Alienware Response To 'Blade'?

with today's reveal of the forthcoming ' blade', do you think alienware would (or should) design & fabricate a balanced/thin competitor for relative newcomer (at least in regards to laptops) razer? perhaps this is the direction M17x 'R4' will ultimately take?

 

I think the response from most manufacturers to the Blade will be this:

It's overpriced and underpowered.

 

a more 'affordable' pricepoint is something a larger manufacturer (ie: dell/alienware) could offer...

 

You can find those specs in the M14x lol.

I love the trackpad on the right and the fact that the keyboard is supposed to be "anti-ghosting-effect".
I personally think they are up to something, it will definitely sell as people love new concepts, but we'll see.

EDIT: 2.800$ ??! i'll just keep liking Razer for (just some of) their accesories.

 

In terms of it being underpowered, I don't really think it is.They're not trying for maximum power, apparently they're trying to go for actual "laptop", not DTR (which AW has been doing), so you gotta hand it to them it is pretty powerful for such a thin and small device. Even the M14x isn't as thin (though it does have a more powerful cpu).

 

Im concerned about the cooling in such a thin device.

 

That's right but they might even underclock both the CPU and GPU so only the names will remain and no het problems

 

You took the words right out of my mouth!

 

I'm quite impressed with the concept of portability and true gaming performance. But... this is truly a first of its kind, there will be issues with it.

Not really liking the LCD trackpad, I wouldnt want to keep looking down at my keyboard but the biggest problem... No numpad? I'm left handed and the numpad is my 'wasd', I can't game without it!

As a company who's founder is left handed and who have developed products for left handers (i.e the Left handed Deathadder mouse I'm using now) I thought they would take that into account.

 

it wouldn't have been as big of a fail if it was a 13-14" instead of a 17".

 

Except if it won't play games at reasonable detail levels and fluid framerates (which it won't), then they completely failed at what they were trying to do, and assigned it an absurd price point.

 

Wat happened to that small one they were going to release before with all those hotkey buttons for all those games? The one that looked like Nintendo DS or something?

 

apparently it was morphed into the blade's slick trackpad ui...

 

This is seriously great stuff, such innovation. At the cheap starting price point of only $2.800, I think I will have 5 of them.

 

Alienware could slim down but it would look like a XPS 17.

Almost the same specs. GPU is different. Both 2 HDD bays, 4 memory slots, same CPU's, etc, etc.

 

I doubt there will be thin Alienware notbooks anytime soon, I'm expecting the 2012 Ivy Bridge generation to be the same M14/M17/M18 designs as they were just recently launched. Maybe the M14 R3/ M17R5 / M18R3 will get new slightly thinner bases in 2013.

Dell already has the 15z for an ultra-thin laptop. It's not gaming spec, but it is decent for ~$1000. The XPS 17 counters the Blade at less than half the price.

 

The XPS has GDDR3 memory VS GDDR5 memory. So the GPU is better then in the XPS.

 

Razer Blade: hands-on with 17 inches of gaming greatness -- Engadget

Looks amazing so far!

 

Really.......1 thread below this one.....

 

It looks lovely

But it only have a NVIDIA GT 555M... mmmm
http://www.geforce.com/Hardware/GPUs/geforce-gt-555m/performance

 

GDDR5 instead of GDDR3 in the M14x.

 

HHHhhhhhhmmmm..and I love Razer. Have to keep an eye out on the Q4..

 

If it's anything like the Macbook's it endeavors to copy...then it will set desks on fire and melt itself into oblivion if it ever actually comes close to using it's power.

 

Maybe in a couple years we'll be able to pick them up for the same price as an HP Touchpad after Razer realizes that only 1% of their inventory got sold

 

No optical drive, weak GPU, interesting idea for the trackpad though. Worth $2800? lollercaust.

 

Not only does it have a weak GPU, I saw some where stating that it will only have a Dual Core too. I need my unoptimised sad excuses for a ports to work well so that's another no go.

 

I think it is targeted toward people who are looking for a laptop capable of playing games; while aw is aiming for people who want to play those games on a laptop at max settings. I think it is no real threat to alienware.

