What is the general consumers of Alienware?

Are there many college student that have Alienware, and if you are one please share your experience. Do you bring your Alienware around, or do you just use it in door?

Knowing how flashy Alienware is, is the only reason that I am debating whether to get one or not. I have not seen anyone at my campus with a single Alienware notebook and I been here for 4 years.

Also if your not a college student, please tell me your age (or mid 30's/late 40's) and if you bring your Alienware to work or leave it at home, or when do you use it, and does it bother you that other people know you have Alienware etc...


Thanks

 

Im 27 and have a alienware at home, I sometimes bring it to the office, but mostly just leave it at home for the wife to use while I work.

EDIT, I have a m11x r1

 

Hi Cheesy, I am 19 years old and I am still in college. I received my m18x 2 weeks ago so I haven't yet bring my laptop at school, because it's summer . But I am going to bring it EVERYDAY at school. I am studying in computer science, so I wanted something to work on it and sometime play at school when I have a 2-3 hours break. I was bringing a Dell Latitude D820 before my m18x. Gaming on this laptop is pretty weird. The m18x is a little bit heavier than the D820, but with my orion backpack I don't see a big difference. I highly recommand to get a backpack instead of a messenger bag if you plan to bring it around frequently.

I am traveling to school in bus and I must walk 1-2 km from my house. And I don't have any pain in my back at the end of the day.

I am wired most of the time, but if not, I switch on the IGP to get a 3 to 4 hours battery life.

And I mostly like showing my shiny laptop to my friends and making them soooo jealous

Edit: sorry if my english is bad. That's not my main language :S

 

I'm 32 and owned my first AW (desktop) when I was 26 (not coincidentally, a bit after the time I finished grad school and got a real job )

I can't imagine having had the disposable income in college to be able to buy an AW, and if I did have the extra money I likely would have spent it on something else (travel, beer, lady friends...). Also, having tried to travel and work mobile with a large laptop is just not practical imo. Most importantly, albeit some try to dispute it, there's the "dork" connotation that comes along with an AW: having a giant, flashy gaming laptop in my apartment, much less in a classroom as an 18-20 year-old bachelor would have deterred me from owning one. Let's face it, no matter how many slick EA ads or lauds about professional gamers there are, gaming is not and will never be "cool". Even today, I tend to hide my gaming gear when I have "company", but I care a little less that the ladies see my awesome treasures now that I'm settled.

 

That is what I worry too as well, grant I'm too awesome for any ladies whether I have Alienware or not but I prefer people not know I game, quite shocker to some of my lady friends when they first met me I too like to do my business close and discrete

 

I mostly agree with you. Except that it depends what domain you're studying in. In my department (Computer science), there's like 3-4 for girls and 80% of the people here have a laptop. But I wouldn't take out my AW if I was in human science or something like that. I use it as a desktop replacement at home, make LAN sometimes with my friends. But I still have money to buy my beer and go out some night . And visually I don't look like a nerdz. I go to the gym 3 to 5 times a week. Also, I wanted an all-in-one lapop, and the m18x is the only one responding to that. But I won't deny myself of buying a laptop only because gamers aren't "cool". And yes I have to say that my parents still pay my study and I benefit of it.

Of course I won't tell that I'm a gamer when I first met a girl. She will discover it by herself and if she dislike that, she will have to accept it or go away.

 

I am going to be a freshman and just ordered a m17x. I wanted a gaming notebook because, I like to game. I don't care if people know it. I say, if you want an Alienware, get it. Better than being like every other college student and owning a Mac.

P.S. I did however get stealth black so I don't have a gigantic red notebook. That is just a little too flashy for me.

 

I'm not in college, I'm 28 and I own a graphic design business and take my m14x to work everyday. One of the perks of that is no one cares how flashy my laptop is, and IMO since I paid for it I could care what anyone thinks. If anything it's gotten me more business because if someone comes in to look at a design or something they go "Oh wow that's cool" and think I'm even more creative (Besides I have tattoos down my arms and I just wear T-shirts to work so if they're ok with that I'm sure a light show laptop is ok )


I really don't hide that I game but I don't go around telling people about how I rigged a M1 Abrams with C4 and blew it to hell in BFBC2 last night or that I can't wait for the new Star Wars MMORPG to come out . People are usually surprised that I game or that I'm a relative computer "Nerd" or whatever because I own a crotch rocket and work out every so often.

I'm only 28 but one thing I've learned so far is don't let anyone tell you how you should be you, life is to short for that.

 

I like this sentence!

My boss is like over 40 years old and I was so surprised when we started to talk about assassin's creed and told me that he passed them all and he's waiting forward for the next one.

 

There isn't just one type of consumer that buys an Alienware, there is a range, everything from the spoiled rich kid who just has it because it's an expensive flashy laptop, to engineers and graphic designers who actually need the graphic and processing power but don't want to buy the even more expensive workstation-class notebooks.

