Why are so many neary new Alienware's for sale?

This is clearly not a "for sale" ad, and some may say it belongs in "What Notebook Should I Buy?" (and mods will probably move it!) but my nephew has been looking for a gaming rig and is very interested in an Alienware 17 but I am chastened by how many of these are for sale, either newly refurbished or only slightly used (though clearly past return window) and I wonder if there are some chronic issues that often disappoint first-time Alienware buyers or is it simply the case that the majority of trade on the NBR Marketplace is in high end gaming machines - eg, Alienware, Sager/Clevo. Would appreciate thoughts from those who frequent this forum and might be more savvy as to the prevalence of nearly new AW's for sale than someone in a WNSIB thread. This is a really big purchase for my nephew; he has saved for 2 years for it!

Thanks much.

EDIT: Just so you understand this post, it was originally posted in NBR Marketplace for reasons I explain in the OP, above, but a mod moved it to this AW forum yesterday. Thanks again to all who responded - in both threads! - as it shows that AW/heavy gamers are some of the best NBR community folk in the Forum - and I have been around for 5 years and 3,400 posts for a basis of comparison! Just not a gamer myself and needed to understand the whacky-seeming trade in them, which you all did!

 

I believe the reason is Alienware often attracts the individuals who are always looking for the next best thing. As a result you see a lot of alienware Owners will constantly buy a laptop use it until a new version comes out, then upgrade. That's why it's geared toward the people with deep pockets and an eye for unrivaled performance. Part of it is name, yes, but of all the notebooks I've owned over the years, Alienware's tech support was unrivaled.

I had my share of Alienwares in the past (Alienware M17x R1, M17x R2, M17x R3, M11x R1, but I ultimately settled with a Clevo since it can hold 4 HDDs, and 6 core desktop processor. This notebook was my end game since I needed to settle down. Got married, had a kid, now looking for a house. So I had to get out of the constantly upgrading game.

But ultimately that's why. And people who own Alienware, know notebooks. And people who know notebooks, know NBR. So there are a lot of enthusiasts here. Think about how many people post, and multiple that number by a lot and you see how many lurkers visit NBR. This is a great place to get good world wide exposure for notebooks your willing to sell. Anyhow, that's just my $.02

 

Could it have anything to do with upcoming GTX9XXM high end GPU's?

 

It could ^^ of course, but let me throw my share of 02'ct's here no offence to anyone please...

I believe most were expecting more when upgraded from previous line to the current latest one, and got disappointed. Where's performance of GPU did got a facelift, whole rest of the machine was just completely revamped and most of all not in the better way.

Many who had waited and watched space at the end just upgraded to the new line-up of GPUs 7xx/8xx and held on to their XM CPUs in the old chassis and literally been kicking haswells and new Alienwares of the same class around in the performance perspective.

Well that was my point of view.

 

I think overall there are a lot more alienware laptops for sale in comparison to the other brands normally as there are just more of them around (more popular, more sales?). On ebay, the number of alienware laptops for sale seems to always exceed all the other "gaming" laptop brands combined. No major issues, but I think some people do not like the new design, I am not a fan but it has grown on me.

 

Guys, I'm blown away with all your responses - thank you! So, I take it you would cinsider a giod price on a slightly used, still under warranty AW a good idea for 16 yr old's 1st gaming notebook? Seems crazy to buy one new when they depreciate so fast. I suggested he keep tabs on the outlet too.

Thanks again. I also just learned that gamers are really nice, helpful people

 

I moved this to the AW forum; it was completely inappropriate to have this discussion in the marketplace mixed with for-sale listings, and I think you knew that and didn't care.

 

I would recommend an AW17 to anyone wanting performance, reliability and quality in a relatively portable form factor.

I really have no idea whether there are more for sale today as compared to 1 or 2 years ago but I will say I am happy with mine and intend to buy another a few months after the new GPUs have been released.


I would be happy to buy a second hand one for my daughter ......... except she doesn't need one because she inherits my old ones

 

Just don't buy anything with GTX 880M. This GPU is a defective product by design. Many Alienware and Clevo owners regret having purchased a system with that GPU (or 880M GPUs to upgrade an existing machines). Until GTX 980M is released and we confirm it wasn't borked like GTX 880M, the GTX 780M is the undeniable king of the hill in laptop performance.

 

* Unless you get it at a bargain... An undervolted, slightly underclocked 880m is still faster than an 870m, and if you can grab one for a song, it wouldn't be a bad move.

 

I have an Alienware 17 that I am about to load up for sale. I am located in Alexandria VA so shoot me a PM if interested, its under warranty and is pretty loaded.

 

as a matter of topic, would you mind telling us why have you decided to part with AW17? is it because you admire one in your signature more or what's the reason?

Just curious

Thanks

 

I'm new to alienware an I have always dreamed of owning one! I got mine faulty bought a new graphics card which fixed it an then found out it have 1 year cover left for next day replacement parts so called dell an they replaced the graphics card today FAB!!

I paid £499.00 for my laptop listed as a M17-R3 i7 2750 with 4 gb ram no cover or returns
it came as an M17-R3 i7 2760 12gb ram 500gb harddrive (3d vision ready) an 1 year cover left from dell (next day) !!

Its worth £700.00 plus second hand working x.x

 

Since I only use it for LAN parties, there is not a huge need for the Alienware 17. That's really it for now, also looking to move to a smaller gaming laptop in the next refresh cycle.