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Looking for a nice Laptop

post #1 of 26
5/25/06 at 4:13pm
Thread Starter 
Hello guys and girls. I'm going into highschool in August, and I've been talking about getting a personal laptop for school and gaming. They've been complaining about having all my games and [Macromedia Flash Files] on the family computer. I've done an elaborate report in Microsoft Word, and presented it to them, but they're still not convinced! Well...I wanted a very good laptop (Preferably the Auroram9700) with the best features on it. Of course I'm going to get bored, so I wanted Windows "Media" Edition so I can watch TV on it during lunch or while riding the bus. The school has an awesome router(s) all over the building so I can access internet any time I need. Also I'm going into a programming class for [HTML programming] and a gaming class. So I need the Aurora to run like a BEAST. Here are the configurations for what I've been looking at:
Tell me what you think:

Processor: AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile ML44 2.4GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Service Pack 2
Display: 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD with Clearview Technology
Motherboard: Alienware® NVIDIA® Mobile SLi Chipset
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR SO-DIMM at 400MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Hard Drive: Extreme Performance (RAID 0) - 200GB (100GB x 2) 7200 RPM SATA with NCQ
Optical Drive: 24x10x24 CD-RW / 8X DVD Combo w/Software MPEG2 Decoder
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS
Sound Card: High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Wireless Network Card: Internal Wireless 802.11b/g miniPCI Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Mouse: Logitech® V270 Cordless Optical Mouse - Silver
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth® Device
Primary Battery: Alienware® m9700 12-cell Lithium-Ion Smart Battery Pack
Warranty: 3-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service / AlienAutopsy / Respawn
Automated Support: AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
AlienRespawn: Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit
Alienware Exclusive Offers: GameFly - Unlimited Game Rentals for 15 days - FREE TRIAL
Security and Utility Software: Norton™ AntiVirus™ 2006
Security and Utility Software: Norton™ Internet Security ™ 2006
Productivity Software: Microsoft® Office 2003 Professional Edition
Security: Silex Combo-Mini - personal USB fingerprint reader and SX-Biometrics Suite
Notebook Coolers / Stands: Xbrand Cool Travel
Headphones: Alienware® Ozma 7™ Headphones with S-Logic™ Technology
Free Alienware T-Shirt: Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager
Free Alienware Mousepad: Free Alienware® Mousepad (a $9.00 Value!)
-----------------------------------------------------

Now, I saw something about a "Flash" card or something? What does it do?
(I took it out of the configuration because I don't know if I need it or not)
Uh...Also, If anyone has anything to recommend to me, post here? I just want a FAST computer that can be used to play my MMO's without much or ANY lag. It also needs to have some certain things for school, so I added the Microsoft Office with everything I need. Also, the look of the Alienware Aurora Kicks without being TOO expensive.


Total Cost:
$4,728.51

I can only spend up to around $5,000 or else my parents might not help me. I have to get a summer job to pay for the ($142 a month) charge.

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post #2 of 26
5/25/06 at 4:40pm
personally i think its too much for a highschool student but thats just me... otherwise on a performance level it will rock
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post #3 of 26
5/25/06 at 5:09pm
Thread Starter 
Well, don't worry. It's going to last me until I get OUT of highschool. Plus, I'm willing to work for everything I get. I've worked to buy every gaming thing I have. Xbox, Gamecube, PS2, PSP...Yea thats it. This computer I'm on now is the family computer. It works...well...less than average. Hehh...but anyway...anyone else have a comment, suggestion, or opinion?
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post #4 of 26
5/25/06 at 6:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NANNERS
Well, don't worry. It's going to last me until I get OUT of highschool. Plus, I'm willing to work for everything I get. I've worked to buy every gaming thing I have. Xbox, Gamecube, PS2, PSP...Yea thats it. This computer I'm on now is the family computer. It works...well...less than average. Hehh...but anyway...anyone else have a comment, suggestion, or opinion?

I just ordered a similar m9700 for myself, but with dual 7900gs's... and it only came to about $3600. Are you sure your total is correct?

I noticed you ordered both Norton™ AntiVirus™ 2006, and Norton™ Internet Security ™ 2006. I believe that Norton Internet Security includes Norton Antivirus as the Internet Security Suite is made up of anti-virus, firewall and some other stuff. Read the "more info" next to the category in the configurator. You should be able to drop antivirus since it's included in the other package.

And are you sure you need the full Microsoft Office 2003? There is a student version that is much less expensive that should have everything you'll need for years to come like word processor and whatnot. Again, read the "more info" link to see what comes with each version.

