Let's start with the specs. Here is what I ordered.
Area-51® m5500
Processor: Intel® Pentium® M 760 2.0GHz 2MB L2 Cache 533MHz FSB
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional with Service Pack 2
Warranty: 3-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Display: Alienware® m5500 15.4" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD - Xeno Grey - Xeno Grey
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 915GM + ICH6 Chipset
Wireless Network: Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 b/g Wireless Card
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 533MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Hard Drive: 100GB 7200 RPM ATA100
Video Card: 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go MXM 6600
Sound Card: Intel® High-Definition Audio
Additional Battery: Alienware® m5500 9-cell Lithium-Ion Smart Battery Pack
Additional AC Adapter: Alienware® m5500 90 Watt Auto-switch AC Adapter
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
Productivity Software: Microsoft® Works 2006 DVD Suite
Apparel: Alienware® T-Shirt - Black - Price Includes $5 Instant Rebate
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager
Alienware Mouse Pad: Alienware® Mousepad
Automated Support: AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
AlienRespawn: Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit
Alienware® Odyssey Messenger Bag
Free Shipping Mail-In Rebate; on Alienware systems excluding peripherals - Continental U.S. Only
Special Financing Offer; 6 Months Same As Cash Financing with the Alienware Credit Card
$150 Instant Rebate; On Area 51 m5500
As you'll read later, I removed the 9-cell battery and added the Odyssey Backpack.
This is my first laptop. However, this isn't my first Alienware, as I bought a desktop from Alienware four years ago.
Reason for purchasing a laptop: I'm starting college this fall and my desktop just wasn't going to fit in a little dorm room. A laptop will make traveling home on break very easy or let me write a paper while sitting in any area on campus.
What companies I considered: Mainly Alienware, though I also looked at Dell.
What actual laptops I considered: At first I was going to get an Area-51 m7700, but decided that it just weighed way too much for everyday portability. I then started to think about the Area-51 m5700, which weighs around 4 pounds less. I hadn't even seriously considered the m5500 at this point. Since I'd never owned a laptop before, I was pretty ignorant as to just how big a 17" screen laptop would be. After looking at Best Buy to see how big the laptops really were, I realized a 17" screen was just too big. Enter the 15.4" m5500. It wasn't big or small, light or heavy, weak or extremely powerful. The m5500 was the perfect "middle of the road" laptop.
The Ordering Experience
I ordered using Alienware's site. Very simple to use. No problems. Paid with credit card and quickly received an email order confirmation.
Ordering experience: 5/5
The (infamous) Phase Game
As a previous Alienware customer, I had an idea of what I was getting into here. I needed a laptop before August, so what did I do? I ordered in February.
Phase 1 (Order Received): 2/13/06
Phase 2 (Awaiting Payment Processing): 2/14/06
Phase 3 (Payment Received): 2/15/06
Phase 4 (Inventory Audit): This actually never showed up on the website, though I was told over the phone that it was in this stage not long after entering phase 3.
Phase 5 (Production: Assembly & Integration): 3/15/06
Phase 6 (Production: Phase #1): Never actually showed being in this phase.
Phase 7 (Production: Phase #2): Never actually showed being in this phase.
Phase 8 (Production: Quality Control): 3/17/06
Phase 9 (Production: Shipping): 3/17/06
Phase 10 (Order Shipped): 3/20/06
Delivered: 3/23/06
As you can see, there was a month of phase 3/4 "limbo". When I placed my order, nothing in it was on backorder.
2/15/06, I received this email: There will be a slight delay in your Alienware order, because the part(s) listed below are temporarily back ordered. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and assure you that we are doing everything in our power to expedite the process of obtaining the part(s). Once the part(s) have been obtained, your order will be processed.
1- PDP 1GB DDR2 PC4200 SO-DIMM LEAD FREE ....................... Expected Date: To be announced
2/22/06: There will be a slight delay in your Alienware order, because the part(s) listed below are temporarily back ordered. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and assure you that we are doing everything in our power to expedite the process of obtaining the part(s). Once the part(s) have been obtained, your order will be processed.
