Some Reasons Alienware doesn't bite

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: frx218
People don?t build there own just because its cheaper.. It?s because it?s a hobby and they enjoy building there own machines and picking out there own parts. When you boot up a Alien Ware or pre built computer you don?t get the same satisfaction as you would building your own.

Take your corporate crap elsewhere..

Well, true, but money still plays a part in it - Alienware costs far more than what you can build a similar/identical PC for, and on top of that have the most garish cases I have ever seen in my life, stuff only a kid could love.

 

[ShadowBlade]

im sure the price isnt too bad w/ an employee discount

 

[frx218]

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: frx218
People don?t build there own just because its cheaper.. It?s because it?s a hobby and they enjoy building there own machines and picking out there own parts. When you boot up a Alien Ware or pre built computer you don?t get the same satisfaction as you would building your own.

Take your corporate crap elsewhere..

Well, true, but money still plays a part in it - Alienware costs far more than what you can build a similar/identical PC for, and on top of that have the most garish cases I have ever seen in my life, stuff only a kid could love.

I agree money plays a part in it, but if building an Computer and buying an Alienware where the same price people would still be building there own machines..

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: ShadowBlade
im sure the price isnt too bad w/ an employee discount

Only the OP would know about that for sure

Originally posted by: frx218

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: frx218
People don?t build there own just because its cheaper.. It?s because it?s a hobby and they enjoy building there own machines and picking out there own parts. When you boot up a Alien Ware or pre built computer you don?t get the same satisfaction as you would building your own.

Take your corporate crap elsewhere..

Well, true, but money still plays a part in it - Alienware costs far more than what you can build a similar/identical PC for, and on top of that have the most garish cases I have ever seen in my life, stuff only a kid could love.

I agree money plays a part in it, but if building an Computer and buying an Alienware where the same price people would still be building there own machines..

Yeah, agreed.

 

[BeakerChem]

People, people. You are missing his point. If you are all guru's to computers, or even just not afraid of the technical side of it, - sure, building is more fun and you learn stuff.

But working on your car yourself is the same way. Cheaper, and you learns stuff about your car, but alot of people pay the extra to have someone else do it for them. I think we just see this from a different perspective because the average person reading and posting to a tech forum isn't intimidated by computers anymore.

Some people are still confused by the whole desktop shortcut thing. These people shouldn't be poking around with a computer in parts even if they did manage to get everything they needed ordered. All it takes is one fried processor because you didn't understand how to put the heatsink on to ruin the building experience.

Sure, if you have the know how, do it and paying a big markup for someone elses experience is silly. But its also silly to pay $24.95 for someone to change your oil with $4 worth of generic oil, a $2 filter, and 10 minutes of labor. 400% markup...

<ducks the incoming flames>

 

[So]

Originally posted by: BeakerChem
People, people. You are missing his point. If you are all guru's to computers, or even just not afraid of the technical side of it, - sure, building is more fun and you learn stuff.

But working on your car yourself is the same way. Cheaper, and you learns stuff about your car, but alot of people pay the extra to have someone else do it for them. I think we just see this from a different perspective because the average person reading and posting to a tech forum isn't intimidated by computers anymore.

Some people are still confused by the whole desktop shortcut thing. These people shouldn't be poking around with a computer in parts even if they did manage to get everything they needed ordered. All it takes is one fried processor because you didn't understand how to put the heatsink on to ruin the building experience.

Sure, if you have the know how, do it and paying a big markup for someone elses experience is silly. But its also silly to pay $24.95 for someone to change your oil with $4 worth of generic oil, a $2 filter, and 10 minutes of labor. 400% markup...

<ducks the incoming flames>

That may be, but he didn't make that case. He himself, claims to have built PC's before and to have found it fun. He then proceeded to claim that Alienware was still preferable under those circumstances.

Your case is stronger, but still flawed, since you can get an equal computer from a big box manufacturer with less markup and nominally equal performance.

 

[frx218]

Originally posted by: BeakerChem
People, people. You are missing his point. If you are all guru's to computers, or even just not afraid of the technical side of it, - sure, building is more fun and you learn stuff.

But working on your car yourself is the same way. Cheaper, and you learns stuff about your car, but alot of people pay the extra to have someone else do it for them. I think we just see this from a different perspective because the average person reading and posting to a tech forum isn't intimidated by computers anymore.

