Alienware m15 Manual

Notes, cautions, and warnings

NOTE:
A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product.

A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.

A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

Set up your Alienware m15

NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered.

1. Connect the power adapter and press the power button.
   
2. Create recovery drive for Windows.
   NOTE: It is recommended to create a recovery drive to troubleshoot and fix problems that may occur with Windows.

For more information, see Create a USB recovery drive for Windows.

Create a USB recovery drive for Windows

Create a recovery drive to troubleshoot and fix problems that may occur with Windows. An empty USB flash drive with a minimum capacity of 16 GB is required to create the recovery drive.
NOTE: This process may take up to an hour to complete.
NOTE: The following steps may vary depending on the version of Windows installed. Refer to the Microsoft support site for latest instructions.

1. Connect the USB flash drive to your computer.
2. In Windows search, type Recovery.
3. In the search results, click Create a recovery drive.
   The User Account Control window is displayed.
4. Click Yes to continue.
   The Recovery Drive window is displayed.
5. Select Back up system flash to the recovery drive and click Next.
6. Select the USB flash drive and click Next.
   A message appears, indicating that all data in the USB flash drive will be deleted.
7. Click Create.
8. Click Finish.
   For more information about reinstalling Windows using the USB recovery drive, see the Troubleshooting section of your product's Service Manual at www.dell.com/support/manuals.

Views of Alienware m15

Right

1. USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports (2)
   Connect peripherals such as external storage devices and printers. Provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps.

Left

1. Security-cable slot (for Noble locks)
   Connect a security cable to prevent unauthorized movement of your computer.
2. Network port
   Connect an Ethernet (RJ45) cable from a router or a broadband modem for network or Internet access.
3. USB 3.1 Gen 1 port with PowerShare
   Connect peripherals such as external storage devices and printers.
   Provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps. PowerShare enables you to charge your USB devices even when your computer is turned off.
   NOTE: If your computer is turned off or in hibernate state, you must connect the power adapter to charge your devices using the PowerShare port. You must enable this feature in the BIOS setup program.
   NOTE: Certain USB devices may not charge when the computer is turned off or in sleep state. In such cases, turn on the computer to charge the device.
4. Headset port
   Connect headphones or a headset (headphone and microphone combo).

Base

1. Power button (Alienhead)
   Press to turn on the computer if it is turned off in sleep state, or in hibernate state.
   Press to put the computer in sleep state if it is turned on.
   Press and hold for 4 seconds to force shut-down the computer.
   NOTE: You can customize the power-button behavior in Power Options.
2. Right-click area
   Press to right-click.
3. Left-click area
   Press to left-click.
4. Touchpad
   Move your finish on the touchpad to move the mouse pointer. Tap to left-click and two finish tap to right-click.

Display

1. Left microphone
   Provides digital sound input for audio recording and voice calls.
2. Camera
   Enables you to video chat, capture photos, and record videos.
3. Camera-status light
   Turns on when the camera is in use.
4. Right microphone
   Provides digital sound input for audio recording and voice calls.

Back

1. HDMI port
   Connect to a TV or another HDMI-in enabled device. Provides video and audio output.
2. Mini DisplayPort
   Connect to a TV or another DisplayPort-in enabled device. Provides video and audio output.
3. Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) port
   Supports USB 3.1 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.2, Thunderbolt 3 and also enables you to connect to an external display using a display adapter.
   Provides data transfer rates up to 10 Gbps for USB 3.1 Gen 2 and up to 40 Gbps for Thunderbolt 3.
   NOTE: A USB Type-C to DisplayPort adapter (sold separately) is required to connect a DisplayPort device.
4. External graphics port
   Connect an Alienware Graphics Amplifier to enhance the graphics performance.
5. Power-adapter port
   Connect a power adapter to provide power to your computer and charge the battery.

Bottom

1. Right speaker
   Provides audio output.
2. Service Tag label
   The Service Tag is a unique alphanumeric identifier that enables Dell service technicians to identify the hardware components in your computer and access warranty information.
3. Left speaker
   Provides audio output.

Specifications of Alienware m15

Computer model
Alienware m15

Dimensions and weight

Table 1. Dimensions and weight

Processors

Table 2. Processor specifications

Chipset

Table 3. Chipset specifications

Operating system

• Windows 10 Home (64-bit)
• Windows 10 Professional (64-bit)

Memory

Table 4. Memory specifications

Ports and connectors

Table 5. External ports and connectors specifications

Table 7. Internal ports and connectors specifications

Communications

Ethernet
Table 8. Ethernet specifications

Wireless module
Table 9. Wireless module specifications

Audio

Table 10. Audio specifications

Storage

Your computer supports one of the following configurations:

• One 2.5-inch hard drives
• One M.2 PCIe solid-state drive
• One M.2 PCIe solid-state drive and one 2.5-inch hard drive
• One M.2 Intel Optane and one 2.5-inch hard drive
• Two M.2 PCIe solid-state drives

NOTE: The primary drive of your computer varies depending on the storage configuration.
For computers:

• with a M.2 drive, the M.2 drive is the primary drive.
• without M.2 drive, the 2.5-inch drive is the primary drive.