1- INTEL PRO WIRELESS MINI-PCI 2200BG LAN MODULE ............... Expected Date: To be announced
2- AREA-51M 5500 9 CELL PRIMARY BATTERY ........................ Expected Date: To be announced
2/28/06: There will be a slight delay in your Alienware order, because the part(s) listed below are temporarily back ordered. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and assure you that we are doing everything in our power to expedite the process of obtaining the part(s). Once the part(s) have been obtained, your order will be processed.
1- AREA-51M 5500 9 CELL PRIMARY BATTERY ........................ Expected Date: To be announced
3/06/06: There will be a slight delay in your Alienware order, because the part(s) listed below are temporarily back ordered. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and assure you that we are doing everything in our power to expedite the process of obtaining the part(s). Once the part(s) have been obtained, your order will be processed.
1- AREA-51M 5500 9 CELL PRIMARY BATTERY ........................ Expected Date: To be announced
3/13/03: There will be a slight delay in your Alienware order, because the part(s) listed below are temporarily back ordered. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and assure you that we are doing everything in our power to expedite the process of obtaining the part(s). Once the part(s) have been obtained, your order will be processed.
1- AREA-51M 5500 9 CELL PRIMARY BATTERY ........................ Expected Date: To be announced
At this point I'd had quite enough. I called on 3/13/06 and removed the battery from my order. Looking back now, I wish I would have removed the battery way back in the beginning of March. That way I would have gotten my computer two weeks earlier.
Throughout all of the "limbo phase", I was treated very well by Customer Service when I bugged them over the phone about my order status. One perk of my "limbo phase" was that the price of the Odyssey Backpack was dropped from $143 to $69 when ordered with a laptop. Since I was still in phase 3/4, I was able to add the backpack to my order at the new low price.
Moral of the story: place your order at least two months before you NEED the computer. You could definitely get it well before then, but better safe than sorry. I still have four months until college, but the peace of mind was worth the early purchase.
Phase Game: 2/5
Is it really that hard to get a 9-cell battery? Apparently...
Points removed for "limbo phase". Once everything got out of backorder, phases went very quickly and smoothly.
Delivery and Packaging
I received emails from both FedEx and Alienware with tracking numbers on Monday evening (3/20/06). Two boxes: one 30 lbs and the other 5 lbs. Status didn't update very often, but then I was checking it far more often than I really should have. It left Miami Monday night, got to Orlando on Tuesday in the wee hours of the morning, arrived in Kansas on Wednesday morning, made it to the local FedEx facility in Missouri around 5 AM Thursday morning and headed out for delivery. I woke up at 7 AM and spent the next several hours peering out the window anytime I hear the littlest noise. Delivered at 11 AM Thursday. Good thing too, I don't think my nerves could have handled waiting much longer.
Nothing like seeing that wonderful big black Alienware box for the first time. After lugging the boxes up to my room, it was time to open it all up and make sure everything was there.
Big Black Box:
Owners Manual
Respawn DVD
AC Adapter
Nero DVD
Instant On DVD
Windows Recovery CD
Mobile Manual
Mouse Pad
Black Alienware T-Shirt
Laptop
Nondescript Brown Box:
Backpack
extra AC Adapter
Microsoft Works Suite 2006
Everything was in order. I was really impressed with Alienware's packaging. The laptop was actually in a smaller black box secured by foam pads within the larger black box. As a previous customer, I had seen Alienware's "custom" manuals before. Last time I got a binder with a few sheets printed off that told about my specific configuration. It seems that is no longer the practice. The manual generally covers all m5500s, rather than being tailor-made. This is actually a huge improvement as this manual was actually helpful, unlike the one that I had gotten with my desktop. It's around 100 pages long. The mobile manual covers far less and is much shorter.
Delivery: 4/5
Point taken off for FedEx driving me crazy with waiting.
