Awesome! Customizable Custom Bezel for the M18x's Matte Display

It's possible and I considered it but in the end got lazy and bored Don't see a reason for that.

 

any of you just remove the plastic glossy finish and leave the laptop without it?

 

Matte panels are usually nicer to look at and clean.

In fact, one of the reasons i dont buy aw anymore is because of the rediculous E2E panels. Ive had every aw ever made since dell bought aw.

Great job aikimox. I applaud you'

Oh yea, why do you think a pure gaming company like Razer opted for matte for the Blade?

Demand.

And i heard it was one helluva panel lol

 

I have to comment on this again, after 3 days of using a work issued MBAir 2011. You know, I'll probably be getting an Air-Pro hybrid with matte retina display this summer. With no RGBLED matte options, AW has lost my vote.
Will keep the R1 and upgrade it down the road but that would be it. Hopefully, by 2013 Dell will change their ways.

Thanks M8! Long time no seen, where have you been?

 

I have been gone a while but I am extremely happy some one has done this and major props.

Last time I was here you just removed yours and used it that way.

 

Where do you been hiding! welcome back

 

Yeah long time no see Moo . Hope all is well with you .

 

Is that really you?

 

Who else would it be?

All is well, married and Government job kinda sucks the time. I have replaced my love of computer with cars.


Now let's be uncharacteristic of me and not go off topic shall we?

I have PM's and Adam and Miguel my number hasn't changed.

 

LOL, good old times, everyone's back in the game! Welcome back, Moo!

 

Aikimox, PM sent, with only a few months of life my R2's Super Shiny Glass already has a scratch and a few blemishes, and I have been VERY careful to thoroughly clean the keyboard before closing lid etc. And you can't see anything with the stupid Super Shiny Glass Screen in anything but a photography dark room! If I remember correctly a matte screen was at the top of the "What do you want to see in the M18x R2" survey.

Maybe Aikimox hasn't been on this forum for a while. Either way, custom bezel or not, the "Super Shiny Screen the doubles as a personal mirror" is coming off. Truth be told I would rather look at an unsightly outer-region of the display yet still be able to full make out what is actually being displayed than stick with the reflective screen, even if this is what the end result looks like:



Any advice on how best to remove the screen? From what I gather a thin metal ruler, alcohol being optional (for the screen)?

 

I don't believe the bezel is available any more. When it was available, Aiki worked for Fortnax Computer. From what I understand, the vendor that was making them lost interest due to lack of demand for the accessory. It should not be difficult to fabricate one, or have a machine shop make one. A nice black billet aluminum with a finish to match the aluminum veneer surface of the media control panel would be nice.

The clear panel is difficult to remove without destroying it, so I would recommend using it as a template for thickness, exact perimeter dimensions and bezel width surrounding the display area before removing/destroying it. For installation, a thin double-sided mounting tape should be sufficient, or an adhesive silicone would also do the job and facilitate removal at a later time. A precision cut thin rubber gasket to fill any space between the bezel and LCD panel around the perimeter of the opening would also provide a finished look.

 

Bummer, was looking forward to the custom bezel, I really want to take off the screen right away but I am making my way through The Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition (Free, and a sizeable 10 GB update) and it is the only game that I have that makes use of the Active Lighting, and to great effect, like if it is day time all lighting is yellow, night-time blue, if engaged in combat red etc. Problem is the the light illuminating the Alienware logo will look off without the bezel. May wait until I finish The Witcher 2, but maybe not seeing as how I can deactivate the active lighting. The reflective screen is really an issue with me as I do not have the luxury of creating a dark room and am using public facilities like libraries and cafe's.

Edit: Will cover logo light with black electrical tape. The screen is coming off. I really do wish Dell listened to their customer base and offered a matte screen.

 

Well, the thing about it is there are mixed opinions based on personal preferences. I don't have any data available to indicate one way or the other, but it is possible they did listen, but went with the majority preference. It's impossible for us to know that.

I actually like it just like it is and would not want to see it changed. I would appreciate the surface being less reflective than it is, but I truly love having no bezel to collect garbage and it makes cleaning the display a very simple task. I also think it greatly enhances the appearance having the edge-to-edge display. Unless they were to offer it two different ways to try and make everyone happy, it would be a disappointment to possibly as many people as it would please.

 

I wish they just had a matte E2E option.

 

So I'm looking to buy my first Alienware soon and I've been doing a lot of research. I think I like the older m17x 4r and m18x r2 designs better than the 2013 models, but I still go back and forth. For example: I like the black casing, the keyboard and it's lighting, and the area that used to have the volume controls and such. I think some people prefer the newer models, because they think the older ones are too playful or something(I read some critics complain about this) but I figure why not have some fun. The only real problem I see is people complaining about how glossy the screens are. I was hoping that if it really bothered me I could do what Aikimox has done here, but it looks like he is no longer making them.. I guess it would be a lot easier for me to just go with the new design that comes with an anti-glare screen from the factory. I would like to have the best of both worlds, but when it comes down to it I usually prefer function over form. I would really appreciate any comments, suggestions and advice.

