Update, Sony Vaio not saved! D= - Alienware PC

[AdamGomez1987]

I just started up Neverwinter Nights 2 just right now and it shut right off. Even if this laptop was purchased in 2011, it shouldn't be shutting off from overheating from an old game like Neverwinter Nights 2! I guess I'll stick to what I originally intended to post here. Are Alienware laptops/desktops any good? What I'm thinking of doing is trying to find the 'last year model' since I'm used of a weak Sony Vaio laptop to begin with and perhaps sell my laptop every year to buy the next previous updated laptop to keep 1 year behind with updates. Is this an alright idea?

I think I would like to get strong gaming end PC and hopefully something that looks cool to meet the character for my den than a clunky 30 inch tower shell that looks like it came out from the late 90's for modding. I'm old and outdated with computer tech and specs. and I was told about the buyout by Dell and I'm sure Ben Curtis said to them with thumbs high - "Dude, your product's goin' to hell!" but I wanted to hear what you all have to say. Thanks for taking the time to read this.


~SPECS~

Sony Vaio
3226 with NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M(1x) and Intel Core i7-740QM Processor

(3D Mark Score)
Graphics Score
4697

Physics Score
1540


GRAPHICS CARD
Graphics Card

NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M

Vendor
Sony Corporation

# of cards
1

SLI / CrossFire
Off

Memory
1,024 MB

Core clock
560 MHz

Memory bus clock
800 MHz

Driver name
NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M

Driver version
9.18.13.2702

PROCESSOR
Intel Core i7-740QM Processor

Reported stock core clock
1,734 MHz

Maximum turbo core clock
933 MHz

Physical / logical processors
1 / 8
# of cores
4

Package
LGA1366

Manufacturing process
45 nm

TDP
27 W

GENERAL
Operating system
64-bit Windows 7 (6.1.7600)

Motherboard
Sony Corporation VAIO

Memory
6,144 MB

Module 1
4,096 MB Samsung DDR3 @ 667 MHz

Module 2
2,048 MB Elpida DDR3 @ 667 MHz

Hard drive model
320 GB TOSHIBA MK3261GSYN

[isiolia]

In general, it'd really be a model-by-model thing. There have been times when they've had decent value (when the M11x series were a thing, they were priced competitively, for example).

That said, they are often a bit on the pricey side, as are most boutique PC brands. They also don't have a particularly wide range of options anymore. For example, the desktops are the X51 (small form factor) and Aurora...which currently uses a workstation chipset/socket setup that is pricey. If you want something in between...Dell probably wants to sell you an XPS instead.

The Dell connection isn't necessarily bad, as Dell's warranty coverage can be solid if you pay for the upgraded plans. I have a few hundred Dell laptops in service here at work, with next day accidental damage plans ($$$), and a big reason we've continued going with them has been the service. Sony, on the other hand, was crap. Quirky machines with terrible support.

If you don't need portability, I'd recommend going with a desktop of some kind. While, personally, I prefer to build my own, there sites like iBuyPower or Cyberpower that tend not to be all that much more than buying the same components and assembling them yourself - and often the brand/model of the parts are listed.

[AdamGomez1987]

thanks for the response, I really appreciate it. One question still concerns me, and it's on the topic of business laptops. That's what my Sony Vaio is and I made the unfortunate mistake of crossing paths with it even with a 10% discount which came out to $1,950. The term "business laptop", is there a certain reputation of what type of power these types of laptops are supposed to give out? Or, they're purpose are just to look business professional and that's about it. I can see that an Alienware laptop looks a lot more informal in appearance than a Vaio because of its plating (I have an F series)

I was considering getting a desktop, but I think I rather have two laptops because as I'm going to Northwood University, the moment one laptop went out, I had my backup that I could do my homework on. It's like a 2005 Asus with the flames on it and it's so laughably bad >.<

So far my eyes have been focused on the Alienware M14 which was discontinued in 2012. Once I sell my laptop I think I'm going to get that model. I'm a gamer at heart, but I'm the type of guy that's been playing the 2000 era PC games as of late such as Neverwinter Nights 2, I plan on getting Resident Evil 4 HD on steam when it comes out on the 28th. Though I would like to play the latest PC games such as that Titanfall ( I know that's an xbox one exclusive, but it's graphical equivalent of) I don't need to go full power, medium or less than (as long as it isn't at all minimal and still lagging horribly) will be alright.

