Anyone have an alienware notebook?

Does anybody here have, or no somebody who has, an alienware laptop? If so, what are the specs, and was it worth the money? Any complaints?

 

I know a few...the reasons for buying Alienware are usually sometihng like a gamer needs big time specs and doesn't mind paying through the nose for them and the Alienware branding. If you want a mobile gaming rig, fine...but for anything else I don't think Alien is a good fit.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Up until this last month, I would say Alienware is a great PC. Now … I wouldn't buy another one (third and last - first two worked fine, but were desktops - they are currently having issues with laptops, especially the wireless cards). They are a great PC if they arrive working, or if there is a minor issue to work out. Keep in mind they don't really check the system prior to shipment, so you may need to have a computer handy to download drivers and such to get it working – they may say they test it, but my laptop is evidence they do not. They load the image, turn it off, and ship. Only explanation for how it was delivered to me in the condition it was. On their support site, there are many people having the same delivery issues. I could kick myself for this purchase.

If you have a minor issue (such as tweaks to work around known issues), their Tech Support is great – they will take as long as it takes on the phone to work it out. You need to keep notes – they do, but for some reason either the person writing or the person reading is screwed up and can’t pick up where they left off – assuming it wasn’t fixed in one sitting. Major issues will have you wondering why you bought from them.

If you have a hardware issue, you are looking to maybe get a fixed laptop back 2+ months after you first received it. They tend to drag out having you send it back until you have had it for at least 30days, then take 5 days to decide that it should be shipped back - which will be by the slowest method they have (ground). Then 3 weeks is their standard fix time - not when they receive it, but when they start working on it. Then slow ship back.

If you buy one and it works fine, visit your local deity. If you have a major issue, skip the deity and get your money back (minus the 15% restock), or hit your head on the wall for buying an expensive doorstop. I’m currently doing the later, but it is a nice looking doorstop. The eyes let you know where the door is in a dark room..

Howeln

 

Actually Alienware does test their systems, I used to work for them in assembly and integration and their software and OS are installed manually, well I worked there like a year and a half ago but i think they still follow same procedure. I always thought their systems were overprice but lately their prices dont seem to look too bad for what you are getting, many manufacturers sell laptops for over $2000 that dont even come close to an Area-51m, the Sentia on the other hand is ridiculously over price for the specs.

 

I just ordered one.

:O TIME MACHINES

 

Gravedigger you are! o_0

 

The person that tested our m1x obviously couldnt read english becaues the webcam didnt work and the bluerady player said it coult not play any dvd or bd dvd because it is illegal to play them. WTF?

Anyhow aside from those 2 issues, the guy that sold me the computer didnt get me the name plate in my daughter's name because this was supposed to be her new laptop.

TO make matters worse the shop owner that sold us this new laptop installed games then playing on our brand new laptop then he had it on counter display in his shop so that his would be other customers could touch and play with our brand new laptop.

There were finger prints and slimy hand prints all over the screen and around the palm rest area. All in all it made me realy sad they stole the feeling of owning a brand new Alienware Laptop from my eight year old daughter. Infact they robbed her of having a nice feeling.

Obviously my laptop was not tested for quality assurance before it was shipped speaking from my own horrible expeirence.

If any Alienware Rep is reading this they should look carefully into who they allow to be their agent, obviously the shop owner at Austin Computers in Osborne Park had no integrity and didnt do the right thing by us.

I hope no one will ever go through this because you will feel robbed in every cents - pardon the pun.

Still I love this laptop and its very nice regardless of the horrible experience with Austin Computers in Osborne Park.

IF you are thinking about buying one I highly recommend you read their customer support forum to see the real problems providing you could get into their forum of course and i wish you luck with that. Hiding problems from would be customers only mean one thing - BIG PROBLEM.

Finally make sure you could feel touch and smell any commodity before you make that decision of buying one - buying one over the net without seeing it first is like buying a car from Korea.

Having said that I do not recomend Alienware because it is a nothing more than a smart marketing commodity and it's not worth the money they are charging especially when you dont even get a Laptop that is quality assured.

 

Tyronne, your talking to the dead mate:

Thread created: 02-10-2004, 07:13 PM

 

You dug it up first mate

 

It's interesting to see how things are changing. 4 years ago, one started such a thread and got an honest response.

If someone would start such a thread today, he'd get 10s of sarcastic responses for posting this in an Alienware forum .

And furthermore, it shows how much the Alienware brand has expanded from what it used to be seen as THE gamer's brand to something that is more common nowadays and non-gamers often buy one. The third post in this thread still seems to be true though .

 

LMAO just read through the 3rd post, 4 years old but still (or again) so true!

 

Ugh don't dig up threads man.

 

the past will come back an haunt you.. and this does apply here, ok answers back in 2004, now this thread would be ripped to pieces..

 

@Maceto - I wouldn't necessarily say that. Sometimes (if the question hasn't been asked like 1000 times already) do I give a long essay about my troubles with alienware, and why I decided to avoid purchasing from them ever again. Last year I was all about writing long responses. However, as AW gains more "bad" popularity, I really don't have the time to write everything out again. I could write them in MS word + then copy and paste but that doesn't feel as good to me.

 

lol i think we almost all have an alienware notebook. thier great, worth the money, but not perfect. anyone who says thier overpriced has not studied what alienware is offering.

 

Okay, here's my answer to your question!

Specs =
Alienware Area 51 M9750

Intel T7200 2.0 Core 2@677mhz
4 Gig Ram@677mhz G.Skills
1920X1200 Screen
Single 7950GTX
Raid 0 2x160Gig@7200Rpm
Vista Home Premium SP1

Happy? = Yes! Fits all my usage, I also plug it into my home theater system and play DVD's or sometimes just Browse the internet with my Projector. Used mainly as a desktop, I only took it out maybe 1 or twice a month to play games with friends. Build quality, I love it! Gets dusty fast! Always clean with water and dry it with paper towels.

Worth the money? = For me yes, my config was about $2300.00 USD with a Lacheis mouse. Games so far great with single 7950GTX, Im not expecting to have the fullest little detail that my eyes can't even see with my 19200X1200 res. Every game so far runs perfect with med,to high settings with some games. Comparing my laptop to my previous laptops, it's a huge overall improvement. Of course my prevoius Gateway Laptop is like blocky and huge with slow performance.

Is there cheaper and faster laptops? = Well, easy! Yes, even Dell XPS 1730 can spank my system. Also some other brands, are far cheaper and faster as well. I'm not a speed demon who's looking for the newest and fastest laptop to bragg about. My M9750 is already a dream laptop for me. So as for complaints = None, just sad that the 8800M GTX won't fit, but all well the ATI 3800M's might fit. But if it still won't work it's alright as long as I still have a extra slot for another 7950GTX then i'm happy! Hope this helps if your thinking about being a new AW owner.

 

Grats for posting a serious answer in a 4 year old thread