Alienware Q&A
New at GameCloud today is this Q&A with Alex Aguila, president of PC manufacturere Alienware. Questions are about growing beyond being just a gaming PC maker, laptops suited for gaming, Alienware appearances in movies and TV shows, using the latest technology, supporting AGEIA's hardware physics card and a few other topics.
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smart1
replyI say this only as forewarning to those interested, at all, in Alienware computers. My girlfriend, an avid gamer (which, btw, is awsome) bought an Alienware laptop a year ago. The thing was fast as hell, but with a $4000 price tag, this was to be expected. What was NOT to be expected, however, was that the thing melted through the case and baked itself -- nearly starting a fire (lots of smoke, burn marks on her desk) in my girlfriend's house!
She tried sending it in for repair four times. Twice, they sent it back not working and in a box with no padding protected packaging what-so-ever... just sent the laptop in loose in a box! Oh, and as if that wasn't bad enough, they stole her power supply.
The fourth and final time she sent it in, she talked to the support manager directly. He promised it would be fixed and returned to her in 2 weeks. Instead, she waited 2 months, and got it back in semi-working condition -- except that her wifi still doesn't work AND they still haven't sent her a power supply.
This write-up is just the tip of the iceburg. Do a google, and find out for yourself. There are tons of people that have gotten burned (no pun intended) by Alienware. They seem to be all marketing, no customer service.
You will get more joy out of lighting money on fire than you would from buying an Alienware. Just my $0.02.-
This happened to me as well. I bought an expensive system from them because everybody said how reliable they were. I figured "hey, if I pay more money, maybe I'll get a better product!"
The computer was unstable the first time I booted it. After a week, it was crashing nonstop and BSODing every time I tried to use it. I sent the unit back to them and said at least five times, over the phone and email, "do NOT format the hard drive. You do not have my permission to format the hard drive."
Guess what happened next. Needless to say, I will NEVER buy anything from Alienware again. -
Chris also had massive, massive problems with Alienware.
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I've purchased 3 systems from them - 2 desktops and 1 laptop and all have functioned perfectly. I have called a few times to inquire about upgrading my system and they always have immediate answers. I personally don't understand the hate they receive. They certainly are some of the fastest computers I've seen.
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A bit paranoid aren't you? People can have differing experiences.
I bought one desktop from them, and aside from the northbridge fan sounding like a lawn mower after 6 months (resulting in me removing it from the board) it also has functioned just fine.
Admittedly, I've never had to send it in to be repaired or serviced. I definitely don't want to pay that much for a machine again though. I'll stick to building my own. -
I bought one from them and after 5 years or so it still performs very well. That said, I TRIED to buy another but.. they charged my credit card and didn't send the box for 2 months. I finally canceled the order, that was a crock of shit. I won't buy anything from them again for that move.
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