Is Alienware worth it?

[ZombieGenesis]

Going to University and looking for a decent gaming laptop to take.
I've been considering the Alienware Mx15 model, but the more I look into it the less likely I seem to get one. I can't help but feel on top of the 1000 pound price for basic, with the decent parts upping it closer to £1500-2000, it's just not going to be worth it in the end. Especially since I really just want to play games like Elder Scrolls Oblivion with high specs.

Can anyone give me any information one way or the other on whether it would be worth shelling out for one of these?

 

[WrongSprite]

I've always, always heard that you should avoid big time.

Build your own, or hunt the Dell website, you could get a beast with that kind of money.

You don't need an ultra powerful PC to play Oblivion on full anyway, I manage fine with my 4/5 year old PC.

 

[Mr. In-between]

No, just build your own. Alienware is for frat boys who like to capitalize on the image of being a gamer. They are the types of dildos that make a big deal out of the fact that they drink energy drinks.

 

[Agayek]

From what I have seen is that you could easily build your own or rather look for some cheaper alternative without losing too much power.

So far I heard, you pay extra for the brand and the case surrounding it. Just my two-cents, I hope others have more clear information.

Basically this. Alienware computers are fairly solid, but you can get something of equal power for significantly cheaper, especially if you build it yourself.

I haven't used it myself, but I'm told http://www.ibuypower.com/lobby.aspx is a fairly good site if you don't want/know how to build your own. Otherwise, you can hit up http://www.newegg.com/ and get all your parts.

 

[Macgyvercas]

I have a friend who is a massive computer geek. He told me that Alienware is not as good as people say it is, and the only reason the prices are so high is because they have egos the size of Manhattan.

 

[Ravariel]

Do some research and head to newegg.com and you'll be able to build a better machine for nearly half the price of an Alienware.

 

[Altorin]

Alienware is 90% flash, 10% substance.

If you have the money to piss away for something that is just "above average" and worth much less then what you pay for it, and just want the image of an awesome computer to impress your non-computer geek friends, then alienware is a great choice.

If you aren't that person, there are better alternatives.

 

[DaftJok3r]

You gotta build your own. Alienware is a cancer on PC gaming.

 

[e2density]

Overpriced trash. They make you pay way too much money for things you can get for much cheaper. A couple good prebuilt sites are IBuyPower and CyberPowerPC (that's where I got mine)

 

[AndrewC]

Alienware aren't worth it at all.

If you're in the UK I very, very strongly recommend www.wired2fire.co.uk

I have purchased a PC from there, several friends have done so and I went on to recommend this to large groups of others who also got their pc's from there.

Absolutely fantastic customer service, you will genuinely love the power you'll get from such an affordable machine.

They have lots of different pc's and laptops, Extreme hardcore gaming all the way to casual laptop usage.

They can also build you a custom laptop, you can describe the situation to them and they'll recommend the best stuff.


So...yeah

 

[ZombieGenesis]

Okay well, the consensus seems to be 'Screw Alienware' so how can I argue with that? A thanks to all those who've given me PC build references too, I'll be looking into those.
My uncle actually works at a PC outlet, so he'll be the first person I talk to about it, always glad to do business with you, Escapist.

 

[Xskills]

If you don't want to/can't build your on PC, then I'd say be ready to plop down about $3,000 for a moderately future-proof Crysis 2-Rage-ready Alienware.

 

[Major_Tom]

Most newer laptops with dedicated GPUs can run Oblivion, and even GT 120M is more than enough to run it maxed out.
You don't need Alienware.

 

[TOGSolid]

They're overpriced garbage.
Also, be aware that Dell owns Alienware and Dell just got nailed for intentionally shipping computers that have bad capacitors to customers and treating their customers like shit when they call in about it.


Http://www.xoticpc.com

This link will lead you to the promised land. My gaming laptop came from these guys and it wrecked the shit out of anything Alienware was offering when I got mine.

EDIT: Pay attention guys, he said gaming laptop, not desktop. You can't build your own gaming laptop. Nobody sells the parts to do it to end users like us.

 

[SnowdensOfYesteryear]

Alienware's prices aren't really based around quality as much as brand name and egotism. If you want a really good computer, either build your own, iBUYPOWER or CyberPowerPC are good, and if you want a really, really over-the-top awesome computer, Falcon Northwest is probably the best you're gonna get.

 

[Flying Dagger]

As someone with the cash to afford an alienware pc, I looked at it, laughed, and exitted.

For prices like that, you don't get much. Seems to be prices founded on the myth of what console boys say pc parts cost.

 

[Pielikey]

Unless it's a laptop, no. Like I'm sure we've all heard before, you can build a better computer for half the cost.

Actually, since Dell has bought them over, Alienware has totally went downhill.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

Not worth spending money on a gaming laptop. You're better off just buying a console with a bunch of games and bringing an old laptop to use for browsing the internet and such.