Review: Buying an Alienware Area-51m 7700 Mobile Computer
Every time the system enters one of the phases above, an email is sent to you notifying you of the progress. As you can see, a lot of time is spent checking the various components that will be used to build the machine. And after the assembly and integration phase, there’s an elaborate quality control process which guarantees that the machine can deliver top performance.
When my order was in, I believe, phase 8 or 9, I was able to call to Alienware and change the configuration of my system. This was very easy and the sales representative was very nice and helpful. I have to say that I have only good experiences with Alienware’s customer support so far. After I changed the configuration another email was sent to me notifying me of the changes.
When my order entered phase 14, I got an email notification from Alienware, and the same day got an email from FedEx notifying me of the shipment and providing me with the tracking numbers so that I could check the progress on FedEx’s website. As you can see, I was able to monitor the progress from the time I ordered the machine to the time it was delivered. This is very nice and convenient.
When I got the system, like my previous Alienware system, everything was packed very well. The system itself was wrapped in plastic, the manual and driver CDs were present, as well as a checklist of items that should be included in the box and an invoice with the complete system specifications. You are encouraged to check that all items are present and if not, to contact Alienware immediately.
Once I checked that everything was present I unpacked the system, connected everything and turned it on.
When the system booted into Windows, I checked the system specs to see if everything I ordered was included. While I was fooling around a bit I noticed a black dot on the screen. At first I thought it was dust, but when wiping over it didn’t help, I realized it was a dead pixel. I wonder how this dead pixel got by Alienware’s extensive quality control unnoticed. The dead pixel is not in an area of the screen that is covered by Alienware’s dead pixel warranty, but still I would not expect Alienware to send me a mobile computer while they know that there is a dead pixel on the screen. If the dead pixel would have appeared after a few days or weeks of use, I would understand, but not as soon as I turn on the system the first time. This just shows that either Alienware’s quality control did not inspect the screen well enough, or that Alienware sent me this system while they knew about the dead pixel.
In both cases it is very disappointing and not what I would have expected from Alienware.
When you buy something online, you trust the company where you buy that they send you something that works well and has no defects. This is not like going into a shop and being able to see the system you are about to buy and being able to make sure the screen has no dead pixels. Buying from a website like Alienware’s is different. You trust them to send you something good. And when you get a system with dead pixels or other defects sent to you, that should have been noticed by them, it influences your trust in them in a negative way. The next time I want to buy a system from Alienware, I’ll hesitate because of the risk that they can send me a system with dead pixels. I suggest that if you want to buy a system from Alienware, you call to their sales representatives to assist you with the configuration, and have them guarantee you that the screen of your system will contain no dead pixels on arrival. If they cannot guarantee that, buy at your own risk. If the next time, probably in about 2-3 years, when I want to order a new mobile system they can’t guarantee this, I don’t think I’ll buy an Alienware system.