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Dell's Quest For Gaming Cool
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."
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
I have a dell precision m70 laptop, 2gb RAM, 256mb video, 7200rpm hd....
It works great for games. and as long as I buy dell, it will generally be approved by my workplace, so the Alienware aquisition is probably going to net me that much nicer of a (gaming) machine next time around.
"They ogle expensive, flashy machines ... and they buy expensive, flashy machines."
Uh yeah whatever. I think a lot of hardcore gamers are more concerned about the performance then the flashy looks. They like quality parts, they like to be able to upgrade without worrying about proprietary parts (Dell I'm looking at you).
Alienware just seems overpriced to me. But then I'm not the type that would by a Falcon Northwest computer either. I'm looking for performance for the price. While I may spend more than average on a video card and extra RAM, I'm not seeking that last 10% performance boost that doubles the cost.
Who really does pay for those $5000 showcase computers that get raved at in magazines like Maximum PC? I always get the feeling that they are put out there more as advertising than actual product. The big rigs get exposure and the fan boys drool over them, but odds are they are buying something a couple notches below.
Sometimes my arms bend back.
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.
The main difference between an XPS and an Alienware machine with the same specs is not how finely the hardware is tuned, it is the software. Dell ships everymachine out with a bunch of crap software bundled, some of which trips off populare anti-spyware software.
Here at work we purchase Dell laptops for our sales force and the first thing we always do after receiving the machine is to reload the windows disk, but not the auxillary software.
Crufty software doesn't belong on work machines let alone a gaming system. Some of the software bundled could even be considered offensive to gamers looking for high performance computers. Why not bundle software that is relevant to your target customers (i.e. quickbooks isn't it).
My inner self is ineffable, so don't eff with me.
Yeah when I don't have to buy a special power supply just so it will fit in the case.
Dell is a waste of money.
Gamers don't buy expensive flashy stuff because they want expensive flashy stuff. Gamers buy the stuff that can crank out the best graphics and smoothest gameplay; this TENDS to be the expensive flashy stuff, especially if you're going to whip it out at a LAN party... but then Dell bling won't help you get any "street cred" anyway.
The problem with your idea is that it makes sense.
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.
Gamers want (in roughly this order of priority):
High-end gear; top notch performance
Upgradeable, industry standard components for easy upgrading
Reliability
Tuned software as well as tuned hardware. (No Adware, OEM "partner" software, etc...)
Durability (for lugging to LAN parties)
Flashy case design
Dell can handle the first one, but they're notoriously bad at all the rest. If any of the last five of those things change about Alienware, every Alienware customer is going to know. Even if none of those things change, gamers all know that Alienware *is* Dell now. These people all read internet forums and tech news. They're not going to be fooled by a Dell with a different sticker on the front.
Here's an idea for Dell: instead of trying to buy somebody else's reputation, how about you start making PCs that don't suck for gaming. Then, perhaps, gamers will consider buying your PCs.
Congradulations.
If forums teach us anything, it is that logic and critical thinking should be required courses in the public schools.
I suspect a lot of the folks that buy Alienware are comparable to those rich brothers-in-law who go on the family Canadian fishing trip and show up with all of the most expensive gear (tags still on) and need help from Grampa Joe (with his 30 year old fly rod, dental floss and bent paper clip) to set the tension on the reel.
Learn to spell kthx
"Halo obsessives"
On the PC? I know its available on the PC but it hardly spawned obessive PC fans. Nor is it a game associated with high end performance
Did you get that thing I sent ya?
At work, we buy Dell systems. For a work environment, they work quite well. When I go home, I wouldn't buy a Dell system at a 50% discount (unless it was just for parts). Dell systems use a shitty proprietary motherboard, with a horrible BIOS, and way too many limitations. When I build a gaming system I want quality parts with a good upgrade path, not vendor lock-in.
I actually have a friend who has been screwed by this sort of thing more than once. He bought an HP computer back before the Compaq/HP merge. As he discovered gaming he also discovered that the system lacked an AGP port (the built in graphics card was, technically, AGP). So, he went out and bought a Dell (against my recommendations). It had a better built in graphics card, and the price was right (Dude, you're getting a cheap piece of junk). Once again, no AGP slot. He runs a fairly high end (as such things go) video card on PCI. Unsuprisingly, his video performance sucks.
Give me a beige box, which I built myself, any day of the week. I might run across a few hardware incompatabilities here and there, but that beats the hell out of finding myself without an upgrade path, because the vendor used cheap parts.
Necessity is the mother of invention.
Laziness is the father.
"Halo obsessives are not IT managers..."
Except, of course, for the gamers who are IT managers. Duh? It's not so cut 'n' dried.
