HEXUS.reviews :: Alienware Area-51 7500 PC

[TheVoice]

I had someone say to me the other day they would prefer an XPS to an Alienware (with the launch of the new XPS 700)

I'm inclined to agree - the new XPS case is quite a stunning thing. Alienware seems to go for the tacky "LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME" style, which, considering the price, doesn't bode well.

There's no value for money at all with that system. Not once did I see anything there that I felt would reasonably justify the extra cost of that machine over a cheaper (but equally tech spec) PC from elsewhere. You're paying for the brand, pure and simple. At least with most other ultra-high-end PCs from brands like Alienware (such as Falcon NW and VoodooPC), it's the little extras the fine details that count towards justifying the cost.

I've never liked Alienware, they've always seemed too mainstream, too "common" and too expensive for what they are.

[noTHINGface]

No-one here has mentioned that p1ss poor warranty package either. There is no way that I'd drop £3K on a machine for a single years return to base warranty - never, no way, nahah.

[chuckskull]

I have to say, would anyone spend £3000 on anything with a warranty that poor?

I wouldn't.

[DeSean]

seems alienware have gone backward.

That's what I thought too. The "new" chassis is pretty uninspiring internally, and I think it looks worse than the old one. One of the only good points was the lit USB ports etc to stop so much fumbling in the dark!

I reckon £3000 would get you a much better system from VooDoo or Vadim. Anybody see the Vadim system in CustomPC this month? (It was good, but £5000+ I think).

I am drooling just thinking about what component I could buy with £3k....

[Steve]

I reckon £3000 would get you a much better system from VooDoo or Vadim. Anybody see the Vadim system in CustomPC this month? (It was good, but £5000+ I think). .

Was it something like this.

[spazman]

Wow, how glad am i that i built mine myself, £1400 just to build it seems rather steep.

[TheVoice]

Was it something like this.

Now THAT oozes with quality. I'd much rather hand over my cash for that, than a big tacky Alienware box. Alienware PCs just seem designed for 13 year olds with rich parents. I know that's a blatant generalisation, but there really is no appeal in them whatsoever for me. Alienware need to grow up.

[awm]

I know that's a blatant generalisation

Of course it is. There are no doubt alot of 14-20 year olds with rich parents who are getting them too.

[GeorgeTuk]

I looked Alienware in August last year and I built a better system than their £1200 model for £612. They are now trading off the name purely and simply.

They also seem to be going down the multi-platform car route like Jaguar/Ford where components are shared. Like for example the coloured HDD they used to have are gone replaced by matt black, its like dumbing down the product and relying on the name. Motorola V3 is the same, no real improvements recently yet they realease more an dmore versions.

Still lots of people will continue to buy them, so it doesn't matter I suppose. But its sad to see the attention to detail slipping in any company.

[awm]

Dell did the exact same thing years ago. I remeber Dell was a great manufaturer 10 years ago. My how things change.

[shaithis]

Should rename it the "ChavWare 7500"

Overpriced tat =/

[Jammer]

I am very torn, I really like the p2 case Especially all the Lights yes i really do like the lighting. However the name alienware i can live without, and the 800 odd quid build me price they charge aswell.

Can you guys just tell me any past good/bad experiance with alienware ;O?

[DeSean]

Yeah it was like the one Hexus has Steve except it had an even higher spec and cost over £5000. I'm a pirate because I just read the good bits in WH Smith so I dont know the exact spec...

It had a case with flames cut out of it etc, two triple fan 120mm radiators and maybe a single one too. Total of something like 12 (yes, 12) 120mm fans. It came with uber-monitor and the requisite high end Logitech peripherals too though.

[Fifthlimb]

After review of your review I agree with alienware.

I believe the review was very opinionated where the reviewer could have let the product speak for itself. Yes that PC sucks, and the reviewer should have let the reader decide that for himself, not jam it down his throat. You can get your point across in a more professional manner.

I would not send a FREE product to a group of people that uses opinions as their foundation. Just be glad you received a free gaming rig and learn from some of the professional reviewers while you play.

[dave87]

Where exactly in the article did you get that from?

There's nothing much to dislike about the Alienware Area-51 7500 at first glance. It looks cool, is quiet, and offers performance that most users would be satisfied with. We'd immediately install a discrete soundcard, though.

It's only when you start digging a little deeper that cracks in the Alienware veneer begin to show. The P2 chassis, for example, carries all the usual Alienware hallmarks but is a little too cramped for an ultra-high-end base unit. As it stands, you cannot add a second optical drive without removing the multicard reader, and that's one disadvantage of using a midi-tower when most vendors utilise aluminium full towers for their luxury PCs.

No opinionated bias there?

So no matter which way we dress up the Alienware's performance and feature-set, it's relatively poor in comparison to SKUs that we've reviewed recently. Value for money may not be the greatest concern in this sector of the pre-built market but when you can get substantially more for less, it becomes impossible to recommend this particular Area-51 7500.

The only opinion there is whether he personally would recommend it?

When you say learn from the professional reviewers, to whom do you refer? Those that sell out, give it a great review *because its an Alienware*? Or those that change their editorials at the drop of a hat?

Dave

EDIT- oh and you say free gaming rig, afaik they have to give them back afterwards....

[ExceededGoku]

After review of your review I agree with alienware.

I believe the review was very opinionated where the reviewer could have let the product speak for itself. Yes that PC sucks, and the reviewer should have let the reader decide that for himself, not jam it down his throat. You can get your point across in a more professional manner.

I would not send a FREE product to a group of people that uses opinions as their foundation. Just be glad you received a free gaming rig and learn from some of the professional reviewers while you play.

The whole point of reviews is to get across the general feeling of a product from the reviewers point of view, what the hell else are reviewers supposed to do?! You have the benchmarks so in actual fact you can just look at those and decide yourself whether the product is good, the type done by the reviewer is their impression of the product and since they have it right in front of them I think I am inclined to believe them. The whole point of the last page is to air any gripes that the reviewer may have with the product as well as summarising all of the good things about it. Please don't post here from your desk at Alienware trying to make rediculous comments.