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Possible purchase (Need feeback ASAP please!)

post #1 of 16
1/21/06 at 11:01pm
Thread Starter 
Hello all!
First I'll give you some quick background. I am currently using my second ever computer, my first was some PII333mhz and that got replaced in the spring of 2003 with my current computer:
Dell Inspiron 5100
Pentium 4 2.4Ghz (this is NOT a mobile chip, runs very very hot!)
512MB Ram (not sure kind, not worth the effort to find out at the moment)
ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 (32MB of ram)
60GB HDD (5400rpm)
Weight: 8lbs

I bought this when I was going into University. Now in my third year, I'm taking classes that I'd love to take my laptop to, but, well it's 8lbs! and hot, and loud, and the battery now only lasts 15 minutes. Because of their current promotion, I have considered buying a Sentia m3200 with the following specs:

Alienware Sentia m3200
Intel® Pentium® M 760 2.0GHz 2MB L2 Cache 533MHz FSB
I have WinXP Pro SP2 already, so I'd just go with the home (unless you can quickly convince me otherwise)
1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service (again, if you think I should go for more, convince me please )
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 533MHz - 2 x 512MB (would love 1 x 1024 or even 2 x 1024, but not an option sadly)
100GB 7200 RPM ATA100
8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo
and an extra battery

What will I notice as being different (other than the weight), any recommendations that I should change? Please let me know! Also, for those who own one of the AW laptops with the rubber grips, does it look very...not professional? (since this laptop will have to last for a while when I'm out of university too)
Thanks everyone!
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post #2 of 16
1/21/06 at 11:20pm
As long as you aren't looking to play demanding games on this laptop, it should be great for what you want. Home version will be fine as long as you aren't into in fancy networking/file sharing. I'd get the base RAM, then order 1 to 2 GB from Newegg. Might save you enough to up the warranty to 2 years.

Are you getting the internal wireless card - didn't see it listed, but I'd think that would be a must have.

If budget is an issue, you can knock the CPU speed down a peg or two, and go with a 5400 RPM hard drive. Doubt you will see much of a performance hit (note - I like the config you've done, just suggesting where you can save a few $$).

As far as professional-looking. Depends on where you'll end up working. I'd think it would be an issue only in the most conservative firms (and chances are, they'll supply a generic laptop if required for the job).
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post #3 of 16
1/21/06 at 11:24pm
Thread Starter 
Can anyone confirm that the m3200 can handle 2x1024? And since I wont be running high demanding games n the like, would I really need 2GB vs. 1GB?
edit: oh the wireless card is a must, you can't de-select it
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post #4 of 16
1/21/06 at 11:35pm
Can't confirm the 2GB question, but imho, 1GB would be plenty.
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post #5 of 16
1/21/06 at 11:56pm
confirmed
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post #6 of 16
1/22/06 at 12:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zerboxx
Alienware Sentia m3200
Intel® Pentium® M 760 2.0GHz 2MB L2 Cache 533MHz FSB
I have WinXP Pro SP2 already, so I'd just go with the home (unless you can quickly convince me otherwise)
1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service (again, if you think I should go for more, convince me please )
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 533MHz - 2 x 512MB (would love 1 x 1024 or even 2 x 1024, but not an option sadly)
100GB 7200 RPM ATA100
8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo
and an extra battery
I just personally ordered the same machine however I saved the bucks on the CPU and picked up the 750 off ebay for $150. Saved me a little cash but not much. Oh and the Ram you can pick up dirt cheap off NewEgg. I picked up 2 gigs for $151.70. Much cheaper than Alienware wants for it.

Oh here's the link for the ram. http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820208312
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post #7 of 16
1/22/06 at 12:17am
i got the sentia for my school also because they require laptops and id have to say its the best laptop for school ever. Its SUPER light, powerful, and probably grabs the attention of anyone who sees you with it which is pretty fun.

The rubber grips look awsome, but not very useful at all haha.

