When are the new Alienwares with Maxwell coming?

Agreed, but at least theres always the notebookreview trading/selling section and ebay.

 

Very few big companies design, build or sell products based on consultation with the right customers in any industry. By "right customers" I mean those that spend the most, like the brand (or used to at some point) and will be back to buy again if they keep doing things right. Businessmen with decision-making power decide what is going to happen mostly in a vacuum, based on their perception and personal preferences. Customers get whatever is offered to them, go find what they want somewhere else, or build what they want (if they can).

 

Now that you mention customer base, i wonder how much of the customer base actually doesnt care about what they really produce and just buy new every generation/second generation without upgrading parts. It may well be profitable enough as a market for alienware and able to sustain this new direction of notebook computing. I must admit when i was less knowledgeable about notebooks i just shelled out cash every time something new and amazing came around.

 

You're absolutely right. There is never a shortage of ignorance. There likely is enough that either don't know or don't care, but we can do our best to awaken as many as will listen. if enough listen, it has potential to make an impact. Without influence and voices of reason "crying in the wilderness" things can only get worse. To know better and still go ahead and tip up the Kool-Aid glass and partake of the poison because it is easier than resisting is wrong. All we can do is warn and discourage it.

 

That is exactly right, i saved a few of my friends from buying hp's or lenovo's in the past, nothing wrong with those laptops of course but their needs and expectations far surpassed those for the likes of clevo/sager and they're much happier that i encouraged them towards the right decision. However i think alienware is now fully aware of ignorance, its all starting to make sense with how they are producing this level of BGA nonsense and then moving towards walmart where theres more "casuals" that have no idea that they might be paying 970 or 980 prices for a 960 system or god forbid a 860 system if they still have to clear stock for those. It will be a rough ride in the coming year for laptop gamers, and alienware may be the torchbearer for things to come with other brands.

I almost feel sorry for alienware being the meatshield for the other brands by having to do this, but in a way they also waylaid themselves with the soldered gpu crap. No amount of GA extensions can solve soldered gpu nonsense. msi was able to give at least a nonsoldered gpu, no reason why alienware couldnt except for corporate greed most likely and engineering simplicity at the cost of us the consumers.

 

Just because Alienware decides to use soldered stuff doesn't mean all companies will follow suit.

Soldered stuff is not cool. It removes upgrade ability. Just get a PS3 if you want soldered CPU lol.

 

I was one of those people who just got a new machine when I needed more power or it was time to upgrade. But, from the start I didnt have too much choice. I first ordered a m11x, all bga stuff, but I didnt care too much as it was my first alienware and I could play bf2. Then I got my x51... I then got into a m14xr2, I could upgrade the cpu, but with the 650m being bga, there was no point in upgrading the cpu. I upgraded my x51 from a sandy bridge to a ivy bridge and from a gtx555 to a gtx650ti (then to a 750ti) I needed more laptop power and went with a m17xr4 (later system exchanged for a aw17)
Now here I stand with a aw17 with a 780m. My desktop still runs the 750ti for now, but will need to be upgraded. I am waiting to see the full specs on the new aw17r2 before I decide what to do with the laptops. If they have some good options, then I may buy a new bga machine, if not, then I will swap my gpu to a 980m.

My desktop is the only of my aliens that can still play current games (aside from the new aw17) My x51 can remain good for another 2-3 years with gpu swaps.
I figure my m14xr2 and m11xr1 are both outdated and will be retired to old games, game stream, and general laptoping.

 

The one problem is that Intel is forcing the world to BGA... unless AMD provides an alternative market... which might end up being the case, who knows?

 

Do you understand that BGA is where the market is going rapidly, like in the next year or so because that is what Intel is providing?

Contrary to what one notable poster is saying, in reality there is no chance of some grass roots consumer movement undoing this trend... that group probably makes up less than 1-2% of the market overall... even if fully half of them started making buying decisions that affect the sales, it has no chance of changing the trend. Not saying I like it, but be clear what you are angry about and exactly whom you should be directing your displeasure.

