*OFFICIAL* M18x R1/R2 Owner's Lounge Thread

Welcome to the Owner's Lounge for the Alienware M18x and Alienware M18x R2

Previous M18x Owner's Lounge can be found here

This thread is a place to discuss your new M18x and share information on your system with fellow owners.

M18x launch video - Alienware M18x laptop Video | Dell



Manuals, Teardown, Drivers, etc.
[TD"][/TD] Manuals (Owners Manual and Service Manual)

M18x R1 - Documentation
M18x R2 - Documentation

M18x Dell Parts List
M18x R1 Parts List - Reference
M18x R1 NVIDIA GPU-Specific Part List - M18x R1 AMD GPU-Specific Parts List
M18x R2 Parts List - Reference

Dell Phone Directory

Spare Parts and Accessories: Purchase your Upgrade, Accessories, or Replacement Parts 1-800-357-3355

For Alienware Support, avoid calling Dell Support. Call 1-800-ALIENWARE whenever possible.

M18x R1 Drivers
Dell Drivers and Downloads | Alienware Laptop M18x R1

M18x R2 Drivers
Dell Drivers and Downloads | Alienware Laptop M18x R2

Benchmarking, Overclocking etc.

CPU Overclocking in the M18x
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ridge-ivy-bridge-cpu-overclocking-thread.html

Benchmark Discussion
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...alienware-m18x-benchmark-thread-part-2-a.html

Misc. Links

Gaming
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/579434-m18x-gaming-discussion-thread.html

Order Status Discussion
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/575529-m18x-order-status-discussion.html

Bags, Backpacks, Cases & Sleeves
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...backpacks-cases-would-fit-alienware-m18x.html

Clean Install
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ook-feel-after-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Other

LCD DeadPixel Test

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...s-performance-problems-discussion-thread.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...s-performance-problems-discussion-thread.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...mperatures-game-benchmark-screen-display.html

M18x RAM upgrade guide

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/624484-m18x-alienfx-theme-sharing.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/575657-m18x-memory-discussion-thread.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...e-m18x-steam-origin-friends-conglomerate.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/465100-games-support-alienfx.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/650644-m18x-car-charger.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...source-index-links-helpful-threads-posts.html

Congrats on your system purchase! Once you receive it, feel free to show it off... pictures, benchmarks, etc. Have fun!

 

Nice! Thanks for the help setting this up, bro. +1.

[video]http://www.alienware.com/Landings/sb/m18xpop.aspx#ooid=A4NnlkNzrK3sWVh3K10KctUWi5_HVVHK[/video]

 

Thanks. The old one was kinda bloated

 

you're bloated

 

Looking the the service manual for the m18xr2 and you can install 3x 2.5" hdd/ssd & msata sata drive. i like

 

Any info yet as to whether the screen is any different? The speculation thread on the main Alienware page had someone post that the M18x-R2 has a new part number for the screen, so is it possible that the screen has changed (possibly for the better)?

 

So my system is a few weeks old and I am suffering from bsd's due to the USB 2.0 drivers. Dell already has swapped out the mb and db. However the problem remains. The only way to stop the ports from shutting down and the system blue screening is to disable the webcam and Bluetooth module. Now dell wants me to send the laptop back into depot.

Second problem, after reinstalling windows with the Alienware cd, I am missing all the pre-installed software. Soundbaster mb, dell webcam central, roxio etc. I'm told their should have been a second disk but don't worry, use dell downloads, cept that site is throwing a "service tag is unsupported" error. After being on the phone with dell over an hour on this getting nowhere any insight would be appreciated. Is tech support always this inefficient?

Oh to the poster Martymo1989,in the old lounge thread, I called twice to tech support when I first had the USB problem who the tech forwarded me to some guy answering the phone "hello" having no clue what he was doing, let alone he didn't even work for dell. Seemed like we got the same guy. The tech identified himself as Miguel both calls before forwarding me on. Lol.

Any insight on either issue?

 

Hey guys, moving from the speculation thread. Further to the 'pausing production to try and get 7970 CFX'. My rep spent all of yesterday trying to cancel my order to wait for the 7970 release without any luck, turns out it had already shipped

By fate Im staying Green Guess I'm an m18x R2 owner now

 

Sweet! I like it BlueW01f. Congratulations.

 

This is maybe a stupid question and maybe nobody have the answer, but what Dell is waiting for to put 7970m in m18x? They are available in m17x but not m18x. They don't have CFX cable yet?

Was just asking myself...

 

i need to see some results of 7990m vs 680m cfx/sli lol and imho i dont think 7970m would bottleneck the cpu, its most likely the combination of SSDS/memory/gpu that bottlenecks it, or just the motherboard itself.

and yea theres no point getting like 6-10 ssds in raid 0 cause that would definitly cause some bottleneck in parts of the system lol, even though the cpu OC might be able to handle it, other parts wont. and i have an external enclosure that supports raid 1/0 for my two barracuda drives, which gives atou 150mb/s in usb3.0 and esata =)

the msata + 2 2.5" ssds would definitly get me to around 1.2-1.4 gb/s read and most likely close to 1 gb/s write =D

edit: anyone notice the usa website provides 1.5 tb (3x 512 gb SSD) which cost 2300 (rip off lol) where as the canadian website doesnt have that option =/

 

From the manual for 3 drives they have to be 7mm height drives.

 

I believe the primary reason is it is pending driver certification. The ETA is about 2 - 3 weeks, I believe.

 

What is strange is that they are proposed at UK DELL website

 

So My m18x R2 has been shipped should receive tomorrow or the following day. Looks like the 6gb ram is 1)4gb stick and 1)2gb stick. I was also lucky enough to get the IB proc even though my packaging slip shows SB. Im excited, to bad I have to work at least I can enjoy it this weekend!

 

I was also curious about the hard drives. So wondering how many are 6gb/s of the three in the bracket and is the msata also 6gb/s. Potential, you could have 4 matching ssds in raid 0 (and how many in the bios would allow raid 0). Wondering if the bracket that houses the three drives, if you didn't get the three drives, do they come with screws, etc to mount the drives after the fact?

 

So I finally created an account on here! I've been following this forum for over a year and never felt like I needed to post anything. BUT!!! My m18x r2 has shipped and I will be receiving it on FRIDAY!! !!

By the way.. Kudos to you h3xed on the 675m's! I got them too! I stay loyal to the green side!!!!!!!

 

What exactly did you orded?

 

I kept the basic Nebula red one. only things I upgraded was the GPU to 675m SLI and advanced warranty. Im on a bit of a budget but I got it for $2,400 so I dont think it was too bad. I plan on upgrading to 680m's when they come out but we'll see how the 675m's treat me.

 

Congrats on your purchase! I did want the 7970's CFX but could not wait. I know that the 675's will do just fine, plus I plan on upgrading my vid cards next cycle. I cant speak for the green side, I feel like ATI/AMD has great cards price to performance wise and I know Nvidia puts out great performing cards. I am excited that I am/will be an official owner of a M18x R2

 

I think it is time for me to give AW another chance

I've been using my XPS for a while now, and there is no more room for improvement. After skipping SB, the new IB M18x R2 looks nice.

Now I just need to wait for availability in the Netherlands...

 

Referring to the screen part number change I posted that and asked Bill to check on his part ID thingy but apparently it's not on there yet ( or rather wasn't on there at that time) but there was defo a part number change and talking to one of the sales rep over the 24hr chat they said the screen had changed but didn't go into any detail D:.
Also like someone above said the 7970m are waiting for drivers from dell and are expected to be out near 10May if I remember right from the speculation thread.
(Ps was a bit too lazy to find all the quotes and stuff :/)

Edit: Here is the link for the 10th may date :
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...oming-speculation-thread-187.html#post8486529

 

Yeah I probably would've been tempted to grab a pair of 7970m's if they were available. AMD does have great price/performance ratio but I have always felt that NVIDIA is superior in product quality. But thats a whole other story. Even though 675m's are just re-branded 580m's, thats still ALOT of horsepower and will definately last me a while. I will be posting pics soon when I get it on friday!

 

Apparently Polands already got their CF 7970's ->
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...0m-xfire-gtx-680m-sli-when-5.html#post8489585

 

Only a matter of time now then for everyone else.....nice find! +rep.

 

Nice find, I can't wait to see the price in Canada. I don't think I can sell my current system for enough currency to get another though.

 

sweet!

Well any sightings yet of the new R2s... ?

 

I pulled the trigger on the 675m's because Im on a tight budget and Im sure the 7970m's will be more expensive... plus.. 675m's will still be strong and I can always upgrade later. I prefer NVIDIA anyways so im happy!

 

Actually, I believe the 7970's may end up being cheaper.

 

7970m are actually cheaper atmxD either way 675m are still pretty beastly

Whoever gets their m18x r2 should post everything from benches and any noticeable changes..
Especially the screen!

 

wow. I didn't know that. Does anyone have experience with the possibility of maybe complaining to dell that instead of going through a return and re order(which i dont really want to do if my machine runs great), maybe they would send a technician out to switch the cards for me? Anyone have experience with this?

 

You have to completely return the system and order AS NEW, otherwise if you can, cancel the order before it reaches "in production".

 

ok. mine has already shipped but Im happy with the 675m's. Like I said before if the 680m's are really that great then Ill upgrade then.. I wanna stay loyal to the green side lol!

 

GTX 675M SLI in Canada is only $150 more. It is the same price as 6970 Xfire that once was. In Canada, I don't see *how* it's even remotely possible that 7970M Xfire can be less expensive than $150 for a second card.

If you're from the states I'd imagine them to be the same price. The 680M SLI is likely to be $600 per card... because it's nVIDIA. : P

Enjoy the 675M SLI.

