We're not claiming that the suits in Round Rock really have a 187 on their hands just yet, but the evidence is mounting. For
quite some time, Dell's XPS 730 gaming PC was the outfit's
flagship unit, throwing down
insane benchmarks and garnering boatloads of cash from those willing to pay the premium for cutting-edge hardware. Now, however, it seems that the lesser
XPS 720 is the only classmate remaining, with all links to the 730 leading to soul-crushing "We're Sorry..." pages. To make matters worse, Dell CSRs have apparently been telling inquisitive consumers that they have phased out the 730 and are pushing folks to select an
Alienware machine instead. So, do any of you folks know of some backdoor way to keep ordering this here beast, or should we really break out the new
Brand New CD and paint our eyelids black in memoriam?
[Thanks, Garry]
Update: Seems it's still around in some corners of the globe (we're lookin' at you,
Canada), so maybe it's just the whiny Americans getting the shaft. Typical.
posted Sep 18th 2009 12:54PM
I don't know about anyone else, but I'm glad that Dell is willing to keep their Alienware division going (even if it means killing off their main-brand gaming line), unlike other computer companies who bought botique gaming PC firms and eviscerated them (yes, I'm looking at you, HP).
well it does not make that much sense to buy a specialized brand like alienware and then rip them appart as you also say..everybody knows alienware for their superior gaming rigs. I guess they realized it does not make that much sense to keep both lines going since they canibalize their potential client base. also what i think is, dell realized that their xps brand ain't that much a seller like alienware since the association with dell is located at the sub 1000$ level and not at the 2000$+ (adamo except). so it does make sense to kill that flagship pc.. what HP did doesn't make sense at all but somehow in a very weird way it does also make sense since they eliminated a competitor with that action and drew some customers closer to the HP brand as well.
Dunno - I've bought XPSs as my last 3 computers and when I compare their specs to those of Alienware variants, you seem to pay more for Alienware's brand name and 'cool' cases.
Killing the XPS line would be a mistake unless they reduced the premium for Alienware machines in concert.
The XPS brand was originally introduced as Dell's response to performance system builders like Alienware and Voodoo. Now that Dell actually owns Alienware, it looks like the gamer business is being moved over there, with the XPS brand remaining as more of a premium brand (less "Corvette", more "Buick").
You can get refurbished and waranteed xps 730's at Dell Outlet: http://www.dell.com/us/en/dfh/desktops/ct.aspx?refid=desktops&s=dfh&cs=22
Boo on HP! My old Voodoo Envy M860 has been resurrected recently, and is running smooth with Windows 7.
RIP VoodooPC
well, high end pc gaming is quite expensive... but people still go for alienware rather than xps
The alienware brand has almost lost all of its reputation lately. Between absurdist pricing, ridiculously flash-heavy pages, and inordinately long support times (friends I know who dumped thousands into rigs and laptops only to ship them back for months), they're essentially just a boutique for people who don't know they can get more for less by building it themselves.
You said it. Couldn't explain it better myself.
+1 Yep. I agree. Building it yourself, while not as cost effective on the lower end units, is definitely smarter on higher end, gaming rigs. Plus you get to say, "I built this!"
That's probably not entirely true, as the Alienware gaming laptops (m17x, m15x, m17) are pretty popular and sought after by a lot of notebook enthusiasts. They're also not too outrageously expensive given the broad choice of components. Their desktops really do suck for the price, though.
Round Rock
Two new Alienware desktops are launching at the TGS. They will be sold on Dell.com. One mid-range unit, and one a very high-end one with motorised body.
People ... do not buy from Alienware. We bought one 18 months ago. It had to be returned twice for repairs. On the 2nd time they did something wrong and it still didn't work, so we sent it back to them a THIRD time. When they shipped it back to us via Fedex, the computer was lost by Fedex! Fedex admitted their error and told me to have Alienware generate the claim with them. Alienware somehow thought I was pulling a scam on them and treated me like a thief! They have avoided my calls for 3 months -- all this time our computer has been missing. Finally, someone, 4 months later began to work with me only because I threatened to hire a lawyer. Lo and behold, now they are replacing our laptop but it's not as good as the one that was lost -- they say that it's the same or better, but it's not. Even the case isn't as cool as the original case was. Plus, they won't give us a warranty on the replacement product. Alienware's customer service is horrible and I will never buy from them again. Who cares what the computer is like? If they treat customers like they stole a computer, even though Fedex was admitting freely that they truly lost the computer, well, that's a horrible company if you ask me. Don't buy from them. I even told the guy at Miami headquarters that I was going to be a vocal customer if they didn't satisfy us, and he didn't care. So I'm blogging everywhere I can ...... thanks, from Houston Texas
but daisy isn't out yet....4 more days!
Engadget just made me yearn a bit more. Then I have to wait another week after that for the new Paramore. Grr.
Not if you search for it....
http://www1.ca.dell.com/ca/en/home/desktops/xpsdt_gaming/ct.aspx?refid=xpsdt_gaming&s=dhs&cs=cadhs1&~ck=mn
DELL XPS 730x
On the UK alienware website, the top rig that they have is the 730x. So does this mean that they are pushing it into alienware or closing alienware in the uk?
According to the Customer (Dis)service Reps that I've spoken to, apparently Dell is going to branch more into the Alienware brand and they're "supposed" be unveiling a new Alienware desktop sometime this month.
