New and freaking out!

So I ordered a 2015, AW 17. (4710hq, gtx970, 16gb ram) Was not aware of the changes from last year's models yeah I know shame on me.
After reading a lot on here I'm getting the feeling I should cancel my order k estimated ship date 2/10) and go with a clevo.

Would I get more bang for my buck?
Mostly want a great gaming machine, but only have 1800 to spend.

Thanks in advance

 

I'd honestly get the clevo that's soldered and got a 980m in it for like $1600 off of exoticPC's site. Way better bang for your buck, plus you get the 980m which is on average 34% faster than the 970m.

 

For $1669 you can buy a Sager NP9752 / Clevo P750ZM or Sager NP9772 / Clevo P770ZM at XoticPC with same specs...

i7 4790K
8GB RAM
1TB 7200RPM
FHD
GTX 970M
Added bonuses- >Prema MOD, HULK heatsink, Massive upgradability

Maybe you can add in some M.2 SSD / GPU upgrade / or if your are not into OC get a non K processor with some more added upgrades to other parts. And 15" have most screen options I guess please have a look at Sager thread on the above machines...

"Please" don't waste your $1800 on this Alienware filth where you can't even change a battery ffs. The Clevos are not as well built as AWs but definitely bang for buck plus anyways the new alienware machines are also stupid quality compared to the old M18x R2 legacy machines.

 

If you don't intend to change hardware yourself anyway don't worry, the changes only really impact those who like to mod and change components.

 

The new Alienware line-up is just fine for normal laptop gamers who do not change their hardware or mod/oc the laptop (except for a 980M system bcs of the insufficient power supply). You've got a 970m in there which you will never be able to upgrade. If you are fine with that then there is no problem with the new line-up. It's actually better! Because it's lighter and smaller than before. I think you'll regret getting a Clevo if you do not plan on upgrading the videocard or processor. That's just my experience. I sold my clevo pretty fast because I liked a more flashy system that goes with the actual spirit of a high end machine.

 

Alienware's still have optimal cooling and better build quality. Also, warranty is better. I'd still choose the Alienware.

There's a 30-day return period (from the date of shipment) if you change your mind.

 

Look my system is close to yours. I got the true life IPS with touch. There is a lot of hate from people who like alienwares old style versus their new direction. But how many users actually were replacing parts in their alienwares? How many were doing it so well or so efficiently that they weren't risking damaging it and it would've have been cost efficient to buy a new system? Not that many. Some for sure, but not hundreds.

I have been doing a ton of comparisons the last 24 hours. I've seen more gaming laptops in person and online in the last 48 hours than ever before.

I'm going to compare this system for what I expect out of it today and tomorrow and for the next 4 years. That's how long it'll be before I move up again most likely.

Today and for the immediate future, this system is a stud. I paid less than 1630$ with a little haggling and got 16gb and the touch true life. I'm adding my own ssd. The performance is awesome. The temperatures are very reasonable (not ASUS low) but lower than MSI and many others. It's speedy and snappy and games great.

You can compare and contrast against multiple systems but I think it's primary competitor is the Asus g751jt-ch71 as its got the ips and similar specs. The asus sound is awful. They still haven't fixed it. The screen is ok but doesn't touch the Dell matte or true life. The gaming FPS are almost identical. Dell support in the first year wins by a mile!! I miss the optical drive but external is so cheap.

All things considered, this is one of the finest gaming machines I've ever used and it's as nice if not nicer than almost everything. If you are the guy who spend a fortune upgrading your 880 sli to 980 sli on your own this isn't for you. If you are ok buying another computer in 4-5 years when this can't cut it no more then pull the trigger. You won't regret it.

 

After configuring and looking at about 90+ laptops today, I've come to the conclusion that I am not a modder.

I ordered the AW 17 R2 as configured. With the discounts I only paid 1500 plus tax and they threw in a free Venue 7 (its junk but my 2 year old will love it)

The look and feel of the AW is much nicer then anything I have seen.

I have my own Samsung EVO to throw in it when it arrives ( your right SSD rocks!)

