Alienware M15x or Asus G73JH?

Which one should i get?

Both are roughly the same price & i'm stuck between them

Please give me some advice on which one to get

 

I went through 3 G73 from Bestbuy. I just bought a Alienware M15x. It will be here thursday and Ill give you the lowdown!

 

For me asus, regardless the adamo, all dell laptop feel cheap and plastic. The G73 is plastic as well, but it feel different and solid. Keep in mind the size 'cause G73 is 17.3 inches.

 

IMO try to avoid the ones from bestbuy. Reading this forum, many of the ones from BB (mostly the X3) came with problems. Try go for one online retailer. Got my one from GenTech with zero hardware problem.

 

If I had to choose between the two I would go with the AW.
You can expect the same performance but upgrading the CPU in the AW will be much easier if you want to in the future.
Then again I'm not really a fan of 17" laptops but that's just my own opinion.

 

No such thing as X3 at BB. RBBX05 & RBBX09. The 05 is what most people got and many found the AOU screen to be less attractive. No more real problems than any other G73 if you use it stock and get rid of Trend AV. 1600x900 LG screen was very nice for gaming. I just wanted Bluetooth and 1080p so I sold it and got the X2 from Microcenter.

I don't see spending the extra $$ on the Alienware and getting a smaller screen.

Cheers,

 

... I made the decision for a g73jh-a1 (ordered 1-2 weeks left....) primarily because of price.
(and a quick check shows the m15x specced closely is over 2,000$.... my a1 cost 1505$ (tiger + BCB))
33% the cost of the g73 is not what i call close.....

(*but i am in us so i can't speak for other countries).....

assuming that both machines same cost and same configuration i would probably choose the g73.... (i like design...) but there are some issues with it....

i suppose if they are "close" in price identify your needs... do you want one of the biggest 17 in laptops or a big 15 in laptop....

 

I had both systems and ended up selling the G73. I preferred the the M15x because it was easier to upgrade/work with and had a better build quality. Plus getting spare parts from Dell is easy but it's like pulling teeth with Asus.

 

I own a G73JH and a M17X.
If the M15X is anything like the M17X is....I'd say go for the AW and don't look back!

 

I configured the M15x same as my stock G73JH-A2 that I paid $1500 for. The AW only has 1 HDD it only offers 5850 or 260 as high end GPU. So it is under in HDD and GPU. $2245 Oh also less warranty similar would add an additional $150 if even offered. G73 comes with mouse and backpack.

So if we call the mouse/backpack/warranty $250 only $1000 more for lesser GPU and 1 HDD.

Just trying to put a certain perspective on it. But OK forget all the details. 4GB RAM is all that is needed and forget the other things I tried to guess the value on. It is still $450 more w/4GB RAM and lesser GPU.

I don't have the M15x and am sure the build might be better but the G73 feels solid maybe not as much as M15x but enough.

Remember you have to pay for it and you will be the one using. If the M15x is more to your liking by all means choose it.

 

On price alone the G73 can't be beat but as other members posted upgradbility is much,much better in the AW.
There is really no wrong choice since both will basically perform the same for gaming.

 

I'd have gone for a clevo/alienware if they were in my budget, but I'm quite pleased with the g73. I don't plan on upgrades for awhile, and when I do, I've got no problem gutting it. But if you don't have the experience/time/desire to completely disassemble a laptop to upgrade the processor, then get the alienware.

Personally, I think dell (and anything associated with them) will break within a year - all of mine have! But I havn't bought AW, and I hear they're "different".

 

one is a 15.6 laptop and the other a 17". I have a M17x that is now working after Alienware released it with buggy drivers like the Nvidia. Go see the Alienware forum and check for DPC latency. A LOT of Alienware customers have been burned by paying a lot of money and spending endless hours on the phone fighting for replacement parts or system.

My Asus worked from day one and never had an issue. That's what I expect.

