Comments on: Alienware M17x the fastest gaming laptop ever, but do we still need big PC gaming rigs?

After a steady stream of Netbooks and entry-level laptops, it's nice to slip behind the seat of a deluxe mobile powerhouse for a change like Alienware's new M17x laptop--but do people still need big PC gaming rigs?

[npkgardens]

For the folks that can pay the big bucks to tote around something like this, please do. This drives innovation and sets the groundwork for what becomes more mainstream technology somewhere down the road.

For people that have nice TV's, a console will work fine for most games, but there are some that work and/or look better on a PC, which doesn't need to cost much more than a decent TV and a console (or two, if you want to play a lot of what's out there).

For a few of us, there is not much room or need for television in our homes, but there are lots of good reasons to have a PC (or two). In this case, building your own PC and spending the extra $300 or so a console would cost on something else, like a good graphics card, makes plenty of sense.

So no, PC gaming will not die for me. Not while I can still play Minesweeper or Solitaire. And if people want to sell me excellent games that play well on the PC, such as Fallout 3, Crysis, Farcry 2, STALKER, Bioshock, etc, etc, I will buy them.

And anybody that claims PC gaming is dying due to piracy has never heard of Steam, I guess. They're crying all the way to the bank over the demise of PC gaming, and they have a massive base of paying customers that actually pay for their games. Besides, Microsoft has also thrown their hat back into the PC gaming ring (GFWL, anyone?). Nothing dies at least until they say it has, and they are still putting plenty of resources into the mix.

One thing, for sure, seems like it will never die: the story of the death of PC gaming. After all, it gives us something to do while we're sitting around at our PC's.

[jsl3250]

What desktop is suitable for me. I want to play games, some video editing and be able to upgrade when necessary. Up to a $1000 is my reach. I have a monitor.
Any ideas guys, w/o breaking the bank.

[streamline35]

So assuming you don't want to build a machine, here is what I would recommend:

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/desktops/desktop-studio-xps-435/pd.aspx?refid=desktop-studio-xps-435&s=dhs&cs=19&ref=dthp

You can get a dell studio xps for $900. It has a core i7 (2.66ghz), 3gb of ram (ddr3 @ 1066mhz), a 500gb hard drive, and a crappy video card. Now instead of paying $300 to upgrade to a radeon 4870 (which is a pretty good mid-high end card), I would recommend buying it off newegg for half that price ($150). This card was one of the cheaper ones, and had lots of positive reviews: (it is a radeon hd 4870 with 1gb of ram). You'll have to install it yourself, but that's really something anyone can do (just make sure to plug in the power to it).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394

That computer also looks like it has a nice case with plenty of expansion room, and there are open ram slots for you to put in another 3gb at some point. I'm going with the core i7 recommendation, since it is the newest processor, it should be superior to the core 2 quad for gaming and video editing, and it will last you longer before it's totally obsolete (it will last a long time).

Also, I should mention, there is a $750 core i7 dell studio xps hybrid, but I don't recommend it for your purpose for two reasons. First and foremost, it only has something like a 350 watt psu, which is pretty anemic, and wouldn't power that video card (the xps 435 has a nicer 475 watt psu) The best video card they offer is a 4850, because Id doubt it could power the 4870. And secondly, the studio xps hybrid has a much smaller case/motherboard, which means fewer pci slots, less room for expansion in general (which it sounds like is important to you), and less airflow for keeping everything cool.

So for a core i7 that you aren't building yourself, that is my recommendation. It'll be $1050 (just slightly over your stated amount), but should be far superior to something you would get for just a little bit less - I recommended it that way because I think the value is quite high. The cheapest way to get a nice computer without actually building it yourself is to buy a base model with room for expansion, then upgrade it yourself (since all computer companies way overcharge for upgraded components). Also, if you need for hard drive space, there should be an extra couple slots open, and newegg has prices that are a fraction of what dell charges for hard drives (they charge $300 for an extra 1TB hard drive. They cost $100 on newegg)

Hope that helps, post away if you have any other questions or you'd rather go with a cheaper (but less powerful) core 2 quad machine.

[Seaspray0]

For the price, a desktop gives you more bang for the $. If you need it as a gamming machine, go towards the better graphics cards first, faster cpu second, and memory 3rd as your priorities. Other factors like hdd capacity do not affect performance as much as the first 3. If you can't find a model that can't meet the graphics specs you want, then consider buying one with a express pci slot on the motherboard and replace the graphics it comes with by purchasing a high end graphics card seperately.

