When are the new Alienwares with Maxwell coming?

I think that one spot that says Alienware 15 might be a mistake... that is entirely in the page context of the AW 17.... not sure I would count the AW 18 out yet or be certain of the existence of an AW 15 just on that alone.

 

Notice the specs on the AW17?
GTX 970M 3GB
GTX 980M 4GB
?

Those are soldered GPUs. Why else would they ditch 6GB 970M and 8GB 980M? Save space on the motherboard... :/

Its will be a sad day Mr Fox if you leave the AW subforum. Im superhappy I snagged one AW18 with 100W GPU and CPU heatsinks and socketed Extreme CPU.

In my eyes they are taking a totally wrong road. Nothing would be good enough to replace M18x/AW18. Very strange move I dont understand the meaning of?!

It says only 13, 17 R2 and 18 R1 here?!

 

Another sign for soldered GPUs I think. Lower TDP requirements and lower power consumption if one goes by the specs Prema posted about soldered vs MXM for Maxwell. They also cut VRAM in half from MXM and ditched socketed Extreme 55W CPUs for 47W HQ processors, so allin all power requirements have gone down because of this :/

 

Yeah - even so, I have a feeling the 18 is going to stick around... I can't see AW conceding the dual GPU market to the likes of MSI...

 

To be honest, I can. And it's thanks to the Graphics Amplifier. I say with neutrality in mind. I see pros and cons of letting this happen.

 

Pros: easier for them to make inexpensive mass production machines and a universal fit eGPU that is compatible with multiple systems in an effort to try to compensate for the rest of the machine specs being modest. Basically each machine can be essentially the same product with a variety of chassis, keyboard and screen sizes. While it might be really nice, made well and look good, this is not an enthusiast-grade product.

Cons: they will lose the interest (and business) of the avid performance enthusiast that want the whole machine to be a beast without any help from the eGPU desk anchor.

 

Soldered components may be a huge mistake for them, and a bummer for us.

The costs associated with warranty service requests is going to skyrocket. I'm afraid they will change their warranty to adjust for this "loss." If a GPU dies, they'll have to replace the entire motherboard - both CPU and GPU - and a third-party "certified" technician will have to disassemble the entire machine, which is extremely tedious. No offense, but the technicians I had experience with were not that bright. I eventually started disassembling my system for them (before they arrived).

It's almost as though this "new generation" of Alienware systems are Apple MacBook's in disguise.

 

I'm sure support will be hit. I've seen a couple of dell pages stating a return to base warranty. On one a dell rep said it was a 'mistake'? This fits with what you say about it being unservicable .

 

Disposable electronics... never thought that would apply to Alienware machines, but it's pretty stinking prevalent with most of the mainstream consumer garbage available for sale. Yeah, more expensive, but they only need to stock one part. It would not surprise me to see them start soldering the RAM like a crappy Mac, too. One part number for the mobo, CPU, GPU and RAM. Cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all, just like a console. Want to upgrade? No problem, you can replace the HDD or SSD with a bigger one if you want to.

 

Another problem with having this soldered setup with a GA is that the GA could easily outlive the laptop's components. If 1 component in the laptop fails it means a totally new machine. So all the same, people will have to upgrade their laptops and fill Dells coffers anyway.

 

To add to this and my warranty concerns (above): For the sake of discussion, let's say I have an AW 17 R2 - all soldered crap and it dies on me. It's now exactly one year (give or take a few months) after the R2 has been released and both Intel and NVIDIA have stopped making the soldered components available, so no more motherboard replacements are possible. Alienware, according to their warranty, is obligated to provide me with something "equivalent to or better than" my current PC. So, what can good 'ol Alienware do for poor J.Dre? Not a damn thing except replace my system with a new one. Now imagine this but on a global scale - they will potentially be shelling out replacements like crazy!

What is Alienware's response to this situation? Something I fear most: revising their warranty, leaving us out in the cold. No more system replacements or major system upgrades, like a fellow member recently had - M14x R2 to a maxed out AW 17.

