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Various Alienware models and processors

Started by IADaveMark Sep 8, 2010 at 1:33 PM 22 replies 5.4k views

Original Post

Sep 8, 2010 at 1:33 PM

OK folks, looking at getting a new Alienware laptop to replace my ageing Inspiron 9400. This is going to be both my dev machine and the one that I sling around on airplanes, GDC, and client sites.

I'm already pretty sold on getting an M17x. The question is all the different types of processors. There are 2 models of i5, 3 types of i7, and 2x i7 "extreme" available on the M17x. However, getting up into that extreme range is ridiculously expensive. For example, the "extreme" stuff is almost $1000 more than the low-end i7.

Here's my current config:

Space Black - Anodized Aluminum
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional, 64bit, English
Intel® Core™ i7 720QM 1.6GHz (2.8 GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
4GB Dual Channel Memory (2x 2GB DDR3)
150 Watt Adapter
17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED (1200p)
1GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon™ Mobility HD 5870
500GB 7,200RPM SATA-II HDD
Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card

I'm only planning on keeping this new box for 2-3 years. Can I get away with the low end i7 (or for that matter, the i5) and be done with it?

FWIW, I'm going to be throwing a 1GB video card and likely 4GB of RAM (maybe 6 or 8) in there.

Thoughts?

KulSeran

Sep 8, 2010 at 6:50 PM

I'd just say, go look at some alternatives(newegg), cause AlienWare has always seemed overpriced for what they were giving you.

IADaveMark

Sep 8, 2010 at 6:56 PM

Quote:
Original post by KulSeran
I'd just say, go look at some alternatives(newegg), cause AlienWare has always seemed overpriced for what they were giving you.

Well, the model you linked to isn't remotely what I have listed above. If I select a product that is comparable, I end up with an HP that is actually slightly more expensive than what I tricked out at Alienware.

Still, with regards to processors (which you didn't address), my question still stands.

taby

Sep 8, 2010 at 7:23 PM

Quote:
Original post by InnocuousFox
...

I have always liked Toshiba, and my sister-in-law just got a new one. She had to have something replaced on it, and the warranty service was excellent. She has a Satellite model, and uses it for WoW. I wish I knew the exact model, but she's not available right at this second. :(

What's super cool is the facial recognition login software!!! No more typin in passwords every time. I'm so lazy, and impressed by simple things. :)

I sense that you are trying to get away from Dell. In case I am wrong about this interpretation, I really must say STAY AWAY FROM DELL!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a Gen 2 XPS, and my wife has the latest model. We've had nothing but hell trying to get warranty work done on our machines. EVIL. EVIL. EVIL. I used to love Dell's stuff with a passion about 10 years ago (like, to the point where all 1000+ machines in the organization where I worked were Dell). Now I just hate them, and it's totally deserved.

cowsarenotevil

Sep 8, 2010 at 7:28 PM

This doesn't exactly answer your question, but I had a Laptop with an Intel Core 2 Extreme and now I have a Laptop with an Intel Core 2 Duo. The Core 2 Extreme was far more expensive (probably $500), but in terms of things I actually run on the CPU that take more than one hour, my current laptop is actually faster in almost all cases. I don't notice any significant difference in things that run in real-time, either.

I can't promise that that's true on the i7 processors, but I would still be reluctant to get the Extreme version.

I also have to say that I've never really heard anything good about Alienware. You may want to see if there is a ThinkPad W series model that suits your purposes, because they seem to be pretty much indestructible.

taby

Sep 8, 2010 at 7:31 PM

Quote:
Original post by cowsarenotevil...

/me seconds the possibility of going IBM/Lenovo. I've heard a lot of good things, but not a lot of bad things.

AverageMidget

Sep 8, 2010 at 8:41 PM

Quote:
Original post by taby
I sense that you are trying to get away from Dell. In case I am wrong about this interpretation, I really must say STAY AWAY FROM DELL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dell bought Alienware back in 2006

You probably won't see a huge "real-world" difference in the processor choices. If you were doing a lot of CPU intensive actions (encoding video, decimating large polygon scan data sets, etc.), you might benefit from having one of the extreme versions. In other words, if you find yourself doing a lot of long-running, CPU intensive tasks, you might want the faster core, with more cache, to knock off a few minutes of calculation time. I think you'd be perfectly fine with the 720QM. Anything above that, you're paying for "cutting edge".

And just for the sake of informations: from the i5 520M (the base choice) to the i7 940XM (top choice), they all still only support dual channel memory.

My personal pick would be the i7 720QM.

taby

Sep 8, 2010 at 9:39 PM

Quote:
Original post by AverageMidget
Quote:
Original post by taby
I sense that you are trying to get away from Dell. In case I am wrong about this interpretation, I really must say STAY AWAY FROM DELL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dell bought Alienware back in 2006

Ick. Well, I hope they don't control the finances or the manufacturing / customer service aspects. Ha ha.. ha... :(

swiftcoder

Sep 8, 2010 at 10:32 PM

Quote:
Original post by taby
Quote:
Original post by AverageMidget
Dell bought Alienware back in 2006
Ick. Well, I hope they don't control the finances or the manufacturing / customer service aspects. Ha ha.. ha... :(

They do, which sucks. However, Dell's build quality in the high end models (including the alienware lines) has gone way up over the last few years - they aren't that much behind Sony and Lenovo at this point.

Prinz Eugn

Sep 9, 2010 at 12:34 AM

Dude, I just went to Dell/Alienware and configured that laptop... grand total is $2,354.00 USD

In all honesty, I think this is ridiculously overpriced. It appears you're basically paying an enormous premium for the system's ability to crossfire, but I guess that could be worth it if you know you're going to shell out for the extra card. Buying a two thousand dollar laptop and then upgrading it from 4GB RAM to 8GB is just- it just hurts my face.

