Let's DELL

[kimsix]

Dell Alienware 15 and 17 laptops provide good gaming performance and has excellent Pro support, but their price is expensive for most people like me.

Gaming laptops are not cheap because of the design process that goes into them. It needs to account for durability to gamers' abuse. It has to pack the most suitable gaming specs. They have the bells and whistles you can find of mobile hardware.

Strange enough, i could config the Alienware 15 to be cheaper than the default system

Alienware 15, Windows 10 Home 64bit English Unit Price $2,569.71
Catalog Number: 32002 W511018SGW10
Module Description Show Details
Base Alienware 15
Operating System Windows 10 Home 64bit English
Memory 16GB Dual Channel DDR4 2133MHz (8GBx2)
Keyboard English Keyboard
Video Card NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 970M with 3GB GDDR5
Wireless Driver/Label Killer N1535 Wireless Driver
Hard Drive 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s
Wireless Killer 1535 802.11ac 2x2 WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1
Power Options Power Cord (UK)
Documentation/Disks Document for MUI (English,Simplified Chinese,Japanese,Traditional Chinese,Korean)
Bundle W511018SGW10 - Alienware 15 R2
Dell Services: Hardware Support 1Yr ProSupport: Next Business Day Onsite Service w/Accidental Damage
Systems Management Intel Driver
Placemat Welcome Letter - English
Dell Services: Remarks Dell's Terms and Conditions apply
Dell Services: Remarks Laptop Batteries Carry 1 Year Warranty Only From Invoice Date
Dell Services: Remarks Great Technical Tips & Information available 24x7 at http://support.ap.dell.com
Primary Battery 8 Cell 92W Hour Battery
Processor 6th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-6700HQ (Quad-Core, 6MB Cache, up to 3.5GHz w/ Turbo Boost)
Dell Services: Tech Sheet Included NONE
Packaging Shipping Material
FGA Module No FGA
Additional Settings Dropbox software
Label None
Dell Services: Item Included Technical Support
Retail Information None
Retail Tech Sheets None
Processor Label Intel® Core™ i7 Label
LCD 15.6 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Anti-Glare 220-nits Display
Freights FGA NB-OS-BTO Freight Charges(Singapore)
Microsoft Application Software Microsoft® Office trial
Additional Software Additional Software
Security Software McAfee Live Safe 12 month Subscription
AC Adapter Alienware 240W AC Adapter
Microsoft Operating System Media OS Media Kit Not Included

 

[what88]

think the guy is carrying Alienware 13 with cables connected to Alienware Graphics Amplifier. The Alienware Graphics Amplifier is small in size as seen in the video which is why you probably missed it.

The Graphics Amplifier isn't small actually, it measures 6.8 (H) x 7.3 (W) x 16.1 (D) inches, so it is impossible for us to bring it out together with Alienware 15 R2 or ALienware 17 R3.

The good thing is the Graphics Amplifier provides a housing for a discrete desktop-class GPU and use that horsepower to supercharge the Alienware laptop, will support any Nvidia GeForce GTX card from the 600 series and later.

 

[what88]

Yes the Alienware 17 R3 is very heavy by laptop standards but it is still portable. You have the freedom to play on your bed, on your desk, connect to your large screen TV, bring it along when visiting relatives. You can game anywhere with the GTX980M, it has enough power to play all console games port till next PS5 come out!

I think that is what the new video is trying to show. A desktop has all the power and value, but it gets stuck in place. In fairness, one can build a very powerful mitx desktop now but the casing is still not as portable and a closed Alienware 17 R3.

You got your point but then lug the Alienware 17 R3 around is not so easy where its weight around 3.8 kgs.

 

[what88]

Dell Alienware 15 and 17 laptops provide good gaming performance and has excellent Pro support, but their price is expensive for most people like me.

I agreed with you.

Base on the listed price for Alienware 17 R3, I rather get one Dell Inspiron 24 7000 for home use and one Inspiron 15 7000 for other purpose.

Anyway it is tough to make decision on what we need to what we want.

 

[WhiteHunter]

Dell Alienware 15 and 17 laptops provide good gaming performance and has excellent Pro support, but their price is expensive for most people like me.

Dell Alienware 15 and 17 R3 laptops are expensive but the specs will give one a good gaming experience. furthermore there is Alienware Graphics Amplifier and
Creative Sound Core3D-EX.