 

Here is the link to the Tech Spec: Razor Blade Tech Spec

The first time I read the tech spec, I see the laptop is like a hybrid of both M14x and M17x, and the spec is nearly same as M14x, yet the price is cheaper for AW, so I dont think it will beat Alienware atm, but it is a considerable if it can run Mac and Mac gamer might consider this laptop lol, since its design look nearly like MBP as well.

I dont know what you guy think but to me I think my M14x will beat this laptop in term of performance and price.

 

The biggest issue that I have with this laptop are that modder-gamers won't have an easy time to upgrade this unit, although I got other concerns.

-battery compartment is non-serviceable
-no Expresscard for ease of egpu
-HDD access is not friendly. (looks like a Hitachi 7mm drive at 7200rpm)
-17" form factor is really questionable in portability.
-ongoing software support for the OLED keys, although Razer does programmable keys fairly well.
-durability. Razer has raised past concerns with the construction of their gaming peripheral.
-price. As said above by numerous posters, this cost is exuberant. I would say otherwise if Razer implements sata/msata SSD at 500GB+ capacity.
-performance, which also has been discussed. This price is only justifiable if the machine is in SLI mode with 2x 555m at least.




I think for a company such as Alienware (or anyone else), the response should be out-doing Razer in class by:

-1 inch thick 17" ultrathin laptop using multiple msata for OS drive and storage, configurable to RAID.
-AFFS/IPS panel display, optional Wacom digitizer and multitouch convertible config, ratio 16:10.
-6-cell replaceable battery with optional slice battery.
-SLI 555m video cards on MXM slots with CUDA support, with ability to totally disable the discrete cards for endurance.
-give it expresscard and light peak connectivity.
-keep it closer to <$2500.

 

O RLY saw $2.800 and was thinking everyone was talking about $3

 

128bit GDDR5 vs 192bit DDR3

So it's only got 33% extra bandwidth.

Also they are likely using the smaller chip with only 96 shaders and 4 ROPs vs the 144 and 24 on the 192bit DDR3 version.

So on the whole I expect it to be a bit slower.

 

Okay...lets get this clear

PROS FOR THE BLADE

1.Its finally possible that a gaming laptop be less than an inch and weighs less than 7 pounds...GOOD STUFF!
2.Matte screen is a nice finish for on the go gamers...
3.New approach to gaming...the new UI might make a difference

CONS

1.You can get a NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M in the refreshed XPS 17...for FAR less than their $2800 pricetag...im not saying that the 555 is bad GPU...but they're faster GPU's on the market right now.
2.Yes the track pad is a nice touch..BUT can you imagine what it will look like after 3 months??even after cleaning it...the scratches from your nails..the repeated blows from your fingers...
3.CAN YOU IMAGINE THE HEAT it will be producing unless theyre made some amazing cooling system that the m17x doesn't have??!!!we can only know when its put under a stress test...
4.YES its nice and thin...but it looks like they're copying apple apart from the keyboard..

My conclusion to this...its not worth the money IF your a HARDCORE gamer...this is a laptop for LIGHT gamers man..you can have the fastest processor in the world but you need a GRIM GPU to abuse that CPU power...say the AMD Raedon HD 6990M Crossfire or the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M SLI...

to be honest..one of the main reason why alienware laptops are a bit thick is because of the COOLING SYSTEM..try fitting two graphic cards into a laptop less than an inch and run without heating up like a frigging kettle...NOW THAT'S INNOVATION...

At least now alienware has to prove that the can make a slimmer m17x or m18x which will not be weak or burn up like an oven...and show them whos daddy!!!

until they can shove a really powerful graphics card into that "blade" laptop...il stick to alienware!!!

#endofstory

 

the track pad will be fine IF it's glass. If Razer cheaps out (which they probably will) then the plastic crap will get scratched and beat to hell. However for $2800 they'd be best off using Gorilla Glass and calling it a day.

 

If they go with 560m and SSD instead, that would really get me interested in this. At this price point, it's too expensive.

 

yup, size does matter in the matter of fact......

it's the only threat for macbook user.....

