AW 17 (new) Slightly Confused

Hi Guys,

I apologize if this has been discussed, but I could not find any info. I see Dell is doing an upgrade CPU between August 27 and Sept. 28. So, what happens if I buy after Sept. 28th? Will they be the 6000-series chips or the old chips?

I'm asking because I'm planning on buying one, but maybe not until next month, but would like the newer CPU's.

Also, has there been any reviews on the new 17" w/ 4k screen? I haven't seen anything, no videos, nothing. Seems odd, unless they haven't shipped any yet.

Thanks
Jeff.

 

The 17 R3 only has Skylake mobile (6000 series) CPUs. Order now, order next month, order Christmas. The CPU options will still be Skylake-mobile.
The 17" UHD panel is brand new to the market, so I don't think there are reviews of it yet.

 

After that date you will get what's advertised in the website.

 

Hi Alienware-L_Porras,

Is Game7a1 correct in that after Sept 28th all new systems will be 6000 series processors? When will the website reflect this? Again, I'm just wondering if I ordered early Oct, if I would somehow end up with the old processor (which is NOT what I want).

Thanks
Jeff.

 

Hi Alienware-L_Porras,

One more question came to mind, I'm assuming at some point (probably on or before Sept. 28th) the website will reflect the new processors. Are prices going to change up? I would be a bit upset if I went to order in a few weeks only to see new processors and more expensive prices as well.

Thanks
Jeff.

 

I highly doubt the prices will shoot up.
If you read the specs manual for the 17 R3, you'll see that it only mentions 6th generation Intel CPUs. That's because it only has Skylake CPUs. There are no Haswell CPUs. I don't think a rep will be able to answer your questions in a direct manner that you want. The specs manual is as close of an official confirmation, aside from news sites and other regions displaying Skylake instead of Haswell, you'll get from Alienware.
Alienware reps do have some boundaries as to what they can answer directly and what they can't. It's good to keep this in mind when asking them a question in the future.

 

Hi Game7a1,

I just can't get past the fact that their website is still listing the haswell processors with the "new" laptops. Why not list those series 6 processors on the site like they do in the spec sheet??

They also say something to the effect of "for any new processors released within 30 days", why make that statement at all... why not just say these will have the 6000 series processors... unless they might not, which then I will wait. Again, it just seems fishy, something isn't adding up to me and I don't want to gamble away close to $3k.

I also know the AW reps probably won't respond to my pricing question, but it doesn't hurt to ask and maybe someone will say something, asking any questions (no matter how dumb) is better than not asking!

Thanks
Jeff.

 

This same situation happened with the AW13 R1 and the i7-4510u. While Alienware advertised it with the i7-4510u, what they were actually selling was the i7-5500u (I would know because I was one of the first owners of the i7 AW13). So when I say the new revision will have Skylake, I speak from experience.
There are probably embargo or NDA reasons as to not list the Skylake processors in most regions on the configuration page(in New Zealand, Australia, and I think one of the Asian regions, Skylake is listed). The rep will just say the same thing, so that's what I meant by my boundary statement.
Nothing is fishy. It's just marketing, marketing that they already did before. Here are two questions: why would Alienware go back to Haswell if their competitors are selling Skylake? Why intentionally harm your own self in a market?

 

Maybe because they did a lot of silly things in the past.

- The GTX 780M with a temperatur limit at 66 degrees.
- The CPUs in the Alienware 18 that weren't able to hold turbo clocks.
- A 180W PSU for the first 2015 notebooks.

That didn't make sense either.

 

Yeah they just can't list the Skylake CPU on their website like Game7a1 stated probably for legal reasons. I'm sure they are anxious to update as soon as they have the OK from Intel. Are the 18th rumors still up to date? My system has been stuck in "pre-production “ (waiting for CPU?) since Sept 3rd (i7-6820HK)

 

Whelp I ordered it. There was a good deal so why not.

If there's a hint that I'm getting the old processor, I'm going to cancel tho!

I hope everyone is right and that I will get the Skylake processor w/ my 4k 17" screen (drooling here).

