Gaming Computer(Alienware)

[FedEx227]

Those things are beasts... so beware. They are extremely heavy and basically render the fact that it's a laptop worthless.

[dave]

Those things are beasts... so beware. They are extremely heavy and basically render the fact that it's a laptop worthless.

I've read that too.
Essentially most people buy them because they're easy to bring to LAN parties and what-not ... but they are not a typical laptop.

[Vinsane]

Yawkey had this situation a couple of months ago. My advice to him was to visit all the major computer companies and at each of them build the exact same laptop. Take the specs that you want in your machine and do it to each site, and compare the prices. I guarantee that you can build something equal if not better to an alienware laptop and pay A LOT less.

[FedEx227]

Absolutely. Those Alienware ones, I'm not kidding are a good 15-20 pounds. There is absolutely no way it's portable at all.

Build your own either way. It's not too hard, you save money and can go with whatever specs you want.

[jms493]

I would pass....i heard they take a while to Build and their Tech/Customer Support is terrible.

There are other gaming options out there for less....check out the ASUS for $999.99. Only thing is battery life is an issue as they are powerful laptops.

[leaffan]

One thing about gaming laptops is they are really really really expensive to buy and really really expensive to fix. Their failure rates are up there too because of the wear and tear they take while gaming.

Alienware (aka Dell) support is pretty bad from my expierence. I worked on a gaming grade laptop a few weeks ago that was a dell (m1730 i think) and it was just a monster. Carrying it from the customers house to my car was a pain and I couldn't see lugging it around.

Outside of that if you must need something that at least does gaming then look at other options such as Asus, Toshiba and Acer. Asus came out with a new gaming laptop back in the summer the G71 which has impressed a lot of people. The screen size is fairly small compared to most (15") but the specs are very nice and its under $2000. There are two different types for it as well. There is a cheaper $1300 model that Best Buy has and then the $1800 model that other online retailers sell. I forget the differences now but basically the more expensive model gets you a gaming mouse, bag and a better cpu I think.

I went through all of this in Sept since my current gaming PC is hitting its 3 year mark this march and its time for me to upgrade again. I thought about getting a gaming laptop but I simply cannot justify spending that much money on something that I can spend half on a tower and get a better machine.

Edit - I can post the different details between different machines but I'm working at the moment.

[BazookaJoe5]

I have an Alienware laptop that I bought in 06 I believe. Definitely not portable. It wasn't super heavy but the battery life is nonexistent on one of those beasts. Have no complaints with Alienware though. I will say I never had to call their support because I'm knowledgeable with computers. You can get similar performance for a cheaper price from other companies. Part of the price of those is for the Alienware name.

Would also say you are better off just getting a desktop. The whole point of a laptop is to be able to take it on the go and use it at the airport, on trips, etc, you don't/can't do that with a gaming laptop.

[Leftwich]

You can find something cheaper. You're only paying for the Alienware name.

[Bomberooski]

Are their any good ones around the $700-$800 range???

I don't want a desktop because I mainly plan on using it while watching tv.