As I email Alienware's awesome sales people to ask questions, I'll post their official answers here in case people are interested. I've modified my questions to better match the answers I got (I also rewrote most to sound more like interview questions), and I have cut out useless parts of the answers.
Q. What's the average runtime length on the battery? And the length while gaming?
A. The average battery time for the Area 51M is about two hours max running non demanding applications such as text editing and web surfing, and it goes about an hour to an hour and half running graphic/processor intensive applications such as 3D games and graphic applications.
Q. Why is there no longer a wireless miniPCI card option? When will one be available in the future?
A. We did offer an integrated wirless LAN card until a couple of weeks ago. The reason why we had to remove the wireless mini PCI card as an option on our Area 51M is because we are expecting to have a new and improved 802.11 A/B/G wireless card for improved performance and greater transfer rates during the next few weeks. You may order this separately later and install it yourself as well --- and if necessary, with the help of our Tech support team. However you may get a Microsoft 802.11G Wireless PCMCIA Type II Adapter we offer on our Gear Shop as well so you can have the wireless capabilities that you need on your computer as well.
Q. The order form only lists silver colour for the 15.4" model. Are the other colours no longer available?
A. Due to the high demand that we had for the other colors that were available on the 15.4" model we have temporarily run out of stock on those colors. Please rest assured that as soon as we have these colors back in stock they will be available on our website as well.
Q. Is there room in the Alienware backpack for textbooks in addition to the laptop?
A. The backpacks we offer for use with our computers provide enough space for the computer and to take some stuff along with it such as pens and papers but do not offer much space to take a whole lot of stuff along with you.
Q. When will the ATI Radeon Mobility 9700 be available?
A. Of course, Alienware constantly looks into offering the latest perks offered in the computer technology specially in improving the efficiency of systems currently offered. However, we unfortunately have no definite information just yet regarding the time proximity for the future availability of the new ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 video card for our Area-51m Mobile Systems other than the fact that it is currently in the works of research and development. Like any other Alieware system offered, these new components go through the rigid testing process for quality control --- for compatibility and optimum high level gaming system performance. Please rest assured that as soon as it is available, it will be on our website as well.
Q. What upgrade options are there for the CPU/motherboard/etc?
A. The Area 51-m computer is made for upgradeability as you can upgrade the optical devices, the processor, the memory and the video card meaning that your computer can stay up to date with the constant technology changes. In the case you want to upgrade your computer while your warranty is active we will sell you the parts you need at discounted cost, for example should you need to upgrade the memory, the processor, the motherboard or a storage device for faster speed and bigger storage capacities instead of having to buy a whole new computer you can send the computer back to us to have the upgrade made and we will also cover the labor, the only cost you would need to cover would be only shipping and for the parts you buy.
Q. Is the 85$ US rebate on Area-51m machines offered by MaximumPC still valid?
A. This offer is still valid. Keep in mind that this offer cannot be combined with any other offers.
Q. What is the pricing on Alienware's user-upgradable graphics modules?
A. The cost of these cards is around 180-200 USD.
Q. What is Alienware's definition of the "center" of the LCD for the dead-pixel replacement policy?
A. The center of the screen is around the central 3 square inches of your screen. We include a utility with the Area-51m to display the exact area on your screen.
Q. What does Alienware mean when they say that rebates (MaximumPC 85$ rebate) can't be combined with other special offers?
A. This means if you take advantage of the MaximumPC offer, you cannot take advantage of free shipping, or the Enter the Matrix special. However you still get the Alienware T-Shirt as all customers get that.
Q. Does Alienware make/sell adapters for cars/airplanes?
A. Not at the present, but rest assured that these are in the works! Until then you are free to avail yourself of a third party solution that plugs directly into the laptop, or an adapter to convert airplane/car current to AC current and use the Alienware AC adapter.
Q. Are Canadian taxes collected by Alienware directly?
A. No, all taxes and duties are calculated and collected by Fed Ex Canada. (Ed: Alienware now tells me that Fed Ex Canada collects them, but that you don't pay them on delivery)
Q. Can the notebook bags be used to carry books and non-laptop things?
A. Yes, as long as it fits in there. However, when there is a laptop in the bag there is no room for other things.
Q. What is the response time of the 15.4" LCD, and the same question for the 16.1"?
A. The response times for the LCD screens on the Area 51M's is around
20-25ms (milliseconds) for both the 15.4" and the 16.1" screens. (Ed: I wasn't able to get a more precise response from the sales rep)
Q. Can upgrades such as new GPUs be purchased from Alienware after the warranty expires?
A. Yes, however you will only get the discount on the parts as long as your machine is under warrenty.
Q. Can you extend the warranty later on?
A. No, you can only purchase a warranty when you purchase the machine, or before it ships.
Q. What's the average runtime length on the battery? And the length while gaming?
A. The average battery time for the Area 51M is about two hours max running non demanding applications such as text editing and web surfing, and it goes about an hour to an hour and half running graphic/processor intensive applications such as 3D games and graphic applications.
