Alienware 13 (or 13R) or other notebook. ?

EspiOne

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I just got approved to purchased a Dell (dell credit).. I have been looking to get a new notebook as my Alienware M14X R2 bite it after about 3.5 years. (unfortunate fall of the table cracked the screen), I am now using an external monitor as the primary.

If you read any of my other thread, I have a desktop, but don't have the room to use it.

So I have been considering a notebook, but now with the M14X R2 out. I definitely need (or want) to get a new notebook.

So here is goes. I have $600 coming to me in November, (X mas money) and I can add other $200 by December. So my limit would be $800 roughly. Now, if I go with Dell, I can get a notebook up to $2K, which I would not, but I have purchased "refurbished" and the M14X R2 lasted me 3 years.

I am considering the Alienware 13 or 13 R2 from dell as they run under $900 refurbished and warranty would add $200, so about $1100.

So here are the questions.....

1. What is your budget?

Cash on hand, $800, financed, $1500

2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?

15 inch screen

3. What screen resolution do you want?

1920 x 1080

4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?

desktop replacement

5. How much battery life do you need?

not concerned, will be used a desktop mainly, not mobile.

6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?

yes, steam and UBIsoft, Dying Light, The Division, Far Cry 4.

7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)

Basic Office document, and internet browsing.

8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?

at the minimum 1TB, second drive is wanted, but not required.

9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.

Dell and newegg.

10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?

as long as possible, 2 to 3 years

11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?

Not required.

12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.

Dell, Asus or MSI

13. What country do you live in?

United States.

14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.


Mainly for gaming, and some mobility, but more gaming then anything else.

I hope you can provide good advise. Also, just added this. does anyone know if the RAM from the M14X R2 could be re-used, I had 16GB in the M14X R2.
 
Solution
Wanted to say I didn't mean to down vote accidentally hit it on my phone.

But the alienware it's the best build quality wise, if you need a larger laptop go with the Asus one the bottom link. But my personal opinion is out get far more warranty and support with Dell. I scored for $1100 a alienware 17 r3 with a 980m etc. Such a Good deal and if you really need more power, graphics amp will give u any modern desktop gpu. Alienware as much as it stands receives hate is a good brand and makes good products.

EspiOne

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I have researched the Dell Outlet and found the Alieware 13 configured with the Intel Core i7 6500U and the NVIDIA GTX 960M 2GB DDR5, with a 256 SSD, (I would change it out to a 1TB Hybrid SSD/HD later) and 16GB Ram...

with a 4 year warranty...(they have a discounted price). yeah, I plan to keep this notebook as long as I can.

Total Price $1218.00, add Taxes and Shipping.

If I order this NOW, not next month as I may not be there. I will make a decision by the end of the day.

Alienware 13R2 Qty 1
Dell Outlet Alienware 13R2 Laptop Windows 10 Home 64bit English Unit Price $859.00

Dell Outlet Alienware 13R2 Laptop P2KG6
Software 0P1H1
Certified Refurbished 3E476
256GB PCIe NVMe Class 40 Solid State Drive 41PGH
16 GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (8GBx2) Memory 51G3C
Label 5YX62
Label 68MDR
Information 7DDKD
Software 85Y47
Power Cord 8P085
Shipping Material 9H93N
130W AC Adapter 9JP4J
Epic Silver JCWJW
Processor: Intel Core 6th Generation i7-6500U Processor (Dual Core, up to 3.10 GHz, 4M Cache, 15W) JFN1N
Windows 64 Bit JJ8DK
English Keyboard JR7M3
Label KF54T
Software KRM43
Software M3GVR
4 Cell Battery N00NH
NVIDIA GTX 960M 2GB DDR5 N28R1
Miscellaneous PYC0K
Windows 10 Home 64bit English RN0NJ
Killer 1535 802.11ac 2x2 WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1 RNJY2
13.3 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Anti-Glare 220-nits Display TV6FP
Software V8410
Information W753G
Service Software WW7H4
Service Software X0KPY
2.0 MP HD Camera with MIC XD0PF
Miscellaneous YG5C6


 

EspiOne

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the other, less costly alternative is a few notebooks under $800, minus warranty...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100157995%204021%204022%20600564384%20600564386

$649: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834154112R

$739: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834890015R

$749: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834890015 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0AY-00PU-00003

What you think?
 

Purpletalon55

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Wanted to say I didn't mean to down vote accidentally hit it on my phone.

But the alienware it's the best build quality wise, if you need a larger laptop go with the Asus one the bottom link. But my personal opinion is out get far more warranty and support with Dell. I scored for $1100 a alienware 17 r3 with a 980m etc. Such a Good deal and if you really need more power, graphics amp will give u any modern desktop gpu. Alienware as much as it stands receives hate is a good brand and makes good products.
 
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EspiOne

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Thanks for the added comment, I had been debating about a 17 in, but the size is the issue. I owned a Area-51m 7700 back in 2006 and loved it, but it was very heavy to set up and carry, https://www.cnet.com/products/alienware-area-51-m7700/review/, the I moved to custom built desktop, at the time, a E6600 with a 8800GTX, if you remember that far back. So a 13 in would work, since I would get the warranty too. I will review this weekend and make a decision.
 

Purpletalon55

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pm me when you get a laptop interested to hear what you went with and your experience. Go with 2 year warranty with dell minimum because its worth every penny. :)
 

Purpletalon55

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He can't afford $1500 outright.that's why he was going to finance. Velo. Please read what he said better.
 


Sorry I am unfamiliar with financing. Could you explain it?
 

Purpletalon55

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Basically velo, it means that he can pay monthly for it meaning he might not afford the full price now but basically he just pays monthly over a uear or so until her pays it all off and fully owns it. He gets to keep it while he's paying. It's a way to afford products you can't outright buy right now.
 

EspiOne

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Well, as luck would have it, I have some financial issues coming this month, I need to go to San Antonio, and any extra $$ I had hand needs to be used for this trip.

I am still debating about the Alienware, I will most likely make a decision next year, as I am reading about all the new games coming out by the end of the year. I am planning to post another question, my friend has asked me, since the answer I give him may benefit me.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3230074/upgrading-g750js-870m-worth-buying-current-games-future-gaming.html