Quad Core Extreme - Page 5

3dfx was the first company to use SLI, and Nvidia bought them. Alienware couldn't very well patent technology that already had been sold. I don't recall saying AW "reaped the benefits" of SLI or owned a monopoly, I said they influenced the direction the industry has taken on several issues like upgradable graphics in mobile systems, and SLI. Even if it was just a perception of influence, it put Alienware in a different category for many computer buyers than the other companies that do nothing but put systems together and ship them.

How many SLI systems do you think AW sold last year? How much money did Alienware make off the press about their video array that was introduced at E3 before anyone else had heard about multiple GPU systems...?

I think if you look at AW's growth and success, it's really hard to say they'd have been more succesful without their innovations, in fact that would be a very stupid thing to say.

AW has built a reputation for gaming systems though they don't manufacture much of anything they sell, they're integrators. To deny they've done a masterful marketing job that includes their "innovations" especially when you have no idea how much they, or their partners put into research is... naive...


Success is relative. I'd say the fact that most independent mobile platform makers now include upgradable graphics shows AW's pushing the industry in that direction has accomplished something. Even if it's not as popular as SLI. By the way, SLI isn't all that important to anyone other than gaming system manufacturers, which Alienware happens to be...


That's very true, but you yourself say AW has built their rep on a lot of smoke and mirrors. Marketing and the perception of being cutting edge are arguably as important as putting out a good product. AW certainly seems to have done very well when it comes to business (dollars), and in my opinion the way they present themselves as innovators is a big part of that, even if they're really just integrators.


Personally, I think the video array and changeable mobile vid cards is also a marketing achievement since most people that buy laptops that are upgradeable never will upgrade. Also, with SLI giving about 50% return on 100% more investment in vid cards, it seems to me a big part of that is business and marketing as well...


Yes they are, but you're fooling yourself if you don't believe that everything Alienware has done, whether they've made direct profit from it or not has added to the perception of their position in the gaming industry.

Don't get me wrong either, I doubt AW made back what they invested in the video array technology, but how do you put a price on the buzz around their introduction of the array at E3? It was a marketing bonanza.

If you feel AW hasn't influenced the computer gaming industry to their advantage since their inception, I would have to disagree with you heartily.

That's not exactly true. After dissecting a couple driver packages from AW, I can tell you they do alter them, though not greatly when needed. The 8.4.7.4 driver package for the m9700 is different than the standard drivers issued by Nvidia due to the SLI setup with this laptop. It's not a big difference, but they're different. I'm also sure they don't update drivers often as each time they issue new drivers, there will be customers with issues. With fewer drivers out there, tech support has fewer possibilities to check for the causes of issues. Not exactly what you'd want from a high performance computer company when the industry is changing as fast as it is. It's disappointing to have to alter the system somewhat to use aftermarket and vid manufacturer's driver packages, but that's business...

I can also point to the original 5500m that had problems supporting hyperthreading with the intel desktop processors they used. Eventually AW issued custom bios, and revised hardware to make the systems hyperthread capable though they were the only company that did so with the mobile systems.

I think you and I agree for the most part about this arch... AW has done a masterful job with marketing. I remember when I started looking at gaming systems, I thought Alienware made a lot of their own hardware. Of course they don't make a lot of noise about the fact that the majority of their product is off the shelf components they integrate into their systems though that information is on their website. I'm also confused as to why they don't make more hay about their internal testing that's done to choose the components they include in their builds. I remember back in the day when magazines did real performance comparisons between system manufacturers, and AW usually won based on benchmarks though they didn't overclock. Part of that I'm sure was that review systems were likely given special attention, but most of it is the combination of hardware Alienware used.

I look at their investments in the technology you call a failure as part of their marketing and reputation, and I'm sure their marketing dept. would agree they didn't make a lot o' cash directly from the research, but they certainly got their brand and name out there, and that's a big part of the game.

I read all of that. No comment.



Now that should lighten the mood around here.

Your the only one trolling, just because I state what you quoted above does not give you license to attribute additional comments and inferences to me.

Nice butt-tastic comeback, did I spell that right?

Hammer, from long time side by side service here and abroad (voodoo forums)I know your to be versed in these subjects, and while I cant categorically agree with every statement here I also find much truth to the point it feels we are arguing different sides of the same coin. While the tone of your above post seems to be contradicting mine..... rereading it seems to me to validate my point, so Im not sure there is a rebuttal to be made....? Edit: hadnt even read the post following the one I quoted when I wrote the above reply, where it seems you came to the same conclusion I did...... I guess great minds do think alike!!! haha

What was this thread about again .

Heres my thought. AW has innovated marketing, and hope people market. They are marketing geniouses. @ E3, go to www.gamestop.com and you'll see that they have a "speacial." AW is known as the computer for gamers. I even knew about AW before I was even interested in gaming. They also use different parts then Dell, HP, and better parts. When something comes out, they're one of the first boutiques/any computer place to have it. And the choices are just amazing. Everything is also very well organized, and you get alot of extras. Alienware takes risks, all of them may have not been succesful, but 95 % of the time they are. And please don't flame me. I'm just stating my opinion. Not everybody has to agree with me. I'm ok with debates and all, but not flame wars and arguements.

Truth spoken by a 13 year old (or, are you 14 now, Boom? ) Article88...don't let Archalien get under your skin. He's not a troll. We may not always like how he puts some things, but (imo) he's pretty knowledgeable and makes some good points. I knew squat about computers when I decided to buy my first Alienware...their "marketing" helped me buy a decent computer. Now that I've learned more, I imagine I could build a system for less money (but it would not be nearly as neatly put together!). I look forward to seeing what companies like Alienware come up with in the future ...

I think you sell yourself short shaz...... Building a computer is not any great mystery, it has its intricacies, but by and large is quite simple. That being said, I would never buy a desktop from any place like AW or Dell or anyomne ever again as I can build a better performer for much cheaper!!!(Of course with a few caveats)Being Im in love w/ the predator case and have not found anything that surpasses it in all the land. But that aside, I went from NO knowledge at all, the very definition of noob, to building my own uber high performance desktop in less than 3 months, all done from a Pentium(1) 166 with 96mbs ram and dialup!!!! (quite some years ago) I dont require warranty or technical support as over time Ive found better outlets for this information. That doesnt mean I dont recommend dell to others who can actually bennefit from paying the extrafor tech support from Dell. But thats no longer a moot point (a-ha someone who actually knows and uses the term correctly.....) as I find myself hard pressed to ever have a desktop again. And as laptops have not met the desktop equivalent of the do it yourself for enthusiasts Ill be stuck with the ever horrid outsourced tech support of my shortly arriving new HP dv9.

Ive never actually seen the Predator case in person. What makes it special?

The two cases I like personally can be seen:
Here

And Here.

And no worries about anyone getting under my skin Shazza, after all what are forums for if not for people to debate on occasion

Its special because it uses/used what has become the defacto case design (Antec clone, or whatever it has been labeled now) combined with an escape from the beige box that matched/personified (marketed) the alienware brand with a tangible visual embodiment, without offering anything else other feature, that has yet to be substantially duplicated by any competitor. (this includes the predator port to their laptops too!!!)

As both cases you listed still are traditionally boxy, I do like your first choice and is one of my favorite modern day Antec clones also, although I feel it that while aesthetically appealing has lost some points in functionality. And the second choice you listed I absolutly hate. I tend tend to gush over anything in black, its just I dont find anything appealing or compelling about the fata1ty case jmho.

Having had the fortune to have great laptops small and large, Full towers and SFF's it became apparent to me the real lack of necessity for the modern day towers(for me).