, you probably understood this )

thanks a lot if you have answers, and thanks a lot even otherwise, as I already got so much useful info here!

 

If the 8800M cards are supplied in the same format as the Go7950GTX cards in the M9750 right now, then the notebook will be able to handle it. In order to be classified as an MXM card, it must meet certain requirements - the size/form factor, and amount of heat produced. So I don't think there will be any issues on that front.

I do think that you will have to go to Alienware to get the cards. If you buy them elsewhere and install then you will probably void your warranty, or at least Alienware won't help you out if you have problems.

That shouldn't happen with the M9750 as long as you buy the right RAM. It takes DDR2-667 (PC2-5300/PC5300, same thing), 200-pin So-DIMMs. Check the RAM DEALS thread for the best prices.

Usually it's cheaper to get the CPU from Alienware.

Hm, I would because if something goes wrong one month after you buy the laptop and you already voided your warranty . . . you have a very expensive paperweight.

I'm proud to announced that I have submitted my Alienware M9750 review and to expect to see it up today or tomorrow.

 

awesome, can't wait to read it.

 

Hi, LOL this might be a bit wierd question but serously..

when i play like battlefield 2142 and battlefield 2 you know how some people do a kick vote or when you apply for commander you gotta press page up or down well when it comes time to do that it doesent work like i got it to maybe work once but after i pressed pg up or something it took like a little while to respond but now it doesent even do it lol i mean i can care less but has any1 had that problem

 

I bought a single HDD and easily installed a second one without any thing special. Its like a slot and screws very simple to do , so you should have no problems. xD

 

I'm doing my best to decipher this . . . you do know that you need to press the Function key in combination with one of the arrow keys to get the functions printed in blue on those keys to work right?

 

oh umm didnt try that...lol oh ya hahaha.

it works now didnt even think about that thanks chaz.

 

anyone? Someone must know....

 

That's an issue you have to deal with through screen calibration. Here's a thread about Monitor Calibration you can look at:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=143746

The M9750's display is "True color", or 32-bit (16.7 million colors). The Mac isn't any different than the PC in this respect.

 

Thanks for the info, and Chaz thanks for your ansers as well.

the point beyond all my question is that it seems that the cpu is a bottle neck for the dual 7950 config. So i was thinking about taking the lower config in order to upgrade the whole thing later (as I would do for a desktop...)
Intel will release extreme version of its laptop CPU, and if by any chance the 8800 comes some day and is more powerfull than a 7950 then i assume that i will have to update the cpu as well in order to have a homogeneous system...

for the RAM and the hdd, it just about saving money

finally i think i will go for the sli version, low hdd and low ram....and i have to study the future update possibilities for the cpu in order to know which one to take now...

 

The screen is calibrated well, I do some graphic design and when I sent something to a print shop a fe days ago it came back with hardly and difference than what is on the screen, however I am going to get my screen perfectly calibrated

 

The Alienware M9750 has been reviewed:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3840
Enjoy it.

 

Great review thanks very much Chaz!!!!


My billing issue was finally resolved today so at last my M9750 can start to be built !!!!

Only another two to three weeks to wait now

 

Congratulations, and hang in there man - it's worth the wait. Remember, half the fun is waiting. It wouldn't be that gratifying if you got it tomorrow.

 

Well done Chaz..........too bad mine got delayed another week

 

hey Chaz, when you reviewed the m9750, and you did the 3D Mark 06 testing. Was both GPU's enabled?

 

Yeah I have had a great experience with the screen's color quality and depth. The gloss is just right to work well in many lighting conditions and I am extremely happy with it's performance.

 

Also, I would like to say that I agree with pretty much every viewpoint in the NBR review of the m9750. I don't know if this helps anyone but...

 

Yes, SLI was enabled for every benchmark.

It helps me feel better. It confirms that I made the right judgment calls, which is always good. I appreciate it.

 

Man i know the feeling lol its almost like waiting for a sick game to come out and your like aww man is that day here yet i go crazy hahaha. BUt least its good to know yours will start building cause then you waste days knowin your m9750 is actaully building and not doing anything lol.

 

Chaz,
did you have to manually go through the process of optimizing the m9750 for dual core performance, or did it come out of the box all ready to go. Also, did you have to look for new drivers?
I was just curious, as i like to get a computer thats perfect coming out of the box...

