I guess I should start from the moment I heard about Alienware. It was 1997 and I had bought a computer game and inside was an Alienware flyer. I took at look at their products and it was one of those "I must have it moments". Unfortunetly I was no where near being able to afford it at that time. Alienware was never from my mind whenever I heard the word computers from this point on.
Fast Forward to the present. College and traveling have made a laptop a strong consideration in my choice for a new computer. The first thing that popped into my mind was Alienware. I went to their website and configured a number of different systems. I am a poor college student, and needed the laptop in a short amount of time. Alienware advertised that it would ship in 7 days. I also did some research and the Area-51M is the most upgradeable laptop I could locate. I picked out a configuration that suited my price range and parts that would not delay the system.
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Case: Area-51m Case with 15.4" WideSXGA+ 1680x1050 LCD Display - Conspiracy Blue
Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology 3.0GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache
Motherboard: SiS648FX + SiS963L AGP8X Chipset
Memory: 1024MB DDR PC-3200 - 2x512 SO-DIMMs
Video Card: Area-51m ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 PRO Module with 128MB DDR
Sound Card: Sound-Blaster Pro Compatible 3D Audio
Hard Drive: 40GB 5400 RPM ATA100
Smart Bay One: 24x10x24 CD-RW / 8X DVD Combo w/Software
Ethernet NIC: Integrated 10/100Mb Ethernet NIC
Modem: 56K Modem with V.92 Technology
Remote Control: Area-51m Multi-function Infrared Remote control
Mobile Transport : Alienware® Premium Messenger Case <-- switched for the backpack
Multifunction Printers: Lexmark PrinTrio X1150 with 6' USB Cable
The only part I regret is the hard drive, however the 7200 rpm 60 gb was a delayed item and the 80 gb was only a 5200 rpm unit. Beyond that the 60 gb isn't the largest drive, and the 80 gb is pretty average speed, so I settled for the 40 gb with upgrading later on in mind. Alienware was very accomodating in switching out my choice of the messanger bag for the backpack even late into the building process,phase 12. I do have to send the messanger bag back because they could not catch it in time, but its worth the extra effort in my opinion.
Now, all these words and not a mention of the computer yet. Well when I checked my Fedex status and saw it was a day ahead of schedule, I was very pleased(and excited!!!). I ran with all three boxs in my arms back into my house with an ear to ear smile on my face. First thing I realized is that Alienware is very serious about its packing methods. Second thing was, free game! Americas Army!! Anyway, it wasn't long before I flipped through the binder(with all the boxs and stuff around me this whole thing had a christmas feel to it) and read some of the manual. This is my first laptop ever, and I must say that Alienwares documentation made it easy to get any information I needed. The look of the laptop is quite amazing, the paint itself is superb. It dosn't feel like a cheap piece of plastic junk, it has quality written all over it.
This was the moment I had waited for, I was about to push the power button and fire it up. Xp starts up, speakers kick on they sound better than I expected. I eventualy get into windows and plug my optical mouse in. The touch pad is ok, but nothing beats the optical mouse(or the mouse pad alienware sends you- it is quite nice). I decide its time to install games I bought for the laptop(my other computer is an older compaq 500 mgh celeron 54 mbs of ram..ect so you can imagine that this laptop is quite the step up from what I am use to). Everything loads great, they run at their highest settings wonderfully. In case you are wondering the two games I loaded were Universal Combat and Soldiers of Anarchy. I have MOO3 and age of mythology waiting in the wings along with Unreal tournament 2004 comming soon. The laptop exceeded my expectations when it came to the games. This was a great expearience because the last game I could play on a computer was like fallout 2. I must say graphics have surely improved.
There is a part of the package I want to mention cause not a lot of reviews do it. I want to talk about the remote control that you get. This thing is one of the neatest features included. Controlling the laptop from across the room is fun. I did try the MP3 button, however I have none on the laptop yet. I did try the dvd player certainly using the mouse button on the remote was much easier than any dedicated dvd player I own. The quality of the LCD screen shocked me, and the The Hulk never looked so good. I can tell everyone already that I have grown to love the remote control that I didnt think much of when I ordered the laptop.
Of course the Alienware name is more than the sum of the parts you purchase for the computer. The service is great, the packaging is wonderful. The thoughtfullness that went into it makes ever penny worth it. Speaking of money my complete rig plus printer and shipping was only a little over $2600.
From the research I did that isn't a bad price for a laptop, especialy not with the parts,service, upgradeability,and thought that went into it. Oh, and you get a cool Agent ID card. I don't regret anything about my purchase.