Thanks
Jeff.

 

I ordered mine with the 4k screen as well, feel a little like a guinea pig, but it should be worth it. My order confirmation on the e-mail and on their site via click from the e-mail show me with skylake, I'm pretty sure all the R3s have it, they just can't announce it, as mentioned.

 

Senojelyk,

I also feel like a guinea pig too, but I had the 15" 4k screen and it was magnificent! Just too small for me.

My email says "Intel® Core™ i7-4870HQ (Quad-Core, 6MB Cache, up to 3.7GHz w/ Turbo Boost)" - WTF!

My order details online shows "Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6820HK (Quad-Core, 8MB Cache, Dynamically Overclocked up to 4.4GHz)"

I hope it's the 6820HK or it's going right back to dell!

Jeff

 

I noticed my details online says "17.3 inch UHD IPS-Panel Anti-Glare 300-nits Display", I saw reports online saying it was a 400-nits IGZO display, anyone have any idea if it's a 400-nits display or not?

 

To add to my last post, the website clearly states
"17.3 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Anti-Glare 300-nits Display
17.3 inch UHD (3840 x 2160) IGZO3 IPS Anti-Glare 400-nits Display"

So, I assume this is a typo on my order list?

 

Mine is the exact same thing, I'd assume a typo on their end. Will see what the build sheet says in a week or two when they start shipping.

 

Well I ordered mine today hope it comes with the sky lake


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

@Alienware-L_Porras or anyone

Does anyone know if the AW 17 R3 4K UHD is a glossy or matte panel? Anyone know?

Thanks
Jeff.

 

Thats a good question to ask. I ended up going with the 1920x1080 and my order says its 300 nits. Let the waiting game begin as the EDD is October 12.

 

It's a matte screen, I am sure of it after several chats with sales (if that can be trusted) and the fact it is always listed as non-glare. I have been off the forums for nearly a year waiting for the Skylake refresh before moving on a 15 or 17 (my 13 has served pretty well this year), and my concern is the new screens. I have read on the XPS 13 of some burn-in problems on the new IGZO screen it had and am concerned about the problem occurring here too. I really am very happy with the TrueLife touch screen but if I go 17 there is no alternative for the higher res screen but the IGZO but I want to know more about people's experiences with them.

 

Docsteel,

I had the guys confirm for me it was a Glossy... I have the chat log too. Now I'm concerned. I'll return it, if it's a matte screen though.

I'd like to hear from someone here from Alienware that has seen one.

 

Here's my chat log (the important part)

09/17/2015 02:03:44PM jeff: "The order details just say "17.3 inch UHD IPS-Panel Anti-Glare 300-nits Display" From what I can see. Doesn't really indicate glossy or matte"
09/17/2015 02:04:06PM Agent (TIP_SUP_Mark O): "your sytem is under post production and ready to ship this coming 10/08/2015"
09/17/2015 02:04:15PM jeff: "I'm slightly worried because it doesn't say "Truelife Touch""
09/17/2015 02:04:16PM Agent (TIP_SUP_Mark O): "its a glossy "

Did this dude just lie to me or is it a glossy? Why do people like Matte screens, they look horrible!

Thanks
Jeff.

 

I don't think he lied, I think he just doesn't know what he's talking about. I just hit up a rep ( Luis M. out of Montreal supposedly) who reconfirmed the matte design in the AW 17 R3.

I have never heard of a glossy non-glare screen myself, not sure if there is such a thing without a 3rd party film you put on. I want a 17 R3 with a TrueLife display... come on Dell!

Edit: It's possible it is a "glossy" that is considered anti-glare depending on the definitions in use I think. I was checking out Fry's and noticed that they are listing the AW 17 R2 with:

• 17.3" Full HD Anti-glare Touch Display

I supposed it could be listed that way and be "glossy" screen design and considered anti-glare. Dell OTOH is typically pretty clear about referring to matte as non-glossy... I would bet though it's a matte.

Some people like matte, some like glossy. I prefer the glossy screen because I think it plain looks more substantial, and it gives a slight boost to contrast.