My Alienware cost me twice as much, had a lot of parts replaced. Finally, they replaced the whole system and eventually with some drivers the laptop worked as promised....that's a whole 6 months after I bought it...hence why I bought the Asus. So Alienware won't be getting money from me for a long long time.

 

It would be a tough decision for me. On one hand I had 3 G51jx's in 2 weeks and 3 G73jh's in about 3 weeks, the Asus's seem like they have HUGE BSOD and GSOD problems, they also don't run quite as fast as other systems with the same components in them. On the other hand AW has had some issues with DPC Latency/Stuttering but it wasn't a major issue in the m15x. Build quality/durability of build would go to AW hands down, the Asus's I had were built well but they were plastic the AW's are metal(either Magnesium or Aluminum depending on model and revision). If you get the AW keep in mind they are a lot easier to work on and have the ability to upgrade CPU,GPU,RAM,etc the Asus GPU can't be changed due to Asus using reverse MXM slot cards(you can only use Asus cards) and the rest is such a pain to get to it's not worth upgrading. The M15x can also now handle the ATi 5870m just like the Asus you just have to buy it and install it after you get it as they don't offer it from the factory right now. The cooling system on the G73's is stellar but the AW stays cool enough unless you have other problems. And yes AW/Dell's service tech's may be difficult to work with but Asus is next to impossible to work with they will want you to ship your computer off, have no communication, and possibly still end up with a bonked computer. AW may cost more but when comparing them to Asus's recent products they beat them on everything but cost, and the saying on these two is true you get what you pay for to a point.

 

I will vote for Asus G73Jh mainly due to its cheaper price tag with the same specifications. Hehehehe . . .

 

DaneGRClose: Just wanted to add that yes, using the mail-in RMA option is a crapshoot with Asus, however, if you can find an ASP location, you setup the RMA, tell Asus you are using the ASP, and then just drop it off there. Turnaround is ALOT faster and you can be one-on-one with the techs.

 

Well said.
My M17X has worked perfect out of the box. It's also nice using 8xAA with 5870M's in crossfire with Crysis Warhead .

Then screen quality is also superior to the HannsG found in the G73JH-A1.
I am so pleased with AW/Dell.

I still use my G73JH for travel purposes because my recently returned M11X left hinge broke That's what I get for settling for C2D...lol.

 

Well.. I did some research and found out that the M15x has a lot of problems software & hardware. The asus has less problems than the M15x. Correct me if I'm wrong please

 

I am a new M15x owner myself and I have yet to encounter a driver/software problem.

If you think cost is a problem, call a Sales Rep when purchasing, you can easily knock off a good 20% from the original cost. Dell has a lot of deals and coupons online up for grabs on a daily basis. Remember, the phone is the KEY to a *cheaper* alienware and the Sales Rep is doing his job giving you the better deal. NEVER buy over their online site.

My M15x ended up hurting my wallet for a good $1750 after taxes.

M15x Pros:
Magnesium Body (9 pounds, give or take)
Edge to edge glass WLED display (best LED screen i've seen)
Great cooling
Decent tech support
Upgradeable CPU, GPU, HDD
Shipped with absolutely ZERO bloatwares
i7-740, 840 and 940 CPUs just got released today.

I wouldn't hesitate going for the M15x right now cause of the CPU refresh.

However, I never really looked into the G73, but I'm pretty sure it has its advantage being cheaper and lighter with a wider screen. In the end, its your laptop, you pay for what you get.

 

Get a dell EPP discount too - talk the rep into a low price, and then give him the EPP ...

 

I paid $1429 for my X1 which I purchased the first day they showed up on Newegg. I have had absolutely 0 problems with the machine. I have no idea what a GSOD, PSOD, or any other SOD looks like. My only complaint about the machine is that I really still miss my Thinkpads T60 keyboard, even after all these months.

I play all my games at full HD resolution, high levels of detail, AA off or low, and I get full frame rates on everything I throw at it. I really can't justify not holding on this machine.

