Lack of flexible customisation.....

In the past when I have looked through the AW site the options on their laptops were totally customisable.

I went on their today to check out how the spec I want compares with the clevo options that are available, and it turns out AW can't/won't even build the spec that I want :/.

Anyone know if there is any reason/logic behind this when you consider that clevos are 100% customisable?

It's a little disappointing as it totally rules out me being be able to buy an AW.

 

Yeah, I'm as disappointed as you. Part of Dell's attempt to woo the ex-console gamers/mainstream and not their historical market of the enthusiast IMO.

A ton of good business reasons to limit the customisations improving profitability at the cost of (traditional) customer satisfaction. Delivery times seem to have plummeted though.

If it was not for the excellent support I would have jumped ship already. High end laptop components simply fail more often (I don't believe this is an OEM quality control issue) so on-site and dedicated AW support staff/phone is their USP - keep it up Dell, please :thumbsup:

 

They've always done this. It's to get rid of leftovers, basically. If they have too many 880M's, they'll lock the 880M into 2~ configurations in order to sell them.

A new Alienware laptop is coming out in October/November. I would assume that means the entire lineup is going to be refreshed with new hardware as well. More options should open up then.

 

Hope you're right. Back in the day R3/R4 you had a full pick list of CPU's, GPU's, memory, and drive configs, building a totally personalised machine. Yes the pre-build options were pushed but now you have to go after-market, and then have messing around with the warranty .

Up to the latest line you could even order the m18x with just one card, that 'loophole' in the profit was closed...

Are they still selling the 120hz model in the US? Vanished here in the UK around the time of the 880m release. I wonder just how hot that card get when in 3D mode?

 

Yeah, there are still a lot of options available, including the 120Hz screen on the US website. However, 3 out of the 5 configurations available are locked with the 880M, LOL. They should just put up a banner that says, "Please buy me, I'm desperate."

If history serves as an example, those of you in Europe should see changes to the website before we do in the States. So, if you do, let us know! I'm referring to new hardware like Maxwell, etc.

 

Yup LOL!

That card has turned into a disaster - at least they have an AMD option. This was in question for quite a while.

Weird that all these machines come from the same factory, but I guess the local marketing gets to choose what we are offered? There might be misrepresentation issues in some countries? Nowhere in the 3D models did they declare that you loose Optimus power saving, and around 50% less battery life. I've seen a LOT of 3D owners not know this and return machines .

Roll on the new line and hoping NV get at least close to regaining their crown. This cash I put aside for a new machine is difficult enough to keep away from, haha.

 

It's still there, you just need to add it for £150 pounds.

 

It's not easy to compare Clevo and rebrands to Alienware:

Clevo don't exactly advertise via television or ads in game streams, so they have MUCH lower overhead vs Alienware. Clevo is also relatively unknown to most normal consumers, so really they have go to by word of mouth. That and how they are constructed/built/shipped it also different, Alienware does everything, whereas some Clevo resellers go through Sager, and sometimes that complicates/delays your order. Dell/Alienware also got alot of flack back in the day by making it somewhat of a challenge if you've never configured a PC, so they've simplified the build process. Unfortunately for power users who understand all the technical jargon, get hosed.

 

well cheap enough. I tried to find it and even went on the chat and they could not find it either. Oh wel, las long as they still have the option somewhere....

Thanks

 

It just seems stupid I want to give Dell/AW anywhere between £1500-£2000 for a laptop yet they won't build me one with the spec I want, it's not like they have to do anything special all the things I want fit into the AW 17 I just want a different combination of those components than the prefab models offer.

It's really stupid, they gain nothing, they should have preconfigured models for people who don't know how to spec a PC or an option to create your own, they will just isolate people like myself who want a specific build.

Ok rant over lol. It does suck though.

 

What specifications do you want?

 

It's not easiest to find mind, but pick your Alienware option and then under screen click on the drop down menu and you can select the 3D option, encase you need it in the future

 

I'm after; 4710MQ, 16GB Ram, 256 SSD + 1TB HDD, 120Hz display, 880M.

Though with the recent news about the AMD show tomorrow and the possible announcement of the m295x I will likely hang fire as I've read a number of dodgy things about the 880M.

 

I agree when you say that the customization options have dropped. But you could get a basic model and then upgrade the build. I did that and i must say it was very cool to do it myself. Plus AW has been very nice with upgrades.

 

You can get those specifications on the US website, minus the 256GB SSD. It's about 2750 USD or 2075 EUR.

I suggest you just wait until October or November. There will be a refresh at that time with new hardware (Maxwell).

 

Yeah the SSD is essential though, I'd never buy a PC without one anymore haha.

I realise it can be done after market, hell I have a samung 840 pro 256gb SSD already in my desktop tempted to take it out before I sell it and keep it for a laptop.

Yeah that's what I had heard and I don't really want to buy something right at the end of its life cycle especially if it isn't even particularly good, apparently overheating plagues these 880M's.

 

They charge $200 for that upgrade when you can purchase a better one for $130 aftermarket. But, if you don't mind paying a bit extra, I suppose that's fine. It will be a "LiteOn" SSD.