I first attempted to buy an Alienware notebook in November of 2003. However, after 6 weeks of waiting for backordered parts (something about an LCD screen shortage), I cancelled the order, having been extremely frustrated and in rather desperate need of a computer to use immediately.
I instead purchased an HP ZD7000 which has been the biggest disaster ever. I spent $3200 on it for a computer with everything I could need (P4-3.2ghz, 1GB ram, 60GB hd, PVR unit + Windows MCE, DVD burner when they were much newer, etc.) and from day one things didn't work right. It took something like a year and a half for my PVR to finally work, the heat sink has broken on it twice, the hard drive fried (about two days before my first set of exams for law school was about to take place, just about the worst timing ever), the power cord doesn't always connect properly, the battery life is about 20 minutes and the battery is stuck and can't be removed. So, needless to say, something else is wrong with it now, and I've decided it's time to just cut my losses and get a new computer. Somewhat against my better judgment, given my previous experience, I'm going to take another shot at buying with Alienware. Here's what I ordered:
Area-51® m5500
Processor: Intel® Pentium® M 760 2.0GHz 2MB L2 Cache 533MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Service Pack 2
Warranty: 2-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Display: Alienware® m5500 15.4" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD - Xeno Grey
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 915GM + ICH6 Chipset
Wireless Network Card: Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 b/g Wireless Card
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 533MHz - 2 x 512MB
Hard Drive: 100GB 7200 RPM ATA100
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go MXM 6600
Sound Card: Intel® High-Definition Audio
Optical Drive: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/Software
Ethernet NIC: Integrated High Performance Gigabit Ethernet
Modem: 56K Modem with V.90 Technology
Order placed: 3/23/2006
Phase 1-3: 3/23/2006
Phase 4-5: 3/24/2006
The configuration form alleged that my computer would ship on this coming Tuesday (the 28th) which seems absurd. But then again, if I've already made it through the inventory audit and they claim all my parts are there, what should delay it...right? However, while I don't remember the process too clearly, I thought I'd made it deep into the production phases the first time around before they somehow discovered that they didn't have whatever parts they needed, so I'm thinking it's probably not a lock. But if they get my computer out on Tuesday, I will be thoroughly impressed.
Also, just after I made my order, I heard the announcement that Dell had acquired Alienware. I briefly thought about whether this changes anything--for example, if prices might be lowered if I wait awhile, if I should be less enthusiastic about this computer when supported by Dell, or I'm not sure what. Any reason for concern? I'm not backing out now, just wondering if anyone has any idea on how that will affect purchasers like me.
I'm going to go hug some homeless puppies or something in hopes that I get more positive karma towards this computer purchase.
I instead purchased an HP ZD7000 which has been the biggest disaster ever. I spent $3200 on it for a computer with everything I could need (P4-3.2ghz, 1GB ram, 60GB hd, PVR unit + Windows MCE, DVD burner when they were much newer, etc.) and from day one things didn't work right. It took something like a year and a half for my PVR to finally work, the heat sink has broken on it twice, the hard drive fried (about two days before my first set of exams for law school was about to take place, just about the worst timing ever), the power cord doesn't always connect properly, the battery life is about 20 minutes and the battery is stuck and can't be removed. So, needless to say, something else is wrong with it now, and I've decided it's time to just cut my losses and get a new computer. Somewhat against my better judgment, given my previous experience, I'm going to take another shot at buying with Alienware. Here's what I ordered:
Area-51® m5500
Processor: Intel® Pentium® M 760 2.0GHz 2MB L2 Cache 533MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Service Pack 2
Warranty: 2-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Display: Alienware® m5500 15.4" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD - Xeno Grey
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 915GM + ICH6 Chipset
Wireless Network Card: Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 b/g Wireless Card
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 533MHz - 2 x 512MB
Hard Drive: 100GB 7200 RPM ATA100
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go MXM 6600
Sound Card: Intel® High-Definition Audio
Optical Drive: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/Software
Ethernet NIC: Integrated High Performance Gigabit Ethernet
Modem: 56K Modem with V.90 Technology
Order placed: 3/23/2006
Phase 1-3: 3/23/2006
Phase 4-5: 3/24/2006
The configuration form alleged that my computer would ship on this coming Tuesday (the 28th) which seems absurd. But then again, if I've already made it through the inventory audit and they claim all my parts are there, what should delay it...right? However, while I don't remember the process too clearly, I thought I'd made it deep into the production phases the first time around before they somehow discovered that they didn't have whatever parts they needed, so I'm thinking it's probably not a lock. But if they get my computer out on Tuesday, I will be thoroughly impressed.
Also, just after I made my order, I heard the announcement that Dell had acquired Alienware. I briefly thought about whether this changes anything--for example, if prices might be lowered if I wait awhile, if I should be less enthusiastic about this computer when supported by Dell, or I'm not sure what. Any reason for concern? I'm not backing out now, just wondering if anyone has any idea on how that will affect purchasers like me.
I'm going to go hug some homeless puppies or something in hopes that I get more positive karma towards this computer purchase.
