Alienware-yay or nay?

Troxck

Yes, it's one of those threads. Anyway, I'm in the market for a new laptop and the m14x from alienware caught my eye, it costs €788 at the model I'm looking at and with ivybridge soon to be released, will it go down even more?
I'm just wondering, is it worth that price or am I better off looking at cheaper brands, yes I know desktops are better for gaming but at the moment, I have to have a laptop. So, can you guys recommend any good laptops with similar specs to the m14x?

cookie1977

I've an m14x for the past 8 months and love it. The m14x r2 is out soon or maybe already. Could be worth a look but the price you have is good and it may go down again. Keep watching

TheZestyLemon

Alienware is pretty overpriced..

boredatwork82

Do you mind me asking where your getting it for that price?

Jaafa

Yeah 788 seems awfully cheap for an M14x. What are the specs?

Serephucus

I've been considering the M14x for college as well. The one thing that's holding me back is the glossy screen. I used to own an R1 M17x, and that was the only thing about it that annoyed me. Because of this, I'm waiting for a few other laptops to show up. The N46 from ASUS caught my eye in particular. There's also Dells XPS 14z refresh to consider as well. Graphics won't be as good in either of these, but both should offer matte screens.

The R2 is out, and if you're not sure on specs, it comes with a GT 650M, which should give at least a 30% bump over the 555M of last generation. Screen and the like is the same. It'll also get Ivy Bridge, though they won't appear on the site until after the 29th, you can order now, and change your order afterwards before it ships (though SB chips are offered, Dell isn't shipping anything before the Ivy NDA is lifted).

carbon nanotube

Troxck wrote: »

Yes, it's one of those threads. Anyway, I'm in the market for a new laptop and the m14x from alienware caught my eye, it costs €788 at the model I'm looking at and with ivybridge soon to be released, will it go down even more?
I'm just wondering, is it worth that price or am I better off looking at cheaper brands, yes I know desktops are better for gaming but at the moment, I have to have a laptop. So, can you guys recommend any good laptops with similar specs to the m14x?

i got a m17x r3 recently, its a super machine. cant fault it at all.

expensive but you get what you pay for

Troxck

boredatwork82 wrote: »

Do you mind me asking where your getting it for that price?

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=n00w1401&c=ie&l=en&s=bsd&cs=iebsdt1&model_id=alienware-m14x

Oh, I was looking at the price excluding VAT and shipping, it now adds up to €999.49. Of course I'd look at it without that, typical. Well, looks like it's out of my budget.

Sorry to annoy ye, any recommendations for a laptop at around €700 that would be decent enough for gaming?

Jarren

Troxck wrote: »

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=n00w1401&c=ie&l=en&s=bsd&cs=iebsdt1&model_id=alienware-m14x

Oh, I was looking at the price excluding VAT and shipping, it now adds up to €999.49. Of course I'd look at it without that, typical. Well, looks like it's out of my budget.

Sorry to annoy ye, any recommendations for a laptop at around €700 that would be decent enough for gaming?

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/laptops/nnb-928.html

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Open_Box_-_ASUS_N53SV-SX635V_1197228.html

http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Acer_Aspire_5755G_Core_i5_Windows_7_Gaming_Laptop__NX.RV3EK.002/version.asp

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Satellite-P750-135-15-6inch-Bluetooth/dp/tech-data/B005GP7BXS/ref=de_a_smtd

http://www.medion.com/gb/electronics/prod/MEDION%C2%AE+ERAZER%C2%AE+X6811+15.6%22+Laptop+%28MD97623%29/30011746A1?category=erazer_34&recId=&wt_mc=gb.intern.m-shop.pro-pla.on-ma&wt_cc1=m-shop_topseller_erazer-3.333-mitte&wt_cc2=30011746A1&wt_cw=30.2.8&utm_source=Internetseite-intern&utm_medium=Kachel&utm_content=erazer_3.333-mitte&utm_campaign=Kategoriekachel-Hotspots&utm_term=30011746A1

