Need Help & Advice, Buying New Laptop

I'd stay away from ebay for an Alienware. While some folks have had good luck, why get one one with older technology when new ones are out?

You don't say whether portability is a critical factor, but if you were looking at a 17" - here's the system config I would start with:

1] Area-51® m5750

Processor: Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2500 2.0GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Service Pack 2
Display: Alienware® m5750 17" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Memory: 512MB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 256MB
Hard Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 120GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 5,400 RPM w/ 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/Software
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1800
Sound Card: Intel® 7.1 High-Definition Audio
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Alienware Exclusive Offers: GameFly - Unlimited Game Rentals for 15 days - FREE TRIAL
Productivity Software: Microsoft® Works 8 Productivity Suite
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager

[1] Special Financing Offer; 6 Months Same As Cash Financing with the Alienware Credit Card

SubTotal: $2,099.00
Shipping: --
Discount: $0.00
Tax: --
Order Total: --


You can upgrade to 2 GB of RAM from some place like Newegg for about $160. That puts you a bit over your total budget you mentioned. If this were my system, I'd have no problem dropping from the 2.0 CPU to the 1.83 which will save $200. I picked the 120GB 5400 drive because I think that gives a good storage/value ratio - and it won't be a bottleneck. But you could also order a cheaper drive option and upgrade down the road. If storage is really an issue, you have the option to get dual drives - or even go Raid.


There are a number of brands, as you've mentioned, to choose from. I'm partial to AW, but also use other brands...it really comes down to what appeals to you more, as well as what price you can get. Note that the m5740 is showing delivery time of 31 July...so it would be a little bit of a wait...

Good advice,

I bought my 766 from ebay, I guess 2yrs ago now, and have been happy with it. That situation could have easily gone the other way if I had encountered a hardware problem. I don't believe I could have even payed Alieware to repair the laptop that case. I also waited until some one within driving distance was selling the machine I wanted and arranged to see it in person.
Stangely, 766s are still going for about what I payed for it 2yrs ago. Right now on Craigslist, San Francisco, there is a 7700 and a 766. The 766 asking price is higher than the 7700. Weird.