Thanks,

P.S. Am I not allowed to send people private messages, because I am a new user?

 

There is actually not a huge difference between them as far as reflective qualities are concerned. My recommendation would be to decide which machine you prefer based on some other criteria that is more meaningful than the reflective qualities of the screens. The new 18 screens are a little bit less reflective, but they are IPS. The M18xR2 has an RGB LED screen that is very good quality and does not have some of the minor quirks that go along with having IPS. I use both machines and actually prefer the older display. The edge-to-edge display is awesome in my opinion. Based on my preference, it is far more aesthetically pleasing and easier to maintain.

 

Thank you for your response. I didn't know the M18xR2 has an RGB LED screen. I thought it was WLED. Does the M17xR4 have the same screen? I didn't now IPS has quirks either. Yeah I did notice the new 18 has a glossy display also, but the 17 has an anti-glare screen. My thoughts were that I could go with last years model, because I would be just getting into PC gaming. I figured I wouldn't need the latest and greatest to start out and I could save some money this way too. I basically need to get a new computer and I thought it would be nice to have some gaming capabilities this time. I'm kind of leaning towards the 17 inch since it is lighter and more compact, but the 18 inch has the extra inch which I'm thinking it could make a big difference even if it is only one inch more. I thought I liked everything about last year's model until I heard a lot of people complaining about the reflections.. It really got me questioning if it is going to be a very annoying problem. I really want to like the edge-to-edge display and I think you are convincing me.

 

Samsung 184HT (SEC5448) is RGB LED from what I can tell. It has been a source of confusion for a long time and it is hard to find any specs for it.

The same model comes in more than one size and has been used in a variety of laptops. It's a very good display regardless of the lack of definitive specs.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/432114-how-tell-diff-between-wled-rgbled.html - http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/425960-16-rgbled-vs-15-6-1080p-fhd-led-lcd.html





I don't know what the M17xR4 has for a screen. I would avoid the M17xR4 and go for the M18xR2. The M17xR4 is only slightly smaller, it doesn't have a cooling system as robust as the M18x and the M18xR2 delivers almost double the performance with similar CPU/GPU specs. The M17xR4 is not a bad machine, but it doesn't come close to matching the M18xR2 in build quality or performance.

 

So Mr. Fox does that mean the M18X R1 screen is RGB as well or is it just the M18X R2? I heard both these models are using the same panel. Interesting find since I heard these were WLED type panels.

 

Both are the identical panels. Even the part number stayed the same.

 

So are the panels really RGB?

Sent from my LG-VS410PP using Tapatalk 2

 

It looks like it, but I am not 100% certain. I'm not an expert on monitors, but unless RGB means something other than "RGB" I am guessing they are. I do know that if I place my 1920x1200 M17xR2 next to the M18xR2 I don't see any real difference other than the resolution and aspect ratio. Colors and brightness seem pretty much the same to me, and we all know the M17xR2 is RGB.

 

It is quite interesting what you said about the M17X R2 and M18X because I drew the same conclusions when comparing them side to side when I still had the M17X R2 with RGB screen. Other than that, colors were very very much similar. I calibrated both displays with a Spyder 3.

If anything, I noticed the M18X was a little brighter and slightly less contrasty then the M17X R2 RGB screen. Still an excellent display for my photography color needs (100% SRGB is more than enough for me) when properly calibrated.

Can't emphasize enough how a good color monitor calibrator can do to bring out more pop to your screen.


EDIT: Tried to PM akimox about the custom bezel but it's a no go. Hasn't responded yet.
Sent from my LG-VS410PP using Tapatalk 2

 

I'm sorry for topping a old thread .
I got my m18x r2 front bezel(glass which is over the LCD) cracked , is there anyplace I could go for before replacing the whole assembly ?
Because my LCD is perfect.

 

It's not easy to remove, but it has been done. I think there are a few posts closer to the beginning of this thread with some tips on how to do it. Once you get it off, you will have to figure out what kind of glue to use to mount the new part. A thin bead of adhesive silicone around the perimeter will likely work fine. You can get that from the local hardware store, along with an inexpensive caulk gun. Probably need to apply it sparingly to avoid having it squish out from behind the black area into the viewable area of the screen cover.

Here is an inexpensive replacement, Dell part # 0DWVPH: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Genuine...553?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa5ed7be1

 

Hey it won't fit mine , it's for Alienware 18 .
I also found that item on ebay but later compared it with mine.
Is there another sources ?

Thanks for your fast response.

 

Did you ever find the correct bezel? I'm looking for the same and cannot find one. This one for the 17 looks close but I'm not sure if they are the same. http://www.ebay.com/itm/261376552981