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Hi, I just found this alienware laptop and seems to be really nice and powerful.
I decided to wait for W3J- but I'm not really sure now.
I need some advice!!!!! All replies are useful
thanks!!
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I know several people who own Alienware.
Specwise, they are similar.
With options, price is similar.
Size-wise, they are not.
Alienware does not make a gaming laptop smaller than 15.4". (Their smaller ones have integrated video)
Alienware also does NOT care about weight. Their laptops, as a rule, are heavy monstrosities bound to a desk, for the most part. Alienware also has less focus on battery life as well. For all intents and purposes, their laptops are "desktop replacements"...which means they are meant to be used on a desk, and not really designed for anywhere else.
It is also worth noting that the STANDARD m5550 comes with an inferior Graphics card, the ATI x1400 (slower, 128MB dedicated + 128 MB shared), whereas the W3J comes with only the x1600 (faster, 256MB dedicated + 256 shared). To get an equivalent option, you'd have to upgrade the m5550 when you buy it.
The W3J has good build quality (Never really seen a laptop better, really), and is more compact. At 4.4 Lb, and only 14" screen, it is very portable. Having owned laptops ranging from 10 lb all the way down to 2.5 lb...I have to say that I would NEVER go back to a bigger laptop. The smaller, the better, if it has the same power. It is decent on battery life, comes with the option of swapping out the DVD with a 2nd battery to extend life, or a 2nd HDD for more storage, as well as an empty tray if you need more portability
Wireless: Identical wireless cards, but the W3J has integrated Bluetooth included as a standard. Alienware doesnt at all, unless you upgrade to external USB Bluetooth. There is no option for internal bluetooth on the m5550.
Generally, think of it this way.
If you'll be sitting in the same spot all the time, plugged into AC power, and you're using a desk (not your lap...they get rather hot!)....go Alienware.
Size specs:
# Height: 1.36”
# Width: 14.25”
# Depth: 10.75”
# Weight: 6 lbs
If you'll be taking the lappy around with you, using it in different places, and on your lap, in a plane, etc.... go Asus.
Size Specs:
330 x 247 x 30-32.7 mm (W x D x H)
2 Kg (4-cell, weight-saver) ; 2.2Kg (8-cell, weight-saver)
Converted:
# Height: 1.28”
# Width: 12.99”
# Depth: 9.72”
# Weight: 4.4lbs
I should ask though...
What is the point of getting a laptop in the first place, if its too big/heavy to take it where you want, or runs out of juice?? Think about it.
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Thanks ChetKabak,
Well i want the notebook for my college, I'll be programming a lot and using some design programs, I'll play too(not really often, but i love games!!!). It's like I'll be carrying the notebook the whole day, but i dont really care about 14" and 15.4" i think they are still portable. Area-51 m5550 in specs says that is only 6 lbs. W3J says 5.5 lbs. so the difference is almost nothing(F3Jm is 15.4" and its about 6.5lbs). Personally i like more W3J desing but I've seen that ppl talks a lot about alienware screens, saying that they owns.
If i upgrade GPU in m5550 to nVidia 7600 the price is around 1,799 us. Oh and selected CPU is Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7200 2.0GHz 4MB Cache that is a plus, because W3J- will have Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5600 1.83GHz 2MB Cache.
I've never had a laptop from ASUS nor Alienware that's why i want to know all the posible info about them, like hows the warranty, the lid, flex, undeclocked GPU(I was watching MBP 15" but underclocked GPU is not good), etc.
To make it simple, i personally prefer W3J, i like it more really, but i need it as soon as posible. So the factor here is that alienware has core 2 duo already and ive read that they are good too.
Oh is W3J only 4lbs? i thought it was about 5.5lbs .
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Is not that simple for me
, i always liked alienware desing but then I saw W3J and liked it more. The cons/pros are:
m5550
+ display
+ core 2 duo T7200 already available
+ desing is nice
- battery life
- no bluetooth
W3J-
+carbon fiber
+desing
+bluetooth
+battery life
-will have core 2 duo T5600
---- NOT AVAILABLE NOW
I've read that m5550 gets hot, but w3j too because it is too small and powerful, i dont care that much about heat (well, i dont like MBP, they are really really hot).
I'll be using the notebook on a desk(mostly), in my college.
But yes, I'll carry it everywhere. So im confused
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Uh, no. The official Asus specs state 2.2 Kilograms. That works out to about
1 kilogram = 2.20462262 pounds, so i guess my calcs were a bit off.
It's closer to 4.8 lbs. It may not sound like a lot, but 1 lb can be the difference between your arm straining to hold it, and not.
1.4" of screen size actually adds up to about 26.9 square-inches of desk space, and as jterp7 pointed out...you might be limited while in class, etc...or when not at home...or on a plane/train/automobile, or sitting on a bench between classes. It can be the difference between your notebook/textbook fitting on the desk...and falling off on the floor with a loud thud!
I've owned a 15.4" laptop, and a 14". The noticeable screen size is negligible indeed. I really couldn't tell the difference at all, looking at the screen. Now when it came to setting it down on desks and stuff, I noticed a huge difference in footprint size. Weight will be a siginificant factor if you're carrying it around all day long. Its easy to move 1 lb around for a few minutes...but over an entire day, can wear you down.
Also, for the W3J, you can upgrade to Merom later on. Yes, this will void the Asus factory warranty, BUT...if you buy a customized W3J from a reseller, you would not get that anyway...you would get a Dealer warranty. Dealer warranties are more flexible, and you have choice between different resellers and their warranty policies. I know that www.btotech.com will let you upgrade the laptop yourself, and even let you upgrade the CPU under their warranty (if you get written consent first). Alienware requires you to send your lappy in to them, and have them do upgrades on it instead (I believe).
I'm not telling you what to buy, if you really want that Alien head (and the admitted bragging rights to it) by all means, go for it. I'm just sharing about 7 years of laptopping experience ranging from 12"/2.5lb to 15"/10lb laptops. I want you to be happy with what you do decide to get, and I want to help you avoid buyer's regret. Everyone wants to feel like they got the perfect laptop for them!
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Aha! I see said the blind man. Meh, Guess it's about the same I guess. I suppose around that, it starts becoming even more a matter of personal choice.
Don't get me wrong, if I had not found the W3J, I'd be buying a Dell M1250 or Alienware instead. It just fits me better, but you'll have to determine what you want in your lappy most, and choose accordingly.
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Thanks for all your advices.
I'm still thinking
Alienware Area-51 m5550 or W3J-??
Discussion in 'Asus' started by Calzon_V_, Sep 6, 2006.
