sager or alienware

www.sagernotebooks.com and another good one is www.pctorque.com

i just priced one at 3100$ it included

16" display, 3.2 ghz proc., 1 gb ram, dvd+RW 60GB HDD...

thats not including the graphics card which they cant match.

id say its comporable, but no alienware.... plus there case isnt as cooll

does it have the do it ur self upgrade shiz for ur GPU

What did you configure that you couldn't find a card that can't be matched? I'd be interested to know because I was originally wanting (very badly, I might add) an Alienware. Now I've given up on AW because they did their price hike thing (Hmm... don't recall anyone else having to dramatically increase their prices ). Also, please note- you said you'd configured a DVD+RW for Sager. I think you're mistaken. The AW's come with +RW, the Sagers are -RW.

Configuring a Sager from PC Torque HERE, I've never had a problem finding an ATI 128mb video card. In fact, if you go with the 8890, you can have 3 HDs instead of 2. Sure, I can't have the pretty lid, but for the ridiculous prices that AW's charging now, I'll definitely take a Sager that's got more options and a smaller pricetag.

Just my 1/2 cent worth.

EDIT: Ok, I just realized you were probably referring to the ability to swap out your video card for a newer one in the future. Had forgotten about that, sorry. Although I have to say that the Sagers are upgradeable, too, but not just the video cards. You can read more about that HERE

I just configured a Sager 8890 and an Alienware Area-51m. Here's what I got:
8890
16.1" UXGA, 3.2ghz, ATI 9600 Pro 128mb, Aegean Blue Paint w/ High Gloss finish, 1024mb dual-channel 400DDR RAM (Upgradeable to 2gig), 60gig 7200 HDx 3 (with RAID set up on the first 2), DVD-RW/CD-RW, XP Pro, Internal wireless, Internal Bluetooth, detachable mp3 player, detachable 6-in-1 card reader, 1 yr warr. Cash 4007.65

Area-51m
16.1" UXGA, 3.2ghz, ATI 9600 Pro 128mb module, Conspiracy Blue, 1024MB DDR PC-3200 (maximum capacity), 60gig 7200 HDx 2, DVD+RW/CD-RW, XP Pro, Internal wireless, 1 yr warr. 3,944.00
Note: Free Matrix bundle & shipping at the time of this configuration


Just trying to keep the playing field straight here. I put on as many options as I could on the 8890 in order to get the price up to the Alienware's level. Dropping the paint job alone would drop the price $500. If looks aren't required, but beastly performance is, the AW comes in second in my book (but dang if they don't look GOOD!)

EDIT #2
Since the 8890 is bigger than the AW, I decided to configure a 5680.

5680
15" UXGA wide angle view, 3.2ghz, ATI 9600 Pro 128mb, Aegean Blue Paint w/ High Gloss finish, 1024mb dual-channel 400DDR RAM (Upgradeable to 2gig), 60gig 7200 HDx 2, DVD-RW/CD-RW, DVD drive(2nd optical drive), XP Pro, Internal wireless, Internal Bluetooth, 1 yr warr. Cash 3380.42

If I pulled the paint and 2nd optical drive, that'd put it at $600 less. Roughly $2700 for a system that still has everything the Area-51m has, but takes it a step further (Bluetooth, 2gig RAM upgradeability, possible future mb/cpu upgradeability).

Same trouble

I have the same problem, I cant decide between the two

Basicaly cus im in United kingdom (Scotland) an alienware Area-51m costs me £2100,
3.2ghz, 1gb Ram, 60gbrpm hdd, but with the 15.4 inch (1400 x 1050) screen cause the 16 (1600 x 1200) has that ghosting problem, really anoys me I really wanted the 16 inch but oh well lol. Deliverd with in 12 days.

AJP D500p (AKA sager 5XXX)(AJP do the same as sager. clevo shells with the companys own components)

AJP has same spec as alienware except its a 15 inch screen but 1600x1200 res plus the final cost is £1650. Deliverd within 5 days


Help me pls

i thought you could have 2 GB 400DDR RAM in the alienware aswell. atleast that is what all the alienwareguys told me.

That may be, and I applaud your bargain-hunting. I had a Sager (older model, Celery powered) for quite awhile and was very happy with it, a solidly built machine.

For me, however, it's more about loyalty. I've always been very satisfied with Alienware's products, and I'll continue to support them (until and unless I get farked over somehow ), even with the apparent price inflation.