Table 11. Storage specifications

Keyboard

Table 12. Keyboard specifications

Camera

Table 13. Camera specifications

Touchpad

Table 14. Touchpad specifications

Touchpad gestures
For more information about touchpad gestures for Windows 10, see the Microsoft knowledge base article 4027871 at support.microsoft.com.

Power adapter

Table 15. Power adapter specifications

NOTE: Alienware m15 supports Hybrid power feature during heavy loading. For more information, see Hybrid power.

Battery

Table 16. Battery specifications

NOTE: Alienware m15 supports Hybrid power feature during heavy loading. For more information, see Hybrid power.

Display

Table 17. Display specifications

Video

Table 18. Discrete graphics specifications

Table 19. Integrated graphics specifications

Computer environment

Airborne contaminant level: G1 as defined by ISA-S71.04-1985
Table 20. Computer environment

* Measured using a random vibration spectrum that simulates user environment.
† Measured using a 2 ms half-sine pulse when the hard drive is in use.
‡ Measured using a 2 ms half-sine pulse when the hard-drive head is in parked position.

Hybrid power

The Hybrid power feature enables your computer to function optimally during the following instances of heavy loading.
Examples of heavy loading include:

• Graphics and processor-intensive applications and/or gaming
• External power loading from devices relying on your computer as a power source such as gaming mice, keyboards, external speakers, and headsets

When during instances of heavy loading, system performance is maintained through hybrid power. Hybrid power coordinates the power drawn from the power adapter and battery, allowing power to be drawn from the battery for up to five percent per hour with the power adapter plugged in. This feature is disabled when the battery falls below 20 percent charge.
The following table shows the different scenarios and benefits of hybrid power:
Table 21. Hybrid power feature description

Keyboard shortcuts

NOTE: Keyboard characters may differ depending on the keyboard language configuration. Keys used for shortcuts remain the same across all language configurations.
NOTE: You can define the primary behavior of the function keys (F1-F12) by changing Function Key Behavior in BIOS setup program.
Table 22. List of keyboard shortcuts

Keys	Description
	Disconnect Alienware Graphics Amplifier
	Disable/enable wireless
	Mute audio
	Decrease volume
	Increase volume
	Switch to external display
	Decrease brightness
	Increase brightness
	Disable/enable touch pad
	Disable/enable AlienFX

Table 23. List of Macro keys

Keys	Description
	Macro keys NOTE: You can configure modes and assign multiple tasks for the macro keys on the keyboard.

Alienware Command Center

Alienware Command Center (AWCC) provides a single interface to customize and enhance the gaming experience. The AWCC dashboard displays most recently played or added games, and provides game-specific information, themes, profiles, and access to computer settings. You can quickly access settings such as game-specific profiles and themes, lighting, macros, and audio that are critical to the gaming experience.
AWCC also supports AlienFX 2.0. AlienFX enables you to create, assign, and share game-specific lighting maps to enhance the gaming experience. It also enables you to create your own individual lighting effects and apply them to the computer or attached peripherals. AWCC embeds Peripheral Controls to ensure a unified experience and the ability to link these settings to your computer or game.
AWCC supports the following features:

• FX: Create and manage the AlienFX zones.
• Fusion: Includes the ability to adjust game-specific Power Management, Sound Management, and Thermal Management features.
• Peripheral Management: Enables peripherals to appear in and be managed in Alienware Command Center. Supports key peripheral settings and associates with other functions such as profiles, macros, AlienFX, and game library.

AWCC also supports Sound Management, Thermal Controls, CPU, GPU, Memory (RAM) monitoring, For more information about AWCC, see the Alienware Command Center Online Help.

Getting help and contacting Alienware

Self-help resources
You can get information and help on Alienware products and services using these online self-help resources:
Table 24. Alienware products and online self-help resources

Self-help resources	Resource location
Information about Alienware products and services	www.alienware.com
My Dell
Tips
Contact Support	In Windows search, type Contact Support, and press Enter.
Online help for operating system	www.dell.com/support/windows www.dell.com/support/linux
Troubleshooting information, user manuals, setup instructions, product specifications, technical help blogs, drivers, software updates, and so on	www.alienware.com/gamingservices
VR Support	www.dell.com/VRsupport
Videos providing step-by-step instructions to service your computer	www.youtube.com/alienwareservices

Contacting Alienware
To contact Alienware for sales, technical support, or customer service issues, see www.alienware.com.
NOTE: Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be available in your country.
NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact information about your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog.