Alienware: those who can build the X51 for under £700 "aren't the target audience"

[BoyBettaKnow]

Alienware has admitted it is possible to build your own X51 for under the £700 asking price, but declared: if you can do it, you're not the target audience.The X51, unveiled last week, is slightly bigger than an Xbox 360 and is designed to work upright or laid on its side. The bottom range X51 can power Battlefield 3 in 1080p at an average of 32 frames-per-second, with high resolution textures, 4x aniostropic filtering and medium anti-aliasing turned on. The top-end X51 can power Battlefield 3 running the same settings at an average of 54 frames-per-second.Inside the X51 can be either an Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processor. That can be complemented by either an Nvidia GeForce GT 545 or an Nvidia GeForce GTX 555. RAM varies from 4GB, 6GB or 8GB DDR3, and there's plenty of digital storage space thanks to the 1TB 7200 RPM hard-drive.Some gamers have criticised the £700 price point, saying they would be able to build a more powerful rig for less.But Alienware senior product manager Eoin Leyden told Eurogamer at the X51 launch party in Waterloo last night that those well-versed in the art of PC building would struggle to cram everything that's in it into such a small chassis while keeping everything cool."Ultimately, yes, if you go and source all of the components yourself and have the knowledge required to build a system yourself and understand how to manage the heat inside that system, and understand airflow, and the importance of how you route your cabling so you don't disrupt the airflow - if you know all that stuff then yes, you can do it [build the X51 for less than £700]."But to be honest with you, if you know all that stuff you're not really the target audience for this product. You're more an Aurora type customer."Even though I know how to do it and I know I could do it cheaper, I can't do it because I just don't have the skill to do it. Yeah, if you know what you're doing, if you have the time, if you think it's a good investment of your time to go machining parts to fill the thing instead of paying £100 extra to have somebody else do it for you, then yeah…"You want the performance but with the performance comes the issue of heat, which is directly related to the size of the chassis."So, with the X51, the target audience is changed - but to what?"To anybody that's in the middle of changing their home PC," Leyden explained."A lot of home PCs have very limited gaming capability. So, for a small incremental cost, we're delivering a very high-end gaming experience on top of that. The incremental cost is 200 euro over a similar form factor with no gaming capability whatsoever."So from that point of view the audience is anybody buying a desktop computer that has even any interest or inclination to play games."Despite the current focus on the X51, Alienware will not forget its core customer - the gamer after a high-end set-up with cash to burn."The real enthusiasts, the guys who want to do SLI (Scalable Link Interface) graphics, the guys who want RAID hard-drive performance or a SSD (solid-state drive) with two terabyte storage, and the guys who want to get in there and muck around, they're still always going to be our high-end customers," Leyden insisted."But for everyone else who just wants a great gaming experience out of the box and maybe doesn't want to get into the guts of the machine and start tweaking it, this is giving them that experience."It is a performance product. We're not trying to build a cheap small form-factor PC, because there are plenty of them out there, and we're not cheap compared to other small products. But within that form factor, we believe that's the best experience you can get from a gaming perspective."

Source

TLR? Our target audience are those who don't know how to build their own PC so we can step in and do them over royally.

[gangsta_795]

Lol. Even I was considering buying the X51 but I realized I can build a much much better system for cheaper.

[Vulgotha]

More people need to read this.

[BoyBettaKnow]

I said it before and i'll say it again i'd never buy an Alienware desktop even if my life depended on it.

1 - They are overpriced
2 - Half the fun is in building your computer yourself

[gangsta_795]

I said it before and i'll say it again i'd never buy an Alienware desktop even if my life depended on it.

1 - They are overpriced
2 - Half the fun is in building your computer yourself

It's so exciting! Getting all the parts and then assembling them yourself

While learning every possible thing about your computer and computers in general.

[BoyBettaKnow]

Yup, there's nothing more satisfying than having all these bits of hardware that you chose yourself in separate pieces then putting it together exactly how you wanted it. Then you have the first time you press the power on button and you just hope that it boots up first time with no problems.

Much more satisfying than just getting something you just connect to the wall and off you go.