 

That looks pretty portable and lightweight. I agree, it might be a threat for a mac user though. I do like the mouse/screen idea, though not sure about the placement. Would be difficult for left handers.

 

Alienware Response To 'Blade'?

Rib cracking laughter probably....

 

Dear Razer,

Chiclet keyboards are awful.

Thank you.

 

lol, I knew those looked familiar!

 

I prefer chiclet keyboards.... to each their own, I suppose.

 

I had to rub my eyes to make sure I wasn't looking at a HP Envy, and yes chiclet keys are just bad in general.

I do agree however that AW should make a far more casual gamer option for the 17' range (yes I mean even slimmer and lighter then the M17xr3 already is). The M18x has become my desktop for all intents and purposes but for whatever reason I don't really dig the M14x and its size, wish I could buy a very slim 17' or a slim 15' to complement it instead.

 

Razer Blade - The World's First True Gaming Laptop | Razer™ | For Gamers. By Gamers.™

Click the above and wish away if you have not already seen it LOL....I think it most likely this will be my next machine. Sick and tired of the Macbook Pro 2011 weakness the OS is not all that and bootcamping to windows is also a nonsense, Apple fans can say what they like, Macs are weak well at least for me, whilst Alienware well have that too and portability was always a huge issue as well as battery life....this is why some of us have two machines trying to have the best of both worlds and NOW ......BOOM..(link above) now imagine if they did a Nebula Red in that etc and had multi colours on the Keyboard....PERFECT. I Luuuuuurv the LCD Colour Display (Glass Touch) mouse and user config Colour LCD macro buttons.... being a bit of a geek, this machine is seriously NICE... hope it delivers...

Freestylaruk

 

Personally think Razor hit nail on head, maybe not hard enough yet, have good opportunity to do that later only hope they dont do it the AW method ;-) trail, test it (for hours properly with real gamers) and send out working machines for some of us first takers PLEASE.. would be appreciated, but they have hit the nail hard enough to get some attention, they have mine at least.

Looks nice (better than MBP) even if its similar, am no fan of anything, just like stuff that looks & works & well longterm, cant say will perform bad at first glance, nearly went for a new Alienware laptop, but not happening now...would like to give this a chance instead just like I did with the new M17X when first saw it.

Need to wait for full specs & options to see offer on formal release, yep pricey but so was the new M17X being around £4k+ fully loaded but there was a history, RB need a history, drop the price HINT HINT as it seems to be a bigger concern than anything else with a few, need to build some reputation first. If they play cards right could easily take a fair share of not just Mac but also AW consumers to be, but done sensibly and products got to deliver.

it seems Razor are aiming for the middle to upper ground and in truth even if it does not grab the ultimate FPS (have both extremes), this could easily become the most used machine I get my hands on. Dont forget even the best human eye cannot tell the difference past a fluid 25-30FPS... cannot see the RB getting worse...only better with time if this is first attempt and no matter how many want to knock it...yes mouse LCD pad could be better placed (personally use a gaming mouse anyway so not really bothered) and maybe a number pad added, I still think it looks and sounds good enough to go for.

I feel a little like I felt, when I first laid eyes on the New M17x. Was one of the first lucky 10 or so to get a fully loaded one in the UK but it eventually went back, was rubbish!, then waited until a few MAJOR problems were ironed out and settled with a fully loaded M17X R2 and paid less for it, which turned out a superb machine and still going strong today, but that first experience was a BAD one and one that cannot be forgotten.

Razor.. if you chaps read this, last paragraph, last sentence........ All for it so far... else its coming straight back at ya ;-), cant be fairer than that.

Freestylaruk

 

I am interested to see how this will play out with the official release. It looks pretty neat, but I have my doubts.

 

It looks nice, but I fear the GPU's underpowered for decent framerates on new and upcoming games on a full HD screen.

 

I find the Blade, as it is now, somewhat underwhelming and lackluster.

In terms of power it's about equivalent to an m14x with the GT555m, and even then it'll most likely seem weaker since it has to output to a 1080p screen. With the form factor it has, not only will heat likely be an issue, but everything is likely to be integrated, meaning no graphics upgrades.

