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xcellent, as the release is seemingly imminent? current/updated official dell community profile for: Dell-Chris M screenshot:

Reference: M14x FAQ - Alienware Forum - Alienware Club - Dell Community by Chris-M@Dell: Processor type = Second Generation Intel Core i3 Processors Second Generation Intel Core i5 Processors Second Generation Intel Core i7 Processors Processor speeds = i3-2310M, 2.1GHz, Duo Core i5-2410M, 2.3GHz, Duo Core i5-2540M, 2.6GHz, Duo Core i7-2630QM, 2.0GHz, Quad Core i7-2720QM, 2.2GHz, 6MB i7-2820QM, 2.3GHz, 8MB System chipset = Mobile Intel HM67 Express Chipset Memory = 8GB 1333/ 1600MHz unbuffered non-ECC dual channel DDR3 Hard Drives = Up to 750 GB 7200RPM Up to 256 GB Solid State HDD RAID = None LCD types = 14.0 inch HD WLED with TrueLife 1366 x 768 14.0 inch HD+ WLED with TrueLife 1600 x 900 Video = Integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 Discrete Nvidia GeForce GT 555M Video Memory = Integrated 512 MB dedicated video memory (for total system memory greater than 4 GB) Discrete 1.5 GB TV Tuner = Optional Camera = 2.0 megapixel HD Camera Audio = Realtek ALC665 High-Definition surround sound audio controller USB = One USB 2.0-compliant connector with PowerShare Two USB 3.0-compliant connectors Media bay options = DVD+/-RW 8X,9.5,SATA SATA Wireless LAN = Intel Wireless 6250 Card Intel Wireless 6205 Card Bluetooth = Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Mini-Card (Optional) NIC (LOM) = AR8151 Gigabit Fast Ethernet controller Modem = External USB modem (no internal option) I/O card slot = 9-in-1 card reader IR support = Consumer IR Connectors Left = VGA. HDMI output, Display Port, USB 2.0, Microphone, Headphone, 9-in-1 Media card reader, SIM card Connectors Right = Optical Disc Drive, USB 3.0, RJ-45 Kensington lock slot Operating system = Windows 7 (64-bit only) Docking support = No internal dock, USB APR AC adapter = 150 watt low profile AC adapter Battery = 8 cell smart lithium ion (63 Whr) Keyboard = Illuminated Keyboard AlienFX Lighting = Blue (Default), Red, Lime, White, Yellow, Fuchsia, Aqua, Indigo Physical Dimensions = Weight = Weight with 8-cell battery and optical drive (starting at): 2.88 kg (6.35 lb) Height : 37.80 mm (1.49 inches) Front and Back Width : 337.00 mm (13.27 inches) Depth : 258.34 mm (10.17 inches) I guess at least you can put 2 HDDs if you toss out the useless optical drive.

