Need help buying my Area 51 mx15 Alienware

Yes the 3 year warranty is important! it's a must have!

I stress to everyone buying a new notebook to ALWAYS buy the three year warranty.

Yes.

The most important component with games is the vid card. The processor speed will help out, but it's not necessary to get the fastest processor out there. With modern dual core processors, you're going to have plenty of processing power with even the lowest processor offered by Alienware. I've bought six AW systems, only two of them have had the top end processor.

Just keep in mind that if you want to upgrade later, AW allows customer upgrades without voiding the warranty, except with the processor. Generally that means if you want a long term warranty, it's best to get the top processor with the original purchase, then upgrade memory/hd/vid cards as you can.

The difference between a mid speed cpu and the top end though isn't huge, though the prices are... I would feel comfortable getting the 8800gtx with a mid range processor.

With the 8800gtx, any of them will work. I'd probably get the T9300 due to the bigger cache and slight speed increase over the T8300 for only $100 more. All of the processors offered in the m15x are fast enough for gaming.

I'd get the T9300/8800gtx, though the T8300 will also work. For memory, you'll want at least 2G, but more than that is subjective. Look at the price of just ordering 2G from Alienware, and compare it to getting the minimum from AW, then buying memory from a third party vendor and compare the costs. A lot of people buy with the minimum, then upgrade the memory themselves. It won't void your warranty, but if you have memory problems with memory you buy elsewhere, Alienware won't offer support for memory issues.

One problem that requires a repair will cost much more than 227 euro's. If you plan on keeping the laptop long term, the extended warranty is a good idea. With the six Alienware systems I've purchased, I've gotten the extended warranty with both laptops, but not with desktops as they're easier to get parts and repair. With Alienware laptops, Alienware is the only company offering them, so it's difficult to find shops that can repair them. Unfortunately, with shipping and repairs, a problem with an Alienware laptop can get expensive quick...

I'd go T9300/8800gtx, then either get 2G memory, or order it with the minimum and upgrade the memory yourself when you can afford it. With Vista though, memory is used a lot, so you should get at least 2G as soon as you can.

1: the skull on the front of the laptop, when I choose the color, can I change it later with the AlienFX lightning system?

yes, you can change the AlienFX when you get it. That option when you build the system on Alienware.com is just what color they will turn on before they ship it to you


2: I already decided I want to buy the Nvidia 8800GTX , but then again, is it usefull if I dont choose at least the 2.4Ghz processor with it?

Yes, this GPU will run great with a 1.8Ghz processor. Remember, gaming is like 85% GPU and only 15% CPU/memory. 2.4Ghz is more then enough.


3: Wich processor should I choose if I want to play games like Crysis and Assasins creed at at least medium?

I have mine with the 8800GTX and the 2.5Ghz processor. Here are my benchmark results with Crysis included.
On the CPU, with price AS a factor, I’d recommend the 2.5 GHZ. This has the 6MB of L2 Cache and is at a very modern speed. I don’t recommend the 2.6, its another $250.00 from the 2.5 and the only added benefit is 100Mhz, may as well go for the x9000 at that point


4: Wich combo of graphic card, processor, memory should I pick so I can play every game I want at medium / high?

IMO the 8800GTX /w the 2.5 GHz processor is the best config for the money. And it really owns!


5: The 3 year warranty, is it really that important?

I tell everyone the same thing when it comes to warranty, get it for as long as you plan to keep the laptop. With my laptop buying history, I’m luck if I keep the thing for 2 years, so I never need more then a 2 year warranty. AW does allow you to extend the warranty at a later date if needed.

Well with the newer 9 series released I would wait just a bit. Plus the speculation is mounting over the Breed videos on the AW site. I would think some newer laptops will be released soon enough with the 9800m gtx in a 15.4" frame. Now that would be a potent package.

I'd suspect the Breed videos would be for something replacing / upgrading the m9750. m15x is still only a few months old, i cant see that being life end already. Especially since they have all the problems fixed now
My money's on its Arima's latest model.