[vertibraker]

Alienware is one of the most overrated laptops. The battery dies within 6 months. It overheats badly. It melts the AC adaptor and the matte coating on the case melts off. Horrible customer's service. Ever since Dell took over, Alienware has become unreliable. The only thing good about it is the way it looks, the backlit keyboard and the alien emblem. There are other computers which offers a higher spec and cost cheaper such as pcmicroworks.

[candytripn]

Have you ever actually owned an alienware? Saying that they are overrated because there were issues with some batterys or overheating in earlier models, is like say ZOMG nooonea buy an xbox cause they all die and overheat and suxzor. So they had an issue with some of the units failiing. Did that stop it from being an amazing system with the best online setup to date? Nope, check any boards and you will see lot of people who still have 360s, even after several units have failed on them (my friend was up to 4 before he was able to get one of the new falcon chipset ones).

I've had my m17x for a little over a month now, and it is anything but overrated. It's extremely well vented, with venting on the front, rear and half of the bottem. Large fans keep it very cool, yet run with almost no sound.

As for the customer service, yeah, dell does suck now, but alienware? No way. Just because Dell took over Alienware, doesn't mean they lost the perks you gain with that name. For example, I tried calling the generic dell support number (routed to india) and the alienware support number (USA). For dell, it was a 15 minute wait, then some guy that could hardly understand me or my issue (used a generic, a warm pixel on my screen that wouldn't show on a black screen). After 20 minutes he said I could be routed to the right person, but *bam* back in queue.

Calling Alienware direct. It was 2 minutes to get through to entering my system number. Immediate answer, and they guy knew what he was talking about (went through several color tests, checked for driver convlits or issues, even pointed me to a couple free "stuck pixel" repair programs). After it was determined that it was an lcd issue, he lets me know that my service contract (the basic, cheapest no addon support package) had a zero dead/hot pixel service, and on top of that, rather than have to mail it in, they would send someone over for home service, at no cost. (I told em I would deal with the pixel, was this test was over.)

Another example is a real issue I had. I kicked this beast into sleep mode while on battery, then plugged into ac and turned it on. This (as I leared) will casue the bios to default the graphic settings to the integrated card, as the default doesn't support switching between integrated and discreet cards. Again, the guy on the line knew his stuff. Within 3 minutes he found the problem, gave me the tech answer (blah blah, default bios blah) and the "real" answer, "yeah...no work around, just make sure you shutdown before switching between power sources".

These are expensive machines, but they are well worth it. The choice comes down to the same as anything else. Do you want to buy something nice and sleek, or do you want to go outta yourway to build it yourself. For me, a desktop just isn't an option. I move around alot, and travel, and even at home, I roam and game. From lan parties at friends, to all night frag fests at the gaming cafe, dragging a monitor, tower, and bag full of wires, speakers, and what not, just isn't an option.

Look at it this way, you could buy a hinda civic for 4 grand, dump another 5 grand in and have a car running under 12 in th 1/4 and topping 120, or you could spend 70+ grand on a porsche that could do the same. Only difference is style :)

[whiplash55]

Sorry playing COD on my new DIY i7 box which I put together for around 1100 kicks ass on any laptop and has gotten my son to stop using hix xbox 360. Gaming computers can deliver way higher frame rates and work fine with the xbox controller if you like. Gaming PC's are upgradable consuls are not.

[play7]

"by candytripn July 18, 2009 5:25 PM PDT

Have you ever actually owned an alienware? Saying that they are overrated because there were issues with some batterys or overheating in earlier models, is like say ZOMG nooonea buy an xbox cause they all die and overheat and suxzor. So they had an issue with some of the units failiing."



You make me laugh............... First I am not dum enough to spend taht much on a system.......Two comparing xbow to pc is just a joke...... Three Your " ZOMG" need to stay inthe Game of Second Life.......
[CNET editor's note: Personal attack deleted.]

[streamline35]

1) If he has the money to spend that much on a gaming computer, he is entitled to. As he said, a desktop is not an option for him for gaming, and I doubt there are any other cheaper gaming laptops with those specs.

2) He wasn't directly comparing xboxs with PCs, he was just pointing out that repair rates do not make a bad machine. He could have substituted in any other product that isn't incredibly reliable.
[CNET editor's note: Response to personal attack deleted.]

[play7]

Concerned you have nothing else to pick on kiddy All one must know is flamming a streamline35??

