NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Alienware Notebook Forums › Alienware Area-51 and Aurora Notebooks › Alienware Area-51m Or Dell Inspiron 9100? FORUM PLEASE HELP!
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Alienware Area-51m Or Dell Inspiron 9100? FORUM PLEASE HELP!

post #1 of 47
10/3/04 at 5:23am
Thread Starter 
Hey guys, college has started for me and I've yet to purchase a new laptop. I've been lagging it because my parents asked that I do extensive research on laptops before I consider buying one.

Initially, I wanted a reliable laptop that would last me for at least the rest of college. (The next 3-4 years?). I figured I would want a laptop that would be a little better than average so that it would not be outdated in two months or something. Other than that, I love to game. But I have had bad past experiences with desktop computers and have been deprived of good computer games for the passed 3-4 years. So I want a system that would not only be reliable and still be compatible with software for the next 3 years but I also want something that would be a gaming machine! BUT! ...

After 1 month of research, I have settled between an Alienware Area-51m and a Dell Inspiron 9100. Unfornately, my budget is only around $2300. So I am in a bit of a dillemma and need your (the forum's) advice.

So my budget is $2300.
With this, the best I can configure an Area-51m is this:

Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager
Case: Area-51m Case with 15.4" WideSXGA+ 1680x1050 LCD Display - Cyborg Green
Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor w/ HT Technology 3.0GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache
Motherboard: SiS648FX + SiS963L AGP8X Chipset
Memory: 512MB Corsair XMS DDR PC-3200 at 400Mhz - 2x256MB SO-DIMMs
Video Card: Area-51m ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON™ 9700 Module with 128MB DDR and Half-Life 2 Coupon Bundle
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 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet NIC
Wireless Network: Internal Wireless 802.11a/b/g miniPCI Card

Compared to a configured Dell Inspiron 9100 with these specs:

Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz
1 GB DDR RAM
256 MB ATI RADEON 9800
40 GB
24X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive with Sonic RecordNow
Dell® Wireless 1450 Internal Wireless (802.11a/b/g, 54Mbps)

As you can see, the Inspiron is the better buy and is 5 dollars less than the Area-51m. However, after reading many reviews on the both the Alienware and the Dell, I feel that those who purchase Alienware laptops are so satisfied that they must go back to forums such as this and recommend it to many others like me who are looking to buya laptop. The Alienware also looks way cooler than the Dell Inspiron 9100. I first saw it( the dell) when my friend brought it into a lecture; from the side it looked a PS2 with a screen attached to it. It looks very big and heavy, but durable. Also, the reviews by Dell owners are not as passionate as the Alienware owners. They sometimes complain about the customer service, weight, or some other malfunctions of the laptop. The only complaints I've heard from the Alienware peoples is the many "phases" in which the laptop goes through.

Okay, sorry..talked enough. Now my main question is: Should I get the Area-51m or the Inspiron 9100?

Series of mini-questions:

1) Do I even need a laptop as powerful as the Inspiron that I configured for college?
2) Do you guys think that it is worth it to buy the Area-51m for $2218 when I can get another laptop model (such as the Inspiron 9100) with better specs FOR LESS?
3) As a freshman college student in need of a laptop, what else should I consider when buying a laptop other than the processor speed, ram, graphics card, wireless cards etc etc.?
4) When it comes to laptops, is there such thing as quantity vs. quality? For example, the specs on the Inspiron are obviously better than the Area-51m. BUT...can it also be that the Area-51m would still run better on games just because Alienware Inc. somehow builds there laptops for peak performance and Dell doesn't? Even though the Inspiron has the high quality stuff and higher numbers ( the quantity), does that mean its overall quality will be better than the Area-51m? (with the specs I've given)

Please feel free to leave and comments, opinions, or recommendations. I am in need of a laptop.

Thank You Very Much

-beauxespirits

P.S.

For those of you who leave updates, comments, information, messages, and rumors...you are very much admired for the effort you make in providing knowledge to those (like me) who don't know jack about laptops. Thanks again.
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 47
10/3/04 at 8:02am
You answered your own question with #2.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 47
10/3/04 at 8:09am
The dell.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 47
10/3/04 at 9:46am
"nitially, I wanted a reliable laptop that would last me for at least the rest of college. (The next 3-4 years?). I figured I would want a laptop that would be a little better than average so that it would not be outdated in two months or something"

Niether of them will be future proof, because PCI-E is right around the corner. However, both offer User Upgradeable graphics (Alienware was the first), and I do find Alienware's solution much better then dell's. Dell has more power, but its fugly. I would have gone dell except Alienware is just more appealing, and very sexy. Alienware also has one of (if not the best) customer support I've ever dealt with. I havent dealt with dell before so I wouldn't know much of the dell's pros or cons. Good luck.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 47
10/3/04 at 10:37am
If you love to game, then get the i9100. The m9800 is superior to the m9700, and it appears that only dell has them still. As of now that laptop will probably last you longer just because of the video card alone.

