Alienware systems ?

[NYJimbo]

Anyone work on Alienware computer desktop systems?. Are they proprietary or just a fancy chassis's with standard hardware?. What about the power supplies, are they standard or that annoying custom size you cant find anywhere?.

Seems like they sell very expensive machines that should be alot cheaper unless all the guts are special.

[14049752]

Standard internal parts.
They are a bit overpriced, in terms of just the hardware. The extra cost comes in because they actually put time into building systems, and doing burn-in tests, instead of just slapping them together.

[geekhelp4u]

Depending on how old it is, depends on your answer... If it is over 2 years old, then it was a fantastic machine! Anything newer, and it is basically a Dell XPS with a fancy case. Since Dell bought out Alienware, it has become nothing more than a glorified XPS system. They are still great machines... but pretty much anything you think of when it comes to working on a Dell machine, should equate to the same thoughts when working on an Alienware machine.

[14049752]

it has become nothing more than a glorified XPS system.

Y'know...not really. XPS systems aren't all that bad to begin with (although they do use more custom parts than a normal dell), but the Alienware systems haven't changed much.

Look at the specs and components they put into them. They use things like Asus motherboards, EVGA or ATI Video cards, Logitech peripherals (as an upgrade), etc. The big parts are not dell branded at all.
When Dell bought them, they basically said "We're not going to change things."

[gunslinger]

Originally Posted by geekhelp4u

Depending on how old it is, depends on your answer... If it is over 2 years old, then it was a fantastic machine! Anything newer, and it is basically a Dell XPS with a fancy case. Since Dell bought out Alienware, it has become nothing more than a glorified XPS system. They are still great machines... but pretty much anything you think of when it comes to working on a Dell machine, should equate to the same thoughts when working on an Alienware machine.

Agreed. You would come out much better building the system yourself.

[thor999]

Yeah, don't be skeered, build your own alienware-killer! I love building the high end system the only bad part is handing it over to the client! (I kive a mile from the "reservation" of the richest tribe in the country, they own Mystic Lake casino, the only place to play slots in Minneapolis, 'nuff said...

[DillySD]

Overpriced case!!! You can build one from the Big Two (Egg and Tiger) for cheaper.