Alienware M18cg/Dell XPS 18

September 30, 2011

Posted By:  Hyncharas

3 Votes

Status: Archived

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With the fuss about a better M18x it was simpler to create a new thread about my modified laptop-concept.  If I was actually making money from designing my hardware ideas for Dell, maybe it would be easier... unfortunately no product development seems to occur in the UK besides Ireland; how about somewhere in London, eh?!

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Because of the amount of time it's taking to make my 3d marketing model look good, I've decided it's better to list in bullet points the changes I'm making to the M18x template, before a more detailed review with renders occurs.  The fundamental difference is it's designed for 3d professionals, not gamers, so some major adjustment to the exterior is being done.  Here are the features I hope to demonstrate: -

  • 3D LCD Screen -- for use with NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro Glasses Bundle;
  • Zone Wheel Control Pad -- an installed interface or separate peripheral that can adjust AlienFX settings;
  • Backlit Adaptive Tactile Keyboard -- in partnership with Razer, the keyboard can shift its cosmetic appearance for certain programs (i.e. Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk, Cinema4D, etc) or games;
  • Intuos4 Small Tablet Pad -- replaces the trackpad and provides a small, integrated interface for sketching as well as general desktop control;
  • Fingerprint Reader -- for extra security;
  • Removable Dust Filters -- exhaust areas of the laptop's shell have hand-washable, removable dust filters to improve heat exchange;
  • New Backplate -- better designs are being made for both "Alienware" and "Dell XPS" shell.
There are also some internal hardware changes: -
  • Port Changes -- three USB 3.0 ports (left), three USB 2.0 with one eSATA Hybrid (right);
  • NVIDIA Quadro Workstation Graiphics -- four models replace the use of NVIDIA/ATI gaming cards;
  • Creative X-Fi Notebook -- available as an option in the ExpressCard slot for use in audio editiing;
  • Non-RAID Storage Options -- for customers wanting an SSD for the operating system, and then a standard HDD/Momentus hybrid drive for stoage.
As you can tell, these drastically change the purpose of the M18x, to become the "M18cg/Dell XPS 18" chassis for serious developers instead of mainstream users.  There is also a plan to allow better upgrading/expansion than simply during maintenance callouts.

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  • Oct 20, 2011     Comment Link

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    Posted By:
    Hyncharas

    Following my last post I've found another thread started on 12th October from a programmer, gotanidea, asking about custom keyboards using tailored, die-cut templates.  While I partly sympathise with your concept, I feel it would be really problematic for Dell. The adaptive technology for my system is much more cost-effective as it could conceivably enable some keys to be swiitched off in particular programs; allowing for total control over one's layout.

    Currently on Razer's two existing products, only ten keys utilise this adaptive method -- what I'm suggesting is an integrated solution that could change the functionality of all the keys in one pplication to another, as well as a suitable GUI for the keyboard that users could customise to their needs
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  • Oct 15, 2011     Comment Link

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    Posted By:
    Hyncharas

    In order to not complicate things for customers, the new chassis will simply be called the "XPS 18"; designed as workstation for independent developers to contrast the Alienware M18x R2 designed for hardcore gaming.

    The adaptive-tactile keyset will now be nicknamed the Shapeshifter Keyboard for the system.  A more detailed explanation of how this works to users will be available once the laptop's renders are uploaded.