Area 51 m15x - decent price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alienware-Corp-Area-51-m15x-R1-/161614976652?

Around 360USD, is it a good price? The seller lists all of the original documentation present, but there is a slight damage to the hinge.
How much would it cost to replace the hinge part?

Also, I plan to upgrade the CPU and the GPU to a 280M. Any suggestion on how I should replace the GPU (if there's any special instructions etc), and what's the fastest CPU that this laptop can handle?
Regarding the power supply, do I have to upgrade? If so, what PSU model is recommended?


I know it's a vintage model, but I'd like to collect it.
Sorry for all the question and thanks in advance!

 

I love the look of those but that hinge problem is why I stayed far away from ever getting one. Alienware NEVER released a better version of the hinge. I have repaired a few with new parts and even tried to re-enforce the new plastic the hinge connects to by adding extra support, yet still after enough opening / closing of the lid the hinge problem WILL return.

That being said if you don't mind a notebook that has some cracking around the hinge or trouble opening go for it.

Also with the cost of the notebook $360, the price of a 280m $$$, and CPU if you try to upgrade that too $$$ you could build a FAR better desktop gaming rig.

Have you tried to find a mxm type III HE GTX 280m? I haven't seen any on ebay and when I did they were $300-500. You will also have to deal with cooling that beast which is known to run hot in your notebook.

 

That's a shame. Thanks for the input.

I'll wait for the seller to drop the price even lower than this and then I'll see if it's still worth or not.
What's the best CPU you can put in this laptop btw?

 

I think the best CPU was one of the intel XTREME Core 2 Duo's and is know to have stuttering issues... or was that the M17? Others will know better in here and there is A LOT of information if you search on this. Just read before buying any CPU.

 

I have to disagree a little with protivakid. Hinge problem is solvable. You will need to reinforce with special plastic glue, just fill in all holes and gaps. Then use extreme strong double sided tape to glue together front frame with back frame. Creaking will disappear or will be unnoticeable.

This model has bad cooling system, I have to agree and it is very noisy when on full load, but its one of the most beautiful rigs out there

The model you found has 2.6Ghz CPU, which is 2nd best in slot. You could find Extreme 2.8Ghz OC version, but its not worth it because of system limits and bad cooling. GPU also is pretty good, I would say 3rd best possible solution and it has already 4Gb of RAM. Only upgrade I see there is SSD disc. It has even WIn8.1 Pro and office 13.

Only problem is to evaluate general condition if there are scratches or broken plastic parts etc. If it is in good/perfect visual condition its worth the money.

 

I actually followed some steps I read about on here to fix it with the special glue though I didn't use tape. I used new parts and after I was done it looked perfect. I gave it back to the original owner who uses it only on his desk and keeps it open a lot of the time. After about a year it looked like I had never touched it. Maybe I didn't repair it correctly but after reading about everyone else on here having the same problem I just attributed the return of the issue and the cracking of the new parts to that.

Too bad no one ever made a metal replacement lid cover though of course you would have to make sure it doesn't come in contact with any electrical parts.