 

So you're saying I should go for the AW? And to confirm the price is no matter rwchui

 

I was just pointing out that even though the G73 is definitely cheaper with a 17.3 in screen + the HD 5870, the M15x being more expensive is to an extent. There are those who always complain about Alienware overpricing their machines, yet Dell has coupons + EPP which help reduces these prices by 20% to 25%.

In the end, it will total about a $150 to $200 in price difference with the same config and spec, also the Alienware M15x will run abit cooler with the new i7 740, 840 and 940 CPUs released today which should also be noted. The HD 5850 is just a slightly downclocked 5870 at 625/1000 which can be flashed to 5870's clockrates with ease.

You can still call this biased because I personally own the M15x. Nonetheless the G73 is a nice machine. You may want to wait for the G53.

It's your laptop, your choice. You pay for what you get.

 

That's actually the problem. I really don't know which one to choose

 

I haven't owned the Alienware, though I certainly gave it a long hard look when I was purchasing. Any machine you look at will have issues/complaints. Make sure you read in both forums (G73 and M15x) about them.

One thing to consider though is the size- the G73 is a beast- that's actually the nickname it has here at work. It's very large. This also means it has a great big screen, but it's something to think about. I don't know much about the M15x in terms of dimensions and weight, but since you have it down to a 15" and 17" laptop, I would really take a hard look at what you're going to be doing with it and at the resolutions the two panels display at.

For me, the 17" was ideal as I like to watch a lot of blu-ray movies. 1080 resolution was a definite feature I wanted, along with a large display. I also like to game, so of course the ATI card (at the time the best out there) was a real plus too.

Break down what you want to do with it and the answer will become clear.

 

I would get the g73, and use the price difference to get an intel SSD. Way more machine for your $$$. If money isn't an issue, then get whatever looks best to you because internally, they're almost identical.

 

I chose the g73jh becouse of it being alot silenter (m15x is very loud at load), having a superior gpu (5870 vs 5850/260m), 2 hard drives (vs 1 HD), being slimmer and tilted (at least the front part is slimmer and the raised keyboard is great for typing), smaller (yes a 17" g73jh is actually SMALLER - g73jh dimensions: 42.2 x 32.5 x 5.8cm (W x D x H) / m15x dimensions: 48.7 x
377.93 mm x 308.51 mm (W x D x H)), lighter (g73jh: 3,85 kg / m15x: 4,08kg), actually being able to use it on my lap (since the g73jh unlike the m15x doesnt have fan intakes on the bottom), being cheaper and on top of that ive had VERY BAD expirience with AW service and support with my M17 (thats my expirience, AW usually has a love/hate relationship with their customers).

It is true the m15x is alot easyer to upgrade, BUT with AW you cannot buy and upgrade a part yourself (like with Clevos for instance), you have to send the system in for upgrades except if youre real lucky to get them to agree to upgrade it yourself (make them send it in writing and sign that its ok for you to upgrade yourself! - i took their word over the phone, but after i upgraded my M17 they said theyre taking away my warranty...) and the upgrade prices at AW are absurd!...

In the end its your decision...

 

I agree with you in all points.
Also there is the fact that not everybody will feel comfortabel with a machine as flashy as Alienware.

For me that was one of the main reasons that made me go with G73 the looks are more sober.

 

I love the G73 since it's great for where I use it: in my company van. Having that rubberized exterior is great for keeping it clean. (Currently watching a thunderstorm from my van while typing )

 

What about the difference in battery life? I'm curious to know

 

AW offers 2 different types of batteries so I guess it would depend on that. I would look at some reviews.

I went from an M15x to a G73JH-A1 and couldn't be happier. Great value spec for spec. Both are high quality machines and both can have issues though depending on your luck. My issues ended up being with the Alienware. A real bummer since I always wanted one.

