Good deal for Alienware??

[Dephin -PC-]

I've been trying to get my girlfriend a good business laptop but now I want one for myself... I saw that the Alienware Aurora m9700 is on sale but is a sale Alienware even worth it compared to a company like Dell?? Here is the specs for the basic m9700 ($100.00=Shipping, $113.94=Tax, $2012.94=Total)...

Processor: AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile ML44 2.4GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 - Free Upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium!
Chassis: 17" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD with Clearview Technology - Saucer Silver
Motherboard: Alienware® NVIDIA® Mobile SLi Chipset
Memory: 512MB Single Channel DDR SO-DIMM at 400MHz
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 60GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 5,400 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Optical Drive: 24x10x24 CD-RW Burner / 8X DVD Reader
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS
Sound Card: High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Wireless Network Card: Internal 802.11b/g WiFi Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth® Device
Primary Battery: Alienware® m9700 12-cell Lithium-Ion Smart Battery Pack
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Alienware Exclusive Offers: 10% off your next EB Games online purchase
Alienware Exclusive Offers: GameFly - Unlimited Game Rentals for 15 days
Alienware Mouse Pad: Alienware® Mousepad
Free Alienware Shirt: Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black

Optional upgrades that I would consider getting are:

Screen: 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD with Clearview Technology - +$275
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR SO-DIMM at 400MHz - 2 x 1024MB - +$390
System Drive: 80GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache - +$170
System Drive: 160GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 5,400 RPM w/ 8MB Cache - +$180
Video/Graphics Card: Dual 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS - SLI Enabled - +$400
Wireless Network Card: Internal 802.11b/g WiFi Card w/ Airgo MIMO Technology - +$150
Briefcase: Alienware® Odyssey Messenger Bag - +$100



I would like to use this as a secondary gaming computer (when I'm bored) and also a business/school workhorse without lagging due to multitasking... What's your thoughts?? Worth it for this deal or does the Alienware brand name still make it unreasonable... If still not worth it, what would be a good comparison laptop??

[Panama Red]

Wow! That must be a $1000 T-shirt!!

I'd price up a Dell with a C2D. You'll get a lot more for your money.

[glc]

Now go up to the Dell site and build yourself a E1705 with a Core 2 Duo and a 7900 Go. It will eat that Alienware's lunch and cost you less - especially if you can dig up some online coupons.

[Dephin -PC-]

So the XPS isn't anything to consider either huh? Just hype too...

[glc]

The XPS is great - but it costs even more than the Alienware. Your money, dude. Do you really NEED a 3 grand LAPTOP?

[Dephin -PC-]

Dell E1705 ($0.00 Shipping, $107.83=Tax, $1904.83=Total)

PROCESSOR: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7400 (2.16GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM & TV-TUNERS: Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
UPGRADE TO WINDOWS VISTA: No Express Upgrade to Windows Vista Selected
LCD PANEL: 17 inch Wide Screen XGA+ Display
MEMORY: 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
HARD DRIVE: 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
VIDEO CARD: 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS
SOUND OPTIONS: Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™ HD Software Edition

[Dephin -PC-]

I need a laptop that can with stand the test of time like my desktop has... Even though I don't have the top of the line or the fastest desktop, mine will still be good for another 3 years before it becomes "average"...

[whubbard]

Looks Nice:
1) You should get a faster HD if available. (Get the 100GB 7200RPM)
2) If possible you might want to get 2 GB of Ram (i.e. If you want to spend the money)

Looks Great!
(Tax Sucks)

EDIT: Makes it $2003 Before tax.

[whubbard]

Also Do the FREE upgrade to Widnows Vista Home Premium From Windows XP Media Center (It's Free)
(DON'T do the one that adds is the dell support thing because its an extra $50)

Also, the E1705 only has an 8X burner...unless I'm missing something

Also, Consider Bluetooth...(its being used more and more)

EDIT: nvm, you were just customizing a different model.

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by whubbard Also, the E1705 only has an 8X burner...unless I'm missing something

8x is the fastest burner offered on a laptop. The Alienware isn't a bad deal per se but the C2D is a superior chip to the Turion in both performance and battery life.

Keep in mind that both laptops are fairly large. If you want portability you are not going to get one with a 17" laptop -- they barely fit in the big airport security trays and forget about using them in coach class. My XPS2 also had abysmal battery life, but the 7900GS may be better than the 6800 Ultra in that respect (that was the major battery suck in the XPS2).

Evaluate your priorities -- how much do you actually game, and how much are you going to game in the future? If you are planning to keep the desktop, a great graphics card may work at cross purposes to the laptop's usefulness. I realized that a lower-caliber graphics card would meet my occasional gaming needs just fine, and got a 14" laptop with half the weight and 2.5 times the battery life and am much happier with it than I was with my XPS2. The machine is just as powerful as my XPS2 in every respect but the graphics (although I also miss the brilliant WUXGA TrueLife screen on the XPS2). If you get a ThinkPad T60 or Dell Inspiron E1505 with their respective ATI X1400 options, you will have a much more well-rounded laptop that can still play the occasional game.

[Dephin -PC-]

Alright, good point brought up... After thinking and considering the weight, size, price... I decided that I'm going to buy this laptop for business/school workhorse... I may still do a game every once and a while but that's the reason I have a kick-ass desktop computer... So, which Inspiron model OR another companies laptop would work best for me?? I would much rather keep it under $2,000 and be able to finance it (so I can pay it off in 3-4 months time instead all at once)... I would like wireless connection capabilities, multitasking ability, above average battery life, and other cool stuff like a free T-Shirt...

