Poll: Should I buy an Alienware Desktop?

[Red Right Hand]

I've recently realised that with the array of next-gen pc games scheduled to come out over the next few years, I need a new computer badly.(Considering my current computer can barely run explorer.)

So, I looked around for a bit and saw the Alienware computers.

Firstly, there is the Aurora: £685 with specs as follows;
Processor: Athlon 64 X2 5200+ 2.7GHz
Video card: 512MB NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 (Superclockable)

OR the 750i: £730;
Processor: Intel core 2 duo E8400 3.00GHz
Video Card: Same as Aurora.

So basically, I don't really know if it's worth it, of if there are any better deals out there at the moment. So please, post your thoughts, comments and advice below.

 

[wokka.wokka]

not either of those, i know alienware is expensive, but try to find one that is even better than those....

 

[GRoXERs]

No. Build your own from parts. Cheap, fairly easy, and doesn't come with all the silly programs you don't want preinstalled. Hell, grab the Windows 7 RC and you've got yourself a free OS, too, at least for a couple of months. Hooray!

 

[Argentavis]

Alienware computers are $1000 more expensive than they would be if you built them yourself.
Try to avoid them.

 

[DigitalSushi]

Alienware computers are $1000 more expensive than they would be if you built them yourself.
Try to avoid them.

they are good for people who dont know how to build PC's though.

A Ferrari is 50,000 dollars cheaper to build then buy.

 

[edinflames]

No need to repeat what Tenmar said about building your own, but it is worth looking into.

Also try comparing the components on custom PC websites. My current setup was a hell of a lot cheaper then its Alienware equivalent, came only with what I wanted installed and saved me a lot of money.

Shop around and you can find some really cool stuff too. Custom build sites often have lots of excellent cases you can choose from, which are probably cooler than having that standard alienware look.

Also, take an Alienware to a LAN and people will look at you in the same way motorists look at the guy driving a Ferrari, all of them fully aware of how much money you spent over the odds to get similar performance to the guy who built his box from scratch.

 

[DigitalSushi]

Custom build it yourself. MUCH MUCH cheaper. My rig costs $5000 on the market, but I got everything to put it together myself for $1800.

You must have one hell of a machine, I dont upgrade or build PC's on the basis that they become obsolete really quickly.

 

[sheic99]

Intel core 2 duo E8400 3.00GHz: $167.99
512MB NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250: $129.99
source: Newegg.com

You can get a much better deal if you search Newegg. Remember, you are paying for the Alien symbol also.

 

[asinann]

Build your own.

Alienware is owned by Dell now, Dell is crap.

 

[Red Right Hand]

Can you bychance put down the cost in american dollars as well? I'm at work so I can't get my currency calculators.

The main question is what you want to do with your computer aside from playing video games? Photoshop? Video editing? Basic office work programs? Knowing what else you would like to do with your computer is where I say if you should go more towards the high end or towards the average. Personally I like building a computer and going for the higher end to future proof. I get the most TIME out of my computer without having to worry about upgrades and I can handle the latest software out on the market. Upgrade smart, not hard.

For the Aurora it is $799, and for the 750i it is $899.
Basically, it would just be for video games. But the problem with custom building it is I lack the time and effort to look for all the parts, order them then build it myself.

 

[Ceefax]

If you dont want to go down the route of building your own, try out www.computerplanet.co.uk or www.pcspecialist.co.uk you can spec your own computer with them and they build it and deliver for the price quoted. See if you can get the same spec for less from them as from Alienware.

Then try www.ebuyer.com or overlockers or novatech and see how much it'd cost to buy the parts seperately (effort not included mind!).

edit - as i'm bored i just speced one on computerplanet similar to the aurora:

AMD Athlon 64 x2 - 5200
Antec 900 Case
4GB DDR2 800Mhz Ram
Nvidia GTS 250 512MB
OCZ 500W Stealth Xstream
Asus M3N78 mobo (Nvidia 8200)
500GB HDD

and that was around £480 inc VAT and free delivery.

Dunno if all those specs are what you're after but it showsit's possible to get one with a similar build for cheaper.

Have fun with their build selection!!

 

[SenseOfTumour]

If you're not interested in building your own, I'd suggest investing some time in checking magazine websites like the Custom PC one, and seeing what they've said about recent reviews of PCs in your price range, this does feel like a very 'anti alienware' thread, but really, buying alienware is like buying a 1985 ford escort and then spending £10,000 pimping it out.

You'll get a shiny car with lots of pretty lights, but it still won't beat a basic family car that was half the price.

After a few minutes looking at Total PC Gaming's site, they had a £750 model with the main downside being a noisy fan.

CPU AMD Phenom II X4 920 quad-core
RAM 4GB Samsung DDR2 800MHz
HDD Samsung F1 500GB
MOTHERBOARD Asus M3A78
OS Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
VIDEO CARD HIS Radeon 4850 IceQ
WARRANTY One-year return to base

That included wireless mouse n keyboard, speakers and a good 22" monitor, so I imagine if you dont need all that you're looking at nearer £600.

Of course, I'd suggest a lot more homework before you decide, but there's an idea of what you'll get if you dont mind a less interesting case.

Looking at £500 here's their recent test
http://www.totalpcgaming.com/hardware/desktops/grouptest.php

Note they did give the most recent Alienware PC tested an almost perfect score, because they assume you realise Alienware are, like Harrods and Ferrari, a 'money no object' brand, you'll get quality, but you'll pay.

 

[Nimbus]

Alienware computers are $1000 more expensive than they would be if you built them yourself.
Try to avoid them.

they are good for people who dont know how to build PC's though.

A Ferrari is 50,000 dollars cheaper to build then buy.

And yet every monkey that can hold a screwdriver can build a PC.

 

[InProgress]

Buy parts and BIY (build it yourself). Alienware has an extremely bad performance to price ratio.

 

[yourbeliefs]

I got an Alienware some years ago and it still runs great. Sadly I've moved more towards Console gaming so it's basically become an extravagant web browser and video editor, but I've had very few issues with it, except for the fact that they sent me defective RAM when I got it. If you're looking for a simple "build me a gaming-bred PC solution", you're not going to go wrong with them. I wouldn't rely just on them though. Do some price checking if possible. Also, don't get all your stuff through them. Get the minimum amount of RAM and Optical Drive and don't get a lot of add-on's, as you can likely get them cheaper elsewhere and just install them yourself. And yes, of course it's cheaper to buy all the parts and build it yourself, but don't forget that it's up to YOU to troubleshoot if the shit hits the fan, not to mention the time and effort involved. Putting a PC together isn't like building a car from scratch, but that doesn't mean it's like LEGOS either..

 

[Overlord_Dave]

Alienware PCs are ridiculously overpriced.

Build your own. It really isn't that hard.