Ideastorm - Ditch Alienware 14 and replace with 15.6" thin & light competitor for MSI GS60, Razer Blade and Mac Book Pro

I'm sure they have their reasons for going 14,17 and 18..probably not as idiotic as you think. If 15.6" is what you're really after then make sure you bubble up Ideastorm.

 

There is no good reason. 14" is too small, 17" and 18" are too big considering that they give you no extra resolution. It's just a larger screen with the same 1080 HD resolution. It makes no sense to buy a 17" laptop when you can have a lighter 15.6" one with the exact same resolution. If they were still making at least the old 1920 x 1200 then OK.

Most importantly you can't have a $hit screen on a $3000 laptop and that is what they have. It needs to be at least a very good, color accurate screen that covers the sRGB color space completely. Preferably one of those high gamut screens they use on precision workstations. Right now it's a joke of a screen on all versions. You can buy any $150 regular monitor, smear it with monkey excrement and it will still look better than an Alienware screen.

I really wanted to get an Alienware this past winter, but my current Clevo has one of those matte 95% NTSC gamut screens and just can't stoop down to what Alienware is offering no matter how much I like everything else about it. It's not even close to Clevo's screen quality wise.

Well, scratch that Precision idea too. Just checked and it seems they have stopped offering good screens there too. Morons. At this rate Apple's bogus claims of being the best may become true in a year or so. What's left? HP and Lenovo the only laptops with decent screens ( at Alienware prices )? Clevo too seems to have run out of those 95% NTSC screens. After 30 years of bull$hit and lies Apple finally becomes the best computer you can buy. What's this world coming to?

 

I don't agree that the 14 is too small and that the 17/18 are too big- some people WANT small, some WANT big - that's why there is the choice....it just needs to be done better and be more powerful and/or user upgradeable, then it would be a great machine. I do agree that when paying thousands, a quality screen is a must have, or at least the option to configure with a quality screen should be a cost option for those who want the best. Actually, when the new machines were launched, I was really surprised to see that the 14 got the IPS panel over the 17 or 18....it was a bit of a shocker, for me.

As for the Precision, they still offer UltraSharp panels - see pic in spoiler below - so there really should be no reason why at least 14 and 17 cannot have IPS panels. The 18 might struggle due to lack of 18.4 panels that are IPS...still, being the flagship Alien, Dell should source a manufacturer who WOULD do an 18.4 quality panel......no excuses.

I certainly would not agree that crApple is the best computer you can buy....far from it.

Spoiler

 

I don't want IPS... I think the IPS "experience" is overrated and those that are not notorious for bad performance (the low budget IPS options) are extremely overpriced. I actually like TN panels better. They do the job well enough to keep me from complaining and the cost savings allows me to spend more money on stuff that makes the system run faster. If I actually needed the high caliber color reproduction capabilities for my profession, then I probably would fork out extra for high end IPS display panels for use on the systems used for that purpose. It would be nice to have an IPS option for everyone that wants it, but it would also be good to keep the cheap TN configuration option available for those that don't want to spend any money on it.

 

Macs are for hipsters: real PC users use anything but Macs

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No need to crap on the company that sets the absolute gold standard for hardware customer service in the computer industry... Dell will make you a more powerful one (macs have never been advertised as gaming machines), but as you should know from being on this forum, they won't always back it up, even if you have a warranty (especially if your not in North America).

Its kind of funny watching people who use laptops dumping on other ones for preformance when there are a ton of "PCMasterrace" types who would absolutely dump on you for gaming on a mobile machine; even one as powerful as Mr. Fox's.

 

I think that was intended to be humorous, and I accepted as such. I think they (Mac fanboys) often bring some of that kind of criticism upon themselves because some (definitely not all) Mac owners can be the worst offenders in that regard. Many of them regard themselves as being an "enlightened" part of some kind of elite clique. Those that don't act and think that way are generally not offended because they see the snobs for what they really are. But, I agree in the broader view of things... there is no place for snobs in the world of performance PC enthusiasts. You stoop to their level when you do that.

But, then again, Mac owners are not performance enthusiasts unless they are also a high performance PC owner. Their Mac doesn't qualify as such. It is like comparing apples to oranges, or mixing oil and water.

 

Here's an idea, get rid of AW14, bring back M15x and make an m13x with dual cooling fans.

Problem solved!!!