Sure, you can find places that sell higher end parts for the same price, possibly cheaper. There is more to a laptop than its initial specs apon purchase. There is customer service, support, and quality to consider as well as the fact that to get a new graphic card you will have to purchase a new laptop from most places. I don't think I am being biased or exagerating when I say Alienware is the best you are definetly purchasing far more than a piece of electronics when you go to them. I hope that this review can help someone else decide on a purchase. I know there are alot of options out there, but Alienware really narrowed down the choices for me.
thank you for reading
Fast Forward to the present. College and traveling have made a laptop a strong consideration in my choice for a new computer. The first thing that popped into my mind was Alienware. I went to their website and configured a number of different systems. I am a poor college student, and needed the laptop in a short amount of time. Alienware advertised that it would ship in 7 days. I also did some research and the Area-51M is the most upgradeable laptop I could locate. I picked out a configuration that suited my price range and parts that would not delay the system.
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Case: Area-51m Case with 15.4" WideSXGA+ 1680x1050 LCD Display - Conspiracy Blue
Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology 3.0GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache
Motherboard: SiS648FX + SiS963L AGP8X Chipset
Memory: 1024MB DDR PC-3200 - 2x512 SO-DIMMs
Video Card: Area-51m ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 PRO Module with 128MB DDR
Sound Card: Sound-Blaster Pro Compatible 3D Audio
Hard Drive: 40GB 5400 RPM ATA100
Smart Bay One: 24x10x24 CD-RW / 8X DVD Combo w/Software
Ethernet NIC: Integrated 10/100Mb Ethernet NIC
Modem: 56K Modem with V.92 Technology
Remote Control: Area-51m Multi-function Infrared Remote control
Mobile Transport : Alienware® Premium Messenger Case <-- switched for the backpack
Multifunction Printers: Lexmark PrinTrio X1150 with 6' USB Cable
The only part I regret is the hard drive, however the 7200 rpm 60 gb was a delayed item and the 80 gb was only a 5200 rpm unit. Beyond that the 60 gb isn't the largest drive, and the 80 gb is pretty average speed, so I settled for the 40 gb with upgrading later on in mind. Alienware was very accomodating in switching out my choice of the messanger bag for the backpack even late into the building process,phase 12. I do have to send the messanger bag back because they could not catch it in time, but its worth the extra effort in my opinion.
Now, all these words and not a mention of the computer yet. Well when I checked my Fedex status and saw it was a day ahead of schedule, I was very pleased(and excited!!!). I ran with all three boxs in my arms back into my house with an ear to ear smile on my face. First thing I realized is that Alienware is very serious about its packing methods. Second thing was, free game! Americas Army!! Anyway, it wasn't long before I flipped through the binder(with all the boxs and stuff around me this whole thing had a christmas feel to it) and read some of the manual. This is my first laptop ever, and I must say that Alienwares documentation made it easy to get any information I needed. The look of the laptop is quite amazing, the paint itself is superb. It dosn't feel like a cheap piece of plastic junk, it has quality written all over it.
This was the moment I had waited for, I was about to push the power button and fire it up. Xp starts up, speakers kick on they sound better than I expected. I eventualy get into windows and plug my optical mouse in. The touch pad is ok, but nothing beats the optical mouse(or the mouse pad alienware sends you- it is quite nice). I decide its time to install games I bought for the laptop(my other computer is an older compaq 500 mgh celeron 54 mbs of ram..ect so you can imagine that this laptop is quite the step up from what I am use to). Everything loads great, they run at their highest settings wonderfully. In case you are wondering the two games I loaded were Universal Combat and Soldiers of Anarchy. I have MOO3 and age of mythology waiting in the wings along with Unreal tournament 2004 comming soon. The laptop exceeded my expectations when it came to the games. This was a great expearience because the last game I could play on a computer was like fallout 2. I must say graphics have surely improved.
There is a part of the package I want to mention cause not a lot of reviews do it. I want to talk about the remote control that you get. This thing is one of the neatest features included. Controlling the laptop from across the room is fun. I did try the MP3 button, however I have none on the laptop yet. I did try the dvd player certainly using the mouse button on the remote was much easier than any dedicated dvd player I own. The quality of the LCD screen shocked me, and the The Hulk never looked so good. I can tell everyone already that I have grown to love the remote control that I didnt think much of when I ordered the laptop.
Of course the Alienware name is more than the sum of the parts you purchase for the computer. The service is great, the packaging is wonderful. The thoughtfullness that went into it makes ever penny worth it. Speaking of money my complete rig plus printer and shipping was only a little over $2600.
From the research I did that isn't a bad price for a laptop, especialy not with the parts,service, upgradeability,and thought that went into it. Oh, and you get a cool Agent ID card. I don't regret anything about my purchase.
Sure, you can find places that sell higher end parts for the same price, possibly cheaper. There is more to a laptop than its initial specs apon purchase. There is customer service, support, and quality to consider as well as the fact that to get a new graphic card you will have to purchase a new laptop from most places. I don't think I am being biased or exagerating when I say Alienware is the best you are definetly purchasing far more than a piece of electronics when you go to them. I hope that this review can help someone else decide on a purchase. I know there are alot of options out there, but Alienware really narrowed down the choices for me.
thank you for reading
