Definitive answer: Orion or Vindicator?

My backpack used to be just fine when I bought it for the M17x R3, but my M18x is too big and it's starting to rip. I am considering either the Orion or the Vindicator. From what I gather, it appears the Orion was a better quality bag? Anybody care to share their input?

 

Yes, I have both. Both are very nice and well made, but the Orion M18x backpack is much better. It's built better, but more than that, the Orion design is substantially better than the Vindicator. There are several things about the interior design of the Vindicator that leave something to be desired. It's more like a generic consumer gamer-boy backpack with a fancy-looking silhouette and Alienware logos. Too many useless little gadget pockets that don't get used, but not enough room for big stuff. The Orion has a higher capacity (roomier interior), is TSA-friendly (Vindicator is not). Overall, the Orion better reflects famous legacy Alienware quality and the sort of thoughtful product design we used to take for granted and no longer seem to find.

 

Then the Orion it will be for me.

 

Dont add too much weight...i lugged around a hi dollar slr camera and other items and it pretty much just tore apart. But for the laptop and charger and stuff it would be great

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The only thing I would be adding with the M18x would be a notebook and maybe 1-2 MCAT books

 

Hmm, my Orion backpack is several years old and I haul tons of heavy stuff in it, including my dual AC adapter setup, camera, power strip, box with about 20 optical discs, an external optical drive, Mag Light and computer tool kit, etc. It has held up well to a crazy business travel itinerary. I doubt the Vindicator would endure what the Orion has. If I am not mistaken, it has a lifetime warranty and if the stitching is coming loose you can probably get it fixed or replaced under warranty.

 

Did not know about the lifetime warranty thing, that is nice to know! Although Dell would probably replace it with the lower class Vindicator

 

This is a branded merchandise item, not a Dell/Alienware product. The warranty is from the manufacturer, MobileEDGE, not Dell/Alienware. Here is a link to it: http://www.mobileedge.com/warranty-returns/

I cannot find any kind of labels inside the Vindicator. I don't know if it is from MobileEDGE or another vendor. Will have to look online to find out who makes it.

Both are made by MobileEDGE. Both have the same warranty. http://www.dell.com/content/product...r_backpack?c=us&l=en&cs=19&s=dhs&sku=A6897217

Both are really nice products, and both are made well. It's just that the Orion is better and more capacity, and TSA-Friendly design. If you look in the M18x backpack thread you will find where I have posted photos of both backpacks more than once. Here is a link: http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...-would-fit-the-alienware-m18xr1-r2-18.574543/ (which has my photos of both backpacks as well as of boattrash9's worn out or un-stitched Orion).

Everki Beacon is also a good option.

 

I have the vindicator briefcase. I like it and it seems well made. May not hold up like the Orion does based on what Mr. Fox has said. I did think it was TSA friendly though like the Orion. Sounds like it's not. Good thing I didn't try to take it on vacation a few months ago. That would have set me off.

 

i like vindicator much more, well it depends on personal taste

wow you still using optical discs? how surprised @@

 

Like brother Fox I have both bags. I tell to like the Orion a little better. I personally haven't had a issue with any of them tearing or ripping. The Orion open flat making it a little easier to put the big beast in and out. Plus I like my digital camoflauge version lol

 

Hey!! I still like to use and buy discs too. Especially for games, can't stand when it's digital only. I like to own what I buy. In addition to that, with the move to all digital content, there will be no more used market, no more collections or collectors anywhere, and it will be a lot harder to preserve history.

 

you got your point, but with newer games, like GTA V, physical copy only served as pre-load data, you still have to active your account and load everything to your HDD, so no re-selling. IMO, i like steam store than tons of physical disc

 

These are mostly bootable software that are for repairs and diagnostics, a few archived applications that I don't want to waste flash drive space on, or OS and application reinstallation purposes... plus about a half dozen blank DVD/BD discs being handy "just in case" I might need them in a pinch.

But, yeah... I don't use optical disks for hardly anything any more. I more or less hate them for most things, especially movies and music, and frequently accessed files. For archival purposes, I still think they are great. I especially like BluRay because of the capacity. I don't have to worry about accidentally erasing them. USB flash drives are much better for volatile storage or frequently accessed files. I prefer having an external ODD and using the internal space for an additional HDD/SSD, since I so seldom need to use an ODD. I keep these things in the backpack because (a) I have to store them somewhere, and (b) Murphy's Law... if and when I do need them, it will most likely happen to be when they are left at home and I am on the road.

I feel the same. In fact, I refuse to purchase any games that are not digital distribution. I spent years wading through "shark" (malware) infested web sites searching out NOCD/NODVD hacks and "Trainer" files to I could leave my purchased discs in the box on a shelf. Having to feed discs into a ODD to play games sucks in my opinion. Everything I have purchased for several years now has been Steam, Origin or Uplay (in that order of preference) by design. I never want to go back to games on ODD. Being able to buy the game once and use my libraries on all of my computers, avoiding DRM filth, etc. are compelling reasons to avoid physical media distribution.

 

Yeah, I'm a clinger. Slow to move on to digital only. But I have made progress. I am finally embracing digital movies and not buying DVDs. Music and gaming not so much yet. Still buy a physical copy when possible. But admitting it is the first step. I'm on my way.

 

I've abandoned optical media ALMOST entirely. All my movies..and...music.....are digital. x264/H.264 helped make that possible. HEVC/H.265 is going to be incredible when it gets embraced. I encourage you all to read up on it. Supposedly 1080P movies that typically needed 8-10KBPS to maintain true 1080P quality can be compressed to 2-5KBPS while maintaining that same quality thanks to the new algorithm. however, it is VERY taxing on the CPU.

Back on topic. The only thing i use my optical drive for is burning music CDs for the car or backing up important documents/files to non-volatile media. Sickens me how its not even an option anymore on the A17 R2 or any of the other new lineup, considering how chunky they are.

 

I buy games on disc only, hate being tied to digital. What happens when your account gets hacked, you loose everything.
Same thing with photoshop. I've bought and owned photoshop since 1988. Adobe will never get another dime since its cloud based only now. My last version I'll ever own is cs6.. I've moved my workflow over to other applications now for photo editing and will just use cs6 till I can't use it anymore..