I understand that your list of priorities is set up like that, but Alienware built a successful business selling monstrously overpriced systems to gamers (and, oddly enough, businessmen who should really know better) with the primary lure of fancy cases, nice paint jobs and eXXXtreme marketing.
You are not the target market, and you probably don't even know anyone in the target market.
Wrong. Pure and simple.
In the last week, Dell has been selling QUALITY machines for prices that you can't beat by putting together the components from mail-order-madness from PriceWatch. At the low end, you could spend $370 and get a "basic" machine with a 19" LCD and a licensed copy of Windows. After that, the "basic" computer is free. $1000 machines have been 40% off for weeks, with stackable coupons, free shipping, free 19" flat panels...you're paying $600 for a solid machine, great monitor, licensed software, home delivery, and A YEAR OF ON-SITE SERVICE.
The answer to most people is, in fact, Dude, you're getting a Dell. [And you're getting it at a good price, with solid features.]
They ogle expensive, flashy machines ... and they buy expensive, flashy machines.
I'll take a beige case anyday! It's like how people think they're cars are flashier and better by placing stickers and adding snap-on car parts.
It's what's under the hood that counts!
The thing that Dell needs to do to sell themselves to gamers, is include NO bundled software in it. Gaming systems don't need AOL For Broadband, and RealPlayer, and Quicktime, and Adobe Reader 7.0, and Microsoft Office, etc.
Dell is avoided because their computers almost need to be formatted right after they are bought. No computer will run games well with that much bloatware installed.
FanFictionRecs.net
Yeah, gamers just love GNU/Linux. Did you even RTFH(eadline)?
I don't think I've ever met a gamer who hadn't built their own computer.
So how are they making money if not using cheap parts assembled cheaply? Walmart-esque health policies? Chicken feather mobos?
t -like-Walmart type things?
Or is this one of those razor-thin-profit-margins-to-kill-competitors-jus
To me, it's all about technical specs, and forget the flashy case.
I'd put that money towards a larger/more reliable power supply instead.
Of course, AMD CPU all the way. .
Dell's specials rotate. The current round of specials is encouraged to remove old inventory. The 19" flat panels, although GREAT, aren't their current model. Some of the specials involved moving "older" processors as well.
The quality of the components is "normal," and certainly the margins are thin. Good news for the consumer.
Try hitting eBay to see the sort of Dell Coupons available as well.
It seems to me that MonarchComputer has that title. Good experience with those guys, no markup on parts, just a small assembly fee ~ 150 which is way worth it given the time it takes me to do my own assembly and risk blowing it.
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.
:P
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.....
I too handle Dell servers and desktops at work. What is proprietary you ask? Ok here is my experience:
1. Power supply. The Dell (at least Optiplex and Dimensions I've used) power supply is not standard. You cannot mount an off the shelf power supply because the power cord connector will be blocked by the Dell case.
2. Case connector. The connector that attaches to the motherboard for power switch, reset, speaker etc. is in one solid block which plugs directly into the motherboard. Now the ordering of connectors on the block will not plug into an off the shelf motherboard. So you are generally out of luck if you want to use a non-Dell motherboard with a Dell case. You CAN cut the block off and rewire seperate connectors to allow connection to a different motherboard, but it's hardly worth the effort.
3. Fan. The fan connector that plugs into the motherboard is not standard. Replacing the fan with an off the shelf generic one will not let you connect the fan connector to the Dell motherboard. This means that the Dell bios will think the fan has failed.
Small things, but things that mean replacing a cheap part (power supply, fan) will not be as simple as going to the store. Also a major upgrade such as a motherboard swap is more of a pain than it should be.
You are correct in that add in boards and drives are not proprietary but you may find that Dell skimps in some ways on their motherboards. For example, the mid range Optiplex computers have no AGP slot and no PCI Express X16 slot. So no way you can add in a video card, you are stuck with onboard. Also most Dell desktops have only 2 DIMM slots compared to 3 or 4 on most standard motherboards. You also will need to pay a bit more if you want to get say 1 512MB DIMM versus 2 256MB DIMMS - in order to leave a slot open for future expansion.
I have no problem will Dell's in the business environment. At least their business sales and support is excellent. As a home gaming system, there are much better (and cheaper) options.
Sometimes my arms bend back.
While I can agree that for standard uses they are good deals, I really don't think they are the best option for gamers or system tweakers by a long shot.
We run Dell's for all of our Windows computers at work, so I'm pretty familiar with them. Here's a few things I've noticed:
1. You may have problems replacing a power supply, fan or swapping the motherboard with a standard off the shelf PC part. They tend to have proprietary connectors.
2. Depending on the model you buy you may not have an AGP or PCI Express X16 slot, which means no video upgrade.
3. Most models (especially the cheaper ones) have limited RAM expansion. Typically this is 2 DIMM slots, both of which are usually filled when you buy it (unless you specify otherwise).
