considering returning my m15x.

i want start off by saying i really wanted to like this computer. it was my first non-crap one (or so i thought). the only reason im asking is because ill be taking a loss of 15% for a restocking fee. this is why i want to return it:

1) headphones i got with are a total joke. 100 bucks, they sound like 10 dollar ones.

2) laptop gets really hot even with penyrnn.

3) graphics card downclocks itself when it gets hot.

4) keyboard flex is really bad , if i push down on the arrow keys the whole right side goes down.

5) can not handle newer games that well (even with the 8800m gtx)

6) bigger then i thought it would be, if im going to have a laptop this big as might as well go for a 17".

7) speakers in the laptop are a total joke. i know how bad laptop speakers are in general but for 3200 bucks this is a travesty. even the audio out is low.

8) touch controls only work 50% of the time. volume slider almost never works.

9) bottom nameplate is very "meh" as are other extras with the laptop.

i thought i could get past theese issues but im not sure now. i want to feel confident before my 30 days is up. are they not willing to wave the restocking fee no matter what? also does the xps m1730 have theese problems? what about the alienware 1299 laptop (but i kind of dont like alienware at this point)?

edit: just checking with core temp and while browsing the web im at 88 degress farenheight.

 

Wow, sorry to hear about your problems. That' 15% is gonna hurt. I'd try and see if AW can't fix at least your major issue (downclocking) before giving up completely and taking the hit. Let's hope they come out with a better heatpipe solution for us all.

On your temps, 88 deg F isn't bad at all. I idle at 55 deg C = 131 F.

 

if you want somwthing in the 17" area you could try a sager 5793/clevo m57ru they are awesome lappies

 

m15x got issues it needs to be covered by tissues

 

If your touch control doesn't work, maybe you can try returning it to get fixed according to warranty? Or even make a full refund?

 

get an m9750 like me

 

i'd go with the sager as well. i had the m1730 with dual 8700mGT SLi and honestly speaking it just sucked...bad. Couldn't handle jack diddly with good settings. i tried everything. And even though it has two fans they spin like at snail speed so its gets hot enough to do possible damage to your genitalia. I could care less about the weight so that wasn't a big deal. flashy lights were cool to play around with and i didn't get bored with those.

**a friend of mine has a copy of Assassin's Creed and the thing (xps) couldn't handle it at more than 800x640 res (with 2/3 graphics options enable no less)....the 8600mGT in the velocity micro handles it flawlessly at 1440x900 with all max settings and no lag at all.

maybe it was something wrong with my xps only....but i tried everyyyything to correct it to no avail

 

i would suggest this as well. you can probably get it with dual 7950GTX SLi for 2000...including 1920x1200 res and xp media center and 2gb ram and 160gb hdd.

 

what are the known issues with the 9750 and how is everyones holding up?

 

if i was getting the m1730 i would get the duall 8800 gtx cards, but i dont like the fact it gets hot.

 

I almost feel the same way. Almost.

 

I cancelled my order. I purchased the m1730 in my signature. I got it with FREE priority shipping, 16% off, and a $599 off coupon. It came to 3500 after sales tax. They also sent me a $100 gift card which I will use to purchase a dell notebook or save for future purchases.

 

how? , please help me.

 

People, don't get the M9750 right now. It's not worth it, graphics wise. A single 8800M GTX handles games better than dual 7950 (+ it's DX10).
Get the M9750 if you want something that's old and yet somewhat cool (old Merom CPUs, old chipset, etc.).

 

Go to www.dell.com/ucf - it's an automatic 12% discount from my university. They don't ask for authentication... so i'm pretty sure anyone can get the 12% discount lol.

Then go to the highest end m1730 - it currently has a $599 discount on it. You can use the 12% and 599 discount all at once. The dell rep I spoke to raised my student discount to 16%. So i got 16% with an additional $599 off.

 

did u get to choose what video card u want since when i go to that site they only had the 8700 sli option.

 

That's odd.... Yes i got the 8800gtx SLi

 

Go to the link that says "CUSTOM BUILT BY YOU! CLICK HERE TO SHOP FULL CATALOG" The first link only offers Dual 8700's in the m1730.