Sure, alienware may upgrade to the m9800's, but the price will go up, and ten they will probably be just about even with the i9100.

PCI-E is the only reason that neither are 100% futureproof, although the inital videocards released on it probably won't be faster than the m9800. The x600 (ati's pci-x card) is basically the same thing as the m9700.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 47
10/3/04 at 11:07am
As a college student you need to consider battery power if you're going to take your computer to class. Btw, have you looked at Sager? From PCTorque:

Sager 3790 (cash price 2291.07)

15.4 WUXGA LCD (you can save a bit if you don't take the UXGA but if the screen makes you say wow that's good, right?)
Pentium M 2.0 GhZ It's a Pentium M, that's why it's not over 3 but...
60 GB 7200RPM Hard drive, you want this for gaming.
1gb RAM
4x DVD +R/-R/RW/CD-RW I was still under 2300 so I added this.

Note there's no OS in this package, I'm assuming you have XP somewhere.

or you can go

Sager 4750 (price: 2266.00 cash price: 2213.88)
17" widescreen WSXGA LCD (this will make you go wow even more)
AMD Athlon 64 3000, its amd 64 so it'll support 64 bit software.
1 gb RAM
60GB 7200rpm Hitachi hard drive
8X DVD / 24X CD-RW Combo
Bluetooth (you save 52$ if you don't take this...I was just underbudget)

Advantage of the 4750 is its widescreen (like the other but bigger) which is great for DVD watching or split screens / working two word documents at once for instance. But its big...

The downside for both is that they only have the ATI 9700 in them. So really its your pick. Chances are that 3 years down the line games will be out of your computer's league no matter which one you buy right now.

Edit: Checking the configuration, I took XP Pro on that 4750 so you can knock off 150$ if you don't take it. or 200$ if you also don't take bluetooth...that's actually a pretty good price...
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 47
10/3/04 at 11:18am
I forgot to put the 5690

Sager 5690: (2275.00 or cash 2222.68)
15" WUXGA LCD (wow screen but not widescreen...good for gaming)
Intel Pentium 4 3.4Ghz with Hyperthreading
ATI 9700
2 60GB 7200rpm hitachi hard drives... (you can set these up for RAID 0 for extreme performance. Considering you're budget price I couldn't afford the OS as well so you'd have to install it yourself and actually its overkill, but I just want to give you some perspective.)
1 GB RAM
DVD/CD-RW combo

You save 300$ by not taking the 2nd hard drive...
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 47
10/3/04 at 11:18am
It's kinda a conflict of interest here. You need the notebook for school work, yet you want it for gaming. I'd say, since you don't really have the $$ to go with an Alienware, you would be better off (overall) going with the Dell. Yes it's boring, but it should serve you a little better then the Alienware.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 47
10/3/04 at 1:14pm
I wouldn't recommend Alienware for the simple fact that if your laptop needs repairs, you will have to send it back to Alienware's Depot Service. Dell you have the option of upgrade to, "home service" where the technician comes to your home. If you are going to need your laptop for school work, expect to be without your laptop for at least 2 weeks to a month if you choose Alienware. I believe they are offering On Site repairs in the future but this hasn't been tested by anyone yet.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 47
10/3/04 at 2:31pm
Alienware actually does do at-home repairs, but they aren't directly related to alienware. Just act like you have no idea what they're talking about or just ask them and they should send someone.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 47
10/3/04 at 3:03pm
AW now offers on site...check the website cg
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 47
10/3/04 at 3:17pm
In that budget, I would say go with Sager. AW doesnt really give you enought for 2300 bucks, and the Dell is alright, but not really practica...its so darn big/hot!! Try SAGER from PC Torque, they are a great company.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 47
10/3/04 at 5:09pm
Agreed...PCTorque is an excellent Sager source. Their impeccable feedback at reselleratings says it all.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 47
10/4/04 at 2:56am
Very true, sager is good equipment. I've got nother against them, or dell for that matter. I've seen both have heat issues, and read some things that made me feel a little uncomfortable with owning them. I fear the heat monster, for he has caused many deaths in laptops. However, the alienware just makes me feel like this thing could go for hours (and has done so many times) without any problems. The only issue I've ever ran into was not hardware related even. Drivers got goofed up with windows, specifically for harddrives. However, I called alienware and they told me what to do to fix it.

