Considering Alienware 17 but have a few questions...

Hi Everyone!

So, I currently have an Apple MacBook Pro (early 2013 with Retina) which is a lovely machine but I am due to add another business laptop to my small family business and I'm considering my options.

I have a work desktop - a pretty standard HP that is adequate for what it needs to do.

The Apple MacBook is sufficient too but I would like it to have a little more performance since it does struggle slightly with my larger Excel spreadsheets.

Last year, when I purchased the Apple, I had ordered an Alienware 17 but it couldn't be delivered on time for me to attend an overseas meeting and I was desperate for a Notebook and couldn't wait - so went Apple off the shelf. I don't need the lightness nor battery life really, since the laptop is on mains most of the time and transporting it is by car or plane and 4kg is hardly an issue for me in-between.

Now I have time, I am considering the Alienware 17 again but I have a few questions:

1. Is the current model 17 due for a major update within the next few months?
2. I love the Apple Retina display. Will the 3D screen Alienware option come close?
3. I would spec a 'full-house' model but the choices seem odd here in the UK in that I can get the 3D screen and GTX 880 but not 32GB Ram, only 16GB. Is that right? Or do I simply call Dell?
4. I haven't used a laptop for gaming in many years - used to have an Alienware back then - so how does the current machine stack up against PS4 graphics and playability?
5. Has anyone here compared the latest MacBook Pro 15 with the Alienware 17 and how do they stack up?

Thanks in advance for any replies

 

1. There will be an update, but not a major one. They just redesigned the entire lineup this past year. It is extremely unlikely anything major will change.
   
2. These are gaming machines. Gamers want better performance, which is why 1080p has been the standard thus far. The 3D display is excellent, and is truly going to provide you with an ultimate gaming experience, but it is not as good as detailed as the retina display. It will also cut battery life in half.
   
3. The configurations are pretty locked tight as they're trying to deplete stocks. You may be able to call and customize, but it's unlikely.
   
4. Depends on the graphics. Computer graphics are usually better. If you get the 880M (which it seems you're interested in) it will perform much, much better than the PS4. Consoles and PC's are VERY different, even though the game titles aren't. You can't really compare them. Console GPU's are designed to play games at 25-30 FPS for many years. PC GPU's are designed to play at the highest FPS possible for 12-18 months.
   
5. The screen is more detailed and vibrant on the MacBook because it's designed to be so. People who do photography work and design work use MacBooks because they're designed for this purpose. The Alienware 17 is a better performer overall. It is designed to game. It runs games with great stability and has fairly low temperatures, given the level of performance. If you want to game, get an Alienware. If you want to work, get a MacBook. If you want to do both, get an Alienware - work hard, play harder. :thumbsup:

EDIT: To be blatantly honest, I believe the only good thing about a MacBook Pro is the screen. They're expensive, lacking in performance, and have a crappy warranty.

 

Thanks :thumbsup:

I'm an older Gamer (45 yrs old now) and have been an avid gamer since the day Doom came out and while I play far less frequently than I used to, I still play.

Part of me wants to stay with Apple and get the latest MacBook Pro - my current one gets handed over to my sister - because photography is my hobby and the Retina screen is awesome.

However, I am also an Alienware fan and I appreciate fast Notebooks. If the TrueLife screen (I prefer gloss and super-bright) is almost as good to view as Retina, then I'd be sold.

Looking at the UK configurator it also doesn't allow for a Blu-ray option which makes me think a new model might be coming out soon and I should wait for it.

 

Well, if the screen is important to you, the possibility that Alienware laptops may have higher resolution screens this year isn't completely out of the question. The GPU's have all been getting more and more VRAM, which would be perfect for a higher resolution screen. However, higher resolution means decreased FPS, which means they won't be able to use, "Most powerful gaming notebooks in the universe" as a marketing scheme anymore. Unless 20nm Maxwell is launched, and then they can.

If you can wait until the end of June, it may be worth while. We do not know what will change, but something must change because companies don't just stop improving their products. But, at this point, we have no idea what will change. They did launch their lineup last year on June 10th. So, in less than two weeks, we may see another refresh.

Waiting also means missing out on the Dell Mystery Coupon sale going on through June 2nd. Although, I don't think it's wise to purchase something you may not like just to save a few bucks. Waiting may do absolutely nothing, or absolutely everything for someone in your position.

 

I'm in no hurry whatsoever and can wait until the end of June no problem to see if anything happens.

 

Hi guys!

My alienware 17 arrives in a week!! Its my first gaming pc, i also have a mac pro, but got sick of it as it struggles to run basic games, cant wait for it to arrive!!! Aaaahhhhrrrgghhh!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Hi! Congrats!

Can you let me know what you think of both, side by side please? Ignore the obvious AW 17 gaming advantages since that is well-known, but let me know what the rest of it is like for everyday use and in particular, the screen quality - especially for photographs etc?

Cheers

 

Yeah

No problem ill let you know as soon as iv had a decent look at it

 

Well.....
Ive had a good play round with the A17 now and compared to the mac despite the obv differences i was quite literally blown away... I had a problem with graphics due to it running on intel instead of the geforce but oneof the guys on here cleared that up for me (thanks again!) i was a bit nervous switching to matte display as i favour, or shall i say favoured the gloss, not only is it bright and vibrant! You dont have to live like a vampire to avoid reflection.. Everything is great.

