Alienware M17x vs PCS Vortex... the truth
Now I haven't been on the PCS website for quite some time. I carefully considered a top spec Vortex 17 against a top spec Alienware m17x R3, but due to a 48hr price drop offered, I finally went for the Alienware (Dell) in December 2011: purchased with full 3 year protection & accidental warranty.
I LOVED the Alienware machine. Contrary to some criticism, I think it looked the business, and that was also one of the main reasons I chose the m17x over the Vortex... it looked a bit more unique and special for a machine that was costing about £2.5K. Plus, I'd always kinda wanted one. It ran great for about 3 months without problems, before I was forced to dabble into the world of Dell updates - which fixed some issues, and caused many others. Basically I did EXACTLY what I've now read I shouldn't; the m17x command centre button panel stopped working, and I attempted to reload from the disc. That combined with a recent Dell Bios update which literally FRIED my computer's WEI and performance, I tried to "respawn" the machine. Crashed, locked in Windows repair and forced to repeat the process. Final attempt to rescue was to reinstall Windows from the supplied disc, which resulted in somehow completely corrupting the 256GB SSD C:drive and reducing it to 1GB!
I phoned up the support, and they sent someone out the next day. All seemed to be well, and I couldn't understand what all the negative feedback about Dell customer service was all about. That was until I noticed the engineer attempting to replace my Sata III 6 gb/s SSD with a Sata II 3 gb/s. I challenged it and demanded they replace like for like, but the engineer didn't have the part and couldn't do it without authorisation any way, and left. What followed was days of battling with staff who refused my requests, stating I should have received a Sata II, that it was a "fluke" upgrade, and it was that or a refund. I was furious, and a manager wouldn't even speak to me about it.
After some online research, it was clear I'd opened a can of worms. Anyone unlucky enough to have a m17x R3 with a SATA III SSD are likely to have experienced major problems and performance drops with that same BIOS update, that effectively crippled the performance. It had been working fine prior to that, but it seemed I was expected to simply accept this performance drop in older technology for a machine less than 6 months old, when I'd wanted the best of the best. Even if I accepted the Sata III (which they eventually gave in and offered me), Dell clearly state they do not support the compatibility, so it was a no win. But here's the tickle... as soon as they got wind I knew about these issues, and I declined the Sata III asking for a refund, they did a full 180 and refused. I was ready to kill by this point!!!
Any way, a few angry letters by recorded delivery and advice from Trading Standards later, Dell have finally agreed to give me my money back. And tbh, all I really initially wanted to do was buy the new m17x R4 which has apparently fixed these issues and comes with full Sata III support, but only a fool could ignore such a terrible experience with a company who man their phones with people who can't even speak or understand clear English, or the fact the same company lied to consumers, corrupted many of their machines and then tried to sweep it under the carpet with a new model. It's a real shame, but they haven't even apologised or offered a replacement, so I'm inclined to take my business elsewhere.
So I'm back on PCS... eyeing up the Vortex 17 again, now with improved colour backlit keyboard since when I last looked. Still not anywhere near as eye candy as the Alienware in my opinion, but at least adds a bit of pizazz! The main thing that beats the Alienware is the price for technology provided, I estimate what I want will cost about £700-800 less with PCS than the same on a m17x R4... that, AND the option of a matte screen. Think I'm done with Glossy, it does my head in seeing my own face in films & games!
Does anyone have experience with both laptops, and considering how much I loved the Alienware, do you think the Vortex will be a bit aesthetically disappointing by comparison? I know it's what's under the bonnet that really counts, but who doesn't want a beautiful machine for that money??
The only thing I have to account for if I buy with PCS, is an accidental warranty cover - which Dell throw in at reasonable cost if you purchase the 3 year premium support. A third party policy is quite expensive, £400-500 over 3 years. A word of suggestion PCS... if you could introduce a similar product, with perhaps the option of parts covered for the whole 3 years as well, I genuinely think you'll nail Alienware in just about everything.
I'm sure lots of people in the UK must have faced or will face a similar "Alienware VS PCS" choice. I thought it might be useful for them to hear a report from an unbiased person, who also desperately loved his Alienware and wanted it to be great... but the curse of Dell customer service is well founded I'm afraid.
