How long will this laptop last?

[Xyphereos]

I was thinking about getting the Area-51 m9750 17inch Gaming Laptop from Alienware and was wondering how long it will last technology wise. Here are the specs that I plan to buy it at :) cheers.

1.66 Dual Core Processor 2mb cache
512mb 8700M GT
1GB dual channel RAM (2 x 512 mb)
120 GB 7200 RPM Drive
8x Dual Layer Burner

Thanks bunches!

[STEvil]

About 3 months gaming wise unless they've done something about their heatsink design to keep the CPU or GPU from frying.

[Chickenfeed]

The 8700M is decent enough as far as mobile gpus go but the processor is a tad on the weak side. Honestly your better off with a 8000 series Core 2 ( 8300s are good ) and more ram. At the very least more ram would be a wise idea as 1GB is just not enough anymore even 2 for that matter in some cases.

[Xyphereos]

how easy would it be to upgrade the processor. I know you can buy them from newegg. But how hard would it be?

[malkiewicz]

Buy a Sager.... Easy to upgrade....

[Xyphereos]

Well is the alienware easy to upgrade. This may sound dumb but it has been a dream of mine to buy one and now that I have a job that dream can come true.

[malkiewicz]

No... Alienware computers are not easy to upgrade, and it’s nearly impossible to OC them... The Bios is locked....

Sager can be upgraded easily (CPU, GPU, ECT) completely customizable... You will get more for your buck with this... You are going to pay extra for the Alienware Name... But then again its going to be your laptop - buy the one thats going to make you happy....


http://www.sagernotebook.com/images/products/5793_headerpic_Intel_logo_lockhead%20Rev.jpg

http://www.sagernotebook.com/images/products/9262_headerpic6.jpg

[gs274]

Your really going to get more for your money buying the sager since, it and the alienware are both rebranded clevo notebooks. Your paying for the exact same notebook but marked up to say alienware.

[Xyphereos]

Alright, Ill check the Sager's out. Can you suggest one around the price range of 1400 (USD)? Thanks.

[Xyphereos]

I cant find one for the same price as the alienware (1399) or cheaper that has the same parts...

[STEvil]

No... Alienware computers are not easy to upgrade, and it’s nearly impossible to OC them... The Bios is locked....


Alienwares tend to be rebadged units from Sager or Uniwill.

Upgrading components is the same between all laptops pretty much: remove lower casing (3-25 screws), remove cooler(s) (3-10 screws), remove cpu, re-install cooler, re-install casing.

[Xyphereos]

Would it void the warranty? Also does anybody know if the laptop i picked can support 8 or 9 series processors? Thank you so much for all of your help!

[STEvil]

Changing the CPU in an Alienware laptop without notifying Alienware support will void your warranty. I found that out the hard way, never mind that there were no "warrant void if..." stickers.

[Xyphereos]

Does the laptop support the 8 series and 9 series intel chips? Cause I might do it after the warranty runs out.

[MINIz guy]

That laptop should be able to support the Penryn processors but I'm not sure for anything past that.

[brightwindow]

Personally I don't think that's a good choice for you.