 

I'm very tempted to cancel my order. Not sure what to do right now. I can't stand matte, I love the edge to edge glass. I have the 15" UHD screen and its great, I just wanted the bigger screen of that.

Macbooks have an anti-glare coating on their glossy screens. I was thinking something similar to that, or just a typo ... lots of typos, my order says a 300-nit screen as the site and other reports say 400-nits.

I posted in alienwarearena too:
https://www.alienwarearena.com/forums/thread/113614/technical-support-1/alienware-17-r3-uhd-glossy

Someone there things glossy as well. Seems to be a bit of a confusion/problem.

Hmmm

 

Amazing how such a simple thing can be in doubt... and the fact that reps can't definitely say so either way. I would prefer it myself as well, but I can't see listing it as "anti-glare" when it has a glass-plastic cover either. Personally I would not cancel and just wait and see, you have 15 days I believe to return it if you don't like it.

 

Docsteel,

Yea, I was soo happy, this laptop had everything I was looking for (17", 4k", 980m, skylake) except I need a glossy screen for the colors to pop and look sexy. I always attribute matte screens to a work environment, not for gaming, but that's just me I know others prefer matte for various reasons.

I'm still thinking about it. I just don't want to get socked with a restock fee.

Unfortunately, I also don't believe there's another alternative (with a glossy screen) that I know of.

Jeff

 

You don't get a restock fee in the first 15 days unless that's changed.

I will say, from what I have read the new IGZO screens are very vibrant color... a major concern for me personally as well which is why I like the TrueLife displays. I am kind of hoping if there is no TL option forthcoming its because the new screens are basically identical - ie getting the +10% brightness that the TL screens do.

 

anti glare = matte
the only glossy screen is the tru life touchscreen

 

That's been true before, but they are not spelling out all the details on the IGZO panel details with the R3... I feel 95% confident that in this case antiglare means matte, but... since there is no TrueLife option (yet if ever) and no one has one yet that I know of to ask, it's still an open question.

 

I hate to beat a dead horse, but I also am not convinced 100% either way... although, I do believe the text and wording would imply it's a matte, but I just got off the phone with Alienware/Dell and talked with someone and their supervisor who told me it was a glossy screen.

I don't know why this is so hard to figure out!

 

hahaha - just asked another AW rep and was now told they are "glossy" LOL....

Seriously, they need to just put the details on the damn site already ><

 

Hahaha!

I asked the guy I talked to, how sure he was it was glossy, he said 100%. Haha! This is crazy. I also chatted with a guy who CLAIMED he saw a demo unit and said it was matte ... Do they have demo units available yet?

I think I may cancel my order with so much confusion and just wait. I kind of think it's a matte screen based on the wording and history. Just sad they don't explicitly say since I think this is a big deal for people... maybe people don't care ?? I care a lot.

Thanks
Jeff.

 

One more person chimed in on my other post:
https://www.alienwarearena.com/foru...cal-support-1/alienware-17-r3-uhd-glossy/last

Also said it's glossy... I've never seen such a divide over such a mystery.

 

This probably may not help, but google ASUS GX 700. It too will sport the same UHD display the 17 R3 will have.
If you feel too split on keeping the order, cancel it before you feel disappointed.

 

Game7a1,

I saw that one too. That definitely is a matte screen. Is anyone making a 17" UHD Glossy display w/ skylake? I don't understand why matte is the only option. Matte is great for work laptops, not when you want the best colors and saturation for home and entertainment... IMHO.

I'm still debating my cancellation, may do it tomorrow.

Thanks

 

As far as I have researched, there's only one 17" UHD panel (it's pretty new). So if the IGZO panel is matte, then there are no glossy panels.

 

Just asked "Alienware" on Facebook and they replied that all their samples are matte.

 

OK I have confirmation from Frank Azor that the UHD IGZO display is TrueLife glossy lol

 

Are you serious, can you post the converation?

 

Are you serious?!?!? I would love to believe you right now! How did you get confirmation?! Yes, Please Post!!!!

 

EDIT:He changed is reply from earlier! He originally said that it is TrueLife glossy and that it look amazing. Now see his response below. Should have taken a screenshot. I sent him another tweet for clarification


Here you go:

 

Lol!

His reply now is stating the website " @gabswiss 17.3 inch UHD (3840 x 2160) IGZO IPS Anti-Glare 400-nits Display." How can he not know what it is!

This is too funny. If nothing else, I hope they clearly label this in the future and think of adding both as options since a lot of people are split on this as well.

 

Ok he re tweeted back to me confirming that it have the matte finish

 

gabswiss,

Saw that too I'm still deciding what to do... I don't see anyone with a glossy UHD 17" which is what I was looking for. I'm debating about waiting until January to see if AW or anyone else announces anything. It's soo close to a perfect laptop.

 

Geeze--- even he had to ask? I will say, the IGZO panels I have read on have quite good color and contrast, it may not be *that* bad.

Take a look at this XPS 13 review - it uses an IGZO panel - might help in thinking about the screens:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/8983/dell-xps-13-review/5

 

Docsteel,

Yea, crazy, but I'm sure he's got a lot of products/features to keep in his mind and they do keep switching (gloss, matte, uhd, touch, etc)... probably just a simple mistake, let's hope!

Yea, I've been watching reviews on that 13" matte and the GX700 (Asus UHD 17 matte).. trying to get an idea of what that world would be like. I would have preferred glossy, but I might give this a shot. As long as the colors are almost as vibrant as the 15" UHD gloss display I have, I may keep it.

I like to watch shows and play games as well as program, so I don't need the color accuracy to be there... I'd rather it be more punchy and look sexy... I'll definitely miss the look of the edge to edge glass, the matte just makes it look like a old school laptop for business. I also have no issues with reflections where I'm at, although I am now concerned with any light washing out the picture with a matte screen.

Not sure if anyone here has a matte screen, but is there a way to increase the contrast/saturation to make them a tad more punchy? Are blacks deep on a matte screen?

 

I did have at first an AW 13 with a matte screen... the blacks were fine on it, and in fact the colors were very good. Honestly, if I hadn't in turn had a TrueLife panel, I would have been satisifed, but after the TrueLife panel I was sold on it. I would say wait and see what Monday brings with the (almost certain) Silverlake release announcement from Azor and then see if anything changes. I want a TrueLife, but if I step up to a 17 (for work purposes) from a 15 I was planning to get, I will have to settle for the UHD panel that is likely matte. Always a trade off it seems : / The AW 15 R1 with the 980m and TrueLife display was darn near perfect... a 17 with UHD and 980m will likely do about as well with a bit lower color punch but still will be nice I think with the IGZO display.

 

Check out the video here:


At about 1:15, you can see the new UHD screen on the 17". It's definitely matte, with no glass cover.
I'm certain that this reflects the new R3 model, as the laptop shown in the video has the USB-C port.

 

Bagpuss69,

Thanks for the video. I saw this before, there is no mention if this is the 1080p screen or the UHD screen and they never turned them on. I think everyone is pretty sure by now that it's matte screens only on the 17" models for R3, which is a bummer for people like me. However, I am getting one and will test it out.

If the colors are not close to as vibrant as the early 2015 15" UHD glossy display, I will return the 17" and wait a month or two for the new skylake 15" UHD display model since I really liked that display. The colors were soo vivid and popped beautifully. I don't fully understand why people don't care about the display as much as I do, but I want something that will be vibrant. I'm hoping a 400-nits anti-glare screen will be almost as vibrant as the older 15" UHD was, but we'll see!

Thanks
Jeff.

 

I think the AW 15 R2 now shows the UHD screen as an IGZO Anti-Glare 300-nits display - I am afraid its just another matte display : /

I'm with you, but I think there are a minority of us that care that much about color and beauty of the display, and that coupled with essentially just Sharp as a source means no glossy option for now.

Look forward to your impressions, I will probably have to wait a couple months before committing to an AW 17 R3.