Alienware laptops (15,17) compatibility issues with Samsung SSDs?

Hi Tesla, thanks for your reply! Do you have either a Samsung EVO or PRO 2.5" drive installed in an Alienware R4 laptop? If so, have you had any issues? (It sounds like you didn't, but want to make sure). 

Since my original post, I've called Alienware tech support again, and they confirmed that it is BOTH the EVO and PRO model SSD drives that are affected. The issues they cited were (a) the OS not recognizing the drive at all, (b) the drive periodically not being recognized and "dropping" out, and I believe she also said (c) slow performance. I should have asked for a more technical explanation of why this was happening, but I took it at face value that it was actually a compatibility problem, not a configuration issue. If it is in fact just a config issue, that would make a huge difference, since I could most likely config the settings myself (or bring the laptop to a local tech store).

Actually, if any Alienware tech support are reading this, it would be super helpful if you could provide more info on exactly what the issue is and clarify whether it is an actual compatibility bug, or if it's something that can be addressed by proper configuration. If the latter, providing the configuration details would be awesome. Thanks!

yes. looks like some AW Models have Issues with 850 EVO Drives.

use the Search Function and you will see a Bunch of Threads. sometimes we tried to help but were not succesful.

Tesla1856‌

remember this?  

Generalized posts like this, and generalized answers like you got from Alienware support are a good example of how these rumors of "wide spread SSD compatibility problems" get started.
 
IMO, the real reasons they don't work are:

1. A "Samsung 850 EVO" can be a 2.5inch SATA SSD or also a completely different M.2 Form-Factor (ram DIMM looking card).

2. Most M.2 Form Factor SSDs (ram DIMM looking).use PCIe/NVMe (Interface/Protocol) while other/older ones use a completely different (and slower) SATA-Interface. IMO, this is a major reason users run into problems installing SSDs in older laptops (the words M2, SATA and PCIe/NVMe are not part of the item name).

3. Due to wrong BIOS options or just using improper steps, users have trouble installing SSDs and/or cloning. There is really no problem with the hardware, but it gets explained as a "compatibility problem". Now-days, everybody wants quick and easy (all instructions are TL;DR ).

4. Related to #3 above, Dell/Alienware properly pre-installs, configures, and ships a certain make-model SSD in a certain laptop. It's deemed "compatible" but due to un-trained technicians and customers and answer #3, other SSDs get labeled as "incompatible" .

5. Some manuals are mis-leading or out-right incorrect in regards to SSD and RAM upgrades.

I can think of others, but I think those are the main ones. In closing, I'll say that while it is possible for a certain machine to be in-compatible with a certain SSD (they are many of both so there are endless combinations) ... both are built using "industry standard" interfaces and protocols in mind.

zamond wrote:

Do you have either a Samsung EVO or PRO 2.5" drive installed in an Alienware R4 laptop? 

 

I have been using 2.5inch Samsung SSDs for many years with no problems. Many different Samsung SSD models (starting back with Samsung 830, 840pro, and so on), in various makes and models of desktop computers and laptops.

However, I don't own an Alienware laptop, so I guess the answer to your specific question is "No".

Hi zamond‌,

In fact it is not that there are problems in specific with one of the two, but there may be problems of compatibility with either of them depending on the model.

The ones that we recommend are the PM950 and the PM951 since those are the ones we send from factory.

As for the Samsung 850 EVO some users have confirmed that it works but we have not yet validated it.                          

You can see here some of the ones that we have validated:                                                                                                

SSD 512G Samsung PM951 PCIe NVMe 2280

SSD 256G Samsung PM951 PCIe NVMe 2280

SSD 1TB Samsung PM951 PCIe NVMe 2280

Not sure I follow you.
 
There is only one user in that thread, and he started the thread ... sanzebs .

by "the Guy after" i ment a different Thread. it's not important so lets move on.

Carbon Based Lifeform wrote:

Tesla1856

remember this? Why Windows Boot Manager is not in UEFI list? 

Yes.

IIRC, the User was trying to install Windows to 2.5inch SATA SSD, but failed to remove the smaller (useless) M.2 cache-SSD before they started. Apparently, it takes precedence if installed.

Thank you Eimy, this is really helpful. Any idea on when your compatibility team can verify the EVO 850?

na, that was the Guy after.

i meen it's strange that some People make it work and others dont. maybe it's the SSD Firmware that makes Troubles? every single Samsung SSD received atleast one FW Update. everytime we buy a new one it has a different Firmware installed (depends on Manufacturing Date).

The fact that it seems to be an issue only with Alienware laptops leads me to believe there may be some compatibility issue with the MoBo or other component used by Dell in their Alienware laptop lineup. That some people have the problem and others don't does make me think that, as you mentioned, it could be firmware related as well. 

Hi Eimy, I was wondering if your tech team had validated the Samsung 960 PRO 512 GB, or any/all of the 960 PRO drives? 

Thanks in advance!

No, unfortunately not yet.