Anyone have an Alienware Area-51m 7700 Notebook

[Lynn CC]

I want to switch notebooks with DS, and I've almost ordered this one several times. I thought I'd take a chance that someone here may be able to give me more info, since it's $3300.
We have one built by Ibuypower which was $2300 and it's great, but this Alienware has a lot more features that DS would love for his college projects! Alienware boasts that it's #1, but I know a lot of different brands overheat when you start adding a lot of frills on them.
Any Reviews?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yikes, $3,300!?!??!!? Is this to run NASA's Mars mission??? Holy moly!!!!! What does it have in it????

 

[drgnfly30]

I can't help you... DS15 has wanted one for ages... he's a true gamer.. but $3300 is a bit much!!!

 

[Lynn CC]

I know it's a bit pricey for a laptop, but it should last quite a while, as it is upgradable.


This is what it has in it. I usually get our desktops custom built, but our "computer guy" doesn't buid notbooks, but recommends Allienware.

[1] Area-51m 7700

Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 560J Desktop Processor w/ HT Technology 3.6GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional with Service Pack 2
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Onsite Service
Automated Support: AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
LCD Display: 17" WideSXGA+ 1680 x 1050 LCD Clearview Display with Built-in Camera
Motherboard: Intel® 915P PCI-Express Chipset
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 533MHz - 4 x 512MB
Video Card: Area-51m 7700 ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON X800 with 256MB of DDR 3 memory
Hard Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 120GB 5400 RPM ATA100
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/Software
Sound Card: Intel® High-Definition Audio (24-bit, 192Khz) with 7.1 surround sound
Primary Battery: Alienware® 7700 series 12-cell Lithium-Ion Smart Battery Pack
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Wireless Network: External Wireless 802.11a/b/g PCMCIA Card
Floppy Drive: USB Floppy Drive
Alienware Exclusive Offers: Gamespot Complete - Free 90-day Trial (a $20.85 value)
Alienware Exclusive Offers: 10% off your next EB Games online purchase
Free Alienware T-Shirt: Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager
Free Alienware Mousepad: Free Alienware® Mousepad

So what do you think? Is it worth it?

 

[chadfromdallas]

DTR have terrible battery life - Your battery life is going to stink on that thing. Go for something with a centrino chipset if you want portability.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Alienware used to be the top notch gaming systems and worth every penny. Not anymore.

Check out www.notebookforums.com and ask for advice there.

 

[jfulcer]

And this is for a college student? Is he enrolled at Harvard or Yale?

Seriously, that is a laptop that would be VERY much overkill for 'College Projects'. Think more: DS would spend all his time gaming.

You can find one for half the price that will do JUST perfectly and still do everything he would need to do.

I'm a HUGE computer geek. I'm always looking for the fastest and best. In my opinion, that laptop is a gigantic waste of money for a 'normal' college student - even one in an engineering/CS department. I would never buy it for myself, and I would certainly not buy it for my DDs.

Ask at his school - they may have a recommended configuration, or even have a special purchase deal for you.