I agree, they should have held off for one more generation, but I suspect that unlike the secondary builders Alienware via Dell got wind of the BGA move earlier, and to minimize the impact on their support and production and let's be honest, maximize profitability, they made the switch early. The cold hard reality is there just aren't enough home system upgraders to make a difference in the market. To Dre's point it is likely that the trend will not result in a cost drop but probably a leveling out over time of laptop prices. Intel is under the gun to compete with mobile devices in the broad market. You may see this as entirely separate, but in Intel's mind this is not so, they have to sell hardware in a space where ARM processors are eating away at their traditional space. It will only be three or four more years before Apple for instance switches from Intel, and in fact a world where the same processors in your phone, smart-watch and pc/laptop is coming, probably in about six more years. Given all that Intel cannot stand on their traditional way of selling into the market, ie with CISC chips in socketed systems because it is cost ineffective. If they don't switch, the risk losing the entire market, including PCs and laptops to the newer ARM-centric platforms that scale over various performance points more easily and as a result cover more price points in the market. They are evolving to the market as best they can, and now socketed systems are going to become the Neanderthals of mobile computing; big bulky powerhouses but unable to adapt to a more nimble integrated world of devices and slowly be edged out. Dramatic, but you get the point of what Intel is facing out there and why it trickles down to this move today.

 

All companies will not go to BGA route. Trust me.

Alienware will provide socketed CPUs in the future. Right now, we do not have official specs yet.

Intel is not ready for that change yet.

 

Looking forward to a AW15 with 1080P screen plus 970M, 15 inch is the max i want to go with, i think the new design will have the same thickness and weight as the now discontinued AW14, any leaked info on the weight and thickness of AW15?

 

I hope you are right but the industry analysts who unless you happen to be one in the business are saying otherwise.

 

OFF TOPIC -Mr. Fox I have test results for you but you have your email locked and I have no way of contacting you

 

Well to be honest, he's right. Our main concern is if laptops go towards full-on BGA, but for desktops? Not a chance. The world is too sensitive for that to happen. For laptops? The world is somewhat doesn't care.
I kind of have to say that GTO_PAO is right, but the time his prediction for laptops comes true isn't in the near future. I give, I don't know, 3 to 5 years? Worst case 9.

 

Oh man that m17x r4 is a trophy of a laptop, if you just put a 980m in there and have your cpu as a 3920 extreme youll be set for a while, the broadwell cpu's that have been shown and rumoured, their performance isn't stellar anyway, maybe lower tdp and marginally better or worse performance, lets face it with laptops like these who really cares about tdp. We know what we signed up for

 

Agreed it's a great platform and with a 330W brick you can overclock without fear of power limits.

 

I dunno, 95% of the people I talk to have no clue what a "CPU socket" is nor do they care. And let's not forget Intel actually did have plans to push BGA chips to desktop for Skylake, but dropped that probably because of backlash from mobo manufacturers (I'm just speculating on the last part)

 

I'm more in lines talking about those who build desktops.
You practically have two websites, newegg and tigerdirect, that advertise for DIY desktops. It's more widespread that you can customize a desktop than it is that you can build a laptop. Then you have entire forums dedicated to DIYs or tech.
So..., the world is too sensitive for desktops to go soldered. If AMD would stop playing catch-up, there wouldn't be too much of an issue thanks to competition. But there is way too much knowledge out in the internet on desktop building, that includes picking out the CPU, than it is for laptops.

 

What do you guys think?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-O8ZSnMXec

 

Sitting here on this beautiful alienware 18 softly weeping tears onto the rubberized palm rest, not knowing what is next, but holding onto hope that it may some day be great again.

 

The enthusiast segment is still a very small fraction of the desktop segment as a whole though. Most of it belongs to corporations that buy pre-built Dells and HPs in droves. Plus we're only talking about making the CPU soldered, not making everything (ram, GPU, storage etc) soldered, so it's not likely to generate as much negative press as we'd like.

What I do think may happen is that mainstream desktop chips (locked, non-K or X) may eventually go BGA, while socketed chips will be entirely an enthusiast thing. When that time comes, I predict Intel will start charging absurd prices just for the "privilege" of having a socket. ($1000 for a quad core anyone?)

This of course is assuming AMD will no longer be relevant in the years to come. I hope to be surprised, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

Whew, at least I'm saved by this alienware 15 leak.
I still would have preferred an alienware 14, but I hope I will at least get better cooling instead. The soldered CPU/GPU isn't a very major issue for me, since I tend to buy a new system every 3,5/4 years and sell my previous laptop.

I'm still disappointed by the choices alienware made this last year, but I probably will still buy the alienware 15 since alienware laptops are more to my liking compared to the available competition.

 

Agreed, the alienware 15 is probably a very welcome addition to the alienware lineup as it has just enough room to cool something like a gtx x70m series gpu while also remaining at a smaller size, sometimes i feel that 17 inch is a bit too big but then have to compromise as its the only real mainstream size that fits the top top gpu's. Granted there are clevo's and sagers but these are not available in my country.

