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Looking for some honest opinions

post #1 of 16
5/16/06 at 3:27am
Thread Starter 
Ok, so I'm looking at getting an m5500 for about $1550 after the following options:

--1.86GHz processor
--1680 x 1050 LCD
--XP Pro
--512MB of RAM (would upgrade after purchase)
--100GB 7,200RPM HD
--256MB MXM6600 Go
--2200 b/g Wireless Card

I'm basically going to be using this as a portable desktop as well as for some moderate gaming while I am living and doing an internship in Washington D.C. I'm a Journalism major, so I'll be on this computer most of the time and will be using it quite a bit for classes and such when I return to Illinois (spending about 4-5 months in D.C.).

I've read a lot of your reviews of this machine on here and have been quite impressed by them, which has furthered my interest in purchasing it. However, I have also read recommendations that state that it is an overpriced machine and that I could find something comparable for a couple hundred dollars less.

I'm set on this computer because I feel it would be stronger than the Dell Inspiron E1505 I was looking at and I certainly don't want to get just a run of the mill laptop when I plan on keeping it around for a few years with the option of upgrading always on my mind.

Is this a great deal for the price, or would I find something better for an equal price somewhere else? For those of you that own this machine, have you had any problems with it that could be attributed to poor build-quality? Also to owners, what do you mainly use it for?

Sorry if this seems repetative with all the m5500 threads in here, I just want to make sure that I'm getting a good quality machine Thanks in advance!
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post #2 of 16
5/16/06 at 3:52am
its a great machine.... good specs... good job man
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post #3 of 16
5/16/06 at 5:05am
I've had mine for 3 months...and it's been perfect. The specs you've picked look good, and it is hard to beat the price right now - $1550. You can find the same chasis sold by others - but you won't have as many options, and it won't be an Alienware (if that's important - I happen to like the styling). And I doubt you'll save all that much money, but it's always worth a check.

Good luck with your decision. Feel free to ask any specific questions you have.
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post #4 of 16
5/16/06 at 2:50pm
...and then you can use the search function and see everyone that has loved their AW. (@jojo)

J...I've had mine for almost a year and a half, I only had to call Tech support once for a DVD writer and a fan on the gfx card that was starting to sound like it was going out. AW, with about 30 mins of having me try various things to fix it, decided to send me a new gfx card and writer. I got them in 5 days. Everyone at AW has been helpful and courteous with me.
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post #5 of 16
5/16/06 at 4:50pm
jojo - you must be reading different Apple forums than I read...there are many happy Apple users, but also many very unsatisfied ones...that doesn't mean they are bad computers. It just means that people do have problems with any brand of computer, and people experience different levels of customer service.

I like Apple - I like Alienware. Remember that people who have problems are more likely to search out a forum on the internet and share their experience...Good Luck with your new Mac...they are awesome computers.

Sign me...an idiot X 2

EDIT: btw...I see you've already had a response in your main thread from Alienware-Steve, but that you've still managed to post the same story in several places. I hope you get a fix for your issue, but most of us get the message reading it the first time...
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post #6 of 16
5/16/06 at 5:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
jojo - you must be reading different Apple forums than I read...there are many happy Apple users, but also many very unsatisfied ones...that doesn't mean they are bad computers. It just means that people do have problems with any brand of computer, and people experience different levels of customer service.

I like Apple - I like Alienware. Remember that people who have problems are more likely to search out a forum on the internet and share their experience...Good Luck with your new Mac...they are awesome computers.

Sign me...an idiot X 2

EDIT: btw...I see you've already had a response in your main thread from Alienware-Steve, but that you've still managed to post the same story in several places. I hope you get a fix for your issue, but most of us get the message reading it the first time...


Actually Alienware-Steve made a "public" posting and then I heard nothing from him. Sorta like the responce I received from the rest of his cohorts.
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post #7 of 16
5/16/06 at 6:08pm
he has asked you to send him your account information, so he can use that information to gather your support history etc.

please do not come on our forums to cause problems: we are here to help, but if you refuse the help/suggestions from members, and you refuse to cooperate w/ actual alienware reps here...then what is your purpose of coming here?

people come here for help, I suggest you take a close look @ our forum rules b/c you are walking a fine line irritating our senior members and myself...

Again we are here to help w/ your situation, but if you do not act in mature, adult like manner, then you will be treated as a nuissance and a troll.

this is your public warning....

Yang
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post #8 of 16
5/16/06 at 6:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jojo_dancer
Actually Alienware-Steve made a "public" posting and then I heard nothing from him. Sorta like the responce I received from the rest of his cohorts.

Do you really think everyone at Alienware is sitting by their phone worrying about when you're going to call about the cable that was lost due to your hard drive swaps?

And do you really think being a pain in the ass, abusing forum members and whining is going to help anyone?

Apparently you do.
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post #9 of 16
5/16/06 at 7:06pm

It was sent within minutes of his post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yang88She
he has asked you to send him your account information, so he can use that information to gather your support history etc.

please do not come on our forums to cause problems: we are here to help, but if you refuse the help/suggestions from members, and you refuse to cooperate w/ actual alienware reps here...then what is your purpose of coming here?

people come here for help, I suggest you take a close look @ our forum rules b/c you are walking a fine line irritating our senior members and myself...

