Dell/Alienware decisions

[Martyuk39]

I have a cursed Dell XPS M1730. It stopped working today with the same fault that required a new motherboard to be fitted last time. Last time being Tuesday!

So I'm a bit fed up - it's under warranty (extended). So they've offered to repair again or part-exchange for a new one. The deal is I spend £1542 sterling so these days that's about $1543 dollars (the price we pay in pounds in the UK is ridiculous). But I only actually have to pay 30% of that, the difference being depreciation.

Basically I have around £1500 which in Dell dollars in $1800-ish.

I am torn between going for an Alienware beast, a Studio 15/16/17 or the rather nice looking Alienware M11X. When I got my XPS I needed a powerful machine, but now I have a powerful desktop with a decent graphics card so don't need a laptop to be that powerful. So am thinking of the Alienware M11X. The thing is I have to spend £1542 or above for it to work, one of the things about part-exchange! So with the M11X with core 2 duo processor for example I'd have several hundred pounds/dollars left over. Should I invest this in a solid state disk upgrade? All I know is that it boots up fast - what does it mean for gaming and normally office activity?

Any thoughts on the Alienware or any other suggestions greatly appreciated
Thanks
Martin

 

[Zap]

If you only need it to be a notebook and use your desktop rig for gaming, then I'd recommend something that gets better battery life than a gaming capable notebook. Maybe you can also get something that looks great like the Adamas.

 

[Martyuk39]

Thanks that's great but there appear to be virtually no extras to make up the difference. I'd have to go for the cheaper Admire model at £1099 since the Desire model starts at £1649 so I'm left with a difference of £450 to spend. I don't fancy the Onyx external optical and hard drives at their price point.

Whilst they look gorgeous I think I'll go for the M11X at the moment. I've asked the question whether I have to spend it all on one laptop or whether I can have 2! I suspect that'll be a no.

 

[aussiestilgar]

I hope you waited til today for the i5/Optimus refresh on the 11x!

 

[jsedlak]

I don't get it, are they offering you a new and different laptop or are you considering purchasing a replacement with your own money?

Personally, I would go business class or to another manufacturer. My experience with the XPS models thus far has alienated me from the standard consumer offerings (by Dell).

 

[AndroidVageta]

Another important question that I would be asking myself is: Are you going to miss good gaming performance on the go? The moment I sold my old Asus G71GX thinking "I dont need a powerful laptop" I found myself needing one more and more.

Id say go a head a get a nice fullsized Alienware gaming laptop if you have the money...might as well replace what you have with something similar and gaming worthy in my opinion. Sure the M11x is considered "gaming" but give it a year and itll be near worthless due to the major CPU bottleneck. Get a M17x with a nice CPU and GPU...dont skip out on what you had! What if your main rig goes down? What if you meet someone that goes to LAN parties and want to start going? There are so many times once you get a smaller weaker laptop that youre going to wish you had a fullsized badass laptop...

 

[fire400]

I don't get it, are they offering you a new and different laptop or are you considering purchasing a replacement with your own money?

Personally, I would go business class or to another manufacturer. My experience with the XPS models thus far has alienated me from the standard consumer offerings (by Dell).

agreed. op mentioned office apps and already has a gaming desktop.

XPS is crap, personally. Should you decide to stick with Dell, their 14" business laptops are solid, but don't get the half quality designs 'cuz you will probably regret it. Steer clear of Toshiba, their manufacturing lines are rigged for hate.

 

[shortylickens]

I dont care much for Dell computers and even less for their laptops. They are riding a reputation they built for themselves back in the Win95 days.
If I had to get one, I too would go for the business notebooks. And only if I could be treated like a business customer. They get MUCH better service. Alienware does not impress me since they got bought out by Dell. And they dont make business stuff anyway. I'd steer clear.

Right now I think ASUS has the best ratings for build quality and customer satisfaction of laptops. Check them out. The price premium may be worth it.