From GT540M To GTX460M

or if you don't mind a German keyboard layout

http://www.computeruniverse.net/products/e90436446/lenovo-ideapad-y570-m62gxge-w7hp64.asp

Ciano35

Jarren wrote: »

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/laptops/nnb-928.html

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Open_Box_-_ASUS_N53SV-SX635V_1197228.html

http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Acer_Aspire_5755G_Core_i5_Windows_7_Gaming_Laptop__NX.RV3EK.002/version.asp

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Satellite-P750-135-15-6inch-Bluetooth/dp/tech-data/B005GP7BXS/ref=de_a_smtd

http://www.medion.com/gb/electronics/prod/MEDION%C2%AE+ERAZER%C2%AE+X6811+15.6%22+Laptop+%28MD97623%29/30011746A1?category=erazer_34&recId=&wt_mc=gb.intern.m-shop.pro-pla.on-ma&wt_cc1=m-shop_topseller_erazer-3.333-mitte&wt_cc2=30011746A1&wt_cw=30.2.8&utm_source=Internetseite-intern&utm_medium=Kachel&utm_content=erazer_3.333-mitte&utm_campaign=Kategoriekachel-Hotspots&utm_term=30011746A1

From GT540M To GTX460M

or if you don't mind a German keyboard layout

http://www.computeruniverse.net/products/e90436446/lenovo-ideapad-y570-m62gxge-w7hp64.asp

Just to let you know, Meidon don't deliver laptops to Ireland, which is a shame

Troxck

Jarren wrote: »

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/laptops/nnb-928.html

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Open_Box_-_ASUS_N53SV-SX635V_1197228.html

http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Acer_Aspire_5755G_Core_i5_Windows_7_Gaming_Laptop__NX.RV3EK.002/version.asp

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Satellite-P750-135-15-6inch-Bluetooth/dp/tech-data/B005GP7BXS/ref=de_a_smtd

http://www.medion.com/gb/electronics/prod/MEDION%C2%AE+ERAZER%C2%AE+X6811+15.6%22+Laptop+%28MD97623%29/30011746A1?category=erazer_34&recId=&wt_mc=gb.intern.m-shop.pro-pla.on-ma&wt_cc1=m-shop_topseller_erazer-3.333-mitte&wt_cc2=30011746A1&wt_cw=30.2.8&utm_source=Internetseite-intern&utm_medium=Kachel&utm_content=erazer_3.333-mitte&utm_campaign=Kategoriekachel-Hotspots&utm_term=30011746A1

From GT540M To GTX460M

or if you don't mind a German keyboard layout

http://www.computeruniverse.net/products/e90436446/lenovo-ideapad-y570-m62gxge-w7hp64.asp

I like the look of the first two, thanks.

duckysauce

TheZestyLemon wrote: »

Alienware is pretty overpriced..

they are also pretty good

Jarren

Ciano35 wrote: »

Just to let you know, Meidon don't deliver laptops to Ireland, which is a shame

http://www.deliverme.ie/

Jaafa

Firstly yes Alienwares are normally quality machines, with good specs, but so are a lot of other brands for much less. You are most certainly paying extra for the name and the fancy lights (which are quite nice Ill admit), but not the build or hardware.

Second, with that said the one thing Alienware have in their favor is the fact they depreciate a lot less than other brands I've noticed, people are still getting decent money online for R1 M11xs(or were, last time I checked was a few months ago). So if you intend to sell within 2 years or so then it kinda evens out.

boredatwork82

I love the fact that they have fancy lights. Worth the money alone, If I had the money that is!

Troxck

Okay, so any Aliebware or Novatech works out to be too expensive. I am wondering what is your opinion on Dell XPS 15?

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=n00x5m02&c=ie&l=en&s=bsd&cs=iebsdt1&model_id=xps-l502x-proc-mod

This one to be exact, I know new processors are coming out soon but would this still be good?

Jaafa

Troxck wrote: »

Okay, so any Aliebware or Novatech works out to be too expensive. I am wondering what is your opinion on Dell XPS 15?