Packaging: 5/5
Excellent. Really couldn't have been better.
Alienware Touch
It's the little things that make ordering an Alienware truly special.
From the FedEx delivery person to anyone nearby when it's delivered, everyone will know you have an Alienware. It's hard to mistake that big black box with alien emblem.
Literally almost everything you get, from paperwork and packaging to the actual computer and accessories, will have an alien head emblem on it. The only thing that doesn't have it, as far as I can tell, is the AC adapter. The laptop is an Alienware and they aren't letting anyone forget it.
One of the more amusing touches is the Agent Identification Card that comes in the mobile manual. It's a little card (size of a credit card) with your name and accounting number made to look like a secret agent identification card.
The touch that most people will notice is the big blue glowing Alienware logo and alien head on the laptop case. It only glows when the laptop is on and looks very sharp (it doesn't even look like it would glow) when the laptop is off.
Alienware Touch: 5/5
I'm a science fiction fan. I love that little alien head. Nothing like having a computer that looks so unique. I'm sure I'll get more than a few comments and questions from people who see it.
Laptop
Time to get down to the actual computer.
Case
This baby is a beauty. Its silvery/gray color is wonderful (I'd probably pick it, even if they were offering other colors). Very sleek design. Looks very professional. Well, the professionally of a glowing alien head is debatable. The "rubber grips" on the back of the case look quite nice in person and give you an area to grip that won't get smudged as easily with fingerprints.
Case: 5/5
Looks is one of the main draws of an Alienware.
Performance - Normal Applications
This is a speedy little thing. Just for fun I timed how long it takes to turn on, shut off, and restart.
Turn on (from pressing power to the desktop screen): 1:02 minutes.
Restart (from desktop screen and back again): 1:18 minutes.
Turn off (from desktop screen to completely off): 22 seconds.
Programs start within a few seconds of clicking on them (internet,iTunes, etc..). I've been using the integrated graphics for all non gaming usage.
Performance - Normal Applications: 5/5
Excellent. I just wish I had high speed internet at home. Oh well, I get wifi at college. Then its speed will really get to shine with using the internet.
Performance - Gaming
I've only tested gaming with the GeForce 6600 Go graphics card while using the AC adapter.
I just bought Oblivion the other day, so it got to be my test game. Runs very nicely on medium settings at 1024x768. I tried it at 1920x1600, but the graphics stuttered so bad the game was unplayable.
Here are some screenshots I took of Oblivion.
Performance - Gaming: 4/5
This won't run new games on high settings. If you want to do that, get something else. However, it will let you play many games on medium to lower settings.
Keyboard and Touch Pad
The keyboard took a little getting use to (my main problem being that I kept trying to use my PC's keyboard because it was right next to my laptop). After a few days (and typing this whole review), I've gotten used to it and can type just as fast as normal. The lack of a real keypad is missed (it has a few letter keys that can function as a number pad, but I haven't figured out how to use that yet). The function key is placed badly (right where control normally is), with the control key moved over one to the right. This makes you hit function rather than control out of habit rather easily.
The touch pad is nice, for a touch pad. I am not fond of touch pads in the least. It works fine for minimal use, but I highly suggest getting a real mouse. I bought the Microsoft mini optical wireless mouse and love it. The Alienware mouse pad that came with the laptop is by far the best I've ever used. Get it and a mouse and you're set.
Keyboard: 4/5
Touch Pad: 2/5
Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse: 5/5
Alienware Mouse Pad: 5/5
Screen
As far as I know, I'm the first person here to buy a m5500 with a resolution of 1920x1600. You're probably think that everything would be way too small on a 15.4" screen. You'd be right, but setting the DPI to 120 (normal is 96) makes text and icons larger, while leaving amount of display space still huge. After five minutes of using this laptop, I was completely used to it and in love. The amount on space is amazing. I can easily open two large windows side-by-side.
The screen isn't one of those really shiny ones. This is a "matte" finish. I have so far had no glare problems. Though I haven't tried using it out in the sun yet.
