Alienware adds Skullcap design option on Area-51 m15x

Judging by the multitude of problems experienced by Area-51 m15x owners, we can't say we'd recommend said laptop without reservations, but those dead set on picking one up now have yet another design option to choose from. Yeah, the sleek Ripley motif is peachy for the milder sect, but those seeking something a bit more flamboyant will certainly appreciate the new Skullcap option (pictured). Initially, Skullcap will only be offered as a free option in silver, but if demand necessitates, we can certainly envision the company busting out the paint gun.

[phytonix @ Jun 17th 2008 1:36AM]

How many these XPS/alienware laptops do they sell? I have yet to spot one in the wild, after many years.

[rayw @ Jun 17th 2008 2:02AM]

Probably because they are a bit too large to carry around conveniently. I personally know of one person who has purchased the said notebook as his desktop replacement, and even he has a UMPC that he brings on the road to do client demonstrations etc.

[OneLove @ Jun 17th 2008 12:49PM]

check under your bed before you go to sleep.

[BigDaddyM @ Jun 17th 2008 1:54AM]

Hate it or love it, this design has always made alienware have a unique look that i have liked and glad to see it back.
M

[gabe @ Jun 17th 2008 2:11AM]

its a bit too early 2000's for me

ie cheesy

[rayw @ Jun 17th 2008 2:16AM]

Cheesy ... like those Apple ads now on Engadget on the side panel?

[Yamikotai @ Jun 17th 2008 4:19AM]

One word, rayw - Adblock/NoScript
But is that really one word? :s

[aard @ Jun 17th 2008 9:45AM]

@yamikotai:
Now, if Adblock only implemented a "ignore apple related news" option... :D

[Artr @ Jun 17th 2008 2:15AM]

I love it how they describe it as a "new" design... when it's the design they used from back in the day before they were bought by Dell...

[slipperywhenwet @ Jun 17th 2008 4:44AM]

Everything about this laptop is a throwback to the way Alienware in the pre Dell days. I have a 7700m and it has the same cover design, and sadly, the same overheating problem. After 3 BIOS updates, only a fan control app from Clevo has fixed it.

[jerry @ Jun 17th 2008 8:15AM]

Nice cover design or not, until they fix some of the massive flaws with their mobile systems (constant overheating, short lifespan of video cards/motherboards) and overhaul their technical support department, Alienware will continue to be nothing more than an overpriced inferiorly built piece of eyecandy.

And we have a lovely 18 month old (and very pricey) paperweight with that emblem on it collecting dust at our house that we had nothing but trouble with from day one that has never been fully operational yet they refuse to support any more because the warranty expired (even though it was still having problems when it was under warranty).

[Dave @ Jun 17th 2008 10:13AM]

Alienware is a horrible company. I've had problems since day one with my Area 51 m5700 system that I purchased in 2006.

I had place an order for two, both with slightly different specs. I paid with a Cashiers Check which is suppose to be as good as cash. Well according to Alienware it's not and they had to verify it. Come on houses freaking close on these things. They then tried to tell me that we owed an additional $300 for the other system which was BS. They then said they made a mistake and told us we were right. Days turned into weeks and it was a month later and guess what? Still no system or anything. I filed a complaint to the BBB and sent and email to Mr. Aguila. He contacted me on a Saturday telling me he'll put me in contact with some one who speaks directly to him and that this is not the typical Alienware Customer Experience/Service.

I'm put in contact with some one by the name of Suzy. We eventually got our systems, but the following day my video card died and my combo drive never worked. Suzy contacted me, I explained to her the situation with the laptop and she expedited the repair order. I had it back with in about 2 weeks.

Fast forward a year later (June 2007) I start having cosmetic issues. Cracks appeared in the system, and the feet padding are falling off. Contacted Mr. Aguila again, with pictures of the system, as he said I could contact him if I ever needed to. He put me in contact with a Mr. Nunez. I also sent in our other system for repair as it experienced similar problems. However we never got it back as some one in Alienware or at Fedex stole the system. They replaced the system, with an updated model and parts.

Took about the same amount of time for the repair and got it back, along with the new one three weeks later. Purchased the extended warranty for the systems. Fast forward to May 2008, the same cosmetic issues occurred again, I contacted Mr. Nunez as he was helpful the last time. System ships out for repairs, contact is very limited, not as helpful as before. I then find out they shipped the wrong parts as they accidentally marked my system as the one being stolen, so they were expecting the new one (how this happened I'm not sure as I sent pictures of the system).

In the end it took two months for them to get the system back to me. Mr. Nunez was no longer helpful, and had very little contact with me through out the repair. He offered a free game as compensation which I took, but couldn't play it with out my system. It wasn't until I threatened to file a complaint to the BBB that all of a sudden their vendor had the part. I asked him twice how come their parent company DELL can replace a motherboard on a 4 year old Optiplex System for a corporation with in 4 hrs to a week max and Alienware can't replace some simple parts, he never answered those questions. I also had a problem with my support history account, with not being able to log in. I was constantly told they are working on it and should have an answer in a few days. Again never did I get an answer and the problem never got solved. I even contacted Mr. Aguila about my system, support history account and never got a response back from him. So much for the contact me at any time if I ever need to.

So in the end, those of you considering Alienware should stay away from them. They don't care about their customers, their telephone support is outsourced to Costa Rica, their business practices are horrible, and the quality of their products are horrible and made out of cheap plastic. Save yourself from spending a ridiculous price just for the brand name and go with another company that doesn't have these problems or poor quality in their products or customer service.

[tridge @ Jun 17th 2008 4:40PM]

It's funny you say that.

I had an experience with Alienware when my motherboard died on my m7700. I hung on the ride with them for about 2 weeks and ended up talking with Alex personally on my cellphone letting me know that he wanted to GIVE me a new m9700, I received it 6 days later.

[Alex @ Jun 17th 2008 10:17AM]

Great.

And Japan just made another USB figurine? Let's hear about that now Engadget.

[manis @ Jun 17th 2008 10:42AM]

I first read skullcrap... lol

[Zack @ Jun 17th 2008 7:57PM]

I have had 1 problem after another with Alienware. I highly recommend staying away from them. The big kicker is when they sell you crap, they charge you 15% to return it. And, since the prices are so high, 15% becomes a huge number.

So, yeah... my ass is sore.