Also, your config is AWSOME id definatly go with that your sentia will ROCK

Good Luck!
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post #8 of 16
1/22/06 at 12:26am
What difference will you notice? Night an' day bud, night an' day.
Your setup will be enough to run you quite a bit, even so far as light gaming<<Think HL2 on mediumish settings or equivilant>> An' for older games will rock, so no worries there.
It really is a wonderful machine...well, I've only experience with the 223, but all models seem to be liked by their owners.
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post #9 of 16
1/22/06 at 12:39am
get thev 2 year warranty because you never know when something might go wong
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post #10 of 16
1/22/06 at 2:19pm
That sounds like a great setup. I have the 1.86GHz chip (750) and the 5400rpm hard drive and really don't think I'm missing much. I'm used to the 10,000rpm WD Raptor in my dekstop and the 5400rpm Samsung in the Sentia isn't slow enough to annoy me.

Also, you would actually get more performance out of 2 x 512 SODIMMs rather than 1 x 1024 since they are Dual Channel (can read from both SODIMMs simultaneously if needed). I'd agree with getting aftermarket RAM as well. I ordered mine with the minimum 256 and then ordered two 512 SODIMMs from Crucial. I also agree that you could get it cheaper from newegg or even by checking the sales in slickdeals.net's forums. You just might want to hang on to the stock RAM chip. I'm not 100% sure, but reading the warranty agreement, you might have to switch back to it if you send the notebook in for warranty service.

Best of luck, I know you'll enjoy the notebook! Coming from a 8lb Dell Latitude C800, I can guarantee you'll find the size factor of the Sentia a welcome change!

DC
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post #11 of 16
1/22/06 at 6:25pm
Thread Starter 
So I've made some changes to the setup, 2 year warranty instead of 1 year, and dropped the ram to 256 and will buy 2x512 from tigerdirect (living in Canada, it's my best option).
What I was wondering though is about doing the same thing with the HDD (go to 40GB 5400rpm and buying a 100GB 7200rpm from tiger direct too. Recommended? or not?
It would save me about... $200 CDN (roughly $175US), so that would be nice, but I want make sure it's doable, this is what I was thinking:
Hitachi 7K100

Please let me know what you guys think, as time is quickly running out on this sale

edits: I'll quickly add that the HDD I linked to is ATA while a tech support guy said that the m3200 uses SATA, not sure if this makes a difference, though I believe it does ....1st tech call, guy said m3200 uses SATA, 2nd call said PATA, specs say both...I think I'll just stick with the config straight from AW
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post #12 of 16
1/22/06 at 9:45pm
Biggest hassle with changing the hard drive out would be changing it back to stock if you needed to send it in for warranty service. But then again, since they format the drive at the depot anyway, it may not be a big deal.

On the question of PATA or SATA...you've got me wondering which the m3200 uses. I'd be happy to check mine for ya, but I'll admit my ignorance here. I have never changed out a notebook hard drive, so wouldn't know how to tell the difference. Are there any software downloads that would indicate which it is?

DC
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post #13 of 16
1/22/06 at 10:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DamienChaos
Biggest hassle with changing the hard drive out would be changing it back to stock if you needed to send it in for warranty service. But then again, since they format the drive at the depot anyway, it may not be a big deal.

On the question of PATA or SATA...you've got me wondering which the m3200 uses. I'd be happy to check mine for ya, but I'll admit my ignorance here. I have never changed out a notebook hard drive, so wouldn't know how to tell the difference. Are there any software downloads that would indicate which it is?

DC
I don't know if there's a program, but don't worry about going to go figure it out, I'm set on just getting it from Alienware, just cause then it's also covered by them. The only extra thing I'm doing is the ram...

Another question before I purchase this, any know how their warranties work with those outside of the states (I'm in Canada). The warranty includes "Onsite Service", and just wanting to know what'll happen with me up here in Canada.
Thanks everyone for your feedback, and this baby should be in phase 1 tomorrow
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post #14 of 16
1/23/06 at 12:23am
I don't know of anyone yet having their lappy serviced on-site. Just doesn't make enough sense for AW to do so, unless you made a really big stink. But yeah, plan on sending it back<<On their bill>> should it ever need to go to the depo.
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post #15 of 16
1/23/06 at 1:02am
Thread Starter 
Well everyone, it's done! Currently in phase 1...once it arrives I'll look about writing a review
Thanks again everyone for all your help!!
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post #16 of 16
1/23/06 at 3:07am
ur welcome
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