Is this computer worth it?

[StutterAndLag]

Thinking about getting a gaming laptop to use at work sometimes. Seen this one listed for sale. Is this worth it? I might be able to get him down to $750. Pretty sure it’s stock not modified. Can you upgrade these graphics cards or memory? Really would like to go to 32gb. 

[Radium_Angel]

4 minutes ago, StutterAndLag said:

Can you upgrade these graphics cards

Not generally.

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Can-I-replace-my-graphics-card-on-my-Alienware-13/td-p/5555343

4 minutes ago, StutterAndLag said:

memory

https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/alienware/alienware-13-r3

Yes

 

[StutterAndLag]

2 minutes ago, Radium_Angel said:

Not generally.

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Can-I-replace-my-graphics-card-on-my-Alienware-13/td-p/5555343

https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/alienware/alienware-13-r3

Yes

 

Do you think I should get that one. Or this one? Which one is a better deal? 

[Radium_Angel]

Just now, StutterAndLag said:

Do you think I should get that one. Or this one? Which one is a better deal? 

I'm not much of a gamer, so I'm not in any position to really say.

How much are they asking for the ROG one?

[dean_5234]

7 minutes ago, StutterAndLag said:

Do you think I should get that one. Or this one? Which one is a better deal?

If they are even close in price, the ROG one is better.

[StutterAndLag]

Just now, Radium_Angel said:

I'm not much of a gamer, so I'm not in any position to really say.

How much are they asking for the ROG one?

$120 

 

12 minutes ago, Radium_Angel said:

Not generally.

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Can-I-replace-my-graphics-card-on-my-Alienware-13/td-p/5555343

https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/alienware/alienware-13-r3

Yes

 

1200 for that one

[Radium_Angel]

I feel gaming laptops are a poor value for money.

The GPU is generally not upgradable so the moment games comes out that outclass it, the value plummets.

There is also the potential for overheating (more than one gaming laptop has had manufacturing defects that cause it to thermal throttle to the point of uselessness right out of the box) and (again, typically, not always) mobile CPUs that are also not upgradable.

 

If you are willing to spend the dough, and understand you will get far better value for money on a desktop, the ROG is better simply because it's newer and will have a longer shelf life.

[Tech87]

I tend to agree with @Radium_Angel here.

I had a Lenovo Legion Y740 with a 9th gen intel chip and a 1660 ti. I ended up selling it after 6 months or so.
 

It was a nice little machine, but ran hot. I had to undervolt the cpu to stop most of the thermal throttling, and that still didn't completely alleviate the issue.

If you're into the small portable style build, perhaps you could consider a micro atx or itx built in something like a Lian Li 011 Dynamic Mini.