People say Alienware comptuers suck

Now I have an Alienware M17x and whenever I go to a forum of a game to help trouble shoot my computer and say that I have an M17x they always say it's a waste of money, is this true or are they just jealous? I'm just curious.

 

Some are envious and others are just apple fanboys Seriously it depends on whom you talk with. I have had four Alienware laptops and enjoyed them all very much. A small minority have had bad experiences with Alienware. For the most part I believe that Alienware computers are excellent and top of the line for gaming. However you do pay for the excellence

 

mk thanks a lot. And thanks for your quick reply.

 

there are alot of jalous out there they keep trying to say get a desktop bla bla bla bla but they don't understand that we get laptop for a reason

 

IMHO, Alienware laptops are top of the line (cost speaks for itself) and the best for gaming. Majority of games support Alienware and even say so on the box or in game and if I'm not mistaken, Alienware PC's use top of the line components such as RGB LED, Dual GFX, Extreme CPU's, and one of the best cooling systems found in a notebook PC just to ensure that you enjoy the best gaming experience. Those that say otherwise either can't afford one or are either jealous or envious or apple/clevo/sager/fanboys.

I have had the pleasure of using both the R1 and R2 and I have to say that these are the best gaming laptops barnone! Also, you can test your rig by using one of the many benchmarking programs out there such as 3D Mark Vantage or 3D Mark 06 to give you a indepth look at what your system is capable of as well as comparing to other systems!

just my 2 cents

 

The m17x is one of the best laptops I have ever owned Period.

 

Whenever someone says this I wonder "what do you think is better?". There are always thing to complain about, but AW usually makes the best sorts of compromises. What AW always needs to remember is that a premium product needs to work perfectly, to keep its reputation.

But AW is a top notch item, for which you pay, but which you can enjoy.

 

Their desktops are overpriced for what you get. But their laptops are awesome and use the high end of laptop components and still manage to look sexy

 

Its just ego kicking in!

 

YouTube - ASUS Vs. Alienware
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOJt8V0bpr0&feature=related
I love this comparison.

 

I had some bad experience with my M17x, but guess what ? All those problemas has being treated by Dell, other people which never had any issue with their machines just love it, in fact, i do love my machine, this is the best laptop ever made for me . .

 

its funny to read the comments from the video that Mkelliny posted. you can see how out of touch with reality most people are, and they tend to gravitate towards clever marketing like fly's to well you know....

 

I think most the hate comes from people that don't like to pay the premium for an Alienware product. Sure, it is a good product, but it is also highly priced.

 

AFAIK There's only a handful of CrossfireX laptops out there right now - Alienware is the only one that looks good at the same time.

You can't compare a single-GPU laptop with a multi-GPU laptop, ever.

When comparing the price of my Alienware to the price of a Sager, the price was close. The design of the M17x was what did it for me. So, no, Alienware computers are not overpriced for their class range.

Their desktops aren't overpriced either assuming you order by phone or email.

 

I personally can careless about what other says as long as I'm happy with it, and I'm very happy with both of my systems.

 

I post over @ eocf all the time without much trouble, granted I've been there a lot longer than nbr, but the question as to whether it was a wise investment only came up once, and that's because I made a thread to show it off in a forum full of desktop overclockers. typically the people that mention it are one or multiple of the following
1) < 12 years old
2) are just absolute idiots that spend all day trolling forums on their $800 self-built desktop
3) have a g73
4) have no idea how it feels like to have free nbd replacement parts or in-home service calls

I spent the previous 5 years in various home made desktops and I honestly don't miss the lack of customer service if my mainboard decided to not post all of sudden

 

I have an outstanding DIY desktop as well as this beautiful laptop. Whenever someone tries to tell me how I made a stupid choice getting an Alienware....I put them in their place and make them feel stupid. I have gotten good at this. I have done the barebone laptop thing, and frankly, ended up selling and getting the Alienware because I wanted a complete package with customer service included.

Give the comments section here a read to see how I like to handle people that tell me I am stupid. Joker5150 also joined in the fun.

Alienware's M17x: Mobility Radeon HD 5870 CrossFire Is A Go : Better, Stronger, Faster?

