I must be getting old, I like my m18x better than the m18

I have turned into a geezer. I really prefer the look of me m18x over the new machine. I use the media keys a lot. I like my Alien head power button the flashes to warn me that yet again I have bumped my power cord and need to reseat it. I turn off the light around my keypad now and usually have it disabled so the big colored dot in the palm rest is of no interest to me.

I also like the oddball look that makes my m18x jump out in a crowd, the m18 looks more like a girls version.

Dunno, just old fashioned I guess. I hope Dell keeps parts available for a long time.

 

A girl version of a M18x? Your statement is amusing (and funny, too), but I don't really agree with it, although you're of course entitled to your own views and are free to express them. I personally don't really see any "girlish" undertones in the new design, just the opposite actually. For instance, I'm old-fashion (and old too ) but I still welcome change, as well as the fact that the new AW 18 is less flashy and looks less like a slot-machine or jukebox and more like a computer. Believe me, I love my M18x's performance in all it does, although I'm glad to see that the AW 18 finally looks a bit more like a grow-up machine.

 

I really like the new M18. If I didn't have so mucho denero in this rig I'd get one.And your'e not old. I'm old. 70 years old

 

Agreed, rafix73. As much as I like the look of the M18x (particularly the front grill) this new design is really starting to grow on me. I know a lot of people in here have been critical of the new design but I think it's a more "mature" look … and I'm no spring chicken so it kinda works for me.

I don't think it's "girly" at all!!

 

I really agree, because they are making them more common. The thing that attract me to Alienware was the hardcore look and the innovation, but this new design is like if they have removed a lot of things to make them cheaper to build so they can have more profit of them. So even that I'm not old I totally agree with you.

 

I tell you what, I love the way both of them look (with the only exception being the ugly display bezel versus edge-to-edge display lens). They are both awesome looking machines. It's hard for me to say which one looks better, they are just different. The real test of which one is the ultimate man beast will not be answered until the aliens start landing. If the new monster can't whip the old one after it has a 780M SLI upgrade, it will be an inferior product... end of story. It will all come down to what the Haswell Extreme CPU is capable of delivering. If the 4930MX doesn't kick the snot out of 3920XM/3940XM it will be a sad ending to the story. I'm looking and hoping for a huge performance gap like we are seeing between a modded 780M vBIOS and 680M. It didn't seem possible at first with the poor initial results we were seeing with 780M. I'm skeptical about Haswell 4930MX, but I am eager to be surprised like we were with 780M after the right tweaking to make it a good product. (Gee, that last comment sounds like I am talking about Windows 8 instead of hardware.)

 

It's hard to tell but it looks like the edge of the display screen is not glossy anymore. I like glossy; in fact I'm thinking of getting my display lid and palmrest painted.Trying to think of a nice color

 

I like glossy as well. I do not especially care for the reflective qualities under certain lighting conditions, but I think it looks a LOT better and it is easier to care for. A bezel is nothing but a crap collector that provides extra crevices that are difficult to keep clean. I love the edge-to-edge display in spite of the reflectiveness.

 

I have a list of things I dont like about the new model.
1) The Bezel - loved the r2 sleek look, why would they get rid of that!!!?
2) Smaller Disc Caddy - why oh why ?
3) Grilles

But I can't say I dislike the new 18. I like the light wrapped about the bottom and sides...and what's inside

 

1. M18X - looks like Aventador
2. M18 - looks like Bugatti

Either way i like your sig brother TBoneSan..hehe

 

I think it's more important to point out the corners they cut verses looks.

Smaller battery on all models
No media keys
No alien power button
No color options
Two pipe GPU heat sinks.

It seems to be all they did was subtract but keep the price the same. Screw the looks. That corner cutting is what's more important to focus on.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

 

I agree on the fact that they have been cutting costs. However, if the new model delivers better performance than the former, and its current inner design will still allow good cooling, I won't be grieving over the loss of a few buttons--although cool looking I seldom use them.

 

Couldnt agree more

But more on topic, I prefer the r1/r2 to the new ones too. In my opinion things like the alienhead power button were big things that set them apart from other companies, it was those things you seldom noticed and took for granted that you will miss when turning on your new machine (at least i would) now of course as Mr. Fox said, if these new machines with 780s and 4xxx Processors blow the r2 away that may make your pain a little easier to bare. Just watch those temps lol that triple pipe to double pipe transition bothers me.