If anything I think you should get what you feel the most comfortable with. I've trusted mine to take me through doom 3, ut 2k4, call of duty, and several victories on Join Ops(don't take this as braggin, as I suck and they were flukes that I blame souly on the laptop. It must've corrected my aim somehow). I trust this thing, and that's what important overall. If you are more comfortable with the dell, set up the order now. If you get a better vibe from the sager, go for it! If you feel the alienware is your cup of tea, order yourself a cup. In the end this is your decision, and it should make you happy, not us.

Please keep in mind that my response might be biased, because I truly love this thing.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 47
10/4/04 at 3:04am
^^ pretty much what monkeyboy said. I saw somebody in one of my lectures with one of those dells and compared to my alienware that damn thing looked huge. One reason i swayed more towards alienware was because of how sleek/light the thing is. With either one of those systems you will have no trouble at all with gaming though. Im runnin doom 3 on mine at 1024 high res and i get a constant 30-50 fps while playin.

As far as part quality goes i think alienware may have a slight advantage over dell. I loved that alienware had the corsair xms memory, but dell does have the 9800 right now too. In the future i will most likely upgrade cards, so if in the end you really decide you want an alienware you can upgrade later on.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 47
10/4/04 at 4:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Estrato
As far as part quality goes i think alienware may have a slight advantage over dell. I loved that alienware had the corsair xms memory, but dell does have the 9800 right now too. In the future i will most likely upgrade cards, so if in the end you really decide you want an alienware you can upgrade later on.
Or so we hope anyway....
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 47
10/4/04 at 4:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cgpd7507
I wouldn't recommend Alienware for the simple fact that if your laptop needs repairs, you will have to send it back to Alienware's Depot Service. Dell you have the option of upgrade to, "home service" where the technician comes to your home. If you are going to need your laptop for school work, expect to be without your laptop for at least 2 weeks to a month if you choose Alienware. I believe they are offering On Site repairs in the future but this hasn't been tested by anyone yet.
Just an observation from someone who owns both Dell and AW, but it seems like people who were considering Dell and AW, then finally chose Dell just loves bashing the living daylights out of Alienware laptops e.g. Lovearea 51m and others. Why so much hate LOL.

My dells are great - only complaint is the cheap plastic case and ugly blue, except for the 700m, but I love everything about my Area 51m with the sweet magnesium case.

I've owned 3 Dell laptops and one thing I have notice about them due to the cheap plastic case, they tend to wear down after a year or so. I have to say that AW build quality is so much better, I've had it since May and no complaints.

Like they say, you get what you pay for.

Check out the alien bashing
http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=43978
LOL so angry.....

My favorite post on that thread is this
Quote:
Originally Posted by lovearea51m_1
welll...my 18 year old cousine freaking loves the i9100!!! i think it looks "cool".. the AW is not respectable as the i9100, the AW just looks like somthing for kids, like some sort of a console not a serious laptop, honestly i wouldnt be too proud of taking a green laptop with a picture of an alien (super nerdy) to a class or cafe....the i9100 looks like a real laptop and has much more power than AW....The selling point of AW is that its a gaming device...yet the i9100 has benchmarks almost 45-50% higher than the area51m....doesnt make much sense going with that pile sh.....getting a bet pissed off...trust me as a consumer of AW dont go for AW ....Dell 4 year customer...never regreted....MY opinion...i have just heard of wayyy more unsatisfied AW customers rather than dell customers.
I don't care how you cut it, but the 9100 is ugly, he needs to take off his beer googles LOL.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 47
10/4/04 at 9:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Estrato
^^ pretty much what monkeyboy said. I saw somebody in one of my lectures with one of those dells and compared to my alienware that damn thing looked huge. One reason i swayed more towards alienware was because of how sleek/light the thing is. With either one of those systems you will have no trouble at all with gaming though. Im runnin doom 3 on mine at 1024 high res and i get a constant 30-50 fps while playin.

As far as part quality goes i think alienware may have a slight advantage over dell. I loved that alienware had the corsair xms memory, but dell does have the 9800 right now too. In the future i will most likely upgrade cards, so if in the end you really decide you want an alienware you can upgrade later on.
what are these magic drivers you are using. my MR9800 cannot pull those frames off at the res at high detail.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 47
10/5/04 at 1:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by relapse808
what are these magic drivers you are using. my MR9800 cannot pull those frames off at the res at high detail.

well on high detail w/ no shadows i get about 50 and with i get about 35 or so. im usin alienware 8.05 drivers that were made for doom performance, plus a bunch of doom tweaks and card tweaks. Oh and i have my card oc'd a little high too.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 47
10/5/04 at 4:13pm
the 9100 maybe be big and ugly but how can you argue the awesome power of the MR9800 256MB especially at the price dell has it at
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Alienware Notebook Forums › Alienware Area-51 and Aurora Notebooks › Alienware Area-51m Or Dell Inspiron 9100? FORUM PLEASE HELP!