Alienware Trade-In is a Joke

So now that the m17x is out, I was thinking about buying it. The only problem is I just bot a m9750 last summer for about $4500 (at the time, I bot it with all the most powerful options available, including dual 7950 GTX cards).

I'm very happy with this laptop, but words like "Fallout 3" keep haunting my dual 7950 cards (which show noticeably crappy performance on games like Bioshock). Hence, the urge to get the new m17x is strong.

Well, thinking I could take advantage of Alienware's Trade-In program, which promises rewards for current Alienware holders, I decided to generate a quote. My current m9750, with the 2.33Ghz, 2GB Ram, dual 7950 (mint condition) comes up with the following trade-in value:

$283.00 + $200.00 current Alienware customer = $483.00 (Grand total)

$483 for a system which cost $4500 less than a year ago, and which they're still selling for $2000+? That's awesome.

Let the good times roll.

 

Yeah Trias its pretty horrible and it really is a joke. Alienware is a subsidary company of dell and they are just trying to make it a money making sub company. They need to start hiring some real good customer service reps!

 

sell it on ebay or something. should get you a grand easily. which i might point out is more than twice of what AW would give you...

 

Ouch, looks like you'd be better off selling it on Ebay. Maybe you could call them up for another quote or three.

 

Wow, that is crazy! I was well worth it for me though: click here for my post.

 

I agree. But if you look at it, which company actually offer better service (ie better trade value, one with appropriate value for a 1-year old machine that won't be considered a joke)? Maybe it's the whole system. Then again, if you own a company, how much do you think you can get from selling a 1-year old, used laptop?

I would just take that the system is created for a different situation, not the one that you're in.

 

Versus the other companies like HP or, well, Dell, that will give you a whopping $0.00 for your year old computer, $400 isn't bad.

What do you expect? Sell your used car back to the dealership, you ain't gonna get fair-market value.

 

Thank Moore's Law for your problem. While having processing power increase exponentially is great for all kinds of things, it does tend to make older technology virtually worthless. That is why so many tech guys recommend buying midrange components as those components will give you the best value. Now, if youre super rich and can afford to drop 4500 every year on a new laptop, that's obviously your choice.

 

But the alienware trade in program barely scales value based on components. A crappy p4, sub 2ghz, 512mb of ram, 40 gig HD gets almost as much as my 2ghz+ C2d, 2 gigs o ram, 160 gig HD. Mine can actually have components salvaged and recycled. The p4 is just raw material to be recycled at this point. Yet they both get the same trade-in. Honestly, I just want to buy a ton of cheap computers from like thrift stores or something and see how much AW would give me for the lot and see if I can get like an m15x using nothing but traded in computers.

 

That's fair. Not only does Moore's Law come into play hence bringing the price of your laptop down. But this is not like you're selling it to a person to have. Alienware will need to refurbish it, they'll need to put new parts into, labor hours into it and then somehow make a profit from it. You can't expect them to give you 2000$ back!! Laptops are the worst investment you can make.

But Dual 7950GTXs should have no problem running Bioshock?

 

This is no different than any other item you trade-in to a store for a new item; cars, electronics etc... You will NEVER get what the item is worth on a trade-in, usually only about 1/2 of it. If you do get full value you can be sure the store is making the difference from you somewhere else.

 

Well, BioShock runs well enough, but when you get to a big, wide open area with lots of shading, lights, and shadows, it tends to drop to the low 20s in fps. Most other places it hovers around 35-40 fps. I play it at 1200x800 with all the options on High and no AA. I guess I had unrealistic expectations for the dual 7950 GTXs when I bot it. I figured they could chew through any game out there, but apparently not at all. I know they're working as they should be since I bench around 8500 in 3DMark06 (I know, I know, it doesn't mean much, but at least it tells you your hardware is working). Sorry for tangent...

I'll probably try selling my m9750 on eBay or Craigslist. I'm sure I could get at least a grand for it. It's in mint condition and still better than any other laptop out there running a single 8700 or lower (not sure about a single 8800).

 

muahahahahahaha!

 

AW doesn't take your computer. It's through dealtree or something. Looks like AW just throws on $200 if it's an AW system.

 

I know you guys aren't going to want to hear this, but gaming on a computer is always going to be somewhat if not entirely (for some) cost prohibitive; especially with laptops. If you want the latest and greatest eye-candy, you will be paying a HUGE price premium.

Current generation consoles offer less eye-candy, but are relative bargains given the tremendous discounts in price due to aggressive marketing strategies and competition. Plus, you will never encounter compatibility issues for at least four to five years. Although, you cant play MMOs and and such on current gen consoles.

I'm not a console die-hard, but as far as gaming goes, they do present a much better value. But then again, everyone is aware of this, and its a matter of preference.

 

nope,i cant agree wit you cos i like consoles(XBOX/PS3 ) gphx are better to me.

 

The PS3's GPU, for example, is equivalent in technology (approximately, but with more power) to an NVIDIA 7800, so in theory current computers do have better GPU processing potential.

 

A PC is the ultimate gaming console.

 

As long as youre willing to pay the ultimate price for one... Wait that didnt come out right. Sorry, I shouldnt have gone off-topic with my previous post.

 

Well consoles keep value and usually look pretty good even compared to computers due to static hardware. There is a certain level of optimization to utlizing this hardware but it does not change. Your PS3 has the same hardware base as will a PS3 made in a year. Computers are all different and driver updates are anywhere from yearly for some things to almost monthly for others. It is very difficult to code for optimal performance across a gigantic range of hardware options.

This also affects resale value. A year old Xbox 360 is the same as a brand new one, just has seen some use, and is probably out of warranty. It will hold quite a bit of value. Computers plummet in price due to a) technology changing and b) customizability is huge. Why buy a used computer tailored to someone else's tastes from a year ago when you can buy a new one suited for you? But AW's program is just worthless unless you have old technology like pre dual core stuff. Then it's not a bad deal since you'd have trouble selling it anyways.

 

i know its prices are LOW. but at least its their.