Is anyone else pissed about the m9750??

Good things come to those who wait?

New hardware, new platform, new processors, new video cards, new OS...

Delays happen.

I waited months for my m9700, it's worth the wait for them to get everything settled before shipping.

Sort of true.. Mobo = definitely not new (Intel 945PM + ICH7M-DH Chipset ) CPU = definitely not new (C2D up to 2.33GHz) HDD = definitely not new RAM = definitely not new (any ol' PC-5400 SO-DIMM will do) Chassis = definitely not new (uhh 9700) Vista = relatively not new GPU = the piece I see holding everything up... (GeForce Go 7950 GTX) The only problem I can see is for the SLI guys wanting to run Vista. There shouldn't be any other hold up for these damn systems as all the other components have been out in the field for quite some time. I've been waiting since March when CNET reviewed the m9750. March went, April went and now May went. WTF is the damn laptop? I ordered mine with 1 video card and XP. It shouldn't take them longer than 1 week to throw it together and run Prime95 on it till it pukes.

While I understand the frustration ... Alienware doesn't "throw together" systems. They do test the components together, and also probably want to make sure components are readily available before putting the system up on their website.

I've said it before ... if Alienware didn't announce the new platform, people who purchased the m9700 now would be upset when the m9750 comes out in a month or two. So ... people can either wait and order the new one, or stick with the existing platforms. I do understand how people who pre-ordered the system and had a May/early June shipping date would now be upset. Unfortunately, history shows delays are always a possibility with new technology. I know this doesn't ease the frustration, but as Hammerhead says --- the wait will be worth it.

While I don't have any frustrations over the delay of the m9750 because i haven't ordered one, and at the moment, am not planning to, I have to wonder about AWs practices of late....

I remember when I first got into AW, and they talked about how not only did they make killer systems, but they had arrangements with companies to get the best new tech on the market before everyone else....

Now in the last year, it seems like other companies are catching up to AW. There are other companies who have SLI systems, granted not an Intel/SLI system. Other companies have launched models with GeForce 8xxx cards, Santa Rosa systems, just to name a few. Meanwhile, AW seems to have dumped all their resources in the m9750, without and idea of when we can expect the m5550 to get Santa Rosa, or a long overdue overhaul of the Sentia.

Why is AW falling back with everyone else?

Agree with both . They pretty summed everything up.

the delay of the 9750 will no doubt be miniscule compared to the problems and depot trips that may arise should they decide to rush the system out. trust me... i've been there - therefore i'm waiting - patiently.

I would be pissed if I bought an m9700 if Alienware didn't announce the m9750 early. At least they told people about it.

You need to calm down a bit. It will be worth the wait.

I know I am waiting patiently for mine.

I called, and same thing here. Late June. I'm disappointed, but while I have been waiting a long time, I would rather they test the hell out of the systems to avoid any issues that crop out later, than just toss it at us when they have them, only to find out there's a critical flaw they missed, resulting in a LOT of warranty repairs.

Alienware DOES tend to receive newer technology sooner. However, they do not release it first. They want to ensure they have a quality product. At least, that is how I see it.

Really? So what off the shelf mobo does AW use in the m9750, and where can I get one?


So how long has the C2D supported SLI in it's mobile form?


You forgot to say the keyboard wasn't new, and the usb ports aren't new...


Yeah, it's obvious due to all the SLI capable notebooks out there screaming along with Vista, and the fact that they all have drivers for SLI means Vista is an old, trusted and reliable OS...


Why would this hold anything up? Dell's been shipping them for a while.


Gee, I wish you were a development tech at AW then. With you working there, they'd have released the m9750 months ago...


You're clueless about the industry and how it works. Perhaps you should check out Dell.

I kinda of think people are giving AW a little too much credit

The m9700 was the first 17" SLI platform on the market, so they're not exactly falling behind... They were also one of the first two companies to market with quad SLI systems...

They used to be launch partners with Nvidia and ATi back before companies like Dell bought exclusive rights to new hardware releases like the ATi 9800 series and later cards. I believe they're still launch partners with a lot of new hardware, but AW has never simply installed new hardware and shipped it. They have an internal certification program to prevent issues they had in the past with new hardware that caused them issues.

For instance when they introduced the original m5500 with the p4 desktop processor, the base platform manufacturer told them it supported hyperthreading (HT), so AW advertised it as such. When AW finally got some finalized versions of the platform, they found enabling HT caused instability, so after their testing, they ended up releasing the platform with HT disabled in the bios. Though the benefits of HT were minor, this caused lots of whining, some legit, that the feature didn't work. AW eventually took it upon themselves to fix the HT issue, and was the only company that sold that platform that made sure all of their customers had HT capable laptops, in some cases even replacing the motherboards or other components at their expense.

Recently, Dell bought AW, and that no doubt has had some impact on their development process. They've eliminated several lines of systems, and their numbers of sales for the remaining lines have increased, so not only does AW have to make sure the hardware in new releases works and is compatible with the rest of the components in the system, they have to be sure they can maintain an adequate supply of components to fill their orders.

Also, AW has recently started working directly with manufacturers to offer platforms that other companies don't offer. You won't find the Arima/AW m9750 platform anywhere else in the US, while other companies rebadge and resell Clevo or Uniwill platforms.