When I come back, I'll show the specs and hope to hear from what you and anyone else may have to say. This laptop has been a headache for too long and Sony's customer service is garbage and was never helpful with any of my issues. It sounds like it serves them right that their Vaio product line is going out.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

thanks for the response, I really appreciate it. One question still concerns me, and it's on the topic of business laptops. That's what my Sony Vaio is and I made the unfortunate mistake of crossing paths with it even with a 10% discount which came out to $1,950. The term "business laptop", is there a certain reputation of what type of power these types of laptops are supposed to give out? Or, they're purpose are just to look business professional and that's about it. I can see that an Alienware laptop looks a lot more informal in appearance than a Vaio because of its plating (I have an F series)

I was considering getting a desktop, but I think I rather have two laptops because as I'm going to Northwood University, the moment one laptop went out, I had my backup that I could do my homework on. It's like a 2005 Asus with the flames on it and it's so laughably bad >.<

Anything that really keeps you from using a desktop for homework? Frankly, the desktop is going to be orders of magnitude cheaper for the same performance of any laptop.

Anyways, business laptops are often meant for mass distribution. They tend to be more easily serviceable, look more professional, and handle abuse better. They also tend to have better warranty coverage.

[isiolia]

One question still concerns me, and it's on the topic of business laptops. That's what my Sony Vaio is and I made the unfortunate mistake of crossing paths with it even with a 10% discount which came out to $1,950. The term "business laptop", is there a certain reputation of what type of power these types of laptops are supposed to give out? Or, they're purpose are just to look business professional and that's about it. I can see that an Alienware laptop looks a lot more informal in appearance than a Vaio because of its plating (I have an F series)

Appearance is usually part of it, but what would usually separate a "business class" laptop for me are things like dock connectors, management features, and (often) a relatively consistent (and probably easier to work on) chassis for several model years to facilitate parts and accessories. The kind of stuff that makes deploying/supporting a large number of them easier.

The Sony models we handed out one year were supposed to be "business" laptops, but weren't comparable to Dell or HP models we'd had in those areas.

I don't think it really has much to do with power per se. That'd be more like "mobile workstation" class, which would tend to roll in higher end displays, Quadro or FirePro graphics, etc.

Main reason I say desktop, besides far better bang for your buck and upgradeability, is that it makes the laptop shopping process so much simpler. If you remove gaming from the equation, you've got a lot more options to choose from, and they'll be "good enough" longer. Part of what I do is support college students, so I can appreciate the notion of having a spare...but if you have an iPad or something, that might serve in a pinch too right?

[dogman91]

That CPU is ridiculously slow. I'd think you'd want to be in the Ghz range AT LEAST for early 2000's games for it to run smoothly.

You probably won't need something as expensive as Alienware to get the job done, just upgrade the CPU and graphics card (I recommend a desktop).

[AdamGomez1987]

Anything that really keeps you from using a desktop for homework? Frankly, the desktop is going to be orders of magnitude cheaper for the same performance of any laptop.

Anyways, business laptops are often meant for mass distribution. They tend to be more easily serviceable, look more professional, and handle abuse better. They also tend to have better warranty coverage.

There's one dilemma, I take my laptop to college with me. For me, I own 2 laptops, 1 Nexus 10 tablet, 1 itty bitty little Asus desktop that's still around the Vista days (same with my Asus laptop)

I was comparing prices, the Vaio F series still sells for a pretty decent penny. What I'm thinking of doing is looking into a M14x-R2 Alienware laptop because it's one of the most recent and I'm seeing a number of them on eBay for auction.

I could look into the last model alienware tower and see what's out there. If it's possible for me to simply hook up an HDMI cable to my television and it starts up, then I'm all set with that. I'm not interested in the features of a Windows 8 because of the horror stories I was told about it.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I could look into the last model alienware tower and see what's out there. If it's possible for me to simply hook up an HDMI cable to my television and it starts up, then I'm all set with that. I'm not interested in the features of a Windows 8 because of the horror stories I was told about it.

Almost any modern graphics card has HDMI output.

Why are you so set on Alienware? Even used, they're not a particularly good value. If you look into CyberPower, you can get a pretty excellent prebuilt for not too much more than you'd pay to just build it yourself.

[AdamGomez1987]

Almost any modern graphics card has HDMI output.

Why are you so set on Alienware? Even used, they're not a particularly good value. If you look into CyberPower, you can get a pretty excellent prebuilt for not too much more than you'd pay to just build it yourself.

Thanks for pointing that out, I'm on their website right now looking at gaming notebooks. Reason why I kept bringing up Alienware is because I was referred by a number of people that they're still a competent piece of equipment.

So CyberPower sells a brand called FangBook correct? I'm looking at the laptops here and they're still quite a pretty penny as well. I'll take a look at them, anything you recommend in terms of a solid last year model?

[isiolia]

That CPU is ridiculously slow. I'd think you'd want to be in the Ghz range AT LEAST for early 2000's games for it to run smoothly.

You probably won't need something as expensive as Alienware to get the job done, just upgrade the CPU and graphics card (I recommend a desktop).

It's a typo, the CPU is fairly good.