Some people are still confused by the whole desktop shortcut thing. These people shouldn't be poking around with a computer in parts even if they did manage to get everything they needed ordered. All it takes is one fried processor because you didn't understand how to put the heatsink on to ruin the building experience.

Sure, if you have the know how, do it and paying a big markup for someone elses experience is silly. But its also silly to pay $24.95 for someone to change your oil with $4 worth of generic oil, a $2 filter, and 10 minutes of labor. 400% markup...

<ducks the incoming flames>

Throws a flaming sentence at you......eventually

Good points, but the OP states that he knows the reward of building his own computer and has built many machines, but tries to justify buying from Alienware even after his experience..

 

[frx218]

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: BeakerChem
People, people. You are missing his point. If you are all guru's to computers, or even just not afraid of the technical side of it, - sure, building is more fun and you learn stuff.

But working on your car yourself is the same way. Cheaper, and you learns stuff about your car, but alot of people pay the extra to have someone else do it for them. I think we just see this from a different perspective because the average person reading and posting to a tech forum isn't intimidated by computers anymore.

Some people are still confused by the whole desktop shortcut thing. These people shouldn't be poking around with a computer in parts even if they did manage to get everything they needed ordered. All it takes is one fried processor because you didn't understand how to put the heatsink on to ruin the building experience.

Sure, if you have the know how, do it and paying a big markup for someone elses experience is silly. But its also silly to pay $24.95 for someone to change your oil with $4 worth of generic oil, a $2 filter, and 10 minutes of labor. 400% markup...

<ducks the incoming flames>

That may be, but he didn't make that case. He himself, claims to have built PC's before and to have found it fun. He then proceeded to claim that Alienware was still preferable under those circumstances.

Your case is stronger, but still flawed, since you can get an equal computer from a big box manufacturer with less markup and nominally equal performance.

Good point So You are very wise...

 

[So]

Originally posted by: frx218

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: BeakerChem
People, people. You are missing his point. If you are all guru's to computers, or even just not afraid of the technical side of it, - sure, building is more fun and you learn stuff.

But working on your car yourself is the same way. Cheaper, and you learns stuff about your car, but alot of people pay the extra to have someone else do it for them. I think we just see this from a different perspective because the average person reading and posting to a tech forum isn't intimidated by computers anymore.

Some people are still confused by the whole desktop shortcut thing. These people shouldn't be poking around with a computer in parts even if they did manage to get everything they needed ordered. All it takes is one fried processor because you didn't understand how to put the heatsink on to ruin the building experience.

Sure, if you have the know how, do it and paying a big markup for someone elses experience is silly. But its also silly to pay $24.95 for someone to change your oil with $4 worth of generic oil, a $2 filter, and 10 minutes of labor. 400% markup...

<ducks the incoming flames>

That may be, but he didn't make that case. He himself, claims to have built PC's before and to have found it fun. He then proceeded to claim that Alienware was still preferable under those circumstances.

Your case is stronger, but still flawed, since you can get an equal computer from a big box manufacturer with less markup and nominally equal performance.

Good point So You are very wise...

Why thank you! :beer:

 

[sandorski]

If I had the money I'd consider AlienWare, but I don't. I never build a complete system, only do incremental upgrades to my existing system. Been doing that for 15 years now.

 

[shiranai]

Originally posted by: Immersive Gamer
Thought I might help some of you conserve some urine

Wait, what? Why would I want to conserve urine? So I can experience kidney failure in the future? You just lost all credibility with me :thumbsdown:

Originally posted by: BeakerChem
People, people. You are missing his point. If you are all guru's to computers, or even just not afraid of the technical side of it, - sure, building is more fun and you learn stuff.

But working on your car yourself is the same way. Cheaper, and you learns stuff about your car, but alot of people pay the extra to have someone else do it for them. I think we just see this from a different perspective because the average person reading and posting to a tech forum isn't intimidated by computers anymore.

Some people are still confused by the whole desktop shortcut thing. These people shouldn't be poking around with a computer in parts even if they did manage to get everything they needed ordered. All it takes is one fried processor because you didn't understand how to put the heatsink on to ruin the building experience.

Sure, if you have the know how, do it and paying a big markup for someone elses experience is silly. But its also silly to pay $24.95 for someone to change your oil with $4 worth of generic oil, a $2 filter, and 10 minutes of labor. 400% markup...

