no disks with system

Microsoft does not allow Windows discs to be shipped any longer.  You make your own recovery drive -the easiest way is with a 16G or larger USB flash drive (use the Dell Backup and Recovery utility on the system).  You can also use DVDs but you'll need more than one, and it's far easier with a flash drive.

That's because you never requested your Sales Representative to add  a Windows 8 Media Kit to your order while placing an order if it's a Dell Direct Order. If you purchased your Laptop from a Retail store or a 3rd Party Store(Online Store, etc.), then you'll never get the Windows 8 Media Kit with your Laptop as it added only on request for which you need to pay.

These disks are no longer automatically shipped.  They prefer that you make your own recovery disks, but as long as the system is still under warranty you can request the OS and drivers disks directly from Dell.

If you go to support>parts>request OS recovery media you are allowed to request one set of disks per system.  Enter your service tag and fill out the request form and your disks will be on their way.  I just did this a couple of days ago and received the Dell Windows 8 OS and Dell drivers disks via Federal Express.  I actually had the disks the next day.

I will mention that I tried to order these disks for my Alienware also, but I was given a message to call Dell directly.  I have not done that yet as my last phone call to them took 2 hours of my time and nine different people without resolving my problem.  It is my estimation that the disks are not available for the Alienware systems because there is a factory restore option already available on these systems.