I have some preliminary specifications of the M11X R3 which I will substantiate with some pictures if I am able to. Note: this info is not confirmed and I am not claiming that they are accurate but they are coming directly from dell Alienware M11x-R3: Dimensions Height (front and back) 32.7 mm (1.29 inches) Width 285.7 mm (11.25 inches) Depth 233.3 mm (9.19 inches) Weight with 8-cell battery (starting at) 2.0 kg (4.4 lb) Processor Intel Core i5 ULV (2nd generation) Intel Core i7 ULV (2nd generation) L2 cache 256 KB L3 cache up to 4 MB Bus clock 100 Mhz System chipset Mobile Intel QS67 Express Chipset SDRAM bus width one or two 64-bit channels of DDR3 memory up to 1333 MHz Processor address bus width 32 bits Processor data width 64 bits BIOS EPROM 32 Mbit Graphics bus PCIe x16 Gen2 Memory Connectors two internally-accessible DDR3 SODIMM sockets Capacities 1 GB, 2 GB, and 4 GB Memory type up to 1333 MHz, unbuffered non-ECC, dual‑channel DDR3 configuration Memory configurations supported 2 GB, 3 GB, 4 GB, and 8 GB Controller JMicron JMB380 Interface compliant with standard IEEE 1394a-2000 specification Ports and Connectors Network adapter one RJ45 connector USB one 4-pin USB 2.0-compliant connector with ••PowerShare two 4-pin USB 3.0-compliant connectors•• HDMI one 19-pin connector DisplayPort one 20-pin connector Audio two audio output/headphone connectors and one audio input/microphone connector Media Card Reader one 8-in-1 slot SIM card one SIM card slot IEEE 1394 one 4-pin serial connector Network adapter 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet LAN on system board Wireless one half Mini-Card slot•• one full Mini-Card slot•• Bluetooth; Intel Wireless Display (optional); ••3G Wireless Internet (optional); 4G Wireless Internet (optional) Video Video controller Integrated Discrete Intel HD Graphics 3000 NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M Video memory Integrated Discrete 512 MB dedicated video memory (for total system memory greater than 4 GB) 1 GB 2 GB External display support HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort, and Intel Wireless Display (optional) Audio Controller Intel High Definition Audio Speaker single 8-ohms speakers in both the left and right speaker assembly Internal speaker amplifier up to 1 W per channel; up to 2 W total power Internal microphone support dual array digital microphone in camera assembly Volume controls program menus and keyboard media function keys Hard-Drive Storage Interface SATA Number of hard drives one Hard drive 2.5 inch SATA hard drive Type standard portable and solid-state hard-drives Media cards Secure Digital (SD) memory card•• MultiMedia Card (MMC)•• Memory Stick PRO•• MultiMedia Card plus (MMC+)•• Memory Stick•• xD-Picture Card (type - M and type - H)•• Video cards Intel HD Graphics 3000•• NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M (discrete)•• Display Type 11.6 inch HD TrueLife, WLED Maximum resolution 1366 x 768 Dimensions Height 144 mm (5.67 inches) Width 256.12 mm (10.08 inches) Diagonal 293.83 mm (11.57 inches) Display Refresh rate 60 Hz Operating angle 0° (closed) to 140° Pixel pitch 0.2550 mm Controls brightness can be controlled through keyboard shortcuts Keyboard (Backlit) Number of keys 82 (Korea, U.S., and Canada); 83 (Europe); 86 (Japan) Backlight color RGB; colors can be changed by invoking the AlienFX software in the Alienware Command Center. For information, see “Alienware Command Center” on page 38. Camera Camera resolution 2.0 megapixel Video resolution 1600 x 1200 Diagonal viewing angle 60 ° Battery 8-cell “smart” lithium ion (63 Whr) Height 11.2 mm (0.44 inches) Width 173 mm (6.81 inches) Depth 109.4 mm (4.31 inches) Weight 0.43 kg (0.94 lb) Voltage 14.8 V Operating time battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions and can be significantly reduced under certain power-intensive conditions. Life span (approximate) 300 discharge/charge cycles

I never downclocked my video cards. 2 reasons for that: 1. I don't know how; 2. I don't need to... Because it's the CPU fan that seems to wish it was an helicopter so it tries very hard to lift off my M17X to go levitate in Tibet with some Monks... As far as I know, there's no such integrated graphic card on the R2-Intel-Inside-board; NVidia had put one on the R1, but their chipset was so buggy Dell went to Intel and ask them to produce a chipset for their R2 version... When I said lucky you thought, I was refering to the noises made by electrical componants inside the M17X, like transistors, capacitors or so, not the fans. So basicaly, if you can't hear those noises, then;goto: happy you !

M18x-R2: Adonis Edition

(finished) So after seeing Inap's wonderful paintings I decided to give it a shot. I'm thinking orange! It will be the first time im going to completely disassemble my system. So thought i would share my progress and hopefully an awesome result. Firstly i bought a new pair of magnesium covers for my lappy in case of something went wrong. The alien head was glued on to the lcd cover and the plastic plate was welded on. I used a heat gun for the head and a small drill for the plate. Rest of the stuff was kinda straight forward off. Just a screw here and there (ie. battery lock) With the bare magnesium set i went to get rid of the old paint at a chemical cleaning called Danclean. Could maybe have done it myself if I had any knowledge of the actual paint. Now I have covered (blue heat resistant tape from the powder coating place) the areas of the magnesium set where I don't want it powder coated. Since it's the first time I do this I wanted to make sure everything would fit inside afterwards. I will have some more pics to share soon... ... which is now! It's not perfect but here it is to enjoy!

Since we now have official Dell confirmation that the M18x is coming out in April, i am opening this m18x subforum.

i just punched in random numbers, hehhehe once i get some free time. i'll see how far i can push it.

Btw:

That's why I ordered one from MXM-upgrade... Should arrive sometime next week hopefully, I'll let you know how it works.

now that my AW withdrawal is getting stronger i am slowly embracing it

Haha who knows, they do source out to the lowest parts contractor like Dell. I agree about the screen, it would be nice if the 60 hz version was IPS or B+RG, there was no reason for Dell to cheap out on it. This may possibly be true although I still hold hope that they improve the M18x screen and offer something other than just WLED. Perhaps build quality may be a little more rugged but that's wishful thinking. Haha I know M18x is in your future, just embrace it!

So, good news. The rep that was following my case just called and said that she say i tried to cancel the order yesterday and that she did cancel it for me. Nice of her Right now i'll wait for the specs of the m18x and decide, in case i still decide to go with R3 i might pick a used one to save on costs and time.

yeah get in contact with dtran from NBR to see if he can hook you up with the name of his rep.

yeah the memory bandwidth is amazing, actually that run was with stock paste and pads and no cooling, max temps were 88 which is crazy awesome.

^^ i tend to agree here. Still, a little voice in the back of my head will always whisper that i can have a stronger system Less so if the finish will be plastic-y as the R3. I'll leave it to luck, since Dell won't let me cancel my order now i am keeping it, if i see they start delaying my EDD i'll have a chance to cancel and then i will (or not), hell, let's wait and see

might prove incorrect, but based on previous rumors/speculations/patterns, predict the M18x will essentially be same system (ie: finish/panel/motherboard) as the M17x R3 only with dual gpu's and @inch larger screen (@size & weight of M17x R2). so your choice may be spot on for best balance of power/portability...

Clint Mansell - Tree of Life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3z_4bka2fc

Dammit, they are cutting the corners on their build quality too! Where does it end?! I don't game that much too any more but I'll be still playing some new games, like Star Wars MMO and such. About the R3, I'd consider swapping my R2 for it maybe if it had a good (B+RG LED, RGB LED or IPS) screen. I'd go even for 14" version if it had a better screen. I know there's XPS 15 but I am not buying that crap- also the graphics performance is a joke.

I will wait for the M18x-R2 (winning... like Charlie Sheen LOL)

Oh this is far from decided, you're just suffering from AW withdrawl and just want SOMETHING AW related in your hands ASAP. Since the R3 should be shipping soon, you don't want to wait any longer..am I right?

Realistically the M17x-R3 makes sense for you and me Michael since we don't game heavily anymore. But knowing how much we crave power in a small form factor, the M18x will be calling us--like those sirens that would tempt men lol. OT: I saw that stealth bomber at a local air show, it looks quite deadly up close, especially when it's flying really low. I got a chance to touch it too, didn't feel exactly like metal.

M17XR2/R3 = Stealth Bomber's M18X = Blackbird

If I remember correctly last time I applied thermal paste was MX-4, haven't tried Shin-Etsu yet

That's with stock paste everywhere? Cause if you managed to make the GPU clock that high with stock paste and thermal pads it's a miracle The M18x seems to have a 240W PSU so it won't be of any assistance...

5946..almost at that 6k mark, just a BIT more to go!

Oh yeah, it's very addictive, I really wish we had more options with the power supply, benches that require the combined power of GPU and CPU at the same time would be greatly benefited.

If it wasn't for all those cheaters I would still be playing counter strike... I can't wait for Half Life 2 Ep3 and Mass Effect 3

I am really tempted to be honest, I will have to wait though till the 16th of Mai so that in case something goes wrong I can afford to be without a laptop for a couple of days. I have to try cause otherwise it will bother me for ever...

i like games like god of war and uncharted, are there any pc games like that? my all time favorite is still team fortress 2 which is also the cheapest game in my collection, go figure.

Haha. You should definitely give it a shot. Call around. Its cheap. Here it was $1.75/lb.

another member just ordered one straight from dell for $575 i think.

Haha. Probably. I bough 5lbs the first day and 8 yesterday. Funny, when they asked me what it was for I straight up said to keep my processor and gpu cold for benchmarking. Kinda got a confused look.

When i bench tomorrow Im unplugging the fans to reduce stress on the psu. I May go with 10-12lbs of dry ice

With 3DMark11, the limitting factor for me was the PSU... it couldn't handle the extra CPU power so I had to lower the TDP to a point that I would let me finish the test. But I had no extra cooling, room temperatures unfortunatelly... DR650SE, do you use dry ice on your PSU as well?

Looking forward to seeing the pics. Inaps work was great, I'm sure he really misses his machine as the 6970m now seems to work in the M15x... sorry (Hope my card arrives soon)

finally some action in the M15x thread. YEAH!!!! i recommend plugging the port hole in the bottom casing like the ear phone plugs. also cover up the screw holes where the battery is too. really miss my M15x that thing was a head turner, heheheh

Thanks, yea i thought so too. Its also a black inspiron so the lid is black.