 

I really don't get the people arguing that it should be on par with the power of the AW 17 inch either. That it should stay over an inch thick, and have massive cooling sinks. You get that this is supposed to be AW's "portable" offering right? I just got done with my first year at college, which I bought an Asus G75vx (17 inch beast) for. I lugged that thing to class every day first semester, and setting it up was a hassle every class period. Most classes didn't have outlets available near the desks (which the laptop barely fit on, and thats without using a mouse), so I had to turn the screen brightness way down to so the battery would last through the day. being able to play games during down time between classes was cool, but not a worthy trade-off in my opinion.

In my second semester I ended up getting a Surface 2 RT with type cover to complement my setup, and it was a MASSIVE quality of life improvement. All day battery life, small enough to fit on all the desks, a breeze to take notes and do work on the go on (comes with full office 2013 suite), much, much lighter, and not prone to possibly being damaged. I left 17 inch in the dorm almost all the time, except when I was doing a project with a group in the library, which is where its big scree and massive power often came in handy. I really get now why these sort of laptops are commonly referred to as "desktop replacement".

Looking back I feel like I really should have just gotten an AW14, or another brands 15 inch offering. It would have saved me money, and the performance trade off honestly wouldn't have been that bad. I now see why that sort of in between is needed. You guys who want this chuncky mini monster are missing the point of a smaller laptop completely, and honestly, you guys are not who AW are targeting with the 14 at all. Most of you saying the 14 should be much beefier would still never buy it anyway because there is no way it would be able to match the 17, let alone 18 in performance. The 14 should stay small and light, should probably slim even more, and should always make sure to keep good battery life stats, even at the sacrifice of performance. If someone wants a real mobile powerhouse, they can go get a 17 inch machine, or one of those thick as a brick Sagers 15's. The AW 14 should be for those who want something that looks cool, more power than an ultra book (and utilizes that power efficiently), but don't want something that weight more than their textbooks in their backpack, and gets hours of non gaming battery life as well.

 

The thing is that the AW 14 could stay the same size and adopt an MXM GPU. You Uni students should be able to utilise Intergrated graphics when you need battery life during a class. Then come upgrade time you'd be able to upgrade it instead of selling it for pennies on the dollar.
Not being able to ever upgrade a performance machine is a total deal breaker for me.

 

Totally agree, Bro.

I knew at the time of purchase that I was buying a machine that couldn't easily be upgraded, gpu wise. For me, at that time, it wasn't a big deal as I just wanted something that would allow for a bit of gaming - the 14 fitted the bill. Saying that, I certainly won't be rushing to buy a new 14 with yet another soldered on graphics solution, no matter how powerful it might be at that time - it's just too much of a PITA having to change the whole machine every time just to keep up. Okay, so I swapped out my mobo - not everyone wants to have to do that, or would be comfortable doing so either, and that leaves them having to buy a new machine when the time comes around again.

I'll probably keep this little 14 and my next machine would be MXM based at the very least. In time, I'd look at swapping the 14's mobo again if the gpu option is better and Dell/AW haven't made any drastic changes that would mean a refresh board would not fit/work in the 14 R1.

Like you said, Alienware is all to do with performance - chopping the legs off something and making it non-upgradeable is simply just not acceptable, really.

 

I was thinking, in addition to ditching the 14", why don't we ditch the 17" and offer a single GPU option on the 18", and bring back the 11"?

So this way we have the ultimate DTR (AW18) for gaming/benchmarking enthusiasts who couldn't give a rat's butt about mobility. Then we have the mobile solution (AW15) which if done right should be the most powerful 15.6" laptop around yet still basically be a "mobile laptop" (basically I'm suggesting replacing the AW17 with the AW15). And finally for those that really need that extra mobility, have the AW11 that would basically be the most powerful ultrabook around. Looking at the interior of the M11x R3, I believe if we ditched the HDD in favor of an all mSATA solution, there should be space to engineer in another cooling fan. Imagine an 11" laptop with dual fans, now that would truly be something.

(Mr. Fox I know you're cringing at this, but since the mass public and the market is all drinking the "thin, light, efficient" koolaid, might as well release an 11" that fits that mold, but do it in such a way that it blows the competition out the water and is miles beyond what they can ever hope to bring to the table)

 

When I was choosing my next laptop, it came down between the MSI Stealth Pro, and the Alienware 17. I eventually, and rightly IMO, choose the Alienware due to to ease of upgrading and excellent reviews. I'm sooo glad I did because all I've read about is how the Stealth is overheating and how folks are having to rig up cooling systems in order to keep temps down. The fans pull air from the top of the laptop instead of the bottom so cooling pads are useless. These heat issues will happen because if you go thin and light, the heat has no where to go.

