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Is this deal worth it? (Desktop Replacement / Gaming Laptop)

n3xu5

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I have an opportunity to take this deal but do not know if it is worth it or not. I need advice from the members here who have been involved with mobile desktop replacements and have a better understanding on the tech behind the gaming systems.

The Cost: $1800

The deal:

less than 4 months old - Alienware M17x
Specifications:
Color: Black Lid, Black Base, Black Keyboard
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Processor: Intel® Core(tm) 2 Quad Processor Q9000
Processor Speed: 2.0GHz
Level 2 Cache: 6MB Level 2 Cache
Front Side Bus: 1066MHz Frontside Bus
RAM Installed / Max RAM Supported: 4GB DDR3 SDRAM
Hard Drive: 500GB Hard Drive
Multimedia Drive: Blu-ray/CD/DVD Combo Drive
Display Type: 17" Widescreen UXGA Display
Internal Max Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Video Card: Dual NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M
Video Memory: 1024MB
Sound Card: High Definition Audio Chipset
Sound Output Mode: 5.1 Channel Surround Sound
Network Features: 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Wireless Network Features: Internal Wireless a/g/draft-n with MIMO (2x2) Technology); Bluetooth® 2.1 + EDR
Memory Card Reader: 8-in-1 Media Card Reader
Ports and Connectors: (4) Hi-speed USB 2.0 Ports; (1) eSATA/USB 2.0 Combo (2-in-1 port) with PowerShare; (1) IEEE 1394a (4-pin) Port; DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA - Video Output; Front Speakers Audio Out Connector / Headphone Jack; Center Speaker and Subwoofer Audio Out Connector / Headphone Jack; Rear Surround Audio Out Connector; Audio In / Microphone Jack
Expansion Slots: (1) ExpressCard Slot
Built-In Devices: (2) Front Speakers, 2.0MP Webcam
Input Device: AlienFX(tm) Illuminated Keyboard - Exclusive Design
Included Battery: 9 Cell Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Dimensions: (WxDxH) 15.98" x 12.65" x 2.02"-2.11"
Weight: 11.68 lbs
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year Limited Warranty

included:
original box and all the original manuals
Microsoft Sidewinder Mouse X8 (wireless razor gaming mouse)
Zalman notebook cooler NC2000
Creative gaming headset (no model known)
Game: Crysis Maximum Edition
Game: FEAR 2

I've never been a laptop owner, I use a IBM Thinkpad R51e for a work laptop and it is slower than a snail. I'm seriously thinking about breaking down my custom waterbox E8500 // 4870x2 and selling components and going mobile with a mobile desktop replacement. Is this a decent deal or am I just wasting my time with it?
 
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Not really worth it even with all those accessories, the laptop only cost so much because its a alienware.
I would reconmend getting the new Asus G Series G73JH-X1 model which has newer CPU and a damn powerful GPU the mobility 5870 which i have to say this laptop is powerfuler than desktops with a only die shrinked clock speed of the desktop sized on the mobility version of 5870.
ASUS G Series G73JH-X1 NoteBook Intel Core i7 720Q...
Looks much nicer than the Alienware aswell
 
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it looks like a good gaming laptop, but the problem with gaming laptops is even great ones are only "good" gaming machines. unless you spend $4+ grand and want to carry around a thing that size.
compare that gaming laptop to an "average" gaming diy tower, under $1000.

laptop | tower
2ghz | 3+ghz
4gb ram | 6+gb ram
500gb hd | 500gb-2tb+ hd

it goes on. it just can not be as good without carrying around a tank. I don't like them. a laptop is for convenient screwing around, work, even movies and simple games. but to really game and get the value you need an atx :)

and as fourstaff said - dedicating that kind of money to a desktop would be... wow.
4GHz + i7
5970
6-8gb ddr3 ram
60+gb SSD system drive, 1-2tb platter data drive.
nice tower, sound, screen
and you could still probably get water cooling, if not exact very close.

i'd go that route :) ) that is one beastly machine ...

I do know black panther has one though, and she can get more specific - idk what she has and how good it is, but it must be at least ... "great" ;)
 
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Fourstaff

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Given that you can build a top if the line rig with that amount of money, only consider this seriously if and only if you need "mobile" gaming. Otherwise you are better off building a proper gaming rig and then buy a cheap laptop to go with it. I would go for it though, its a rather nice laptop that I don't mind owning.
 
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Fourstaff

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Power Supply Corsair CXM500w // CM MWE 600w
anyone didn't see my post the Asus laptop is much better option =p ASUS G Series G73JH-X1 NoteBook Intel Core i7 720Q...

I was busy typing a reply, didn't notice. The 1920X1080 offends my retina, but I can live with it. Offers more ram, which is always better, but lacks Blu-ray. I would rather go for this, but if you want the Alienware moniker and Bluray drive with the more natural 1920X1200, go for the Alienware, the freebies will add up to $250.
 
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For once, Best Buy has a better price on the Asus. 2 gigs less of ram, but 6 gigs are plenty, and its $350 cheaper. Asus
 

Fourstaff

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Video Card(s) Sapphire Nitro+ RX 570 // Asus TUF RTX 2070
Storage Samsung 840 250Gb // SX8200 480GB
Display(s) LG 22EA53VQ // Philips 275M QHD
Case NZXT Phantom 410 Black/Orange // Tecware Forge M
Power Supply Corsair CXM500w // CM MWE 600w
For once, Best Buy has a better price on the Asus. 2 gigs less of ram, but 6 gigs are plenty, and its $350 cheaper. Asus

Screen is 1600X900, but anyone who can live with a worse screen, that is a very good buy.
 
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Agree with those who posted above me—and welcome to TPU! Looks like you've been here a while so I guess I should say ... welcome to posting at TPU! :laugh:
 
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A new Asus Gxx would cost approximately the same with an i7 quad-core and same GPU.

Not worth it.
 
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