Help buying a notebook...

[Slykoontz]

So I'm looking to get a notebook for my birthday and I have a few questions. I've never really dealt with computers before, I've always used playstation, xbox, etc for gaming and the computer for schoolwork and web browsing. My first question is, are alienware notebooks worth the cost? I was looking at this one, at $1,400 base price...

Area-51® m9750

Operating System (Office software not included): Windows Vista® Home Premium with Service Pack 1
Notebook Tuners and Remotes: With Media Center Remote Control
Video/Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® Series - 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8700M GT - Enables DirectX® 10 Graphics!
Chassis: 17" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD - Stealth Black
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5500 1.66GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz – 2 x 512MB
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 120GB 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
Optical Drives : 8x Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Sound Card : High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Speakers: Logitech® V20 Notebook Speakers
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mesh Cap
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mousepad
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mobile Binder
Alienware Extras: Owner Identification Card
Avatar: Alienhead 3D
Window Style: Default Window Style
Mouse Pointers: Standard Mouse Pointers
Power Plan: Standard Power Plan
Automatic Updates: Automatic Updates On
Time Zones: (GMT - 5.00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Am I paying for a powerful machine that can run most games, look extremely good, and be a solid notebook to use while in college? Or should I look at a Dell XPS which may be a bit cheaper? I have heard that alienware is way overpriced so I'm wondering if there's any truth to this.

If anyone has any other suggestions for a fast, solid notbook that can run most games and give me good bang for my buck, by all means please let me know. Thanks and sorry for the length of this topic.

[IM back!]

alien ware is super overpriced.

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5500 1.66GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
that sucks.

1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz – 2 x 512MB
1gb, with vista, gaming? jour kidding right.

and give me good bang for my buck
this is not it, that laptop is maby worth $900

look here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114471

[saphalline]

Instead of just lambasting the original post line-by-line with your own one-liners, try being more constructive and actually offering some honey with your vinegar.

You say the CPU sucks. But the next logical question from the original poster would then be "Ok, which CPU doesn't suck?" Isn't that what you would say if you didn't already know the answer? Try anticipating this.

You then make a scathing and ambiguous comment about the amount of RAM. But the phrasing leaves much to be desired even insomuch as a direction! 1GB of RAM is a joke? Is it too much or too little? Why not offer a more reasonable amount, or at least a bigger or smaller direction?

You then give a link to a notebook that has similar or better specs, but is obviously inferior in other ways. Where's the multimedia remote for that Toshiba? Where are the Alienware goodies, such as the binder and mouse pad? What about the vast difference in warranties between the two? Did you even notice the Logitech speakers included with the Alienware??


Try to be actively helpful if you're going to even bother hitting the "reply" button. These forums are newbie friendly and we pride ourselves on the community aspect.

[PrntRhd]

See the second thread started for the same question:
http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?p=397824#post397824

[IM back!]

alien ware is super overpriced.



Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5500 1.66GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB

Intel® Core 2s are good but you may want a slightly higher clocked Intel® Core 2 >2ghz would be good, plase note that you cant compare clock-speeds across arcitectures. For some good bench marks look here http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/processors/3d-studio-max-9,463.html



1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz – 2 x 512MB

1gb, with vista is to little, you will find your system will often slow down to a grinding halt, and some games will not work at all. I recomend at least 2gb for vista gameing, 1gb is the minimum for XP gameing.

BTW: dont start 2 threads with the simmular questions, combine them into one thread.

and give me good bang for my buck

this is not it, that laptop is maby worth $900

look here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834114471

is that better saph?

[allmywebsite1]

I think for the gaming purpose u need high speed PC or laptop but i think u just try Sony Vio series it is best for multiple use purpose

[saphalline]

is that better saph?Yes, that's infinitely better. Thank you. :cool:

[hockey man]

Slykoontz, you listed the base price of that Alienware at $1400 is that your budget max? If you could let us know what you are willing to spend then that will help us with recommendations.