Tell me exactly how it makes sense to go soldered, Alienware? Soldered components would have to be extremely cheap for it to make sense. Are labor costs cut because machines now make the entire motherboard? So, does this mean layoffs? I don't see how this is good for anyone.

P.S. This is all hypothetical - I'm partially ranting. But it seems like this is where Alienware is headed.

 

Pros:
- Easier to upgrade GPU (doesn't matter if internal mobile GPU is soldered or not, but it would look more appealing with a soldered GPU)
- To be honest, on the software side of things, modifying .inf files, getting vBIOS, and/or a custom BIOS can be difficult.
- On the hardware side, all it takes is a pop off and that's it.
- Cost effective in the long term/Futureproofing
- Currently, only dual GTX 980m beats a sole GTX 980. But it costs much more. a GTX 980 costs less and performs better than a GTX 980m. So, GA + GTX 980 is more favorable to most than dual GTX 980m SLI. That, and you don't need to wait for games to add SLI profiles.
- GA could be cheaper in the future. Either that, or a used one.
- As well, you can insert future GPUs with ease.
- Ability to make the most powerful workstation laptop. (Just as long as the wsGPU can fit in the box)
- Comes with 4 more USB 3.0 ports.
- Able to power more monitors than necessary (at least 8 I think)
- Nvidia, Intel, and AMD GPUs all in one giant package.
- Put it this way, if the dGPU dies, you at least have another gaming GPU, no matter the side.
Cons
- Taking "desktop replacement" literally and making the laptop a desktop (kills the mobility of the laptop).
- eGPU dock. Honestly, that's a con in of itself.
- Compatible with the 13 R1 and 2015 Alienware laptops (which is one of the points)
- Cannot take in triple-wide GPUs (so no TITAN Z); also cannot take in 295x2
- Proprietary PSU (most likely)
- Takes up a potential laptop port (say another USB port or display port) and power outlet slot.
- Separate warranty needed (probably)
- Need most powerful CPU of choice at the time of buying for best futureproofing (a lot money)
Neutral (not really a pro or con)
- Not for laptop enthusiasts/benchmark obsessers; more for gamers (which is the aim Alienware has on its consumers)
- Great business decision for Alienware; not for some (read below).
Pretty much, this is Alienware's new direction with laptops. They are trying to make it easier to proliferate the laptop (didn't say upgrade because soldering components isn't really upgrading), and with soldered components (I really wish they won't do this), the GA becomes more prized than before for offering true desktop performance. Yes, mobile GPUs are catching up with desktop GPUs in terms of power, but they aren't as easy to upgrade like desktop GPUs nor as cheap. Soldered GPUs make this better by the fact that you can upgrade to any desktop GPU in the future (provided you have the GA) even though you can't upgrade the laptop's GPU.
While this is great for most (Alienware can make a profit from older systems by selling the GA + desktop GPUs to consumers, less support calls, and the most benefit from GPU boost), those who love the idea of maxed laptop power will feel ignored and cheated. To be blunt, laptops seem to be more keen on soldered components than modular components (mainly for GPU and CPU). Removable CPUs and GPUs are about to see the end of their days, and Alienware is preparing for that with the GA.
Note I am mainly talking about the GA. Yes, soldered components aren't the best thing in the world and have some undesired consequences, but for Alienware to make their laptop lineup with the GA appealing for the most, soldering seems like it was essential business move. People find out that, while it take more work, they can upgrade their MXM mobile GPU, and people doubt and lose reason to buy the GA. Add on a dual GPU laptop, and those who own this dual GPU Alienware laptop have little reason to buy the GA because the SLI will surely match the top GPU of its generartion (most likely not the next). Got to make money somehow.

