Even though Core 2 Duo is on the way soon, I broke down and ordered a M5500. So we'll see how long it takes before it arrives and I can post my full review.

Here are the specs:
[1] Area-51® m5550

Processor: Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2400 1.86GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Service Pack 2
Display: Alienware® m5550 15.4" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Memory: 512MB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 256MB
Hard Drive: 120GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 5,400 RPM w/ 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/Software
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7600
Sound Card: Intel® 7.1 High-Definition Audio
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Warranty: 3-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
AlienRespawn: Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit
Alienware Exclusive Offers: GameFly - Unlimited Game Rentals for 15 days - FREE TRIAL
Productivity Software: Microsoft® Works 8 Productivity Suite
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager

While I would have liked the slight speed boost a faster proc would have given, it didn't seem worth the money. All the more so if it turns out that the early Core2 Duo's use the same socket, in which case I'll just switch it out. I'll be ordering two gigs of RAM from NewEgg once this ships out so I can pop it in as soon as I have it. After hearing about the relative uselessness of Autopsy I decided against it, but wanted to have the respawn on hand from the outset just in case. I do have Ghost, but it seemed reasonable. I'm not so sure about the Media Center OS, but I can always upgrade to Pro or Vista when it comes out (if it is worth it - http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/07...ity_analysis/). The three year warranty gets another year added to it by my Credit Card, so that's a nice bonus to that, but it only adds to the three year warranty so it doesn't result in a cost savings.

Sure would be nice if I could get the Superman theme for the AlienGUIse though.

Congrats on your order. I ordered mine last Thursday and I'm pretty psyched to get it lol! Your config looks great. You have a little more ram with 2gigs (1gb for me) and I have the 1.66 processor, but it's all good lol!

It is all good, just now that I've ordered I can't wait to get it!

Lot of phases to go through...

I heard that alienware takes a long time to ship, is this true?

Oh and is a better processor vital to gaming?

If everything in your system is in stock, you should get your system on time.

Games are mostly about the video card, so it shouldn't make much difference. You can always upgrade later if you need more speed...

Congratulations.

My m5550 took exactly one week, from order to shipping. I just got it Saturday. It took a little over five days for the shipping.

I spent the time I had it over the weekend doing mostly benchmarks. I finally played Oblivion last night, and it runs great on the m5550, and most especially w/the Nvidia Go 7600 video, w/beautiful graphics.

For those who are thinking about the m5550, don't go saving costs by cutting back on the graphics, by going w/the ATI x1400. Cut back on the memory, and/or HD. They can be ugraded easily. The Nvidia Go 7600 is well worth it.

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Good to see you got it and are happy.