 

Glad you like it. Welcome to the dark side.

It's really a great machine. The build quality is superior to pretty much any laptop I've owned or had the opportunity to use.

 

Hmmm, my AW17 has not arrived by the ETA date of 24.06.2014.

In fact, it doesn't seem to be scheduled for delivery any time soon either! I called Dell UK yesterday and they don't know where it is. The Syncreon Tracker suggests it is still in China.

Is this normal for Dell? I didn't expedite delivery because the sales rep was confident about the 24th date and I only need it by the 03.07.2014 when I go away for 3 weeks so thought there was plenty of time - even allowing for a minor delay.

However, now I'm concerned it won't get here on time.

Any UK experiences? It was shipped on the 17th so the factory side of things went as scheduled.


****Update****
Now the Tracking shows an ETA of 26.06.2014. Which is great…except it hasn't updated to show it has left China yet.

 

Hi!,
Mine was the same.... It said it hadnt left china until the same day it got delivered here in the UK so i do t think you have anything to worry about, i was the same tho.... Everyone that walked past the window i was up looking out lol

 

I contacted Alienware via their Facebook page and I received a message from them that they would expedite delivery. An hour later the Syncreon Tracker updated to show it had arrived in Lutterworth and so the ETA of the 26th looks to be accurate - I live only 1 hour 30 min from there. :thumbsup:

 

I only got mine a week ago and havnt been off it since.... Take aways and pro plus have been the order of the week

 

It is out on delivery…so I'm expecting it sometime today then. :thumbsup:

***Update***

Your Dell order 399990********* will be delivered today between 10:53-11:53

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

****Update****

It has arrived!

Haven't unboxed it yet…very busy…but will do so today at some point and see what Alienware is all about.

Have a good day all!

 

Some of you guys may of seen me ranting about the 880m recently. Please don't be put off by my comments in regards to the 880m. I have a lot of good things to say about the Alienware 17. The stock performance it gives for a single GPU is by far the best I've seen on any gaming laptop. Yeah sure, Haswell Intel CPU's run at a high temperature, but don't be put off by that. The i7 series CPU's are pretty amazing for a laptop to be fair. This is me giving you my stock experience with this particular Alienware model.

I've had the pleasure of testing the Alienware 17 out over the past month or so. During my testing. I've not once hit over 68c with my cpu. My single 880m reaches the mid 70's in temps during gaming. So that's a plus with it being a Kepler based GPU. I've managed to run a slew of recent games at around 55 to 60 FPS on high or ultra. My battery off charge, lasts around 5-6 hours whiles just browsing and working. It lasts around 2 hours during gaming off charge. The cooling is pretty self sufficient considering the form factor that is, it's a laptop. I do recommend that you repaste both your GPU and CPU with IC Diamond 7. As the stock paste isn't all that good. Also, do NOT take the latest Nvidia beta driver if you own an 880m. The beta driver is causing headaches for 880m adopters. The headaches come from the stock side of things too. Update to, or stay on driver 337.88. That driver will give you the raw performance you seek if you're wanting to game at steady FPS. Also, last but not least. Disable 'Secure Boot' in UEFI. It's what we NBR heads commonly refer to now, as the 'Lock out Boot'. Secure Boot is nothing but a lock out for users. Microshaft (Microsoft) did a number on users with UEFI. I personally hate it, and I highly recommend getting rid of the death stick that is, Secure Boot.

In closing. Yes, the Alienware 17 is an amazing piece of hardware. Does it leave much to desire? Yes, if you are just wanting to game on it. No, if you are wanting to chase numbers.. It's definitely a contender for benching enthusiasts. But in no way, is it capable of insane over clocking like it's bigger brother, the Alienware 18. Anyway guys. Enjoy your new Alienware's, I hope to see you around here more in the future.

 

Actually, clock for clock, the Alienware 17 has more overclocking headroom than the Alienware 18 because of the BIOS limitations, which aren't "as restricted" on the AW 17. This has been proven: 4930MX in the AW 17 vs 4930MX in the AW 18. For standard CPU's, it doesn't make any difference.

In my opinion, if you don't care for weight, and don't plan to get the 120Hz screen, you might as well get the Alienware 18. Aside from those two things, the only other reason I would recommend the Alienware 17 (900p or 1080p) over the Alienware 18 is battery life. On the dedicated GPU, I see an average of 3.5 to 4 hours browsing or watching movies (on balanced). On the iGPU, you can easily exceed 6 hours. For some people, this is important. I've been in situations where I need my laptop for more than 2 hours in a lecture hall, and haven't been able to take my PSU (or find a plug to use my PSU). Sometimes the lecture hall "fold up" desks are too small for the Alienware 17... I can't imagine an Alienware 18 working out any easier.

It's all about personal preference and needs based on the individual. There are pros and cons to every system.

That's exciting. Hope you enjoy it.

 

Any suggestions why youtube or netflix or any video i watch is poor quality?? Its saying 1080 but its more like 480?

 

Blu-ray is 1080p. DVD's are usually 480p. "HD" on Netflix usually means 720p.

The Xbox One plays games at 720p and 900p. The PS4 plays games at 900p and 1080p (on supported titles).

 

Ok thanks!