 

Hmm, not sure I agree with your reasoning about soldered feces being better for anyone, especially the customer. That list of Pros looks like a bunch of marketing talking points garbage designed to be confusing and distracting to customers. Put down that glass of Kool-Aid man and look at what a mess this is. BGA mounted CPUs and GPUs means that meaningful upgrades to the laptop itself are all but impossible, not easier. You cannot count a box sitting on a desk as being an upgrade to the laptop. This is an accessory. This trend toward BGA trash is not an essential business move for them, it is a greed-motivated business move that is totally anti-customer in nature. This is a feeble attempt at making more money, but it's more like denying customers value in exchange for their hard earned cash. They sell you an expensive but disposable machine that is stuck forever with the same core components. There are plenty of suckers out there, but they haven't catered to suckers in the past. A good portion of their business has been with serious gamers and performance enthusiasts, not stupid noobs. Looks like they might be looking to do business exclusively with people that don't know any better at this point.

I think J.Dre stated it best. I am in agreement with him on this.

Let's look at my M18xR2 as an example. It started life as an M18xR1. I bought hundreds of dollars worth of parts to upgrade this machine from Dell over and above the original machine purchase price and extended the warranty twice. It has been upgraded to 2920XM, then 3920XM, 580M SLI, 7970M CF, 680M SLI, 780M SLI and will soon be fitted with 980M SLI. (Apparently, your definition of MXM upgrades is way different than most of the rest of us, because this is ridiculously easy, my friend.) This machine offered incredible value and performance of caliber that builds a positive brand reputation and creates devoted, raving fans out of customers. They earned over $1,000 from me over and above the original $4,000 I paid for the first machine. Dell did not lose any money by me having the ability to upgrade. What has happened now is they will get no more money from me ever again if all they can offer is mediocre laptops with BGA mounted CPU and GPU, no extreme performance options and a box sitting on a desk to try to compensate for the machine's shortcomings. How's that a "good business plan" for them? Add in J.Dre's concerns about warranty costs and this is a bank-buster for Dell in my opinion.

There are only so many stupid noobs shopping for expensive machines, Where is the rest of the money in sales going to come from when they run out of noobs? Don't forget that ASUS and MSI are also competing for the hearts and wallets of the same gamer-boy noob Ultrabook shoppers, LOL. Building machines this way just flushed an entire niche segment of business down the toilet for Alienware. These are the "not the noob" big-spender customers that know what quality and performance looks like.

I still love Dell and Alienware as a company. They have been super awesome to me, always fair, and have given me world class service. I am extremely grateful for the customer relationship I have enjoyed with them for a number of years now. But, I'm not about to buy this kind of stuff no matter who is selling it. That's a horrible business plan for me, and guess who I am looking out for? Good old #1 when it's my money. If they go back to making machines like they used to, I will be getting back in line to participate in something awesome. There's nothing awesome to participate in right now from what I can tell.

 

By MXM upgrades, I don't mean from a GTX 670m to a GTX 680m. I'm talking from a GTX 460m to a GTX 780m (and besides that, you and your friends (the people here in NBR:Alienware) are more technical than the average consumer). Yeah, upgrading in the same generation is easy. Going from Red to Green is bit more bumpy, but doable. Going generations ahead? I feel that take a bit more work. That, and you have to dissemble the laptop, which some people really fear. I deal with idiots at home forum on a week-by-week basis. Alienware Arena has a good summary of the demographic Alienware has dealt with.
I'm pretty much indifferent with Alienware's direction on this. On the one hand, they are trying (not saying they are succeeding) to be competitive. On the other, they're losing a market. But there's a problem in this lose-lose: which m arket is more profitable. The dumb or the intelligent? Both can give good rep (and bad), but one knows the insides better. And not all gamers not the insiders like we people. I don't even think those eSports players, given laptops, know that the battery is removable, or that they can overclock the system, but the eSports teams put a good name for Alienware. And those that follow those teams will buy the laptop more than most people on this forum.
Business-wise, Alienware is fine. Reputation-wise, they're going to get kicked in the stomach.
Me? I just want my 13 now. You? You want Alienware to go back to the drawing board to make a win-win. Others? Either or, preferably the win-win.
One things for sure: Alienware can make reliable, sturdy, and hands and wrist-comfy laptops, soldered or not.

