Bought an Alienware 17r3 on 19th, but still in Pre-Production?

So I bought an Alienware 17r3 on November 19. I noticed today that my order is still in Pre-Production after a week stuck in the same stage. My estimated delivery time is unchanged, still listed on the website as December 4th, shipping out on the 2nd since I have 2nd-day shipping checked. But I was a little worried after seeing my laptop still in the same Pre-Production status after so many days, so I called the Customer Service number.

The service guy said that one of the part I've ordered is "unreleased" so the laptop cannot go into production until the part is received. But he doesn't know what part is unreleased, so he can't help me check for a similar product to replace, to speed up the process. Told me it could be a processor chip or a motherboard, or maybe the FHD monitor...he just doesn't know what is "unreleased".

Had anyone on here got a similar problem before? I'm just curious if my shipping/delivery time might get changed...so far, it's still the same. Just found it funny that even the Parts & Modification person I called the next day said the same thing, about a part being unreleased and the system doesn't even tell them what is missing.

 

Did you choose the 8GB version of 980M?

 

Yeah, I chose the 8GB 980m version. Why did you ask? Are the 8GB version of the card in short supply? I thought the 980 had been out for a while.

 

That option was added recently. Previously the only 980M came with 4GB vram. That was the only reason I could think of. Everything else seems normal in supply for a while now.

 

TracyJackson,

I ordered mine on the 16th w/ the 980m 8GB version. Same deal, mine is in pre-production, EDD: 12/8, but the person I called said there's a good chance the date will get pushed back. If you don't care about the 8GB, modify that to the 4GB and yours will probably ship. I don't know 100% but like others said, the 8GB model recently came available to purchase.

My previous order had the 980m 4GB and it went into production the same day I ordered. I returned it to get the 8GB model, so I'm willing to wait. Hopefully, I'll have it before end of the year though :/

Thanks
Jeff.

 

Any idea when the 8GB version was made available in the market? If it's out for awhile now, shouldn't they be in stock, especially this is more or less the holiday season.

I've got my fingers crossed mine arrives before the 20th...I'm headed home for the Christmas holiday that day, and won't be back at my current place til Feb 1st, haha.

 

It was made available on Nov 12 if I remember correctly.

 

I see...well, I suppose I'll have to wait until Wednesday (original ship date) to see if my shipping date got changed or not. Hopefully they made a good amount of 8GBs.

 

If I had the choice/option then I would go with 8GB, no matter what anyone tells you otherwise. You can never have to much VRAM, well better than not having enough when you need it.

 

Damn right. That's why I promptly returned my 4GB unit for this, as it turned out, I only had to pay an extra $50 for the exchanged version... Although, the indefinite wait is kind of annoying. I read many articles that state that in reality, most games use less, even in 4k. However, for 50 bucks, it was a no-brainer ... as long as it doesn't take months to make!

 

I have an old GTX 560, still great desktop card, is only 1GB VRAM, if that were double at 2GB, it would be still doing ok today. Might not be much using over 4GB VRAM right now but there soon will be. People I know tried to tell be my GTX 850M with 4GB of DDR3 was useless, but I seen it use more than 2GB and definitely helped it from shuttering. I am waiting for the 8GB option to appear, but as you said are waiting, so could be a long wait over here before is added to Dell website in this neck of the woods.

 

@TracyJackson

Any update on your order yet? Mine is still pre-production, but not yet pushed back... probably will though. Was hoping to get it before the xmas break

 

@webjeff
Mine got pushed back to December 16th as the updated delivery date, with expected shipping on the 14th with my 2nd-day delivery option. They only have 4GB 980M (I got the 8GB one) and 16GB memory (bought the 12GB)...right now these 2 components are the only one not in stock and holding my order up. They don't know when the factory will get more.

I just hopes they don't push back the date anymore...I'm leaving for vacation on the 18th and the college mailroom (I'm TA'ing there) don't accept packages during the Winter break (they return to sender). So fingers crossed I get this in 12 days.