<ducks the incoming flames>

I think Beaker makes a good point. However, you've also missed the point. As others have already said, this Alienware employee attempts to offer an AW prebuilt machine as an alternative to DIY enthusiasts. I'm sure car enthusiasts _do_ change their own oil, among other things. I personally have no major interest in cars, just like I have no interest in making my own furniture or (aside from minor jobs) fiddling with my house's plumbing or electrical wiring.

If you have a lot more money than you do time, there's certainly nothing wrong with laying down the cash for an Alienware, but that's not the focus of this argument.

 

[grant2]

Originally posted by: Immersive Gamer
You don't need to set tripwires for the deliverymen for a whole week (just one day)

ahahah hilarious!

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: shiranai
If you have a lot more money than you do time, there's certainly nothing wrong with laying down the cash for an Alienware

Yes there is. Their cases are the ugliest things in creation and they're more expensive than similar/identical prebuilts from Monarch, etc.

Originally posted by: BeakerChem
People, people. You are missing his point.

Lol, you work there too?

We're not missing his point; prebuilts from respectable manufacturers are just as capable, don't look like something out of a 10 year old's wet dream and are far less expensive.

Sure, if you have the know how, do it and paying a big markup for someone elses experience is silly. But its also silly to pay $24.95 for someone to change your oil with $4 worth of generic oil, a $2 filter, and 10 minutes of labor. 400% markup...

You're honestly comparing spending $25 to spending $2500-$5000?

 

[flexy]

>>>
1. You deal with only one vendor[no trying to coordinate multiple retailers shipping you items that they claim to be in stock] You literally get one huge, padded and sturdy shipping box.
>>>

this is no criterium. I think its much better when *I* select the best parts then let someone else select them for me. I know better what i want
Also..with common retailers (newegg, mwave, SVC etc..etc..) and Froogle and retailerratings.com is no REASON not to buy separate components.

>>>
2. Your credit card/house address/phone number is not dispersed across the nation in order to get all your deals.
>>>

ehrm..ok ?!

>>>
3. Windows SP2 installed (with security updates) cleanly. I mean c-l-e-a-n. With the exception of Powerstrip, there was no proprietary BS, no superfluous progs installed.
>>>

I am working w/ comps since the early 80s..and i am fairly capable of installing a SP. If its installed, then its installed. You still do need occasional Win updates...me as a DiY or yo uasa a complete system buyer.
A system is always dynamic and bios, drivers, SPs will come out and you WILL/should have to update, either way.

>>>
4. Every driver is current. Even the BIOS! I nearly shat myself.
>>>
So are mine But i update drivers/bios almost a weekly base (depends when they are released)...again...its all dynamic. The fact that it comes shipped "recent" doesnt mean a lot a week or two afterwards.


>>>
5. I hooked up my monitor, plugged the power supply to the wall, and I was up and running!
>>>

You have a point...but PC buiding can be fun...and usually what i build runs TOO. tada

>>>
6. Immaculate wiring job. Meticulous cable routing, sleeving and tying.
>>>

Mega point here. My cables/case inside looks like cr*p. But then i also mod and install fans etc. all the time

>>>
7. Should anything go south, my whole darned system is warrantied by one company that has been around for years.
>>>

If somethng goes south, like recently a video card...well then i RMA the card...i also got a cross ship (Radeon X850XT)...so i didnt have ANY downtime. Same with memory or any other component.
Except yo upay out of your a$$ for shipping the WHOLE system, i guess ?

>>>
8. The system came already burnt-in and benchmarked (read: ready to overclock)
>>>

i doubt that MANY have the same knowledge regarding benchmarking and burn-in like i do. I dont want to sound arrogant, tho.
Wonder whether the alienware people read forums like xtremesystems.org and know about OCCT etc..etc.....then we're not even talking about overclocking here (what i do).

>>>
Alienware, while expensive is NOT "just throwing your money away".
>>>

if you use "expensive" then you mean "expensive". "Expensive" means PROBABLY you pay MORE than what it's worth

And...putting a BIG amount of money into a comp is ALWAYS throwing money away - i know best becasue i am one of the first shelling out $400/$500 for a new gfx-card once it's out. Then same card which is worth $100 a few months later. So...as a enthusiast yo ualways act NON logical from a economic point of view

 

[flexy]

>>>
Naturally, some things (like the case) I could not find for EXACT comparison, but I got within $480.
>>>

you bought/ordered a $480 *CASE* ???

