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    Can I install a Blu-Ray drive in M14x?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by HTWingNut, Jul 8, 2011.

  1. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Just curious if there was anything special about the M14x DVDRW drive that it couldn't be replaced with a stock 12.7mm height blu-ray SATA drive?
     
    HTWingNut, Jul 8, 2011
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  2. clienterror

    clienterror Notebook Consultant

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    I don't think theres room. Isn't the stock player 9mm? And there are no 9mm slot loading BD players on the market (yet). I could be wrong tho.
     
    clienterror, Jul 8, 2011
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  3. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Ah, slot loading and 9mm? Sounds like the same thing that the Envy 14 has.
     
    HTWingNut, Jul 8, 2011
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  4. Gearsguy

    Gearsguy Notebook Deity

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    Probably eventually
     
    Gearsguy, Jul 8, 2011
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  5. niko2021

    niko2021 Notebook Evangelist

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    I don't think you'd want to anyway, the maximum screen resolution is only 900p. Won't really be full 1080p hd. The image probably wouldn't even be fitted to the screen right at 1080p on a 900p resolution screen. Idk if blueray can play at anything but 1080p. I could be wrong though, but even if it can, it'll be a scaled back resolution quality. Kind of defeats the purpose in my opinion.
     
    niko2021, Jul 9, 2011
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  6. ComputerMD82

    ComputerMD82 NX-74205

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    I was wondering this as well, I just ordered my M14x. Did you order one too?
     
    ComputerMD82, Jul 9, 2011
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  7. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Blu-ray can play at any resolution lower than 1080p. There's lots of 720p TV's out there with blu-ray's hooked up to them! It will look super crisp over any DVD. Not to mention you can hook it up to a 1080p monitor anyhow.

    Found this one from the Envy 14: | HP Envy 14 Series slot BD ROM Blu ray Combo Drive

    I emailed them to see if these drives truly exist. Found a post from a user here (well about a year ago) asking on this for their Envy 14, and they stated they were completely out of stock. Hopefully it's not a pipe dream drive that they use just as a store front item to lure people in.
     
    HTWingNut, Jul 9, 2011
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  8. Kynlore

    Kynlore Notebook Geek

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    It can. I have a Blu-ray player connected to a 720p TV. The image looks just fine.
     
    Kynlore, Jul 9, 2011
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  9. FlipBack

    FlipBack Notebook Evangelist

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    Hopefully eventually.
     
    FlipBack, Jul 9, 2011
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  10. ComputerMD82

    ComputerMD82 NX-74205

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    Please let me know what their response is! This will basically be my carry everywhere laptop, I can picture myself watching LOTR on a long bus ride so I'm definitely interested in any compatible Blu Ray drives.

    Thank you!

    Matt
     
    ComputerMD82, Jul 9, 2011
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  11. clienterror

    clienterror Notebook Consultant

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    Yea totally look into that wingnut, I was looking around and didn't see anything but if there's an option for it heck ya.
     
    clienterror, Jul 9, 2011
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  12. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Hopefully it'll be in stock. I still don't understand how a laptop like Alienware doesn't at least offer Blu-ray as an option?
     
    HTWingNut, Jul 9, 2011
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  13. clienterror

    clienterror Notebook Consultant

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    The only reasons I can see why they wouldn't is if 1. There is no manufacturer making them in a decent quantity 2. There may be issues with the smaller size which is why you don't see many if any drive options. 3. There are so few lappys that use a 9mm no manufacture want's to bother with it even though if they did they'd pretty much have the market on 9mm BD's cornered.
     
    clienterror, Jul 9, 2011
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  14. Tsukurimashou

    Tsukurimashou Notebook Evangelist

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    The SATA I will not cause issues with a blueray drive?
     
    Tsukurimashou, Jul 9, 2011
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  15. flybass

    flybass Notebook Consultant

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    You guys may want to see what ted from hidevolution says about this drive. he was interested in making a bluray a configuration option, but cancelled it due to size issues.
     
    flybass, Jul 9, 2011
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  16. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    So I guess the other question is... why not make it standard size then? A few mm thicker would also open up more room for cooling and possibility of a GTX 560! :D

    It seems lately Alienware goes half- with everything. GTX 560 in the M17x? Really? Until the 6970m came along that's all they had. Best they could do in the m15x was a GTX 260m. I feel they compromise in areas due to aesthetics than in performance when to me Alienware represents a gaming laptop. Mac is where it's all about aesthetics.
     
    HTWingNut, Jul 9, 2011
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  17. ComputerMD82

    ComputerMD82 NX-74205

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    Tried calling their customer service number here: About us

    "You have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service."
     
    ComputerMD82, Jul 9, 2011
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  18. Gearsguy

    Gearsguy Notebook Deity

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    Ill take 10
     
    Gearsguy, Jul 9, 2011
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  19. packruler

    packruler Notebook Enthusiast

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    Someone should try the Dell XPS CA10N BluRay drive. looks like it should work perfectly: http://goo.gl/uNuSJ
     
    packruler, Jul 19, 2011
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  20. ComputerMD82

    ComputerMD82 NX-74205

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    I've received my M14x, I can confirm as well that it's a 9.5mm drive. I can also confirm that with a regular thickness slot loading drive, the bottom cover will not close.

    @packruler: looks like yes, since it's a slot loading drive. too thick though. :(
     
    ComputerMD82, Jul 19, 2011
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  21. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    HTWingNut, Jul 19, 2011
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  22. unitardinventor

    unitardinventor Notebook Guru

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    has anyone found a blu-ray solution to the m14x?
     
    unitardinventor, Feb 26, 2012
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  23. Voodooi

    Voodooi AFK for a while...

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    A few months ago there were a few people who purchased one from ebay and provided a link. I remember taking a look at it, but that thread must be severely buried :p

    HIDevolution was doing it as an upgrade option too when the M14X originally released. Not sure if they're still doing it. If they're not, perhaps you could send them an e-mail and ask them the model they used to do it would be my best bet.

    The blu-ray player was a pull out tray and not the slot load.
     
    Voodooi, Feb 26, 2012
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  24. unitardinventor

    unitardinventor Notebook Guru

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    Thanks man. I'll try to dig the thread out. I guess none of the slot loads fit the m14x as of now.
     
    unitardinventor, Feb 27, 2012
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