 

I read in some other thread that in a review where saying that the palmrest or the keyboard was hotter than the R2. So maybe that double pipe is making the difference there.

I was hoping to finally see the water cooling, but I guess that Alienware/Dell will never do it as how they are making the new designs look cheaper maybe the water cooling will increase the prices.

I agree with many things written here. I was going to make huge modifications to my current Alienware, but then I saw the Alienware head power button and the media buttons and that make me abort the project and start the M18x R1/R2 project.

 

Liquid cooling would be sweet, never say never. Liquid cooling is already standard on the aurora but i know laptops are a whole different story. I am already looking for the m18 r4 hoping for something amazing to redeem themselves.

 

old alienware model looks like a girl's

 

what i was trying to say is old alienware model looks like a girl's d1ld0

 

I can bet you that someone, a person on this forum, will make that water cooling before Alienware do it. They have that patents for a long time...

 

Harlon are you really 70 years old?! Youre double my age friend, very cool that you're into computer gaming at your age. I don't feel that immature anymore!

 

Yes my son, I am that old Ha Ha But my wife says I look 60.She loves me.

 

MMM NO THEY DONT AND HERES THE PROOF..
ITS KICK AWESOMENESS AT ITS BEST!

 

As an actual female here, I'd say that neither design looks "girly." I happen to have an M18x R1 (plus my deceased M17x R2) and have always liked the older design. That being said, now that I've gotten a better look at the new M18...it's not as bad as I thought it would be. It does have a cleaner, more professional look to it, and I'm mostly okay with the more subtle approach. However, it doesn't make me want to run out and immediately upgrade to one. I might get an M18 eventually after a second revision or if my M18x R1 suddenly dies - although it's in pretty good health.

 

If they could go back to that amazing design...

 

As a matter of fact I was impressed about the new design same as they had the revision 2 of the m18x and the very next day after the inauguration I have ordered one.

Once I saw some better pictures on different forums (since when was promoted*, was a disaster when they concentrated on games and other rubbish stories instead of giving a proper description / review), I cancelled it without looking back. I was okay with everything except that stup!d keyboard? What? What's wrong with the keyboard? What's wrong with alienware team, they have to go through 4-5 revisions to make something as it should be? Now they have used clevo's keyboard in the alienware system. How can 'low budget' companies like MSI put such good quality keyboards (steelseries)?! First thing you always concentrate at keyboard / mouse / and power when you are talking about a gamer's system... I am really upset with alienware team and I am going to take a break from them ))) Sorry guys, not trying to make any troubles, its just sad when they do not pay attention to those silly things which matter a lot...

 

Except that the new keyboard is probably much better for typing than the old one. It doesn't flex much, it doesn't trap fingers easily, it doesn't look as stiff and uncomfortable as the Clevo keyboards, and I assume that it doesn't have the ridiculous missed keystrokes that MSI and Clevo keyboards have. I wish the keys weren't flat though.

Why do people see a plain keyboard and think "rubbish (Clevo) keyboard?" Dell uses similar keyboards in its business machines.

 

I agree with you, might be an age thing....for me too...although I have a m17x but the design elements are shared between the 02, I also agree the new 17/18 may not be girly (I do understand where that statement is coming from, the led strip that runs along the lower edge perhaps) but man, whether its an optical illusion but sure looks quite a bit more thicker, also the rounded-behind (where the top aluminium cover "tapers" to the bottom cover) is another thing I am not a fan of.

So yeah, all in all quite happy with the 17x and hope it can power through some of the games of this year leading to the next, if it fails me I sell and unfortunately will either sit by the sidelines or consider a razer, Samsung,ASUS or even a MBP (if they have a capable gpu), because unfortunately this current design will stay for the next 4 iterations, and by then I may truly be too old to enjoy an AW

 

as the owner of a previous model who sold it with one of the reasons being that it looked like a toy, i hated the old design and the newer is marginally better than the older models, like you said it is much more professional. i don't if you wen to neverland, saw peter pan, and just never grew up, but i would never walk around with older alienware anywhere - not only is it ugly in my opinion, but it screams "i'm a toy".

performance wise if you have 680 gpu, i would hold off upgrading - especially if it means you are upgrading for design alone.