 

[WhiteHunter]

Alienware M18 R3 or Alienware 17 uses, is that Creative from Singapore

yup it is from Creative. Creative Sound Core3D-EX is for use for Alienware Graphics Amplifier to provide good sound quality as well as voice communication.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Dell Alienware 17 R3 is definitely a gaming laptop. there is also Alienware Graphics Amplifier and Creative Sound Core3D-EX. i would say this is one of the best laptop for gaming. you can even insert a desktop graphic card say GTX Titan X.

I haven't see any laptop by Alienware that isn't made for gaming LOL...

 

[NobunagaOda]

It should be ok for users who having been using the Alienware notebook together with the Graphics Amplifier for some time, as they should be used to it.
However, it would be better if Dell can introduce the switchable feature in future versions.

What do you mean by switchable feature for Dell Alienware 17?
You mean for the Alienware Graphics Amplifier, We can choose to switch to which graphics card we want?

 

[NobunagaOda]

I agreed with you.

Base on the listed price for Alienware 17 R3, I rather get one Dell Inspiron 24 7000 for home use and one Inspiron 15 7000 for other purpose.

Anyway it is tough to make decision on what we need to what we want.

Get Dell Inspiron 15 7000 for both home use and other purpose. This is because Dell Inspiron 15 7000 is light and portable. Dell Inspiron 24 7000 unless you want to use the Intel® RealSense™ 3D Camera.

 

[NobunagaOda]

Think whether gaming is better on desktop or laptop depends on whether you want to bring out your laptop to play games with your friends or do you mainly play games at home.

If you play mainly at home, you can get the Alienware desktops (X51 and Area-51)

The Area-51 Alienware desktops delivers performance which is unmatched by an Alienware laptop with Graphics Amplifier.
You can customised up to Triple Nvidia Geforce GTX 980 Ti running in SLI (Triple Geforce GTX Titan X is supposed to be supported, not sure why it is not in the list).
And of course, you can use a much bigger monitor than the ones on the Alienware laptops.

Is it really necessary to have Triple Nvidia Geforce GTX 980 Ti running in SLI?
An Alienware 17 with Alienware Graphics Amplifier should be enough for a good gaming experience.

 

[NobunagaOda]

The intel thunderbolt that the Alienware M18 R3 or Alienware 17 connects to... What is the bandwidth? fibre cable connection?

Alienware 17 connects to Intel Thunderbolt which is USB Type-C with support for SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps, 40Gbps.

 

[NobunagaOda]

13" screen seem likes too small for gaming, bigger screen tend to give better gaming experience, the bigger the merrier. Ideally Alienware 17 R3 will be a good choice,.

The bigger the screen the less portable it becomes unless you intend to use it like desktop with Alienware Graphics Amplifier. Ideally a 15 inch laptop is the better choice as it is neither small nor big. Its weight is about 3.2kg.

 

[NobunagaOda]

Yes the Alienware 17 R3 is very heavy by laptop standards but it is still portable. You have the freedom to play on your bed, on your desk, connect to your large screen TV, bring it along when visiting relatives. You can game anywhere with the GTX980M, it has enough power to play all console games port till next PS5 come out!

I think that is what the new video is trying to show. A desktop has all the power and value, but it gets stuck in place. In fairness, one can build a very powerful mitx desktop now but the casing is still not as portable and a closed Alienware 17 R3.

I also agree with you on what the new video is trying to show. A laptop can be as good as a desktop especially when an Alienware 17 R3 is paired with an Alienware Graphics Amplifier. It also has a hdmi port to connect to large screen TV. So in terms of gaming, it does not lose to a desktop in any ways and yet remains portable.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

The Graphics Amplifier isn't small actually, it measures 6.8 (H) x 7.3 (W) x 16.1 (D) inches, so it is impossible for us to bring it out together with Alienware 15 R2 or ALienware 17 R3.

The good thing is the Graphics Amplifier provides a housing for a discrete desktop-class GPU and use that horsepower to supercharge the Alienware laptop, will support any Nvidia GeForce GTX card from the 600 series and later.

The Alienware Graphics Amplifier is mainly purposed to reside at your home base as a desktop extension to your Alienware laptop. To increase performance when you are already stationary at your home..

Then again, some people actually used to lug their mITX mini gaming PC (along their peripherals) to LAN parties. Having this Alienware laptop + amplifier combination can actually lessen the load burden on the person who will be doing the carrying. This provides a lighter, less clutter solution for gamers who wants to bring desktop performance on the go to foreign places...

