Alienware Area-51m or VoodooPC m:855?

[Guspaz]

I'm finally coming down to a final decision on a laptop, and I'm starting to think I might as well buy a full desktop replacement notebook to replace my slow ailing AthlonXP 1900+ desktop.

I'm pretty into the Area-51m Extreme, does anybody have any experience with them? Can you give some good and bad things about it?

I'm kind of worried about the weight of these laptops, as in addition to my primary/gaming system, they'll be taken to school everyday (I'm in CompSci, need a laptop). I'm hoping that a laptop backpack (Like that cool Alienware one) will make this a non-issue.

How does the Area-51m compare to Voodoo's m:855? Which would you get?

These are very expensive laptops and I want to make sure that I'm getting a good one that I'll like before I shell out 3500-3600 CDN$ for one. I'm actually leaning towards the Area-51m quite a bit, as it's configuration options are much greater, and it's going to end up something like 1000$ US cheaper for the Alienware with all the extras I want, compared to Voodoo PC.

 

[KevinH]

Alienware Forum...



^ Look there.

 

[Howeln]

Up until this last month, I would say Alienware is great PC. Now, I wouldn't buy another one (third and last - first two worked fine, but were desktops - they are having issues with laptops, especially the wireless). They are a great PC if they arrive working, or there is a minor issue to work out. Keep in mind they don't really check the system prior to shipment, so you may need to have a computer handy to download drivers and such to get it working. They load the image, turn it off, and ship. Only explanation for how it was delivered to me in the condition it was. On thier support site, there are many people having the same delivery issues.

If you have a minor issue (such as tweeks to work around known issues), thier Tech Support is great. Major issues will have you wondering why you bought from them.

If you have a hardware issue, you are looking to maybe get a fixed laptop back 2+ months after you first recieved it. They tend to drag out having you send it back until you have had it for at least 30days, then take 5 days to decide that it should be shipped back - which will be by the slowest method they have (ground). Then 3 weeks is thier standard fix time - not when they recieve it, but when they start working on it. Then slow ship back.

If you buy one and you have a major issue, get your money back (minus the 15% restock), or hit your head on the wall for buying an expensive doorstop.

Howeln

 

[Heinrich]

Voodoo has a new A64 lappy - the M860. The resellerratings are not good for Alienware though their ads are slick aparently their customer service and real life experience is not slick. Voodoo ranks higher. Too tired to do a link on that.

 

[ShellGuy]

Depending on what you want there are many companys that custom build lappys. If you want to spend the cash then take a look around the net. A friend of mine bought his here he got the one with the 17inch mon. Great lappy. He is a network admin for my complex and carrys it always. Take a look n c what you think. I beleive my next lap will be an Emachine. But pending winnin the lotto that would change.

Will

 

[ShellGuy]

Depending on what you want there are many companys that custom build lappys. If you want to spend the cash then take a look around the net. A friend of mine bought his here he got the one with the 17inch mon. Great lappy. He is a network admin for my complex and carrys it always. Take a look n c what you think. I beleive my next lap will be an Emachine. But pending winnin the lotto that would change.

Will

 

[ShellGuy]

Sorry about the double post my sys was messin up

 

[alexruiz]

Voodoo M860....

 

[MrPabulum]

From what I've read (and from some personal experiences- new Rage desktop on the way from them, so there's a slight bias ), and all else being equal (lappy quality, speed etc.) Voodoo 855 would be the better choice, mainly because the post-sales support is better. Pre-sale chatter is pretty similar, though the Voodoo folks seem a bit more enthusiastic.

Post-sales is what counts because gaming laptops (both Voodoo and Alienware) are still rough around the edges, relative to their desktop counterparts anyway... mostly because OEMs have greater flexibility over desktop designs. The basic chassis designs for either the Area51-M or the M855 are purchased from original manufacturers (Sager, Prostar (?) etc.) and thus Voodoo and Alienware can only maintain a certain level of quality control (which is still fairly high). That said, Voodoo does a better job with solving any problems that might arise after you recieve the system, based on the remarks at Reseller Ratings.

If the Area51-M arrives in one piece, I'm sure it'll be a great machine, but if a problem arises, I doubt you'd have as quick access to Alienware's President as you would with Voodoo's. I suppose that's one of the pitfalls when your company switches business models...Good luck! Oh, and why not just get the M860?

 

[ForceCalibur]

Neither. Both overpriced. Both Ugly. Both underperforming. Oh, unless you really have alot of money, in that case nvm what I said and just get what looks appealing.

 

[Frightcrawler]

Alienware has terrible service. I would get the Voodoo, but its extremely expensive...
So, I'll have to agree with ForceCalibur. Get neither.

I suggest a Sager. Excellent service, quality, and cheaper than Alienware. What more could you ask for?

www.pctorque.com

 

[Bateluer]

Voodoo, definitely Voodoo. Their service is excellent, their notebooks' performance is excellent, their notebooks' features are excellent. The only real caveat is their cost. But, hey, you get what you pay for.

I love my M855, although I wish I'd gotten it in a different color . . .

Alienware seems to have a lot of issues with their notebooks, every thing from customer support to faulty hardware. Last I checked, VoodooPC's ResellerRatings were around a 9.8.

Heh, once you own a VoodooEnvy , you'll never want to own another notebook. (Unless its another Envy)


*Goes off to polish his M855*

 

[ForceCalibur]

I could have payed half your price, gotten a better looking notebook, same if better performance from somewhere else.

Voodoo gets my pick (just because they ahve the M860, Athlon 64 + radeon 9700) for now, if and only if, you're rich. If money is any concern, look elsewhere.