Screen: 5/5
I was worried that 1920x1600 would make everything way too small. Now I can't imagine using anything else. Very sharp looking screen. Nothing like being able to run two internet windows side-by-side with both large enough to actually function.
Here is a full 1920x1600 screen shot of my desktop view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...sktopview2.jpg
Speakers
They're located right under the screen display. I'm a bit spoiled when it comes to sound. I use Klipsch 5.1 Ultras with my PC. After those, a lot of speakers will sound flat and bland.
The 5500's two speakers get the job done, but with no finesse. Classical and other lighter musics sound nice enough on them, but heavier (Metallica, among other things, was used for my experimenting) stuff doesn't sound very good. Headphones would be a good idea to get.
Speakers: 2/5
Great for just internet use and such, but not very good for music or gaming. Buy headphones.
Ports
The 5500 has a surprising amount of ports for a laptop.
3 USB ports
S-Video
phone jack
Ethernet port
headphones / SPDIF-out jack
microphone jack
audio line-in jack
firewire port
AC adapter port
VGA port
The only bad is the placement of the USB ports. They are right above a heat vent, thus your USB connectors get warm air blown on them.
Ports: 3/5
USB ports should be better placed.
Battery
I got around 2 1/2 hours using the integrated graphics card and medium brightness settings for the screen with the 6-cell battery. This was only using the internet and the USB port for my mouse.
Update
I received my 9-cell battery. Using the same paramiters as the 6-cell (intgrated graphics, medium brightness, USB port, etc..), I was able to get almost 3 1/2 hours. It had 6% left when I quit and let it start recharging.
It should be noted that the 9-cell sticks out about 1/2" from the battery port, whereas the 6-cell sits flush with the case.
6-cell: 11.5 ounces
9-cell: 16.7 ounces
So you have a 5.2 ounce difference between the two.
Battery 6-cell: 3/5
Battery 9-cell: 4/5
Here is the laptop with the 9-cell battery.
DVD Burner
This thing is great. I have a much older one on my PC and this thing kicks its butt. It wrote a 4GB DVD in around 20 minutes overall.
DVD Burner: 5/5
It works. It works relatively fast.
Cooling
It does give off a good deal of heat. Definitely warm to the touch, but I haven't noticed it giving off more heat than those just sitting on at Best Buy. Use the integrated graphics to keep it cooler. I notice a jump in heat (and the fan running a lot more) with the GeForce 6600.
Cooling: 3/5
It's a bit warm to rate any higher.
Intervideo Instant On
This boots the computer in to a special mode just for watching DVDs and listening to CDs. It doesn't go into Windows, thus turns on in just a few seconds. Comparing using it verse playing a DVD in Power DVD through Windows, Power DVD wins. But Instant On is still a neat little feature.
Instant On: 4/5
Nice little extra.
Instant On:
Power DVD:
Portability
It's a laptop, so one of the main things it comes down to is portability. Weighing in at around 6 lbs with the 6-cell battery, the m5500 isn't too bad. I can carry it easily enough. It's also light enough to set on your lap without being uncomfortable.
I bought both the Odyssey Backpack and Messenger Bag. So far, I prefer the backpack for the laptop. It's easier to carry and seems to keep the laptop more secure. I haven't taken the laptop out of the house yet though, so I haven't tested this thoroughly.
Update
The backpack with m5500 (using 6-cell battery), AC adapter, extra 9-cell battery, mouse pad, mouse, and my iPod weighs in around 14-15 lbs.
Odyssey Backpack: 4/5
Overall nice design. The little strap that can go across your chest is obviously not made for women.
Odyssey Messenger Bag: 3/5
Having only a single strap makes carrying harder on your shoulder.
Overall Portability of Laptop: 4/5
A little heavy and big to be ultra portable, but still light enough and small enough that it isn't a hassle.
Overall Rating: 4/5
This is a great laptop. I'm very happy with my purchase. Other than the few minor flaws mention above, it's wonderful.
