Best place to buy a custom laptop these days?

[essential]

For the longest time I was planning on getting an Alienware laptop. They (supposedly) used better parts (mobo/ram/etc), they had thin/mobile yet powerful 15 and 17 inch laptops with a ton of customization options, and they were sleek.

Now, since Dell bought them, they have fewer models, they are thicker, and they have neon lights, and probably a strobe somewhere. That might be great in high school, but what if you just want something thin and powerful? The best looking laptops are the MacBook Pros, just silver, nothing flashy, but nice and thin yet powerful. I want a Windows machine, and although I thought about just putting Windows on a MacBook pro, the base $2,600 price is too much to start at before upgrades.

I even looked at Dell, but they have no thin 17 inch models, only 15.

I don't game, but I want independent graphics and sound. I want a fast muti-tasking machine.

Is there a place to get a high quality customized laptop these days, similar to what Alienware used to be?

Thanks.

 

[erikistired]

have you tried falcon northwest?

 

[Tempered81]

definitely not from an ebay member with less than 10 feedback.

 

[essential]

Originally posted by: fisher
have you tried falcon northwest?

I did look at their site, but the base price on their cheapest laptop was over $2,000. What I liked about the old Alienware was the thin/mobile 15.4" laptops had base prices of around $1,200, so after upgrades you were around $2,200.

Base prices over $2,000 end up costing $3,000 after upgrades.

Also, I wouldn't buy a laptop on ebay. I can fix almost any software issue, but hardware on a laptop I have never done, so I'd want someplace to call and complain too if it broke.

 

[botw]

If you don't game, there isn't much need for independent graphics unless you are doing design work. You are really just sucking power.

That aside, if you want a custom built you can check out AVA Direct also. I haven't purchased from there, but I hear decent things.

If you want thin, you are still probably better off with one of the major manufacturers.

 

[MrTeeny]

This is what I'm about to purchase through Costco.com. The final price before taxes and shipping (although I think shipping is free) is $1500.99. The really good thing about going through Costco is they double the manufacturers warranty. It is actually cheaper to build this through Costco's site than HPs.

Configuration Summary

Selected Features:

* Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* 240GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)
* 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
* Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection
* 17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
* Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
* FREE Upgrade to HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Webcam + Microphone
* No TV Tuner w/remote control

Included Features:

* HP PhotoSmart Essentials
* QuickPlay 3.x
* Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
* 1 Expansion Port 3 connector
* 1 ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)
* Notebook keyboard with scroll bar and integrated numeric keypad
* 3 USB 2.0 ports
* IEEE 1394
* 1 Consumer IR (Remote Receiver)
* HP Mobile Remote Control
* HDMI external port
* TV-Out (S-video)
* 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader
* Built-in Altec Lansing stereo speakers
* Touch Pad with On/Off button and dedicated vertical Scroll Up/D

 

[onlyCOpunk]

www.xoticpc.com I have heard great things about them. also powernotebooks.com they are canadian based, but the dollars are equal so it doesn't matter, and exaliberpc.com, oh and pcmicroworks.com

but i would say Xotic is going to the cheapest and better service place. they all basically build on the same brand (Clevo) among others, just depends on price.

EDIT: Oh and if you browse on over to www.notebookreview.com and visit their forums, I know the owner of Xoticpc posts frequently and you can PM him and stuff if you are interested from ordering from him. And I know a couple of other owners of other businesses post like Excaliber, so they are easy to get a hold of and discuss a deal or something.