Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

[Jonesy]

Just looking into a new laptop and was thinking of getting the M17X Alienware. It's not the cheapest (but not the most expensive either) and has some nice features (and looks cool ).

What are your thoughts on these and if you were getting a laptop for around 2k what would you buy?

I use some fairly obscure programs with my job in the audiology field that might have compatibilty issues with a MacBook so i'm probably looking more for a pc laptop.

EDIT: These are the specs of the Alienware

Alienware M17x
Power through the most hardcode games & intense applications with the latest Intel® Core™ i7 Processors!
Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Processor (1.6GHz,4 Cores/8 Threads,turbo up to 2.8GHz, 6MB Cache)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit (English)
640GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive (320GBx2)(Raid 0)
17.0" WUXGA 1920 x 1200 - Beyond HD (1200p) - RGB LED
1GB ATI Radeon Mobility HD 4870

[KENYON06]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

Eh, post full specs and price.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

Ummmm no. Alienware is a rip off. They wayyyyyyyyyyyyy over charge. FYI gaming on a laptop will kill your battery VERY fast, like within 2 hours fast.

[KENYON06]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

Yeah, as he said, Alienware prices have always been above what the specs demand. They do offer their own styles though, and may have good customer support (I dunno)

And if you are gaming without being plugged in, you must be outside your mind.....

Just for reference, I used a custom configurator at a different website that had the same screen (WUXGA 1200p), better card (285), better processor (i7 930) and 6GB triple channel memory for around 2300 bucks.

[ODogg]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

Alienware from all my research was at one time worth it but since being sold to Dell have become very much NOT worth it. With that being said I can't lie, their computers look quite beautiful and I often check them out.

If you know what you're looking for and are knowledgeable about configurations I'd suggest you check out www.avadirect.com as that is where I bought my desktop and the place is the cheapest place you will find, while using the best components and offering the best support. They are in Ohio so you will have to pay sales tax if you are in Ohio, otherwise they are like ordering from Dell in that regards.

[Jonesy]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

Thanks for the info guys. I didn't post the price because it's not in US dollars but it would be around 2600US for the alienware i was looking it. I have a friend who bought one a few years ago and LOVES it and raves about how good the after sales support is etc.

It would be replacing my current desktop PC so i wouldn't be using it unplugged very often just when i went away for work or holidays.

It does have some cool features (like the facial recognition via the built in camera to log you in etc) and looks badass i'm just not sure if its worth the 300 more it would cost for a similar setup in a HP, Samsung, other brand laptop.

[CMH]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

Just to let you know, I have a brand new PC laptop that costs just over $500 and it has that facial recognition feature.

I don't know if you're using that to justify anything, but don't overpay for a feature that really doesn't cost anything to the manufacturer.

[KENYON06]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

Thanks for the info guys. I didn't post the price because it's not in US dollars but it would be around 2600US for the alienware i was looking it. I have a friend who bought one a few years ago and LOVES it and raves about how good the after sales support is etc.

It would be replacing my current desktop PC so i wouldn't be using it unplugged very often just when i went away for work or holidays.

It does have some cool features (like the facial recognition via the built in camera to log you in etc) and looks badass i'm just not sure if its worth the 300 more it would cost for a similar setup in a HP, Samsung, other brand laptop.

Well if you are using it to replace a desktop, then personally I would suggest getting a desktop and a laptop. I'm gonna use US prices for example here. If I had 2600 to spend on that sort of thing, I would personally build a killer desktop for around 1200, and spend the rest on a decent, but not quite top of the line laptop for travel. It all depends on how often you would be traveling to make an expensive laptop worth it imo. You can also transfer files between them via an ethernet cable or get an external hdd.

Just a suggestion.

[Cebby]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

If you're going to be gaming, don't buy a laptop.

Build a PC yourself. It's fairly easy and will save you at least half the price.

[ODogg]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

Maybe he wants to game on the go though?

[Cebby]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

Maybe he wants to game on the go though?

For 2 grand you could build a dominant desktop (1,100), a solid laptop (550), a PSP (170), and a DS (170).

Realistically, there are two reasons to buy a gaming laptop:

1. You have enough money where 2.5 grand means nothing

2. You have no friends, family, debt, or other hobbies

It's just not worth it at all. You can get more computer for 30-50% of the cost.

[Jonesy]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

1. You have enough money where 2.5 grand means nothing

2. You have no friends, family, debt, or other hobbies

Lol, standard Cebby sweeping generalisations.

The main reason i wanted a good laptop that is capable of playing games is because the office where our desktop sits is a fair way from the tv. Occassionally i would like to be able to sit on the couch watching tv and also be able to use the computer. That and the travel thing (i'm away from home a lot with work and it would be nice to be able to get high quality gaming in my motel room).

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Cusefan]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

For 2 grand you could build a dominant desktop (1,100), a solid laptop (550), a PSP (170), and a DS (170).

Realistically, there are two reasons to buy a gaming laptop:

1. You have enough money where 2.5 grand means nothing

2. You have no friends, family, debt, or other hobbies

It's just not worth it at all. You can get more computer for 30-50% of the cost.

I bought a ASUS laptop for around 1700 and it has done a very good job for what I needed it for. I do play games on it occasionally, but only Civilization or Sim City. I do agree with the first part of what you said though, gaming on a laptop does not feel right, it can be convenient but I doubt you will sit in a recliner and fire up a FPS.

[MachoMyers]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

I got a gaming laptop (cause I travel and work abroad so it was my only option) and I didn't want to overspend on Alienware but I went with Dell and went a notch down with their XPS series. Some decent gaming stuff (the new versions run most games on high) so check into that. Will save you some serious cash.

[Cusefan]

Re: Are Alienware Laptops worth the extra $$$

I think the Main Bullet point of this main presentation is dont buy a alienware laptop.