Nice try but you have no leg to stand in with your flame remarks. Nice try kid i give you a C- for effort :/

[vertibraker]

by candytripn -Why would I be making that comment if I didn't own an Alienware. You must be excited that you finally got an alienware just like I was when I got mine. I hope that feeling last for you until your computer gets old. I guess a 1 year old laptop is considered an earlier model just because it's not the latest computer. Your customer service experience must really impressed you especially when your computer is only 1 month old. You must've had a lot of problems that was devastating cuz you know when a machine is 1 month old, everything goes bad. If you can't tell, I am being sarcastic. Remember you are paying 3-4K for a state of the art machine. You shouldn't have to go thru 3 batteries in one year. The hard drive shouldn't be unreadable. Both RAM slots should be working, not just one. Overheating is a major problem. When you buy an alienware, you don't just get one to play. You get it to show off to your guests and when you have the finishing peeling and the alienhead peeling off, it is an embarrassment. The tech service is the worse when you have the customer service tech telling you that the laptop should't be overheating like that and instead of having me send my laptop back to have it fixed or exchanged, they tell me that I should open up the laptop and run it that way so that it can have more ventilation. The worse part is that they tell me to give the computer a month of running with the bottom removed and if it still overheats, to give them a call backand they will have it fixed. Well, I waited 3 weeks, and when I called back they said to give it another week. When I called back again, they said they had no record of the overheating issues and that my warrranty expired and they can only offer 15 min of free tech service over the phone. Any help after that will be charged $40/hr. That's $40 for over the phone support, not actual labor or tech support. So now I have a $4000 piece of junk. And last, I can't believe that you even wrote that you carry a m17x around. That is 11lbs that you have to carry around with you. A 17in laptop is called a desktop replacement for a reason. You are not supposed to carry that around.

[play7]

"by vertibraker July 20, 2009 8:24 AM PDT "
That is 11lbs that you have to carry around with you. A 17in laptop is called a desktop replacement for a reason. You are not supposed to carry that around."

Indeed people really dont think when buying these units. Picking up this is like carrying a small baby. Shacks head............ 4000.00 ? OMG people have this much to waste?

[Swordro5]

4000.00 Dollars, I believe is not a waste of money. As long as the Gamer or Business person has the money to buy a laptop of such price. It is there money, to do as they wish. It is only a waste of money to, people who do not think a computer or laptop is worth the price, which varies from person to person. Im not trying to seem like an arse, merely stating an opinion Play7.

[play7]

Well it is is you look at the real cost..............Swordro5.Business you mean like selling object on second life ? Well laughs ok if you call this a business.............Hahaha. 4000.00 on this? you can build desk top computer with alot more on it for less then this........It is a waste of money........OMG jusify the cos for this? no thank you

[shawn1313]

It's not really fair to compare this notebook to desktop computers because the notebook is a self-contained device which can easily be moved from place to place and can be used independent of an electrical socket whereas desktops generally cant. And for that reason it's also not fair to compare it to consoles like the xbox 360 or the pos3, they also don't have that same portability capability.

[W1gglesnarf]

There will always be a need for them. PC gaming isnt dying as most believe as most have based thier opinions on the fact the shelves in stores have dwindling space for pc games.. but its hard for a store to beat online deals where most people get thier games now. And as for the publishers.. what do they expect when they plop out garbage? They need to put work into thier games and not just toss them out.
Now as for the 5k laptop, it would be nice but unfortuantly for gaming laptops they have heat issues which sometimes makes them unplayable.

[randymadden]

I can offer anecdotal evidence:

I'm a 50 year-old, 20 year gamer. I have two 12 year-old gamer sons. We each have our own PC and there's a PS3 in the living room. I'd say we spend 95% of our gaming time on the PCs, and about 5% on the console.

[BrettWD]

If you get the AW m17x with the Single GTX 260M GPU can you buy another one later on and install it yourself? Can you also add another HD at a later if you only had 1 to start with?

[ZoSFrosty]

I work for a game studio, and my experience has shown the reason why more studios are shifting towards console has very little to do with piracy. The real motivator to make your game on a console is that every PS3, as an example, is identical. They all have the same (high end) hardware so you can create your game specifically for that system.