Lots of Alienware owners buy Alienware because it's a big name and part of Dell, and they realize how the system works, and that they'll get the kind of hardware they need at a better price than they could get just about anywhere else. So other than the people that don't need it but just want it, there are plenty of Alienware owners who buy them for the value of what they're getting.

Alienwares actually aren't all that flashy if you have the lights off and don't make a big deal of it by gaming loudly with the speakers turned up.

The only real downside to something like an Alienware is the increased risk of theft since it looks cooler than your everyday plain notebook. But Macs might be even better known as expensive/desireable notebooks in popular culture these days, so a solid color Alienware with the lights off just being used for regular computer programs and not gaming in public might not be all that theft-prone, if you take precautions.

 

College student (last year), age 28. Used my m15x all of last year on campus, in classes, and study areas. I commute to campus and found no issue carrying it around. Battery life was only concern.

I only game when not in school (usually no time for gaming when in school). I have never seen a Alienware computer on campus. Double majoring in Dietetics and Exercise and Science doesnt qualify for most people to know or want a Alienware laptop. Most students on campus have Mac's or Dell's business class machines. Most students and teachers have no clue what the thing is. I have had a few teachers comment on it being a neat computer but most girls/guys dont care.

I plan on using my m17x r3 with no issues.

For me Alienware is used as a all in one media system than can plan any game I might find I like (I like the different look, build quality, and performance over any other computer).

 

Good answer, that was what I was looking for!

 

I am military and aircrew on planes. Guess which one. I travel a lot and spend a lot of time in hotels. I can carry big laptops with me I guess since I have a lot of control over the plane, but then I'd have to lug it around. And many times I fly commercial to a deploy location to releave other aircrews. I was not shopping for an Alienware or the most high powered laptop possible. I bought one of the top teir gaming laptop in 2003 and it was the worst laptop I ever owned. Calling it mobile was a stretch, it might as well have been a desktop. The best laptop I have owned so far was a Gateway P-6880FX. It did everything I wanted, gamed fine, quite, didn't get too hot and light for a 17" screen.

Like I said, I wasn't shopping for an Alienware, I was shopping for a small laptop that can hopefully play close to max settings for Star Wars: The Old Republic. I think the M14x is it, it just happens to be an Alienware. I think I will have to mod the cooling myself, but luckily I ...kinda sorta know how to mill my own copper blocks, have access to some crazy tools and from looking at pictures there is a good chance I can vastly improve on Alienwares cooling solution on the M14x.

 

I'm a Sophomore in college. It is true that most students seem to have Macs that they lug around from class to class. I needed something small and portable to take around with me to take notes on (My handwriting is terrible). I could have gotten something like the Asus Ee series, but I wanted something with a little bit more grunt and a slightly bigger screen then 10 inches. This brought me to the M11x.

For a year or two I had been meaning to get into the PC gaming space, and this seemed like a GREAT balance of battery life, the ability to game, and the portability to bring it anywhere I go.

Around campus I haven't really seen any students with Alienware computers. They seem a little big compared to carry around with you from class to class (except the M11x)

That is just my observations I noticed over the year. I have no problems bringing my M11x with me to class to take notes and then to play some games in between classes. =)

 

No college student here have the mx17 or mx18 since that what I am wondering?

 

Software Dev, For a combo work/gaming rig nothing comes close.

 

I believe there are a few people with the m17x r3 and in college on here.

I had the m15x all last year. Its almost identical size wise to the m17x r3. If your use to a big computer it will be a easy transition. If your coming from a 4-5lb laptop it will have a learning curve. For example some desk on campus are tiny which limit space for computer and notepad. Last year I went paperless (google docs) which limited the need for paper and pen all together. This doesnt count Organic Chemistry as mechanisms cant be shown in words.

Since class isnt in session for a few more weeks I cant comment on life with m17x r3 on campus but its identical to m15x (+3 hours more battery life for the m17x r3).

I dont care about computer size so its no issue for me.

 

I'm 19 in my first year studying law, and I take my m11x to every single class as I type faster than I write. When I originally set out to get a laptop for uni studies I wasn't looking at Alienware, but wanted something that performed well (none of these Atom processors), wouldn't frustrate me while trying to do everyday tasks, looked and felt like quality and had a touchpad and keyboard I liked. It also had to be relatively small and have a decently long battery life. The m11x ticked all these boxes for me, the fact it was a gaming laptop was a bonus.

Being the size it is, I have no issues carrying it around campus. It gets some looks, but nobody really comments on it besides my friends, who know I'm a bit techy. Actually convinced one of my gaming friends to get himself a m14x so he didn't have to worry about lugging a desktop from home to residence.

For the most part, I haven't regretted my decision

 

Human Beings .

 

Yep, college student here too.

My other college laptop is in shambles and barely works anymore. So I decided to get a top of the line laptop that could game too and I only wanted it for one game, Battlefield 3.