Dell UK catalog showing off the m14x and m18x: Dell UK Consumer Catalog - Reveals Alienware M14x and M18x | Tech|Inferno

From what I heard, The Witcher was quite buggy when first released, but the enhanced edition resolved most/all issues. It does seem to have a fairly large fan-base, so it might be good to include (I haven't played it myself, but plan to). In the same genre, you could bench Dragon Age 2. It has a downloadable "texture-pack" and runs DX11. I'd be curious to see how it performs on the R3. Trying to think of another good sci-fi title...

hi, i placed an order for m17x-r3 (my first alienware) on 31-3-2011 with an edd: 5-5-2011 this is my r3 spec: Alienware M17xR3 : Base Stealth Black Processor : Intel Core i7 Processor 2630QM (2.00Ghz, 6MB, 4C) 17.3in WideFHD (1920 x 1080) WLED LCD Memory : 6144MB (1x2048 + 1x4096) 1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Hard Drive: 320GB (7,200rpm) SATA Hard Drive got already a 80 ssd from intel here for the second bay Optical Drive : Blu-Ray Disc (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM) Drive including software Integrated 3.0 Mega Pixel HD Camera Resource DVD : Alienware M17xR3 Graphics : 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 6970M w/ PowerXpress i live in the netherlands i can't wait till it's here my dell rep says the delivery is withing 10-14 work day's (i doubt that) srry for the bad english not mine first language.

I played The Witcher for a while. heard lots of good stuff about it but I remember it being quite buggy and that interfered with the gaming experience. I am playing assassins creed brotherhood but that's on my PS3.

The memory bandwidth of this card is amazing...

Benchmark with the 720qm + 6970M.

just manage to put a 6970 in an M15x and it works with no modding of any kind. woot!!!!

Rumors (supposedly from a Dell's Engineer) about the M18X say: We've had no problem with a CrossFire of HD6970M, as a matter of fact, we also tested the M18x with a SLI of 460M, and a CrossFire of HD5870M. The perfect product doesn't exist, so we have to make choices about configurations. Basically, if we put a high-end config of video cards, we won't be able to peer them with an extreme CPU because of the TDP. With 2 HD6970M in XF, we successfully tested the CPUs from 2630 to 2820; however, any higher CPU leads to too much TDP; it sucks 10 watts more minimum... So all in all, either we go with an higher power supply, with all the tweakings that need to be done to get a stable product, either we just discard the extreme CPU version. A lot of feedback shows people are looking to get an RGB display. We actually consider the human eye cannot make a distinction between RGB and WhiteLED, and also, the cost of the RGB would be too high. Therefore, we are not looking at offering the RGB flavor on the M18X. We cannot go with OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diplay) neither because the price is *WAY* too high; we got in touch with Samsung but there's too many obstacles right now with this solution. The technology is just not ready yet for such a big OLED display; an OLED 18.4 display would cost as much as an M17X alone... We could also go with IPS, however, power consumption would be too high again; 300 to 350 watts with an 2920 and a XF of HD6970M would not fit the market. Starting price should be around 1999$ and 2499$, basically, ±500$ more than the M17X-R3. The M18X should hit the streets on or around april 20th. Stay tuned ! Actually, just realized all this is old news; sorry about that !!! translated by me from here.

T_T...seems like Alienware is committed themselves to more budget machines/skimping out on stuff.

Ok, mouse has arrived. I have the matching keyboard coming too FYI, which will also get a review. Just a teaser - I am very very impressed so far. It literally puts both the mamba and the orochi to shame in quite a few areas. I will be writing a full review (longer than the tactx keyboard review which was only a 'mini review') once I throw a few games at it. -Ash

I'm thinking that with the little bit of extra space in the 18 inch screen model they can fit two graphics cards with proper cooling as well as all the other guts we are accustomed to from these beasts. It will mean more power draw for sure and it's not that difficult to supply that power. It's a desktop replacement so battery life really shouldn't be a big deal. EDIT: I should admit that I'm hopeful as hell and a bit biased right now. I'm getting a full refund for the machine in my sig and that money will be going directly towards an M18x. If it releases in late April that should be perfect timing with the 21 days it will take to get the funds back.

Stare at the center of the picture for 1 min Chucknorium...