I will always be the first to call out someone bashing DTR laptops or Alienwares because it is often ignorance or envy, neither of which can be tolerated!

 

you know what you say to people who say alienware M17x is overpriced? Can you pull 18k in vantage on your laptop? Yea I didn't think so.

 

True that haha. Most of the "bashers" cannot even do it on their desktops actually lol

 

Alienware computers are excellent, but personally I would never buy one.

IMO, I don't care much for the lights and the looks very much so I really don't want to pay a premium for something I don't want.

Also, when you compare Alienware computers to that of Sager computers you tend to see a pretty big price gap that looks like this:

Alienware M17x
Software & Services
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Intel® Core™ i7 940XM Quad Core Processor, 2.13GHz (3.33GHz Turbo Mode, 8M Cache)
CrossfireX™ 1GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon™ Mobility HD 5870
17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED (1200p)
8GB Dual Channel Memory (2x 4GB DDR3)
500GB 7,200RPM SATA-II HDD
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Intel® Ultimate N WiFi Link 6300 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO Technology
Personalize
1 Year Basic Service Plan
My Software & Accessories
Lunar Silver - Anodized Aluminum
Quasar Blue
Steam and Portal™ Factory Installed
My Accessories
Also Includes
Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
Internal Wireless Bluetooth® 2.1 with EDR
Automatic Updates: On
Standard Nameplate
240 watt Adapter
Total: $4,159.00

and this

Sager NP8120
- Student Promotions! Ask us about our Cash Discounts or FREE Promotional Items & Accessory Bundles for Students - Up to 50% OFF! - Student Verification Required for Promotion
- 18.4" FHD WUXGA Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Dual Lamp Screen (1920x1080)
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- Intel® Core™ i7-940XM Extreme, 2.13-3.33GHz, (45nm, 8MB L3 cache)
- - IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
- CrossFire Dual 1024MB ATi HD 5870's (2048MB Total) w/GDDR5 DX11 Video Cards (User Upgradeable)
- No Video Adapter
- ~ 8,192MB DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS)
- Standard Finish
- ~ 6X Blue-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
- ~ 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)-
- ~ 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)-
- None Standard -
- HDD Raid Settings - OFF
- No Back Up Hard Drive
- No Back Up Software
- No Floppy Drive
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Intel® Ultimate-N 6300 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
- No Network Accessory
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- No TV Tuner
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (12 Cell)
- None Standard*
- No Dock/Hub/Adapter
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- No External Keyboard or Mouse
- No Notebook Cooler
- ~Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
- No Office Software
- No Software Bundle
- 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime -24/7 DOMESTIC Based- Toll Free Telephone Tech Support (Labor Warranty through Xotic PC)
Includes FREE Shipping Both Ways for Warranty Repairs
- No Xotic PC Gear
Price: $3,249.00

The specs are roughly the same except the alienware has higher res. Still you could bump up the Sager's warranty (costs an additional $349) to 3 yrs labor/tech support/accident etc. and it'll still cost less than the Alienware.

At this point it just comes down to the lights and the looks of the Alienware.

Alienware products possess very unique and powerful casings and features; however, I digress from this area because after a certain time period I begin to perceive the lights and casing as commonplace, and I'm then left with an overpriced Sager.

So to OPs question: In relativity to other high-end laptops, Alienware laptops do NOT suck; however, there is a premium to be payed for one and that very premium is what steers many away from purchasing an Alienware.

However, if they say Alienware laptops suck "just because" then they're just being dogmatic and ignorant and if that's the case then just ignore them.

 

You forgot the build quality, RGBLED screen, and next day service.

But of course those don't mean much.

 

The screen was implied when I mentioned the "res", the build quality of a Sager is very solid and is similar to the M17x if not better.

However, Alienware does have the next day service advantage.

 

So gamut can be measured in pixels?

 

Sager build quality is not anywhere near as solid.

P.S. Crossfire doesn't work properly (they get jittering screens) with the Sager 8120 that you quoted. Clevo has yet to fix it. So you'd be paying $3k for a half assed system.