The desktop market is different than the laptops though. I think you'll still find that though AW delays new hardware until it passes their internal certification, that the desktop lines generally offer the latest hardware much faster than they're able to offer in the laptops.

The m9750 has several new components, from fully blown gtx vid cards that require much more robust cooling than the m9700's 7900gs cards. It also has the C2D processor that until recently didn't support SLI, so the bugs are still being worked out. Throw Vista into the equation, and you've got a lot of variables that need to be finalized with Arima before the platform ships.

Obviously, it would be a disaster for AW financially if they shipped systems with issues as they'd have to support/repair everything including shipping, labor and parts, so try to think of it as AW offering unique systems now that require a bit of extra work to make sure the systems are as stable as possible before we can get our hands on them.

In the case of the m9700, it worked out great. I've never used a more stable laptop, not even considering the power of this system. Hopefully the extra work they're putting in on the m9750 prior to release will be reflected in solid performance and stability for the customers.

You can always open your own laptop company, and beat AW to market.

Just think, you'd make a fortune...

The item I listed is used in various Dell's and AW laptops.. its not a new mobo by any means. I've even see it on the XPS line. Is SLI really a function of the main proc? I dont think so.. its a restriction of the mobo chipset and the SLI bridge. Thats kinda of a smartass remark, but I listed them out because you said all the components were new when theyre really not. I'm just trying to justify them all.. I was more stating that the OS is not very new but it's sad to see it's not getting very good driver support for anything - printers, multifunction devices, etc. not just video cards. You kind of answered your own question Your right, they probably would have. I'd let go whatever PM is on this project go and I'd light a fire under the 5 techs they obviously have working there. Your right, being an enterprise architect I obviouisly have no clue what I'm talking about. And Dell makes something else then laptops and pcs? Hmm they must be in a different industry, I'll check them out. They may be in a different corner of the market but theyre in the same industry and most likely follow industry-wide best practices. Ok I'm done.

You miss the point. The individual components may not be new, but as an entire package, they are VERY new. The 9750 is bleeding edge in NOTEBOOK technology.

What if there is a problem with the way the components interact?

What if the cooling system has flaws?

What if there is a design flaw in the chassis that could cause serious issues?

I would rather the test the hell out of the machine before I get it, than to have serious issues crop up later. Like the 7700 line.

There are a lot of things in a laptop that could go wrong, especially one that is a powerhouse like the 9750.

You're completely full of crap. It's an Arima motherboard exclusive to this platform. Chipsets do not equal motherboards, genius. And if you believe that, why don't you just buy a Dell?


The mobile C2D did not support SLI prior to it's recent revision. That's why the m9700 used the turion processor as it was the only mobile processor that supported SLI.

Keep talking, and keep demonstrating you don't have a clue what you're talking about.


Your whole post was a smartass remark, and it demonstrates clearly you don't have a clue what you're talking about. I didn't say "all" the hardware was new, but the C2D SLI support, the mobo, the cooling solutions, vid cards, the wireless cards, are all new, some to the industry as a whole, others to AW and this specific platform.


The 7950go has been released and shipped by other companies in other platforms, so how is it that would be holding anything up?

C2D mobile has not supported SLI, no C2D mobile platform has been shipped with SLI. Vista doesn't have SLI drivers out yet, and the motherboard made by Arima for the m9750 has not been released yet.


You have yet to answer any questions, yours or others...


I'm really impressed by you. When are you opening boostedevoware so we can all watch you put AW out of business?


Yeah, I understand that Dell's $45 billion a year net sales is the same as AW's $200 million in your book.

Good thing you're an "enterprise architect" and not an accountant...

Catch a clue pal, your life will be much easier if you rely on facts rather than whining.


You were done before you started...

The chassis has been out since the 9700... Its not a new chassis! The only thing you can say is its the first time the chassis has seen C2D.

If all the components are not new, and the chassis isn't new, what's left? I think throwing around catch phrases like how its on the bleeding edge of tech, is simply wrong. Sorry, just my opinion but I believe it's fact.

Bottomline here is that the C2D has never been in a laptop in a SLI configuration. To make matters worse, they are shipping the unit with Vista. NVidia has confessed SLI driver issues under Vista since its launch. This isn't Alienware dropping the ball...quite the opposite. Alienware is working to bring all these variables to a functional and stable environment.

When the m9750 ships, it will be ready. But it will ONLY be ready because Alienware worked with Intel, NVidia and Microsoft to make it so. Anytime you work with outside partners, your ship dates can (and usually do) slide. Be patient, this unit is going to rock the house.

(And Boost, FYI the motherboard in the unit is not the same unit used by Dell. Dell has a single video card socket, not a dual socket with a SLI bridge. This is a new motherboard. And IMO, this is the definition of bleeding edge. Find ANY other laptop using a C2D config in SLI under Vista. That's todays bleeding edge.)

Why are we fighting about it? Alienware will release the system when it's ready. The sooner they release, the more they sell, and the more money they make. I doubt they are just sitting back taking a long lunch while users clamor for the m9750.

Everyone has a choice ... wait for it, buy another brand, or buy the m9700.

SLI in a notebook running a notebook processor with Vista is still in the development stage. Heck, I don't think they've even totally worked through SLI Vista drivers for desktops.