Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

Alienware M17x Laptop Details | Dell

It seems to me, with a laptop like this being a lot more accessable to the general public than their usually ~$2,000 units, and having the tech-fad of the week *ahem* 3D capability, it'll appeal to a lot of the "more money than sense" crowd.

One of th reasons this laptop is comparitively cheap at $1,500 base price, is that Alienware decided to do away with the M17x's aluminium chassis in place of a "soft touch" material - I'd assume thick plastic with a textures rubber coating. Shame on you Alienware, shame.

Rumour is however that Alienware will be releasing an M18x PM67 chipset behemoth to satisfy its traditional hardcore gamer market some time early Q2. I for one hope that Alienware don't move (too far) away from their niche market of OTT portable gaming machines.

Side note: If - and it's a big if - a more capable GPU, say the 480/485/6970 gets a place in the M17x-R3, I'll be picking one up over the Summer. Is it too much to ask for a high-end GPU and Optimus in a laptop?

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

Yeah personally I'd rather have the alu shell than 3D capability. Never took too much interest in 3D and I'm still skeptical that even the latest greatest gen of it might cause me eye strain.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

I've noticed this too. Dell has made it a lot easier to buy alienware. But, alienware just isn't what it use to be it seems. Yeah, they have their ultra high end computers with cool looking cases, and awesome specs, but its just not the same. At least not to me

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

I dunno, did Dell buy them? if so, thats all you need to know, like, "we just order from corporate".

Not that Dell is the "brand" but alien-ware is not "alien-ware" anymore, if thats the case.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

That's really great you know. But seriously if you guys are saying that it's expensive in the US, you haven't seen the prices everywhere else in the world.

It costs $2800+ in all the countries I have been to here in Asia. At least last time I checked anyways which was like 5 months ago.

I doubt it'll go lower than $2000. And even at the price in the US, the only people with the money to buy it would be either those that have a certain job where they make lots of money but have no use or can't afford to use a gaming LT or those who are too stupid to spend their money wisely.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

I'm from Ireland. Believe me, I know how ripped off the rest of the world is in comparison.

US M17x-R3 base model: $1,499.
IRL M17x-R3 base model: $2,675 (equivilent).

Don't even get me started on when you add expensive parts. The only reason I had an M17x is because I got it in the States the year before last.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

I know.

Lots of people say to use the internet or Fedex. But I'm a bit touchy about internet transactions.

And then there's getting it transported by Fedex or whomever.
I'm not sure about the charges but even if they don't add up to the charges of buying an alienware from where you live, what are the chances of you getting ripped off somehow because you're package ended up in terrible condition (not operational) or didn't get transported to the right place or somebody else basically stole the package through "legitimate" methods (can happen in highly corrupt countries)??? Who's gonna take the responsibility then??
I'd say the chances of such things happening are pretty high, especially, when you live on the other side of the world. So it's a no go anyways.

Can somebody actually pose a good reason for alienware nearly doubling their price for anywhere outside of the US??

I mean, what, is it like A Lamborghini or some other uber-rich class car that you're using local resources and workers for and only the blueprints are of the engineer of the original country which is why they have to up the price 2x-3x so that they can make up for their profit margin because the locals don't have all the good stuff of wherever the car was made.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

Here, if you're ordering something online, usually the company you're buying from gives you the option of paying $3-5 extra to have the package traced - every step of the way the parcel is signed for, and this is viewable on the website. So basically if you don't get it, then you can see where something went wrong.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

""Can somebody actually pose a good reason for alienware nearly doubling their price for anywhere outside of the US??""

Between warranty and shipping it probably isn't cost effective.

People would have to send stuff back, then if they fix it for free, then pay again to ship it back.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

Nope. Dell has an international warranty. Shipping fees would be one-time only.

Having said that, import taxes would screw most people over.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

That sounds pretty horrible if you ask me.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

That's one of the reasons I was shocked when you said you already want to trade up. You mentioned the difference in price being acceptable, but did you factor in the expense of traveling to the US just to get a good deal?

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

Teeheehee... my brother will be working in the States this Summer. (actually, the same place I was), so I'll order it and get it shipped to where he's staying. No extra expenses. Also, because of the price difference, I sold my €1,350 laptop for €1,000. I could buy a base model M17x-R3 right now and be out of pocket only about €100 or so.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

Great to have family in the right places isn't it? I guess when you add up the price you can have him get it for here, and the price you can sell it for over there, it's probably a better situation than those living here doing upgrades.

Are there any legal implications selling goods bought over seas there though? I know there are tariffs and high shipping/taxes for buying mail order over seas, but what about when you just bring items bought elsewhere into the country, then later sell them?

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

I'd assume if you're buying stuff overseas for the sole purpose of selling it somewhere else, yes, but the Dell reps ask you specifically if you're planning on taking it out of the country, and I initially said yes to this, but then the rep told me "if you go with it, it's fine" so I assume no.

There might, technically, be a problem with me selling it, but when I bought it I hadn't intended to. Possibly a legal grey area. =p

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

I'd never buy a prebuilt again, not even from Alienware. I'd rather put it together myself and know I've gotten the best price, as well as knowing I got everything I wanted.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

The best price? ... with a custom built laptop? ... riiiiight...

That just won't happen. Simple as.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

I suppose if we're talking laptops. But, I'd never buy a laptop to game on, either.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

But the point of Allienware is to be a slap in the face to "store bought" brands.
Therefor if they acquired that business, ain't no way such a small biz could afford that.
So if Dell is backing them, they have to sit with longer warranty high price, because it ain't a "Dell" (see the dilemma?)

They HAVE to stay the high end , or else.

more or less.

Re: Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!
 

I love the subliminal Duke Nukem coming out of the screen. Just looks too good to be true. :rolleyes: