The Alienware Aurora m9700 is a serious gaming notebook and is the first of its kind to utilize NVIDIA's SLI technology. It achieves this by using two GeForce 7900GS (256MB) graphics cards smartly positioned inside the casing delivering stellar results. Driven by an AMD Turion64 processor, the Aurora m9700 can also come outfitted with dual 100GB SATA 7200-RPM hard drives set up for RAID0. Finishing all this off is a 17” widescreen LCD outputting a native resolution of 1920x1200 pixels with Clearview Technology.
As is to be expected, the Aurora m9700 is not exactly an affordable notebook computer, nor is it all that compact, it is however insanely fast. With all the optional extras the Aurora m9700 we received for review can be bought for around $3700. Because this model does feature two graphics cards and two hard drives, it also weighs roughly 5 kgs (or 11 pounds) which by laptop standards still puts it in an acceptable range among the desktop replacement models. The base configuration costs just $1800, though it is far less equipped than the version we have here today.
View: Alienware Aurora m9700 SLI laptop review @ TechSpot
As is to be expected, the Aurora m9700 is not exactly an affordable notebook computer, nor is it all that compact, it is however insanely fast. With all the optional extras the Aurora m9700 we received for review can be bought for around $3700. Because this model does feature two graphics cards and two hard drives, it also weighs roughly 5 kgs (or 11 pounds) which by laptop standards still puts it in an acceptable range among the desktop replacement models. The base configuration costs just $1800, though it is far less equipped than the version we have here today.
View: Alienware Aurora m9700 SLI laptop review @ TechSpot
http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/store/configurator.aspx?mid=172
and its has dual gtx's!!!
edit: the alienware one also has 2x 7200rpm drives in raid 0
ORDER: First, my order was never processed because a $20 external USB card reader was out of stock. Customer service repeatedly told me it was an internal part and the computer could not be built and shipped without it. I was also told a restocking fee might apply if I cancelled (even though the computer wasn’t built?!
SCREEN: I spent extra for the upgraded screen. It’s extremely reflective like a mirror… I’m watching people down the block out my window in the screen… and that’s with the computer on! It’s very bad for the eyes.
IMAGE: The factory setting was extremely bright. Even correcting that, the contrast is terrible and the clarity of the pixels is terrible. Photos and videos are fine but it’s painful to read text. I can’t use the computer for long without eye problems (and I use computers all day every day for work without problem).
RESOLUTION: Why have a wide screen without wide screen resolution? It justs stretches a “normal” screen wider, makes everything look funny. The only widescreen resolution was at 1920x1200, which makes everything so small on the screen, it only compounds the image problems above.
TOUCHPAD: The sticky surface makes it tough to move the cursor precisely; it’s slow and often registers a “click” when not intended.
POWER: The computer only boots up about every other time I power it on. Other times I have to power down and power it on again. It’s a little annoyance and waste of time.
VIDEO: Switching between my gaming app and another app and back causes flickering and image problems in the game. I have to exit the game and reload it. This occurs despite nVidia dual SLI cards and 2Gb of memory.
TECH SUPPORT: It’s typical, I’m sure. They don’t know a thing.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT: It’s a waste of time.
REFUND POLICY: Beware of this! When purchasing, they state a restocking fee MAY apply. But customer service will say the restocking fee WILL apply. No matter what problems you have or time wasted with tech support, there is no refund of the restocking fee, no matter what.
In short, I’ve learned if you’re buying a high end computer, avoid Alienware. More generally, spend a little more and buy from a reputable store that will handle repairs on site. I’ve had good experience with RCS and Sony stores. My effort to save money ordering online has cost me $700 in S&H and restocking fees, and 2 months of my time.
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