Your opinion on alienware.

[Eclectic Dreck]

A: What is the point of the an extra monitor, the 21 inch cool looking one for like 300 bucks

There isn't exactly a point as the system comes equipped with a monitor. That said, if you want a larger monitor to use when you are at home, they are relatively easy to come by. And you can get a far better price for a 21" model than 300 USD. My current monitor was a mere 220 USD and was 23".

B: What would you recomend for the memory. With 5 people on my home computer, I took years to be where we are now- About 21 gbs left. And the max for that was 220gbs.

I assume you mean hard drive space. My current computer has 1.5 terabytes of disc space. I have used right around 20% of said capacity and I have two dozen relatively recent games installed in addition to more than a dozen old classics I like to keep around. If you don't want to constantly swap what you have installed, I'd suggest shooting for 300 gb at a minimum.

C: What size would you recomend? If I got the M11X- I could conseal it in my school backpack, but playing games wouldn't be that great, The M15 cost a bit more, but I could still probably conseal it in the laptop part of my backpack

Generally speaking the larger the system the more power you can jam inside for a given price.

D: Would you recomend getting a keyboard for it, or could I just use the S.I. one on it?

Given that the point of a laptop tends to lie in it's ease of mobility, I'd say you shouldn't really need a keyboard. Sure, you can get one for home use if you really want to but I have typed hundreds of thousands of words on laptop keyboards of all sizes without much trouble.

And lastly, what is your openion on the brand, Do you like it, should I just skip over it?

Thank you for reading, and please, if you have any openions, respond.

I once purchased an Alienware laptop and I regretted the decision in the long run. While I generally used it in a stationary fashion, I was in the Army at the time and it was simply easier to transport a laptop overseas than a desktop. The problem I had was not related to the quality of the system but rather the expense. I spent around 3000 USD and got a computer that was equal in power to a desktop 1/3 the price.

Unless you are certain you'll go traipsing about with your computer regularly, don't bother getting a laptop. I've seen hundreds of people make this very mistake, assuming that they'd "find a use for it" only to use it as a desktop. And, if you decide that you don't really have a need for mobility, don't bother buying an alienware anything. Building a computer yourself is actually quite simple and you'll save hundreds if not thousands in the process.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

For what you'd pay for an M15x (Dell's price is quoted as $1199.00 if I'm looking at the right thing) you could easily build a decent desktop with parts from Newegg or Tigerdirect and get a nice little laptop if you look hard enough.

You can go for an Alienware, they definitely have the flash and substance. Only problems have been mentioned several times in this thread. Added to the price and the fact they (personally) they look bloody stupid...

 

[vxicepickxv]

For a work/school laptop, I would advise against an alienware, simply because of the weight. I've had to carry around two relatively heavy notebooks, and it's not fun. My next one will be lighter. I'm probably going to get a model similar to this one, because it's relatively cheap, at least a bit lighter than mine, and as a more standard size, making it easier to find accessories.

http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model/LX.R0102.003


An alienware laptop is a hell of an investment, and ultimately not worth it. Go with something more than half as good for a quarter of the price.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

If you want a laptop, go with Asus, much better than Alienware in all regards. Seriously.

 

[Googenstien]

Alienware used to use high end parts and make a nice computer, not sure what they do now since they have been taken over by Dell - but I doubt its worth its price.

If you have to buy a pre-made computer try a company like Cyberpower PC - you can make a pretty nice computer from parts you pick and they assemble and install everything for you. I know 2 people who bought PCs from these guys and they are great.

 

[tigermilk]

General rule of thumb, don't buy a laptop if you don't need one. They cost much more and don't perform.

The reason I was looking in to getting one is because I will soon need a laptop for my school, and sense my brother doesn't like me playing games on our family P.C, so I figured I would look into gaming ones.

I could be wrong here but i you just need a laptop for word processing and general school stuff would it not be cheaper to buy a netbook (mine was £200 with a 10 inch screen and six hour battery life) and build a desktop seperatly (which will be easier to upgrade etc for future gaming).

 

[vxicepickxv]

If you want a laptop, go with Asus, much better than Alienware in all regards. Seriously.

Yeah, Asus is a pretty good brand too, for the most part.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

If you want a laptop, go with Asus, much better than Alienware in all regards. Seriously.

Yeah, Asus is a pretty good brand too, for the most part.

Have you seen the laptop with the fricken' jet engines on the back? Awesome.

 

[Rattler5150]

Alienware is dell now. plain and simple

 

[x EvilErmine x]

If you are going to be using it for school work then get a cheep laptop/notebook and DO NOT get a gaming one. Instead use the money you saved to build a decent gaming PC at home.
You really don't want to be taking a gaming laptop to school with you because
a) they are very heavy to be carrying around all day
b) you will be lucky to get 2 hours out of the battery
c) If you do decide to rest it on your lap and work with it your crotch/legs will melt form the heat and if you are a boy that's not good for your lil guys.

And

d) You will be 'that guy' with the gaming laptop at school to all the girls, not a good look i'm afraid.

 

[Liberaliter]

Overpriced, at least they look cool. If you are going to spend that kind of money on a PC you may as well do yourself a favour and build one yourself.

 

[HK_01]

I don't have any experience with Alienware since I've never used one of their computers and neither has anyone I know, but from what I've seen they're heavily overpriced. 5000 for a computer? Whaaat? You get a high-end computer for 1500.

Be aware that I have not actually closely looked at their offers and don't know what's in these computers. All the knowledge I have comes from friends who did so and one or two ads I've seen.

 

[Griffolion]

Haven't read any other posts apart from the OP. But this is my opinion:

I'll build you better for cheaper.

Simple as.

 

[MASTACHIEFPWN]

If you are going to be using it for school work then get a cheep laptop/notebook and DO NOT get a gaming one. Instead use the money you saved to build a decent gaming PC at home.
You really don't want to be taking a gaming laptop to school with you because
a) they are very heavy to be carrying around all day
b) you will be lucky to get 2 hours out of the battery
c) If you do decide to rest it on your lap and work with it your crotch/legs will melt form the heat and if you are a boy that's not good for your lil guys.

And

d) You will be 'that guy' with the gaming laptop at school to all the girls, not a good look i'm afraid.

From what I read, and heard from my friends, They have rediculously long battery lives. The model I am looking at weighs conciderable less than my old laptop. It is only about 4 and a half pounds. and thankfully- My technology class has ZERO good looking girls, and I sit a lightyear away from all of them. So I would still be in good standings in 'that guy' terms.

 

[Samwise137]

They're owned by Dell now. That should say it all. When they were their own thing, they were fine and although I wouldn't have bought one (mostly due to the pricetag) they worked well. Now with the terrible Dell tech support (at least in my experience) and the even worse Dell warranties (they always seem to be voided somehow), I wouldn't use one if you paid me (well, MAYBE if you paid me).

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well they no doubt make cool stuff, but your wallet takes a beating for it.
So if you got the money why not, personally I rather put more money on function then pretty.

 

[dsmops2003]

Overpriced, at least they look cool. If you are going to spend that kind of money on a PC you may as well do yourself a favour and build one yourself.

Exactly my thoughts as well. Overpriced. You are buying the name and the case. The guts are the same as in the Dell XPS notebooks.

 

[legendp]

I would recommend the HP envy 14 over M11x any day, just buy a second battery. if you have a crap load of cash you can buy a macbookpro 15 with anti-glare as that has decent performance and good battery, (I know I might get burned for that comment on MBP's). I would also recommend looking into the Acer Aspire Ethos 15 (but I don't know how good the battery is).