The real problem is that they are using a BTX mother board and case so if something goes bad you have to get their stuff or parts from Ebay rather than just ordering a new MoBo to pop in and use existing parts. Its kinda a pain in the ass. Iv tried upgrading an older XPS and theres not much you can do. Of well, if ur buying one of these, you probably dont upgrade anyway
730 is ATX not BTX, 700/710/720 were BTX.
BUILD YoUR OWN.
EXACTLY
Best bang for the buck.
Get with the times, not as true anymore.
YOU get with the times, unless you can PROVE RIGHT NOW that building an i7(or i9) system, overclocking it for FREE, and having a Beast card like the 5870 is going to be more expensive then buying one from Alienware, iBuyPower or others, then SHUT THE FUCK UP.
ho HO! Quite the acid tongue!
Not that I don't agree
I'll never buy a Dell again.
I went through a period of about 10 years building my own PC. Then, in 2005, I went back to Dell. Why? Because I got a deal on a computer with a great CPU and top of the line, just released, bleeding edge graphics card. They had a $750 off $2000 coupon that made it worthwhile (the entire system was only $100 more than the CPU, GPU, RAM and HDD on Newegg.) Yeah, the power supply was lacking, and the HDD died on its second day (it was replaced on the third day by one with 75% more capacity... free.)
Since, though? Dell has made it impossible to get high end systems with any kind of deal. The coupons are usually not as enticing and only on non-XPS or Alienware. But they no longer put good components in that level system. Want a greater choice of graphics cards, or one near the top of the heap? Gotta go XPS or Alienware. Want a decent processor? Same. Heck, they kept quad-core out of their non-XPS lines for at least 18 months.
No deals, no buy. If Dell won't give me a powerful system on sale then I'll go elsewhere. Alienware and XPS systems are ripoffs. I'd rather build my own for 1/3 of the price.
Whiny Americans who get stuff like Zune HD, Hulu, 2 year cell phone contracts and etc...
How are 2 year contracts a good thing?
we get subsidized upgrades sooner than they do
Better than Canada's 3 year contracts. Fido & Rogers i'm looking at you <
@matt, it's a good thing when I have to pay as much as you for the same cell phone, except be locked in for 3 years
I don't know about the subsidized upgrades, it varies by contract.
Not only did they cancel it, but they shafted people who bought it before. I ordered mine on August 7th and only found out last week that my order was canceled (not through any proactive notifications by them but by calling in myself). Now when I try to buy something comparable, they try and sell me a Studio 9000 or the 630.... What a freakin' joke.
Dell: get your sh!t in gear and stop d!cking around with customers who are trying to give you their hard-earned money.
If anyone else is in the same boat as me, what are you doing to get it resolved? Who have you spoken with to get a proper computer configured & shipped out to you?
I was under the impression that most pc gamers built their own computers.
Last month Dell was offering 20% off their 730x line in addition to further discounts available at checkout (eg: Employee Purchase Program, etc). Altogether, I was going to get 25.6% off the cost of the computer. Don't forget that they also offer up to $5,000 in interest-free financing for a year. That's a huge boon to gamers like me who'd much RATHER build their own, but simply cannot afford to fork over such large sums up-front.
lol, no
As much as I love Alienware computers I can't see why they cost so much.
Yes they look great and have great looking chassis and the light system is pretty, but you end up paying massively over a similar spec computer. Plus the upgrade prices are bloody awful (£141 to upgrade from 2gb ram to 4gb or £430 for 4gb to 6gb on the M17X) and having a basic 160gb hard drive is just plain cheap.
us canadians have always known americans like shaft.
shut your mouth!
Oh, wait.
He's just talking about Shaft!
us canadians have always known americans like shaft.
That's great, "Moe..." Enjoy your time under the American security blanket... The reason you're able to be a whiney little bitch is largely due to the strength of our military...
blame canada!
loving the brand new reference.
Only an idiot would buy a "gaming" PC from Dell, anyway. Build your own. It will be cheaper and better in every way.
And don't make the "my time is too valuable" argument, you're a frickin' gamer.
+1
Oh....Up yours. I purchased mine....oh wait you said gaming PC...NEVERMIND. I just purchased a Studio and upgraded the Graphics card to a ATI Radeo 4670 1gb with out having to change PS or anything else. So sorry for saying up yours, cause Your right only an idiot would buy a Gaming PC from Dell. Good grief man your an Idiot, anybody can buy WHAT EVER THEY WANT...stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!
I used to build PC, Case Mods etc. Man that was so 90s.... no more.
Now its just buy a Multi-core CPU Desktop with Maxed-out the RAM and Upgrade the Graphics Card later, Yeah my time is more valuable now then when I was a Kid, So I only worry about the Video Card now!!
I purchased Dell cause I'm not about to spend over 800 bucks for a Computer anymore...just not worth it... but WHATEVER YOU TROLL!!!
Overreaction much? ^^
4670? 1GB? What is this the 80's? I bet you can't even run CS:Source at decent settings... Trolling aside, that card is GOD AWFUL.
I'll stick with handbuilding my own systems thanks, cheaper, more fun, and far more familiarity with the hardware.
My first ever PC was a $6,000 Alienware way back in '96, it was beefy, featured an early dual-video card solution, had a P2 300 and 8 gig hard drive. Awesome, awesome machine, lasted a long time too, so I definitely got my money's worth. But it was definitely overpriced.
That being said... Alienware is more intended as a 'High End' gaming machine. So it makes perfect sense for Dell to keep the XPS line going, just as a mid/low range alternative. Bam, market coverage.
Still, the best option for anyone IMHO is homebuilt systems, you can mix and match hardware to your hearts content without licensing agreements getting in the way.