Area-51® m5500
Processor: Intel® Pentium® M 760 2.0GHz 2MB L2 Cache 533MHz FSB
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional with Service Pack 2
Warranty: 3-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Display: Alienware® m5500 15.4" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD - Xeno Grey - Xeno Grey
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 915GM + ICH6 Chipset
Wireless Network: Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 b/g Wireless Card
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 533MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Hard Drive: 100GB 7200 RPM ATA100
Video Card: 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go MXM 6600
Sound Card: Intel® High-Definition Audio
Additional Battery: Alienware® m5500 9-cell Lithium-Ion Smart Battery Pack
Additional AC Adapter: Alienware® m5500 90 Watt Auto-switch AC Adapter
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
Productivity Software: Microsoft® Works 2006 DVD Suite
Apparel: Alienware® T-Shirt - Black - Price Includes $5 Instant Rebate
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager
Alienware Mouse Pad: Alienware® Mousepad
Automated Support: AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
AlienRespawn: Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit
Alienware® Odyssey Messenger Bag
Free Shipping Mail-In Rebate; on Alienware systems excluding peripherals - Continental U.S. Only
Special Financing Offer; 6 Months Same As Cash Financing with the Alienware Credit Card
$150 Instant Rebate; On Area 51 m5500
As you'll read later, I removed the 9-cell battery and added the Odyssey Backpack.
This is my first laptop. However, this isn't my first Alienware, as I bought a desktop from Alienware four years ago.
Reason for purchasing a laptop: I'm starting college this fall and my desktop just wasn't going to fit in a little dorm room. A laptop will make traveling home on break very easy or let me write a paper while sitting in any area on campus.
What companies I considered: Mainly Alienware, though I also looked at Dell.
What actual laptops I considered: At first I was going to get an Area-51 m7700, but decided that it just weighed way too much for everyday portability. I then started to think about the Area-51 m5700, which weighs around 4 pounds less. I hadn't even seriously considered the m5500 at this point. Since I'd never owned a laptop before, I was pretty ignorant as to just how big a 17" screen laptop would be. After looking at Best Buy to see how big the laptops really were, I realized a 17" screen was just too big. Enter the 15.4" m5500. It wasn't big or small, light or heavy, weak or extremely powerful. The m5500 was the perfect "middle of the road" laptop.
The Ordering Experience
I ordered using Alienware's site. Very simple to use. No problems. Paid with credit card and quickly received an email order confirmation.
Ordering experience: 5/5
The (infamous) Phase Game
As a previous Alienware customer, I had an idea of what I was getting into here. I needed a laptop before August, so what did I do? I ordered in February.
Phase 1 (Order Received): 2/13/06
Phase 2 (Awaiting Payment Processing): 2/14/06
Phase 3 (Payment Received): 2/15/06
Phase 4 (Inventory Audit): This actually never showed up on the website, though I was told over the phone that it was in this stage not long after entering phase 3.
Phase 5 (Production: Assembly & Integration): 3/15/06
Phase 6 (Production: Phase #1): Never actually showed being in this phase.
Phase 7 (Production: Phase #2): Never actually showed being in this phase.
Phase 8 (Production: Quality Control): 3/17/06
Phase 9 (Production: Shipping): 3/17/06
Phase 10 (Order Shipped): 3/20/06
Delivered: 3/23/06
As you can see, there was a month of phase 3/4 "limbo". When I placed my order, nothing in it was on backorder.
2/15/06, I received this email: There will be a slight delay in your Alienware order, because the part(s) listed below are temporarily back ordered. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and assure you that we are doing everything in our power to expedite the process of obtaining the part(s). Once the part(s) have been obtained, your order will be processed.
1- PDP 1GB DDR2 PC4200 SO-DIMM LEAD FREE ....................... Expected Date: To be announced
2/22/06: There will be a slight delay in your Alienware order, because the part(s) listed below are temporarily back ordered. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and assure you that we are doing everything in our power to expedite the process of obtaining the part(s). Once the part(s) have been obtained, your order will be processed.
