Just ordered the M9700

Well, I have joined the alienware bandwagon. I've been wanting an Alienware laptop for over a year and just never wanted to take the plunge until now. I reallly loved reading the reviews which helped me decide on the m9700. I love playing games but I've been limited to my current desktop system (last game I played was BF Vietnam) so picking this laptop has just sweetened the deal for me. When it arrives I'll write a review so that maybe it will help someone else decide on what to get. I guess a 'give back to the community' tribute to NBF. I primarily got this machine so I could design PCBs while on the road, do some dsp programming with a friend of mine, edit audio (or using cubase's VSTi's) for my music, to have a screaming laptop to play games when I want to blow off some steam. That being said, I'll do the usual 3d benchmarks but i'll also include how I feel about how my other tasks (read above if you forgot, j/k) performed with this laptop. Thanks to everyone who has posted pictures, reviews of every laptop in this section, it's been valuable. Anyway, onto the usual spec spit section:

Aurora™ m9700

Processor: AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile ML40 2.2GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Windows® XP Professional with Service Pack 2
Chassis: 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD with Clearview Technology - Saucer Silver
Motherboard: Alienware® NVIDIA® Mobile SLi Chipset
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR SO-DIMM at 400MHz - 2 x 512MB
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 60GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 5,400 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Optical Drive: 24x10x24 CD-RW Burner / 8X DVD Reader
Video/Graphics Card: Dual 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS - SLI Enabled
Sound Card: High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Wireless Network Card: Internal 802.11b/g WiFi Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth® Device
Primary Battery: Alienware® m9700 12-cell Lithium-Ion Smart Battery Pack
Warranty: 2-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
AlienRespawn: Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit
Free Alienware Shirt: Free Alienware® T-Shirt - White
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager

Actually, Hammerhead, I really owe most of my thanks to you. You're review and input has been invaluable. Now I am playing the phase game.

I called sales today to find out what exact phase I was in since I've read they don't update the website until after hours, the guy I talked to was very helpful although I think english was his second language and his wordings on a few things made sense but you never hear someone say it that way. So far I've spoken to the financing department and the sales department and so far they've been VERY helpful.

Just called the phase status, AW rep on the phone said within an hour it will be in phase 4. Woo!

So my question is, how quick (if all the items are in stock) is the rest of the phases?

Hah. Man, you give up too easy! I think they have to give a buffer estimate just in case something does happen. I called today to check on the phase and I asked the guy how often does the order status on the website update and he says 24-48 hours. Needless to say I'll be calling once a day to see what the deal is.

The whole 3dmark stuff is new to me, I just usually just play games without doing much in terms of benchmarks but I'm going to give them a try. What I'm interested in is seeing how well Soundforge and it's audio plugins work with it. It'll be better than what I have now that's for sure.

No pressure!

Since you two guys are Dell owners, why the change to the M9700? I'm curious to know what it is. keep it civil.