Bought the M17x, because it is lighter, single GPU, very powerful and actual is portable, unlike the bigger M18x. There is other brands out there, but I choose Alienware, because they are the only ones that seem to have this type of specs for the price and quality. The design is also nice. Haven't took it to school yet, because the year hasn't started. Although I can tell you this is not the laptop you would want to carry and takes notes with in class. Sure carrying it to the library or moving to another persons house is fine, but taking notes on it in class, I would be afraid that it would break the armrest and it is too big for that lol.

 

Take mine to work everyday, and have one with me pretty much all the time.
I am probably one of the old men here, 60 last month.

 

I reeeeeeeeeeally want to think that the M18x would work out if I take it to college with me, but I'm starting to seriously rethink it. I want to have the best performance out there (I've never been able to max any games out, let alone play much of them at all, since I've never owned any type of gaming computer before), but I'm afraid the M18x is just too big for everyday use. I'm gonna be a freshman starting in September at Ohio State University but I haven't taken any tours so I don't know exactly what to expect when it comes to classrooms and desk sizes. Is it common to lug a laptop everywhere around campus everyday? Are huge books common and necessary to be taken to classes on a normal basis?

I'm just really worried about how an M18x would work out. I don't want to lose out on the build quality, sound and performance but I'm starting to think that I'll have to if I don't want to go through hell.

I could always get a netbook and leave my M18x in my dorm or apartment (if I can get one), but I'd be worried about theft and such.

What makes it worse is I need to decide within the next two days so I don't miss out on the 25% off deal. :/

 

If you buy a m18x buy a netbook with it, thinking you're going to lug it around everyday might last 48 hours.

 

I'm 19 and I just finished my first year of college and I'm about to start my second one. I brought my R3 to school one day and all my friends even the ones with MBPs were amazed at how nice my laptop was. The R3 is quite easy to carry around all day for me, but it may not be ideal for all. Alienware laptops are very flashy and will draw a lot of attention, but it is the good kind.

 

It's my last semester at the university so let me just throw out some answers here...

A 17" will be too big for the tiny slide-out desks common in big lecture rooms/auditoriums. It will barely fit if you just need to put it down for a second but if your taking notes on it, it will be on your lap.

It depends on your major, but for the most part yes it is common to lug a laptop everywhere, everyday.

In most classes the books are big but not required in-class.

A netbook is great for notes but if your getting a netbook then scrap the m18x and custom build a PC for the same price, youll get much better performance and still have your netbook for portability.

 

I lugged around my other laptop in University 12Lbs+, just get a decent backpack and with the exception of some of the smaller desks and such it was fine to haul around.

Keep in mind I never carried anything but a notepad and maybe a textbook when required (very rare).

 

If the M18x is all that I'll really be carrying around, I suppose it won't be so bad... I'll just have to figure out the easiest way to use it in class without killing my legs or dropping it. =X Hand taken notes are always an option too.

I'm still a bit undecided, but Computer Science is what I'm choosing as my major right now, but it could change to just about anything else since I'm so indecisive... an M18x would probably be beneficial for a computer based class though. I'd be very pissed off though if a Mac is ever required.

Thanks guys for your help, I think I'll just get the M18x and see where it leads me.

EDIT: Flashpoint, do you know what backpack you were using for your laptop? I still need to find one but the choices are pretty limited and I'd rather not get the Orion backpack because of how flashy it looks.

 

I'm a CS major too, good choice! haha..

A Mac wont ever be required, but it may be worth putting a linux partition on your HDD.

Many CS courses teach *NIX and it will definitely help you out to be able to 'yum install' or 'apt-get' rather than figuring out the 'windows way' to do something thats very easy on linux (like getting all dependencies for your install.. etc.)

Also if your in CS then an 18" laptop will be great. The more real-estate on your screen the easier it will be to program.. Nice to be able to have half the screen as documentation, other half as terminal/eclipse.

EDIT: Also, to answer your question about books, YES they will be big but you dont normally have to lug them around.

 

Way to be! lol. I figured that all-around, the M18x would be the best choice. I could even carry around a netbook along with it if I needed to haha. I would build a desktop, but I'd still like to have portable power if I ever needed to take it somewhere.

The screen size I'm sure will be amazing for CS and such, I've been using a 15-inch screen for some time and I've found it to be just fine, but an extra 3 inches would be pretty nice.

Nice to hear that books aren't all that necessary in class, but if they're ever needed I should be able to figure out a way to carry them.

Btw about linux, I've never given it a try before but I've always been pretty interested in it so I definitely think I'll start looking into it/using it when I get the M18x.

 

At the time I had a Targus with the padded back and shoulders. Lot's of storage pockets etc, and just a tiny logo so not many people knew what it was (easily removed as well). I vaguely remember someone posting on the backpack thread which targus models fit the m18x.

Basically any backpack with the padded laptop carrier and should/back areas will save you a huge amount of pain and protect the laptop.

 

Are you sure you do not want the Mx17 model instead?

 

I'm stuck again. :/ Trying to decide between the M17x and M18x...

 

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