Think I am done freaking out. I honestly have no interest in upgrading components, when the laptop is obsolete in 3-4 years I'll sell it and order a new top end machine that fits my needs.

Thank you all for the insight and help

 

I can't say I like the build quality of the Sager/Clevo line, I have two friends with Sager's and They just feel flimsy

I don't know if that is enough to keep me away but there is a def quality difference.

 

Didn't they change it to 14 days or is that just for refurbs?

 

The guy I spoke to a few days ago said you had 30 days, but I order through the Member Purchase Program. Maybe it's different for regular customers?

I'm 98% certain it's still 30 days from the date of shipment. So, if it takes 5-7 days to get to you, then you have 25 or 23 days to return it.

 

Yup I was told 30 days as well. Also purchased through Dell preferred member.

 

Actually, I believe the base panel on the AW17 and the ROG G751 are exactly the same - an LG IPS. Which is the same panel used on the new Acer V Nitro 17".

LG Display LP173WF4-SPF1 Overview - Panelook.com

Can't say about the True Life upgraded panel though.

 

I'm typing this on a Clevo P650SE. While the bang/buck is better than an AW/ASUS ROG, you pay the price for this elswhere.

The build quality isn't as high and the machine isn't as sturdy as a ROG or AW.

The support/warranty isn't as good as an AW, though I guess it can be better or worse than an ASUS. Your warranty on the Clevo is typically provided by your reseller, so the quality of your support/warranty will vary based on your reseller.

ASUS is just...ASUS in terms of warranty. You can look over the forums to see what it's like. You typically send it in for repairs, and wait for it to be shipped back. If you never have any issues with your laptop and don't ever need support or warranty work, ASUS ROG is a pretty dang good laptop. And besides the few issues they do have (currently the biggest one is the speakers/subwoofer), they are very well made and sturdy.

Really, you get what you pay for. As in most things in life.

 

I had an Asus G73SW that had to be repaired multiple times. The first time they returned it with no repairs done after keeping it for a week. The second time I marked what had to be fixed on a sheet they sent. They marked it all as fixed, but only repaired the pin in the power port (this broke after only 2 months of use!!), they never fixed the touchpad. So I had a tech escalate it and it got sent away AGAIN, So long story short, the touchpad is still wonky and they never ended up replacing it.


bought a second asus laptop. Had to be repaired since the screen wire broke off or something. Told me this was an "accidental damage" claim and not a valid warranty claim, so I would have to pay for shipping. Returned the laptop with a big smudge in the LCD and bent piece of metal on the laptop and the harddrive started failing. So I called them again, they told me I'd have to pay to have it shipped back to them to be looked again. I asked them how long they'd keep it and they told me up to 3 weeks. I had school again in a week and I wouldn't be back at my address and I needed it shipped to another address, they refused saying it could only be shipped to the address it was mailed from.

Long story short, I couldn't send it back. The asus reps fumble their way through with english and the repair people don't repair things. I sent a nasty e-mail to asus telling them I'd never buy their products again. I got an email back from them with the generic copy paste response of "Please contact tech support for any issues with your laptop".

Not worth the hassle considering I spend $2000 on the first laptop and $1200 on the second. You would expect better quality.

 

Which is pretty much exactly my point. As long as you don't ever need warranty work/support, ASUS is the way to go. I personally had a G751JT for a week - a fantastic machine.

If you ever do need warranty work done...well, good luck to you.

I personally have experienced Dell support, and it was pretty good. Remote diagnostic, and once they sent a tech to my house. Another time, I had to send the laptop in, but it was pretty quick.

 

I ordered the 17 model (16GB, GTX980M) with upgrade to 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD for $1709 pre-tax price, while the original price is $2199. So why choose clevo??

 

How? If I can duplicate it, ill cancel my current order and replace it with those specs.

 

Wait wait wait. Hold the phone. $1709 with the 980m?!?!?! I need to know exactly who with and how you ordered. My computer rocks but I would consider returning for that deal. Add in the true life and it is only 1859 plus tax so like 2K. I paid under 1630$ but I had to buy my SSD on my own and have the 970m

 

I'm not supporting AW this generation and even that has me intrigued >_>

 

He had a 17% off coupon.

