Alienware 7700m has anybody tried it? I want to know if it is worth buying.

[TriniVoice]

I was visiting the alienware site today and admiring the 17" Alienware 7700m but before I save up all my lunch money for it could someone tell me if it is worth buying?

[johnnyis42]

at about $2500 (after rebate) for the thing configured witht he baseline processor, and a 1GB memory upgrade, the smaller resolution screen, the geforce 6800 standard video, dual layer burner upgrade and the 7200 RPM 60GB hard drive, you're getting a decent machine by desktop standards, including the wide screen display, that has all the advantages of a mobile platform.

i would reccomend not buying the backpack, and instead going with a targus city life backpack, save about 30 bucks and get what is probably a better product.

i have an older 766 model, and have been very happy with it. with as much moving around as i do with it, it still runs great. i did break the cd rom plastic over off, but the epoxied back on nicely without any further problems (probably stronger than it was originally now).

the dell XPS with the geforce 6800 ultra and a centrino style processor weighs in at $2700 after rebate, but that doesn't include any warrenty ont he product at all,a nd i guarantee you're looking at at least $300 more for the same kind of warrenty you get with alienware by default.

my latest information about dell is that you're guarenteed to get a foreign call center for tier 1 support, no matter what, while still getting an american for their sales call (kind of a bait and switch technique there).

alienware is based in florida, and the majority of their tech support are of hispanic desent, so some people think they are not an american call center, but they are, and it makes a huge difference because though you may think they are difficult to understand at times (they usually aren't unless the phone lines are bad), the fact that they can understand you make a huge difference on a support call.

if you can afford that kind of hardware, i owuld go with alienware over dell any day simply because dell doesn't seem to take the personal interest in you that alienware does. there are a few people out there who will damn alienware up and down, but comparing them to dell they aren't nearly as bad. considering the other options you have for high end mobile systems, it's hard to get the freedom of choice in what you actually get with your system outside dell or alienware.

[Stealth834]

I recently purchased a 7700m myself. You can read my full review about my experience with Alienware HERE

I've been using it regularly for a few months now without any defect whatsoever. It is nearly as powerful as my desktop (6800 Ultra also, soon to be dual 7800's), which is what I was looking for. I wanted a mobile solution without sacrificing any of the performance my desktop offers.

The bottom-line is, if you are looking for one of the most powerful laptops on the market, the 7700m is right up there. The actual laptop is manufactured by Clevo, and is distributed to different resellers. Currently, I've found that Alienware, Falcon Northwest, VoodooPC, Sager and Powernotebooks use this same model (the extras are added later for an extra cost). At the time I purchased mine, Alienware simply offered it for the lowest price with everything I wanted added on. (I'm not sure which brand is cheaper now)

Just be prepared for delays and backorders, if you are planning on ordering the highest-end parts. If you have the money to spend, and are a hardcore gamer. this is the perfect notebook for you. There are a lot of Alienware flamers out there, who for some reason, really despise the company. So be prepared for flames whenever you mention anything purchased from them.

[johnnyis42]

i have to concur with that, all kinds of people who have never touched an alienware seem to be experts on the company.

that was my reasoning as well: they offered the best price out of anyone else. with the laptop market, you're uninformed if you do not realize that the company you're buying from does not actually build the machine from the case up, and i find it VERY interesting that the latest model seems to be used by every "high end custom" manufacturer. kinda puts the screws in alot of those flamers' arguements.

[hpb6429]

I purchase a 766 model that has lots of bells and whistles and for a 7700 w/ the same would be around $3700.00. If you do buy an alienware...make sure you buy it new. I say that because the cd-rom drive is broke on mine. And the only way to buy a replacement is to have the original owner order it for you. I was going to buy a 7700 used buy I grew to realize that alienware doesnt care about anyone but the american dollar. I'm so furious that I cant even get replacement parts for my laptop. They tell you this is company policy. If I was you, I would consider a dell only for the fact, you can order parts from them, transfer warranties, and they make a very nice laptop, just as fast. If you buy this 7700...what happens in 3 yrs. they tell you "well we don't make this one no more so..." Thats not what I like to hear as a consumer and I work in retail for a living so I know how it feels.

