Just ordered a 9750...now the waiting begins...

Hey all,

First I'd like to thank everyone who has been posting on this forum, the information has been very helpful in helping me decide which components I should get (next stop, RAM deals thread!). I've saved a bunch of cash from reading your advices, although the computer was still fricking expensive! I hope it's worth it.

Being primarily a desktop owner for the last...dunno 13 years, this will technically be my second laptop, the first is the Toshiba X205-S9359 I bought a couple of weeks ago and now returning. The screen on this thing bugged me to no end (incorrect color temperature which shifts it to blue, and after doing weeks of research on it, could not be fixed. Not even color calibration since running games would reset it.) I'm going to miss the incredible Harmon Kardon speakers and 320gb of HDD (only 5400rpm), and the HDDVD drive, I know I'm going to look forward to some incredible gaming with the 9750, plus some head turns

So without further adieu, my order:

[1] Area-51® m9750

Video/Graphics Card: Dual 512MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7950 GTX - SLI Enabled
Chassis: 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD with Clearview Technology - Stealth Black
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7200 2.0GHz 4MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 512MB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
Notebook Tuners and Remotes: Without Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 160GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 8x Dual Layer CD-RW/DVD±RW Burner w/ LightScribe Technology - View Demo
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Sound Card : High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Warranty: 3-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mesh Cap
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mousepad
Alienware Extras: AlienInspection - Exclusive Integration and Inspection - $100 Value - FREE!
Avatar: Area-51 m9750
Window Style: Silver XP Window Style
Mouse Pointers: Standard Mouse Pointers
Wallpaper: Area-51 m9750 (Widescreen)
Power Plan: Home/Office Desk
Automatic Updates: This personalization option is currently available for Windows Vista operating systems only.
Sidebar Gadgets: This personalization option is currently available for Windows Vista operating systems only.
RSS Feeds: This personalization option is currently available for Windows Vista operating systems only.
Time Zones: (GMT - 8.00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

[1] Limited Time Offer; Price Includes Shipping

SubTotal: $3,704.00
Shipping: $57.38
Discount: $50.00
Tax: $306.19
Order Total: $4,017.57

Finally, the ship date on the system is Oct 4th which is a bit over a month from now. I noticed a few people on the forums got theirs early, or even within two weeks. How often does this happen? Is the 34 day estimate just their most extreme estimate? Would my system actually arrive much quicker? If you can, please share your experiences.

Thanks!
Avery

 

That's a nice system u got there man!!!....(though expensive ) Anyway, the ship date is just an estimate and you should have yours within the next 2 to 3 weeks......I had mine fairly quick (18 days)

 

Excellent...that's good to hear. Can't wait to run Bioshock on this thing! Never ran a game with everything on high before.

 

I have used the M9750 and the Toshiba X205 side-by-side and the M9750's screen is much more accurate for color. I found the display on the X205 to be washed out.

Congratulations on the system - expensive, but at least you know to upgrade the RAM yourself.

 

My order was scheduled to ship the exact same date as yours and I got through all 9 phases in about 4-5 days. So don't worry too much it shouldn't be that long.

 

That is also very good to hear. If the X205 had a good screen, I would not have even glanced at the Alienware. I just can't justify being unsatisfied at anything that costs me multiple thousands of dollars.

 

Wow, that is fast! So you got your Alienware in your hands within what? 8 days total?

 

I agree fully. I had a Lenovo X61 tablet for a month before I got fed up with its problems and now I am in the process of getting a refund. It is a hassle but like you said, why settle when you're spending thousands of dollars?

 

Man I wish. Unfortunately I'm at an APO address in Iraq and I didn't know they send it regular surface mail instead of priority to APO. So I have a good wait on my hands. Even after escaping the phase wait early there is still something! I want it now!!!

 

Thats a bummer to hear :\. Stay safe in Iraq!

 

I appreciate it! I'm 1 week into my "8-12" week shipment estimate. It seems the main problem people have with Alienware is the waiting period. They should really revise their policy.

 

Hopefully that will be a good point of being owned by Dell. ie. The waiting times will decrease due to better supplier links. Dell are a much bigger company so are used to placing bigger orders and demanding that parts are shipped ASAP.

That's about the only possible good outcome that I can think of after Dell's purchase of AW.

