Alienware Aurora m9700 17-inch Notebook

Reviews: Hardware

Motherboards | Power Supplies | Memory | Systems | Video Cards

Author:
Editor:
Sponsor:
Published:

Max Slowik
Kurtis
Alienware
Jul. 25, 2007

Specifications

<< Previous

Home >>

Conclusion

The aesthetics and engineering quality of this piercing blue laptop precede any perceivable faults. It's heavy, but in a strong way. The display moves with resistance, but a smooth and calm kind of force. The keyboard feels right. This is the best-made laptop I have ever used. With the beautiful, thick, enamel-like paint job on it, no matter where it is, people will stop to talk to you about it.

My criticisms washed away upon the realization that this pretty machine isn't a laptop at all. It doesn't belong on the road. Hell, it barely fits into a laptop bag--I had to pull pretty hard to get the zipper of my messenger bag all the way around it--and it's too heavy to sling over-shoulder for long. This portable desktop may be limited by its form-factor, performance-wise, but it makes up for it with usability, good looks, and top tier construction.

It's an archetypal desktop replacement. And you know what else? It's not unaffordable. The basic configuration costs about $1600, and is nearly as sexy and capable as the configuration I got--you have to admit, the build was a little over-the-top. Overall, it needs a tweak here and there, but if you look at any pre-built computer long enough, you'll find problems with it. Of course, you can always opt for two of the 256MB GeForce 7900GSs and fast RAID in the online config, which would make it a very nice buy.

This is the perfect computer for anyone who hears the word "desktop" and thinks of a flat, wooden surface. While using this computer, I forgot it was a laptop. Can there really be a better thing to say about a desktop replacement?

Pros

Portable
Better gaming than your average laptop
Good price on the low- and medium-range configurations, but you can get carried away
Glowing alien head on the back of the display; it's got that Alienware appeal
Lots of ports, because you're going to want to use it like a desktop PC anyway

Cons

Portable--as long as you're not going very far
Better gaming than your average laptop--not better than a desktop
Sub-par video playback
Really belongs on a desk because it's heavy, hot, and has little battery life

<< Previous

Page 12 of 12

Home >>

Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: First Looks
Page 3: Test Setup
Page 4: Testing - HL2 Episode 1
Page 5: Testing - F.E.A.R.
Page 6: Testing - Company of Heroes
Page 7: Testing - Prey
Page 8: Testing - Need for Speed Most Wanted
Page 9: Testing - 3DMark 06
Page 10: Performance Summary
Page 11: Performance Summary, Continued...
Page 12: Conclusion

Subscribe to Systems [more info]

Add Comment

2 User Comments

1 - Posted by mjsmom on July 27, 2007 - 10:07 pm

My non-tech comments. . .just browsing your articles today. . .would love to have a laptop, any laptop. . .keep writing. . .I'm loving it. gm

2 - Posted by Kurtis on July 28, 2007 - 2:09 am

Thanks for the kind words, mjsmom. :)

Add Comment

To add a comment without being a member, you may omit the password field, but you must enter your name (or nickname) along with your comment. * Denotes required fields.