I just wrote these notes and you're going to be the first user I'm going to paste these for.

Alienware / Apple computer copy and paste notes by Generation. Written on 19/07/2012.
In this topic, I'll be going over why Alienware and Apple as a whole should be avoided no matter what. I'll be discussion aesthetics, build quality, durability, upgrade options, pricing, deisgn, features, customizability, and much more.

Alienware computers are known around the globe for having these over the top flashy cases ( this applies to both their towers and notebooks ) with multicolored LED's and have really creative cases that differentiate from the crowd. This is true. The only problem regarding that is the questionable build quality and lack of useable features. The build quality is quite horrific and it's obvious they cut corners on the metal casing to make a higher profit.

The features on the other hand is just as bad - by this I mean it has no tool-less features for adding additional after-market optical drivers, hard drives, fan controllers, etc. The interior of these cases are usually not painted either. It'd be a horrible case to work in and gets dominated by a $50 Cooler Master HAF 912 which is one of the most popular cases out.

Customizability has a major role when searching for a computer. Since Dell usually has these Alienware computers pre-configured and pre-built for the potential customer, you're pretty much stuck. Yes, they do have other options for parts but they're all generic trash. They use no name custom OEM PSU's which don't advertise the wattage they put out and is a fire hazard ( literally ), mini ATX motherboards that are made by Foxconn to cut costs and have no features like extra SATA ports, USB 3.0 intenral headers, rich I/O ports, crossfire and SLI compatibility, no overclocking options - the list goes on and on. They also use non overclockable non 'K' series for a majority of their systems and that elimates overclocking as a whole, though this is not a major concern since they already cheaped out on the MOBO, PSU, and cooling. You see, stock cooling as a whole is, well, not very good..and this applies for both AMD/Intel heatsinks. They offer after-marketing 'liquid' cooling as an add on and charge a ridiculous price - the problem with this is that they're very overpriced and under performing. They are the same 120mm radiators that Antec uses on their 620 line which gets thrown around by a $25 Cooler Master Hyper 212 air cooler. You end up getting stuck with generic, overpriced, no name parts. Either way you end up going the bad route which sucks.

You have zero upgrade options. Let's say you wanted to add an additional video card and go for a crossfire setup for example, well, you can't without buying after-market accesories which raises the price quite drastically in the long run. In order to do this, you'd have to buy a new compatible MOBO that's set for 8x 8x bandwidth speeds, a new PSU that's of quality to accommodate the extra wattage, and presumably a new case since it has poor airflow and design.

The pricing on these units are ludicrous. They tend to be 2 - 3 x more expensive when compared to a much more cheaper, reliable better perfoming custom built PC. They can get away with this since they have superior marketing and they can persuade you to pick it over 'X' competitor even though it's not a superior product by any means. You're paying for a cheesy alien head on the front of the case and some generic fans with LED's that look quite childish.

They are not stable and durable products and should be avoiced at all costs. A common misconception that people make about Alienware computers is that if you say something negative about them ( there are no advantages to them for your information ), you're automatically considered a quote on quote jealous hater who can't afford this. This is wrong and the people who say this are delusional and are too ignorant for their own well being. Even if you had an unlimited budget, they are still a horrible buy.

Their notebooks on the other hand? Well, they are just as bad. Actually, all 'gaming' oriented laptops as a whole are overpriced trash. Horrible battery life making it a 15'' - 17'' tower replacement, bulky build quality, glossy low resolution screens, chicklet keyboards which are deisgned for 10 year old female hands, and sub par mobile components. Alienware is simply more overpriced when compared to the Asus G series for example. They're all terrible choices either way. If you want to game, build a PC. If you want portability, get an Ultrabook like Asus Prime for example.

Pros of Alienware / pre-configured and pre-built PC's as a whole:

- Convenicance factor.

Cons of Alienware / pre-configured and pre-built PC's as a whole:

- Unreliable with generic components.
- No customization.
- No upgrade options.
- Overpriced.
- No credability / experience.

If you read through this entire article and you still think Alienware computers and the majority of pre-built PC's are a viable option, I'd recommend checking yourself into a mental institution and see where it goes from there. The users who own them and brag about how good they are usually pre-pubescent teenagers who get sucked in by biasd retailers and top notch marketing. It's all it is and that's all it is ever going to be.

It takes roughly 1 hour to build a PC from the ground up and you don't need any skill sets ( less time than it'll take you to decide on some piece of crap system off of EBAY for example ). You'll be set with a single screw driver and an optional anti static wrist band. There are zero reason to not do it besides you being a lazy coward. A common misconception with first time builders is that they're afraid of breaking something, well, I assure you that the components are not made out of glass and falling from a skyscraper. It's really hard to damager a component unless you do it on purpose. Personally, I find myself recommending the video that is produced by Newegg titled How to build a computer part 2 which goes through absolutely everything in a short time frame.