My first AW - Area-51 m5700

Hello there. After I ordered my first Alienware laptop, I browsed through these forums and saw a lot of very negative reviews regarding their customer support and whatnot. I even considered cancelling the order in favor of some HP 17" computer. On the other hand, I used to be a laptop tech in a small reseller, so I know it's a numbers game with computers, and you can't judge whole company based on a few experiences. Also, negative views are much more eagerly expressed than positive ones, so reading online reviews can definitely skew your perception.

So, I decided to keep track of what happens to me too, to add to the pool. I might not post a whole lot if it goes well anyway, but still FWIW, I chose AW because of the superior screen on this model, compared to competitors in this price range, and general reputation of Alienware as of higher-end manufacturer. I'll mostly use the computer for online poker and some gaming (strategies, maybe W.O.W. and such).

Ordered an AW(specs below) laptop on 04/20, it was in Phase 3 until 04/25, now on 04/26 it's in Phase 9. The quick(?) turnaround might be because it's a pretty basic system, nothing fancy.

[1] Area-51® m5700

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: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite
Service
Display: Alienware® m5700 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD - Xeno Grey
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 915PM + 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: Single Drive Configuration - 40GB 5400 RPM SATA with NCQ
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 6800
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
Alienware Exclusive Offers: GameFly - Unlimited Game Rentals for 15 days - FREE TRIAL
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager
AlienRespawn: Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit

[1] $300 Instant Rebate; On Select Systems
[1] Special Financing Offer; 6 Months Same As Cash Financing with the Alienware Credit Card

SubTotal: $2,033.00
Shipping: $99.00
Discount: $300.00
Tax: $0.00
Order Total: $1,832.00

It's been shipped. Fedex estimates delivery on Saturday, 04/29. I will not be home, and it sounds like they don't accept 3rd party signatures (not even doorman's? weird). I guess I'll have to pick it up from the station myself, since I'm never home when they deliver.

Well, I barely missed the Saturday delivery attempt. The phone # the driver left on the door tag did not respond at all, so now it's back at Fedex.

There are no Fedex Home Delivery locations near me, and they refuse to leave it at some other Fedex location in Manhattan. Alienware is not responding to my request to change the delivery method; I assume it will have to be sent back to AW before it's sent to me again by some other carrier.

It arrived. Fedex let the doorman sign for it, after all.

Uh.....OMG!!! I had no idea it would be so huge and shiny. So far nothing fell off, although the DVD drive door tried to. No dead pixels either. WHEEEEEEE. More to follow.

Well, here's my one-week-in-use review.

So far I'm glad I chose this computer. The screen alone makes it worth it, it's that good. I looked at some other 17" offerings, and this is really the best. DVD playing is simply stunning, and I don't use that word often.

I am a little disappointed with the keyboard. Coming off a Thinkpad (with inarguably best laptop keyboards and mice), I find it lacking, but maybe it's a matter of habit. The trackpad is decent; I like its sensitivity. I think I'll get myself wireless keyboard and mouse anyway. The speakers are not particularly loud, but will suffice for me.

One other thing I don't like is the positioning of the fan on the bottom. It's about half-way between center of the computer and the right side. I had to perch my computer between two stools to let the air flow to the fan better.

GPU warmed up to 70 degrees once, when I played Civ4, but most of the time it's running at 61-63.

Overall verdict: GOOD STUFF [tm].