Hey all,

Right now I am looking into buying a laptop computer. I am really leaning towards desktop replacement styled laptops, as I would like to do just about everything a moderately well equiped desktop can handle... yes, including gaming. So far, these are the two main contenders:

Area-51m™

Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Onsite Service
Case: Area-51m Case with 15.4" WideSXGA+ 1680x1050 LCD Display - Saucer Silver
Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor w/ HT Technology 3.2GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache
Motherboard: SiS648FX + SiS963L AGP8X Chipset
Memory: 512MB DDR PC-3200 at 400MHz - 2x256 SO-DIMMs
Video Card: Area-51m ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON™ 9700 Module with 128MB DDR and Half-Life 2 Coupon Bundle
Video Optimizer: AlienAdrenaline: Video Performance Optimizer
Sound Card: Sound-Blaster Pro Compatible 3D Audio
Hard Drive: Hitachi 60GB 7200 RPM ATA100 with 8MB Cache
Smart Bay One: 24x10x24 CD-RW / 8X DVD Combo w/Software
Ethernet NIC: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet NIC
Wireless network: Internal Wireless 802.11a/b/g miniPCI Card
Modem: 56K Modem with V.92 Technology
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
Remote Control: Area-51m Multi-function Infrared Remote control
Additional Battery: Area-51m Primary Lithium-Ion Smart Battery Pack (Model 766)
Gamespot Complete: Gamespot Complete - Free 90-day Trial
Free Alienware T-Shirt: Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black

Total (including $0 tax and $99 shipping): $2887.00

or

Inspiron XPS

Intel® Pentium ®4 w/HT Technology 3.4GHz,15.4 WUXGA
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
Memory 512MB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz
Video Card 128MB DDR ATI's MOBILITY™ RADEON™ 9700 AGP 8X Graphics
Hard Drive Free 60G7200 rpm Ultra ATA Hard Drive
Optical Devices 24X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive with Sonic RecordNow
Wireless Networking Cards Save $39! Dell® Wireless 1450 Internal Wireless (802.11a/b/g, 54Mbps)
Bundled Software No Productivity Software
Security Software Norton Internet Security 90-day introductory offer
Digital Music Dell Jukebox powered by MusicMatch
Primary Battery 96 WHr 12-cell Primary Battery with Subwoofer
Carrying Case Exclusive XPS BackPack
Limited Warranty, Services and Support 1 Year Limited Warranty plus 1 Year Mail-In Service
Dial-Up Internet Access No ISP requested
Digital Imaging or Digital Photography Paint Shop™ Pro® Trial plus Photo Album™ Starter Edition
Color Choice CIPHER QuickSnap™ Cover
Wireless Personal Networking Card Dell™ TrueMobile™ 300 Bluetooth Module
Additional Battery 132 WHr 16-cell Secondary Battery
Personal Finance Software Microsoft® Money 2004 Standard
Dell Media Experience Dell Media Experience™
Remote Control for Dell Media Experience™
FREE Dell 720 Color Printer with 1 Yr Advanced Exchange Service

Pricing: $2,896.00 - 15% ($431.40) = $2464 + $12.95 shipping + $204.42 tax

Total:$2681.97

I know they are both MONSTERS weighing in at around 10 lbs. and I can deal with that. But, I hear horrible stories about Dell's new (Indian) Service, and I have had one bad experience with this as well (I do not have anything against people from India, but it was a very difficult phone call to get through).

Other bonuses are that the Alienware has the MemoryStick reader that works for my camera and it has user upgradable video cards (big deal to me for the gaming side), and the whole computer look sweet. The bonuses for the Dell is that the processor is slightly faster, it has a higher screen resolution, and it comes with the backpack.

I really appeciate any and all feed back. I would have made this a poll, but I really want to know reasons for what you feel.

Thanks VERY MUCH, in advance.

 

Alienware:

 

can you guess my choice?

My machine

 

Don't buy a Dell laptop. I just got an Inspiron 8600, and I can see that quality control is in the crapper at Dell these days. Sadly it's nothing like the 486 DX-2/66 Dimension I bought in 1993...

On top of that, Alienware makes great machines. Go with them.

 

Area-51m

Plus it just looks cool..the Dell looks like a brick in comparison

 

Awesome. Thanks guys. Looks like we have a winner. I'll update you guys as things go.

 

LOL I was just going to say that the Dell you linked to is huge, and heavy as a birck. Hardly a laptop, more a portable desktop. It's powerful as can be. Maximum PC had no problems with it other than it's weight.

The Alienwares are always great, but just danged expensive. If you have the cash, go for it. Otherwise you can get a comparable system for considerably less if you hunt around - the quality will be nowhere near that of Alienware though. Alienware alternatives that are just as good if not better in some aspects are Voodoo PC and Falcon Northwest. Good luck!

 

Oh, and Dell's moved their service back from India, so that shouldn't play into your decision.

Alienware has replacable graphics modules, so that should be taken into consideration.