 

Sounds hella sketchy. And I'm sure these mystery coupons you are selling aren't free. So add that cost to what he paid. Be nice to just give them away you know. Everything doesn't got to be a hustle.

 

You can get 17% off just by haggling with the salespeople without a coupon anyway.

 

Everyone that purchased one still saved hundreds ($300+). I negotiated $200 off and then used the coupon = $596 total savings.

It wouldn't be fair of me to give them out for free having already sold some. If not sold, they'll just expire.

 

Called dell back today, cancelled my first order (sorta its being shipped today so ill have to return it), Ordered new AW 17, 980m 16gb ram, touch screen, upgraded to window 8.1 pro, 128GB SSD with the 1TB 5400 HD, after threatening to hang up twice total price was 1805. (used military coupon code) Oh and ask about the 180 PSU, pointed out the threads on it, and was told the 240 PSU would ship with my machine.

 

This is an awesome deal! Congrats!

One quick question on the PSU: when you were told the 240 PSU would ship, is it a default equipment or we need to argue with the sales to replace the original 180 PSU with 240 PSU?

Thanks!

 

I had to argue pretty hard over the PSU, so I would assume you will have to as well.


Also confirmed 30 day return.

 

Got it. Thanks

 

I doubt they will ship you a different PSU just because you asked. None of the Alienware products even use more than 180W PSU anymore. It's more likely the sales representative told you what you wanted to hear to make a sale.

They come with a 180W PSU.

 

Oh trust me I have no expectations of it actually being shipped. Was just curious to see what would happen if it was brought up during the initial sales call.

There is evidence that the 180w PSU is causing throttling issues though, so if I don't receive it I'll just be calling back and deal with tech support.

 

Well I got envious of some of yall and some of the folks I read on other forums so I called back and discussed my order. I politely asked if they could give me the deal many people online have gotten. After waiting on hold for a few minutes, they dropped my computer to under 1600 w/tax included. That includes the touch true life upgrade, 16 gigs of memory, and the usb recovery. If I ordered online w/no bargaining it should've been $1984. So I got about 21% off total, and I didn't BUY a code from anyone that they got for free.

 

Nice deal, but most aren't as lucky. And you could have added 17% off on top of that with a coupon. 38% off sounds much nicer.

You seem angry that I am selling coupons. Why is that? They weren't free. I spent hours trying to get them. Do you consider hours at work free? Time is money. And I'm selling them very cheap. One member saved $580.30 because of my coupon alone, before any additional discounts. I'd say they're very satisfied.

EDIT: If I had to guess, I'd say you were initially upset about the fact that you couldn't get one of these coupons. Sorry you feel that way.

 

I believe this forum should be for people to shares stories and strategies for purchase. I believe it should be used to help each other tackle and troubleshoot problems. And I believe it should be used to discuss issues with products and give personal opinions. I do NOT think it should be used to get over on other members by selling free codes. You could just give the codes away to help other people get the best deal or close to what you got as possible. But you are an adult so you are free to do as you please.
Would I love a 17% off coupon? ABSOLUTELY. I would probably buy another Alienware for my college aged brother who needs a new system. But I wouldn’t buy a code for it. Especially if what you said is true; they expire if not used. That statement alone tells me you are primarily on this board to make money. You would rather let it expire than help someone in need of savings.
You have been on this board a lot longer than me and have a lot more posts, and I respect that. Hopefully you will change your mind at some point and just help people who could use the savings. Just saying how I feel.

 

I think we're getting way off topic.

 

We are all in everything for money or profit of some sort. Even those whom spend their days helping people on this forum are doing so for a form of "profit" - the satisfaction or reputation for doing so.

I would love to give them away, but I already sold some. It would be bad business and unfair to those whom already purchased one. It was quite risky for me to acquire so many, so I am selling them because of this. Even if I were to tell people how to get these coupons, you couldn't anyway. They are for IU students - a specific email type is required.