 

"The family powerhouse: Outfitted with the latest generation of up to a Quad-Core Intel® Core™ i7 processor with Turbo Boost on an Intel HM87 Express Chipset for full-throttle action, it is equipped for advanced power and a seamless gaming experience. Compared to other Alienware laptops, the Alienware 17 offers our highest graphics and CPU options for maximum CPU performance. It's our flagship laptop that brings the best of everything."

From the AW-17 R2 page people here have linked. Correct me if I'm wrong but that would seem to indicate a LGA CPU since that what HM87 chipset supports which is great new but then again the VRAM capacity on the list GPU's would point to soldered GPU'S which would kind of suck though I guess the GA would mitigate that a bit.

That being said the seemingly imminent demise of the 18 is a real blow to mobile enthusiast who want maximum portable power well hopefully an can eek a few more yeas out of my 18 before I'm forced to compromise down to a 17 inch screen.

 

It reduces up front manufacturing costs. In the long run is probably cheaper too. But the down side is that they will likely greatly reduce the CPU and GPU options you have. They may ditch the in home warranty service altogether, and just do a cross ship replacement, then they can refurb and resell the "broken" laptops and still be ahead.

I don't like losing user expansion options, and to me it makes little to no sense for top end gaming machines like Alienware, Clevo, MSI, or Asus, and Alienware especially. They are unfortunately taking a turn for the worse IMHO. They were the pinnacle of mobile gaming prowess. Now they're just "another gaming laptop" IMHO.

 

I figured it would be cheaper to manufacture. It also makes sense that they'd revise the warranty.

As for the downsides to this, it turns it into a disposable machine, like Mr. Fox said many times. I don't want to believe Alienware would do that.

 

Dell's absolute best attribute is their warranty/onsite service. Being a all integrated system board would probably make it easier for onsite repairs. It will take multiple part issues out of the equation. You either replace system board that takes care of motherboard, cpu,
Gpu at one time. Only other thing would be storage and or ram. From a service/troubleshooting standpoint I understand but from a enthusiast and power user Thisnis exactly why Apple lost my business and will never get another dime from me.

 

Well, you definitely have the kids that have never owned a decent gaming system before (Alienware Arena) and follow the eSports scene, collect Pokemon cards, and look to mommy and daddy, or Santa, to buy their toys. These are the customers that spend a lot of time looking at the pretty cartoon pictures on their Cap'n Crunch cereal box during breakfast, then it's off to catch the school bus. They will believe anything their eSports gods tell them, right or wrong. Then you have the casual gamers that like nice machines, but wizz and moan about size and weight, willing to sacrifice performance for something that they can carry around like they would a smutty paperback romance novel. Some of them will bite if the pictures of the laptop look really pretty on Pinterest. Then there are the hardcore BIG MONEY spenders that want what they want and won't compromise. They will be the ones doing the stomach-kicking and throat-slitting that causes serious harm to the brand image. They might be a smaller group, but they open their wallets wider and spend bigger money on better stuff. They cling to God, guns and religion and they will not drink the yuppy pee flavored Kool-Aid. Their vitriol and venom will provide unlimited quantities of fuel that gives wings to the internet trolls that live to hate on Alienware for selling overpriced trash, LOL. For once in their lives they will finally be right to make such comments.

WORD Brother HTWingNut! +1 Rep. That's it... just another skippy little rubber-stamped BGA ultra-turdbook for the panty-waists that worship at the Church of Facebook.

 

Hold on, let's not make a hasty generalization about my home forum, alright? I said I dealt with idiots. I never said they were all fools. Hence why I said AWA has a good summary of Alienware's demographic: the enthusiasts, the common consumer, the in-between and what have you.
I don't trash this forum nor does anybody else in AWA, so I should at least see some of the same respect for my forum.

 

Huh? Read the first sentence again. I called them kids that have never owned a decent gaming system. That doesn't imply that everyone there is an idiot. Nor does it imply that everyone there has never owned one. I have an account there also, LOL. We have a fair number of folks here in our community that are like the second stereotype, but there is a wide demographic in both places. I agree that people in this forum and Tech|Inferno are generally more technically competent. That's why I spend most of my time here and at Tech|Inferno and not much time at AWA.

