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Dell or - AlienWare? Which do you think is better?

K

KDOG

Diamond Member
I got my new Maximum PC today and the Alienware ad at the back of the mag looks pretty slick. Seems like theyre trying to move into Dells territory with the multi-page ads. So who would you buy from?
 
I posted this in your DP before you changed it.

Better for what, specifically? Dell makes good all-around machines for anything from web surfing to gaming. Alienware makes high-end gaming/DV specific machines for a higher price. Basically, if you just need a good computer, go Dell. If need extra performance and all the nice features of a gaming machine (better sound, video, etc.), go with Alienware.

Or, the best option, BYO! 🙂 It's easier than you may think, and you'll know exactly what parts you're using.
 
Why build when you can buy???

-It's cheaper.
-Most OEM's make their razor thin margins by skimping on the quality of parts.
-No proprietary parts to hinder upgrades.
-Much more customizable.
-You learn more and faster.
-It's fun!

I could come up with more if you need em' 😉
 
IT all comes down to this, regardless of what others will argue:


You can basically get the same system (parts) equal to any alienware model for a LOT LESS


THe question is, are you willing to/need to pay someone else to put it together?

A geforce4 ti4600 is still a geforce4ti4600 in their machines or yours...it all depends on your specific needs.


Seriously, Alienware builds quailty systems that I would recommend in a second alongside others such as voodoopc. THen again, I can build the same thing cheaper, but sometimes that isn't the point.



 
Alienware used to make high quality rigs like Falcon Northwest did and still does. Now Alienware uses oem parts and mass producing so they are now down from high quality custom rigs to a oem mass producer like dell ,compaq etc. Also there are horror stories galore concerning aliens fraud to customers. Do a search on alienware complaints.
 
Not always. In fact, I would even say that building ends up more expensive than buying.

You don't know where to buy then.


Windows XP Professional retail $98 off Ebay....savings $110+
Maxtor 40Gig HDD retail $109 off Ebay....savings $50
CPU....Newegg...beats retail everytime.
Motherboard....Newegg...beats retail almost everytime.
DDR...with coupon from Crucial...beats retail by around $30-40.
CDRW/DVD-ROM...don't get me started. I can save at least $50 off retail on these, again Newegg.
I could go on and on...the case I bought online would have cost $40 more at Fry's.

Sure Dell or others may have cheap prices, but have you ever opened one of them up? Do you see any GF3's or Soundblaster Audigy's in there? Not often and if you upgrade to the higher end components you usually pay through the nose for it.


Just for kicks, I priced out a Dell with specs comparable to my next computer. Price: $3094.00 (ouch!)
 
I build systems, my own, and some for others...and I will continue to do that because there are far less problems and far more opportunities to tweak...

however, people always ask me what PC they should buy, and I always tell them:
Not a retail store
Not Gateway....

Dell, Alienware, Micron if you need a system thats capable with the fewest problems
Falcon Northwest if you need a system that goes beyond the norms

Most people dont listen and go buy a Hewlett Packard and then bitch and moan at me about it. Anyone else have this problem?

Oh yeah, and I agree with ST4RCUTTER.... If you are trying to convince someone that a custom built system is cheaper and better, go to dell or gateway and price the system that you would be building for someone (or yourself for that matter).... makiung sure to include things like extended service (since you can always fix that system) ... home installation (since you will be setting it up) ... comparable size HDDs, Video, etc... and always make sure and point out the differences in quality of specific components.... You will be surprised how much cheaper it actually is....

LoRdAccord
 
Dell may be more expensive for higher end systems, but when there is a hot deal for a computer for 500 bucks or so, that is much cheaper than what you can build, especially when you consider it comes with a three year warranty. Dell makes their money on high(er) end workstations and servers.
 
General rule for Dell is:

The cheaper the system, the better the deal you're getting. The more you upgrade (better ram, video, sound, speakers) the more you're going to pay. The only exception is extremely high end, stuff you can't buy off OEM channels (Xeon MP, Itanium servers).
 
Build, build, build, build, build! 🙂

The real question is of support and your PC knowledge.

If your time is more valuable than the time it will take to build, buy.

If you are not sure of your PC skills, then buy.

If you have the time (time to search for the best parts at the cheapest cost) and the knowledge, build, build, build.

Building a PC takes time, patience, and knowledge. If you have these, build your own system. In the end, if you own the software already, there is no doubt that you can build a better, faster, and cheaper system yourself. Just MTCW! 🙂
 
you have more options if you build it yourself. i ahven't looked too closely at the alienware stuff, but i think its not bad.
 
I think Alienware is an interesting enterprise. They are obviously catering to relatively knowledgable enthusiasts, but given that it is not tough at all building a system, I can't see the point to buying one. As for computer-illiterate folks, I normally point them toward Dell, whose machines are quiet, reliable, reasonably priced and well-supported, even if they are tough to upgrade.
 
It definately depends on what your uses are. Dell like most companies give you the basic sound card and other accessories. If you want the high-end stuff, then you will definately want an alienware, it will cost you a couple of 100 bucks more though.
 
alienware has become a glutton for profit imho and have strayed away from their hardcore system quality days. building is best in my book, but of teh two i'd say Dell because of support (tho anal sometimes, still you can get through).
 
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