4. If you like AMD processors you are out of luck.
Lately I've found that rather than build my own, it's actually cheap to go with a system from a boutique shop such as ibuypower.com. You can pick the specific components you want and can generally choose from a number of highly rated motherboards and cases. I did a cost compare with between buying parts from New Egg versus buying a system from ibuypower.com and it was cheaper to for me buy it built - plus you can get a warranty.
Sometimes my arms bend back.
and what the amount of heat it puts out i bet it can start a fire..
i wonder if you have to sign a liablity waver before they will let you plug it in
'...if only "Jumping to a Conclusion" was an event in the Olympics.'
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.
Sometimes my arms bend back.
From a harocp article a few months ago, the Dell XPS 400 gamers rig wont run Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Quake 4, or The Sims 2 because of conflicts with the bloatware.
After reading their out of the box experiences, and add in their additional customer support ordeal trying to remove the bloat, I think I will be staying away from dell and alienware for gaming purposes.
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=OTI0LDEsLG hlbnRodXNpYXN0/
I would have to agree that Dell's premade machines do offer a good chunk of quality for the price, but the price starts to spiral out of controll once you reach a certain limit.
For example, If I were to make a system that would be used for little more than web surfing/MS office, then I would be hard pressed to beat dell in it's prices.
Once you start reaching beyond the 1k mark, where you start entering the realm of decent Comps with respectible hardware, Dell becomes less of a bargan and more of a liability. Once you go past 1.5k, It's no longer a compitition, building your own Comp will get you more bang for your buck.
People also need to understand that there are gamers out there, just as commited to thier games as any hardcore gamer, that just don't want to build thier own system. They either don't have the knowledge or just could care less about it. Instead, they would rather go to these premade places, buy a box, and be done with it.
The part that I don't understand is why they are so concerned about making "flashier" products for a customer base that is largely computer litterate and can see past the hype. I cannot picture myself, or many gamers, seeing these flashy boxes and buying them on that alone.
Then again, I do know some people who would spend 7k on an alienware pc, just to say they have it and do nothing with it but play solitare....
I'm not a "devoted" gamer, but I still build all of my own PCs to play games. When I set out to build my PCs, I want the latest & greatest that's currently available (and will pay top dollar for it) and allows for future expansion. The only Dell PCs I use are the ones my corporation provides me at the office. I have never seen a Dell computer with an Antec case and PS, Asus MOBO, Corsair RAM, WD 10K RPM SATA drives, and a pair of SLI or Crossfire cards.
:P
If you're that hardcore into gaming that you will spend the thousands for an Alienware or Dell PC, why not just buy all the parts over the internet from the cheapest retailers and build it yourself? Or maybe there is a significant difference between the gaming geeks and us hardware / overclocker geeks.
It's highly possible this is exactly why Dell bought Alienware. Dell (I hope) isn't so dumb as to simply buy another company for their brand. They also knew that what they were really buying was the expertise behind that brand.
In Repressive Burma, it's not just your connection that dies. slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=314547&cid=20819199
It works fine and all. Of course I put a dvdburner in and now everytime I startup the bios whines about the cdrom that dell sold me not being present. Oh well. Other than that it is rock solid most of the time. When I first bought it I had to completely reformat and install from scratch because the crap software that came preinstalled conflicted with my printer driver somehow and caused BSOD before startup finished.
yay
My next computer is an Apple.
The last time I ogled and bought an expensive flashy machine was back in 1998 and it was a Dell high end machine. Since that machine, I haven't bought another machine; instead I opted to build my own systems. Why? Because 1) I wanted to kill some weekend time with DIY projects, 2) The whole "AMD is not good enough" stance of Dell soured me on them, 3) It's morally reprehensible to pay $2000+ for a computer nowadays, and 4) I've out grown video games.
The moral of the story? Dell should stick to it's cash-cow markets (enterprises, governments, and schools).
-----
One is born into aristocracy, but mediocrity can only be achieved through hard work.
I haven't. I love gaming especially on the PC, but PC gaming is expensive as hell. Even those nice guides like the $500 "modern" gaming machine from Toms Hardware. Put it this way; if a person can't afford to buy a 360 and 1 game, they can't afford the $500+ PC system built for games either.
That begs the question do you think gamers who don't or can't build their own systems, are "gamers" at all? Rent, food, bills come first. After that I barely make any money at all for anything else. Honestly I carpool alot cause gas is insanely priced atm. If I can't spare the $30 to fill my car up, then it would take me a good year+ to save up even $500+ to build what is probably now, a bottom rung machine (comparing to more up to date hardware intense games like BF2 or Oblivion).
