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Dell could offer "GPU upgrade kits" for M18xR1 (and perhaps other models, e.g. M17x)
April 27, 2012
27 Votes
Status: Under Review
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The new generations of upper top class of both AMD and Nvidia cards are coming and many of us, M18xR1 owners, would like easily and without stress upgrade our laptops with the newest GPUs without the necessity to either replace them with brand new R2 or worry and stress about aftermarket upgrades and matching extra parts.
I am hence proposing the idea of M18x GPU upgrade kit.
An M18xR1 kit like that could include:
NVIDIA:
2x GTX 680M card
2x 680M heatsinks
1x SLI cable
AMD:
2x 7970
2x 7970 heatsinks
1x Crossfire cable
+ necessary BIOS updates
Introductory write up:
A lot of M18xR1 users upgraded their machines using top notch hardware meaning not only the most powerful GPUs to date, e.g. AMD 6990 Crossfire or Nvidia 580M SLI, but also RAM, SSD drives, WLAN cards and so on just few months ago, and the vision of either replacing their R1 with R2 or not being able to upgrade selected components (i.e. GPUs) becomes quite dreadful. We don't want to re-order and wait for weeks for new laptops, at the same time trying to sell our current R1 on 2nd hand market. We are fine with our M18x. We just need new GPUs for them.
This becomes especially interesting as M18xR2 offers pretty much nothing R1 didn't offer, yet what I would like to rock 680M SLI this summer. Hence, I came with the idea of "a GPU upgrade package" Dell could offer to its M18xR1 customers.
A package like that could easily be ordered in the same way Alienware's optional hardware is (e.g. TactX mouse or AW2310 display) and thus, we don't have either to buy components from shady ebay shops or negotiated for hours the purchase of new cards with Dell representatives on Dell hotline (please note that most Dell reps don't know much about Alienware and customers are often given misleading or simply incorrect information).
I hope the "upgrade package idea" can be discussed further, in any terms.
Status Update: Please see the comment from Francisco_S for further details. We will be limited in what information we can share during this process. Thank you for posting!
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May 23, 2012
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Posted By:
Alienware
Francisco_S
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Thanks guys,This is a great idea, I will submit it for consideration for our next graphics update
Apr 30, 2012
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Posted By: HerrKaputt Comment Link
I agree with SkittlesXD. I don't think this will hurt Dell's bottom line, for two reasons:1) It's better to profit, even a little, from these upgrades, than not at all (users who are savvy enough to upgrade WILL upgrade, whether using parts from Dell or not).
2) Users who would otherwise buy a new laptop might now upgrade, but remember that this way there is one less laptop in the second-hand market. That means more business for Dell indirectly.
Apr 28, 2012
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Posted By: DarkSkies Comment Link
In regard to RAM and CPU upgrades, please note that those parts can be easily purchased in retails stores. That is not the case of mobile GPUs, hence the proposal.In regard to very good PR this presents, think about so many Clevo/other brands users switching to Alienware simply because their laptops can be upgraded next season. Every revision could have one 'next season upgrade' if that would be technically possible, e.g. R1 released in 2011 gets its 'upgrade kit' in 2012, R2 from 2012 in 2013 and so on.
Naturally there is the question of price of such an update kit. 580M SLI costed $1200 with new laptops, so a kit would be prolly in similar price range. Nonetheless, it's subjective what is affordable in this terms and what isn't. The package may actually be more expensive than the cards as sold with a new system and people would still buy it (I would). Note that this would involve paying not only for new hardware itself, but also for things you don't have to do, what means peace of your mind and saved time. Replacing R2 with R1 means selling your R1, re-ordering R2 (this is tricky, you wan call several times before actually hitting a wise rep), waiting for weeks for it to arrive, worrying about it being in good condition, then testing, configuring everything from scratch etc etc.
And with a kit? You get new cards, you open up your R1, replace the cards (or have a Dell tech to do that for you ~ again, more money for Dell), close your R1, boot up, reinstall drivers, play. 15-30 minutes and done = your R1 is rocking 680M SLI.
Apr 27, 2012
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Posted By: HerrKaputt Comment Link
This is a great idea. Dell is already a leader in customization at sale time. With this it could be pretty much the only brand to sell upgrade kits after sales.If Alienware does this, alongside the better screens that everyone is asking for, they will cement their position as THE gaming brand for laptops.
Apr 27, 2012
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Posted By:
I totally agree with this suggestion on GPU upgrades. This would build brand loyalty and potentially increase business. Rapid obsolescence discourages many from buying high end laptops and having Dell/Alienware facilitate (even encourage) the purchase of performance upgrades would be phenomenal. I think it would be a way of leveraging a competitive advantage.BJFox Comment Link
CPU upgrade kits would also be nice.
Jun 7, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: isrnick
As a Clevo owner I would like them to do this, but if instead Dell does it for the Alienware products, be sure, my next gaming notebook will definitely be an Alienware.And please don't limit it to the 18" models, make upgrade packages for the smaller notebooks too.
May 25, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: HerrKaputt
That's awesome Francisco! We'll await further news with anticipation.May 5, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: Drvillain
This would make life so much easier, and keep the loyal Alienware fans happy. Its a huge investment to even purchase one of these machines.May 2, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: lewen610
I can't agree with that anymore!! It's really a good idea to offer CPU and GPU upgrades for the destop replacement model such as M17X and M18X. As I know, there are tons of people who are buying GPU from other factories to upgrade their laptop.Apr 29, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: HerrKaputt
@DarkSkies, I'd like to put something up for discussion. How would Dell handle the warranty? If you buy a kit and install it yourself, is your warranty still valid? If not, it's a bad deal. If yes, how can Dell be sure that you know what you're doing and won't fry the new GPUs because you forgot to apply thermal paste?Apr 28, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: archeve
I would love to see this idea implemented. But i do hope it is implemented worldwide.cheers
Apr 28, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: DumbDumb
I feel this option is excellent... besides these machines all ready cost so much.. and as for the price.. I think it shou be between what they charge new builds and what they charge now per card.. if the charge 500 for the 7970 then charge us 600 for the upgrade for 1 card.. or like the top post said 1200 for a kit.. id buy it in a heart beat..Apr 27, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: SkittlesXD
Dell you might think this idea hurts your pocket but realistically, it won’t. Upgrading computers on a yearly basis isn’t feasible and for most Ivy Bridge (thus far) is no reason to upgrade from an M18xR1 to an R2. It becomes hard to justify upgrading when all you really see as a significant advancement is in GPU tech that you can already buy from 3rd party vendors. A trip to eBay will currently get you access to 485Ms, 580Ms, 6970Ms, and 6990Ms. In two weeks, you’ll be able to order 7970M’s from that same vendor currently selling all of these high end mobile graphics cards. The cards are available and are easily accessible, expanding the life of our systems without you profiting from it. A quick trip to notebookreview will show you that 6970Ms and 6990Ms are running in M15x’s and M17x-R2’s, as well as 7970M’s in M17x-R3’s and M18x-R1’s. Should you choose to sell upgrades you will profit off of users upgrading their video cards instead of being left out of the loop.
Apr 27, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: BlueW01f
Just an Addition: Theres potential to also take the upgrades system further with components such as RAM and Storage (particularly with the beginnings of mSata) and eventually, depending on success, customisation - body kits and alike.1 2 Next