Don't buy alienware. - Page 2

and we all know Gun is an expert at finding the hotties on the internet ( - sorry, Gun - just couldn't resist)

ouchie!

sorry Gun, that was hiliarious shaz!

muahahhaha

Hammer and others,

Obviously Alienware is more flashy, more interesting to have and to open up on your desk at work, very fast, and all the rest. I'll never debate that.

The ONE thing Dell does 200% right is the warranty service. If you call up and have an idea of what you are talking about, Dell and it's BILLIONS of dollars takes care of your problem in about 5 minutes, usually by overnight AIR the part you need to your door by 930am the next day, and will send a tech to install it that same next day. They never charge a dollar when it's under warranty, not even for a second. I would LOVE to see AW take on this same type of policy now that they are financially backed by Dell. It would convince penny pinchers (like myself) that it's 200% secure to buy one of these awesome systems.

Personally, I don't understand why AW wouldn't turn over control of everything EXCEPT design of the systems and all the exciting stuff. Let Dell and it's billions of dollars and employees take care of this warranty stuff and let AW employees rock out some new systems.

While I agree the Alienware needs to work on Customer Service and Support, the rosy picture you paint of Dell's service does not appear to be the case for everyone (but let me add, my Dell XPS 2 is a over a yr old, and it's run flawlessly - so I've never had to call them).

And - while we've strayed off topic from the original post - let's remember that AW did agree to replace the hard drive. They said the battery was out of warranty after a yr+ - that's not that unusual for notebook suppliers.

It's not perfect, but I've literally owned 9 Dells, and I currently still run 6 of them. I've dealt with tech support MANY times. I had ONE bad experience when the tech couldn't figure out what was wrong, and came back 4 days in a row replacing parts. That was the biggest headache though, he just didn't know what he was doing.

I guess you've never visited a Dell support forum...

Alienware replaced his hard drive. Where is the problem? Alienware does not charge you for the part unless you don't return the bad part per the warranty. Are you telling me if a hard drive goes out on your Dell, and they send a replacement but you don't return the bad drive they don't charge you?

Alienware won't replace his year and a half old used battery. It's out of warranty. Where is the problem? Are you telling me Dell sends you batteries for life?

You still don't get it.

If Dell turns Alienware into Dell, they're absolute idiots. They bought Alienware because they couldn't compete with Alienware in thier market. Have you not seen how frantic both Alienware and Dell are to make sure everyone believes they are remaining separate entities?

Marketing and millions in PR and publicity from both Alienware and Dell to insist publicly that they'll remain independent all wasted according to the Commish...

Obviously there are things Dell can bring to AW. Things like financing and supply assistance, but thinking because one guy is pissed he can't follow warranty procedures means Dell is better than Alienware is just so... Commishy...

Maybe your confusion comes from believing Alienware is just more "flashy" than Dell... If Dell has billions of dollars to help with issues in five minutes, why don't they improve their product? With a better product they wouldn't have to send out so many cheap replacement parts overnight.

And you've never owned an Alienware or ever dealt with their support, so how is it you're an authority on how Dell would do everything better than Alienware has throughout it's tremendous success and growth?

Hammer

I did not intend to start an arguement. I clearly said AW, from what I've heard, seen, and read produces good computers, and they look great.

Now if I defend my agrument, I'm called a troll, so I guess I will just say you are correct, I do not own an AW, and I don't know anything about Dell either.

Commish

Your not going to be called a troll. A debate isn't a bad thing. Now if it turns into a flame war then thats not good. But if your just trying to prove your point then its ok. I've debated with HH about self built and aw computers. It isn't bad to try to explain something to someone.

It's more than apparent that everyone involved in the deal between Dell and Alienware have bent over backwards to quash any hint of an insinuation that Dell will have any influence on AW's management.

What isn't clear is why you think Dell's support is superior to Alienware's support in any way relevant to this string.

Debate is good. thecommish16 has 'debated' here many times in the past, until he was told in no uncertain terms to go away...

Still easy to pick apart 'piece by piece' I see...



Zoid

Hammer you lose me when you start the whole Dell uses inferior parts. If AW and Dell are the same, and have the same supply chain, then why would Dell get cheaper parts sent to their Dell assembly line and not the AW line?

Hammer I want an AW like everyone else, they are awesome machines and you can bet you will get looks at work when you pull that sucker out, and I look forward to it, but please....spare me the cheap parts argument, I could care less what they put in here for the money I paid, and the results I got.

As for support, I'm sure they are similar. I have had multiple experiences with dell tech support, and they have rocked everytime, and my card was never charged. I just figured AW would do the same since they have the same company accounts now. It was NOT a flame. It's called a discussion.

Thecommish16 i have your back man. Bring out your fury.

They're not the same. Who said they were the same? Seems to me everything everyone has told you in this section would lead anybody to believe or conclude that AW and Dell are not the same.

They don't use the same parts, they don't use the same platforms, they don't use the same cases, screens, memory...


You don't want an Alienware like everyone else, or you'd have one.

Where did the cheap parts argument come from, is that part of this string? You said Dell support was superior. What is it Dell would have done that AW didn't? They replaced his hard drive, but unfortunately they don't give out free batteries.

And it's obvious you couldn't care less what's in your Dell for the price you paid. That's why you have 9 Dells, and no Alienwares...


Going to your argument at the beginning of this post, if they're similar, why then should Dell take over AW's support?

I've only had a few experiences with Alienware support, and they rocked every time. Twice I was given free upgrades, and my card was never charged. Why would they charge you for warranty work?

AW does not charge cards for replacement hardware, they pre-qualify the charge in case you don't return the faulty part. If Alienware doesn't return the faulty part to their supplier, Alienware doesn't get reimbursed. I'd be willing to bet if you didn't return the bad part to Dell you would be charged unless it was a fan or something minor, but AW doesn't do that either.

Again, Alienware and Dell don't share the same accounts. Alienware is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dell, so they maintain separate finances for the most part...

Where did anyone accuse you of flaming?

Hammerhead what exactly are you arguing? Is your argument " Alienware support is on par or better than dell"? or is your argument" Alienware has great support because 'iv had a rocking experience' with them', therefor, they are great"?

The lifeguard needs to blow the whistle and send the kiddies back to the baby pool before they get in over their head!

Zoid

Hey everybody...(ain't no lifeguard, but the MOM in me is coming out). Commish has been reasonable these days, and is obviously interested in owning an AW. Let's not run him off.

Whatever dude.

Thanks Shazza, both my desktop and laptop are getting to be a few years old, and change is good. I'm more interested in a laptop for work right now, but nothing super loaded. I like the M5550, and the 14 inch sentia. However, the looks of the 5750 are pretty cool, with the reflective paint that I saw in someones picture in the photo gallery, and I like the "alienware" name on the back of the LCD and not just the alienhead.

actually Dell doesn't charge you , they just threaten to suspend your warranty service on the device you have until you send the old part back

...Dell support is definitely not the best, overall... If you know how to work within their system you have a much better chance of getting an entire replacement PC...But getting through the initial "Dell Hell" as I like to call it takes a little legwork....THe next business day service is nice though, and I recommend it to anyone making a purchse


..BTW sorry about you aptop experience man...that does bite...would have been nice if they were a little more sympathetic on the replacement they gave you (giving you more time) Unfortunately with a battery , they can't just warranty them for the entire length of the laptop warranty. If you are a heavy battery user you can run through the average 500 charge lifespan in a little over a year, oyu can't hold them responsible for that... Batteries die... Look on ebay for a cheaper replacement battery