Would I go with a Dell? No. Sure they might be a few steps up from HP/Compaq but they still cut corners, vital corners. Would I go with an Alienware? Sure, if I could afford it. But then again if I could afford an Alienware, I could easily afford to build my own PC. Alienware builds nice machines but they exploit the consumer. It's one of those "they know that you know" ordeals; You as a gamer know you need a semi-beefy machine to at least play your games decently, Alienware knows this and they also know you're probably coming to them cause while you could afford it you might not know how to build one or don't want the hassle. So as such, as we all know, a machine that probably costs $1000 to build via Newegg or Pricewatch ends up being $1600+ from Alienware.
You'd be amazed at how good a console like the 360 or PS3 can look when they only cost around $300 (core 360 for example) while a gaming PC will run you at least $500+. I don't like consoles, sure Xbox Live is nice but hey, I already pay for broadband internet access, that right there should entitle me to free online play for many games (FPS's for example).
Aw Frell this
I don't trust Dell for my desktops yet. =/ Sorry, I've heard great reviews and have had bad experiences, personally, and places where I've worked.
eMachine > Dell and I can't figure out why! I'd prefer Dell, I'd like to suggest Dell, but in the end, well..
When their Sales Rep says that we need Media Center Edition + a Remote Control for a simple workstation that will NOT DO any type of sharing, local networking, microsoft networking, etc... because it's for work-at-home person, I can't even trust their Techs or Sales people.
Sorry Dell.
"Rent, food, bills come first."
:P
:)
Not an avid PC gamer then
The real order is Rent (a place to put your pc), bills (need the power and interweb), PC hardware, Games (not free, but get in enough betas, and you can lower the costs a lil) then food.
As for the transport thing, walking is my prefered method, with the cost of fuel, vehicals are more expensive to run and maintain than my pc, and i know what i prefer to spend time with
...
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.
- "a company they believe understands them"
- "PC Giant"
- "market clout"
- "premium relationships"
- "first to market"
- "hottest technologies"
There are glowing reviews, there are biased reviews, there are paid ads masquerading as reviews, then there is this.I'm going to post a link to this story whenever Slate tries to say anything of importance from now on.
I almost threw up when I saw the 10k pricetag on the Dell, and Alienware's 7k quad SLI system wasn't that great either. I took it upon myself to price out all these components and show gamers that they can build a just as good system for $4500 in phases, with the core system just around $2000 if you don't get the huge processor and the 3 other video cards. This is the real way to do it!!!! http://www.destructoid.com/build-your-own-damn-qua d-sli-pc-for-60-less
Bascially, I get angry about video games daily on destructiod.com
The real issue is that Dell does not carry AMD based machines.
For the last three years AMD's FX and AMD64 based gaming machines have blown intel out of the water.
Dell simply failed to capitalize on this market by not shipping amd pc's.
Alienware is a too little too late move for DELL. Alienwares machines are insanely expensive when compared to a custom built rig. Sure, you get "support" but what self respecting gaming geek is not going to be able to support his own machine? The value is in the l33tness of the hardware and not in the "value-added" services that are offered by the company.
They must have reduced it, because it's only $75 now. That's a really good deal.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of animals Chuck Norris allows to live.
Build your own system it is easier and cheaper to upgrade. Nuf said.
If I'm not using my computer exclusively for gaming, I WANT the software you mentioned (except for AOL... ewwwww.). If I didn't have Quicktime, or Real, or Adobe preinstalled I'd probably be forced to install it myself at some point. What I don't want is the trial versions of image editing software, or financial managment software, or the isp listings, or the toolbars, and I don't want to pay extra for any of what's installed, including the useful stuff.
And I don't use a computer exclusively for gaming, because I see no point as an average user in having a seperate computer for websurfing and e-mails.
I don't know if this is the difference between business and consumer support. I have heard that there is a big difference but I've never dealt with consumer support. I guess the big difference is that if you are spending a lot of money with Dell and support trys to give you the run around you can call your account exec and bitch to them. I've only had to do that once and I got a call back from the proper support 15 minutes later. Of course for the sales person it's in his best interest to make me happy both with him and with Dell because that will lead to more commision down the road.
Sometimes my arms bend back.
If you have $4,500 for a computer you almost certainly have $10,000 for a computer, and part of the reason you are buying the computer is to show off your lavish and ultimately pointless expenditure of resources. If you were actually concerned just with good performance for your money, you could have gotten a $1,500 off-the-shelf Dell or put something together for somewhere in the low $1,000-1,400 range, which is the point at which the marginal-performance-improvement-per-dollar curve starts to plummet.
Help poke pirates in the eyepatch, arr.
Just wait until he starts talking about bringing back the gold standard, and private militias, it's too bad we don't have a -1 Bat Shit Insane mod.
If you build it, nerds will come. Soylentnews.org