Alienware pros and cons?

[KraZy007]

Hi everybody, this is my first post. I need a laptop, and I am really digging the alienware offerings, specifically the area-51m. I noticed that everybody is saying alienware is overpriced, but when you compare it to a comprable Dell notebook, it's a little cheaper. I am aware of the whole sager, clevo, thing, but call me a sucker, the alienware marketing sure is effective.

However, my real question is, how good is the 15' LCD on the alienware? Does it have wide viewing angles like the dell and the newer sager models? Does anybody with an area-51m care to share some pics of the notebooks lcd quality? Thanks guys.

Jimmy

[JayMan]

1st of all, WELCOME TO TECHIMO!!! I'm sure you'll enjoy it, chances are if i'm connected to the net, i'll have atleast 1 window with techimo open! Its a great place to just hang around at, and also help people, and learn from others!

Pro: Looks cool

Con: U can get the excact same laptop from www.powernotebooks.com without the fancy paintjob for MUCH less....

I'm pretty sure with the powernotebook laptops you can choose the "wide vision" (or something like that) screen for alittle extra....

JayMan

[KraZy007]

thanks for the warm welcome jayman.

Oh i checked on the alienware website, the viewing angles are only -40/+40. Not too good.

Anyone else have any input?

[goldenbuddha]

Only difference between an Alienware and those brands you mentioned..sager and clevo is the fancy paint job, and that is the ONLY difference. And you pay a whole lot more for that alone. So if you are already aware of that and still want to get the Alienware, thats your decision.

For me, when I got my laptop about 3 months ago, I tossed the idea of the alienware laptop, and used the money to get a nice Sony GRX600 instead, you get the 16 inch screen and a much nicer system.

Good Luck!

[JayMan]

http://www.powernotebooks.com/5660_wa.php

+/-170 degree's, Its an extra $60 for the "wide-angles" screen over at powernotebooks. Like i said, the 5660 by sager is exactly the same as the area51m, the area51m IS a sager but with a paintjob...

If it were me, i would just go with the sager & not worry about the fancy paint job.

JayMan

[KraZy007]

That sony GRX600 does look nice, but why no Radeon 9000 and why only 32 mb of video memory? I was looking at the hive-mind m, and comparing it to the sony, it has a faster mobile p4 (2.2 vs 2.0) more video memory (64 vs. 32, both radoen 7500) the only thing is the smaller and inferior lcd screen. These configurations yeilded price differrences of like $50. So do i go for faster laptop or bigger/better screen?

jimmy

[goldenbuddha]

Heres another option for yah.
http://www.voodoopc.com/systems/easy...=180&refid=101

As you can guess I went for the larger screen size, as opposed to the lightly faster CPU and more Video Memory.

[vanfanel]

powernotebooks.com is an excellent choice but if you want a sager with a quality paint job try:

www.pctorque.com

And like others here mentioned unlike the alienware 51m the sagers are currently shipping with a wide-angle view (like the dell ultrasharp) You can see the differences here:

http://sagerforums.com/forums/showth...&threadid=1164

[vanfanel]

Quote:

Originally posted by goldenbuddha
Heres another option for yah.
http://www.voodoopc.com/systems/easy...=180&refid=101

As you can guess I went for the larger screen size, as opposed to the lightly faster CPU and more Video Memory.

The sony was a nice choice. Just so you know you can get the best of both worlds with the sager 8887:

16.1" screen (same model as the sony)
3.06 P4 (HT disabled until bios update)
128 MB M9

[KraZy007]

All great info...the pctorque thing looks promising. Thanks guys...keep it coming.

One thing i've noticed, it's hard to find a laptop with:

1. ATI9000
2. Wide angle 15' screen
3. Mobile P4
4. Custom paint on case

My search continues.

jimmy