1- INTEL PRO WIRELESS MINI-PCI 2200BG LAN MODULE ............... Expected Date: To be announced
2- AREA-51M 5500 9 CELL PRIMARY BATTERY ........................ Expected Date: To be announced
2/28/06: There will be a slight delay in your Alienware order, because the part(s) listed below are temporarily back ordered. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and assure you that we are doing everything in our power to expedite the process of obtaining the part(s). Once the part(s) have been obtained, your order will be processed.
1- AREA-51M 5500 9 CELL PRIMARY BATTERY ........................ Expected Date: To be announced
3/06/06: There will be a slight delay in your Alienware order, because the part(s) listed below are temporarily back ordered. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and assure you that we are doing everything in our power to expedite the process of obtaining the part(s). Once the part(s) have been obtained, your order will be processed.
1- AREA-51M 5500 9 CELL PRIMARY BATTERY ........................ Expected Date: To be announced
3/13/03: There will be a slight delay in your Alienware order, because the part(s) listed below are temporarily back ordered. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and assure you that we are doing everything in our power to expedite the process of obtaining the part(s). Once the part(s) have been obtained, your order will be processed.
1- AREA-51M 5500 9 CELL PRIMARY BATTERY ........................ Expected Date: To be announced
At this point I'd had quite enough. I called on 3/13/06 and removed the battery from my order. Looking back now, I wish I would have removed the battery way back in the beginning of March. That way I would have gotten my computer two weeks earlier.
Throughout all of the "limbo phase", I was treated very well by Customer Service when I bugged them over the phone about my order status. One perk of my "limbo phase" was that the price of the Odyssey Backpack was dropped from $143 to $69 when ordered with a laptop. Since I was still in phase 3/4, I was able to add the backpack to my order at the new low price.
Moral of the story: place your order at least two months before you NEED the computer. You could definitely get it well before then, but better safe than sorry. I still have four months until college, but the peace of mind was worth the early purchase.
Phase Game: 2/5
Is it really that hard to get a 9-cell battery? Apparently...
Points removed for "limbo phase". Once everything got out of backorder, phases went very quickly and smoothly.
Delivery and Packaging
I received emails from both FedEx and Alienware with tracking numbers on Monday evening (3/20/06). Two boxes: one 30 lbs and the other 5 lbs. Status didn't update very often, but then I was checking it far more often than I really should have. It left Miami Monday night, got to Orlando on Tuesday in the wee hours of the morning, arrived in Kansas on Wednesday morning, made it to the local FedEx facility in Missouri around 5 AM Thursday morning and headed out for delivery. I woke up at 7 AM and spent the next several hours peering out the window anytime I hear the littlest noise. Delivered at 11 AM Thursday. Good thing too, I don't think my nerves could have handled waiting much longer.
Nothing like seeing that wonderful big black Alienware box for the first time. After lugging the boxes up to my room, it was time to open it all up and make sure everything was there.
Big Black Box:
Owners Manual
Respawn DVD
AC Adapter
Nero DVD
Instant On DVD
Windows Recovery CD
Mobile Manual
Mouse Pad
Black Alienware T-Shirt
Laptop
Nondescript Brown Box:
Backpack
extra AC Adapter
Microsoft Works Suite 2006
Everything was in order. I was really impressed with Alienware's packaging. The laptop was actually in a smaller black box secured by foam pads within the larger black box. As a previous customer, I had seen Alienware's "custom" manuals before. Last time I got a binder with a few sheets printed off that told about my specific configuration. It seems that is no longer the practice. The manual generally covers all m5500s, rather than being tailor-made. This is actually a huge improvement as this manual was actually helpful, unlike the one that I had gotten with my desktop. It's around 100 pages long. The mobile manual covers far less and is much shorter.
Delivery: 4/5
Point taken off for FedEx driving me crazy with waiting.
Packaging: 5/5
Excellent. Really couldn't have been better.