The screen-touchpad is a novel idea, but...does anyone seriously play games with a touchpad (by preference, over a mouse)? I don't see the macro row being useful in anything other than MMO. Shifting interfaces or map view to the smaller screen I could get on board with...but again, only for MMO and maybe RTS, seeing as taking your eyes off the main screen in FPS is rarely ever a good idea.

Next, the price. Lots of it is probably due to the custom built screen-touchpad and the metal casing. For that price, though? I expect a hell of a lot more storage space than 320GB, or at least an SSD of about that size. And a card more powerful than a GT555m.

Lastly, the mac-themed design. I don't like it. I'll probably catch some disagreement over this, but it's a gaming laptop...and costs that much...I'd personally want it to be a little more aggressively styled, a few more hard angles and strong outlines rather than rounded corners. And chiclet keyboards. I cannot stand them. Why people find it such a good idea to have a thin grid separating each key I do not know. That, and the keys themselves which offer absolutely no contouring. Also, that awful crime against the arrow keys where they squash the up and down arrows into the space of one key.

 

It's underpowered for newer games (especially for something labeled as a gaming computer) and it's overpriced (chief complaint about PC gaming).

I fail to see what nail they hit on the head. Except, of course, for the fail nail.

 

For the money I think the Razer Blade is one of the most laughable laptop devices I've ever seen, especially given it's intended market.

It's deemed the world's first gaming laptop or one that is truly portable, yet it's an unbalanced marriage of middling and mediocre hardware specifications tied to a rather unwieldy and large chassis. I wouldn't want something that big whilst travelling, personally.

Is a 17" really that portable anyway? For me it isn't. Just too big, furthermore... Is a machine with a paltry two hours of battery life, for gaming, really that 'portable'?

This machine suffers the same issues that the much maligned DTR replacements face, namely power consumption issues and also being rather large, so Razer's PR lambasts current laptops for not being innovative enough yet their effort suffers from the same pitfalls. Other than a dubious replacement for the numberpad what is it offering that's really new? The design reminds me of HP's Envy line which for the first generation were notorious for overheating.

I'd be more forgiving of these issues were it not for the agressive and plain nonsense marketing and exorbitant price point, Alienware seems reasonable by comparison and I never ever thought that I would one day contemplate an Alienware actually being considerably more value for money over a competitor!
In the current economic climate a machine like this just strikes me as plain mad, especially for a company with next to no experience in developing PC systems.
Is a much vaunted $3000 laptop going to save PC gaming? No. Actually, given the hype I was expecting an affordable yet somewhat capable PC gaming machine, instead I hear of a somewhat capable PC gaming machine that has a price tag that is (and Alienware would be proud!) 'out of this world'.
A $3000 PC and they are showing off League of Legends on it, bonkers.

EDIT:- That said, it does look swish.

 

Amen to that.

 

People: to clarify the reason behind chiclet keyboard:

Apple uses chiclet keyboard because it is proven to be easier for users with long nails. Hence by separating each keys with small gap, the nails will not be pressing on keys the user did not intend.

It 100% makes sense for Macs because many many women, ladies who just do normal websurfing use it and therefore also many people with long nails.

HOWEVER, it does not make any sense for a gaming laptop... Can you imagine a really hot girl with really long nails, perhaps also manicured in red, opening these up to play starcraft of Call of Duty?

No. I do not think so.

At this point, obviously Razor followed apple's design without questioning the functionality. Although, for users with NO long nails wont find it technically any harder to use, it just shows how unoriginal they are.

I agree with all of the comments about the underpowered GPU. The gpu might handle MW3 and Battlefield 3 in 1080p Max setting with around 25-30fps which is playable, but the games of next generation about these games (around when Ivy bridge is around the corner), the users will DEFINITELY have to compromise 1080p OR xAA for a very smooth frame rate.

Had razor put in a 560m and above with quad core with a built in CD drive (since pc gaming obvously need cd disk unless u have illegally downloaded through torrent), and lasted added a normal touch pad, this would have been a very very solid laptop....