Has there been any further news about these new alienwares? the curious rumour i heard was that they all use about the same motherboard for these new series with only the outer shell changing for the aw17/15.

 

You mean the chassis will be different? i think i saw some pic regarding the new AW17. They are bringing back the Alien logo button for power up.

 

If that was meant towards my statement, i meant that the motherboard and internals from the 15 and 17 may be identical and unchanged, but then only the outer shell/size differing between the 15 and 17. I can't imagine that they would change too drastically from this new design they have so soon after only one generation, apart from small minor detail changes. The alien head power button would be a welcome addition back into the laptops though.

 

You mean something like the Lenovo Y50 and Y70 where they have the same specs and everything, minus the obvious size?
That all depends if the 15 has the same amount of ports as the 17.

 

I think they will use the same chassis just make soldered cpu and change motherboard to accept the graphics amplifier.
if they were going to change the chassis design you thought they would of done it with the 13 also. 13 looks same as current 17 and 18 just smaller.
And hope they still use mxm graphics cards so we can get the vbios for are old 17 and 18s. I know wishful thinking on the last part.

 

I hope they remove those optical drives out of Alienware 15, use those space for more cooling or battery. I have a feeling that they are going to try to follow everyone else on "thin gaming laptop", but I will be happy if they just at least remove the underused optical drive. Feel free to buy yourself an external optical drive.

Alienware 17, I hope it will remain powerful with plenty of options to upgrade. I didn't say easy, I say that you can STILL upgrade them at a certain cost.

BGA upgrade isn't that hard as you expected unless they locked down the hardware changes in BIOS.

 

Agree, I have an optical drive on my alienware m14x r1, and have used it only a very few times to install a new operating system or install old games I had on dvd. But totally not necessary since, there is now steam so games are downloaded, and booting from USB is almost as easy. So wasted space inside a laptop. and like you said if it's really necessary, buy an external one.

My personal expectations from the alienware 15 that I'd like to see:
- IPS panel (will rage if it's TN), 1440p would be nice but 1080p will suffice. (I prefer glossy screen, since my room isn't vary bright anyway, but demi matte is also good. Don't like full matte screens, affects picture quality)
- Support for two 2.5 inch drives. (going to place 1 hard drive of at least 1TB, and an SSD). though one 2.5 inch drive and one m.2/msata would be okay too.
- CPU i7-4870 HQ, and GPU 970M (980M would be nice too, though not sure if I would take it. Gotta see the price first)
- Support for 5.1 audio through optical spid/f or 3x 3.5mm jacks (since I do watch a lot HD movies and play games with a surround setup).
- Cooling that offers CPU temperatures below 80° is, and GPU temps below 70°.

 

Is the AW 15 really returning? Are they going to discontinue the 13" model?

I wouldn't mind getting the AW 15

 

Yes, the 15" form factor is returning. Old habits die hard... They're also tossing out SLI because they believe the Graphics Amplifier justifies such idiocy.

Alienware is going cheap (internally), hopefully prices follow suit. I'd still choose an Alienware over an MSI GS60 if both are priced equally.

 

I really doubt Alienware will become cheaper.. It's like Apple, the name has a premium.. now MSI's name doesn't deserve a premium... if AW go down this road, I'm going to say bye bye to them and go to Clevo..

 

Dell/Alienware should reconsider this because the upgardebilaty is what made Alienware a succes..........but they have too if they wanna survive i guess.

 

They want to save money, so that's what they're trying to do. I will also miss upgradeability.

 

You mean they are taking away the SLI options for AW 18? That's a dumb move IMO. It's one of the few things that made it stand out compared to the other desktop replacement. I guess I'll wait to get a AW 18 until they reverse the decision and realize that it won't work.

 

The AW 18 is discontinued. The new lineup is: 13", 15" and 17" - none offer SLI and all have soldered a CPU and GPU.

We'll see at PAX South what their excuse is for tossing SLI. I'm assuming they'll be like, "Yes, we removed SLI... BUT LOOK AT THIS AWESOME GRAPHICS AMPLIFIER! WEEE!"

 

That's a shame. I am saving up for a AW 18. Just can't afford it now. Oh well. I'm sure it will come back sooner or later.

 

Just keep saving and buy yourself the Aw 18 or R2 at a discounted price, you may get more bang for your buck if you don't want the latest lineup.