Alienware Touch
It's the little things that make ordering an Alienware truly special.
From the FedEx delivery person to anyone nearby when it's delivered, everyone will know you have an Alienware. It's hard to mistake that big black box with alien emblem.
Literally almost everything you get, from paperwork and packaging to the actual computer and accessories, will have an alien head emblem on it. The only thing that doesn't have it, as far as I can tell, is the AC adapter. The laptop is an Alienware and they aren't letting anyone forget it.
One of the more amusing touches is the Agent Identification Card that comes in the mobile manual. It's a little card (size of a credit card) with your name and accounting number made to look like a secret agent identification card.
The touch that most people will notice is the big blue glowing Alienware logo and alien head on the laptop case. It only glows when the laptop is on and looks very sharp (it doesn't even look like it would glow) when the laptop is off.
Alienware Touch: 5/5
I'm a science fiction fan. I love that little alien head. Nothing like having a computer that looks so unique. I'm sure I'll get more than a few comments and questions from people who see it.
Laptop
Time to get down to the actual computer.
Case
This baby is a beauty. Its silvery/gray color is wonderful (I'd probably pick it, even if they were offering other colors). Very sleek design. Looks very professional. Well, the professionally of a glowing alien head is debatable. The "rubber grips" on the back of the case look quite nice in person and give you an area to grip that won't get smudged as easily with fingerprints.
Case: 5/5
Looks is one of the main draws of an Alienware.
Performance - Normal Applications
This is a speedy little thing. Just for fun I timed how long it takes to turn on, shut off, and restart.
Turn on (from pressing power to the desktop screen): 1:02 minutes.
Restart (from desktop screen and back again): 1:18 minutes.
Turn off (from desktop screen to completely off): 22 seconds.
Programs start within a few seconds of clicking on them (internet,iTunes, etc..). I've been using the integrated graphics for all non gaming usage.
Performance - Normal Applications: 5/5
Excellent. I just wish I had high speed internet at home. Oh well, I get wifi at college. Then its speed will really get to shine with using the internet.
Performance - Gaming
I've only tested gaming with the GeForce 6600 Go graphics card while using the AC adapter.
I just bought Oblivion the other day, so it got to be my test game. Runs very nicely on medium settings at 1024x768. I tried it at 1920x1600, but the graphics stuttered so bad the game was unplayable.
Here are some screenshots I took of Oblivion.
Performance - Gaming: 4/5
This won't run new games on high settings. If you want to do that, get something else. However, it will let you play many games on medium to lower settings.
Keyboard and Touch Pad
The keyboard took a little getting use to (my main problem being that I kept trying to use my PC's keyboard because it was right next to my laptop). After a few days (and typing this whole review), I've gotten used to it and can type just as fast as normal. The lack of a real keypad is missed (it has a few letter keys that can function as a number pad, but I haven't figured out how to use that yet). The function key is placed badly (right where control normally is), with the control key moved over one to the right. This makes you hit function rather than control out of habit rather easily.
The touch pad is nice, for a touch pad. I am not fond of touch pads in the least. It works fine for minimal use, but I highly suggest getting a real mouse. I bought the Microsoft mini optical wireless mouse and love it. The Alienware mouse pad that came with the laptop is by far the best I've ever used. Get it and a mouse and you're set.
Keyboard: 4/5
Touch Pad: 2/5
Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse: 5/5
Alienware Mouse Pad: 5/5
Screen
As far as I know, I'm the first person here to buy a m5500 with a resolution of 1920x1600. You're probably think that everything would be way too small on a 15.4" screen. You'd be right, but setting the DPI to 120 (normal is 96) makes text and icons larger, while leaving amount of display space still huge. After five minutes of using this laptop, I was completely used to it and in love. The amount on space is amazing. I can easily open two large windows side-by-side.
The screen isn't one of those really shiny ones. This is a "matte" finish. I have so far had no glare problems. Though I haven't tried using it out in the sun yet.