 

@OP - despite what you said I still have an extremely positive impression of this notebook . . . the only issue I have is the 8800M downclocking. I think you blew some of the things out of proportion, such as the touch controls and keyboard flex.

Of course, you should be totally happy for the kind of money an m15x is so if you're unsatisfied, sounds like you need to find a new laptop for your needs.

 

Yea, it's just unfortunate alienware didn't run stronger stress tests on their system. You would think if they had the cooling would have been much better. It's unfortunate because like I said in another post, the m15x does look AWESOME.

I ordered my dell today and it's already in production. I ordered my alienware on feb. 12th and today it still was in phase 4 (pre-production). I fail to see how alienware is holding ground at this point. My guess is they have a good reputation from previous systems.

 

Im so sorry to hear about all that alienware user =[

im considering buying an m15x, but not until may or june. Do you guys think these problems, mainly the downclocking and heat issues, will be resolved by then?

 

I think so, but you never know. I think we might see a recall of m15x's by alienware. They'd probably recall them - fix them and send them back and give you an additional 1 year warranty. Who knows what they'll do though. They might find it cheaper to just continue to sell the notebook without fixing it hoping that the majority of the buyers will not notice the issue. (Like ford did on the Ford Pinto)

 

I was suspecting that apart from downclocking there is no major issue at work here. Thanks for clarifying. Really curious to see your review though, especially since AW is kinda pushy when they give systems out for reviewing (so I hear). Also, any insight on a fix of that downclock? Can it be driver fixed in your opinion or is the cooling faulty?

 

Nah, 80% of the ppl that ordered this computer installed Crysis before Office lol. AW is bought by people that stress the system and even expect overclocking, they'd have a major law-suit on their hands if they'd sit back and just continue shipping.

 

about the downclocking...does it work with the same for the m1730? if thats the case then its always hot, which would mean its always downclocked...

 

@Chaz - I think that the largest problem here is the 8800GTX downclocking. If you are buying a performance notebook and it downclocks whenever you "game", then what good is it? Hell I would use a Dell XPS M1530 as long as it didn't underclock. I've experienced underclocking and it sucks.

By the way this is the 3rd time in a row Alienware has released a notebook that gets super hot + even downclocks. I'll list in order...
M5500 / M5550 / M15x...

Come on Alienware, fix your 15" before you release them. I'm never dealing with Alienware again by the way. The have officially lost my money. It is going else where now.

 

@Shin - Underclocking only happens when a laptop is not properly cooled. The M1730 is a well cooled notebook, so I am sure that it doesn't have underclocking problems. Laptops can be hot but still cool themselves well enough. The problem is when the laptop can't cool itself well enough so it has to resort to downclocking its components so it doesn't fry them.

Now we know why the M15x doesn't support overclocking

 

I think it's safe to say that if it weren't for the 8800M-GTX underclocking issue there would not be half as many complaints about this notebook. It's the way the mind works - one thing goes wrong, you start to nitpick and find other flaws.

 

The m1730 has no underclocking issues. Crysis peaks at 80 degrees. The m15x can not be solved by a driver issue in my opinion. It is a clear fault in the cooling.

 

hmm...i had the m1730 for a brief time period but after about 30-40min at all performance settings it gets mega hot and the performance gets cut to nvidia go7600 like capability (no exaggeration here, i have the dv8000t HP with 7600 and compared the two). and the fans just puff out a little air...unlike the roaring jet engines of the c90....i wonder if something was wrong with just mine?

 

I agree. The 8800gtx downclock is the only major flaw i've heard about. Other issues were user related issues. Although - it does seem a little more work could have been put into AlienFX actually working.

 

I have no issues with AlienFX actually . . . it works beautifully.

 

That's good to know. Yea, like I said it was probably a user related issue on most of the people's complaints. Unfortunately the overheating is definitely something people can't help.

 

ok i guess the only thing i really care the most about is the fact that i can start crysis or flight simulator x and get 40 fps, then after 10 -15 minutes i get half that. this is probally the downclocking at work. i can live with everything else but bad performance in games from a company created to play games? come on!

 

Oh, dell also gave me a free logitech g9 mouse.

