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Dell's Quest For Gaming Cool

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the not-even-if-they-were-real-aliens dept.

Slate is running a piece looking at Dell's attempt to grab gamer customers via their acquisition of the Alienware brand. From the article: "Gamers want powerful computers, of course, but they also want stylish systems made by a company that they believe understands them. Dell's XPS line of machines certainly provides the requisite power. The PC giant's market clout earns it premium relationships with component-makers like ATI, Intel, and nVidia, often allowing it to be first to market with the hottest technologies. But devoted gamers have still stayed away from Dell. Halo obsessives are not IT managers: They ogle expensive, flashy machines ... and they buy expensive, flashy machines. That's where Alienware comes in."

7 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. Its hard to be cool in those mylar intel suits.... by aapold · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The fact that the article doesn't even mention the AMD/Intel issue costs it considerable credibility in my opinion. I think it is definitely one of the primary obstacles facing Dell in this regard. Alienware had already gone outside the coolradar for many (including me) when Dell bought them, but its acquisition was like the final straw. "but you are the man". Exactly.

    --
    "Waste not one watt!" - CZ
  2. The real question by jacks+smirking+reven · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Is if Dell offers truly customized machines. AMD is big in the gaming/enthusiast market and thats only in its infancy if that much. Another aspect is the fact that most boutique vendors like Alienware was didnt have the capacity to manufacture their own OEM parts like Dell does and was composed of more off-the shelf stuff just assembled and tweak meticulously. Basically, if i want an Athlon FX Dual Core SLI rig with an Asus/Gigabyte motherboard, WD Raptor etc etc machine, will dell provide that, or will i get (high end for what it is, it may be) Intel based mobo and whatever compnents dell usually provides. The whole success of boutique is that they can offer custom stuff of any configuration for the mere fact that they are boutique, small and can handle it as part of their business, not a disruption of.

  3. Re:Its hard to be cool in those mylar intel suits. by XenoRyet · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Alienware had already gone outside the coolradar for many (including me) when Dell bought them, but its acquisition was like the final straw. "but you are the man".

    For me as well. They were really starting to slip in terms of reliability and support before the aquisition. The slogan "Build it like it was your own" hasn't been true over at Alienware for quite a while now. I don't think being under the Dell flag is going to help those issues any, at least not from a gamer point of view.

    --
    If forums teach us anything, it is that logic and critical thinking should be required courses in the public schools.
  4. Dell has not the gaming cool by Eideewt · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I don't think I've ever met a gamer who hadn't built their own computer.

  5. Alienware is cool? by Meest · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Now i'm not so sure about the rest of the gaming community.... But instead of oogling over an Alienware at a LAN we usualy make fun of the person who bought it.

    I even help run a LAN that has a secret prize we give away to one of the few that brings an alienware to the LAN.... a trashbag to cover the ugly stupid thing up with so he stops getting made fun of..... :P

  6. Re:Some stuff is Dell specific by joezakoor · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I agree with you on every aspect, some of Dells stuff, is Dell specific. A gamer wont buy a system that uses more specific, and non-standard parts (I could be wrong, look at the xbox lol) I think what Dell is hoping to get in this deal is a "starter system for budding gamers." Start them off with a nice generic computer? Id do that in a second, but what my point is, is that "dell" is a more recognizible brand name of computers, like HP. Doesnt mean its quality, but its the brand name. Like buying Cheetos brand Cheetos vs. buying generic Cheetos, basically the same thing, just different packaging. As parents used to say "But little [insert name here], your just buying the name."

  7. Re:Dell Support Sucks by vga_init · · Score: 4, Interesting
    The gold level business support is actually quite excellent. I haven't had any problems with understanding the support staff or getting replacement parts shipped out and in the office next day. Ditto for the onsite support. And if I do have problems (has happened once in 5 years) a quick call to my acccount manager got them jumping. From what I hear their standard support sucks ass. I guess it's a "you get what you pay for" situation.

    My good friend's mother bought a Dell not long ago, and when the power supply broke they called me in to take a look at it. After examining it, I called Dell tech support on her behalf (she was afraid to talk to them since she doesn't know much about computers). They had paid for gold service, but when I called the number, the very first thing the gold service tech told me was that I had called the wrong department and that he was forwarding me to the real tech support.

    This got me transferred to India or thereabouts--the connection was poor, and while we understood each other fairly well, the man tried incessantly to get me off the phone. Despite his pleading for me to call back later, I refused, and I did my best to work with the guy. After I had convinced him to actually help me, he informs me that I qualify for gold service and sends me back to the assholes that transferred me there in the first place.

    The third tech, however was very courteous and helpful. After verifying the problem, he put out a work order in minutes.

    My experience was this: Gold support is wonderful, but Dell is going to make you fight for it.