 

The () really made it look like you designated my forum as those people. Apologies for the misunderstanding.
Where there's diversity, there's bound to be intelligence somewhere.

 

Yes, I agree. No apology needed, but I accept it and also apologize that you were offended. That was not my intent.

Things can get a little heated when companies make retarded decisions to ignore the interests of one segment of their customer base and try to use a Procrustean approach to product development. It's not the end of the world that they no longer sell products that interest me. I will simply have to find another source that suits me until they realize that they have made a terrible mistake and get back to doing what made the brand famous. It saddens me that from all outward appearances every laptop product they will offer is something I would view as a mainstream pile of junk.

If you look around at the Alienware Club in Dell Community, you will see some threads that show how they have made some really bad moves with the Area-51 as well. PCI-e slot spacing is not standard spec, so SLI bridge cables are proprietary, you can't buy a 3-GPU bridge from them if you decide to add a third GPU as an upgrade and you can't buy a bridge elsewhere that fits. You cannot buy whatever size PSU you want to have your system ready for future upgrades. They have a modular PSU but fail to provide all of the extra cables and only include as many as necessary to feed the components installed for the factory, etc., etc.

Sad, sad, sad stuff happening at Alienware, and it breaks my heart. This is a brand I have been passionate about for a few years now. Clearly, they have lost touch with the wants and needs of an important segment of their customer base. This is not the kind of Dell/Alienware I have been a fanboy of for so long. The same debase mentality is prevalent in the new Area-51 as what we see if these BGA notebooks... sorry, no upgrades... yet Eduardo Goyanes isn't the least bit bashful talking about upgrades in their marketing videos. They sell something that truly appeals to high performance enthusiasts and then blind-side them with unexpected design limitations.

This must be like a déjà vu moment for people that ponied up big bucks for an Alienware 18 only to find out it has unexpected limitations, is weaker and a less competent machine than its predecessor. This is just wrong, six ways to Sunday. C'mon now... do we really believe that most people that spend $5,000 on a maxed out Alienware 18 or Area-51 are scared of doing their own hardware upgrades? That might be generally true of those that spend less on a low-grade model, but those that want the flagship are typically not that kind of customer. For this anemic 17 with a 180W AC adapter to be tomorrow's flagship model shows how deep into the gutter this brand has fallen.

I am still a fan of this company and regret that I have to point out all of these problems, but if we pretend that the emperor is not naked it will only get worse in time. Change will only come if you vote against it with your wallet. While that may seem counter-intuitive, we can help them be a better and stronger company, learn from their mistakes and know what not to do next time by refusing to drink the Kool-Aid. We need to help them define success if we want a happy ending.

 

I have got bored and impatient in waiting for the updated Alienware line up so have purchased an Asus G751 (980m). I know I've moved to a soldered board solution, but I'm fine with that. I've had my M15x for 4.5 years, and loved it (will probably keep it for 'projects'), but with no confirmed models, and more often than not having to pay the 'Alienware premium' for the first few months I have gone elsewhere.

 

Business wise I guess using soldered components is a move that will outweigh the negative talks about Alienware notebooks without MXM modules.

They are now effectively forcing people who wants to upgrade to either buy a brand new computer from them if the customer wants a faster GPU/CPU. Or buy the Graphic Amplifier and use that one to upgrade the graphics once the soldered GPU in the notebook is starting to show signs of not keeping up. Who knows, they may even start selling Alienware/Dell branded desktop GPUs if the GA sell well.

Using soldered components will also greatly reduce warranty costs for Alienware. No longer will they be forced to replace parts the customer wrecked while trying to get inside the notebook.

In the end, this puts AW notebooks down on the bottom of my "Would buy list" right along with Asus notebooks. Its anti consumer and Clevo+MSI would be the only options for those of us that likes to fiddle around with hardware

 

I just remember how much the Acer forum died when they stopped using modules from what it was.

 

You sure that the fact Acer becoming the bottom of the barrel in terms of laptop quality over the last few years didn't have more to do with that? Check em out at Wal Mart sometime. Even the ones that are several hundred dollars usually feel like garbage and have low effort put into design. Even HP beats them.