 

think ill be getting the m18x tomorrow with 3740 and 680m single. no way i can afford a m18 with 3 year warranty...nor does the prospect of a basic spec machine which i dont like the look of, excite me that much (especially to the tune of an extra 400-600£)

 

Whow I did not expect such a response. I should clarify my girl comment. I do not mean to be derogatory in any way. Generally male design is bold and striking, whilst female design is more refined and anchored within the current design milieu. I like the bold, in your face approach but as always, it is in the eyes of the beholder. MAN that machine of Dumb Dumb's is the cats ... err .. butt.

On the performance side, I suspect the m18 will have a 15-25% advantage. It this is your criteria, I whole heartedly agree go for the new one.

So far I have not hit a bottleneck with my machine in day to day use. So it is the look and fell, coupled with function that matters in my case. and well .. I like my machine.. I think Alienware should be proud.

 

I think ANY change in design, from something that so many have grown to love dearly, can come as quite a shock. It did for me. When the first images started landing, I did not like the new design at all. I'm still not 100% sold on it, but things move on and change. There are good and bad points to be said about both revisions - some people (including myself) are glad to see a change in the glossy reflective LCD, whilst others see it as downside. Of course, there are lots of other changes too....some good, some bad but I think we all know what those changes are now, so I wont put up a 'shopping list' of them. Suffice to say, in the UK we have a terminology about Marmite - "You either love it, or you hate it" - I think a lot of people feel that way......kinda like this ad:



Personally, if I were that guy, I'd FORCE myself to like Marmite, as it certainly has it's upside's

 

I don't like the new design

1. Doesn't look like a Lamborghini anymore. The front and the back are boring. The angled back vents looked really cool on the old design.
2. The power cord connector is on the left side instead of the back. The back was more symmetrical and the thick heavy cord was out of the way, now it's going to be all over the table. I basically never disconnect it, so I expect it to be out of sight.
3. No media buttons, no alien head power button.
4. It looks thicker because of the boxy design.
5. Starter model is £500 more expensive? Why?

On the plus side, the new bag is cool. And the lid also has AlienFX.

 

I hated the new design at first...........now I've ordered it! it's growing on me the more I see it. The only thing I don't like is the thick bezel.

I can understand the haters, but everything moves forward with design. It will be interesting to see some real reviews soon.

 

I remember when we were all dumbstruck by how awesome the M17x was when it was introduced; and then they expanded the line to the 11 and 18 and it was just small sweet refinements. They'll do the same on this refresh but I don't like the 1st try.

And no Red?!? What the heck Dell....

 

It looks like the new 18 might be more user-friendly for custom paint jobs. The M18x design was a tough act to follow. It took me a while to accept the new design. I like it now, and I think it is very attractive except for the display bezel. But, it doesn't have the same menacing look and feel to it. That will attract some that felt the previous design was too much, but I have to agree that the older design overall is more awesome to look at.

 

The first time I saw the new design on the Alienware website, I was shocked! It looked less slick/sexy than the previous design, but as I watched the various YouTube videos, it grew on me. And when I compared the new design versus the Clevo design, it is hands down the Alienware design that wins.

 

Long live the r2...

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

 

The good think about this "changes" is that people will look more amazed when they see the "old" designs.

 

i see your point but im betting a lot of people like myself are glad its on the side now. It was a pain that when i had it on my desk i couldnt keep it flush against the wall. I also couldn't see the light to know if it was properly plugged in without standing up to check or closing the lid.

 

Shouldn't you just look the alien power button to know if its connected? also you shouldn't take it against a wall if you want to keep it cool. #Just saying...

 

It looks tacky sticking out of the side, I think. If they had a 90° angle connection on the end this would improve the aesthetics, but it is what it is. Too late to change it. I liked it on the back a lot better. I think it could end up being more susceptible to damage on the side as well. Especially so sticky straight out, perpendicular to the body of the laptop.

As far as telling whether or not it was plugged in by looking at the end of the cord goes, that has never applied on the M18x. The light is on the body of the brick, not the end of the cable. I don't expect to see that change on the 18. It probably will not have that.

I agree about shoving it back against the wall being a bad idea. It needs more air space than that and blocking the exhaust vents (or having a confined space to trap warm air) is not a good idea.