Less than three weeks ago I bought a Lenovo Y560 (linky to notebookcheck review), which compared to your notional system, has a worse graphics card (an HD 5730), lower screen resolution (1366x768), but 8GB RAM (and otherwise similar, i7 720qm ). Price? $999.00 USD

I would seriously consider lurking techbargains and the like for a little while, you can save a holy crapload with a little patience. But you will have to settle with something less capable than an Alienware, which I don't think should be that painful since you're running an older Inspiron right now.

AverageMidget

Sep 9, 2010 at 1:09 AM

1366 x 768 is be a deal-breaker for me. I would love to get a laptop for developing, but have you ever tried to program on a screen with a resolution that small? It's brutal! A minimum of 1680 x 1050 is needed, and that's the bottom end of the compromise scale.

IADaveMark

Sep 9, 2010 at 9:27 AM

Quote:
Original post by Prinz Eugn
Dude, I just went to Dell/Alienware and configured that laptop... grand total is $2,354.00 USD

*shrug* I went to that NewEgg link above and actually found one that is comparable to what I listed... same bloody price for an HP. So much for "overpriced".

IADaveMark

Sep 9, 2010 at 9:31 AM

Quote:
Original post by AverageMidget
1366 x 768 is be a deal-breaker for me. I would love to get a laptop for developing, but have you ever tried to program on a screen with a resolution that small? It's brutal! A minimum of 1680 x 1050 is needed, and that's the bottom end of the compromise scale.

That's one of my issues. My Inspiron 9400 is pushing a full 1920x1200. I have a 24" monitor that shows same. I really don't want my new computer to step down from there. That means I have to trick out the displays to show the full resolution. Most only come in the 1420x range.

That being said, I have noticed the bad Alienware vibe from other places as well.

For the record, I have never had any problems with Dell, their tech support, or their customer service and I've been an Inspiron guy since 2002... maybe I get different people because I come in via the small biz channel rather than home user.

I'm vaguely considering a Studio XPS right now, but from what I saw, I don't have a lot of customization options. i.e. you WILL take this processor and video card.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback. (More welcomed if you've got it.)

Prinz Eugn

Sep 9, 2010 at 8:12 PM

I wasn't seriously suggesting buying that model (1366 x 768 is pretty brutal, for the record), I was just trying using that example to point that if you can get that for $1000, the Alienware does not compare well price-wise.

If you can't find anything for cheaper in the same range, maybe you should look in a lower range. Getting a lower performance laptop could mean you get to upgrade sooner, since you have the cash. It might even be a lot lighter, since there doesn't have to be room for the dual-huge card slots.

zer0wolf

Sep 9, 2010 at 8:19 PM

Personally, I've never seen the point in spending much more than $1000 on a computer. You can spend $2500 on a system that in a year is going to be worth half as much at most.

In any case, if you're wanting an uber laptop then checkout Sager Notebook.

necreia

Sep 9, 2010 at 8:35 PM

Check out the EON18 from Origin (link). Price is very close to Alienware and is better depending on configuration. What you have listed above is about equal in price to something you can make from Origin, taking into consideration the discount being offered by Alienware.

The reasons I suggest this instead is for the following:
- 18.4 (1920x1080) screen instead of the 17
- "No Dead Pixel" Guarantee
- Better hard drive and video card options

If you pay a little extra, you can have ANY design airbrushed on and optionally a different logo design.

IADaveMark

Sep 9, 2010 at 9:51 PM

Quote:
Original post by zer0wolf
Personally, I've never seen the point in spending much more than $1000 on a computer. You can spend $2500 on a system that in a year is going to be worth half as much at most.

This makes no sense whatsoever. I need the specs now... not a year from now. And a year from now, I will need better specs than I have now. I AM in the game biz, ya know. And you can't get a decent development laptop for $1000.

cyansoft

Sep 9, 2010 at 10:46 PM

I've found that, by far, the best investment you can make when making a new computer(or upgrading, for that matter) is to purchase an SSD drive. Install the OS, compiler, and your most common tools on that, along with your project's source files. Use your regular HDD for your stuff that doesn't need to be ultra fast, such as your music, documents, and archives.

I've put this one in my aging machine at work. A 1 million line C# project with 70 sub-projects now compiles under 4 minutes compared to 25. Unit testing (with a full SQL Server database restore between of the 2700 tests) now takes 90 minutes opposed to 8 and 1/2 hours.

Go with the i5 processor and use the money saved to buy an SSD and maybe some more RAM. You won't regret it.

zer0wolf

Sep 9, 2010 at 11:12 PM

Quote:
Original post by InnocuousFox
This makes no sense whatsoever. I need the specs now... not a year from now. And a year from now, I will need better specs than I have now. I AM in the game biz, ya know. And you can't get a decent development laptop for $1000.

Different strokes for different folks, but it just seems inane to me. About 5 months ago I got a laptop with an i5 processor, a 14" 1600x900 screen, 4 GB of RAM, and 330m graphics chipset for $1000. I am a professional developer as well and the machine has just been perfect. Go ahead and spend $2500 on a laptop, I just don't get it myself [wink]

necreia

Sep 9, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Quote:
Original post by cyansoft
I've found that, by far, the best investment you can make when making a new computer(or upgrading, for that matter) is to purchase an SSD drive. Install the OS, compiler, and your most common tools on that, along with your project's source files. Use your regular HDD for your stuff that doesn't need to be ultra fast, such as your music, documents, and archives.

I wanted to quote this due to how true it is. After upgrading my desktop to a SSD for the applications/OS, I had to switch over the other computers and can never go back.

It can be surreal to not have observable loading time with almost everything.

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