First of all it does not live up to performance, service is just horrible, got in touch with them the other day for a driver as I was not installing, they refused to talk and the only solution is for me to send my laptop to US, I live in Dubai so I have to bare the cost and all. Where as they could remotely access and see what the issue is.
Other then that, it was overheating like crazy, so decided to do thermal repasting ( which sort of helped) but look at how nicely they apply it from factory:
And just so guys you know laptop is 4 months old and paste is dry like its been used for 4 years moreover of course you can see that it was not applied correctly.
Anyhow learned the hard way, I wish I knew a bit earlier that for the same soney I could get a better machine from NZXT..
Why does the thermal paste look like it’s 5 years old for a 2020 laptop???
Ive only seen thermal paste like that on older Alienware and that’s what caused the thermal and power throttling because of the amount of heat coming from the CPU and GPU Goes straight to the PCH or platform controller hub and that’s what controlled the throttling levels.
Be careful with that - - test it on a small spot first. I was referring to using it on the rubberized coating on an older system -- which probably isn't painted. The older systems were usually black with a rubberized coating on them. That coating tends to break down over time, and can be removed with 91% isopropanol. I'd hesitate to use that on any painted surface -- it may well damage or remove the paint.
Just about any light-colored plastic or plastic coated metal will stain eventually, which is what I suspect happened to these newer systems. Even white keyboards permanently become soiled and discolored.
It should be safe to use to remove thermal compound though.
I’m having a similar issue with my cover. the only difference is that I have no idea where the stain is from. I’ve tried rubbing alcohol, and Lysol wipes and it doesn’t come off. Any advice? Or do you think I should also take it to a repair shop?
Has anyone found a cleaner of some kind to remove these stains they are an eyesore and I cant stand looking at a 4 month old computer that looks dirty all the time because they put this soft touch stain able surface on a very expensive laptop and dell says its not covered in my warranty.
Hey you guys. I hope everyone's ok so I decided to do the unthinkable. I was repainting my old Area 51 7500 case from 1997 and I had the idea to disassemble my area 51m but repaint it with a soft touch satin finish and it's pure white! It even covered the previous black stains and I made sure the paint I had included a clear coat mixed in. I did mine with a spray can but you can do yours with an air brush for accurate results. The only thing I lost was the A51 logo thingy on the back but tbh it looked much sleeker and modern after the repaint.
Seemingly Dell Alienware has messed up and tested their new coating on their customers. The most prudent option would be for the dell vendor to have applied a sealant coat(s) so that this coating does not absorb stains.
IMHO the @TheBelizean solution is by far the best solution to date.
@Raulcabos I used the finest grit i could find at my local store. I do recommend doing it wet so it smooths out don't pass it to hard...it only took a couple of passes to get it normal again.
Shygy
1 Rookie
•
7 Posts
0
September 7th, 2020 05:00
Honestly dissapointed with alienware completely.
First of all it does not live up to performance, service is just horrible, got in touch with them the other day for a driver as I was not installing, they refused to talk and the only solution is for me to send my laptop to US, I live in Dubai so I have to bare the cost and all. Where as they could remotely access and see what the issue is.
Other then that, it was overheating like crazy, so decided to do thermal repasting ( which sort of helped) but look at how nicely they apply it from factory:
And just so guys you know laptop is 4 months old and paste is dry like its been used for 4 years moreover of course you can see that it was not applied correctly.
Anyhow learned the hard way, I wish I knew a bit earlier that for the same soney I could get a better machine from NZXT..
A51-06
5 Practitioner
•
3.1K Posts
0
September 7th, 2020 10:00
What the....
Why does the thermal paste look like it’s 5 years old for a 2020 laptop???
Ive only seen thermal paste like that on older Alienware and that’s what caused the thermal and power throttling because of the amount of heat coming from the CPU and GPU Goes straight to the PCH or platform controller hub and that’s what controlled the throttling levels.
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
0
September 7th, 2020 14:00
Hi @Shygy go to cleaning and disinfecting options for Dell products. When the more common 70% isopropyl alcohol doesn't work, @ejn63 says try 91% isopropyl alcohol, Here.
ejn63
10 Elder
•
30.7K Posts
0
September 7th, 2020 15:00
Be careful with that - - test it on a small spot first. I was referring to using it on the rubberized coating on an older system -- which probably isn't painted. The older systems were usually black with a rubberized coating on them. That coating tends to break down over time, and can be removed with 91% isopropanol. I'd hesitate to use that on any painted surface -- it may well damage or remove the paint.
Just about any light-colored plastic or plastic coated metal will stain eventually, which is what I suspect happened to these newer systems. Even white keyboards permanently become soiled and discolored.
It should be safe to use to remove thermal compound though.
A51-06
5 Practitioner
•
3.1K Posts
0
September 7th, 2020 19:00
I completely agree @ejn63 about the staining.
i liked the older rubberized finish.
Tati1489
1 Message
0
November 4th, 2020 08:00
I’m having a similar issue with my cover.
the only difference is that I have no idea where the stain is from.
I’ve tried rubbing alcohol, and Lysol wipes and it doesn’t come off.
Any advice?
Or do you think I should also take it to a repair shop?
Jojos74
1 Rookie
•
4 Posts
0
November 13th, 2020 12:00
Has anyone found a cleaner of some kind to remove these stains they are an eyesore and I cant stand looking at a 4 month old computer that looks dirty all the time because they put this soft touch stain able surface on a very expensive laptop and dell says its not covered in my warranty.
A51-06
5 Practitioner
•
3.1K Posts
0
November 13th, 2020 14:00
Hey you guys. I hope everyone's ok so I decided to do the unthinkable. I was repainting my old Area 51 7500 case from 1997 and I had the idea to disassemble my area 51m but repaint it with a soft touch satin finish and it's pure white! It even covered the previous black stains and I made sure the paint I had included a clear coat mixed in. I did mine with a spray can but you can do yours with an air brush for accurate results. The only thing I lost was the A51 logo thingy on the back but tbh it looked much sleeker and modern after the repaint.
U2CAMEB4ME
4 Operator
•
6.2K Posts
0
November 13th, 2020 14:00
Welcome to all,
Has any one tried one of these???
https://www.amazon.com/Special-Laptop-Stickers-release-Alienware/dp/B07YK29GMC
We use https://www.lidstyles.com/ for most of our Dells but they do not have any for Alienware.
Best regards,
U2
A51-06
5 Practitioner
•
3.1K Posts
0
November 14th, 2020 11:00
Id recommend my option above which is painting the individual parts so it doesent stain again.
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
1
November 14th, 2020 11:00
Seemingly Dell Alienware has messed up and tested their new coating on their customers. The most prudent option would be for the dell vendor to have applied a sealant coat(s) so that this coating does not absorb stains.
IMHO the @TheBelizean solution is by far the best solution to date.
Raulcabos
1 Rookie
•
1 Message
0
June 28th, 2025 22:11
@TheBelizean which sandpaper did you use?
TheBelizean
1 Rookie
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5 Posts
0
June 28th, 2025 23:42
@Raulcabos I used the finest grit i could find at my local store. I do recommend doing it wet so it smooths out don't pass it to hard...it only took a couple of passes to get it normal again.