Will the Alienware R2 15.6" be good for me?

I posted this topic in Gamefaqs, but they are generally... difficult to deal with over there, so I bringing my question to this forum.

I need a laptop, the PC I currently have can't even play a YouTube video in 1080p, so you can imagine that gaming on it is impossible. Since i'm already in the market for a new PC, I decided I might as well get one that I can game on also. I'm not particularly technologically inclined, so I need to buy a pre-built PC. I'm looking for a laptop, and I'm willing to spend $1,500 - $1,800 USD (I have no idea if that's enough). The main games I want to play are the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy, Bioshock Trilogy, Skyrim, and i'm sure i'll find other things along the way, I want something that I can game on with out problems. I need to purchase from BestBuy as i'm a cardholder with them.

Is this a good PC to meet my needs? If not can you all please provide me with other suggestions from BestBuy?
http://goo.gl/XcSr44

Sorry for the novel, I just need help and Gamefaqs provided none, the main important points are bold.

 

I purchased an Alienware 15 just a few hours ago, and I am super pumped for its arrival. I am also a best Buy cardholder (Visa Rewards, not store), so I was tempted to buy through them. However, I ended up calling Dell directly and doing a bit of hagglng and got an incredible deal. Go straight through deal unless your BB card is a store only card. If you're dropping nearly $2k on a laptop, why not get something way better and eat the <200 bucks in interest?

 

Thank you for responding. This is my first gaming computer, i've actually only had Mac in the past, so i'm a bit (a lot) ignorant on the matter. Is this particular laptop not good for what I want to do? I have the Visa with BestBuy also, so I can go to Dell if need be.

 

I've had quite a few gaming laptops, and I am still trying to find what meets my needs (I am 90% certain this Alienware will do it). I have owned:

Asus RoG series
Gigabyte slim P35 series
MSI Ghost series
MSI Apache Series
Sager/Clevo

Asus is okay, but the only ones that are really good are the 17' versions, which are really big and heavy. Great cooling, though

Gigabyte was super hot and really loud.

Ghost was super hot and not as loud, but so light and pretty.

Apache is my current, great keyboard, lighting, temperature control. Build quality leaves a lot to be desired. Lots of rattles, clicks and loose parts. Actually the Ghost had similar issues. MSI would be awesome if the build quality wasn't so average.

Sager/Clevo build quality is about the same as MSi with a little better cooling but so much better value. You can get a top of the line machine for several hundred dollars less than the other manufacturers, but there isn't much info out there. Reviews and info are scarce. Mine was decent, but just lacked some of the bells and whistles MSI and Alienware feature.

After 2 years of exhaustive research, I have settled on Alienware as my next purchase, because I simply want a good, solid, quality built machine without squeaks, rattles and loose parts. Of course, mine won't be here until 1/12, so I'll let you know when it gets here. however, if you are going to buy, make sure you call Dell directly and haggle.

Sorry for the long response. You aren't playing too graphically intensive games and can probably get a good system with a full HD screen (no 4k), GTX 970m, core i7 6700, 16 GB RAM, and 256 GB SSD with 1 TB HDD for $1500 tops. Try to haggle that lower. Build your system using the aforementioned specs, then act hesitant when you get the price, ask if they can apply any discounts. Once they give you the price, ask if they can get manager approval to drop to the minimally accepted margin. It will take a while, but you will get a great deal

 

Wow, thank you so much, that's exactly what i'm looking for also (bold)) I had never even considered haggling with Dell, i'm going to call them tomorrow morning and see what they can work out for me. Thank you so much for the detailed response.

 

Excellent post and replies.

I was about to post a new topic, but I'll just add my questions to this great post.

I too am ready to buy a gaming laptop and am really liking Alienware over the others...

Build quality is a huge thing for me and it's clear that Alienware tops them all in this category.

Here's what I am looking for along with some questions that will help me determine on what AW laptop model to go with.

(Price is not an obstacle. I'm willing to spend....)

Brand:
I've settled on Alienware. Nothing can touch its looks or build quality from what I've seen in person. Let alone the innovative design. Just awesome.

CPU:
I'd like to go with an i7 Skylake. However, is there anything I should know about any possible benefits of considering a 4th Gen i7 chip over the new 14nm Skylake? OC potential etc...with all the different types of CPU and models of each variant, what are the best? Which ones should I stay away from?

Screen Size:
15-17" inch screen. I'll consider 18" as well....

RAM:
I need 32gb. Can't settle for 16gb due to my ram intensive programs for work. Does this limit me to the 17-18" models? Can any of the 15's be upgraded to 32gb?

HD:
If I could, I would order it without an HD, because I want to put in my 2TB Samsung 850 Pro SSD that I already have now.

GPU:
Here's the big question. The older AW laptops are upgradable, but the new ones are not? I know about the amplifier and all, but I would need something that can play BF4, Tomb Raider, and other graphic intensive games on high or max settings with what's on board. Settle for no less than a 980m?

Do I go with an older AW model that is upgradable to have the option to keep upgrading the GPU -or- go with a newer AW that 'can not' be upgraded, making sure to max out the GPU with what's currently available then buy an amplifier if needed?

When it comes to SLI, is that only possible with 17+" models that support it? Or can I SLI a newer AW with a 980m to an amplifier with the same 980m? Is that even possible? Some explanation on how SLI works would be awesome. (Particularly with AW and what is and what is not possible.)

Screen:
Another big question. I'd really like a qHD on the AW as I work on 3x 4k display set up now for work. (Editing, design etc...) so is there any reason I would want to stick with FHD over QHD? With the QHD I'll lose some fps due to the GPU having to push more to the higher def screen yes? Any info on the pros and cons to FHD vs QHD would be great. When the laptop is docked, I'd be using a 4k external display as primary and the AW laptops screen as a secondary, but when I only have the laptop itself when traveling, having a high res screen is imparitive. I know I've answered my own question here, but what I'm curious about is when gaming?
This new laptop will be my desktop replacement as I travel a lot for work so a desktop is not an option. I love to game after a long day of working...mostly FPS games.

Should I wait it out to see if AW comes out with something better this year?

Or should I take advantage of picking up an older AW model w/ a 4th Gen i7 that has the option to upgrade the gpu etc....

What would be or is the best AW model in the 15, 17 and 18" models that you would recommend?

I'm just wanting to go with the best route and am worried that the new AW models will become more locked down and proprietary, so if I need to buy an older AW model to secure my chance now before they run out, I'll do that. (In terms of being to upgrade the gpu etc...)

Thanks in advance for the help and knowledge. I really appreciate it.


Happy New Year!





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