/sarcasm
Congrats
/sarcasm

 

[Mrvile]

Yes, I wanna pay hundreds of dollars for Alienware to ship to me.

Face it, they're just waay too expensive.

Now time to grab a glass of water so I can piss on Alienware more.

 

[ericlala]

looks like he came to the wrong forum to promote

 

[bob4432]

hey MODS is the ops ip from alienware? please tell us....

alienware must be doing pretty bad if they need to resort to this kind of marketing to this level of forum (hint: go to toms), what a waste of their time.

 

[Immersive Gamer]

Holy Crap!

It's unfunkingbelievable I got THIS many replies. the only reason I started this is because searching for "Alienware" in the forums usually ended up with somebody pi55ing all over their systems. things like Alienware=crap. Well mine don't, and I just wanted to say that when I was shopping their prices (including rebates) end up being close to what it would be trying to use P-watch.

Usually, you folks are right. The prices are stratospeheric, but knowing from A-tech forums and others that new hardware, processors in the form of dual-cores, and 7-series Nvidia cards were emerging, I thought that some of the gaming system builders would be offering up some deals.

I was right. And while I never woud believe i would have a case like this sitting in my desk....maybe it will grow on me. At least I got a grey one, and not strained peas baby-sh!t green, or frustrated codsack electric blue.

I will post again in the long shot that someone gives dropping one.

 

[DanDaMan315]

Alienware = Perfect (except for case) other than that Alienwares are perfect in every facet, but they are SOOOOO FVUCCCKKKING EXPENSIVE ITS RIDICULOUS!!!!11!!!1

 

[Immersive Gamer]

it's me, the painfully generic sounding "immersive gamer", the one who people think is a lackey for Alienware. (still floored about that)

My first computer mod was in 1982. I convinced my dad our atari 800 computer needed more memory. We went from 32 to 48K! Later computer mods included adding a hard drive to a 1988 IBM PS2 (that meant Personal System 2 back then). Getting that 20mb card to work dwarfs any kind of RAID frustrations people have had.

Anywho, my last full-fledged system build had all kinds of fallout. My skyhawk aluminum case came with some crappy hardware. When first built it failed to f-ing power up because one of the case fan wires had a tiny scratch which sorted out the whole shebang. I thought I had a bum power supply. took the T-I-M-E to swap it out, and then rediagnose, etc. The AGP card clip on my epox board was also at odds with my leadtek card. Another source of frustration. Oh, yeah, my thermalright HS was really at odds with the socket clips. I remember spending an inordinate amount of time getting drivers for EVERYTHING that first run, too.

Anyway, I think you can put a price on having a computer ready to game with right out of the box. I never planned on buying a prefab system, especially one that looks like the head of a critter from the Moss Eisley cantina, but the gap was narrowed enough between alienware dumping their aging products, and what I could do using p-watch that I decided to give them a try.

Didn't think I would enflame my betters and all like I have
But for my own part, in the product-availiability window I was shopping in, I have had a good experience.

 

[ericlala]

well you can't let 1 bad experience stop you

 

[Immersive Gamer]

I'm sure as hell not done modding (in my own brain-dented ways, of course)

I'm trying to find out more info about water-cooling (my next BIG THING). Which is the reason I started scouring A-tech forums. I just typed up the controversial "A-word" to see what people had to say. It was all so damnably negative I typed up some of the plusses of buying a system. I guess it sounded like some kind of canned PR bull-droppings and people felt the overwhelming need to give me an economics lesson in line-by-line form.

You live. You learn. You overclock until you notice artifacts or tearing.

 

[jfrog]

My system(in sig) - around $1110. Comparable Alienware system - $1700.

Nice systems, but not a good value IMO.

Besides, I enjoy building my systems and troubleshooting them myself, I've become more knowledgeable by troubleshooting on my own.

 

[imported_g33k]

Ok I just peiced together a rig over at alienware and it came out to about $275 (after the $300 rebate, shipping is free) more than a similiar equipped system I built. So if you don't have the time to build a rig and you can stomach the rebates, its actually not a bad deal right now. I would say it comparable to a dell or an hp. Once this rebate deal ends, then you are much better off getting a dell or DIY.