Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition - 5800H, RTX 3060, 16GB, 512 SDD - $1349.99 - 10% coupon = $1214.99

kunamvahees wrote: ↑ How are you guys getting Unidays code - I've been getting error saying they cannot issue a code for months.

jetpackc wrote: ↑ I bought two in a very similar config for family members during a sale in December. I had some Dell credit and paid roughly $100 less for it (including Rakuten, so around $1100), so I felt Ok ignoring my own advice to not touch this poorly reviewed laptop. I hate it.

It runs way hotter than the competition (so it throttles earlier), the build quality is crappy (it feels very cheaply made), and the fan has what is, to me, a very annoying sound profile. In addition, the Alienware software that controls the power modes is *incredibly* buggy, to the point where many online have lost their "Performance" modes forever, requiring a complete reset of the computer. Micron, too, so OC (not that you would want do it at these temps) is not great.

My advice (which you're are free to ignore) is: do not touch, do not approach, do not consider.

I wish I had had time to inspect them earlier so I could return both, and quite frankly, I would not buy these even priced in the $900 range.

jay_w wrote: ↑ Thanks for the input. I'm literally about to press the button to buy, as i've been eyeing these, but actually preferred to get a Legion instead. I think i'll heed your warnings, and wait for stock and a good sale for a Legion.

DonV15384 wrote: ↑ Just a reminder Perkopolis also offers a Dell 10% off code.

jetpackc wrote: ↑ I bought two in a very similar config for family members during a sale in December. I had some Dell credit and paid roughly $100 less for it (including Rakuten, so around $1100), so I felt Ok ignoring my own advice to not touch this poorly reviewed laptop. I hate it.

It runs way hotter than the competition (so it throttles earlier), the build quality is crappy (it feels very cheaply made), and the fan has what is, to me, a very annoying sound profile. In addition, the Alienware software that controls the power modes is *incredibly* buggy, to the point where many online have lost their "Performance" modes forever, requiring a complete reset of the computer. Micron, too, so OC (not that you would want do it at these temps) is not great.

My advice (which you're are free to ignore) is: do not touch, do not approach, do not consider.

I wish I had had time to inspect them earlier so I could return both, and quite frankly, I would not buy these even priced in the $900 range.

diweidi wrote: ↑ Try Perkopolis code is: ?P28MPZN852QKC
only got - CAD $67.50 off

Items (1)
CAD $1,599.99
Savings (before coupons)

- CAD $250.00
Coupon ?P28MPZN852QKC

|
- CAD $67.50
Delivery
FREE
Subtotal
CAD $1,282.49

jetpackc wrote: ↑ I bought two in a very similar config for family members during a sale in December. I had some Dell credit and paid roughly $100 less for it (including Rakuten, so around $1100), so I felt Ok ignoring my own advice to not touch this poorly reviewed laptop. I hate it.

It runs way hotter than the competition (so it throttles earlier), the build quality is crappy (it feels very cheaply made), and the fan has what is, to me, a very annoying sound profile. In addition, the Alienware software that controls the power modes is *incredibly* buggy, to the point where many online have lost their "Performance" modes forever, requiring a complete reset of the computer. Micron, too, so OC (not that you would want do it at these temps) is not great.

My advice (which you're are free to ignore) is: do not touch, do not approach, do not consider.

I wish I had had time to inspect them earlier so I could return both, and quite frankly, I would not buy these even priced in the $900 range.

TheGuard wrote: ↑ While I would agree with the sentiment regarding quality against the Legion 5 Pro or Legion 7, being all magnesium alloy build this Alienware is certainly more premium than the plastic Legion 5. Don't get me wrong, the thermal profile on the Legion 5 is still better but the feel is understandably much less premium. I have had this Alienware M15 R5 (QHD display, CherryMX keyboard and 3070) and it definitely felt premium and the display was absolutely phenomenal (140% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB/DCI-P3 on that 240 Hz QHD). However, I agree completely with your issues that I shared: the thermals are terrible unless you have fans set to max and then it is super-loud, the secondary keys are not lit so it's actually difficult to see any of the secondary functions, and the Alienware Control Centre is deplorable and hangs often. If you can accept those faults though, or you get one with good thermals then this is an incredibly good laptop. Dell has about the same warranty use as Lenovo (they will sort you out, but it will take months and when they do, it may include better components than when you started - happened with me).

• Regardless of material, the main thing about the body is the "flex" everywhere, which makes it feel cheap, compared to the Lenovo Legion (despite the material difference).
• The display on yours is vastly superior to the one in this deal, and both can't be compared! I have the one from this deal, and I consider it, at best, average for a gaming laptop.
• You can't necessarily "get one with good thermals" and be rid of its awful, innate design problems. If one is lucky, they might get a better pasted, cooler-running laptop - but that difference will likely be 1-2C at best, which is not enough to make a significant difference.

jetpackc wrote: ↑ Upvoted, just a few things to note:

• Regardless of material, the main thing about the body is the "flex" everywhere, which makes it feel cheap, compared to the Lenovo Legion (despite the material difference).
• The display on yours is vastly superior to the one in this deal, and both can't be compared! I have the one from this deal, and I consider it, at best, average for a gaming laptop.
• You can't necessarily "get one with good thermals" and be rid of its awful, innate design problems. If one is lucky, they might get a better pasted, cooler-running laptop - but that difference will likely be 1-2C at best, which is not enough to make a significant difference.

I gain nothing from telling all of you that you should run away from this catastrophe of a laptop, other than a warm fuzzy feeling inside that I'm helping people not to commit the same mistake I did (and deeply regret).

RaiderX wrote: ↑ Your critique is appreciated. But for the money this is still a tempting hot deal - alas perhaps too hot, if the thermals are as bad as you describe.

If anyone has alternatives that come close to this price point or any suggestions one can do to mitigate the heat issues? My finger is on the trigger, for now.