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=n00x5m02&c=ie&l=en&s=bsd&cs=iebsdt1&model_id=xps-l502x-proc-mod

This one to be exact, I know new processors are coming out soon but would this still be good?

Not bad, you can up the GPU to a Gt540m and the screen to full hd which would bring it to 750, and Im fairly sure theres a 10% off code going around that you could use too, so could work out pretty cheap.

That said if gaming is your main priority a Gt540m wont do, gt555/635m will be needed at least. If its just for casual gaming however it will do fine.

Troxck

Jaafa wrote: »

Not bad, you can up the GPU to a Gt540m and the screen to full hd which would bring it to 750, and Im fairly sure theres a 10% off code going around that you could use too, so could work out pretty cheap.

That said if gaming is your main priority a Gt540m wont do, gt555/635m will be needed at least. If its just for casual gaming however it will do fine.

Well, gaming isn't my main priority. There are some games I'm interested in coming out this year which I know will be cheaper on Steam. I'll consider your idea, I won't be buying until late July so who knows what will come out by then, I just wanted opinions on different brands and their models. Thanks

Tenger

Troxck wrote: »

Sorry to annoy ye, any recommendations for a laptop at around €700 that would be decent enough for gaming?

I'm in the same boat as you, I'm a Toshiba fan and looking at the selection of P750 they have. There is also the new P850 with a GT630M graphics chip, but of course it is a bit more.......

Overheal

thing that annoys me about toshiba is all of them barring few exceptions are built using cheap-feeling plastics. Maybe its more durable than I give it credit for but I think of it as something more likely to break, and act as an insulator. And Alienware... you're buying a house. They're usually an inch or two thicker than most laptops and they have the added weight to match.

Serephucus

I'd still say wait until the 29th. It's a couple of days at this point, and you'll get completely new lines coming out from everyone. ASUS has their N series that are packing GT 555Ms (GT 635Ms), Dell will have their new XPS 15 which will reportedly run a GT 640M, and Lenovo have a few nice looking machines too.

That said, they're likely to be a bit more expensive. Dell has huge sales going on their XPS line now, which they obviously won't have for their new line. Also, have a look on the Dell.co.uk outlet. Some really great deals to be had there.

Troxck

Serephucus wrote: »

I'd still say wait until the 29th. It's a couple of days at this point, and you'll get completely new lines coming out from everyone. ASUS has their N series that are packing GT 555Ms (GT 635Ms), Dell will have their new XPS 15 which will reportedly run a GT 640M, and Lenovo have a few nice looking machines too.

That said, they're likely to be a bit more expensive. Dell has huge sales going on their XPS line now, which they obviously won't have for their new line. Also, have a look on the Dell.co.uk outlet. Some really great deals to be had there.

Yeah, I won't be able to buy until Summer, need money and all that. I'll probably end up with an Asus, Dell or Lenovo.

Overheal

New models, new problems though. Every MFR for one reason or another will end up putting at least one product out per year, in some chassis, in some configuration, that is inherently buggy. Most times its just driver related, but it's usually handy to hold off a little while. All the bugs are worked out by the summer, in time for Back to School/Graduation .

Tenger

Overheal wrote: »

thing that annoys me about toshiba is all of them barring few exceptions are built using cheap-feeling plastics. Maybe its more durable than I give it credit for but I think of it as something more likely to break, and act as an insulator. .........

Maybe I've been lucky. My 4 year old Equium has gotten a lot of use, it has been dropped once (new screen) and is very well travelled (Ireland-USA at least 3 times a month) and thus has had its fair share of knocks and tips. It plays the games I want and the kids haven't managed to kill it yet.

The oldest guy has no problems with his Satellite C660 while the missus seems to keep getting work Dell's that die on her after a few months.

So to me Toshiba have proven build quality and the statistics back that up. I'ld love to get myself an AlienWare but the missus may not be too happy.
As long as it plays Total War, Starcraft and Diablo I'm a happy camper,So something in the E700-800 range will do me.