If you search for "mystery coupon" in the Alienware section, you will see that I do, in fact, give away dozens of coupons each year!

 

I told J.Dre how to get these it isnt at all fair for him to be selling them. LOL. I thought a little more highly of him, but this isnt very nice when I informed him of our university getting them. This is not right at all.

Using someone eles good will "me" for giving you this idea, for a profit, if quite frankly in bad taste.

The coupons are free... LOL all you have to do is be in one of the indiana university campuses.(or have accsess to an iu or iupui or ius email address) http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ware-17-r2-pricing-thread-post-your-deal.html post # 6 & # 10

 

If it really is that easy to get one selling seems kinda sketchy. But whatever. I already admitted I would love to get one. But I'm in ca. Hackintosh if you have more could I have one or if anyone has access to one that is available please direct message. Hopefully I can do something in return to make it worth your while that doesn't involve PayPal. And yea this is off topic so I'm sorry. I'm done.

 

So you're selling free coupons intended for students? Nice.

 

Unfortunately as J.Dre said in the post I linked the promotion did end Jan. 23. So I cannot get anymore. The coupons expire Feb. 5th I still have not decided if I'm going to use the one I have yet but unfortunately I only have one.

 

If anything changes please let me know.

 

I have a10% you can have of you want it. Won't work on existing orders but will on new orders.

 

Let's bring this thread back on topic, guys.
If you have anything personal to settle, take it to PM, please.

Thanks

 

I wrote a review on the Alienware 17 page informing Alienware of my disappointment with the new system. Compared to the R1, I don't see how this is an upgrade at all. Some aesthetics have changed and the graphics amplifier is now available, but that isn't much. Unfortunately, it has to be "approved" by Alienware.

I'm hoping that if we speak out about it, they will listen, eventually.

 

I'm only interested because they are thinner and (from what I've read) run cooler. It sucks it only comes with a 180w psu but I want the 970 anyway.

 

They are nice. No doubt about that. I can see how new customers (or people new to Alienware) would not be influenced by this. It's just us "veteran" Alienware owners that are disappointed by the changes. Unfortunately, the entire market is shifting toward soldered components - thinner and lighter - sacrificing component upgradeability. So, Alienware is still a good choice, considering that.

 

If I hadn't lost my job, I probably wouldn't be selling them. I saw an opportunity to make some extra money on the side and decided to go with it. Yes, this is definitely something I normally wouldn't do, considering I usually seek out coupon deals and help people get them (and spend hours doing so for nothing more than to just be nice) (e.g. http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ystery-coupons-valid-through-9-16-2014-a.html). I'm in a tight spot in "real life," so forgive me for trying to make the most of something.

P.S. I probably won't ever do this again. It is below me to do something like this, but I needed to this time. And I won't give them out for free because I've already sold some, and that just wouldn't be fair to those who have already purchased one. I am a reputable member and I'm not "overcharging" anyone for these coupons. So, at least it's safe and cheap.

 

Apology accepted. PM Sent.

 

If it comes down to really getting as much out of the system as you can over a long duration of time, just grab the amplifier and a GTX 970/980 in 6 months

 

The GA is out of the question for me. I truly need the mobility. I have no home monitor/desktop setup and don't see one in the foreseeable future. I mostly game at work (24 hour shifts get boring). Pretty sure the chief would lose his mind of I set up a permanent GA on my desk lol!

 

My problem is just that: Investing thousands into something with an expiration date. For example, if you were to purchase my Alienware 17 R1 and buy a GTX 980M, it would already be cheaper and still outperform the R2 in every aspect. It also has more RAM and SSD's than what you could get from Alienware right now. The R2 is not an upgrade to the R1. The R2 is more like the R1's evil twin brother with a Graphics Amplifier adapter sticking out of his butt.

The only things I like about the AW 17 R2: The extra macro keys, the IPS panel, and the AlienHead power button (nostalgic feeling of the good ol' days). Everything else just seems wrong, like something just doesn't fit or make sense. The 180W PSU? Seriously?