[Stealth834]

In three years, I'll probably buy another high-end laptop.

[johnnyis42]

the trick is that you have to use the name of the person who boguht it, but also have them update their customer information with customer service to match your information.

i spent over an hour with tech support trying to prove to them what i already knew :the burning function of the cd-rw/dvd drive was fux0red. the first tech was being pretty unreasonable and he was an idiot, and when i was too frustrated to go on and demanded that i just be sold a new drive, he wpuldn't let me buy it because i had moved since i bought the thing and my shipping address didn't match the original billing address, and that issue had to be resolved with customer service.

fortunately i called back 10 minutes later, got another tech, he got the replacement of the drive approved for me, and low and behold, all of a sudden the different address didn't matter so much anymore. go figure.

[Dwasler]

I have four month old laptop 7700 just die.
I was told it would take 2-4 weeks to fix and another three day to return back.

I pay for on site support and etc.. Alienware lie they send there product out side the US for repair.

DON"T BUY AN ALIENware computer if you have problems your F..... they can care less about you.

Thir support SUCK, SUCK< SUCK< SUCK< SUCK< SUCK

Alienware if you like what I say prove me wrong

dwasler@yahoo.com

[johnnyis42]

ok, you posted in this forum, but did you post in the part of this site that the retailers actually look at?

it's funny, because alienware is the company that drove me to this site in the first place. i had a problem, and as soon as i rated them low on here with an explanation, and the site ops posted it (that's the difference betweent he forums and the "real" reseller ratings part of the site, you have to prove your case to them, whereas here you can put whatever you want and no one checks the facts).

what i have found in dealing with alienware is that if you call them and the first person you talk to doesn't take car eof you, hang up and call back.

this strategy worked in getting my broke DVD/cd-rw combo replaced for free when i was ready to just drop the cash to buy a new one. the first guy i talked to was cool, but i had to call them back while i tried their suggestion (which i knew woldn't work). the guy i called next was a total retard, and essentially lied to me, though i beleive it was unknowingly because i don't think he was all that computer savey and didn't know what he was talking about at all. got off the phone with him and called back, the last guy was awesome, really did know what he was doing, and was ready to do the RMA until the guy who handles that told him that i had to re-install windows to see if that fixed the problem before they would OK the RMA. 1 hour later i called back (this was a saturday) and by tuesday i had my new DVD/CD-RW drive, plus a packing lable for the return shipment (western digital doesn't even provide me with that when i RMA a drive to them).

honestly, i have seen or heard of a bad experience with every single laptop make and model. in my line of work, i have seen some very interesting ways to break computers, and some interesting ways for computers to fail. the only laptop i would swear to people not to buy is an HP/Compaq, because those are truely cheaply made.

i couldn't say don't buy/buy any brand because you have to know when buying a laptop there is an inherent risk involved, and if you expect to never be without it because it needs servicing, you are living in a dream fantasy world. my example is Best Buy's product replacement program that you pay extra for, which requires you to have to bring back the laptop no less than 3 times, where it has to be sent back to the manufacturer for repairs, and on the 4th time you bring it in for some problem like that, then and only then will they replace it with a new one. your only other option is to exchange it, and incur a retocking fee, unless you're a really good negotiator.

[Dwasler]

AW like I said met my expectation no problems.

I own 4 High end Dell laptops with one day and on site support, I travel 90% of the time. I had Dell tech come to hotel fix my laptops went not their, clients sites and etc. If for some reason I need to send something back to Dell, it alway next day.

With AW there is no on-site-support, even though you paid for it. if it more then phone support , your screwed 2-4 weeks to fix issue, out of date in today world.

If Alienware want to step up and say the have Award Winning Support 2-4 weeks to me is not Award Winning.

Also AW will not ship your computer back next day, even if want to pay for it. it alway Fedex ground which could be another 3-10 days after they fix it.

To me that not Award Winning support, like I stated AW laptop are great, but, I would not recommend them to anyone who make a living using a laptop. Unless you can accepts a long down time waiting on repairs if you need to send it back.

Even though I hate to say by one big 4 builders of laptops, Alienware has not yet learn or refuses to stepup to plate of real support.

My 5 cents.

DLWasler
dwasler@yahoo.com