Alienware VS XMG

Hi all,

I was all hyped about the m17x until I discovered these guys:
XMG P702 17.3" Pro Gaming Notebook

Not only can I can get same computer cheaper, but it also comes with a 24 months warranty!

Any views on why to stick with Alienware?

Cheers,

 

Flashing LED's, 3D screens, endless modding and upgrades...

Plus our Alienware's look SO much cooler than their XMGs.

 

To each their own. I think AW look like toys for 9 yr olds. If you want better kEyboard, stay with, AW, though I like Clevo's fine. But lack of matte screen alone is dealbteaker for me on AW.

 

For me sager has worst design inside(7970m issue) and out(bulky/no characteristic) ya i know it's each their own.

 

Clevo machines are definitely for the gamers who like their privacy. The designs of their laptops are low profile and sometimes venture into the mundane. If I didn't care about braggin' any Clevo machine would do me fine and prevents the stares the Alienware gets in the classroom and cafe although sometimes, I do think that the exterior design looks vaguely like some asian kirf that trying to look like another laptop

 

One of the main reason I decided to go with AW is their design. Otherwise, I would go for the flashy yellow Samsung Series 7 Gamer or ASUS ROG.

 

The main reason would be for the upgrades. Looking at the pictures of te XMG, looks like your stuck with only three panels and I'm assuming one is for RAM, hard drive(s), and wifi card. Everything else looks to be blocked off or not easy to get to...so if your order a lower end CPU or GPU, you may be stuck with it.

 

Their warranty is slow depot service.

Alienware is next-day in-home.

There is also the whole design argument, but that is really taste.

 

If you like keeping a low profile and the humble look of the powerful Clevo, then go for it!

 

If you go with that XMG (Clevo), you better get the 680M. The 7970M IGP can't be disabled in it like the Alienware.

It also isn't cheaper. I just configured it to the same as mine and it's pretty even.

 

This is hogwash. Everything in that notebook is easily accessibly. Four screws and then you have access to nearly everything. Anything more might be under the keyboard, which you can just pop open in just a few seconds. This notebook couldn't be any easier to upgrade and it has matte screen option that AW doesn't, which for me is dealbreaker and I'm sure for many others.

It's ridiculously much cheaper. He's in the UK, AW pricing in the UK is moronic.

 

I'd rather have decent support and a stable graphics card, buts that's just me. I'll stop adding fuel to the fire.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2 running Resurrection Remix

 

That's hogwash as well. There are equal number of issues in terms of support from both sides. AW support is not any better than Sager/Clevo or any of the resellers.

I'd only go by looks and price between these two brands. As someone else mentioned, he can just get the 680M and probably still cheaper than a AW with 7970M in UK.

I'm not adding fuel to any fire, I'm just refuting some comments which were completely wrong.

 

I'm not gonna argue and clog up this thread(neither of us are going to change our minds), but Clevo doesn't Have next best day service.

OP it comes down to what style you like better, and who has the better price at the time.

 

You can get the 7970M itself. As per a thread in the Clevo forums, AMD made an official announcement about working on the Enduro fix through a driver update in the near future, so no biggie.

 

Thanks for all the comments. Food for thought.

Here's my current thoughts:

Alienware M17x has an aluminum chasis, so there's no flex in the case at all, and possibly better heat dissapation, but the flex is a big positive for me, it's what I aways liked about the unibody macbooks. You pick these things up and they're soild. The XMG does look to be a bit more flexible.

XMG looks to have a two year warrenty and alienware only has a one year warenty.

XMG seems to be much cheaper, although, with coupons, it's not that much.

 

You get what you pay for.

Wonder how locked down the BIOS is on it.

 

I'm glad that you have first hand knowledge with this laptop. I tried looking for pictures and video's about this laptop and came up empty with anyone taking it apart or doing any kind of upgrades...if one can that is good to know than.

 

I thought that the M17x started to be plastic with the R3 and continued with the R4.

 

I believe the M18x has the aluminium chassis while the M17x has rubberized plastic.

 

The R3 and R4 are plastic cases, whereas the m18x are aluminum. The XMGs would be cheaper if they don't offer next business day at-home service. Gotta imagine that's pretty expensive. Like Slim said, you get what you paid for, so the choice would be more of a personal preference than anything else.

I chose Alienware over XPS because someone said they've got cookies...

 

Correct... the last M17x constructed of aluminum was the M17x R2 dual-GPU beast. It was the predecessor to the M18x. The last XPS that was truly a "gaming system" was the dual-GPU XPS M1730. The XPS M1730 had an aluminum chassis (base) as well. It was competing with the Alienware M17x.

When Dell decided to focus on making Alienware its flagship high performance product, the XPS line was made more of a mid-range multimedia machine with some gaming potential rather than Dell's answer to Alienware's dominance in the mobile gaming arena. They felt it would be silly to have two of their own products competing for the same customers, and rightfully so.

 

Lol! This argument again? Its gonna be your decision in the end OP on what you really like. Most of these laptops serve the same purpose. For me, if you can afford it and you really like it, then get AW. If not then get something else.

 

Thanks for all the replies. Glad we got the chassis cleared-up.
I'll probably go with one of these m17xR4's - it's between the gtx 675 and gtx 680 now!
I'll use the search for that one

Thanks again.

 

Performance-wise, its not even a question. Go for 680M Goodluck!

 

+1 for the 680m. Money is more than worth it in the long run.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2 running Resurrection Remix

 

Seriously why would you even consider trading off an Alienware for those crappy models... So what they take some bad body, generally worse build quality, usually more heat and lower battery life.... and just shove a powerful GPU in there.

You see my spec in my signature? All that + Blu-ray reader = $4200 (and that includes DHL international shipping)

When I configure a remotely similar spec (of the XMG), without 120Hz 3D screen, without IC Diamond thermal paste, (and all the other reasons Alienware is better)..... the price turned out to = $4,800

I don't know where you get this idea of it being cheaper, cuz they are terrible in every single way in comparison to an Alienware. If you're gonna buy something bad with a good GPU, just because it's cheap? Then thats just the wrong way to go about buying one of the most powerful gaming laptops...

 

For those looking for the 800-900 dollar upgrade 680M... Wait for the 2013 Mobile GPU's to be released and save the 900 bones for upto 60% performance increase vs maybe 10% with the 680M, of course that requires patience. That is assuming they will be compatible with the R4 and possibly R3 models, all past history with AW systems point to "YES."

As for Comparing Apples to Oranges, well that is exactly what it is, they both get the job done it is a matter of what do you think tastes better... For me AW just has that swagger i crave

 

Are you saying the 680m is only 10% improved over the 580m or did I misunderstand what you posted?

 

Well if that's what he meant its not correct. The 680m is around double the speed of the 580m (I think).

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2 running Resurrection Remix

 

That's what I thought as well, that's why I wondered what he was trying to say.

 

haha, no over the 7970M, sorry for not sticking that tad bit of info in there

 

Thanks again for all the input. I hate to add fuel to the fire or confuse things even more, but I've just discovered these:

PCSPECIALIST - VortexIII 17 Laptops, VortexIII 17 Gaming Laptops, Build Your Own VortexIII 17 Laptop

Based on Clevo units I think. You get the better thermal paste for £9. Just food for thought for anybody who finds this thread and wonders if Alienware and XMG are the only two players...

 

That's a long shot because that's a large assumption. If all hardware came with those kinda guarantees, there wouldn't be anything to worry about to begin with. The truth is that in the long run, no one can tell which turns out to be the better product, ie. which product has had overall lesser failures. And nVidia products fail just as often as ATI/AMD, moreso in my lifetime experiences. To summarize: Reliability is and should always be considered on a per-product basis instead of a broad-spectrum consideration of the "reliability" of a brand or an entire company. Suffice to say, no one knows the true reliability of the current highest-end cutting edge technology available today until it goes legacy. So your money is well spent either way, only just smarter spent with the AMD 7970M for obvious reasons of performance/price ratio.

 

On that note..And I trust from the general feedback that the 680 is the one to go for, but, if I went for he 675, could I upgrade to the 680 at a later date?

Cheers,