Just letting you know incase you decide to return. I guess dell's current offer is free g9 logitech mouse, and 599$ discount on the "BEST" m1730. Also, if you go to the site i gave you, you will receive another 12%. If you talk to a sales rep you might be able to get more off like I did.

Oh and definitely bring up the fact you want free priority shipping. They seem to give that out like hotcakes.

 

were all very proud, now stop taunting me , lol

 

Concur with chaz regarding the magnification of minor flaws.

yet the downclocking thing is huge, as the main purpose most buy this particular laptop from this particular company is performance...

i guess i'm the only one left that has not experienced a downclock? i'm gonna stress it some tonight with rivatuner to get a graphical report, everest was great for that data but its hard to read all that

 

regarding the restocking fee alienware/user if you return the notebook as not fit for purpose they should give you a full refund, you have genuine issues.
and you are not expected to be a hardware / cooling expert, so you should be able to switch it on and play games at full tilt without them slowing down...

 

im going to give it one more shot tonight with all my games and think about it. tommrow ill decide.

 

actually I am quite jealous, because you got to play with one, hold it, change the colours, it needs fixing matey, its a wicked machine

 

yeah if they just fix theese issues it would be one epic laptop. the alien fx lighting is the coolest part about it. i doubt another laptop will ever be able to match it for a while. i know the dell has lights , but i dont think you can change them to all theese colors.

 

re: alienFx - yeah, lol, my 16 yr stepdaughter just noticed it.. i've had it three days, and she walked near and by it countless times and she just noticed. she must have been off in dramaland.

she was lovin the lights. "you have to be f-in s-in me!" when i showed her how they were customizable. she didn't like that she could get a car cheaper

 

lol I know, I will be hunting high and low for a backlit keyboard for my clevo

 

I tried to return mine today was was not allowed as I was 4 days outside the 30 day window. Boohoo. I called them three weeks ago to complain about the soft touch buttons not working and the SD memory card not working after the system changes power states, like standby or hibernate. They told me there was a fix for it, so I let it slide and went away on vacation for 3 weeks. Then I came home called tech support and asked for help going through the fix. They then told me "oh looks like there is no permanent fix for it" SO i called Customer support and told them I want to send it back. They said too bad your too late. Even though tech support lied to me and told me there was a fix, customer support said tough luck. Bah so Now I guess I will try to learn to love my m15x, But I will never buy Alienware again. They really are criminal in the way they treat their customers.

I know have stress cracks forming on the top op my case which pisses ,me off. This notebook is built so much worse than any cheap Gateway, ASUS or Lenovo that I have ever purchased.

And I agree with the first poster the speakers on this 3200 dollar unit are the crapiest I have ever heard!

 

wonder if anyone has taken AW to court yet over the way they dont do business!

that is bang out of order, and especially if you have contradicting reports from tech support

they should have emailed you a ticket explaining what was said each time
just submit that and say you are prepared to go legal!

 

has anybody NOT had the overheating problem? and how many of you have reapplied AS5? because that will ABSOLUTELY help. Im talking about both on the CPU and the GPU.

 

Now I'm glad I decided to get a desktop instead of a notebook. I still want a m17x, but the problems with the m15x seem to be due to Alienware using cheaper parts than competitors do with much cheaper notebooks. At the prices Alienware's offering these notebooks at, they should atleast use a better cooling system. The size isn't that bad if you compare the m15x to another 15" notebook. The Sager NP5793 is 35% thicker, just as a side note, and the M1730 is 80% thicker (I would've probably got that if it was a lot thinner).

 

Dell's M1730 can actually change to 16 different colors with 8 different lighting intensities, instant light changes, and can sync with games (watch this to see what I mean): http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...106&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1

Dell's LightFX (BTW, I have LightFX on my XPS 720) pwns AlienFX.

 

my god, i bought this over that because i only thought it lit up one color. well one of the reasons.

 

I'd say argue with Alienware and threaten to take legal action and they'll give you a full refund. I've read threads about users on this forum doing that and getting a full refund. If you have so many problems with the notebook, I wouldn't keep it, especially since you'll probably keep it for atleast two years and you've spent over $3k on it. Wrong video, check this one out:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UkZdV_eaiMw&feature=related