Dell releases XPS Gamer laptop

its nice- but alienware gives more for the money- more goodies that is not so far as processor is concerned- now if you could get the amd64 in the xps it would blow any laptop alienware has away untill alienware begins to carry the 64- still --- alienware > dell
in my opinion anyway... i customized a "conservative" xps and it came out to be 4500- screw that

You can go to Dell's site and it is already up for order...it is one ugly looking thing but I am very jealous at the P4 3.4ghz and ATI 9700...hopefully we will all be able to upgrade our cpu's and gpu's...they are now advertising upgradeable graphics...AW paved the way...

Well, the upgradeable graphics they're advertising is a completely different animal. They're offering to send a tech to your house to replace your card with the next card one time. It's not user upgradeable, it's a one time only deal, and if you purchase your laptop after the next card comes out (it will then come standard with the new card) there is no upgrade promotion/feature.

I wonder if a giant like Dell will pose a significant threat to companies like Alienware, Voodoo Hypersonic etc... who cater to the enthusiast market. While I doubt that Dell will be as bleeding edge as Alienware and it definitely doesn't have the Esprit Decor of the enthusiast makers, Dell's lower prices alone could be enough to sway consumers. Its industry connections with OEMs and Intel, pretty much guaranties that they will have the parts they need at lower prices while others are left waiting hat in hand for components to come in while their customers grumble on the forums wondering why their orders are taking so long to process.

It will be interesting to see what Alienware's response will be IF Dell begins to eat away at their enthusiast market share.

Not sure its that much of a difference, Heres what I came up with

A51m Case with 15.4" WideSXGA+ 1680x1050 LCD Display - Saucer Silver
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology 3.2GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache
1024MB DDR PC-3200 - 2x512 SO-DIMMs
Hitachi 60GB 7200 RPM ATA100 with 8MB Cache
AREA-51M ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 PRO Module with 128MB DDR
Sound-Blaster Pro Compatible 3D Audio
56K Modem with V.92 Technology
Integrated 10/100Mb Ethernet NIC
3-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Depot Service
Microsoft® Works Suite 2004
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
SiS648FX + SiS963L AGP8X Chipset
4x2x8x DVD+RW / 16x10x24x CD-RW Combo w/Software
Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Area-51m Multi-function Infrared Remote control

The differences for Dell:
Pentium®4 w/HT Technology 3.4GHz,15.4 WUXGA (3.4 and WUXGA, not sure the specs on the dell monitor
Graphics Card 9700 on dell
Works, T-shirt, and Remote Control on Alienware




Total Alienware
$3,081.00

Total Dell
$3,368.00
-250 Mail in rebate
$3,118.00

Your looking at $37 to get a 3.4 and 9700, Not sure about the screen quality and res yet, but I was planning on the 15.4" anyways

May have to see what kinda discount AW can do when the 9700 comes out

Edit 1 - Lets not forget the difference in Upgradable graphics, the key to why I like AW

Edit 2 - It also says the battery life is 2-5 hours, if that's true, it could be significant???

Well as coffeestain pointed out there upgradeable graphics is garbage...also if you go configure one they are way overpriced...Why would anyone spend that much on a dell...for that price you can go with AW, Voodoo, or Sager...If they drop their price they might be a threat, but I think more for Sager than anyone. The reason is that most of us who buy an AW either can afford or are willing to shell out the money for these beasts...the same can be said for Voodoo whereas Sagerites are usually more bang for the buck guys...Having said all that I do think that AW, Voodoo, and Sager are either scrambling or are worried about a giant coming in to their sector simply because the aforementioned companies cannot win in a price war...BTW have you seen this laptop it is hideous...it is an inspiron 8600 with this ugly black bottom and YES aesthetics do matter...

I wonder if Dell can have the same checks on their computers before they ships as AW have, I doubt it really as they mass-produce their computers in large scale. So i think they will probably have more doa's and payng 4000€ for a comp that have a risk of beeing a doa is pretty enerving...

price is 3200$ for basically the same specs as the 51m extreme...

only difference would be 15.4" screen compared to 16.1"
and no real upgradeable graphics (whihc is a down point)

every other option for dell is the same or better... 1 GB of ram, 3,4 mhz proc, DVDburner at the same speed, ATi 9700,

if not for the upegradeable graphics card id be on the phoen cancelling ym order as we speak.

as for testing an massproduction id say dell has a MUCH better reputation than AW when it comes ot DOA's orhaving to ship laptops back.

I only have one thing to say about this laptop that is its Ugly! This thing has no style waht soever but thats just me some options are better. But the Alienware still Owns IMO.

One question; where did you find this information?

There graphic are upgradable, but you cannot do it yourself I do not believe.

Oh wait just a sec I may have just changed my mind it may be ugly but my bank was going to get me a laptop and I think they where going to let me configure it and we just started getting Dell desktops I wonder If I could convince my boss to let me get one of these! Hmm its worth a shot! I would have a lot better chance asking for one of these than an Alienware wich is blatenly a gaming rig! and would look a littel strang in a bank setting.

I belive your odds is better with the dell

/Tiru

From Dell Website
"As if all these awesome features weren't enough, now your notebook can stand out in the crowd. Select from three new QuickSnap color kits with expressive graphic designs and a unique XPS identification to personalize and dress up your system. An exclusive backpack, designed especially for the Inspiron XPS system, comes with your purchase as well. "

QuickSnap Color Kit, is that kinda like a laptop body condom? Can you say "Keeping up with the Joneses" lol

Here is info on the laptop

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...=19&l=en&s=dhs

Those replaceable backs would be neat make it look semi presentable I coulduse on for work and switch them when i got home!

XPS and Graphics upgradable info

Thanks

The Inspiron XPS 15.4" WUXGA screen is a MAJOR plus for Dell over AW, Sager or Voodoo. I've got the same WUXGA screen on my 8600. It absolutely blows away any screen, 15.4", 15", 16.1", 17", offered by the other three, and this is from someone who bought, and returned, the Area-51m, 4780, and 5670. You have to see Dell's WUXGA in action to believe it.

That snap on with the 2 skullsis pretty sweet.... im sure you could get some form 3 party vendors in the future too.