Alternatives? Who else produces a laptop close to these specs?

I've loved Dell until recently. Phone died, replacement sent, it was dead, etc...

Now I go to order a shiny new m14x using the finance option, call them about it, and they say they cannot verify that I am who I say I am. So I'm done with Dell considering this would have been my 3rd laptop bought from them, they've lost my business forever. I should have a reputation as a loyal customer from their standpoint.

Does anyone else have ideas of where I can get a laptop that is close to the performance and specs of the m14x.

 

you have a lot of options out there. i bought a Sager NP8130 from XoticPC a couple weeks ago and could not be happier. i7 2630QM, 8GB RAM, GTX 560M GPU, 500GB 7200RPM HDD, 15.6" 1080p matte screen, and Windows 7 for $1,299 USD. apparently Sager's customer service is sub-par but many retailers out there provide excellent service when needed.

i think 4GB RAM M11x costs $1,299 as well, but the GTX 560M is significantly better than the 555M that comes in the M11x.

also, another thing to think about is the length of time it takes to get your computer from Dell. my Sager shipped in about 72 hours, but i'm pretty sure the average lag time for an AW is well over a week to ship. i could be wrong about that now but my M11x took over a week to ship back in January.

that said, i've never had any issues with Dell/AW. did you try calling and talking to someone else? Dell is one of the best (or worst, depending on your perspective) cases of your mileage may vary.

 

Good idea. I'll try and call them again and see what they say.... ugh..

 

But really, this Sager laptop (never heard of them before) seems awesome. You get upgrades for the same price.... Should I just try that?

 

Yeah only alternatives are 15.6 inches. No other 14 inch laptops come close

 

[Update on Dell] This one actually asked a bunch of information, but still said they couldn't verify me...

 

How long does your battery last doing normal PC things, and than versus playing games.

 

I get about 5-5.5 hours

 

same, about 5....i suggest once you get your customer service problems sorted, that you go for the m14x, you will not be disappointed....dont let this verifiable business stop you from the m14x

 

I'm curious as to why though? Besides the fancy case-work and led keyboard, what advantages does the m14x have over the Sager? Seems I get a lot more power for less money, and I end up not supporting DELL.

 

Battery life, excellent build quality, in home warranty, smaller package, very good specs. You just pay a premium. The Sager is alot bigger but does have better specs.

You could also say a 17 inch does the same for cheaper, so thats about the same logic

 

the only thing the m14x has over the Sager (besides the bling lights and backlit keyboard) is better battery life.

 

Probably build quality too. I haven't heard anything necessarily bad about Sager, but Ive heard its certainly not as solid as alienwares. Hell my m14x is the best feeling and look computer I've ever used besides a mac (macs.. *shakes head*)

 

@TS, you have to remember that this computer has optimus, which does make for great battery life. I'm in your boat too buddy. Heres my story:

Told Dell specifically to not ship my computer while i was away, to hold it. Dell rep says "Oh yeah no problem," so i think hmmm i'll double check. Asked him again to specifically include that in the order. "Oh sir, no problem DEFINITELY won't get there during then. I get back from vacation and see my computer has been out under the awning for 4 days in 95 degree weather, extreme humidity, and extreme rainfall. I call them and stay on the phone for an hour and they agree to send a replacement. I get the replacement and i'm ready to send the first one back, so we ask for the shipping tags. 4 days and 2 and 1/2 hours of telephone calls later, we get the tags. Now this one has some dead pixels. Call them again for ANOTHER whole hour, and they agree to send the new one.

Moral of the story: Dell is really frustrating, but i couldn't be happier with this computer. It is absolutely perfect for what i need it for. Also, i hate the dell people and there methods, but they really don't mind sending you a brand-spanking new computer if you have ANYTHING less than 100% perfection on the computers part. My recommendation, stick in there.

 

Clevo (which supplies Sager with the chassis) manufactured Alienware laptops before the company was sold to Dell in '06.

 

Yeah but wasn't it said theyre build quality went up like ten fold after Dell purchased them?

 

I had the sager and sold it. The performance is great but things I hated:

Battery life is poor (fine if you just want a DTR)
The keyboard was terrible, had a nasty clattery sound and certain keys would stick
The speakers were nasty, where as the m14x are amazing
The build quality was average

I now own an M14x and love it. Love the form factor and battery and really love the speakers, its much better than the MBA and on par with the 17" MBP. I actually listen to music through the speakers!
Gaming is great but I have had a couple of optimus issues and I cannot get RUSE to start at all.

Bottom line, if you want a pure gaming rig and are not bothered about battery life get the sager
If you want a good all round laptop get the m14x

 

If you came home and found your box outside, I would be screaming at Fedex. Number one every Alienware I have purchased (7) has had to have a sig to be droped off.Number two no sig they hold at the depot for up to 10 days. I would be mad at them for just leaving something that cost that much not Dell. Everyone like's to bash Dell except when they receive that upgrade for their trouble.

 

what do you get that you can't find in a sager?? well you get excellent battery life, the build quality is on par with or in some cases better than macbooks, the speakers are actually bearable...and of course, the alienfx lighting and theme is really stylish and gives the laptop an edge over the others. the m14x is also very easily customizable. you can make lots of hardware changes yourself (granted you know what your doing) with relative ease and its just overall a great performance laptop with everyday portability and uses as well....

 

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the NP5165 yet. Seems to me like it's the closest contender with the M14x.

 

I have 3 alienwares and couldn't be happier with the performance and build quality,I do however have issues with dells horrible service.That being said,if you get the M14X you will love it.There is no 14 that comes close,period.I know ppl with sager and asus and they are great machines,but everyone want's to play with My M14X. Good luck.