Aurora Review: Start to finish (Completed)
Written: Jul 06 '01 (Updated Aug 07 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy and secure orders, system is built for an experienced user
Cons: Slow delivery times, system is a little loud
The Bottom Line: The best system, by far, you can have manufactured.
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| hox-ii's Full Review: Alienware Area51:Aurora |
Part One: The Ordering Process
If you are reading this review, you are probably just like I was a while back - looking through every possible review I could find of Alienware and their systems to decide if they truly were the best system manufacturer in the United States. Fortunately (or unfortunately), I decided to choose the higher-priced Alienware system over a mass-produced, cheaper system from a company like Dell or Gateway.
In deciding upon Alienware, the price was perhaps the biggest concern I had with the company. Since I hadn't ever ordered a system from Alienware before, how can I be sure that I will be getting what I paid for? As I played with the system configuration tool on Alienware's website, I could easily create a system that ended up well over $3,000, but found it difficult to get anything below $2000. However, making some careful considerations, I decided that I really did not need half of the things that were on my order sheet. I could easily use an old monitor of mine, or buy a new one for cheaper from the local electronics store and even avoid shipping prices; same for the speaker system. After about ten minutes of playing around with the price and components, I ended up with a 1.4ghz Athlon Thunderbird with 256mb DDR RAM and a GeForce3 for an exact $1700. Although still a tad pricey, consider this: Would you rather pay the extra money to get something you would love, or pay a little less and always have that regret in your mind that you should have bought the better system?
I ordered my system on a Saturday afternoon over their order webpage. I was very surprised to find that they didn't have much in the way of a confirmation page after entering your credit card information... however, you are either required to call them to verify your information, or they will call you within two business days. I chose the former, as I wanted this system to be in production as soon as possible. This, of course, was not going to happen.
Three days after ordering, I was put off a little when I visited my "personalized order status webpage." The webpage said that my order status was "Order Received." According to the order status webpage, this means that not only was my system not in production, but that my order hadn't even been verified yet. Furthermore, I checked my answering machine and there was a call from my credit card company citing possible fraudulent transactions recently taking place. Although Alienware may not have anything to do with it, I assumed that Alienware had called the bank company to get verification directly from me. Super-secure, yes, but a little bit of a hassle, especially after I already called to confirm my order.
A couple of days later, the status still had not changed. I decided to give my customer service representative (Luis Clar) an email to see if something was wrong with the webpage. He replied the same day in a very short but informational email stating that the status webpage is not updated as quickly as it used to be, and that my system was in production. He also stated that if I had any further inquiries as to the status of my Alienware computer I should call him personally.
I went back to my usual ho-hum daily routine, trying not to get too anxious to receive my system in the stated "2-3 week" range. At the 2 1/2 week mark, I decided to give Luis a call to see what was happening, hoping that it was on its way. Luis, unfortunately, stated that my system was still only in production, and that every Aurora that had been ordered recently had been put on hold until they received a new ASUS motherboard. A more expensive board, but I am still not sure if it will have been worth the wait. Also, the fact that Alienware did not contact me to tell me there was a delay kind of put me off. So my system, which had been on order for more than two weeks, was still just an idea and did not have any physical form.
I decided to wait a couple more weeks and see what would happen. Besides, my customer service representative, Luis, did say that the boards should be in soon. Throughout those two weeks, I consistently checked the update webpage to no avail; I was apparently still in the first stage of ordering. At 4 1/2 weeks of waiting, I had had enough and was about to call the company to find out what exactly was happening, and if they couldn't do anything to speed my order up any more, I was going to cancel. Fortunately for myself, I decided to check the order status webpage before I called, and amazingly enough, after 4 and a half weeks at the "Order Received" stage my system was in "Integration" (the system had been put together and was currently undergoing the installation of software). I said "hey, why not give it one more week and see what happens?"
Fortunately, the update webpage appeared to have been fixed, as the status of my system was updated daily with what was going on. Finally, at the 5 1/2 week mark, my system was shipped. Forty total days and $1700 after my order, I had received my Alienware system.
Part Two: Initial Impressions
The box the system was shipped in was standard size for mail-order computer systems, with a nice green Alienware logo on the side to show everyone that you're not just a regular FedEx customer. Inside was a crapload of those damned clingy styrofoam peanuts, smothering what would otherwise be a simple combination of three boxes: one containing just my keyboard, another about the same size containing manuals, my mouse, CDs, wires, etc., and a third containing just the system. I was very surprised to see the load of software and documentation that came with every part; unlike your usual Dell or Gateway, Alienware ships every piece of documentation and software (including bundled games) that normally come with a piece of hardware.
My first impression on the system itself was that it was quite large; I intentionally ordered the "Dragon Full Tower" case, for I like larger cases far better than small ones (I absolutely despise Compaq and HP systems for their trend of "smaller is better" - computers are not meant to be CUTE). I hurriedy set up my system to hear the initial boot-up process - who doesn't love that moment? The smell of fresh plastic, metal, and silicon and the hum of your new system running for the first time...
At least I thought it would be a hum. I turned on the system, and it literally roared at me. I have never seen a system run so loudly outside of a big corporate server itself - this machine literally deafens the sound of my old Dell. It appears as if the main volume is coming from the rear power supply fan; an annoyance that can be overlooked when using a 300-watt power supply.
Note: When reviewing hardware, it must be understood that not all systems are alike. Speeds and other performance results, including system noise, may vary.
The system I ordered ran under Windows ME. The system booted up incredibly fast (it was almost on before my older system could reach it's initial beep), and I was on my way to intalling every little thing I could to test out my new machine. As with most new computers, the system seemed a bit foreign to me, but after a few installations and tweaks to the interface, I felt totally natural running around the desktop doing my usual thing.
The desktop itself was nice - only essential programs were iconized on the desktop, and a total of two items were in my system tray. No unnecessary briefcase, no worthless Microsoft Mail, no annoying "SIGN UP TO AOL IM NOW!" icons. I was in heaven.
Meanwhile, the inside of my system was a fesh sight to see - everything was clean and inviting to poke around at. There was no bar or secondary device that had to be removed to get at the componants, and every little wire was tied neatly and tucked out of harm's way. Best of all, the system was so spacious it was *incredibly* easy to add new devices; I added two PCI cards initially without any trouble or hassle.
Part Three: Lasting Impressions and Conclusion
It has been two weeks since I received my computer, and it has become my best friend. I have done everything I could think of to slow it down, and it won't even budge.
Of all the systems I have ever owned or worked on, the best systems are the ones where the speed and efficiency aren't even noticed when you are playing games or doing menial tasks. It is easy to forget about load times and graphics slow downs when you are working on a system that delivers more punch than your Grandmother's moonshine.
All in all, I will heartily recommend an Alienware PC to everyone I know searching for a new computer system, especially gamers. As for the pricing, there are ways to work around the price... I was able to get my high-end system for $1700, which is a steal for an Alienware. The best way to avoid extra prices is to search for components that can be bought seperately at your local computer store. Monitors, speaker systems, network cards, modems, and even RAM can usually be purchased for cheaper prices at a mom & pop electronics store.
Allright, well I typed a tad too much for this review, so I'll let you all get back to your macaroni and cheese.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1700
Operating System: Windows
Processor: AMD Athlon (K7)
Processor speed: over 1000
RAM: 256
Internal Storage: DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 21-30
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Epinions.com ID:
hox-ii
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Reviews written: 1
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