Alienware 15 R2 Display issues?

Hey there!

I've been a MacBook user since 2007, only owning a couple of other Windows-based laptops beforehand so I do not have much experience with Windows computers in general. I've been using the same Mac since 2010 and it is time for an upgrade.

I decided I want to stop buying MacBooks because their quality does not even come close to its price tag, and I've always been a huge fan of Alienware, always fascinated with their models but from a distance.

Alienware is not popular at all in Egypt and Dell doesn't actually sell them, but I believe they provide service for the ones that are already here.

I found a store nearby that sells a brand new Alienware 15 R2 and I used the service tag in order to get all the details necessary about the notebook, and it turned out to be purchased from Italy in October of 2015.

The price tag is 1500 USD which is reasonable compared to other stores here that sell the Alienware 13 and 14 inch models for more, and with only local - in store - warranty.

I read some great reviews about the 15 R2 model (16GB RAM one) and I am really impressed its benchmarks in gaming and resource-intensive applications, however I also read a lot about the display issue and it has me concerned. I'm going to be dishing out a lot of money for a laptop without warranty, and I don't want to have to ship it all the way to Italy in order to have it repaired, for example.

It has this display: 391-BCMU : 15.6 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Anti-Glare 220-nits Display and part number 4NDDJ. I believe this model has the Samsung display, which people seemed to have more problems with than with the LG version? Could you guys please either confirm or deny this? I need to know more information before I purchase it. I'm going to have the cash ready in around four days and I asked the store owner to reserve it for me. I haven't actually used it in-person yet, but I just want to know if the display problem is a common one in ALL Samsung displays or a luck-of-the-draw thing?

Thank you for your time, guys. You can skip all the way to the very last paragraph for the main point and question of this thread, and I truly apologize for the long post.

Have a great evening/night.

 

Hello, did see your post until now, do not get the AW 15 R2 with the FHD 220nit screen it is bad it terms of color accuracy and brightness. Go for the UHD screen or buy a AW 15 R1 "Screen" with the superior 300 nit screen with good color accuracy and replace it yourself.

 

Why advice him to purchase the first gen Aw Echo? It's known that Haswell BGA is a big problem child + bios and Ec firmvare in this model is a big mess http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/alienware-15-r1-cpu-issue-warning.788446/
Maybe @VICKYGAMEBOY can chime into this thread. A bad advice from you. Really Bad...

 

Indeed, get the R2 and replace the panel, they're cheap and waaaaay better than the stock panel. Get this - LG Philips LP156WF6 SPB1

 

Sorry about that, updated my post, meant to say aw 15 r1 "screen" not to buy the first gen AW 15.

 

So has the BIOS, EC, Haswell BGA issues all been resolved with R2?
I still have been dealing with issues with this darn laptop since last year around this same time.
Looking for and end to it.
I started shopping around for laptops and thought to myself... WTH, I have one of the ones listed on several sites as being one of my best options.
I already have it, I already paid for it; Why am I even considering a new one. Simply because this one is flawed.
I do video production, audio production, and gaming; I need my laptop to be solid. \

So back to my original question....
Has this all been resolved with the R2?

 

Both yes and no. I would not buy such a... Why expose you to more from Dell?... I don't understand that. But thats me. Other can do what they want.

 

I think im now looking into the P870DM-G as it seems like Alienware is a lost cause.
Any regrets? Anything to know? Is there an system that is around the same specs but a 15"?
Thanks!

Also to those that would say this is off topic; I have been troubleshooting throttling since the M15x. That was in 2009ish give me a break.

 

You're welcome!! http://www.hidevolution.com/evoc-clevo-p750dm-g-custom-built-gaming-desktop-replacement-laptop.html
+ @Prema bios/vbios 4.5GHz 24/7 Talk also with @godfafa_kr

 

Thank you! LOL..
Im actuallly now looking at the P870DM-G for the 980 over the 980M. Is it a big difference? I assume you have used both.
Does someone around here run HIDevo?
Did you get a Silicon Lottery Delidded and Tested CPU?
Man, now you got me spending again

 

Run and buy. Preferably yesterday... Both models is nice. 15 inches laptop with i7-6700K I prefer 17"

 

Go with a p775dm if you want 980 desktop but the phoenix is a bit too big.

 

Pick and buy http://www.hidevolution.com/new-laptops/shop-by-manufacturer/evoc-clevo now

 

Second that. HIDevolution is great! Summoning @Phoenix for his personal experience.

 

You never answered all of my questions...

 

@Phoenix runs hid, he loves them.

As for 980M vs 980 vs 980M SLI, what are you mostly doing with the machine?

 

Thank you! LOL..
Im actuallly now looking at the P870DM-G for the 980 over the 980M. Is it a big difference? I assume you have used both. NO!
Does someone around here run HIDevo? Yeah @Phoenix
Did you get a Silicon Lottery Delidded and Tested CPU? No!! I can't get it here at home. But see my Sig
Man, now you got me spending again Why should I recommend you something else?
Rep is at the bottom left under my sig

 

I have owned 2 Clevo P870DM-G from HIDevolution.

They now come with a free Prema BIOS/VBIOS so you don't need to pay extra for it......their shipping is super fast for the system and if you mention this post in an email to them, they will give you a small discount.

Getting a good 6700K is a 50/50 chance so don't play the russian roulette, order yours with a Silicon Lottery one like I did. I see 10s of threads here about people not even being able to maintain good temps even at stock clock speeds, let alone overclocking......

HIDevolution is the only company that offers G.Skill RAM of up to 2800 MHz as well

Their Silicon Lottery CPU can come factory delidded if you ask them to and still covered under warranty.

Personal advice, from my experience, I have Liquid Ultra between the CPU die and the IHS. But between the IHS and heatsink, I changed from Liquid Ultra to IC Diamond and got a 10C lower temp so I was able to take my stable 24/7 overclock higher from 4.5 GHz to 4.6 GHz.....

see....... http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/clevo-overclockers-lounge.788975/page-159#post-10240358



EVOC P870DM-G Gaming Laptop


See my review of HIDevolution and why I recommend them:


HIDevolution - The Best Company I ever dealt with


HIDevolution's Warranty!

 

PS: Go with a single 980 GTX (desktop class) if you want less headaches. I've owned 980M SLI in my previous Clevo P870DM-G and hated the bad driver support for SLI and micro stuttering.

 

OK since im leaning that way Im going to either make a thread or post on a thread over in Clevo.