Now I haven't been on the PCS website for quite some time. I carefully considered a top spec Vortex 17 against a top spec Alienware m17x R3, but due to a 48hr price drop offered, I finally went for the Alienware (Dell) in December 2011: purchased with full 3 year protection & accidental warranty.
I LOVED the Alienware machine. Contrary to some criticism, I think it looked the business, and that was also one of the main reasons I chose the m17x over the Vortex... it looked a bit more unique and special for a machine that was costing about £2.5K. Plus, I'd always kinda wanted one. It ran great for about 3 months without problems, before I was forced to dabble into the world of Dell updates - which fixed some issues, and caused many others. Basically I did EXACTLY what I've now read I shouldn't; the m17x command centre button panel stopped working, and I attempted to reload from the disc. That combined with a recent Dell Bios update which literally FRIED my computer's WEI and performance, I tried to "respawn" the machine. Crashed, locked in Windows repair and forced to repeat the process. Final attempt to rescue was to reinstall Windows from the supplied disc, which resulted in somehow completely corrupting the 256GB SSD C:drive and reducing it to 1GB!
I phoned up the support, and they sent someone out the next day. All seemed to be well, and I couldn't understand what all the negative feedback about Dell customer service was all about. That was until I noticed the engineer attempting to replace my Sata III 6 gb/s SSD with a Sata II 3 gb/s. I challenged it and demanded they replace like for like, but the engineer didn't have the part and couldn't do it without authorisation any way, and left. What followed was days of battling with staff who refused my requests, stating I should have received a Sata II, that it was a "fluke" upgrade, and it was that or a refund. I was furious, and a manager wouldn't even speak to me about it.
After some online research, it was clear I'd opened a can of worms. Anyone unlucky enough to have a m17x R3 with a SATA III SSD are likely to have experienced major problems and performance drops with that same BIOS update, that effectively crippled the performance. It had been working fine prior to that, but it seemed I was expected to simply accept this performance drop in older technology for a machine less than 6 months old, when I'd wanted the best of the best. Even if I accepted the Sata III (which they eventually gave in and offered me), Dell clearly state they do not support the compatibility, so it was a no win. But here's the tickle... as soon as they got wind I knew about these issues, and I declined the Sata III asking for a refund, they did a full 180 and refused. I was ready to kill by this point!!!
Any way, a few angry letters by recorded delivery and advice from Trading Standards later, Dell have finally agreed to give me my money back. And tbh, all I really initially wanted to do was buy the new m17x R4 which has apparently fixed these issues and comes with full Sata III support, but only a fool could ignore such a terrible experience with a company who man their phones with people who can't even speak or understand clear English, or the fact the same company lied to consumers, corrupted many of their machines and then tried to sweep it under the carpet with a new model. It's a real shame, but they haven't even apologised or offered a replacement, so I'm inclined to take my business elsewhere.
So I'm back on PCS... eyeing up the Vortex 17 again, now with improved colour backlit keyboard since when I last looked. Still not anywhere near as eye candy as the Alienware in my opinion, but at least adds a bit of pizazz! The main thing that beats the Alienware is the price for technology provided, I estimate what I want will cost about £700-800 less with PCS than the same on a m17x R4... that, AND the option of a matte screen. Think I'm done with Glossy, it does my head in seeing my own face in films & games!
Does anyone have experience with both laptops, and considering how much I loved the Alienware, do you think the Vortex will be a bit aesthetically disappointing by comparison? I know it's what's under the bonnet that really counts, but who doesn't want a beautiful machine for that money??
The only thing I have to account for if I buy with PCS, is an accidental warranty cover - which Dell throw in at reasonable cost if you purchase the 3 year premium support. A third party policy is quite expensive, £400-500 over 3 years. A word of suggestion PCS... if you could introduce a similar product, with perhaps the option of parts covered for the whole 3 years as well, I genuinely think you'll nail Alienware in just about everything.
I'm sure lots of people in the UK must have faced or will face a similar "Alienware VS PCS" choice. I thought it might be useful for them to hear a report from an unbiased person, who also desperately loved his Alienware and wanted it to be great... but the curse of Dell customer service is well founded I'm afraid.
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