I'm thinking of getting an Alienware....

even though I use to want an Alienware, i would strongly suggest against it.

Just like Nike and other popular brands, your paying for brand name and looks. last time i bought a pair of Nike they only lasted like 5-6 months i believe. now the shoes I buy are more comfortable, look good, and last longer....and are cheaper.

Point is, same with computers, for that money you can get a better computer than if you go with alienware. but its all up to you

I'm thinking of getting an Alienware Area 51 m5550 laptop. Do you think that it will be able to play most games that come out in the next 5+ years? (btw, this is the most expensive I can get. I can't spend too much more than $1,300...)auboy

It's a rip off dude. Any pre-built computer you find in a store is a rip off (more than likely). Learn to custom build and buy your stuff that way...I can garantee you you will save at least 50% on your purchases.

[QUOTE="auboy"]I'm thinking of getting an Alienware Area 51 m5550 laptop. Do you think that it will be able to play most games that come out in the next 5+ years? (btw, this is the most expensive I can get. I can't spend too much more than $1,300...)Skullheart

It's a rip off dude. Any pre-built computer you find in a store is a rip off (more than likely). Learn to custom build and buy your stuff that way...I can garantee you you will save at least 50% on your purchases.

Werd.

Ehh, for the record, you're all forgetting that he's talking about an Alienware laptop. Still probably overpriced but you can't build your own laptop.

At least, the average person can't.

I'm thinking of getting an Alienware Area 51 m5550 laptop. Do you think that it will be able to play most games that come out in the next 5+ years? (btw, this is the most expensive I can get. I can't spend too much more than $1,300...)auboy

Laptops are weaker in performance then desktop PCs. A mid range laptop would probably last around two years before it become too slow for newer games. Consider on getting a desktop pc instead of a laptop for gaming.

Another thing, gaming computers dont last 5 years. At the most, they will last about 4 years before it becoming too slow for the newer games.

First off, if you arnt rich, getting a notebook for gaming is a waste of money. Gaming Notbooks are crap for trying to upgrade. seconf of all, if you do, get a gaming lappy from http://www.sagernotebook.com, they are the one who makes the alienware laptops and they are cheaper. for 1300$ you can get a top of the line PC that will own any game coming out for the next year or longer.Montaya

Meh my personal favorite laptops for gaming are dells.. They are priced well, have good support, sleek design, never overheat, good hardware options, good design for upgrading and reaching the processor and ram..

DON'T DO IT!!!! I spent $4,000 on my alienware laptop back in 2004 and exactly one year later, the heat it generated caused so much damage that I couldn't play anything and since it was past warranty, I was SOL.I opened it up and there were actually scorch marks all inside. All fans were working fine and inside, vents, fans, etc were all free of dust. I went to the alienware forums and TONS of people had the exact same problem as me.

Alienware is overpriced and overrated. Your just paying for a "famous name" in a sense.

[QUOTE="Montaya"]First off, if you arnt rich, getting a notebook for gaming is a waste of money. Gaming Notbooks are crap for trying to upgrade. seconf of all, if you do, get a gaming lappy from http://www.sagernotebook.com, they are the one who makes the alienware laptops and they are cheaper. for 1300$ you can get a top of the line PC that will own any game coming out for the next year or longer.sSubZerOo

Meh my personal favorite laptops for gaming are dells.. They are priced well, have good support, sleek design, never overheat, good hardware options, good design for upgrading and reaching the processor and ram..

Dell laptops actually rated higher in pc gaming magazines then alienware. Dell is cheaper also.

Go with Dell for laptops.

And referring to eggsandsticks, A+ manuals don't teach you to build laptops... :roll:

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]

[QUOTE="Montaya"]First off, if you arnt rich, getting a notebook for gaming is a waste of money. Gaming Notbooks are crap for trying to upgrade. seconf of all, if you do, get a gaming lappy from http://www.sagernotebook.com, they are the one who makes the alienware laptops and they are cheaper. for 1300$ you can get a top of the line PC that will own any game coming out for the next year or longer.DragonfireXZ95

Meh my personal favorite laptops for gaming are dells.. They are priced well, have good support, sleek design, never overheat, good hardware options, good design for upgrading and reaching the processor and ram..

Dell laptops actually rated higher in pc gaming magazines then alienware. Dell is cheaper also.

Go with Dell for laptops.

And referring to eggsandsticks, A+ manuals don't teach you to build laptops... :roll:

He was referring to a desktop PC. But you don't even need any type of manual to learn how to build one. All you have to do really is open a desktop look how it's put together and then it's like legos.

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"][QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]

[QUOTE="Montaya"]First off, if you arnt rich, getting a notebook for gaming is a waste of money. Gaming Notbooks are crap for trying to upgrade. seconf of all, if you do, get a gaming lappy from http://www.sagernotebook.com, they are the one who makes the alienware laptops and they are cheaper. for 1300$ you can get a top of the line PC that will own any game coming out for the next year or longer.cos_vanquish

Meh my personal favorite laptops for gaming are dells.. They are priced well, have good support, sleek design, never overheat, good hardware options, good design for upgrading and reaching the processor and ram..