Again we are here to help w/ your situation, but if you do not act in mature, adult like manner, then you will be treated as a nuissance and a troll.

this is your public warning....

Yang


I sent my account info to him as requested within minutes of his posting.
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post #10 of 16
5/16/06 at 7:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yang88She
he has asked you to send him your account information, so he can use that information to gather your support history etc.

please do not come on our forums to cause problems: we are here to help, but if you refuse the help/suggestions from members, and you refuse to cooperate w/ actual alienware reps here...then what is your purpose of coming here?

people come here for help, I suggest you take a close look @ our forum rules b/c you are walking a fine line irritating our senior members and myself...

Again we are here to help w/ your situation, but if you do not act in mature, adult like manner, then you will be treated as a nuissance and a troll.

this is your public warning....



Yang

I came here hoping to get someone from AW to help me resolve this and to inform anyone who was contemplating a purchase to take heed. I wish I had paid attention when I was reading these forum's before I purchased this Laptop. I felt, ohh that guys problem is probably isolated. I didn't pay attention to the complaints and the level of customer service impairment.

Ya know, there's a reason why I'm ticked off. I didn't just wake up 8 weeks into this problem and decide to waste a bunch of time on a forum making posts.

A customer of mine pointed out to me a long time ago a simple principle. "The customer who complains is doing you a favor". Most of them just go away mad and don't come back. HD swaps, I think not. The cable was removed from my Laptop and kept at the depot. I wouldn't have sent it if I didn't think they needed it, or that they would lose it.

I snet a PM to Alienware-Richard last week. I responded immediately with the requested info today to Alienware-Steve. And yes, I did pay pretty good money upfront for people to sit around and answer the phone when I call. It was called a 3 year Extended warranty with 24/7/365 support.
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post #11 of 16
5/18/06 at 3:12am
Thread Starter 
Sorry guys, I really do appreciate the help, but after debating between this and a MacBook, I'm going ahead with the MB. Please don't hate me I like alienware, but right now, the MB is more affordable and a bit more appealing to me. Thanks a lot for all your help though.
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post #12 of 16
5/18/06 at 6:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by J_Swigz
Sorry guys, I really do appreciate the help, but after debating between this and a MacBook, I'm going ahead with the MB. Please don't hate me I like alienware, but right now, the MB is more affordable and a bit more appealing to me. Thanks a lot for all your help though.

No problem, J_Swigz. I don't think anyone here is going to hate you (I certainly don't). The MacBook's are great, as long as gaming isn't a need. I'm a die-hard Mac fan, and only switched to Alienware because I got into gaming...

Congrats on your pending purchase.
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post #13 of 16
5/18/06 at 1:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by J_Swigz
Ok, so I'm looking at getting an m5500 for about $1550 after the following options:

--1.86GHz processor
--1680 x 1050 LCD
--XP Pro
--512MB of RAM (would upgrade after purchase)
--100GB 7,200RPM HD
--256MB MXM6600 Go
--2200 b/g Wireless Card

I'm basically going to be using this as a portable desktop as well as for some moderate gaming while I am living and doing an internship in Washington D.C. I'm a Journalism major, so I'll be on this computer most of the time and will be using it quite a bit for classes and such when I return to Illinois (spending about 4-5 months in D.C.).

I've read a lot of your reviews of this machine on here and have been quite impressed by them, which has furthered my interest in purchasing it. However, I have also read recommendations that state that it is an overpriced machine and that I could find something comparable for a couple hundred dollars less.

I'm set on this computer because I feel it would be stronger than the Dell Inspiron E1505 I was looking at and I certainly don't want to get just a run of the mill laptop when I plan on keeping it around for a few years with the option of upgrading always on my mind.

Is this a great deal for the price, or would I find something better for an equal price somewhere else? For those of you that own this machine, have you had any problems with it that could be attributed to poor build-quality? Also to owners, what do you mainly use it for?

Sorry if this seems repetative with all the m5500 threads in here, I just want to make sure that I'm getting a good quality machine Thanks in advance!

Just watch out for theives, I live in D.C., and your laptop is going to stick out like target.
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post #14 of 16
5/19/06 at 6:02pm
Yeah, I'm trying to decide... m5500 or an HP dv8235 [best buy]

the hp has 17" screen

centrino duo core 2300

2x100gb hds

1gig [intend upgrade to 2 gig] ram

go7400 256 [128 ded, 128 shared, and actually a weird cache thing that actually gives about 512mb video ram]

tv tuner

dvdrw with lightscribe [not sure if I like the lightscribe feature... there have been problems with it]

tv tuner [and ability to record from tv]

also a not bad at all battery life of 3+ hours.

for about $1650
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post #15 of 16
5/19/06 at 6:14pm
That's a pretty good price, dcwestby. My only concern would be the video card...can't you get a Dell 1710 for under $2k with a coupon/special offer? Then you'd have your 17", core duo and a great vid card. Only thing you'd be missing is a second hard drive (and, not sure if internal tv tuner is available). Also, I'd be sceptical of any manufacturer's battery life claim.

Advantage of the HP is you can walk in and buy it...will they service it as well?
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post #16 of 16
5/19/06 at 7:29pm
with best buy, yes they will, or they'll try to.. adventage is, if you bring it in 3 times for the same problem, and or if the problem is not fixable, they'll give you a new L-top in replacement..
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