 

The basic issue is they (the vendors) are all headed this way, eventually I believe that the supply of soldered parts will be just all there is for builders to choose from. Turning to Clevo/Sager or another vendor makes sense perhaps currently to avoid the issue, but in time... all the builders will be doing the same thing. From a production vs. profit point (which I have argued here before) it does make sense, and serves 98% of the market well enough, but it hurts the enthusiast market. With the the advent of mobile devices where its basically a disposable build, it's inevitable this would affect the PC side of things as well.

However, it doesn't necessarily mean it's forever... if you turn the clock back on cars for instance in the late 1970's early 1980's performance on the street was basically dead due to demand for fuel efficient econo-boxes. Flip to today and we have amazing options again and a thriving aftermarket with even better cars than then because when everything became the same, a demand for distinctiveness and a way to compete created a force for change. I suspect the PC-world is going into its's "econo-box" phase for a time, but down the road.... better engineering options and delivery processes might result in an entirely new wave of performance options, and a turn away from just soldered parts.

With the G/A Dellienware is just making the best of a bad situation I think and trying to deliver a solution that at least opens the door to some kind of performance option with value over time. Maybe one or two generations of AWs arrives on the scene and sales drop due to the lack of upgradeability, and they switch back, everyone is acting like once they delve in that space it's set in stone.... like anything it is not.

 

I'd hardly say it reduces warranty costs, especially if they keep their current warranty as is. They'll be forced to replace entire systems. That's much more costly than replacing a single GPU. This is exactly why I posted my scenario a few pages back, with worry that they'd alter their warranty to some crap, ultimately making Alienware just another average Joe in the market with a crap warranty.

 

Well the demise of the Alienware brand begins, Unfortunately they don't have the ball$ to compete with Clevos anymore and that BGA GPU, I couldn't just believe it happened...How can they kill the brand instantly after going private. Damn you dell for destroying this brand moreover the mobile Xtreme class CPU's are dead thanks to Intel, making the whole Peformance NB gaming, Flexibility die sooner or later...

This is really a big blow to us Alienware users....if that new machine's GPU ends up being a BGA crap then vBIOS for old machines would be real problematic..

 

@J.Dre:
You are right, replacing a motherboard with CPU and GPU together will cost more than replacing just the GPU if it was MXM. But what if they done some weighing back and forth about number of parts replacements due to user error vs making a system less interesting for the customer to open up and fiddle around with? It almost looks like they are paving way to the user just using the Graphic Amplifier and use a desktop GPU there in the future when 980M is no longer good enough. If one of the desktop GPUs in that box break, they are off the hook.
I dont know, you could be right that it will be more expensive for them, but Im sure there is a grand plan in all of this. Whatever that is.

@Ashtrix:
Have you been in the Alienware facebook page lately? Lots and lots of people praising the Graphic Amplifier and is amazed by it. Same about AW13. Very few know or care about the 15W ULV processors thats inside it.
Looks like we hardcore fans are outnumbered which I guess is what matters to the big guys taking shots in AW.

 

I've never read any of those dammned groups brother, As Mr.Fox said those NOOBS are sunk deep down in that Kool-Aid crap & ready to gulp down any crap of pile that these stupid companies roll out
Always felt like this is the home for us & every enthusiast that should be, so many things to learn, implement and improvise...:hi2:

 

Well I hope Dell/Alienware keep their act together. Thy make great system and I would have to see them go down the drain.

 

TT

I can't believe this is happening. Everything I had got stolen last sunday. With my Alienware system gone and a broken heart I sit here in disbelief... no light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Something else:

Memory Slots
2x 204-Pin DDR3L SO-DIMM SDRAM Slots

Beside newer GPUs it looks somehow like a downgrade... Am I missing something?

 

Why is that a downgrade?

 

They must be updating something, because as I type this, the 17 is gone?

 

I think he means that Alienware 17's of the past had 4 RAM slots, this one only has two - therefore maybe a lower max ceiling on the amount of the RAM that can be installed, or instead being forced to buy more expensive RAM which is 8GB per stick for example, rather than 4GB per stick if you want to hit 16GB total RAM?