Dell laptops actually rated higher in pc gaming magazines then alienware. Dell is cheaper also.

Go with Dell for laptops.

And referring to eggsandsticks, A+ manuals don't teach you to build laptops... :roll:

He was referring to a desktop PC. But you don't even need any type of manual to learn how to build one. All you have to do really is open a desktop look how it's put together and then it's like legos.

Yeah I figured that, but the OP wants a laptop so that post was completely redundant.

Sry man... even if it was 1,300 for a desktop alienware you might still have problems in a year. Alienwares are always pricey. I would reccomend that you build one (it's worth it because once you build the first computer the later ones are much easier and faster, also you would save a huge amount of money - computer costing $800 instead of $1,300)

If you want to buy all the individual parts for a computer you could go to www.newegg.com

If you want to get information on building a computer and the reccomended parts go to the community forums www.tomshardware.com

Spread the knowledge man. :P

I've always wondered- if I have like $3k to spend on a computer, couldn't I just get quad SLI with 8800 Ultras, 4 GB of RAM, and two (or 4, theoretically) Core 2 Duos or some crazy layout like that, and be able to pretty much take over the world with the power of my computer? And then get like a 30" monitor and surround sound speakers and pretty much be a god?

I mean, that kind of computer could output Crysis on a 30" monitor on maximum settings and get 100 FPS, so why would someone buy Alienware that couldn't do half of that instead?

I know that's kinda off-topic from laptops but still. It's nice to dream.

Well for $1300 you could probably make your own desktop and I definitely wouldn't recommend buying a laptop if you are going to use it strictly for gaming.You'd be better off getting a mid-high end PC rather than spending money on a laptop because you are trying to cut corners on spending (built in monitor....etc).Chances are you wont be playing games on any PC for 5 years....Well playing yes but the visuals wont look so great after a while.You'll want to upgrade when that happens and you'll be screwed if you own a laptop, build a desktop (or even buy one) and you can re-use the case at the very least, put whatever you want in it whenever you want, and monitors last almost forever.If you are getting a laptop for some other reason besides cost then go for it but don't get one to avoid spending too much money, you'll just be cheating yourself in the long run.

Dude no way just build it on your own. Look what you can get it's what I got. For only 1500$ you can get something worthwhile. Talking 10 years down the road you will be set.

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=5705512

I've always wondered- if I have like $3k to spend on a computer, couldn't I just get quad SLI with 8800 Ultras, 4 GB of RAM, and two (or 4, theoretically) Core 2 Duos or some crazy layout like that, and be able to pretty much take over the world with the power of my computer? And then get like a 30" monitor and surround sound speakers and pretty much be a god?

I mean, that kind of computer could output Crysis on a 30" monitor on maximum settings and get 100 FPS, so why would someone buy Alienware that couldn't do half of that instead?

I know that's kinda off-topic from laptops but still. It's nice to dream.

Ioden

You can't get 100 fps with dual ultras even in 1280x1024 on high settings in crysis, what makes you think it will do so well @ 2560x1920 maxed.

I'm thinking of getting an Alienware Area 51 m5550 laptop. Do you think that it will be able to play most games that come out in the next 5+ years? (btw, this is the most expensive I can get. I can't spend too much more than $1,300...)auboy

Next 5+ years? No, no pc made today can make that guarantee (maybe if you buy a top of line desktop PC it will still be a pretty good machine 5+ years from now. But not a laptop PC, usually because they are overpriced and underpowered. You are paying for the portability factor, not the power.

I told you dell will not let you use anything but dell hardware etc...you cannot upgrade a dell unless you use dell stuff. Most of the people aren't even talking about laptops here.. A1B2C3CAL

One more thing: do you think I will be able to use the case for my Dell Dimension (aka the Antichrist), take most things out, and replace them with updated components? (new RAM, motherboard, video card, etc.?)auboy

No you won't be able to use any of the parts save for the hard drive and cd drive probably. The PSU is most likely crap and you would definitely have to get a new PSU. And usually Dell welds in their PSU's so you can't take them out, not to mention the case is probably small and cramped.

dont get alienware or any other comanies like that...theyre very more pricy and because of there custom built cases and laptops they charge alot ..coz honestly when ur playing do u wanna look at a good game with max seetings on pc monitor or do u wanna look at the good looking case or laptop..just do some research talk to some ppl and choose everything yourself then go somewhere just give it to em and let em stick it in the casekirk4ever

I'd say anyone wants both at the same time, no?

But yes, Alienware and other high-end custom PC manufacturers overprice their products. The fact that it's a laptop you want makes it so much harder to choose though.

Well normally i would build my own but i just purchased a dell XPS, It costed me 250 more than if i would have built it my self but i got a free 3 year warranty and a big discount from my company.

Unless you can get a deal like that i would say build your own every time. Its really not that hard at all just take your time