 

I know that optical media is a slowly dying form of storage and I'm perfectly fine with that aspect, but I use my Blu-ray player quite a bit on this laptop. I'm willing to sacrifice the thinness and weight in exchange for that ability, plus since my download speeds are usually not the best, installing from a physical disc runs much faster for me. I'm generally able to get games on DVD's for cheaper than Steam downloads, unless one of their many sales is going on. I've easily saved twice as much on discounted media and games as I would have spent on including the optical reader as an option. And no, I don't want to get an external reader. You don't get a Ferrari and then put a horse trailer on it.

Also, laptops without optical drives seem too thin to me. I like some heft and weight to my equipment, and laptops that are really thin have keyboards that from a tactile sense feels worse to me. The new AW 17 keyboard is quite a bit stiffer than the old version, so it's taken some getting used to. I haven't been able to get my hands on a 13 yet so I can see how it shapes up in a tactile sense against what I'm used to.

 

what? seriously?

 

Yes, that has been pretty much 99% confirmed from all the information thus far.

 

I suggest we wait and see before coming to any conclusions.

 

Hey guys, I am going to get an Alienware 17. I would like to have it before February but I want to know the opinion of you guys and if you think they will release the 17 R2 by the end of this month. Or should I just get one now and when I have $700 buy a 970m or 980m upgrade kit for it.

I live in Australia and my budget is 3000 aud and right now all they have available here is and M290X.

 

They may be announcing the new lineup at Pax South with is in 20 days.

 

When the new Alienware 17 comes to sale, Dell has certainly crippled motherboard so that there is a power limit. If it is possible to overclock the new Alienware 17 it is not going to be any good. Maybe Dell has a power limit of 200-215 watts on the motherboard and you get no pleasure to replace the 180w power supply this laptop comes with to the old 240W Power supply from the older model ..HAHA New Alienware 17 is going to be useless if you want to overclock the processor or graphics card .. Or both simultaneously.

 

If you're wanting that setup before the end of the month, I think it's a pretty safe bet to say that's not going to happen. So far people have had to dig for ealks from Chinese and Indian sites in order to get any kind of preview of what's coming up eventually, so you're not going to be able to configure the upcoming R2 and have it delivered before the end of the month. The good news is that they're trying to clear out the old inventory before the R2 refresh takes place, so you might be able to swing a decent deal with a rep. Bear in mind, though, that 120 Hz screens only come with the 880M and there's no guarantee that functionality will be preserved when the 970/980 makes landfall. Any chance you could get a friend in the States or order one for you? Your configuration options would be a bit better, leaving you room to not flog your wallet to death before dropping more on the dicey-looking upgrade in the future.

Ebay options where the warranty is transferable may also be a good option; it will also open your configuration offers. It's also important to note that from what's been leaked, it looks like the R2 will be soldered on the GPU and CPU, therefore disabling the ability to upgrade on those components. Going with an AW 17 R1 may actually be a better option for you if you wish to have better options in the future.

Two cents off.

 

I don't want to wait till PAX, I want them to be released by end of CES2015. My classes starts at end of January and I don't have a modern laptop. I seriously hope that they will start leaking information on the Alienware 15 and 17.

 

I dont know if the reps were pulling my leg or anything, but recently i went to my local JB Hifi. (Jb hifi appears to be the biggest retailer for alienwares in australia and new zealand). Anyways, i recently went there and asked them to quote me a price from dellienware themselves on how much a system with a 4940 i7 and 980m with 32gb of ram and some 1tb of hdd. They quoted me the price of around $4670 nzd. Whether this was dellienware just pulling my leg or a legitimate quote from them and jb hifi, it would show that it is possible to place a 980m in this system and be within the "reasonable" price range for a system of this calibre for our pricing. What puzzles me more is why they are not giving this to the wider public, instead going for niche custom requests. This may be because dellienware are trying to be quiet about this until the soldered garbage comes out and people have no choice but to go that route since they can just say "no we cannot manufacture those custom requests" and instead shove some BGA down our throats.

Thoughts and opinions?

 

Hey all! Just saw the Alienware site updated it's builds...specifically the AW 17. The prices are significantly lower and the 880m GPU isn't offered. With CES this weekend and the changes on the website, anyone else feeling some updated models popping up any day now? We're about due for something official on the 970/980m refresh.

 

You wouldn't get your next-gen Alienware since they most likely will ship out late January/early February, just like the Broadwell i7 13 being sold (disguised as a Haswell i7).