You can also cut the price by just getting a single 100G hd, 200G is huge, and the RAID adds complexity and expense you really don't need. If you decide you need more space later, you can add a second hard drive.

I'd get the second video card in SLI before getting a second hard drive...

I would also get the 8x dvd burner so you can burn dvd's, the drive you configured will burn cd's, but won't burn dvd's. It will play dvd's though.

Also, the 3 year warranty package you ordered comes with Alien autopsy and alien respawn, so you don't need to buy those as extras. There are two options for 3 year warranties, the more expensive one you configured comes with both autopsy and respawn.

I'd skip the biometrics too, this is intended for people with business or financial info on their machines to protect the data if the machine is stolen. I'm not sure a high school student would have anything on there worth worrying about, and you shouldn't leave the computer anywhere alone anyway. It's cool, but expensive and pretty useless unless you have lots of data you need to protect.

I assume the "flash" thing you're talking about is a flash memory stick. If they are giving you one free, take it. It's a tiny device that plugs into your usb port, and acts as a portable hard drive. They're small, but if you want to take some information from one computer and put it on another, or just take some data with you, you plug it in and drag and drop the data onto the drive, then you can just plug it into another computer and it's there for your use. They're great. I have the 1G version.

The m9700 is fairly big and heavy, you should also look at the 5500 and the 5700 as they're much lighter and easier to carry. They don't pack the power of the 9700, but they'll both play all the games out today just fine, and they'll cost about half what the 9700 does.

Try setting up a configuration without the extra software, and you should see a price about $3100 with a single 7900gs. That might be easier to get your parents to go along with it, then talk to them about the software and try to get them to let you add it. Might make it easier to get a computer of this high price by them.
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post #5 of 26
5/25/06 at 6:31pm
I ran a quick config that I adjusted if you're interested...


[1] Aurora m9700

Processor: AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile ML44 2.4GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Service Pack 2
Display: 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD with Clearview Technology
Motherboard: Alienware® NVIDIA® Mobile SLi Chipset
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR SO-DIMM at 400MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Hard Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 100GB 7200 RPM SATA with NCQ
Optical Drive: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/Software
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS
Sound Card: High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Wireless Network Card: Internal Wireless 802.11b/g miniPCI Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Mouse: Logitech® V270 Cordless Optical Mouse - Silver
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth® Device
Primary Battery: Alienware® m9700 12-cell Lithium-Ion Smart Battery Pack
Warranty: 3-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service / AlienAutopsy / Respawn
Alienware Exclusive Offers: GameFly - Unlimited Game Rentals for 15 days - FREE TRIAL
Security and Utility Software: Norton™ Internet Security ™ 2006
Productivity Software: Microsoft® Student 2006
Headphones: Alienware® Ozma 7™ Headphones with S-Logic™ Technology
Free Alienware T-Shirt: Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager
Free Alienware Mousepad: Free Alienware® Mousepad (a $9.00 Value!)

[1] Aurora M 9700 Pre-Order; $500 Deposit due at purchase - Remainder charged before system is built.
[1] Special Financing Offer; 6 Months Same As Cash Financing with the Alienware Credit Card

SubTotal: $3,815.00
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post #6 of 26
5/25/06 at 6:40pm
Wow, NANNERS, that setup should be awesome, and if you can pull it off with your folks I think you'll one day have a great career in sales!
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post #7 of 26
5/25/06 at 8:19pm
Well you cant beat that configuration by much other than adding the 2nd 9700 GS for SLI. But as a student, you REALLY DON'T need these specs. The machine will also definitely be too heavy to carry around to school for daily use. And knowing the high school life, you there WILL be in an environment of thieves and vandals. I personally would go with something like the m5500 and wait for college to get a real powerful computer.
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post #8 of 26
5/25/06 at 8:56pm
Thread Starter 
Wow thanks Hammerhead! Lemme check that config and update it. Heh...maybe if I can pull that off I won't have to waste ALL my summer on a job to buy it.
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post #9 of 26
5/25/06 at 9:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NANNERS
Wow thanks Hammerhead! Lemme check that config and update it. Heh...maybe if I can pull that off I won't have to waste ALL my summer on a job to buy it.

No problem...

I kind of agree with the other guys, this is an awful lot of system to be carrying around HS, and a lot of money if it gets damaged or stolen. I'd probably want it too though if I were in your position. However, the 5500 is going to be lots less expensive, and do what you want just fine, be more portable and easier to take care of.

If your parents shoot down the 9700, try again with the 5500 or 5700.