 

I wouldn't get either of them, personally I would get a sager or clevo, that way when you realize like me that a flashy laptop looks terrible in a professional situation you won't have to buy a new one. The sager and clevo will perform at a similar mark and will not be the standout when it comes to business. Also the asus models have been having overheating issues with windows 7, and alienware is a subsidiary of dell, and if that doesn't deter you, then you have no knowledge of computers.

 

Why would you get alienware instead of the g73? It's flashy, almost double the price and the support stinks.

Read about dell lying to customers here.

The article is titled "Documents show that dell knowingly sold defective computers". Also, I bought a dell 1557. The rep told me that 105 degrees was normal for a ATI 4570. Apparently, it's only "normal" if you have inadequate cooling. So normal in a dell, but horrible in life.

 

I get around 3 hours of battery life consistently with the Ziddy VBIOS. I hit 4 hours and 14 minutes with maximum powersave earlier.

The G73 has superb cooling which rivals, if not betters that of the Clevo. Those who are reporting ridiculous temps got a lemon

 

The G73 has superb cooling which rivals, if not betters that of the Clevo. Those who are reporting ridiculous temps got a lemon [/QUOTE]

I totally agree with this statement, the lack of fan noise and heat from this machine is quiet amazing. I just came off a 5hr gaming session at a lan and the dam thing wasnt even warm to touch anywhere bottom or top and i wasnt even using my laptop cooler. Never owned anything like it.

Very impressed so far on stock bios v204 with 10.6 drivers no problems so far.

 

when you say you can upgrade gpu on m15x do you mean by yourself or by dell when they put it together? because I've always thought only few number of laptops can upgrade gpu
If you can put a new gpu in yourself could it hold a 5870 or is it too much? 480?

 

ill have to say it is completely different comparison between both, so it is not fair to choose either 1 of them.

if you want the look and not function, then go with AW.
if you want the function and not the look, go with ASUS.

 

You couldn't pay me to buy another Asus notebook at this point (I am close to 40 days on an RMA at the moment).

Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

 

Well hopefully they will at least fix your asus, I sent mine in, they then lost the laptop because they sent it across the country to the wrong address, it finally got back to me after they tracked it down, and nothing was fixed.

 

Ack, that's terrible.

I won't ever again purchase a laptop from someone who has to send it to a third party to have it repaired either. You loose almost all leverage when dealing with them as you actually didn't fork any money over to them.

 

I doubt he will have a comeback for this...

 

Actually, mine wasn't near fine. I had GSOD issues galore, and it ticked me off. I then got serious about getting it stable, and the 2 GSOD links were the result (in my sig).

 

Yep those are awesome debug threads and I -highly- recommend folks read them before they engage in RMA hell with Asus. You shouldn't have to take those steps, your money should buy you a functional laptop... but it is better then the option of RMA.

Unfortunately my issues were more severe, so off to RMA land fun-ness I went.

 

Did you at least see if you had a ASP near you?

 

You know what really sucks is that for the first time, I've tried 2 Asus products due to hearing about how great they are (the g73JH and the Asus 5970). Waiting on my 2nd RMA for the 5970 to return BUT my notebook runs great except for loss of backlighting, which I REALLY want back, and the keyboard missed keystrokes.

I'm planning a road trip in late August and my go ahead and send it in for RMA then as I will be out of the office, but I gotta tell ya, otherwise, this thing runs like a dream. Powerful, quiet, and fast. I love the design, and the price for equivalently configured notebooks from Alienware or Sager/Clevo was around $2,200 or more. I really dig this notebook. My 4th 17" and the first I plan to keep longer than 2 years.

 

Ive just ordered myself the G73jh from no luck at haggling down the call center reps at dell, for what I paid for the G73 price/perfomance is hands down better, if you wanted you can add 1333 ram to replace stock to get a bit better performance. But any other specs the G73 beats the M15, the G73 is closer to the M17x in specs actually, other then the 1 vid card vers 2 vid cards.