Gizmodo recently got its paws on the Alienware Area-51 m7700 “ Desktop Replacement ” laptop computer in order of magnitude to determine if the hype surrounding Alienware was warranted . The finding of fact ? check out it out after the jump .
lively Statistics
17″ WideUXGA 1920×1200 LCD Clearview Display
double Pentium 4 630 desktop processor , 3.0 - GHz , 800 - MHz FSB , 2 MB L2 Cache
Intel 915P PCI - Express Chipset
1 GB PC4300 DDR2 - SDRAM
256 MB GeForce Go ! 7800 GTX
120 GB Promise 2 + 0 Stripe / RAID0 raiment
Intel High - Definition audio
24x10x24 certificate of deposit - RW
8x DVD+-RW
surplus Gizmos : Full - sizing keyboard with numpad , Integrated Wireless a+b+g and 10/1000 Ethernet , Four speakers and integrated subwoofer , Built - in webcam , 7 - in-1 card reader , Built - in TV Tuner
No , that is n’t a transcript - and - paste misprint . The m7700 laptop computer actually has dual screen background processors [ Checking on this – Ed – Confirmed . It ’s a fauna . ] , a RAID array and enough excess gadgetry to occupy a classroom full of ADHD students . allow ’s get right down to it , folk :
The Alienware Experience
I had try rumor about the phenomenal out - of - box seat experience that Alienware provides , but I greeted them with a healthy battery-acid of skepticism — I should n’t have . When this gigantic black box showed up on my doorsill , I tore into it like a giggling school girlfriend and continually found myself shouting various combinations of expletives that were meant to indicate to anyone in earshot that I was quite impressed . Digging through stratum after bed of Alienware goodness was like a never - ending Christmas nowadays ; each plane section of the boxwood peeled away revealing something even more exciting , from the uber - professional specification - rag to the package of add-on to the laptop itself .
you’re able to not help but be impressed by the sidesplitter - constituent that go with Alienware ’s machines . When you make up for style , they deliver it in bulk . The alien logo that grace the back of the screen conceals a blue light-emitting diode that shouts to everyone who walk by , “ Yeah , I ’m a bad ass . So what ? ” The black , Ag and dispirited color strategy continues to the inside of the gadget where the major power button seat atop a circle of sorry and the bleak keys and touchpad pop against the light-headed grey of the case . If you ’re in the market for the most stylish laptop computer you’re able to find , take care no further than Alienware .
The Machine
Anyone who has ever been on a date knows that expect only get you so far , so after you ’re done gape at the m7700 , you ’ll have to turn it on and play with it . “ Desktop Replacement ” is a term that has historically raise the eyebrows of this reviewer . Today ’s desktop automobile can pump out ridiculous amounts of force , and it only does n’t seem possible for anything as small-scale as a laptop to pack the same punch . Coincidentally , the Alienware m7700 is n’t as small as a laptop . Imagine your pill personal computer after three years training with Barry Bonds and you ’ll have something that moderately resembles this beast of a data processor . press in at a startling 10 Irish punt ( 20 in the carrying case with all the extras ) and measuring 16 inches by 12 inches by 2 column inch , do n’t underestimate the ability for a company to kettle of fish - pack a organisation this size with functioning equipment .
The 17 column inch monitor is perfectly gorgeous ; power off , the jet - inglorious screen is essentially a mirror , but throw some colours onto the screen and the reflection is just noticeable . It is deserving noting that the blind does seem to glisten with the sort of ‘ new - full car ’ shine you only expect to regain in a driveway . Park it somewhere on your desk and leave it there ; expend the built - in DVI - out interface if you have a proctor more beautiful than the LCD , stick a shiner into one of the four USB 2.0 ports , plug in your cable TV , firewire computer peripheral and remote - control IR recipient and get ready to love your new desktop .
The public presentation
The Alienware m7700 is n’t just a pretty face ; it know how to work it , too . It pulls in just over 6,100 3DMarks in 3-D Mark 2005 ’s game examination , derive up a hair shy of 4,000 CPUMarks in the CPU mental testing and will rock the sullen and shivery Doom III at over 80 frames per second . We could bear you with benchmarks all day , but the bottom line is this : turn up your configurations and enjoy your games because this laptop computer can handle it . Even at the native solvent of 1900×1200 ( Widescreen good ) , humans and orcs battle it out in the World of Warcraft with gorgeous mount and perfectly acceptable frame rates .
One crucial footer is that all of this execution comes at a price : you have to be tethered to a great power outlet . Unplugged , the laptop keep up world power by clocking down its components . This is hunky-dory if you want to scan Gizmodo , IM your pals or shop for sweet cyberspace deals , but if you be after on running any program that needs to take advantage of the power hidden inside the m7700 , you ask to plug it in . As a general rule , you ’ll want to plug it in all the time anyway ; in fact , you ’re almost required to . Battery life on this electronic behemoth could extend as far as three or four hours slug , but even moderate surfing or media center usage can debilitate a full charge in two minute , and serious gaming will suck the life out of your system in no time flat .
stuff and nonsense magazine did n’t choose the m7700 as their act five cause why electrical energy is so pop for nothing ! This is to be carry , as even an enormous battery ca n’t power two central processing unit , a athirst picture card , four speakers with a subwoofer and other part for very long . A “ Desktop Replacement ” is just that , a system meant to take the place of a stationary computer . While the m7700 is slightly more portable than a traditional PC ( actually , this wight is a perfect solvent for LAN - pitch end - users with a serious disbursement news report ) , it is n’t the character of laptop you ’ll want to carry with you around the function , to grade or to a casual outing .
The ecological niche
In case you have n’t figured it out , the Alienware m7700 is an telling machine . That being said , it is also an impressive machine that is built to fit what is probably a small niche mart . Yes , it is one beautiful animate being that will take you to game heaven and back . Yes , it is an ultimate media center solution , equipped with Windows XP Media Center edition and a remote controller to allow you to browse your pictures , movies , music , radio and cyberspace from the consolation of your preferent reclining chair or stream media over your base net to your Xbox 360 . No , it is n’t the thoroughgoing result for everyone . The part Mary Leontyne Price point for the m7700 is just over $ 2,000 ; as review , the price tag is a pilus over $ 3,700 . That terms tag will net you at least one decked - out , upgradeable desktop with change to spare .
The Final Good Book
Pros : Beautiful , eminent - performance computing and a versatile medium heart solution
Cons : Pricey and a turn bulky
advocate for : The serious gamer - on - the - go or the pal who insist on keeping up with the Jones ’
Product Page[Alienware ]
Alienwarehands - onLaptops
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