Alienware "Special Edition" m5790 offers up overclocked Core 2 Duo

It seems that the "most powerful" laptop in Alienware's ever-growing lineup has already lost its crown, as the (somewhat) budget-friendly m5700-series has received a new member, and the "Special Edition" m5790 delivers a base price that won't elicit rage from the SO, but offers up an overclocked CPU option to satisfy your speed cravings nonetheless. Aside from the 17-inch display, 512MB of RAM, 60GB hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600, gigabit Ethernet, 56k modem, Bluetooth, WiFi, and combo drive, the machine seems fairly vanilla, but if you cough up $800, you can get an overclocked 2.66GHz Intel T7600G Core 2 Duo processor to spice things up. Among the other upgrades that push the pricetag on this lower-end machine up into the clouds are a $200 UXGA screen, $430 for 2GB of DDR2 RAM, $270 for 200GB of HDD space, $600 for a built-in Blu-ray drive, and $350 for ATI's Mobility Radeon X1900. So if you're in the mood for seeing just how much self-control your mousing finger really has, surf on over to the read link and (try to) buy only what you want need.

[Via TGDaily]

[uNext @ Jan 19th 2007 11:06AM]

and i just spent 2540 for a macbook pro 17"
dammit

[Zadillo @ Jan 19th 2007 11:14AM]

Presumably you bought a MacBook Pro because you wanted/needed to run OS X though, right? What exactly does the introduction of a new Alienware 17" laptop change about that? It's not like before this update was announced that there weren't similar Alienware laptops before. Either way, I would think the purpose and market of the 17" MBP vs. the 17" Alienware is pretty different. It isn't the cost is it? Because as they point out, the fully loaded Alienware here costs around $4000.

[Daniel @ Jan 19th 2007 11:40AM]

Does anyone else think it's funny that for the "video" playing on the laptop (on their site), they chose a scene from the episode of 24 where the terrorists use Alienware laptops?

If you buy Alienware, the terrorists win.

(I still want one.)

[uNext @ Jan 19th 2007 11:45AM]

2540-For the macbook pro.
8x dual layer-a grainy lcd display.

2380-For the alienware.

The alienware would bring me a blu-ray drive-x1900 graphics card
UXGA screen.

And i bet the hardware is fully supported by mac os x86.

dammit that sucks.

[jessew @ Jan 19th 2007 12:33PM]

"And i bet the hardware is fully supported by mac os x86."
I hope this was sarcasm.
Personaly I'd rather get a laptop from here http://www.system76.com/
...but I guess I'll be flamed for that one won't I?

[Zadillo @ Jan 19th 2007 1:09PM]

Why did you buy the MacBook Pro then? I think that's the thing I still don't understand. Either way, why not sell the MacBook Pro then and get this, if you don't need OS X? Either way, it seems like these are probably two different classes of notebook, frankly. But yeah, if you need an X1900 in your laptop and Bluray, and are fine with the form factor of the Alienware, I can't see a reason to not get it if it meets your needs more.

[Andrew Fong @ Jan 19th 2007 1:14PM]

I don't know why ... but every laptop I've installed Ubuntu on seems to drain the battery like crazy. And the laptops on system67 don't seem to go beyond an anemic 3 hours. Is this true of all Linux laptops or just Ubuntu?

[Zadillo @ Jan 19th 2007 1:20PM]

Also, were you planning on keeping the stock 512 megs of RAM and 60GB HD and stock CPU? The price you listed for the alienware seemed to only be the base price + the cost of the X1900, blu-ray drive and UXGA screen upgrade.

[uNext @ Jan 19th 2007 4:26PM]

I puchased the macbook pro because i thought it would be high quality.

The screen is crap so much grain on it and very visible.
The hinge is extremely loose does not feel sturdy at all.

Just alot of things, overall mainly the power- With the alienware i can get 2.66 Core duo & x1900 for games or any other 3d related program.

I have heard of alienwares quaility on notebooks is firm and built properly. I guess im just dissaponited of apples quaility on the macbook pro 17"

[dual-link dvi???? @ Jan 19th 2007 5:42PM]

I called alienware to see if this x1900 has dual-link enabled as their x1800 laptops have it disabled like dells 2010...but after talking to 3 sales people who continuously put me on hold to talk to tech support who gave the poor tech person misinformation....I gave up. They wont let u speak to tech support directly...idiots.

At least with Macbook pro u know it has dual-link but I dont want to learn a new OS nor do I want to go through the hassle of installing windows on it. ugh

[Z @ Jan 19th 2007 5:48PM]

Why is it that Alienware is the only computer reseller on the planet that can't integrate Bluetooth into their laptops?

Does this company have a group of chimps running the place? This is such a simple addition. We have small WM phones with integrated WiFi and BT (and every other wireless standard you could imagine), so why can't a big ten pound laptop have them both integrated? Alienware still demands consumers use a BT USB adaptor. I can't stand those things; it's just one more thing you have to fiddle with and carry around. Total dealbreaker considering there are other options out there.

I know some people don't care, but most people buying these types of computers do.

WiFi and BT are just standard at this point. Like having windshield wipers on a car. If you're running a computer company and haven't integrated at least these two wireless standards in all of your products, then you're not seeing clearly.

ALIENWARE - PLEASE WAKE UP!

[hjb1000 @ Jan 20th 2007 11:05PM]

Have people forgotten that Dell already have a M1710 XPS with a overclockable T7600G which can do 3.16GHZ? Alienware have always been overpriced and behind the ball IMO.

[Joez @ Jan 21st 2007 6:31PM]

Alienware is GAY. DO NOT BUY AT ALL. They have horrid service, and my system came DEAD! Their laptops are worse. DO NOT BUY ALIENWARE!!!