Between Alienware 15 and Aftershock S15

[DreadedKuro]

Im planning to buy a gaming notebook in April but I'm in a pinch between the similar specs of Aftershock S15 and Alienware 15. Both are similarly priced as well (2.5k) need advice over it, is the built quality superior over the other? Which would you honestly go for?

Aftershock S15 Specs:
Intel i7 4720HQ Processor
NVIDIA GEFORCE 970M GTX 3GB GDDR5
MEMORY 8GB DDR3L 1600MHZ
128GB SAMSUNG M.2 SSD
1TB 7200RPM HITACHI HDD Drive

Alienware 15 specs:
Intel i7-4710HQ Processor
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 970M with 3GB GDDR5
MEMORY 16GB DDR3L 1600MHZ
1TB 2.5inch SATA (5,400 Rpm) Hard Drive

 

[IronMac]

I went with Aftershock S15 because I wanted local service and support. Also, I wanted to support a local company.

 

[watzup_ken]

Specs to dollar value wise, I think Aftershock wins this hands down.

Build quality from my opinion can be anyone's game, but in terms of after sales service, Aftershock wins my vote again.

 

[chiaRH]

Im planning to buy a gaming notebook in April but I'm in a pinch between the similar specs of Aftershock S15 and Alienware 15. Both are similarly priced as well (2.5k) need advice over it, is the built quality superior over the other? Which would you honestly go for?

Aftershock S15 Specs:
Intel i7 4720HQ Processor
NVIDIA GEFORCE 970M GTX 3GB GDDR5
MEMORY 8GB DDR3L 1600MHZ
128GB SAMSUNG M.2 SSD
1TB 7200RPM HITACHI HDD Drive

Alienware 15 specs:
Intel i7-4710HQ Processor
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 970M with 3GB GDDR5
MEMORY 16GB DDR3L 1600MHZ
1TB 2.5inch SATA (5,400 Rpm) Hard Drive

your config comparison there has quite an advantage in Aftershock's favour in the storage department (1TB 7200RPM + 128GB SSD versus no SSD + 1TB 5400 RPM) that should already help show that Aftershock's the more value for money option. The Alienware's extra 8GB RAM doesn't give much tangible benefit.


That aside, The S15 will have a slight edge in portability as it's lighter and I don't think either has any tremendous edge in build quality... the S15 may be better equipped to handle the 970M's heat due to its 2 GPU fans but I havent really read up how the Alienware performs in thermals.

 

[kobbe80]

Hi Guys,

I'm planning to get a aftershock as well due to the price as well as the spec there are providing. On other hand, i'm quite skeptical as well, I also thought of getting an alienware as well, could you guys elaborate to me more in details in terms of the services as well as the hardware item aftershock are providing.

there are not much review or discussion on forum with aftershock, so difficult to judge.

please advice

 

[fffrozzz]

I'm buying the W17,try to support local company but most important for me is good support and services.

 

[pokey2014]

alienware has this problem if you don't take care of it well the plastic areas with the matt rubber coating will become sticky and will be costly to replace

 

[cct75]

I agree with pokey2014 as I owned an old Alienware 17R3. The palm area become somewhat sticky after couple of years. Luckily. there were some issues on the notebook and eventually, the motherboard, the top plate around the palm area were replaced FOC during the 3 years warranty period so now looks brand new but I have not use it for the last 2 years liao. LOL.

Go for Aftershock but maybe advisable to top up to get a bigger capacity SSD as my Aftershock XG13 for 2 years also comes with 128GB SSD (back then thought more than sufficient) but disk space getting low liao. Just my 2 cents.

 

[pokey2014]

I agree with pokey2014 as I owned an old Alienware 17R3. The palm area become somewhat sticky after couple of years. Luckily. there were some issues on the notebook and eventually, the motherboard, the top plate around the palm area were replaced FOC during the 3 years warranty period so now looks brand new but I have not use it for the last 2 years liao. LOL.

Go for Aftershock but maybe advisable to top up to get a bigger capacity SSD as my Aftershock XG13 for 2 years also comes with 128GB SSD (back then thought more than sufficient) but disk space getting low liao. Just my 2 cents.

same... own a m17xr3 and i have no idea why that happens and my warranty expired. i ordered a xg13v2

 

[cct75]

same... own a m17xr3 and i have no idea why that happens and my warranty expired. i ordered a xg13v2

Mine luckily got some display issue from the motherboard and was then still under the 3 years warranty so got it "refurbished" into a new set