 

HI, i know you are asking chaz the question but since im looking at it ill answer anyways. It comes ready out of the box. Alienware Will install all drivers and updates upon shipment. if any new updates come up after they ship it you will then have to download them your self. But this can easily be done .

 

so I just got off the phone w/ Alienware....my order was canceled (by another customer due to a screw up). Luckily the $ came out of my account today too. 2 weeks and a day since I ordered and now I get to start over from scratch on Monday with the backordered tuner and who knows what else by then. Plus it is like pulling teeth to get my original price on the TV tuner ($109 less) so I'm sure they won't offer me anything like a free upgraded warranty or 10% off They will expedite the shipping so I get it shipped quicker I'm sure, but guess I won't be taking it to QuakeCON.

I do want to say thank you to everyone who's posts I've read over the months and loved your review, Chaz, and am glad it runs up to my expectations and the little keyboard issues that I had also noticed were your only flaws.

I guess I will throw out one question for anyone. The TV Tuner is NTSC (analog?) but I noticed on their Customization page for the 9750 that you can click on the "performance" and the 2nd bubble at the top for preconfigured machines and it lists Digital TV Tuner....... any ideas or maybe just a typo that I caught from staring at it every day for months? Also, the s-video in...is it equipped only if the other tuner is added and does the s-video also work with Media Center for TV Tuning? Someone who has one may know and I want to figure the best way to get Direct TV and possibly my saved DVR's from them into it so that info will certainly help....

 

man thats crazy they should defintly give you the tuner for the same price.
best of luck to you.

 

Hey Chaz great review! It was very helpful is better understanding the great piece of machine. I did have a question about the rendering benchmarks that you have posted. As this is all new to me can you please give a explanation as to what it exactly means. I mean in the end I really want to know how much more faster it's going to be against say a Pentium 4 2.0 ghz, 1gb RD Ram, geforce 6800xt card?

 

All drivers are installed, yes, however you have to do the Windows XP Multi Core hotfix yourself. Follow Gophn's guide in the Sager forum. Make sure you do this as it is very important to get the full performance out of your box, and the most stability.
Note that it is only for Windows XP . . . Vista users not to worry.

You'll get getting far faster performance with the M9750. The processor is probably the bottleneck in your current system.

The Cinebench renderings? That's a CPU benchmark that measures how fast the CPU can render an image.

 

yo guys im new here and this looks like a pretty sick forum, anyways im wondering whether i should get a 2.16GHz or 2.33GHz processor for my M9750 im gonna get...i obivously want it to last 5 years atleast and is .17GHz really going to be noticable at all for a C2D...any feedback would be nice

i want the laptop for my media centre, and of course, hardcore gaming also the extra 300 would be nice to get headphones and or a bag

another question quickly, does norton internet security have a full scan like antivirus? is anti virus & system mechanic worth getting?

 

not from Alienware. There are better deals on that software like through Frys and Im sure many others....

 

sweet thanks man, and ive decided on the 2.16GHz processor, much better deal, and now ive got a mouse, headphones, and backpack

 

I'd go with the briefcase, with such a large machine (but thin ) its much easier to take it in and out of a briefcase than a backpack, I havent tried my m9750 on a backpack but my briefcase gives me no worries, I speak from the experience of having a 15" Standard Aspect Ratio laptop in and out of a backpack

 

Well different opinions. I first carried a briefcase type bag for an early heavy Gateway desktop replacement. Then my current Dell which is fatter and heavier than this Alienware 9750. Started using the shoulder strap sometime in there to free up a hand, started getting major shoulder cramps - and also learned I can develop problems if I keep it up. Switched to backpack - I will NEVER go back. Frees up hands and takes the least toll on your body. I have taken this laptop to and from work literally every day since spring 2004 and dont find taking it in and out of backpack any problem at all.

 

Sequoia is right, for me the backpack would be nice, free hands, and the main this is with the backpack i can bring my other nessesites for a sleepover lan party and whatnot, so i can have an all-in-one type thing. not to mention the price difference of the briefcase (not too much but anyways...)

thanks anyways phritz i 'preciate it

 

ya just go for 2.16ghz and no junk is installed at alienware so norton anti and stuff is up to you.

 

So Vista users don't need any fix for dual core optimization?