That 8890 is also almost too large to be considered portable, so then you have to look at the 5680 and then you sacrafice the 16" screen option.

I would also add that in comparing the 8890, which a co-worker of mine has the battery life is less than the AW. Somthing to consider. As for the upgrade policy, I't hard to concieve an entire mobo replacement as an upgrade. Thats more like a $1000 overhaul for new guts and an older screen.

Earlier GSFerarri brought up a good point in noather thread, if you buy and use it for about 2 years, then sell it your cost to get the latest and geeates will be about a $700 difference.

I think you are correct. You are paying for the construction, the attention to detail and also the burn in testing which in theory tells you that you pC is up to scratch and fully tested. How many companies now do a burn in. I have to say that I used to work for a company that no longer exists and sell PCs and laptops etc. They didn't burn in their products together. ie. Integrated. So I think you are paying for the reliablilty and also the quality of kit. Its like saying I'm buying Ferrari rather than Ford.


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Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle

To me the upgradeable graphics card is the big selling point... since im buying ym laptop for mostly gaming then thats big... wehn they come out with the newest best graphics cards i can switch no problem and for pretty cheap i dont need to upgrade anythign besides my GPU to do this.

The AW cases are awesome but that doesnt matter much to me.

The prices are like $60 apart? Wouldn't you rather put in that little more for alienware?

No you can't. You can switch out the entire mobo to potentially get a new GPU if someone ever decides to design an entirely new system board for your laptop.

I spent a few years early in the 90's doing laptop depot repair for Toshiba, and granted a good tech can have the thing apart in under 30 mins, and replaced in 35 total. That part, the mobo is going to cost you an arm and a leg. We charged $1200 for Tecra mobos out of warranty, and Toshiba is cheap. Thats of course when they were available, once a product line is done the manufacture would loose a fortune designing a new mobo for an outdated chassis, so that they could then turn around and sell a handfull to a few select users that did not get a new notebook already.

I went down this road with the people at Sager when I was first shopping, I asked them what the average cost of upgrade to a 56xx model, they said $1100 to $1200. PC torque might be less I never checked with them, but just not worth it for a now older scren technology and old chassis.

Get the Sager, keep it for two years or so, then sell it. Take that cash and get a newer model, and only pay the difference. It's ten times easier, and you will get all the other new parts surrounding it.

Gosh I hate plowing through these posts like this. It seems every week one of these new threads come up. Can we make a perminent "Trolling" thread, or a perminent "Flaming"?

That's very well possible. I haven't checked w/ AW on that. I just went by what their webpage would let me configure on their website. There was no option for 2 gigs. Maybe AW Juan or Scott could help clear this up.

Compare the specs between the two. The prices I tried to get as close to possible. The Sagers are loaded with more options (but, like Time-Pilot pointed out, there are negatives, too- ie, battery life, weight, looks)


And Charlie, while I share your frustration in flaming, etc. on these forums, I don't understand how that has anything to do with this thread. It seems rather civil, IMO. I know I'm not trying to be rude about anything. Like I've posted before, I like AW. I'd LOVE to have one. But when it comes down to performance and costs, my personal preference is for the Sager (even if it means toting around an ugly box- which we've got a thread on even that subject on the Sager side).

I'm guessing that you're pointing fingers at me, but I don't know. I don't see any posts that seem inflammatory to me. There's a difference between expressing differences of opinion and stating facts versus flaming.

Now if someone was saying Buy a Sager cuz Alienware SUCKS! , THAT would be flaming.

I stand by the premise that someone who has done their research on ALL models and/or brands (whether they be Sager, AW, Dell, Voodoo or whoever) is going to be the most satisfied customer. For some ppl, the looks of the AW are of utmost importance. For others, it's about sheer beefiness. Others, portability. We're all going to have different opinions. As long as we can respect each others' opinions while trying to be helpful, I don't think any flaming comments are necessary

But hey- that's just my 1/2 cent worth.

Do you mind if I ask what city did you perform this Depot level repair? I'm just interested in where toshiba does their repairs.


In response to the flaming issues. It's NOT considered flaming when someone says something you don't like. Flaming is a kneejerk reaction to a post that is usually caused by a misunderstanding.

I don't have a problem with anyone thinking a sager is a better deal. If the person states their reasons in a rational thought out way then I wouldn't call that trolling or flaming. It is certainly NOT flaming. I've done my homework and feel completely comfortable with my A-51. I agree with you Fried Toast. If that laptop is for you then by all means buy it.