15 vs 17 the big choice

Hello,


I am considering the purchase of an Alienware laptop while I will be in US for a few weeks in August (I live in Europe and they are a good 30% more expensive here). This is the first time I would be purchasing a gaming laptop and thus this is a big deal for me.

Over the past couple of weeks I have been debating whether to get the 15 one or the 17 one. As I have a hardcap budget at around 1600 USD (which my wife already has a hard to accept… her own laptop cost us 400 USD) both options are viable.

I have especially been looking at either the ‘2nd row’ Alienware 15 (it has the i7 processor and 970 Nvidia and costs 1499 as opposed to the stock option) or the ‘1st row’ Alienware 17 which is also 1499 and is exactly like the previous one only bigger screen. The only difference aside from the screen is (well apart from slightly more weight) is that the ‘improved’ 15 comes with 1 year premium warranty while the 17 stock comes with the ‘Limited’ warranty.

So the question is… since the cost is the same… what should I chose? I have never had a 17 inch laptop so not sure if its far too bulky to sit in bed and watch a movie/play a game as well as to carry around. In general the laptop for me is a movable desktop as I don’t have the space at home to set up a desktop. I don’t travel super often but I do take it on trips and the 15 has never been an issue so far. I am also not sure since I have been reading that the 17 has various heating issues but not sure if those are happening in general or when used for… fancier things with fancier graphics card. In general I am looking for some feedback/advice from you guys that are much more knowledgeable and may be able to help me.


Some specific questions that I do have though…


a) Is the warranty transferable? I.e. should down the line something go wrong and since I wont be in US, contact Dell Poland and get spare parts/tech support/help etc… or am I screwed? Is it something people generally do?

b) What is the actual difference between ‘Limited’ and ‘Premium’ warranty? I am not well versed in tech speak so to me they seem pretty similar unless if I am not getting something.

c) If not Alienware then what? What would be equivalent given my hard cap at 1600 (its actually 1499 for the laptop and a VAT of around 98 dollars were I will be staying in NJ)

d) SSD. I know its considered super important and it helps do things… faster. As I am not a techie though I don’t know how important it is. I was considering the 128GB SSD but even that is pretty expensive for me… still is it something necessary? The kind of use I have in mind for the laptop is mostly gaming (Elite, GTA, some other fancier/newer games that might have heavy graphics requirements.


Overall, I plan to use this laptop for a good 5 years hence I feel that even though its expensive (never had a laptop that costed more than 800 euro before) it has potential to not become obsolete that quickly. Along with a purchase of the graphics amplifier down the line (maybe in 1-2 years) the additional graphics card should keep it… in the running.


Thank you in advance for reading this far and for helping out a ‘newb’.


Best regards,

 

a) You can file a form that transfers your warranty internationally, so you can have coverage where you live.
b) Premium coverage includes.
- 24x7 access to dedicated alienware advanced support techs with onsite after remote diagnosis
- Auto detect and alert for pc issues
- Exclusive in-game support
c) all the laptops in your range are going to be BGA CPU and 970m processors, I'd stick with alienware personally, but others will suggest looking at Clevo / saeger
d) Don't add an SSD from dell . . . . a 256gb m2.ssd will run you roughly 115 USD. If you do the 128gb ssd add on from dell directly, they will charge you over 150. You can add it at any point on your own, don't worry with this YET. But adding it later is suggested.

You can remove the1 year premium support, typically, and save yourself 100 USD. Don't forget to factor in state tax, I'm not sure if the U.S. has a tax reimbursement program for folks visiting from out of the country (Places I have visited in Europe do - they reimburse all VAT once you leave the country- Ireland namely). Also, feel free to contact the dell team directly about haggling the price a little bit. You should be able to get the 15" with 4710 and 970m with base ram and HDD and non touch display for around 1350.

 

How exactly does the haggling work? I mean, why would they care to haggle?

As for the SSD. By adding it you mean buying it, opening the laptop and installing it myself? Wont that ruin the warranty?

 

No, you can change HDD, memory, and many other things without voiding the warranty. Alienware offers videos and guides that show you step by step how to remove the bottom panel and access these components. It will take all of 2 screws being removed, sliding the bottom plate open, and you will have immediate access to RAM and Harddrives including the m2.SSD slots.

Alienware reps want to make sells, and will generally offer some discount when you work with them over the chat box. Just ask them for a quote and give them the specs you want. Don't use the link from the website, just describe it to them and see what they can generate, ask about any additional promotions or discounts, and see where it goes from there. Make sure you sign up for Dell advantage to get 2 day shipping free and 10% back in rewards on a giftcard.

 

Thank you very much for the advise/info! Regarding the SSD one more question... if it comes with stock SSD I imagine they would have the operating system installed there. If I dont get one, I will have to later on get an SSD and somehow install windows there/format the old drive correct?

Lastly, any comments/thoughts about 17 vs 15 given the similar cost?

 

Yes, if you purchase it comes with os pre-installed. But all you have to do is mirror your HDD to the SSD when you install it, then boot from ssd and whipe your HDD to make the swap complete. Should work flawlessly.

It's going to come down to screen size preference when components are the same. I have the 17 R2 and love it with the touch screen option and 980m is extremely powerful. I was going with the 15 when cost was my main concern, but when I was able to get the 17 with the 980m for 100 more than I was quoted for the 15 with the UHD display and 970, I didn't even think twice.

Might want to up your price a hair and add the 4k display for 150 extra (132 if you do it through the phone when you make your order). My two cents.

 

Go with an 18" - take a look at the msi gt80 Titan

 

See this . . .

 

Indeed. I wish I had 2-3-4 thousand to spend but I dont unfortunately.

So I was in a nearby computer store today to check how does a 17 inch laptop fit and if it fits my messenger bag and its not that bad. I am a big guy so I always had a big bag and the weight (that one was 3.2 kilos... I guess the Alienware 17 is around 3.8) was not significant for when carrying it occasionally (carrying around a 10-15 kilo baby does that to you).

Do you think the 980 is necessary? I was planning for the 970 for either of them... is the difference so significant?

Lastly, regarding the SSD, do you any specific brands in mind that you would suggest that are compatible to these Alienware laptops (Again apologies for the very basic questions... I am a basic user with little technical/actual knowledge about computers... my only motto is I hate consoles )

Also... thank you very much for taking time and responding!

 

http://www.3dmark.com/compare/fs/5166784/fs/5183294

This shows the 970m to 980m difference being around 15-20% in graphics capabilities. This will result in the difference of 45 frames per second and 60 frames per second in some games, and maybe 20 fps to playable 30 fps in other games. Of course, you can always tone done graphics and make most AAA play at 60 fps without much effort on either one of these cards. For future proofing the 980m will carry you a little bit further, but if you plan on using a graphics amplifier anyway, I'd save the money and get the 970M and put the saved money toward a Gtx 980 ti later, or a 1080ti in a year.

I have no issues carrying my 17 R2 around, I use the 18" Vindicator Brief since I wanted some extra room. It is a MASSIVE bag, but very manageable.

 

So, after much deliberation I was pretty much decided on the 17 as the price was similar and what the heck, let me live a little.

Unfortunately I tried twice to negotiate a better price but neither time worked. They stuck to their guns at 1499 and only thing they would offer was a 2% because the company I work for is one of their partners (I mentioned this after they said there is nothing more they can do).

I am very stubborn now... I had so dreamed I would save down to the 1350 you had suggested and cant bear to see those pretty green dollars flying away...

 

If you act within the next 5 hours, you can get a 17 R2 for $1200 ($100 rebate included). Use the extra $150 on an SSD.
However, I'm not sure if this deal will go up on another date. If you know where you'll be staying, you could put in that address.
I'm also not sure if it'll work, but Dell does Price Match. Sure, it'll be $1300 (maybe you could get the $1200), but it's a better deal than you're getting.

 

Er... I would love to do that but how? When I click on your link it gives me an access denied error message...

 

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9759205&Sku=DEI-102973694
Does this work?

 

Not really but I used a proxy and now it does. I guess tiger direct block non-us IPs. Regardless, I went straight to Dell and gave THEM the link. I dont mind if it ends up at 1300... its still HUGELY better

 

They are going for it... I will still get my 5% rebate from Dell so thats sweet.

The guy told me I need to wait for tomorrow for a manager to approve but given that offer might not be there tomorrow and I am unavailable during the weekend I insisted he tries to get approval now.

 

So just wanted to come back and thank you both (reptileexperts and Game7a1) for your help and support! I got a great deal thanks to you guys and hope I will be one of the lucky ones and not have any issues .

 

before buying, look at this..



im regretting why i bought this laptop with all the hassle for doing a repaste in cpu and gpu..

 

My advice: Don't let a paste stop you. I typically re-paste all of my computers once a year when I take them apart for dusting cleaning.

You know what a real problem is? Reflowing a NVIDIA GPU in the oven (from a defective 2008 system). Now that blows big time.

Repaste? No problem. Reflow? Why the **** did I buy this ******* thing.

 

hahaha thats funny.. lol.. anyways whats a reflow? no idea.. LOL

 

Well... it was too good to be true. Dell strikes again...

So as you know on Friday (31/7) I spoke with a sales agent regarding the Price Match as I had found my dream Alienware for a good price on one of the approved retailers. He verified, confirmed with his manager, discussed specs with me in case I wanted to add something and then created a quote for me that was sent to my email. (I have the log with all this discussion and details of the agent and the quote).

I right away accessed the quote and placed the order. In my excitement I used my international AMEX (as I get points on it) not thinking it might be an issue. Alas it was and on Monday I saw that the order was cancelled (mind you no communication/call/email from Dell... only my obsessive checking showed me that it was cancelled).

I called to ask why, the first person (customer service) didnt know and they directed me to order management. He asked right away if I had used an international card, I confirmed and he asked me to place the order again using a US card).

I did and was happy to see that on Tuesday the order had moved to 'in production'.

My hopes were dashed when my obssessive checking showed me that now on Wednesday the order has been marked cancelled again. I called and after going through 5-6 agents (customer service, then order management, then finance, then customer care and lastly sales) and spending 2-3 hours I have an answer.

Apparently (and according to the sales supervisor I spoke to) the offer I got was too low and as they are not allowed to go below 1400 USD + tax (even though I have it in black and white in the received quote) it cannot be honored!!!! He insisted that the discount department (not sure if thats the department he mentioned or something like it) is the one cancelling it and that even if I was to re-put the order once more, it would be cancelled again!!!

Since when is an actual quoted offer from a Dell agent and with supervisor approval deemed 'too low'. SInce when is the price match guarantee only a guarantee if its a convenient offer?

Thats what I get for buying from the retailer and basically I am screwed. Here I am with no order, no laptop and just miserable.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions/advice/intervention.

 

If this is still something you are trying to do, find a Microsoft store in NJ and see if they have any of these: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...ure-Edition-Gaming-Laptop/productID.313303700 It should ring up for 1699

 

Or just go to microcenter you can buy them on the spot and they have atleast one I know of in New Jersey, maybe a couple. They also have pretty much any ssd you could want so you can get everything in one spot. Or if you wanna take a trip into nyc you can go to b&h. Both should have them in stock in a few configurations and you don't have to wait until they ship it to you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I went through the same sort of issues when I went to order a Alienware 17 1.5 years ago. My order would be placed then days later get cancelled. It happened 3 times in 2 weeks, so I said screw it and went to a computer store haggled a bit and purchased my MSI GT70. The Mircrosoft store puts on some great deals and the return policy is amazing if you do not like the computer.