Alienware lack of customization.

I for one am a bit disappointed in the lack of customization on the new Alienware systems. I can buy a system with the best processor with out a ssd Drive or with a CD drive. I for one am the type that wants to spend less and upgrade my self rather than pay Dells higher mark ups. This really disappoints me and I for one will probably not be buy the new system due to this fact.

Any one else noticed this?

 

Try calling in to see if you can get a custom model.

I do agree that it's ridiculous that there's so little customization available. What if I want a 4930MX w/ SLI 765s? Or the 4700 w/ 1tb Quad Play SSDs?

 

Margins.

I can't say that it's a bad idea, because Dell needs to profit and this method lowers prices, but customization options are important for a gaming laptop, and I don't know if Alienwares are so much better than Clevos and MSIs that choosing from these bundles is worth the trouble. I see too much of Apple and Razer in this.

A Dell rep told me that the bundles limit him too.

 

But what's amusing is we are not. I don't know why they have limited themselves like that myself.

 

Maybe it has nothing to do with Alienware? It's possible the companies they have partnered with (i.e. Intel) requested for this year that they sell certain amounts of hardware before X date since they had a late release in June as opposed to the April/May releases of the previous models, which could be why customizations are more strict this time around... Maybe, maybe not.

I've also noticed SSD's are not available except on the most expensive configs.

It may be a temporary thing, too.

 

Yea I find it pretty silly that a decent sized SSD isn't available for the cheaper customizations for the Alienware 18. I think that sort of thing blocks off potential buyers and those buyers go elsewhere.

 

You can customize the rig... make the call The rig arriving in my signature is a custom build (such as QM and not XM processor, 1.5 TB raid 0, etc.) which is it much different than the "standard" 3D model.

 

Did it take you a couple tries with different reps?

 

Nope, just called and told them what I wanted

 

But you are getting the 4900mq, it might have been different if you wanted a 4700mq.

 

The point is that my build is significantly different than the "pre-configured" ones they present when you place an order Therefore, you are not limited by those builds and may customize your rig during ordering.

 

Yes but I can get your config on the website, it falls within their different tiers of machines, but if you go outside of that (say 4700MQ + 780M or 120hz screen) by what people have said you may run into issues as the phone advisers sound like they are locked into those tiers too.

 

I don't understand You cannot get my config on the website. If you just talk to the sales people, you can get what you want I didn't want to pay for the XM processor, so I went with the 4900QM. I wanted more space, so I needed at least 1.5 TB of it. I wanted 3D, so I needed the 120hz screen as well.... an so on. From my understanding, you are not locked into anything. You may not be able to customize your rig via the website, but you may do so over the phone

 

Maybe the thing that is confusing people here is the country where you are building your machine, Brother tayer. For example, I am assuming you are in the UK (like myself) and if that is the case, you CAN build your exact specification on the UK website. It does not require any special customization from a rep. However, try and build the same configuration in the US and it is NOT available as you have done - it's almost possible, but the US web site does not permit for your HDD configuration - the closest you can get in the US is the 1.5tb array WITHOUT the 64gb mSata - the rest can be done like for like on the website.

So, from that perspective, I doubt that anyone will have much success in getting a rep to deviate from the pre-structured tiers - they are there for a reason, to make things easier for Dell and for them to maximize profits by automatically including some of those things that end users were previously able to upgrade themselves, such as memory and HDD's.

It's a savvy business move by Dell, because now, if you wanted just the top end cpu/gpu, you HAVE to have some Dell 'upgrades' thrown in as well. Smart way for Dell to recapture some of that aftermarket business. Of course, it is not ideal from a customers perspective as they now have very little option if they want those high end components in their machine. The options do not permit for MX/780m without Dell's 'automatically included' extra's. Shame, really.

I think Dell will find that direct sales will shift considerably towards resellers who can customize a machine to a customer's liking. Dell will obviously still make money at the start by supplying said machine to the reseller as stock base configuration, which said reseller can then customise. Not ideal for anyone who really want's to buy directly from Dell and have their support vs. a reseller's support.

 

This isn't just an Alienware thing. Dell has been doing this across all of their laptops.

 

I have a theory and I will test it tomorrow when I get to work.

 

Post deleted due to my desire not to promote a company that I know so little about

 

I don't trust HIDevolution at all, and I wouldn't trust them regarding outside of NA support. Check this out for more information. They basically gave him a QS chip without telling him, because he lived far enough away to get away with it. Their best resolution from HID was to have him send the chip, and after receiving it, they'll send him an OEM one back, which means the guy would've been out of a notebook for ~3 weeks, praying that the chip didn't get lost in the mail. In short, they sold him a stolen product, and wouldn't replace it.

Check out PowerNotebooks or XoticPC for other resellers that can offer super-custom AWs.

 

I'd have to agree with Brother Hybrys. If that is an example of how they act, I would want nothing to do with them, especially as they COULD have resolved the issue in an amicable fashion, in the benefit of their customer, with very little effort. They chose not to, in a VERY public way.

 

My advice is just be aware that the shop you go with is providing your service, so be an informed consumer. This applies to any larger purchase really.

 

As a potential new AW owner (my 18 is in "pre production") I'm very unhappy at the moment...I ordered the 5100.00 version but couldn't get windows 7 anything on it....I was very dissapointed and the more I read about the lack of support the more I think I may have to cancel my order and buy a less powerful machine from another manufacturer on principle. I was also treated very poorly on the phone.....over all...very odd experience.

I made up my mind I wanted the best, so went to alienware.com on referral from a long time friend...but after my experience, the bad attitude from the rep, the lack of customization on a 6k dollar laptop etc....I dunno...I hope moving into the future we see Dell become a little more open to providing multiple solutions...especially on the super high end. For 6 grand you should be able to get it in pink polka dots.

 

You don't have to do a damn thing less powerful. Look into Clevos.

 

Or desktops, which allow for more customization than any laptop. If he wants to buy a 6k dual GPU 5kg laptop, he can buy a desktop and monitor.

Unfortunately or not, Clevo is in the same boat as Alienware.

 

Thanks for the replies fellas....this is the mobile half of my workstation. I'm in the process of building a new desktop but I need a lap top as I travel and work on the road. Otherwise believe me....I wouldn't even consider it. (seriously...I"ve almost called twice today and told them to go **** themselves.)

I'll look into clevos....thanks for the headsup on that.



----edit-----

After a quick review of clevo systems...I can tell you that if my AW18 shows up buggy covered in effin' intel stickers it's gonna make my next decision real easy. I mean, an option to remove branding? I can have SSD's with win7? I can spend 5 grand the way I want!!?~ These people are revolutionary!!~

I'll wait for weeks to get exactly what I want...no problem. What will they think of next!

 

Yeah, they can make a powerhouse look like a really sleek business machine. Look at Mythlogic's Black edition laptops, which are the plainer, less lights models. You should also be able to special request no branding from them too.

 

When you spend $5000 on a laptop, you don't pay for reliability--you pay for components. High-end parts are rarer and likelier to fail than low-end parts, and Alienware's poor quality control does not help. I would buy a long warranty for any Clevo, Alienware, or top-tier business laptop. If you live in the US, Alienware shines in the number of support and warranty venues it offers; if you live elsewhere, I cannot recommend an Alienware for you. Too many variables exist to tell whether a higher percentage of Alienwares malfunctions than Clevos, so I'll chalk up Dell's superior warranty as an advantage.

Clevo resellers offer many more customization options and better quality control.

 

So true.....it's the performance premium. Todays tech will cost ya won't it! I've always been the type to go for the top 5% tech on a build and get a few good years of absolute domination, then back to the drawing board. I'm very excited about the Desktop I'm in the middle of, but it's crazy, I'm really really excited abou the next one....because I dont' know what will be available 5 years from now but I expect we will be looking at some paradigm shifts in processing......so you know it's gonna be sick!

Wow! Now I'm irritated it took me so long to find this place! Those mythologic systems are nice! I love the clean "sleeper" appearance...I also love the processor options....and 5 grand goes further on a Mythologic than it does on an AW. Great suggestion man, thanks a bunch!

I'm sure that regardless of how my current situation resolves...my next LT will be a Mythologic.

Now I'm curious, are those the big three? (AW, Sager/clevo, Mythologic) as far as turning out beast laptops?

 

Slightly correct, Sage/Clevo and Mythlogic are the laptops. Mythlogic just builds them from Clevo's parts. Other vendors such as XoticPC and LPCDigital order them from Sager, then tweak them. Almost every 'custom' laptop that isn't attached to a brand name is a Sager/Clevo.

The big four would be more like AW, MSI, ASUS, and Sager/Clevo. Only Sager/Clevo and AW make dual GPU flagships, though.

 

High end components have a lower level of failure than lower end parts, partly due to requiring better quality components to function. They are also more expensive to replace so getting the quality up offers more value to the manufacturer.

 

I have an AW 17 with a 4700 MQ and a 780M.

AW base configurations actually depends on whatever country you reside in.