When your dealing with PC games the market is much more complicated. You can't make your game to require the absolute top-of-the-line systems or you will only have maybe 5% of the PC gamer market able to play your game. But you still have to make sure your game doesn't seem dated so your in an unfortunate struggle between accessibility and, for lack of better words, quality. By all rights you have to "nerf" your own game simply to increase the audience able to use your product. And if you look at the leading PC games (WoW and The Sims was mentioned above, and they are the best examples) they very much lean towards accessibility with their forgiving system-spec requirements. And the visual quality and performance of the game are, in turn, lower quality for those who do have high-end gaming rigs because the studio/publisher had to keep the "average user" and in some cases the lowest common denominator in mind from a very early stage of development.

That said, PC gaming is not going anywhere. PC game sales may be lower than console sales, but compare the number of PCs in the world to the number of Xbox360s and PS3s combined. And that number is increasing at a much faster pace than the number of consoles, to the point that must industrialized nations will likely have a PC in every household within a few decades if not sooner.

Combine that with the rise of "casual games" working to make gaming more wide-spread amongst demographics it never touched before and you have a recipe for a major turn-around in the console vs PC battle that has been waging since the 80's. Casual Games are like the drug dealers you hear about but never actually meet that give the first one out for free...you try them and next thing you know your hooked. And people are far more likely to start down the path of gaming on the PC they already have than go out and buy a console.

As for the apple fanbois, this is an article about gaming computers, are you lost or something? With Alienware you pay for top-of-the-line gaming hardware in an admittedly flashy box. But with an apple you get an average-speced machine and pay double for it for it to be white and have an apple logo on the back. I'd rather my money go towards awesome than go towards a fruit sticker. And of course Macbooks are lighter--everyone knows they are more fashion accessories than computers.

P.S. Ordered my M17x on Thursday, I'll post my feedback when it comes!

[tedthepenguin]

Neither pc or console gaming are going anywhere soon, but to those who think the pc has more hardcore or professional gamers, look at mlg and how much money those guys all make as an anual salary + sponserships.

As for this laptop being 4G. I have built every gaming desktop pc i have owned, im on my 4th. With the price of an amazing monitor to compete with the screen, and all comparable specks, programs, and stylistic compents to compete with the amazing look of the laptop your still looking at close to 2/3rds the price of the laptop, depending what you go with, it may be slightly cheaper. Of course it will be cheaper if u have drives, monitors, cases, programs already. But your buying a complete and new unit here. Through in a over 2G custom gaming rig with monitors and whatnot, AND a inexpensive laptop for your travels and your getting really close to that price tag of the alienware.
Alienware has always been overpriced, but with the new machines they are less so considering what you get.

As far as it not being as portable as a netbook or even a slightly faster machine such as your standard toshiba gateway hp lappy etc. You cant take that laptop with you and play maxed settings on the new games, so really your laptop isn't portable for that kind of thing. Or you do video editing and your on vacation, this machine will handle anything you could through at it, and it is with you, and your thinking it would be nice to be on my desktop rig right now.

As Far as games what about the next year of games, (which this laptop will of course be able to handle)
Diablo 3? STARCRAFT 2? left4dead 2? COD MW2? even the new wow expansion, although most computers will probabally be able to handle it, its nice to be able to alt tab to a video while your waiting for a raid group.

finaly for people speaking out against console gaming, Game selection says everything, 10 years ago you could walk into any videogame store, it was over 50 percent pc. Today its about 15 percent pc. There are more games to play much for the reason ZoSFrosty said and the fact that they are easier for people to get into and play, no wait times, download times, pc freezes, etc. THAT and the fact that i can sit back and play my favorite games on a 52 1080p screen on my couch relaxing.

Will be ordering my alienware next month, and i wont regret it, because every person that says bad things, if present when i will be playing it would say something along the lines of "i want it"

[markzenegar]

Alienware is a brand well known to all the fans and generally for the kind of audience defined as enthusiastic. Always been dedicated to this market segment the company was acquired not long ago by the U.S. giant Dell. Alienware thus came to be part of a structure much larger...
continued at : http://www.techarena.in/review/17155-alienware-m17x-gaming-laptop.htm

[sakosky1]

What most of you seem to be forgetting is the main difference between a pc and a console. Usability. If you have a $600 PS3, what can you do with it, play games, browse the web, and mabey play with linux. With the PC, you can play games then go on to do just about anything else. From experiance, I have a nice ~$1500 system that I built with gaming hardware to play games on only about 20% of the time, the rest I use with other programs, most notably the Adobe suite. Paying for a console limits you to gaming, paying for a high-end gaming machine whether laptop or desktop lets you do anything you want.

P.S. The PC whips the cosoles both ways to sunday on quality graphics :)