 

Both the Sager and the Alienware come from the same ODM, which is Clevo. And because of that the build quality of both laptops is very similar. The 5870s in CF have some problems, but Clevo should hopefully fix them up soon. But honestly I'm waiting for the 470m to come out on the Sager/Alienware/Asus laptops since the G73's driver problems practically castrated the 5870.

 

lol, thanks for the laugh scook XD

 

I thought that alienware (the current models, after the acquisition from dell) makes their own mobos, before the acquisition (older m15x and previous models) they were clevo.

Another thing is that i know sager (or other brands if im incorrect) sells some laptops with pc desktop parts, but you are exposed to overheat problems.

For me, a good laptop must have this: good ventilation, construction quality (chassis), and warranty. You can see the G73 full of problems (most of the problems with the asus are the heat, they have very good specs but their ventilation is bad totally in general), and you have to bring the laptop to a service center (not to forget mention, a few weeks or days to wait the repair).

You used to have a laptop with very good components, but for what works if they cant manage it very well? I had a macbook pro before my M15x (2009 model with C2D 2.53ghz and 9400M) and was a frying pan even with simple tasks like internet browsing and msn, or after a few minutes from use (70-80c idle).

 

The alienware laptops right now are made by Flextronics, not Clevo. In the past Alienware (before dell) used Clevo, Quanta, Flextronics, and probably other ODMs (although I only know of Compal being left haha)

Clevo makes nice laptops, but they do not make good looking laptops

 

But they come with very good cooling systems, so don't worry about overheating.

 

Maybe it's because I'm not much of a debater but when people tell me my Alienware is overpriced or whatnot, I let them say their two cents and smile to myself about how this was worth every penny.

I would never buy any other laptop; Nothing looks as good as an Alienware.

 

Gents - I'm currently shopping around for a DTR, and the Alienware M17x is obviously a possibility. However I've basically ruled it out for one reason: fan noise. This video, in particular is what put me off - to my ears that noise is just too loud. However I'm unsure if this is just an end-member case that, for all intents and purposes, you won't encounter during normal operations. In a nutshell, my question is: just how loud does this baby get when: (a) at idle; (b) under normal ops (i.e. web surfing etc); and (c) when gaming?

Cheers.

 

Under idle and normal ops, it is pretty much silent. It will get louder during games, but so do ALL laptops. Fortunately, the sounds of the game easily overcome/distract you from it. I also can recommend the use of headphones, then it is a moot point.

 

scook - when you say loud, is it as loud as the video? I appreciate that headphones would solve the issue, but actually I'm more worried about the other people in the room...

 

It does get loud, it is hard to say how much of that was due to the camera microphone picking up that particular sound frequency, but it is kind of loud. That was also running FurMark though......nothing can make your computer run louder than that. No game will make the gpus as hot as that program does

 

scook - thanks for the replies. Do you know how much of a difference the cooling mod makes to the noise?

 

It makes a huge difference because the fans speeds are tied to the gpu temps. Dropping the temps 20 degrees will just about guarantee that the fans never need to kick in. Ashtefere is one of the main sources for this - he has a thread he made all about it.

 

That is an abnormally high sound frequency, but that's not what they really sound like. Yes, the fans do kick in when you run more intensive programs, but that's the case with pretty much every high-end laptop.

Don't expect a Lamborghini to run quietly.

 

People who say m17x sucks based on the price are being idiotic. Good things cost money. agreed m17x had/has problems SO DOES every other laptop. I have yet to find anything wrong with mine(though i had it only for 2 weeks). Ofcourse any laptop these days can play most of the games in low-medium or medium-high settings but only high end laptops can play everything at max.. hell i play crysis at enthusiast level its like saying I can drive any car but will it be same as driving a Ferrari?? same difference here. about the fan noise..well it never bothered me. its really not that loud.. my vaio z used to be much louder. People who complain about the price either spend that money on some other hobby or they have nothing to spend but given a chance would prefer the best. WE WANTED THE BEST AND WE HAVE IT.

 

Wrong! Alienware notebooks are designed by Dell and built by Flextronics. Clevo has nothing to do with Alienware.