 

Guys , i have a question in mind ... Erm - i ordered an m9700... yeah i know , i should have ordered the m9750 , but i was in a hurry so after few hours spend in your very useful forum , i decided to go for the old model since it's going to get faster. Well anyways , after i order it i received an email saying i have to confirm my purchase (which is totally cool with me) , but then AFTER i confirmed it over the phone with this very sexy UK chick , i'm still stuck in 'Phase 1' - TF ?! It's being 2 days now ... Is that normal ? I REALLY don't think they will ship it by 12th September (as Estimated) , since i'm stuck 2 days in "Phase 1" ... Maybe , that's the way it works , so i though to ask you guys. Thanks

*Oh , and PLEASE - don't tell me i'm going to have one of those famous 'Alienware Bad Experience PLEASE-PHONE-2-TIMES-A-DAY' - things:O !!!

 

The online phase indicator is not very accurate and if you're concerned about your order you need to call Alienware.

Congratulations on the system by the way.

 

Yeah the only time i got that phase system moving is right after ringing them up. Never seen it move by itself otherwise.

 

Wow, mine just went from phase 3 to phase 6 in 2 days

How long does it take to get from phase 6 to shipped?

 

Took me about 2 days.

 

So I should be expecting my notebook sometime next week then! Woooot!

 

*Spit drink pftttttt* Just received a shipped notice and tracking number! Went from Phase 3 to Shipped in 2 days! Woo!

Tracking says i'll get it on the 13th of Sept.

Quick question, why did Alienware charge me tax if the system is coming from Miami? I live in California...

 

they charge tax any state.

 

my Fedex Estimated delivery date Sep 7th
picked up sep 6th
how come mine shipment takes 1+ day only
is this normal? how long does it fly from Maimi to Vancouver?

 

Mine was ordered with standard ground shipping. Thats probably why.

 

Is that part of the "Alienware experience?

 

So far my Alienware experience has been waiting 8-12 weeks for delivery. All 9 phases took 4 days and then they send it to me surface mail because I'm at an APO instead of spending the extra $20 or so to get it to me in 12-15 days. I still can't get over that and I think it's bad business. I placed my order on the phone and was never told military addresses would take that long and all the customer service agent had to say was "well if you look at the website it says....blablabla" even after telling him that until about 2 weeks ago when I got hurt and had to move jobs to something that lets me get online I had no internet access he still was like "Well, if you go to the website. My advice is you have any complaints with your shipment is to call corporate in Miami since they out source their call center and all they do is read from their little script. I have no beef with Alienware except for their horrible delivery process. It's not even the phases that bother me as much as it is that they sent a $4,000 computer through the mail with no insurance, no tracking number, and by the slowest/ least safe way possible. On a stupid boat where it is un-accounted for.

 

Remember that Alienware is a part of Dell now, and Dell has kiosks set up in every state; therefore, they have to charge tax. If Alienware was not owned by Dell then you wouldn't have been charged tax (unless they had some sort of service center in your state).
Alienware wouldn't charge tax if they didn't have to.

 

I ordered mine on Aug 29. Went to phase 4 on Friday the 31st, back to phase 3 yesterday Sept 6. And I'm still sitting there, AW said it would be in phase 5 today or Monday. How did u get urs shipped already when I ordered mine before u? They can't even tell me why I went back a phase.

 

as has been said, the phase thing isnt extremely reliable. I would just worry about ship dates. Then it just may come early!!

Did everyone see the article at the front of Notebookreview today about all the delays with apples laptop parts? Everyone is dealing with it.

I can say that Alienware is definately out of spare 9750 batteries. So I wouldnt order these with any new laptops. Wait till later to order them.

 

I'm sure alienware would be thrilled to not have to charge sales tax, just like every other retailer. Unfortunately, if they did not the IRS would have raided them and shut the company down already.

 

Thanks for the answer as usual Chaz!

 

Not to hijack the thread, but in the future, you should head over to Ship It APO. You can have just about anything shipped to them and they'll ship it out to you using priority. You can cut a four to six week delievery down to about two. Also, you can have things sent that aren't normally shipped to APO.

It's exceptionally easy, useful, and insured. We rely on it out here at Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan.

 

Thanks for the great heads up! Man, I wish I had known about that ahead of time. I wouldn't be such a worry wort over here about my laptop. It will come though, one day....