Q. Why is there no longer a wireless miniPCI card option? When will one be available in the future?
A. We did offer an integrated wirless LAN card until a couple of weeks ago. The reason why we had to remove the wireless mini PCI card as an option on our Area 51M is because we are expecting to have a new and improved 802.11 A/B/G wireless card for improved performance and greater transfer rates during the next few weeks. You may order this separately later and install it yourself as well --- and if necessary, with the help of our Tech support team. However you may get a Microsoft 802.11G Wireless PCMCIA Type II Adapter we offer on our Gear Shop as well so you can have the wireless capabilities that you need on your computer as well.
Q. The order form only lists silver colour for the 15.4" model. Are the other colours no longer available?
A. Due to the high demand that we had for the other colors that were available on the 15.4" model we have temporarily run out of stock on those colors. Please rest assured that as soon as we have these colors back in stock they will be available on our website as well.
Q. Is there room in the Alienware backpack for textbooks in addition to the laptop?
A. The backpacks we offer for use with our computers provide enough space for the computer and to take some stuff along with it such as pens and papers but do not offer much space to take a whole lot of stuff along with you.
Q. When will the ATI Radeon Mobility 9700 be available?
A. Of course, Alienware constantly looks into offering the latest perks offered in the computer technology specially in improving the efficiency of systems currently offered. However, we unfortunately have no definite information just yet regarding the time proximity for the future availability of the new ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 video card for our Area-51m Mobile Systems other than the fact that it is currently in the works of research and development. Like any other Alieware system offered, these new components go through the rigid testing process for quality control --- for compatibility and optimum high level gaming system performance. Please rest assured that as soon as it is available, it will be on our website as well.
Q. What upgrade options are there for the CPU/motherboard/etc?
A. The Area 51-m computer is made for upgradeability as you can upgrade the optical devices, the processor, the memory and the video card meaning that your computer can stay up to date with the constant technology changes. In the case you want to upgrade your computer while your warranty is active we will sell you the parts you need at discounted cost, for example should you need to upgrade the memory, the processor, the motherboard or a storage device for faster speed and bigger storage capacities instead of having to buy a whole new computer you can send the computer back to us to have the upgrade made and we will also cover the labor, the only cost you would need to cover would be only shipping and for the parts you buy.
Q. Is the 85$ US rebate on Area-51m machines offered by MaximumPC still valid?
A. This offer is still valid. Keep in mind that this offer cannot be combined with any other offers.
Q. What is the pricing on Alienware's user-upgradable graphics modules?
A. The cost of these cards is around 180-200 USD.
Q. What is Alienware's definition of the "center" of the LCD for the dead-pixel replacement policy?
A. The center of the screen is around the central 3 square inches of your screen. We include a utility with the Area-51m to display the exact area on your screen.
Q. What does Alienware mean when they say that rebates (MaximumPC 85$ rebate) can't be combined with other special offers?
A. This means if you take advantage of the MaximumPC offer, you cannot take advantage of free shipping, or the Enter the Matrix special. However you still get the Alienware T-Shirt as all customers get that.
Q. Does Alienware make/sell adapters for cars/airplanes?
A. Not at the present, but rest assured that these are in the works! Until then you are free to avail yourself of a third party solution that plugs directly into the laptop, or an adapter to convert airplane/car current to AC current and use the Alienware AC adapter.
Q. Are Canadian taxes collected by Alienware directly?
A. No, all taxes and duties are calculated and collected by Fed Ex Canada. (Ed: Alienware now tells me that Fed Ex Canada collects them, but that you don't pay them on delivery)
Q. Can the notebook bags be used to carry books and non-laptop things?
A. Yes, as long as it fits in there. However, when there is a laptop in the bag there is no room for other things.
Q. What is the response time of the 15.4" LCD, and the same question for the 16.1"?
A. The response times for the LCD screens on the Area 51M's is around
20-25ms (milliseconds) for both the 15.4" and the 16.1" screens. (Ed: I wasn't able to get a more precise response from the sales rep)
Q. Can upgrades such as new GPUs be purchased from Alienware after the warranty expires?
A. Yes, however you will only get the discount on the parts as long as your machine is under warrenty.
Q. Can you extend the warranty later on?
A. No, you can only purchase a warranty when you purchase the machine, or before it ships.
