Suggestions/changes for the AW 15 R2/17 R3 (design wise)?

Hi, I'm a industrial designer and I'm in love with my AW15 so far but as a designer I detected problems with its current design so I wanted to make a concept of how I'd like the next version to be (design wise).

I see problems like the palm rest being so tall and that it digs into my wrists and the touch pad not getting along with windows's gestures because of its elevated position but I'd love to hear from you guys so I could make the best concept possible.

Also, I was thinking in designing a new alienware laptop without a graphics card, only the amplifier port (for a super thin and sexy machine!), what do you guys think about that?

I'll create a new thread with renders once the concept is finished for feedback, thanks in advance.

 

Once the XPS 15 comes out with the Infinity display (like the 13), I hope the latter Alienware models get equipped with them. That would be super sexy, with no plastic bezels...........

 

Not practical solution when travelling (which is one of the main advantages of notebooks).

 

I already posted my suggestions in the Frank Azor AMA (ask me anything) thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...r-anything-on-awa.770195/page-74#post-9978949

Alienware needs to being back the "old style" enthusiast machines. The new machines should be tweakable with fully unlocked BIOSs, fully customizable fan profiles, full overclocking support (multiplier, frequency, current, voltage, you name it). And we need something that is designed appropriate Thermal Design Power (TDP) so that the CPU and GPU(s) can both run "flat out" at the same time. I don't see way to do that without very thick slab construction (appropriate heatsinks, appropriate fans, appropriate vents, and appropriate power supplies (330W and 660W as necessary!)).

Thinness and lightness is nice and it has its place. But, however, these are gaming PCs (Alienware used to be enthusiast PCs too), and they need power. I don't see a way to break the second law of thermodynamics here. The systems I am envisioning need a way to dissipate a LOT OF HEAT.

 

It would be a new lineup, I'm not messing with any of the current models, think about that as a solution for people how need a laptop for both work and gaming but are constantly on the go, like a university student who needs it for class, working on starbucks or just take it around but when he/she arrives his/her dorm they just plug it to the amp and they are able to enjoy high end gaming.

 

I get your point but I don't think it needs to be a tank in order to be enthusiast level. The size of the 17 r2 and 15 is massive, I think they are just fine in that regard, maybe some engineering and design magic could make up for the CPU throttle.

 

Funny. The M17x R1, R2, R3, and R4, The M15x, and the M18x R1 and R2 all had that beautiful edge to edge glass. Alienware went and did away with it and replaced it with an el-cheapo bezel. Have you tried to take it off? I swear I feel like I could snap it/break it just by taking it off. The entire design, from the motherboard up is totally wrong. HQ chips must be replaced with MQ/MX chips and and ACTUAL SOCKET. The graphics card should not be soldered with GIMPED VERSIONS of existing chips. The 980M is actually supposed to be a 8GB card and the 970M is supposed to be a 6GB card.

 

Well, never had a M1xx model so yes I guess?, Anyways, I meant aesthetics wise.

 

I'm all for matte display, which I know can't be fully edge to edge. That being said, my XPS 13 (2015) had a matte screen with a very miniscule bezel. That is what the future matte Alienwares need. My current 15's bezel does "click" around the camera, when finger tapped, which isn't completely impressive. I just hope the touchscreen fad, which require glass overlays, will not completely kill off anti-glare matte screen options........

 

Yeah, take for example the following picture:

The unused space its huge!, first thing I was thinking about getting rid off on my concept was the Alienware glowing logo, the font doesn't look fresh anymore and tbh if that glowing logo there means more bezel around the display then I vote for getting rid of it.

 

Also, another thing to consider, the XPS 13 has a 13 inch display but the chassis is a lot smaller than other 13" laptops, I guess the same can't be done with the Alienware since the chassis on it needs to be big for the components, I was thinking in giving the 15 the 17" display size (infinity like) and the 17" an 18" or more. I know I know, that would mess up with the name 15 and 17 and so on but just think about it.

 

Made this in like 5 mins, just to give an idea

 

Agree, but you will find out that just removing the logo will do very little. The bezel is not that large because of the logo, but because of the overall design, the lid structural rigidity, etc. It was not made large to provide room for the logo, I feel. Yes, XPS thin bezel is the way to go!

 

Well, if it matters, the touchscreen versions of the recent laptops have a thinner bezel instead (I want to say it's glass, but am not certain). It also doesn't bulge out like the plastic bezel for the non-touchscreen ones.

 

Good job, that is what I'm talking about. The 17inch screen with the 15 inch body sounds good, as well.

 

Yea, but touchscreen = mirror-like glass overlay which is awful from my perspective (use my laptop at work, under bright lights). That photoshop above looks great as the bezel is the same size, on the sides, as the XPS 13's matte display.

 

I would like to see Alienware make a sleek brushed aluminum model, for once, instead of the usual black. I had an HP Spectre 15 XT, which was one of the most beautiful laptop cases that I have seen. The all metal design with heavy brushed effects blew away the bandwagon Apple Macbooks. Should have never sold it........