 

Did you do the mod? If so what where the results?

 

I thought they used to...didn't they?


Wait you're selling your m17x!?!?

 

They USED to be Clevo. A long time ago though (like 2006) (M7700 and older)

Most recently they have only been Quanta (Area-51 m15x and m17x) and Flextronics (M9700,M9750,M17, M17x, M11x, M15x)

 

I think they are awsome...Lots of people on the forum love HP, I personaly hat HP i think their screens suck ....But that is my opinion.....Most people who hate Alienware do it on THIER opinion, no real evidence

 

Joker I always admire the patience you have with complete noobs that don't even bother to research before writing stuff on post.

Now back to the OP, first the Alienware system's build quality is worth the premium alone. I've had both, I know. One is plastic and not great to the touch (Clevo), the other is made of metal and amazingly solid and well finished (AW). If you don't believe me go to your local Best Buy, they carry both the Asus and the M15X which is close enough to the M17X for your to compare. On top of build quality, the Asus is really bulky in the back and looks bad in real life...

Second, the warranty. You have an issue with your Alienware, the next day someone is at your house fixing it. You have a clevo through Sager or Asus you have to return the PC to them and wait until it comes back. Again the premium is well worth it.

Third, the RGB LED screen without even mentioning the higher resolution is well worth the premium...

Well, now that I think about it it's actually not a premium it's just that clevo, sager, asus all play in a different league. You are comparing high school football (sager, clevo, asus) with NFL (Alienware).............

 

Scook Did you do the cooling mod? and if so How where the results?

 

Waiting on thermal pad to get here then I am doing it. I am optimistic though

I think I am going to be winding down with the benching so this will just be too benefit the general use of the laptop

 

Right.... cause me not knowing that Alienware computers come from Flextronics makes me a "complete noob". You claim that the Asus looks bad in real life which is a completely subjective claim that cannot be backed. Also, did you look at the customization I just made on this thread? The Sager comes with 5870s in CF while the Alienware only has a single 5870.

The premium payed is huge in this case.. Sager: $3,249.00 with TWO 5870s.
Alienware: $4,159.00 with ONE 5870. You're paying an additional $910 for one less graphics card, a better screen, a stronger case, additional lighting, and next day service. You claimed that the RGB Led is worth the premium.. in this case $910.00..

How are Sager/Clevo and Alienware in two different leagues? Sager has been been working in the high-end industry much longer than Alienware has.. On paper the Sager I customized is better than the Alienware in terms of gaming.

http://www.clevo.com.tw/en/about/milestone.asp

If someone doesn't know something you shouldn't insult them rather you should correct them (which Joker did in this case and I appreciate that).

 

I miss my M17x. I had lots of challenges with it, but it was a sweet computer.

 

First of all noob is not an insult, second of all that is what you are as in your system comparison you write for the M17X "crossfire 5870". Crossfire is a dual card system by definition.

I am sorry to say but correcting you on something you should know if you want to make a point is beyond anything imaginable and the reason I am stressed about this is simply because you put wrongful information on the internet that may negatively influence people that have no knowledge of computers.

So again... The M17X AS DESCRIBED in your post HAS DUAL CARDS (Crossfire...)

The $910.00 for the screen, the metal casing and the 3 years at home next day warranty is absolutely worth it, no questions asked... Think about it. What is your cost of not having a PC for 15 days if something goes wrong???

 

I think people bashing others peoples equipment is frigin rude. There obviously trolling hard core. Iv argued to exaustion about gaming on laptops vs desktops. I think most of the people described that bash alienware are compleate desktop nut fonboy/girl. Seems when ever the subject about gaming on laptop comes up anywhere on the internet the stank literlly hits the fan and alienware literlly takes all the abuse from the start because there the most known gaming mobile device. I litteraly find ways to attack aragont egotistical phycos that are so rampart in todays world. These people are fed a line of BS then take it out on everyone that gets in there path, there like dilusional mind washed zombies. heh lol! Iv plenty more but I used to run into this kinda crap all the time, literaly every day. When I started bashing back tho it seemed to stop. heh