IS alienware really worth it?

I might just get the sager np8150 instead

I have had terrible experiences with alienware computers.  I purchased a tricked out area 51 ALX computer.  However soon after receiving it the graphics cards needed to be replaced.  They ended up being replaced 3 times, as well as my memory, hard drive, and motherboard.

Also Dell does not adequately update their video drivers.  In fact, you maybe better never upgrading your drivers at all because some of them are dell specific, so if you go to uninstall them to reinstall current ones it may screw up your system even more.

I have never had so many nightmares with graphics cards until I purchased my alienware.  My latest call from them since they replaced my whole computer (mind you I have the extended warranyt for 4 years which I purchased out of a moment of insanity).

However, I am continuing my battle with them because they're claiming my 102C on my new area 51 ALX with 2 ati hd6990 is normal while playing world of warcraft.   Does anyone agree with this?  Do the cards always run so hot?

Also, the catalyst control center's automatic fans have never worked for me on both of my area 51 ALX machines, the one with the 5970 cards or the ones with the 6990 cards.

Overall, I would not recommend buying another alienware product.  Doghouse systems would be a better choice.  It is lower cost than a tricked out area 51 ALX and you don't have to worry about Dell specific drivers.

I've made a forum post too about my situaiton as well so please go there and comment.  

My earlier post was deleted, so I will just say this:

Consider the following criteria with your choice:

1) Video Card - Most games will focus on specifics for video, make sure to be aware of the video card in the laptops.  However, most 'cheap' laptops focus more on desktop than gaming, so mobile gaming graphics will be a bit higher price.

2) Processor - i5 or i7 processors are becoming the 'necessity' these days to avoid issues with cpu spikes which will affect the performance of the game.  Oh, and don't just consider only i5 or i7, I just refer to Intel chips because most games seem to focus on the code base.  Equivalent AMD chips might work as well.

3) Hard Drive - Laptops will have a limitation to the size of the drives and the drawback with laptops will be hard drive access.  Most times, I would recommend a system where you isolate your games from your system to reduce the disk access time, but laptops will not allow you that option.  The more expensive option is SSD, but you also sacrifice space due to SSD limitations.

4) Size - This is the thing that affects all Laptop users.  They want to not have a heavy machine, but in order to achieve reasonable gaming capabilities, size and weight will be higher than most of the cheap laptops you may be looking for.

We won't get into the monitor, as for the most part, LCD/LED based panels should now have a decent refresh rate, but we do have to go back to points 1 and 2.  Unfortunately, the cost in order to have decent video and processor is going to be higher due to the fact that most of those items were not design for pure mobile, and in most cases, the power demand will also increase the cost of the laptop to facilitate the power need.  There is also the heat factor to also consider, to make reasonable power, heat reduction is necessary to avoid certain components from frying in the process, especially the processor, memory, gpu and hard drive.

The laptop you are considering looks within reason, but I would also suggest looking at some posted reviews and do some comparisons.  Namely look at the GPU mobility ratings.  One other thing I can say, whether you get the Sager or an alienware, both laptops will have a short battery life due to the power the two systems will probably need.

" But it was only due to the new Optimus technology.  I just did not know much about it.   But one forum post and some answers and my problem was easily solved"

what was it?

i asked in another thread but u havent answered

Again, I would suggest you do something as simple as call the BBB and ask about the company that interest you.

Have you googled "dell complaints?"

b3nje909, my issue was that I could not play Crysis 2 on my M14X.  All I had to do was right click on the game's shortcut and assign the proper GPU to it as default.  Once I did that, the game ran fine.  It has not stopped since.   I believe you tried that already?   didn't you?

You think that's bad.....

Call the BBB for public information. You will be shocked. I would consider calling the BBB on any company when one plans on spending more than a few hundred dollars.

I learned my lesson!

For Gaming laptops there are a number of good choices, Falcon NW, Sager, Origin PC Etc...  However you pay a premium for all these machines. And like the Alienwares they also with break and have occasional gremlins.

I had a M15X which was a great machine(and problem free) but in the end I got tired of lugging a boat anchor around and bought an XPS L501X with equal to better specs for half the cost and saved 3 pounds of weight to boot.

Now when it comes to desktops it's a no brainer to go the route of building your own. I have found it much easier to diagnose and fix a machine I build my self, not to mention being able to build a machine of equal  or better performance of an Area 51 at a substantial savings.

Just my 2c worth

ill just get a sager from xoticpc then