Some Reasons Alienware doesn't bite

[Tbirdkid]

this is funny... did you let them dry hump him or did you loan him some ky before he took the overpriced POS out of the box and plugged it in?

Honestly, i cant believe people still pay for that junk when so many other manufacturers can blow their prices away and get better stuff at the same time. He may as well have gone into best buy and bought the most expensive pc they have there too. At least then, he could just take the box back to best buy when it breaks... which btw, it will just like that alienware will.

you may want to give him some witch hazel for the rhoids hangin out of his a55

 

[ToadkillerDog]

Jeez, some people on these forums need to to chill a little. If he wants an Alienware let him have one. The narcissism and exclusive mindset on this forum can be boggling.

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: Immersive Gamer

From the esteemed Greenman:
>>Time to come clean, it's the only way to earn back some respect.<<

then earn back some respect I shall, good sir.

Really, concerned folkage, I have no ties to Alienware. No kind of credit/payback/karma thing. I made the (original) post when after searching AnandTech forums on the word "Alienware", every last post was negative. Like bad negative. I wanted to point out, that at least so far, it has been smooth sailing for me. I just happen to buy when AW and the market were more in synch.

Yeah, I can't deny that some of this is justifying the money I spent. but seriously, having suffered through some bad driver compatability problems, a near impossible-to-diagnose fan wire shorting problem, a dead memory socket motherboad problem as well as others over the years, I indeed can put value on being able to fire up a brand new system with no worries

I didn't know that my post was so close to AW's Pages of Propaganda. However, I DO feel strongly about game developers skipping the PC to concentrate on consoles (or piss-poor porting of titles to the PC). When Microsoft essentially bought HALO to have its release on the XBOX, or when they kept stalling the release of SW: KOTOR on the PC it made me royally pi$$ed. I have signed a couple of online petitions to developers to keep PC games coming. Sure recent sales of videocards factor in the develop/not-to-develop decision of some companies, but sales of rigs almost dedicated to computer gaming send an even bigger message.

That AW page seems like it tries to create fear for someone who is considering building their first system. Lots of scare tactics preying on uncertainty. Some have a smidge of truth, but trying to imply all of those things are going to happen to a builder if he doesn't buy his system there are just plain deceptive.

Lastly, I thought a tweaker was someone who just can't leave their system alone. Perhaps I am just a cantankerous tinkerer?

Good answer, and well written.
It's odd, I'd bet that almost everyone who responded with comments about wasting money on an AW computer doesn't think twice about paying $90 an hour to have their car repaired, or $50 to have it waxed. (I don't do either one, but I'm a cheap old fart, and I was 16 before I figured out that you don't have to repair your own stuff).

 

[Mrvile]

Immersivegamer, although you're quite literate and well written, you definately took the wrong move in starting this thread. Alienware praise should stay in the Alienware forums, not here, where each and every one of us have built our own computers, and we all agree that Alienware, although we're not saying they're a bad company, is overpriced and we'd all rather build. As for Alienware employees, don't do that.

 

[feelingshorter]

way to expensive still

 

[imported_BikeDude]

Any monkey with a hand tied behind its back can assemble a PC, it is real easy.

The challenge is diagnosing any problems that may arise. Which component to blame? It would be interesting to find out how many of you DIYers are knowledgable enough to do this properly. (it is easy if you have a rock solid system to begin with, and only change one part -- then the culprit is usually easy to identify!)

Personally I build all of mine. It is really rewarding when all components snatch into place and all tests pass with flying colours. But one of my systems a few years back wasn't that lucky. I tested (or just replaced) the PSU, memory and CPU. Finally I tried a different motherboard (it's always the last thing to test, right? It requires more work to replace it, so I prefer it if something else is to blame...).

Had it been a pre-built system, I could've simply dropped it off somewhere and have a trained monkey do the job for me (without paying additional money for that service -- the slightly higher price acts like an insurance almost).

But I still prefer building my own. The big question is this: Do you build systems for your mates or relatives? Do you also support these systems? Then you are a braver soul than I. Well, come to think of it, I have built systems for my relatives, but it's usually built using leftover parts from my old systems, so I know them well... Hence it doesn't really count. (I get enough support requests at work, so I like to avoid such requests when I'm "off duty"! )

Next question: AlienWare or Dell? I don't know AW, so I can't really comment. I do know Dell though, and here in Norway their machines come preloaded with all kinds of crap (there's really no better word for it). The Dells have a clean interior though, but I get the feeling they are cutting corners (PSU probably no bigger than it absolutely has to be, the HD doesn't have a fan of its own, etc...). A Dell just feels wrong. (We buy them at work, but us developers get beefier and custom made rigs from an independent vendor)

 

[imported_Phil]

Horses for courses, folks. That's all I have to contribute.

 

[bREwIn dOdgEr dUDe]

AlienwarE?!... lemme think abou.........ahhhhh, no... glad yer happy tho' with yer purchase....

 

[viivo]

Originally posted by: Immersive Gamer
[IG's verbal diarrhea deleted to save space..]

Immersive Gamer, who'd win in a fight - Lemmy or god?

 

[Newfie]

Originally posted by: biostud
How would I know about computers if I hadn't build it myself?

I wouldent have learned half of what I know if I had not researched components. I picked out everything, I may not be building it myself, but its still rewarding =D.