I don't think Alienware is too worried about buzz words (thin, light) and focused on making performance machines that often rival desktops. Plus, as already stated, Dell already has the XPS line.


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Here's a nice example of a piece of poop that is mess because it's thin and light... can't put 10 pounds of sand in a 5 pound bag and expect to not have a problem on your hands.

MSI GS60 Ghost Pro 3K Edition (2PEWi716SR21) Notebook Review - NotebookCheck.net Reviews

 

Hahaha - graet stuff.....a laptop which cannot be used on your lap......brilliant idea, eh?

 

And there we have it. A sandwhich press in the shape of a laptop.

 

Lol you had me in fits! Nice find!

 

LOL coffee all over the floor...thanks Stevie!

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Thanks guys! - thought it would make you chuckle.....must admit, though.....the pic on the right....I'm not diggin' the display on it.....it's no IPS panel, is it?......I mean, I can see lines all over it.....

 

It doubles as a form of birth control... no doctor's appointment, health insurance or surgical procedures are necessary... just game hard for an hour with the "high performance ultrabook" in your lap and the eggs are cooked.

 

You can use the laptop on your lap, just not gaming.

 

Well, for a "gaming" laptop, that's akin to having a jumper with the neck and sleeves sewn up.....no use nor ornament, right?

 

Not really, you can browse the Web, watch movies and even play 2d games. If you are going to game then set it on a flat surface or table lol.

 

I always game from the comfort of my easy chair with the machine in my lap. If I have to move to a table or desk, might as well just use a desktop PC instead. That defeats one of the major benefits of having a beast laptop. I have ordinary laptops I can use for the mundane activities like web surfing, email and 2D gaming, so products like the GS60 represents the worst of both worlds for me. Not enough performance due to the overly limiting form factor, and too hot to be comfortably used like one expects to use a laptop. "Gaming Ultrabook" just seems like such an oxymoron. I realize there is a market for them, it's just difficult to appreciate or respect products that are not very appealing at a personal level.

 

You use your M18x ON YOUR LAP while gaming!? That seems a bit uncomfortable. Where do you put your mouse? I never use my laptop on my lap for gaming, if only for comfort. I'm much more comfortable at a table if gaming, unless something like a TBS. In any case there's lots of lap desks available that are inexpensive that offer a hard surface for the laptop and mouse and would negate any heat effects for the most part. I personally use this one: Amazon.com: Logitech N315 Portable Lapdesk & Cooling Pad. Black 939-000395: Computers & Accessories



One of the best laptop investments I've made. Granted it probably wouldn't work too well with the M18x, but I've used it with a 17 inch and depending on where the feet of the laptop are, you can shift it to the left a bit and still make it usable with a mouse. Light and portable too. Have one in my laptop bag too.

 

I posted that link to my gaming buddies. They are PC gamers but love the convenience of using a pad in front of the TV. We're getting back into the Unreal Tournaments (thanks to Mr Fox's nostalgic video post) and I'm sure they're getting tired of being the low hanging fruit

 

It is actually exceptionally comfortable, which is one of the reasons I don't have any interest in moving to a table or desk. I have and use one of those larger (about 23" wide) sized kidney shaped lap desks. It has room for mousing if I set it more to the side instead of centered. That is how I used for a long time. I use very high mouse settings, so I don't need to move it more than an inch or two in any direction. For the past couple of years I have been using a hard mousepad. My recliner has very wide arms that are flat on top, so the hard mousepad works perfectly on the arm of the recliner. The only trouble I have run into with this arrangement is falling asleep because it is too comfortable, LOL. I don't use any laptop in my lap without a hard surface for it to sit on. Doing so blocks air flow, ingests extra lint and crud, plus it sits too low to be comfortable. The lap desk raises it to a comfortable height.

Some games are so awesome they never die, and this is one of them.

 

Want thin and light and chic. Fine. Simple. don't expect it to game well without throttling on you. Don't expect the thin and light to be of Alienware quality, nor to last much past 2 years at very best. Expect it to be like a MacBook Pro, frail, thin, delicate. Not upgradeable. Short lived. Want the above, you have that option. A Razer Blade which does well to run past warranty. Something must be compromised to have thin and light. Often it is cooling, ease of upgrades, and questionable durability.