 

Here's a quick question for all of you: Do any of you know if there is some sort of sleeve on the market that would fit the m9750?? I think I would like to have one because the laptop backpack I have doesn't quite fit the m9750 in the laptop sleeve and I am forced to put it in the main area of the largest pocket and thus if I ever want other things in that pocket I am afraid of the laptop scratching. Anyone know any companies who make something like this? Thanks for any help you can give. ^-^

 

Also, to PigRat&Goat I believe that with Vista you don't need to worry at all about multi-core processors.

 

Go here:
http://www.spireusa.com/products/sleeves.htm

I have a backpack and sleeve (they call it a "boot" ) from this company for my very heavy Dell 9100 that I have loaded up with more stuff on a daily basis for about 2-3 years now and its still like it is new. No wear on any part of it that I can tell. Very strong straps.
They make sleeves for every laptop (well several sleeves and they guide you to what sleeve fits yours
http://209.200.64.184/fit.cfm?prod_code=BT6

They dont have the 9750 up there yet but isnt it the same as the 9700 size wise?

Unfortunately the sleeve they direct you to for the 9700 only is claimed to fit in their largest backpack. Im trying to find out if it can work in my sleeve and backpack and next week Im going to see one and test it out cause I dont want to have to buy a new one if poss. They are a bit pricey but they are the most sturdy backpacks Ive seen. I really have to say, Ive loaded this one very heavy a LOT and often did the "one strap carry" with it and the straps are SO STRONG!!! Im not exaggerating when I say if you saw my 3 year old backpack you would say it still looks brand new - and Ive carried it with me DAILY to and from work, and in anywhere else when I didnt want to leave my laptop in the car (which is NEVER) but had it with me.

They are sort of an "outdoor minded" company crossed with a "laptop minded" company so you get the best from both worlds - as everyone knows outdoor companies make the sturdiest backpacks.

If you just want the sleeve (boot) then theirs is perfect. Mine for my Dell fits like a glove and fits in the backpack nicely and has a handle that doesnt take up space but helps if Im only carrying the boot - which is rare, but.....

 

It looks like they have 9 different size sleeves now for all the diff laptop sizes



and by the way, if you buy a backpack, the boot comes with it - which ever one you need and is rated to fit in that backpack as all boots dont fit in every backpack...

Here are the current backpacks for sale (they come in more colors BTW)
http://www.spireusa.com/products/backpacks.htm
For a while they had girly type backpack styles but those seem to be discontinued, but point being, they change the lineup sometimes.
They are a good small American company that makes a great product!!!


heres a little blip about them from them but I can backup all of their claims they make here
http://www.spireusa.com/about/whyspire.htm
No, I dont work for them but I have been blown away by their product and really believe in supporting a good company doing things for people and that are about more than the "bottom line" (profit)

 

It looks like their largest one (4XL) is 1/4" too small width-wise from the dimensions AW gives on their site (15.65X11.75X1.5) but they look to be nice boots. I don't really want another backpack but they look top notch as well. What size do you have sequoia?? Thanks for the help btw, I really appreciate it.

 

This is a great forum. Thanks Chaz for the informative review. My 9750 is loaded on a truck for the weekend but the driver called and said she'd be by between 11AM and 12AM Monday. Can't wait to do the Hotfix for dual core and clean up the start-up fluff. Chaz, if you or anyone else knows, what's the fastest processor that can be installed in the 9750? I'm actually looking forward to upgrading it in a couple years with more ram, faster processor and a couple of SSD's once the price comes down on SSD's.

Thanks again,Rob

 

w00t, typing on my new 9750...

going to order some ocz ram 2x2gb from the ram deals section, and working on a duel boot of xp pro...I'll let you guys know how it goes haha

 

Well Rob currently you can install any of the C2D processors that aren't Santa Rosa for sure (up to 2.33 Ghz) but I'm not sure about the Santa Rosa lineup that they have out now...I'm sure Chaz could tell you though.

 

Correct.

Congratulations Rob. The fastest processor that you can put in the M9750 is the Core 2 Duo T7600 2.33GHz. You can only put in the Socket M chips which have 667MHz FSBs.

 

Speaking of processors...and knowing it will void the warrenty...is ther any potential to OC the T7200 or T7400 at all on the m9750? Just wondering

 

The C2D chips are some of the most versatile processors on the market when it comes to overclocking. I am not one who does that sort of thing so I can't tell you how but I am fairly confident that you could overclock a m9750's processor.