 

Aluminum is great for the looks and it looks the same after 5+ years of use, I had the HP Envy 17 (mid 2012, HD 7850m from amd) and it look almost brand new when I sold it, the problem with aluminum designs is the heat, anything above the keyboard was burning hot to the touch and during a heat wave here in Mexico (which is already a warm climate country) I was unable to play games for more than 30 minutes. My AW15 manages heat very nicely (if a bit noisy), so well actually that the system turns the fans off almost instantly after closing GTA V to become dead silent again. Maybe a mix of aluminum and the current soft plastic might be the way to go, maybe aluminum only on the non critical places.

 

bring back fancy surrounded line keys

 

The problem with my new 15 is the thin and easily scarred plastic. The service bay door already has scratches on it, as well as that painted silver trim that sits next to the bottom label and vents. I use a Vindicator backpack with the laptop in another Alienware zip case, so that isn't the issue. I guess it must have occurred from rubbing against my belt buckle or zipper, but the nice aluminum cases wouldn't have this issue. I think my A 14's bottom plastic was thicker than these new ones, as it doesn't have any scarring.

 

Easily accessible heatsink to make it easy to do a repaste, then I'd be happy!

 

Speaking of the Infinity display, Dell is now showing off the new 15 inch model.

 

hello and congratulations for this post, I would say that the design for the Alienware 15 Alienware m15x have, but thinner version of course and a very beautiful and modern touches would touch buttons. I hope you understand me and I do not speak English and I am new to this forum. Greetings from Peru.

 

I am only referring to the 15 and 17in Alienware. The 13 is just a Alienware branded normal laptop

Definitely love the idea of making use of the screen real estate and getting rid of the bezel similar to the XPS 13 (16 or 17 inch screen in the 15 and 18in in the 17). The edge to edge screen the OP put up on page 2 is really good. But i doubt they will be able to make the laptop size smaller since they would have trouble running the hardware. Also just taking the XPS 13 design and enlarging it to fit all the Alienware 15/17 hardware might also be nice idea.

Also get rid of the Alienware logo or move it elsewhere, maybe to the touchpad or the lid. It gets distracting when you are looking at the laptop screen and have a bright light under it. I have never had the logo light running since I got my M14x 4 years ago (still works well though gpu is struggling). Also a decent quality keyboard. Still like the keyboard from my 12 year old Inspiron 5100 and 8 year old Inspiron 1720 vs the one on the M14x. Don't know what Alienware was thinking.

Don't care if its fatter than the current one but has to get the job done. That means no throttling with the CPU, GPU, HDD, RAM running at full power in 35C room (40C would be asking too much).

Full keyboard please. It a 15 inch laptop. You should be able to fit the number pad also. And give me the numberpad any day vs the customizable keys that the Alienware 15 and 17 come on the left side.

No rubber armrest. It works fine but when you have to clean it, its a mess. And, as for long term use, the rubber starts deteriorating in quality. Plastic or aluminium frame would be heavenly (Maybe Carbon Fiber?).

Touchpad is fine but the new one touch touchpad with the buttons inbuilt is not that great on other laptops. Please keep the two left and right keys separated from the touchpad.

3x USB 3.1 type C, HDMI in and out, Displayport/mini-Displayport, 3 audio ports (like the older Alienwares), no CD drive, ethernet port, card readers, 4x RAM DDR4 slots (For heaven's sake, you got rid of the CD drive. How hard is it to use that space to fit 4 RAM slots), atleast 2x M.2 PCIe slots (Not the stupid SATA3 M.2 in the current ones), PGA Skylake i5 or i7 CPU (m series and not the stupid U series), removable GPU (Up to the rest of the community), IGZO FHD or QHD panel.

 

Skylake mobile is soldered only. There won't be PGA Skylake CPUs.

 

Thanks and yeah, while on ultrabooks they can reduce the overall size because of the tiny components (plus the fact they don't need massive vents) I meant instead, increasing the screen size on the 15 and 17 while keeping the chasis size. What I also said is that it would mess the naming because they will not longer be 15 and 17" laptops, maybe 16+ and 18+ while having a smaller footprint.

 

Thinner screen bezel like in the XPS series would be nice. Also, I hate the fact that they got rid of side led strips and only left in the front.

 

I was wondering about the naming convention when i wrote that but, didn't want to open another can of worms. Maybe they can just make the laptop small to fit the bezel less 15 and 17 but would prefer the same size with a bezel less 16" and 18".

But i think bezel less/thin bezel is the way to go. With 8 years of smartphone initiated thin bezel screens, I am sure they can incorporate them in laptops in more models. I would be willing to pay a little more if alienware gave me an option of a 15" bezel screen vs a 16" bezel screen (17" bezel screen vs 18" bezel screen on the 17" laptop) on the same laptop.

I mean why XPS??? Alienware should be where they initiate this tech, its their premium brand and they are leaving us in the dust and I am also referring to the build quality.

Don't remember size LED lights on the any Alienware?

 

Ice cream maker + auto correct for those who cannot spell throttle correctly.