There's no way my parents would have let my buy something like this when I was your age, even if I used my own money. Then again, when I was your age there was no such thing as laptop computers.
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post #10 of 26
5/26/06 at 12:21am
go for the 5500, or if you don't find what you want look at some asus, the one with the 15.4" screen, core duo, and the ati x1600. ( I am saying if you don't find what you need because he may need more proccesing power then a pentium m so he could for the core duo, and i am saying that because alienware doesn't have the x1600 as an option for the 5500 anymore)
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post #11 of 26
5/26/06 at 9:09pm
That is an awesome computer, but really seems like overkill for high school. Especially if you plan on carrying it around school everyday. Do you realize that the computer will weigh around 12lbs? Just something to keep in mind.

I'd recommend going with the lighter Area 51 m5700 or m5500.
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post #12 of 26
5/27/06 at 12:34am
Thread Starter 
Well, just so u know its for my "Programming Class". The computers they provide cost like $500 to lease for the whole year. + It has RESTRICTED internet access where the computer is set up to block anything about guns and violence. What if I was to do a report on the Civil War? That would suck...Also their computers block any Image search because they think we'll b looking for Porn. -_- omg...Anyway...My parents have been complaining and since I'm also taking a class to make your own videogames I'll be able to have a powerful enough computer to test the game online having the server on the laptop itself with the InetPub feature. :P Yea...uhmmm I think the 9700 is awesome but yea if they shoot it down I'll take ur advice. And I'll let u know and maybe u guys can help me configure it to best suit what I need, since I'm not that great about knowing exactly what I need.



------------------------------------------
But now that I've looked at all these forums I see alot of stress with the Alienware computers...It seems they break VERY easily? WTF? So is it even worth it to buy? Does anyone know the chance that it will break for me? Because I've seen that Dell's don't seem to break as easily because my dad has had 2 over the last 5 and a half years and the only thing that has gone wrong is the first one's hard drive wore out on the 4th year. But other than that my dad seems very satisfied. So is it worth it to get an Alienware for school?



P.S. I did the basically same configuration with the Dell and its like $7,000+
rather as the Alienware is $4,000+
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post #13 of 26
5/27/06 at 12:57am


A $7,000 Dell notebook? Not sure what you are looking at.

I have to join the group that says you don't really need the 9700 if you are just entering high school. It's also an expensive setup to be lugging around school all day. No offense, but many professional programmers, and serious gamers are quite happy with systems that cost much less.

Have you checked out coupon deals from Dell? Something like the M1710 might be what you are looking for (still overkill for high school, but perhaps appropriate given your interests).
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post #14 of 26
5/27/06 at 1:03am
Thread Starter 
It was just an XPS with not even as great as a configuration as the Aurora! Hey, If u want I'll send u the report I did on MS Word. I printed it and gave it to my parents...lol...They're thinking right now over summer. If u want to see it just send me ur E-mail in a PM.
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post #15 of 26
5/27/06 at 7:11pm
I would comment but, it seems that people like to get butt hurt about what i say. So much so that they have the mods edit my posts....
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post #16 of 26
5/27/06 at 7:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soulfly
I would comment but, it seems that people like to get butt hurt about what i say. So much so that they have the mods edit my posts....

14 posts and already in the "everybody hates me" mode?
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post #17 of 26
5/27/06 at 7:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hammerhead
14 posts and already in the "everybody hates me" mode?


You should see my rep...
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post #18 of 26
5/27/06 at 8:32pm
Wow a 4 thousand dollar laptop for a ninth grader....

Dude tell me where u live so I can beat u up, take your laptop, sell it on ebay, and teach you and your parents a lesson about giving a ninth grader a 4000 dollar laptop he cant afford, and hence appreciate, much less protect.

ok, so dont take the threat literally, but take the advice.

I know ur prolly salivateing over a nice computer that rich mommy and daddy can afford. Dont tell us otherwise-- a ps2 is one thing --at 4k in 3 months thats 16k a year, I know HS grads in low management positions that dont make that much haha.

But seriously, that machine is way too much for your needs, and while the nerds will envy you, girls wont care, and bullies will take every opportunity to steal/break it. Spend less than 1/2 that much on a more student friendly (read light wieght and 3x battery life) laptop that will do all you need.


Sh!t I cant even talk my wife into spending 5k on a laptop much less my parents.
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post #19 of 26
5/27/06 at 10:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza


A $7,000 Dell notebook? Not sure what you are looking at.
lol for that price it better not say dell on it
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post #20 of 26
5/28/06 at 2:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by archalien

I know ur prolly salivateing over a nice computer that rich mommy and daddy can afford. Dont tell us otherwise-- a ps2 is one thing --at 4k in 3 months thats 16k a year, I know HS grads in low management positions that dont make that much haha.

So, again, what does the price of tea in china have to do with this kids choice of laptop?
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