Your favorite laptop vendor

Doubt it mate the average road warrior wouldn't need a laptop that's as big or as high spec as the Envy.
When you're jet setting from meeting to meeting you don't need a giant laptop weighting you down, I'd be using a Lenovo X200s or a X200 Tablet.

I do like Lenovos options, but the Envy is far from being heavy.. neither the 13" or the 15" model has an optical drive and they are both designed to be as small as they can.

I'm going to say none of the above, and choose Alienware instead

Alienware is Dell...

Precisely. Even if the components are the same and the same quality (doubtful), there's the software, firmware and capabilities, official and consumer tech support, the possibility of repairs, updates...

I don't like Acer as a brand either, but seeing as how this was the best option in the price range with dedicated graphics, I was more willing to take a chance than sacrifice what was a big feature for me.

I knew someone was going to say that...
anyway, as I see it's a side brand alienware is alienware and dell is dell it's not the same just because it's the same owner

And you can argue how much you want about this being or not being so, but my opinion is not going to change...

Does not change the fact that alienware is only a Dell product line now a days.

And in my opinion they lost some of their willingness to do wild and extreme computers after Dell bought them, thereby also loosing some of what made them great to begin with.

So for me Alienware has become Dell





Fair enough, but if you look at the expected time an Acer will last (without starting to have problems), and how long you e.g believe a Lenovo* would last, then I believe it would still be more expensive to buy two Acers, rather than buying one Lenovo which will last twice as long.

*substitute with whatever brand/product you may feel is high quality

I don't see the problem everyone has with Dell. I've had an XPS desktop for years and it has never let me down. Friends/family who use Dells have never had any complaints either. It's a personal preference so I don't mind if someone doesn't like them, but to say anything is better than Dell is just... I don't see it.

Anyway, for my first personal laptop I'm going to give Alienware(/Dell) a chance. Far as I can see, Alienware still has their sleek design and good build quality. But honestly I haven't seen any laptop brand that I don't like.

First of all, there is definitely several companies with better quality in general than Dell, but taking aside that your computer is a Desktop, then the XPS line is expensive gaming computers so they would of cause be made with better components than the cheap Dell computers




Just stay away from Acer...
Regarding an Alienware laptop, my argument is still the same: if you pay (a lot) more you get better quality, this is usually true for any brand.
Unless you really like the way Alienware looks, then I would suggest you to buy another laptop since Alienware has always been really overpriced (but of cause also really cool :) )

New model baseline MacBook can be found for 800 dollars with rebates excluding tax at microcenter on the West Coast for personal use. It is worth every penny b/c you won't get any labtop at that price that has up to 7 hour battery life, portability, specs, and overall engineering quality.

It might not be for you considering it's not Windows and all the disadvantage/advantage that comes with that, but it is categorically false to say Macbooks are overpriced. Other apples products like its monitors and desktop arguably, but Macbooks definitely not.

Also here is my personal anecdotal experience in terms of overall quality (cost not taken into account)

1. Sony Vaio high end line, Lenovo Thinkpad line, Apple Macbooks/pro.
2. Dell, all other middle of the line brands
3. ACER, HP, Toshiba, Gateway, Emachines

You're right. And I'm sure there are better quality laptops than Dell, I won't argue since I haven't tried them all, it's just the "anything > Dell" comments that I didn't understand.


Thanks for the tips. I'm always open minded when it comes to technology and companies and I'll take any advice into consideration. I'll also agree that Alienware is overpriced, but I just can't resist to give it one chance and see what it's all about, also being tax refund time and all.

Voting for the MacBook for obvious reasons.

Wouldn't trust Lenovo laptops for obvious security reasons:
http://www.itworld.com/security/95398/can-you-trust-chinese-computer-equipment

Basically an Article on the Chinese government's involvement with bugging Chinese computer equipment. If this is true (which it is to some degree, but saying that all of our computers Chines have this is ridiculous), then that means the Chinese govt. or others might have access to your files, saved passwords, and even credit card info from online purchases if you own a Chinese manufactured computer.

Taiwanese laptops should be safe (because of their complete independence from China), but my Dell Studio XPS 13 might have been produced in China.

It's just a thought to keep in mind if you are purchasing Lenovo, or any Chinese manufactured laptop, and trust me, there are a lot of those (remember that most of our computer parts are made in China).

Personally if I could trade in my Dell Studio XPS 13, I would get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220687

That is just FUD, with something as complex as a laptop; if you want anything useful from it you need access to both internet and HD. Since you cannot rely on the OS you would need to do it very low level, or put an extra piece of hardware in the laptop. I believe any suspicious activity would quickly be discovered, and extra hardware would to, since Lenovo laptops (Thinkpads at least) are extremely easy to disassemble.





How exactly is Taiwan independent? lets see:
1. has own government? NO
2. has own military? NO
3. Is recognized by UN as a country? NO

So the answer would be NO, they are most decidedly not in any way independent (though they would like to (and passively trying to) I guess..)




That is the price we unfortunately have to pay for not wanting to pay up when it comes to hardware.

Unfortunately they do have their own Government,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_China#Government

They do have their own military,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_China_Armed_Forces
However it is true we provide weapons for them.


And there's a legitimate reason why the UN doesn't recognize Taiwan as a country:



They are independent, just not formally due to reasons above. Don't make statements that you can't back up without proof.

Therefore, it's safe to say that Taiwanese computer products won't be like their Chinese counterparts.

I already gave you 3 specific claims and you just gave some of the proof your self :)

E.g. Any restrictions or promises made to China will apply to Taiwan too. If the UN does not recognize Taiwan as a country, it just is not, because they represent everyone that matters.

If you cannot trade as an independent nation, or have your government recognized by the UN; then can you call your self independent? Answer: you can't

Hp, though I'd take an Alienware [Dell]

If HP is your favorite, then why do you want an Alienware?

I'd imagine it's because he's had good experiences with HP laptops, but would love the Alienware specs/build.