[glc]

T60 widescreen with the ATI video option or the T60p. Configure to order at the Lenovo site.

[Dephin -PC-]

Just a few questions then... What is really worth it?? I'm looking at the T Series Widescreen...

Question 1: I can spend a bit extra but what processor would I actually tell the difference for the additional money??

Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5500 (1.66GHz, 2MB L2, 667MHz FSB)
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5600 (1.83GHz, 2MB L2, 667MHz FSB) [add $75.00]
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB) [add $150.00]
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7400 (2.16GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB) [add $300.00]
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7600 (2.33GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB) [add $550.00]

Question 2: What's the difference between their wireless cards??

Integrated Wi-Fi wireless upgradable [subtract $30.00]
Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG [add $0.00]
ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe

Question 3: How much extra battery life would a 9-cell give me compared to a 6-cell for an additional $30.00

Question 4: Warranty... I would probably get the 3 year ThinkPad Protection with 1 year to 3 year Depot Repair [add $199.00]... Why does it say 1 year to 3 year depot repair??



Now I'm sure some of these questions (like the warranty) I would direct to Lenovo but I just wanted to write everything down all in one place...

[newbuilder14]

Q1: The T7200 would be awesome with 4mb cache, but probably a little overkill.

Q2: My choice is the Intel Pro Integrated WiFi.

Q3: No clue... I'd say if you are going to be out and about with it a lot, get the 9 cell.

Q4. 1-3 year depot repair probably means they will repair it at their discretion or something.

[thefultonhow]

1. I feel like you reach a point of diminshing returns after the T7200. If it were me, though, that's what I'd get.
2. The Intel one will give you the Centrino sticker, but they ma be putting Draft-N cards in if you choose the ThinkPad one.
3. The battery upgrade is 100% worth it.
4. Depot repair means if it needs repair they will send you a box and you'll use the box to send it back to them. They will then send it back to you, fixed. It is in contrast to on-site service. Their turnaround time is apparently pretty fast -- 3 days or so. They can also send you parts if they are user-replacable (i.e. RAM, keyboard).

[Dephin -PC-]

Originally Posted by thefultonhow 1. I feel like you reach a point of diminshing returns after the T7200. If it were me, though, that's what I'd get. 2. The Intel one will give you the Centrino sticker, but they ma be putting Draft-N cards in if you choose the ThinkPad one. 3. The battery upgrade is 100% worth it. 4. Depot repair means if it needs repair they will send you a box and you'll use the box to send it back to them. They will then send it back to you, fixed. It is in contrast to on-site service. Their turnaround time is apparently pretty fast -- 3 days or so. They can also send you parts if they are user-replacable (i.e. RAM, keyboard).

The T7200 was my original choice when I first made my customization... As for the warranty thing though, what really bothers me is the 1 year to 3 year thing... Is it 1 year or 3 years worth??

[thefultonhow]

It would be three years' worth. I believe the reason they put that in is that unlike Dell they let you choose a different length for the standard warranty and the accidental-damage one. So the comment in there about depot repair is in case you only get a 1-year regular warranty and a 3-year ADP one.

[glc]

The standard warranty is 1 year and that option extends it to 3 years.

[thefultonhow]

GLC -- are you sure? It seems a little confusing to me.

[glc]

3-Year ThinkPad Protection with 1-Year Depot to 3-Year Depot Repair [add $199.00]

I'm pretty sure that this extends the depot warranty to 3 years *and* gives you 3 years protection service.

[thefultonhow]

Question is, is the depot repair just for accidental damage, or also for hardware failure?

Doesn't make much sense the former way, but the whole thing doesn't make much sense, so it might be a good question to ask a Lenovo phone rep.

[glc]

The depot repair is the regular warranty - the protection plan adds accidental damage coverage.

[Dephin -PC-]

When you choose the option for the 3 year standard warranty and then try to add accidental warranty, it puts the standard warranty back to "None"... SO I would assume that it means for $199.00, it gives you 3 years of standard and accidental warranty... Just not sure why they say 1 to 3 year depot... Wierd...

[hitchface]

I know I may be jumping back a step or two in this here discussion...but if you ever consider Alienware for anything...google "Alienware Complaints", visit the forums and prepare to switch companies.

[glc]

Now that Dell owns them, I expect that to change.

[hitchface]

The problem with that is that most of these complaints come after Dell bought them...things did chance for the worse after that.

Alienware WAS a good company.

[thefultonhow]

Actually, I was hearing some pretty consistent complaints before they were purchased. The problem is mostly that they grew way too fast and their support apparatus did not keep up.

[hitchface]

Ok, granted...either way, they were good and are now bad.

It seems that the entire works has failed though. They boost their 200 point system break in/inspection through the clouds, but I know of a guy who bought an ALX system (over 9 grand spent) who got his machine without so much as a BIOS update, much less an OS. How can you do any benchmarks on a system that won't pass startup? Not only that, but the machine died 5 days later, completely...PSU failed and took the whole works with it. He fought with them for about 2 months to get a refund, finally they let him send it back, but for a 15% restocking fee. So he paid about 1500 dollars (he had to pay shipping as well) for the privelege of being angry.

I read that right after I ordered an Alienware machine...I cancelled the order the next day and they still haven't refunded my 1900 dollars. This happened a month ago.

[Dephin -PC-]

Well, I decided to go with a 15.4 Widescreen ThinkPad with a 2.0GHz processor. It's going to equal about 1900 but since there isn't any deals going on for the widescreen, I'm going to wait until I see something.

[hitchface]

Yeah, I guess we did sorta diverge there...sorry bout that.