 

They took it down. They knew people were visiting the pages.

 

Exactly this. Isn't there a limit which ram size you can stick in the slot? If it would be possible to stick 2x 16gb then it's okay otherwise you are stuck at 16gb (2x8gb)

The lager alienwares were known for their upgradeability but now you can only change ram and HDD.

Let us be surprised.

Gesendet von meinem Nexus 5 mit Tapatalk

 

Hmmm... only 2 memory slots? If that's true, just more evidence of gimping. I think the 13 has only two, so this could be sad, yet true.

 

Guys nothing is fixed yet... It looks like things have taken a turn for the worse but it might not be as bad as having 2 RAM slots... Nothing is fixed yet...

 

Either way, the 17 is still on the UK website plus I really can't see us seeing a new product this side of Christmas/New Year. My guess is maybe they'll use the 'January Sales' to clear out some more laptops before any new announcement.

Scrap what I just said as I just seen the post over at Alienware 17 showing a leaking of specs.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-17-m17x/767187-new-aw17-spec-leaking.html

 

Alienware:

- Going from socketed 47-57W CPUs to 47W soldered CPUs. Gone is the extreme XM CPUs that are unlocked.
- Discontinue Alienware 18, the best SLI system out there
- Launch Graphic Amplifier (GA) and push people toward desktop hardware. The GA box is huge.
- Going from MXM to soldered GPUs. Making future upgrades impossible.
- Discontinue Alienware 14 and replace it with Alienware 13 with an i5 15W ULV processor
- By January its 3 months since MSI/Asus/Clevo included Maxwell graphic cards.
- With the new Alienware 17 they are going from 240W PSU to 180W PSU. Potentially making overclocking more difficult.
- Gone is the 120Hz display they used on previous M17x models.

I think I have covered everything. Not sure if Dell going private was such a great thing

 

Yeah, it's the loss of the 120hz display I mourn the most. Whatever I get it will be like a downgrade, the higher refresh rate is just so relaxing on the eyes as well a looking awesome....

 

hmm..... so everyone thinks the new 17s are going to be bad?

FOR SALE!
aw17r1 with socket cpu and mxm card!
$3000 last of the greats


Really though, I dont mind so much the soldered on cpu and gpu mainly because I dont upgrade those in my laptops. I just keep pushing ram, hdds, and ssds into new models.
For me, the new 17 would work just fine. Granted I am sad that 120hz will be gone along with my 4 ram slots, but I am happy the GA port will be put in.
Now I just need to figure out a way to retrofit the GA port into my 17.....

 

Frankly, your style is like most folks that buy, and I can see Dell (and make no mistake, Clevo/Sager and the rest will follow soon enough) making the decision to accommodate the "thin is in" styling people want and push BGA which makes their support easier. I know a few folks are of the mind that Dell will just go to basic support and forego warranties but I don't. The warranty system is really just insurance for the system. For every four or so people who buy it over a period of time collectively, one needs it, so they still make money even though the potential cost of the MB/GPU combo is more but recoup costs due to a simpler repair process and inventorying. Couple that with the fact that most failures occur in year two or three, then the price on those replacement units is even less... or as I said before, I suspect that the form factor is going to become more fixed, to the extent that maybe you as buyer can opt to buy an entire new M/B with CPU/GPU and chip set with identical port layout, and reuse your current laptop chassis, in effect a generational upgrade for fractional cost. There is a silver lining of sorts in this depending on how you look at it.

 

That's some serious doom (& gloom)!

 

I'm really quite sad. I was looking to upgrade my NP9170EM but sadly it seems my time in the high performance gaming world has come to end. I'm still holding out a bit of hope for the MSI GT80, but I think I'll just be getting a desktop next. Sad.

 

So the 120hz panel will not be included in the new Alienware 17 R2??

This would be a deal breaker for me...
Now thinking to grab a R1 with the 120hz + 860m and then latter upgrade to 980m

Would you all recommend me doing that?