Alienware warranty vs. Dell XPS warranty

I think the best thing to do, since it sounds like you have some time, is check with some folks in your area to see if you can get some feedback on the warranty service offered by Dell in your area. I've read about people having success with getting on-site repairs done with Dell notebooks - and it may be that Dell repairs are faster than AWs, even if you have to send it in. In almost all cases, AW notebooks have to be sent back for repairs, which can sometimes take 2-3 weeks. This is a problem for some people - I've not had any reason to send the two notebooks I've purchased from Alienware back for repair, so this has not been an issue for me.

Re the Complete Care - this is not currently offered by Alienware, although I believe there are third parties that will insure a notebook for accidental damage (it can sometimes even be added to homeowner's insurance).

Regarding comparing an updated XPS vs whatever version of the m9750 is available when you're ready to order - that's a tough call to make at this point. I think we'll all just have to wait to see what Penryn and DX10 graphics cards bring to the game.

Realizing space may be an issue for you, I'd suggest you consider whether you might not be better off with a desktop for performance, and a smaller notebook for mobility.

I'm neutral with respect to other people's choosing Dell vs Alienware - it comes down to which one gives you the specs and style you want. I prefer the Alienware look, but Dell makes some nice gaming systems as well.

Good Luck with your decision ... there could be a couple of major iterations in hardware by the time you make your decision at the end of the year.

In regards to on-site service and timely shipping of replacement parts, Dell warranty is better. AW doesn't have complete care either.

As for my opinion on the hardware, AW is far superior.

If you are comparing warranties, the Dell warranty is superior in every way. Convenience: Dell will have the part to you in 2 days, and a technician sent out immediately to your location to perform the repairs. It's extremely easy to get new parts and have the technician sent to install them in 2-3 day turn arounds. AW will require you to send the computer off for repairs to a depot and this could take an indeterminable amount of time, during which you will be without a computer. There is no way around this. Warranty Transfer: If you decide to sell your computer in the future, having an active warranty can significantly increase value to your system. Dell allows you to transfer the warranty and all it's advantages to anyone you sell the computer to. AW will not transfer warranty to another buyer. If you bought a brand new laptop with a 3 yr warranty from AW, and sell it a month later, that 3 yr warranty goes straight down the drain. Warranty extension: AW will not guarantee you the ability to extend your warranty and it won't even be an option if that computer is no longer being sold or supported. Dell will let you extend the warranty indefinitely. An example of this is a Dell i9300 that I recently sold to a friend of mine. It's not even sold or supported by Dell anymore, but they allowed me to not only transfer the remaining warranty to his name, but also allowed him to extend his warranty even though the computer isn't actively supported. What does this mean if his computer breaks? Simple, he gets a new e1705 with a similar hardware configuration if that ever happens. Talk about peace of mind... Complete Care: If you drop a guitar amp or beer keg on your shiny new AW laptop, you can kiss any hope of having that laptop repaired or replaced. With Dell's complete care, all accidental damage is covered. The laptop will be replaced in it's entirety with no cost to you. If I were having an expensive laptop on a college campus or around college aged friends, I'd think twice about this perk. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. The Dell warranty can't be beaten. Now, it sounds as if you want the AW which is why you are probably asking on this forum for your comparison. The AW is a great computer, but the warranty is not even close to being on the same level with Dell. If you decide on the AW, keep all of those things in mind and be willing to accept any worse case scenario that comes your way. You can easily read about "ColdSun's" experience with his perpetual overheating issues and inability to get a replacement or refund. Sure, you might get a lemon with a Dell computer also but your chances of getting that laptop replaced with a working one are almost guaranteed and with a much faster response time. Naturally, I recommend the Dell, but then again, I'm biased, as you can tell from my signature. I did have a m9700 before my current XPS though... Good luck.

Not to detract from Groove75's statement, as the Dell warranty is definitely superior to the AW warranty, but ColdSun's problems may (or may not!) have been addressed if he had decided to send his laptop in for service. Yes, having to send it in sucks. I think it's sketchy to blame AW for not fixing the laptop if you don't (or can't, as in ColdSun's case, because you don't have another computer to fall back to) follow their procedures to let them fix it, though. If this isn't going to be your only computer, or you have something else to use in an emergency, and you're really concerned about replacement/repair problems, then definitely, the Dell is the way to go. OTOH, if you have other options in an emergency, then maybe it's not as big a deal.

for a student on the go (i am one too) i would recommend the Dell for warranty support. the AW warranty is good but sadly doesnt cover the accidents that can happen in the course of university living. AW is cool and their machines are fun but the dell is the better choice in this case.

You could also look into getting some renter's insurance (after making certain that the company covers accidental damage). Renter's insurance is usually pretty cheap.

Safeware is a company that has been recommended by a number of people ... it's worth checking out.

I don't know if money is a factor for you, but you can also save $1000+ by purchasing a Dell through a reseller on ebay and have the warranty transferred to your name. Many more people have been doing that recently, myself included. As long as Dell allows it to continue, I'll probably keep doing this for future systems.

You might also be interested in niksem's comparison between an AW m5790 and XPS 1710 here. Lots of pics.

Yep, sure do. My setup is in my sig. I bought a D/Dock through a reseller and love it. Docking stations are just so convenient. When I come in from taking my laptop somewhere I just pop it in the dock and go back to working/gaming on my 24" LCD and desktop peripherals without having to touch anything on the laptop. The added PCI slot and media bay provides some expansion posibilities but I haven't used mine much. I only use the media bay on the dock for an additional hard drive.

You should ask yourself if you're buying a computer, or a warranty before you make a decision...

Why is Alienware's warranty different from Dell's a year later? I don't get it.

The make believe we are not Dell is gotta be coming to an end I would think.



Zoid