Alienware 13 Review + Graphics Amplifier: Portability and Desktop Power

[Guest]

Is it really that hard to build somethig like Lenovos Ultrabay, where you could switch the less and less needed DVD drive with a 2nd gpu? With a little effort they could bring quite alot of cards into that cardridge form factor with own cooling circuit and make them upgradable the same way. But I guess the industry wants to dispose of older laptops and I can imagine gaming is a hughe factor in this planned obsolescence. Sadly the earlier tries to get an upgradable GPU card standard failed.

 

[Arris]

Sadly the earlier tries to get an upgradable GPU card standard failed.

As I found out with my Clevo 150EM based laptop that has an MXM graphics module that is "upgradeable", unfortunately nothing newer in this format is actually compatible.

 

[Kibaruk]

Unless they come with a universal solution it will never stick, will be too expensive and only on select equipment, which will grow old and obsolete.

 

[Guest]

The point is pretty obvious in my opinion. It's targeted at someone like myself, who only plays games situated at home at my desk, where the amplifier would come in handy, but still wants a thin, portable laptop to use on the go. This essentially just allows me to only have to buy one computer as opposed to ultrabook/gaming desktop split. I've had every combination. I built a gaming desktop first, then I thought I wanted a gaming laptop so I went with a maxed out Sager, then I realized I never play games on the go and I really just want a thin, awesome battery life laptop but I still want to play games at home. Having said all that, I definitely think Alienware misses the mark. For me, it'd be perfect if the laptop itself had NO dedicated graphics. I want it as thin, light, and with a long battery life as possible, with a good processor and RAM, but then come home to a graphics amp.

 

[LNCPapa]

Job gave me the go ahead to order this tonight. I'll let you guys know what I think of it soon. It's going to be my portable Oculus Rift machine.

 

[MannyTheMan]

The idea of only having one machine has been more and more appealing as I've gotten older. If I could switch to Mac I would, but as a VS developer, my world revolves around windows. The thing that gets me is why people point the finger at Alienware for being overpriced. If you look at the configurations they offer, I'd say they are competitively priced compared to ROG Asus and MSI. Maybe once upon a time right after Dell took over Alienware that was the case, but like Toyota and Honda, they had to adjust their pricing while delivering a solid product to compete. No one stays on top forever.

The amplifier is an accessory and is not mandatory. If you want more horsepower your free to purchase a 15 inch machine. And if you really want a 13 inch machine with balls, I guess you could get a razer. Although that would set you back even more than the "overpriced 13 inch + the amplifier".

The bottom line is that if your complaining about pricing/portability/performance, then clearly this product is not targeted to you. People should just not complain about ponying up some hard money if they want performance on the go.