Undecided on Alienware

I have been needing a new notebook for a few months now, and wanting a Alienware for years. Well now I finally have th money and was ready to buy a Alienware when I read I should wait on the M17 for the new ATI HD 48xx. While waiting I decided to go the rout of the 15 inch notebook instead, I am 100% sure I want a 15inch notebook, it's the perfect size. But I'm not sure if I want the m15x anymore, I hear ASUS and Sager make much better laptops for a lot cheaper, price really isn't a issue here but can anyone help me make the decision? The BBB gave Alienware a D- ontop of that I know the hinges of the m15x are bad and supposedly the speakers are horrible aswell. But as I was origionally a desktop and console gamer I don't know what would be best. I want a great portable gaming machine. So is Alienware really that bad? Is there anything good about their M15x other than the pretty lights?

 

check out the m15x General Information Thread in the sticky. tons of info there.

even though the base price has drop for m15x, it still cost alot to upgrade the hardware. however a 9800mgt is an awesome gpu combined with a fast processor.

 

I read everything in there it just seems to biased like everyone just says it's powerful etc but no one really compares it to the competition.

 

IMO,m15 is too risky...
How about Sager NP8662 and MSI GT627..?
Sager NP8662 equipped with new Nvidia 1GB GTX 260M and DDR3 ram...
MSI GTX627 has 1GB Nvidia 9800M GS...
Both have competitive price compared to Alienware m17...
But,the m17 still a good investment...
Hope you can make a good decision (investment)

 

Thanks for your reply, I have been looking at Sager a lot lately but I havent checked out the MSI much and I definitely will now.

 

another vote for that.

but the m15x is doing better but as far as money for performance the sager fits

 

Not to mention the GT260M is projected to outperform the 9800M GT, making it more powerful as well.

 

It's really between Alienware and Sager at this point for me, does anyone know if the m15x will ever come out in black? Some of Alienwares tech vids say they it will but they are pretty old and I haven't heard anything since.

 

double team lol

 

I'm leaning on no, in an email I was told that that there is no projected black M15x chassis at least for the next month or so and that there is no work being done to make it happen. At the same time I've also heard there are quite a few employees over there pushing for it to happen and that it's possible. In another words I wouldn't wait on it lol. Just comes down to your personal taste, if looks are as important as tech is as is for me, the choice is obvious but yes def look at that Sagar.

 

Personally,I will choose Sager NP8662 due to:
-NVidia 1GB GTX260M (better gaming performance and hassle free eventhough I am an ATi fan)
-DDR3 ram
-turbo memory option
-hdd 7200rpm option
-most important is the price: around $1500
-combine all above point and you will get better gaming machine and daily-usage gadget than MSI GTX627

Good luck bro

 

I think the question would come down to:
"Are you willing to pay a high price for old technology and lights?"

... since the M15x is using the previous Intel platform (Santa Rosa), it will be limited for upgrades (like being stuck with dual core CPUs).

The current gaming notebooks now are using the latest Intel Centrino 2 platform (Montevina) which has given a rise to even mobile quad-core CPU support, newest Turbo Mem support and DDR3 support.

 

Thanks, that's just what I needed to hear, I guess I'm going to stay away from Alienware for another few years, but I don't have to make a notebook descision until late April so who knows what Alienware might bring out next.

 

Remember, this does not apply to the M17.

To the M17x, yes, it most definitely does but not to the M17.

 

I am aware of that.

The Arima W840 DI (aka. AW M17, OCZ Whitebook, etc..) is up to date.

the OP was thinking about the m15x... which I was critiquing.

 

ok....
260m due out (possible) for the m15x as well....not set it stone yet.
ddr3 what? there is little improvement for ddr3 at this time. it is all hype. ddr2 is just fine.
m15x has turbo memory as well.
m15x offers a 7200 rpm HDD as well. (and an SSD)
starting price is now $1099.
combine all the above and you get an awesome gaming rig.
as well as awesome tech support from Roswell Crew.
not to mention - up to 8GB of memory now.
64bit OS available.
smart bay with options such as: xtra battery, additional data storage, additional CD, DVD, Blu-Ray Drives. (this is a feature ONLY available with the m15x.)
binary GFX. choose from internal/external (intel or the onboard GPU)
nameplate.
awesome support form the peeps here at NBR.

peronally i chose the m15x for factors outside of the lights and name. i like the idea of the smart bay, and being able to still use the machine if the external GPU happens to take a dive.
each machine will have pro's and con's. there will always be (for lack of a better word here) fanboys for each machine as well. there have been a cpl people that decided on sagers, and then returned them to then purchase the m15x cause they did not like the sager for various reasons to include issues that unit has.

in the end, it is up to you. if you wait, you will always be asking yourself what is the best. as each day that passes in the IT field brings new technology with it. what you buy today, is outdated tomorrow.