 

how are the 6990m's treating ya? you planning on upgrading?

 

The only thread that was helpful for my situation has been closed (Speculation thread) so I really don't know where this one belongs.

Needless to say, I'm not a happy camper right now.

Ordered an M18x R2 on the account of Bill who assured everyone that it would be shipped with Ivy Bridge. I checked my order status and it said Sandy. I PMed Bill for help in identifying the CPU and no response.

Well the laptop came today, fired it up and sure enough its Sandy Bridge. Now I've gotta ship this thing back and who knows how long this mess is gonna take.

Just wanted to put it out there that there exists a case where an R2 ordered prior to the official release (in my case 04/23/12) did NOT get shipped with Ivy.

 

All of the speculation is over now that new system configuration is known and systems are shipping. I moved your post into the Owner's Lounge.

Sorry this happened. Please send a PM to Bill to let him know so it can be straightened out for you.

 

I only play Dota 2 right now and because of that I have no further plans of upgrading GPUs. I'm interested in SSDs!

I will want 7970M Xfire for Crysis 3/Metro 2034 only. No other game needs that much power!

 

Mr. Fox, I've sent him 2 PMs and no responses. I understand that he's busy and may have missed 1 PM, but 2? Plus, I know he's responding to others in the thread. There's a thread praising him but I for one am not happy. Definitely not cool.

 

Yeah thats very true!! and for the whole sandy ivy thing I ordered my m18x after you so Ill also let everyone know if I get sandy or Ivy on friday.

 

@ Dragon23
Pal, as far as I have seen Bill as been very receptive of everyone issues and tried to help. Give him some time. Maybe he didn't read any of your PMs? At these hours, I belive he's at home with his child ( the little one need some help too ), so be a little patient and we will see... ok?

BTW: I do understand your deception.

 

Be patient, bro. He will respond. I've never known Bill to ignore any customer that needs his assistance. Two PM's in the same day is a bit over the top even though you are upset. It's understandable that you are not pleased.

I trust they will deliver what you were promised. They may even let you hang on to the system you have until a replacement arrives. They often do that. Try to relax and enjoy the one you have for a bit. You could even do some Vantage and 3DMark11 and Heaven benchmarks to compare to the system that replaces this one. That would be kind of cool.

If you do that, please post the results and screen shots here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...alienware-m18x-benchmark-thread-part-2-a.html as I am sure the M18x.R1 owners that are not upgrading to Ivy Bridge would love to see what (if anything) they are missing. Let's squeeze some lemonade while there's an opportunity to turn this sour situation around.

 

yeah man Bill is a cool guy. Dont be upset alot of people are asking him questions constantly...

 

No telling how many PM are clogging his Inbox right now. I would venture a guess that there are many.

Don't go with OCZ Vertex Agility 3, even though they have some tempting sales. Mine are OK, and I don't consider them junk. But, if I could do it over again I would have stuck with the Crucial M4. The M4 performs better overall, (especially with incompressible data transfer rates,) and it was less of a pain in the tail end to update the firmware.

 

you have to call customer support for return, or they will give you an exchange.

totally agree brther zero.

 

Greetings All! I recently took advantage of a great Outlet coupon and my M18X will be here in the next two days. Here are the specs I got mine with:

i7 2860QM, 8 GB @ 1600MHz, 256 GB Solid State Drive, 6X Blu-ray Disc (BD) Combo, Dual GTX 580M SLI, Killer Wireless-N 1103.

I have been out of the PC gaming world for far too long and I am excited to begin benching, gaming and troubleshooting with all of you awesome people here on the forum. This is by far the most helpful forum I have read, especially when it comes to high end Alienware laptops, as I'm sure you have all seen how some people react to the stigma attached to the alienware name in other forums. So I want to thank you all for the wealth of information available here, the time spent through moderation to keep it neat and orderly, and the inviting atmosphere you all work hard to foster in this community.

 

Thank you, Syndrohm. We are certainly glad to have you here with us.

Congratulations on that awesome beast. I am excited for you. I hope you love your M18x as much as I do mine.

 

thats not really true, agility uses sandforce and m4 doesnt right? for most uses, agility runs faster due to sandforce. only for big files which arent compressible like movies etc, copying files then m4 should be hell lot better.

i compared my solid 3 120 gb which for compressible files at 220 mb read and 120 mb write, and as for my Samsung sata 2 SSD both read/write at 250 mb/s but solid 3 still out performs the samsung most of the time due to it reads compressible files at around 400 mb/s, which most window files are incompressible.

 

This morning we had a breakfast meeting with many of my scholar colleagues. Incidentaly we start talking about the new M18x2 and although everybody have some possitive observations regarding the new multiple HDD/SSD/mSata options, everybody express dissapointment regarding the lack of a new display panel option with higher pixel density...

 

I know what you mean if they had upped the res to 3M most people wouldve jumped on the m18x