 

LOL Long live my R1 and 6990's. Nothing it can't handle yet so no need to upgrade. I probably will someday but to tell the truth I just play EQ and Total War games anymore

 

I was strongly considering getting the new m18 but my m18x... Just turns heads each time I take it out ... The blazing red.... Has everyone... Just staring at me long live the r2... Now time for an extreme processor upgrade

Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk 2

 

I cant stand the new 18. Had my M18x R2 for 6 months now and I still enjoy looking and use it just as much as the day I bought it. The styling is awesome and turns heads, there is no doubt it means business. I don't think I could ever part with it and now its even easier knowing the new models don't look anywhere near as good.

You will love an XM processor bro, I am so glad I upgraded!

 

live long R1/R2 hell yeah, beer on this one lads!

many things they have done they really shouldn't have, but that's their call and I think that was not a really great one... however, one thing nobody mentioned anywhere about - did yous all paid any attention to photos/videos of new m18 ? I mean the depth of USB ports and the angle of the chassis at the top of the USB ports? To me looks very deep, deep enough for some devices either not to have great connectivity by means if you touch it it may get disconnected just because it doesnt plug in deep enough... maybe its just me and optics acting up but if you look better at it let me know what do you think?

I know good few people who chose these R1 and R2's as all-in-one powerhouse machines, professional work or gaming it takes it all without breaking a sweat, and because it had so good selection of I/O ports and features this cant be missed as a true fully featured professional equipment, but if today there was the same people who want to upgrade, they most likely want to go for two separate purchases (DELL WINS), like new m18 and DELL precision... selfish DELL

 

I must say I'm firmly on the side of... M18X!!! the specs are quite capable for some time, the configuration is much better, dat keyboard, dat rear ac plug, does front grills! it shall be remembered fondly amongst the booring stuff of the time. Yes I've ordered my M-lamborghini-X LP R2 after the fiasco of a resale that went wrong and hope Dell will honour it by not saying "sorry can't do it have the 18 instead" cause if I wanted a chunky metal box with a tug boat styled deck that blinds me if the sun gets on it and have to evert my eyes towards the most blandest keyboard arrangement i'd cancel dells and order an msi or asus instead. i'd hate to have to do that.

but I have faith dell won't let me down, just patience again. Cause dat keyboard, dat ac plug, does front grills...

 

This, just wins.

We love Alienware for what it was, and that was something different. We don't need more clevo/msi styled laptops. The front grills were the icing for me, so tough and aggressive, absolutely nothing matches the styling.

 

^^^ applause ^^^





when you look at the closed R1 R2 on your desk, even when you would have a situation that it has no motherboard inside no cpu no ram and no GPU's , it still looks darn fast performance laptop... I love looking at it. Its the choice of the design, and I admire it alot. its like so what that the new SuperCar is like 30% faster than previous year model, but if it looks not my taste, I wont be bought by performance and live with it just because of that, I want best of both worlds - design and performance in proper balance , and R1 R2 has it all for me

my 02 cents

 

I also like the look of the bezel-less R2 screen when it's open. Far more sexy.

 

i think what happened was dell listened to too many people who said "that mx range, why the fairy christmas lights and plastic!?" and they responded by more conservitism, less lighting and more serious materials which wern't truely necessary. new 18? the lighting on the lid won't show up well with metal, the side profile looks like a ships prow and the palm rest is flat and barron it goes against everything that made an alienware better over simillarly speced competitors. it's like a clevo in a tatty jump suit... have you noticed my biased outpourings?

i don't blame anyone for buying into the new range they'll be more powerfull for sure and competative on the market for that but i feel... where as lambo stayed lamboish under audi has alienware become more of a dell now with this new range? has alienware lost part... of it's soul now???

 

Yeah even though people could have easily bought a MacBook if they wanted something conservative. I don't do my gaming at Starbucks so I don't care what other people think of it.

All the additional lighting on the back and the sides looks horrendous. The angled bits at the back look terrible. The keyboard and touchpad are horrible.

There is no doubt Alienware has lost a part of what it was now. I remember looking at the M15x's and the other older Alienware models when I was younger and thinking they were the coolest looking laptops around. I look at the new ones and don't feel anything like I did back then.