 

Well said. I'll take my 5+ hours of usage (with all my purty lights on) over some silly ddr3 and an eSATA jack any day of the week. Why would one buy a notebook only to go around plugging it in everywhere?

Guess the BBB never called Roswell...

 

What makes the Roswell support so good? Are they even a part of Alienware? I mean I hear they offer good support for Alienwares but they don't handle the warranty, but I really don't know for sure. But I do know the BBB has rated Alienware atrociously. Like they are almost to a F rating with the BBB.

 

Yeah. kind of crazy when you see this:

BBB processed a total of 858 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total of 858 complaints closed in 36 months, 131 were closed in the last year.

Maybe ROSWELL should proactively call the BBB...

 

Roswell is a seperate area of AW.
please do not get them confused with standard CS.

 

The m15x will not disappoint you. All this crap you hear about the chassis breaking and what not is only because those certain people dont know how to take care of their laptop. I just got my m15x a week ago, and I was so surprised on how good the quality of it. I was ready to get some wobbly piece of crap judging off of what other people say. And about the speakers, I have yet to have any problem with mine. The sound is good and I havent really noticed any problem with the bass. In my eyes, the m15x is amazing and you would definitely be happy with it. Therefore its much more than pretty lights

 

Thanks for that. I was so sure I wanted the m15x until I started reading everything bad that people had to say, it's nice to see some positive feedback on it.

 

Second2last,
As far as a computer goes you need to ask yourself what do you want out of it. Me for example I went with the M17 for the upgradeability and power. Which hopefully means I will be able to keep it around awhile. I think it is an awesome machine. I am happy with my choice so far. Still learning it. All computers will go out of date at some point. ALL computers have issues at some point. The M15x has had it share and seems that they have worked this out for the most part. If it is what you like go for it. Don't wait as you will always be waiting for the next big thing. I think it is a good looking machine and the feedback i have heard has been good. Remeber you always hear the bad and rarely hear the good. It is a beast for a 15. Just my 2 cents

 

hi does any1 no if the m15x will get an upgrade to support montenva processors. Also is the m15x battery power really as good as ppl say it is 6 hours of battery with 9800m gt!!!

One thing that concerns me is alienware customer support some ppl say its good some ppl say its crap, can any1 who has experienced there customer plz tell me wat they think of it,plz no opinion.

 

Thats the battery life with the additional smart bay battery, and its awesome! You can go a whole day of classes without needing to charge it!

 

Good point, but the main reason I am waiting is I won't have the money until the end of April. That's why I am trying to do research as to what is coming out and when so when April rolls around I will be ready to make a purchase as soon as possible.

 

Not possible.

The Santa Rosa systems are NOT compatible with Montenvina CPUs, and vice versa.

 

Napalm you crack me up .. to say people that have had hinge problems are just the people that don't know how to handle their laptop is just Ignorant. I am sure the vast majority of us handled our laptops like a new born baby and we still had hinges fail. That is not the worrysome part though. What is the worst thing, is that when those hinges fail and you have to send it in for repair, you can expect a 2 to 3 month turn around. Ask yourself if you can do without your computer for 2 to 3 months if you need warranty work. If you can then buy the m15x, if you can't then buy something else. In the 11 months I have owned a M15x it has been in the shop twice and I have not had use of it for a total of 4.5 months.

Look around, there are some amazing machines coming out now that really give Alienware a run for their money, have comparable performance and have superior customer service.

 

Well, there's your problem, right there... Those things don't do well in the bathwater - even at the perfect lukewarm water temperature. They don't ever seem to benefit from the baby food I keep spooning onto the keyboard, and don't get me started about the diapers...

 

Haha.. I deserved that lol

 

I don't know anything about Alienware's hinges but my Dell Inspiron hinges failed miserably. In any event, it goes without saying that regardless of use (other that abuse, of course), things like laptop hinges should not be failing.

If you can't make a basic passive device like that reliable, then you need to go back to laptop design school and start from scratch.

 

Well I am ready and willing to offer a completely unbiased opinion on my BRAND NEW SYSTEM when it arrives in 3 days (Friday March 27, 2009). I know of a GREAT design for hinges! My dad and uncle just bought two identical Dell XPS 1530 notebooks for their business. The hinges are AMAZING! I've taken some structural engineering classes here at college and here is my opinion: No matter the strength of the hinges, the structure being supported by the hinges must be capable of handling the sheer, twisting, pulling, and pushing effects placed upon it. So the screen must be just as sturdy as the hinges in order for the system to work properly. From what I've heard Alienware has resolved the hinge issue. But seriously, if you get the chance check out the XPS 1530 hinges, they are GENIUS!
-FirecatF7