 

[NobunagaOda]

Dell Alienware 15 and 17 laptops provide good gaming performance and has excellent Pro support, but their price is expensive for most people like me.

The price is expensive due to their top performance. Not that expensive compared to other gaming laptops of similar performance and there is Alienware Graphics Amplifier.

 

[NobunagaOda]

This Alienware 15" or 17" is more for gaming purpose and meant to be used as desktop replacement. Look at its weight, portability will be a issue and definitely not a machine you would want to lug around.

At 3.78kg for Dell Alienware 17" and 3.2kg for Dell Alienware 15" is not exactly portable but still manageable. If the user want to use together with Alienware Graphics Amplifier then it is for desktop use.

 

[kimsix]

At 3.78kg for Dell Alienware 17" and 3.2kg for Dell Alienware 15" is not exactly portable but still manageable. If the user want to use together with Alienware Graphics Amplifier then it is for desktop use.

The alienware 15 r2 can be configured to come with gtx980m, so if you do not need the larger screen, it would seem the better choice for a more compact laptop.

The graphics amplifier can only run one gpu at a go only, so if you use the gpu inside the graphics amplifier, the one in the alienware laptop has to turn off.

 

[kimsix]

The graphics amplifier is a smart solution as Dell do not need to put the latest Nvidia mobile GTX980 in their alienware.

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/notebook-gpus/geforce-gtx-980
The gpu is a full GTX980, very fast but very hot and big to cool inside a laptop.

If the 3-4KG alienware is heavy, imagine what more weight will be added to laptops when you have GTX980 inside.

 

[what88]

Dell Alienware 15 and 17 R3 laptops are expensive but the specs will give one a good gaming experience. furthermore there is Alienware Graphics Amplifier and
Creative Sound Core3D-EX.

I think for non serious gamers, can consider to get Dell Alienware 15 R2 or ALienware 17 R3 without Alienware Graphics Amplifier, IIRC the price can be cheaper by ~$700.

 

[kimsix]

I think for non serious gamers, can consider to get Dell Alienware 15 R2 or ALienware 17 R3 without Alienware Graphics Amplifier, IIRC the price can be cheaper by ~$700.

You are right, i found this is a 'cheap' Alienware 15 R5 build, comparable build from the others like Asus, MSI, Aftershock are around there without Dell pro-support and accidental coverage.

Alienware 15, Windows 10 Home 64bit English Unit Price $2,569.71
Catalog Number: 32002 W511018SGW10
Module Description Show Details
Base Alienware 15
Operating System Windows 10 Home 64bit English
Memory 16GB Dual Channel DDR4 2133MHz (8GBx2)
Keyboard English Keyboard
Video Card NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 970M with 3GB GDDR5
Wireless Driver/Label Killer N1535 Wireless Driver
Hard Drive 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s
Wireless Killer 1535 802.11ac 2x2 WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1
Power Options Power Cord (UK)
Documentation/Disks Document for MUI (English,Simplified Chinese,Japanese,Traditional Chinese,Korean)
Bundle W511018SGW10 - Alienware 15 R2
Dell Services: Hardware Support 1Yr ProSupport: Next Business Day Onsite Service w/Accidental Damage
Systems Management Intel Driver
Placemat Welcome Letter - English
Dell Services: Remarks Dell's Terms and Conditions apply
Dell Services: Remarks Laptop Batteries Carry 1 Year Warranty Only From Invoice Date
Dell Services: Remarks Great Technical Tips & Information available 24x7 at http://support.ap.dell.com
Primary Battery 8 Cell 92W Hour Battery
Processor 6th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-6700HQ (Quad-Core, 6MB Cache, up to 3.5GHz w/ Turbo Boost)
Dell Services: Tech Sheet Included NONE
Packaging Shipping Material
FGA Module No FGA
Additional Settings Dropbox software
Label None
Dell Services: Item Included Technical Support
Retail Information None
Retail Tech Sheets None
Processor Label Intel® Core™ i7 Label
LCD 15.6 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Anti-Glare 220-nits Display
Freights FGA NB-OS-BTO Freight Charges(Singapore)
Microsoft Application Software Microsoft® Office trial
Additional Software Additional Software
Security Software McAfee Live Safe 12 month Subscription
AC Adapter Alienware 240W AC Adapter
Microsoft Operating System Media OS Media Kit Not Included