The question everyone should be asking...

not sure how this ended up being an argument about preferences and personal opinions regarding design. I think the point is that a company that was the Holy Grail of gaming should offer atleast 1 option for the enthusiasts. Even if they offer 50 more casual/mainstream models, the (former) king of gaming computers should have atleast 1 extreme model line that they continue to offer. And if they don't, they should be embarrassed at completely destroying their formal reputation and standing in the PC gaming community.

 

Ingenious to make the possibility to use same motherboard in 15 and 17 inches laptops. Cheaper and much more money backwards to the OEM's. Everything is about the $€£ Dell couldn't use the same motherboard on an new Aw18. Better get rid of that model.

 

I'd even go ahead and wager Alienware died after the M17x R4/M18x R2, with the reduction in port selection, lower quality chassis, build quality, and QC,and to top it all off, an unflashable BIOS.

Not to come off as "elitist", but after reading the threads/responses in the New 13/15/17 forum compared to the M15x/M17x/M18x forums, the end users seem less....educated on computers than those of the legacy systems.

 

I definitely agree with this, it wouldn't kill them to offer at least one, perhaps at least a decent update to the AW 18 is in order?

I think what you said is the very definition of elitist.

 

And ironically it's only been recent that I started to look at AW and thought "wow their build quality DOESNT look like ****" Like any other company they are out to make money. If you don't like how they do it move to another company. I really don't even get why this thread exists. If you want to make AW change then don't buy AW and send their support accounts a letter as to why so that they know why people are jumping ship. ***** threads like this really do nothing more than 1) make people look elitist, 2) make others feel as if they are being put down for what they feel is a great machine.

Nothing useful ever come out of these topics.

 

This and similar threads can provide some information to people who do not quite know what to purchase perhaps? All companies want your money, so much info as possible is important

 

I see this Alienware 18 on dell's website being offered with Maxwell GPUs, So they didn't kill em all right ?
I just don't get why wont they release an update for AW17 to boot with Maxwell / legacy like the AW18 with BIOS A12, Or atleast unlock the secure flash to let us tinker.

The ultimate backstab, freaking daisycutters.

All our woes would be gone in an instant like magic, atleast for AW17 R1 owners.

 

Eh, it's not a big deal to me, it gives me a little more information about the system and I can see other's opinions. The concerns are valid for a certain set of people, but I have my own needs and wants from a laptop that doesn't necessarily match theirs, and the Alienware fills those needs so I'm happy with my purchase.

 

Plenty can come from threads like these. AW 18 users got a BIOS that supports Maxwell GPU upgrades, and the new disposable AW's got a much needed PSU upgrade sanctioned by Dell. We let them know what we want and what sucks, and the squeaky wheels get the grease... Just not this time. Either way, keeping silent is never a good way to invoke change, that goes for other areas in life too.

 

I still think the build quality of the 18 is fantastic, one of the nicest looking computers I've ever seen. Weak point would be the plastic outer cover but still a nicely built machine. QC on it, not so much. I don't know half of what some people on here know and I am nowhere near an enthusiast like others here. In fact I am in awe at some others on this site. I am an enthusiast in the sense that I want the best of the best, whether I know how to use it or not, I want to be able to have it. And I want the real pros on here to have that option as well. Makes them happy, keeps them as customers, and allows people like me to continue to learn from those who really know what they are doing.

My 18 literally gives me high blood pressure, it pisses me off and frustrates me so much. I also love it and when it's working like I want, I'm a pretty proud owner, for the most part. Til I hate it again. Would love to see them keep it around, make a few tweaks for those on here that deserve the more extreme side of things and redeem themselves just a little. I have about a 3.7% belief that will happen though.

 

It's a renewed zombie with new cards because they couldn't sell them enough and there were laying in the depot.

They already sold enough of AW17 so they don't give a damn.

 

They want single GPU owners to buy a new BGA 17 instead of upgrading what they have. The Alienware 18 probably would not have a BIOS update for Maxwell except for the fact they are attempting to sell it. Had they provided better firmware support and not crippled the BIOS before Maxwell was released they would likely be sold out. After all of the fan problems and totally ignorning the pleas of customers for an unlocked BIOS without Secure Flash falling on deaf ears, I don't know why anyone would consider buying one now. It's really a shame, too. The 18 is really well made and it has potential to be truly phenomenal but for all of the crippling firmware limitations. We could call it "Digital Genocide" LOL.

 

Mr Azor should be ashamed when he removed the only option for some <a brand new AW18 with Gtx980m Sli> He just came up with excuses that such new model was not possible to create more due to lack of parts and firmware... Everyone see what happened. A limited version with an EOL processor came out a year after Aw18 was pronounced dead. All @Alienware-Frank and DEll would offer was a newly developed graphics amplifier for those who wanted better performance than a laptop with single graphics card...
Dells Graphics amplifier will now get more competition from other OEM's. They will also create similar G/A boxes now. Promote this G/A as a major reason to purchase an AW is soon history... Thanks and goodbye. Razer have it now. More OEM's will follow the road. Dell isn't alone with this **** box anymore

 

He definitely should be ashamed. Killing off a flagship offering that brought AW to fame isn't a nice legacy to leave behind.
I'd still like to hear from Mr Kahn who seemed to understand what we wanted but wasn't able to deliver.. "Are you guys just going to take it laying down?"

 

@AW Khan could perhaps give you an answer on this
Dellienware is perhaps not interested in supplying Gtx980 desktop card in their gaming laptops either. Clevo, Asus and MSI have this already in its model range. But these brand has models that are thick enough to have one Dellienware was the last out of all major brand with Gtx980m too. G-Sync is also NO NO. Same with 32Gb ram. Fully three ssd slots in such a slim 17 inch laptop is a piece of art . 8GB VRAM was precisely the new hightech in those rebadged Echo models. This at the end of the graphic life. Outraged development of tech from Dell. LOL And the chances are high that soldered memory becomes the new feature in 2016 Echo models from Dell. 16 GB soldered RAM does not take big place, so Dellienware have a golden opportunity to shrink these laptop models further. Nice.

 

My favorite Alienware was the Nebula Red M17x r2 with RGB screen and the following background.

 

Better and better day for day... http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...s-gone-backwards.781343/page-18#post-10206124