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It's Official Dell Acquired Alienware

robyn217 writes "Dell just confirmed today that it had acquired boutique PC vendor Alienware. Alienware's Nelson Gonzalez said that his company will continue on with its own brand, design, sales and marketing, and support, though, so Alienware isn't going anywhere just yet. Gonzalez also said that Alienware PCs would not carry a Dell logo, and that he would report directly to Jim Schneider, Dell's chief financial officer. "I think that you'll find it very hard to find the Dell name on the [Alienware] web site," he said." The rumor is now fact.

11 of 361 comments (clear)

  1. Maybe they've learned a lesson by MikeRT · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Look at the Dell DJ. It hasn't gotten anywhere at all because Dell is just not a brand that normal people associate with cool gadgets and computers. Well that and Apple has the holy trinity of music distribution, but anyway...

    Dell stands to reap a lot of benefits by letting Alienware be Alienware. It sends money their way and is a brand that helps them fight Apple. Switching them to Dell would dull the appeal of the product line if for no other reason than Dell is seen as the functional, not fast and gamer machine, makers.

  2. propietarity anyone? by jollyroger1210 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Dell is known for using custom, (aka propietary) parts, which makes me wonder, will Alienware begin to use them to? I hope not.

    --
    Purple, because ice cream has no bones.
  3. This is a win for AMD! by the_humeister · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Alienware sells computers with AMD processors. By extension, Dell is selling AMD-based machines!

  4. Hard to find? by PhunkySchtuff · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Hard to find the word Dell on their site?
    It's there over 130 times!
    Just check Google

  5. Re:The Alienware slogan... by Fujisawa+Sensei · · Score: 2, Interesting

    And Jags sucks now.

    I saw X-Type a few days ago the rear end reminded me of a Ford Contour. Then there was the XK8 from around 2001-2002 where the dash and steering wheel looked like it came out of a Tarus, except they were nice wood.

    --
    If someone is passing you on the right, you are an asshole for driving in the wrong lane.
  6. Dell's "way out" - sell AMD in Alienware by poopie · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Now, Dell can have a niche brand that uses AMD processors for anyone who demands them, while Dell can continue to sell Intel-only systems and keep Intel happy.

    Oh, and Dell... I don't believe that selling bare AMD processors on your website that cannot be put in any motherboards you sell is a convincing way to prove that you're not an exclusively Intel shop.

  7. EA buys Origin by Taulin · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I still remember when EA bought Origin. Garriot was quoted saying that Origin will still have control over their games and EA will just allow them to make bigger and better games with a wider distribution. I remember this because I remember it happened around the time Ultima 7 came out, and it worried me. While I never bought an Alienware box, these statements seem similar. As mentioned by others, Dell's hand will be there pushing in one direction or another. Maybe I am just jaded because my programming job at Dell was outsourced to a $5/hour Brazilian, but Dell is evil. No body smiled at work, and was always worried about loosing their jobs. Evil biz practices, like the Printer fiasco, and all of that makes me avoid Dell products.

  8. What the...??? by Mr.+Freeman · · Score: 2, Interesting

    "Nelson Gonzalez said that his company will continue on with its own brand, design, sales and marketing, and support, though, so Alienware isn't going anywhere just yet. Gonzalez also said that Alienware PCs would not carry a Dell logo"

    Then what the heck is dell in charge of? Profit taking?
    "he would report directly to Jim Schneider, Dell's chief financial officer."

    Oh.

    --
    -1 disagree is not a modifier for a reason. -1 troll, flaimbait, redundant, overrated are NOT acceptable substitutes.
  9. Re:Honda builds Ferraris better than Ferrari... by MayorDefacto · · Score: 2, Interesting
    And don't forget that Ford, the most common-man car company out there, makes the GT, which blows the pants off of most Ferraris.

    Sadly, not for much longer...

    On a side note, one of the guys I work with bought a red Ford GT several months ago. Drove it to work one day and let me get up close and personal with it; damn, they are even more gorgeous in person than in the photos! And you could hear it across the company campus when he fired it up. Too bad they're closing production, it's a sweet, sweet ride!

  10. I hope Dell buys them to kill the company by itpr15061 · · Score: 2, Interesting
    For those that are Alienware fans, don't read this as nothing I can say will dissuade you, you've made your religious choice. For anyone else interested in the quality of this company, read on. I own both Dell and Alienware computers. The Dell is a much better piece of hardware in my opinion, is laid out better, comes with better documentation, and is far more reliable.

    Alienware products are awful. Don't take my word for it - http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1650.html

    I bought a system from them and all of the following failed within three months:

    - Microsoft gaming mouse
    - IBM hard drive (these are notorious for failing, why did they use them?)
    - Motherboard or CPU (don't know which, replaced both at once)

    In addition, I got my choice of case colors. Turns out it's just spraypainted on. The slightest scratch of your fingernail on the keyboard and the paint comes off, with black plastic underneath. The warranty for the broken parts is worthless, they always assume the customer did something wrong and give you a total runaround until you're discouraged enough to quit calling.

    Alienware customer service is abysmal, they told me over and over I'd be receiving my system in a week and it took them close to two months for me to get it.

    The best thing Dell could do to save its brand name is beat all the Alienware employees with a rubber hose and then close the doors.

  11. Dell buys a Clevo / Uniwill laptop distributor! by vprasad · · Score: 2, Interesting
    YAY??? Why is this big news? Is Alienware really that well regarded in PC communities? All they do is take components and assemble them, spray paint them and sell them at a premium. Other than the snazzy paint job, where's the value added?

    http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=15 6621

    http://www.m-techlaptops.com/alienware_vs.vodoo.ht m