Need Opinions/Thoughts on Laptops Decision

[Ryou-kun]

Hello LTT,

 

I was going to go for a Surface Pro 3 or Surface Pro 4, but I am dropping that idea and going for a laptop.

My laptop decision is either Dell XPS 13 w/ Touch or Alienware 13 on Dell's Website because I can use the "Dell Preferred Account" to pay monthly for the laptop until I manage to get my paycheck to finish paying it off.

The laptop is mainly for both school and work and gaming are optional but it will be nice to game on it.

 

I will be mostly using it for taking notes at class like using Microsoft Office or Google Docs/Sheets/Slides. 

At work, I will be mostly doing casual stuff like YouTube, Facebook, watching Twitch stream, but I can play games at work because my supervisor allows me to.

 

If I do game, I will mostly play Counter-Strike Global Offensive, Borderlands 1, 2 and Pre-Sequel and probably any games that I can throw at it.

It doesn't have to be intensive games just enough to get by the day if there are no one in there.

 

Now, you guys are wondering, "Why the fuck are you trying to buy Alienware gaming laptop? Rather ASUS RoG, MSI, Lenovo, Sager/Clevo or whatever" Well, like I said, I can use the Dell Preferred Account so I can pay monthly until I get my paycheck to finish paying it off. Not to mention, Dell's Website has an awesome coupon deal where I can get a free 32" 720p TV for spending any $699.99 PC or up. 

 

Alright, then, like I said, gaming are optional, but it will be nice to be able to game on it.

Although it does seem like I am leaning toward Alienware 13, sadly, I am still debating it because ... the battery life.

Alienware 13 probably have pretty bad battery life. That is where Dell XPS 13 comes in to fix the battery life issue, but it does lacked the ability to game. 

 

 

Either of those two laptop are portable and light enough for me to carry compare to my gaming laptop, Lenovo IdeaPad Y580 w/ 720p. That laptop is nice but it is 6 lb and my school's desk are one of those armlock desk that is either left hand or right hand. 

 

Finally, I just need everyone's opinions/thoughts about it. I can't decide which one I should grab. An ultrabook that I will use primarily for school and taking notes and getting bored without games? Or a gaming laptop that I can do all but have to charge my laptop in class that is IF I sit near an outlet, lol.

 

Thank you very much, LTT.

[Thebman712]

as alot of members have recently learned that a macbook is a very nice experience what would suit your needs, just instal windows on your mac.

[Sylvanar]

I think I would have gone with Alienware cuz not being able to do stuff I wanna do on my laptop would make it a pretty disappointing investment. As far as battery life goes there are ways to prolong life by lowering the brightness and switching off wifi and what not. I mean battery life shouldn't be the deciding factor of ur decision.

[burnttoastnice]

I think I would have gone with Alienware cuz not being able to do stuff I wanna do on my laptop would make it a pretty disappointing investment. As far as battery life goes there are ways to prolong life by lowering the brightness and switching off wifi and what not. I mean battery life shouldn't be the deciding factor of ur decision.

 

In my situation I can take my laptop places and be assured that it will actually survive without a charger. If I had an alienware then the power brick would certainly be my best friend

[exercutor5]

The Alienware 13 seems to be good for the money.

[kameshss]

The Alienware 13 seems to be good for the money.

Don't ever buy an Alienware.

 

A separate thread in Gamespot.com. 

 

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/pc-mac-linux-society-1000004/why-such-strong-hate-for-alienware-29397224/

 

 

It's basically expensive shit.

[exercutor5]

Don't ever buy an Alienware.

 

A separate thread in Gamespot.com. 

 

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/pc-mac-linux-society-1000004/why-such-strong-hate-for-alienware-29397224/

 

 

It's basically expensive shit.

 

Can you please read the reply dates in that thread? They are 2 bloody years ago. Times have changed. Not everything would be overpriced and bad forever. Companies learn from their mistakes.

 

EDIT:

 

Read this thread instead.

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/405301-how-overpriced-is-alienware-20/

[kameshss]

Can you please read the reply dates in that thread? They are 2 bloody years ago. Times have changed. Not everything would be overpriced and bad forever. Companies learn from their mistakes.

 

EDIT:

 

Read this thread instead.

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/405301-how-overpriced-is-alienware-20/

You can get better laptops in that price point.

 

Solid laptop for the price.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-15-6-Inch-Touchscreen-Gaming-Windows/dp/B00K6ZIFFG/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1440226814&sr=1-1&refinements=p_n_condition-type%3A2224371011%2Cp_72%3A1248880011%2Cp_n_availability%3A1248800011%2Cp_36%3A2421890011%2Cp_n_intended_use_browse-bin%3A9647497011

 

You get a non U version, 1TB HDD, 8GB RAM. 860M. 860M is still great for gaming!

 

While Alienware has i5-5200U, 500GB HDD and 4GB RAM and 960M for $900. U only get little improvement over 860M on 960M.

[exercutor5]

You can get better laptops in that price point.

 

Solid laptop for the price.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-15-6-Inch-Touchscreen-Gaming-Windows/dp/B00K6ZIFFG/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1440226814&sr=1-1&refinements=p_n_condition-type%3A2224371011%2Cp_72%3A1248880011%2Cp_n_availability%3A1248800011%2Cp_36%3A2421890011%2Cp_n_intended_use_browse-bin%3A9647497011

 

You get a non U version, 1TB HDD, 8GB RAM. 860M. 860M is still great for gaming!

 

While Alienware has i5-5200U, 500GB HDD and 4GB RAM and 960M for $900. U only get little improvement over 860M on 960M.

 

Do you even read the OP bruh? Open your eyes.

[Ryou-kun]

Wow! I wasn't expecting a lot of positives respond about me grabbing Alienware 13. I was expecting more negative shit about it, lol.

Or you guys are doing it just to make me feel good, lol.

Anyway, thanks for the help guys except one guy who doesn't seem to read my post and just comment it once I mention Alienware 13, lol.

You guys are making me leaning towards Alienware 13.

[ShadowCaptain]

You can get better laptops in that price point.

 

For the price, size and battery life the AW13 is a great laptop, it also has great thermals, and you can get the external GPU dock

 

nice display great build quality etc

[kameshss]

For the price, size and battery life the AW13 is a great laptop, it also has great thermals, and you can get the external GPU dock

 

nice display great build quality etc

Great to hear positive things about AW laptops. Hast it really changed that much from the "expensive not worth the money shit"?

[ShadowCaptain]

Great to hear positive things about AW laptops. Hast it really changed that much from the "expensive not worth the money shit"?

 

People have always said that, its never really been true, it just takes an open mind to appreciate what it is

 

They make very well made, well build machines, with great cooling, great displays that last a long time, you pay a small premium for their aesthetics and build over say other laptops

 

But any laptop close to the spec of the Alienware will be a similar price, - the ones that are cheaper generally are all plastic or super horrible machines crapped with generic components

 

 

Then again, I can appreciate a macbook, an alienware, and my pc I build with my bear hands - they all suit different people for different reasons

 

Are they expensive? YES.. that isnt always a negative

[Ryou-kun]

I went to Fry's and to check out the Alienware 13, so I can get an idea.

Wow! I was surprised how small the Alienware 13 or all of the 13" laptop are. 

It is almost like a Netbook size, lol.

Yeah, I guess AW 13 is perfect because some of my classroom has this type of desk.

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Aug-493.jpg

 

Doubt a 15" laptop will be able to sit still on there.

Again, thanks for the help.

[kameshss]

- snip -

Thanks for the explanation @ShadowCaptain.