New Alienware Laptop on the Way

[sjracer]

All,
I just ordered a new Alienware Area-51m 7700 laptop. My signature still has the old one listed, but it died. The onboard video went bad and it was going to cost $1200.00 to repair. Unfortunately the warranty ran out. I got the 3 year warranty this time. Anyway I was wondering if anyone else has the new 7700 model, and how they like it. I am into gaming. I have a two teenage boys, 13 and 14. I have a home LAN set up. My signature only has my main system and old laptop listed, but I have 2 other systems that I built. The main reason I want a gaming laptop is that my job takes me away from home quite often and I like a mobile system that I can game with. Anyway I just was hoping for feedback from any who have it already. The specs are as follows.

- Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 550 Desktop Processor w/ HT Technology 3.4GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB
- Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP PrO with Service Pack 2
- Warranty: 3-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Onsite Service
- LCD Display: 17" WideSXGA+ 1680 x 1050 LCD Clearview Display with Built-in Camera
- Motherboard: Intel® 915P PCI-Express Chipset
- Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 533MHz - 2 x 512MB
- Video Card: Area-51m 7700 NVIDIA GeForce™ Go 6800 Ultra with 256MB of DDR3 memory
- Hard Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 60GB 7200 RPM ATA100
- CD ROM/DVD ROM: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/Software
- Sound Card: Intel® High-Definition Audio (24-bit, 192Khz) with 7.1 surround sound
- Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
- Floppy Drive: USB Floppy Drive

I will add a 60 Gig 5400 RPM hard drive to it when it gets here. Anway any feedback is appriciated.

SJRACER

[Hoyle]

Well, SJRACER... Those specs are impressive. I might have stuck with the A64 for gaming, but between the video card and that massive 17" display it should be one solid gaming experience. How much will that setup weigh?

[Justintime]

Whats the battery time on that puppy? might be a bit warm too.. Not bad at all though.

[jankerson]

Sounds like a really nice machine.

We will want to see picts and Benches when you get it.

[Hoyle]

I'm guessing 10-12 lbs and about 70 mins battery life... But, hey, it's practically a screaming desktop rig in a portable configuration!

[sjracer]

The weight should be around 12 pounds or so. As far as battery life, they say while gaming, just over an hour. But, the main purpose for me is for a portable desktop. I wont use it on the go so much. I also ordered the Vantec Lapcool 2 to help keep it cool. I will post pics and benches when I recieve it. I cant wait. It should be around the same as my main system as far as performance I would imagine.

SJRACER

[Justintime]

Oh yea definetly..

[Martin_89]

looks like a bit of a "ball warmer" with that desktop P4 chip

still, id love a laptop like that, and with a laptop as you found out its always worth it to get a good warranty

[Hoyle]

looks like a bit of a "ball warmer" with that desktop P4 chip

Yeah, but at least there is enough computer surrounding it to justify the chip. I remember in the bad ol' days (before Pentium M and A64 mobiles)... You used to see laptops just as heavy and as power hungry being shipped with integrated graphics and dimunitive screen... I guess just because there wasn't much of an alternative.

[sjracer]

It finally shipped on Thursday. Hopefully it will be here next week. I will let you all know how it is when it gets here. I ordered the Vantec Lapcool 2 as well. I have to get my second hard drive installed, then get it all loaded up with my games, and then I will do some benchmarks and post. I cant wait till it gets here


SJRACER

[Hoyle]

You're going to do a PAIR of 7200 RMP 2.5" drives? Can you use RAID in a laptop?!?

[sjracer]

Yes you can Raid them, however, the second hard drive I have is from an older system. It is a 60gig 5400rpm hard drive, so I am just going to stick it in there for storage. I would have liked to get the second 7200rpm drive, but I was pushing my luck with the wife spending as much as I did.

SJRACER

[Hoyle]

Ah... well didn't realize your budget had... other... limitations. I wonder how much good RAID would really do with 2.5" drives anyway. Certainly would make me nervous, though... I've found laptop drives to be a little less durable than 3.5" drives. I, of course, being paranoid, would probably be using RAID 1, though, and that's something I'd like.

[ThreeOnTheTree]

This must be some notebook to have the option to install 2 hard disks. I'm pretty curious to see what this thing can do!

[sjracer]

From everything I have read, they are getting great reviews. I like it because I was looking for a desktop replacement that I can take with me when I go on trips away from home. I wont use it on the go much, but more when I get there. I wanted somthing that can game as well as my home system. This will do it. Plus I like it because it has the replaceable video card module. You can pretty much access everything on it. I will post pics and benchmarks when I get it.


SJRACER