Test: Alienware Aurora m9700 UK

Summary & Conclusion

For my final conclusion of the laptop, certain things have to be considered, as they are of great importance to most people. First of all, what do you get for using this much money on a laptop. Secondly, what is the price to performance ratio.

If money is not an issue, and you appreciate being different from your peers, then it really is a no-brainer. The Alienware Aurora m9700 is special and will set you apart from most other gamers.

Considering the price to performance ratio, two things are worth noticing. First, the laptop performs fantastic compared to other laptops. Compared to a high-performance stationary computer however, the performance is mostly average. This is high-end hardware though. Keeping things in context, there is no doubt that the laptop delivers performance in spades, and is easily able to be used as a portable desktop replacement gaming computer. Compared to most other laptops, the m9700 is in a league of its own.

I think a rewrite of the "bang for the buck" proverb is in order. "Bling, and not so much bang for the buck" would be a fair statement for the Aurora m9700. The Alienware name is a statement all on its own. I brought it to class, and not a moment passed before the comment "An Alienware. wow" was heard. It gives you are feeling most hardware enthusiasts would gladly pay money for.





Final verdict

Innovation - 4 points
The use of SLI is seldom seen in laptops. A very cool feature, making the laptop capable of competing with high-end stationary gaming computers.

Bundle - 4 points
The excellent and unique design of the Alienware, is present in the bundle as well. CD's and DVD kits are emblazoned with the Alienware logo. Time and effort has been used in creating an excellent bundle. The Alienware T-shirt is nice additions, enhancing the feeling that you just bought something special.

Design - 5 points
Something very integral to Alienware, is the unique design. Getting the opportunity to use the laptop leaves you without a doubt; the laptop is truly special with a design that makes it stand out of the crowd.

Software - 4 points
The enclosed software covers all of your basic laptop needs. The recovery kit is able to return the entire computer to factory settings, complete with drivers and software setup. This can save you a lot of time compared to a conventional install procedure.

Performance - 5 points
Considering the proper context is essential in this category. The laptop is designed to replace the stationary computer, thus being able to play new games with cutting-edge graphics. As such, I find that the laptop lives up to my expectations. The option of replacing your household gaming rig with the Aurora m9700 is a very viable possibility. Furthermore, it outperforms most any competing laptop on the market.

Price - 3 points
Being an Alienware, it is evident that the laptop does not come cheap. Many would be willing to pay for the status it brings, in form of design and brand. As such, the Alienware delivers as promised. Considering the hardware inside the unit, the price is too high. If you truly want a unique laptop that only few people use and one that will outperform most other laptops, then the added cost may be worth considering. Personally, I do not find that the added cost is justified based on the brand and design alone.