Screen: 5/5
I was worried that 1920x1600 would make everything way too small. Now I can't imagine using anything else. Very sharp looking screen. Nothing like being able to run two internet windows side-by-side with both large enough to actually function.
Here is a full 1920x1600 screen shot of my desktop view: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...sktopview2.jpg
Speakers
They're located right under the screen display. I'm a bit spoiled when it comes to sound. I use Klipsch 5.1 Ultras with my PC. After those, a lot of speakers will sound flat and bland.
The 5500's two speakers get the job done, but with no finesse. Classical and other lighter musics sound nice enough on them, but heavier (Metallica, among other things, was used for my experimenting) stuff doesn't sound very good. Headphones would be a good idea to get.
Speakers: 2/5
Great for just internet use and such, but not very good for music or gaming. Buy headphones.
Ports
The 5500 has a surprising amount of ports for a laptop.
3 USB ports
S-Video
phone jack
Ethernet port
headphones / SPDIF-out jack
microphone jack
audio line-in jack
firewire port
AC adapter port
VGA port
The only bad is the placement of the USB ports. They are right above a heat vent, thus your USB connectors get warm air blown on them.
Ports: 3/5
USB ports should be better placed.
Battery
I got around 2 1/2 hours using the integrated graphics card and medium brightness settings for the screen with the 6-cell battery. This was only using the internet and the USB port for my mouse.
Update
I received my 9-cell battery. Using the same paramiters as the 6-cell (intgrated graphics, medium brightness, USB port, etc..), I was able to get almost 3 1/2 hours. It had 6% left when I quit and let it start recharging.
It should be noted that the 9-cell sticks out about 1/2" from the battery port, whereas the 6-cell sits flush with the case.
6-cell: 11.5 ounces
9-cell: 16.7 ounces
So you have a 5.2 ounce difference between the two.
Battery 6-cell: 3/5
Battery 9-cell: 4/5
Here is the laptop with the 9-cell battery.
DVD Burner
This thing is great. I have a much older one on my PC and this thing kicks its butt. It wrote a 4GB DVD in around 20 minutes overall.
DVD Burner: 5/5
It works. It works relatively fast.
Cooling
It does give off a good deal of heat. Definitely warm to the touch, but I haven't noticed it giving off more heat than those just sitting on at Best Buy. Use the integrated graphics to keep it cooler. I notice a jump in heat (and the fan running a lot more) with the GeForce 6600.
Cooling: 3/5
It's a bit warm to rate any higher.
Intervideo Instant On
This boots the computer in to a special mode just for watching DVDs and listening to CDs. It doesn't go into Windows, thus turns on in just a few seconds. Comparing using it verse playing a DVD in Power DVD through Windows, Power DVD wins. But Instant On is still a neat little feature.
Instant On: 4/5
Nice little extra.
Instant On:
Power DVD:
Portability
It's a laptop, so one of the main things it comes down to is portability. Weighing in at around 6 lbs with the 6-cell battery, the m5500 isn't too bad. I can carry it easily enough. It's also light enough to set on your lap without being uncomfortable.
I bought both the Odyssey Backpack and Messenger Bag. So far, I prefer the backpack for the laptop. It's easier to carry and seems to keep the laptop more secure. I haven't taken the laptop out of the house yet though, so I haven't tested this thoroughly.
Update
The backpack with m5500 (using 6-cell battery), AC adapter, extra 9-cell battery, mouse pad, mouse, and my iPod weighs in around 14-15 lbs.
Odyssey Backpack: 4/5
Overall nice design. The little strap that can go across your chest is obviously not made for women.
Odyssey Messenger Bag: 3/5
Having only a single strap makes carrying harder on your shoulder.
Overall Portability of Laptop: 4/5
A little heavy and big to be ultra portable, but still light enough and small enough that it isn't a hassle.
Overall Rating: 4/5
This is a great laptop. I'm very happy with my purchase. Other than the few minor flaws mention above, it's wonderful.