[gangsta_795]

Couldn't have put it in a better manner. I've drawn out a configuration for about $1200 which can kick the high end x51's ass.

[Tyrien]

Yup, there's nothing more satisfying than having all these bits of hardware that you chose yourself in separate pieces then putting it together exactly how you wanted it. Then you have the first time you press the power on button and you just hope that it boots up first time with no problems.

Much more satisfying than just getting something you just connect to the wall and off you go.

I agree with this completely, but it's ignorant to ignore that there's a lot of people who love playing PC games, but have no interest in building gaming PCs. Some even consider it intimidating.

I said it before and i'll say it again i'd never buy an Alienware desktop even if my life depended on it.

1 - They are overpriced
2 - Half the fun is in building your computer yourself

They are, but only the full on desktops. The laptops are very competitive, and these two portable desktop class PCs are quite reasonably priced for what you get. It's not ridiculous at all. Yes, you can build one for cheaper but it should be obvious to anyone who is serious about making PCs should full well know the price for pre-made is higher because it's already put together and requires no effort for the end users.

Let's also be honest here. Alienware is extremely good about not putting bloatware and trial software on their PCs. Outside of what you request to be preinstalled on configuration, the only extra software on one of their machines is the proprietary alienware software designed to work the lighting system, as well as power management. Alien fusion is very convenient and through for making power profiles and configuring your machine.

I honestly think all the hate towards Alienware's desktops and now the X51 is an ego thing. It's just a way for enthusiasts to beat their chest and feel proud over the fact that they can build their own machines. Sorry, but companies like Alienware are in the business to make a profit. After parts and assembly labour there's still a mark up to make a profit off everything. Why the hell would any for profit-company sell a product at cost?

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I think this is very bold of Alienware's PR department to step forward and speak directly to the Gaming PC building enthusiasts and say "Guys, know you don't want to buy a pre-built PC, we aren't trying to make you buy it either". Alienware would never turn a profit if they charged the prices enthusiast think they should. When an enthusiast prices out a parts list they do not have to worry about cost of labour, they do not have to worry about cost of marketing, and they do not have to worry about legal issues either. This applies to any industry as well... if it's possible to build it yourself then it's going to be cheaper. This is one of the main reasons consumers opt for a DYI route, but it's obviously not for everyone.

[Inzane2050]

So their target audience are those too incompetent and naive to shop smart. Tell me something I don't know!

[BoyBettaKnow]

I agree with this completely, but it's ignorant to ignore that there's a lot of people who love playing PC games, but have no interest in building gaming PCs. Some even consider it intimidating.

Each to their own i guess, i built my first computer back when i was 12 - People who get intimidated by building their own computer (especially now) are too ignorant to take the time to learn how to, imo. It's not hard and it's getting even more fool-proof.

They are, but only the full on desktops. The laptops are very competitive, and these two portable desktop class PCs are quite reasonably priced for what you get. It's not ridiculous at all. Yes, you can build one for cheaper but it should be obvious to anyone who is serious about making PCs should full well know the price for pre-made is higher because it's already put together and requires no effort for the end users.

Let's also be honest here. Alienware is extremely good about not putting bloatware and trial software on their PCs. Outside of what you request to be preinstalled on configuration, the only extra software on one of their machines is the proprietary alienware software designed to work the lighting system, as well as power management. Alien fusion is very convenient and through for making power profiles and configuring your machine.

I honestly think all the hate towards Alienware's desktops and now the X51 is an ego thing. It's just a way for enthusiasts to beat their chest and feel proud over the fact that they can build their own machines. Sorry, but companies like Alienware are in the business to make a profit. After parts and assembly labour there's still a mark up to make a profit off everything. Why the hell would any for profit-company sell a product at cost?


I think this is very bold of Alienware's PR department to step forward and speak directly to the Gaming PC building enthusiasts and say "Guys, know you don't want to buy a pre-built PC, we aren't trying to make you buy it either". Alienware would never turn a profit if they charged the prices enthusiast think they should. When an enthusiast prices out a parts list they do not have to worry about cost of labour, they do not have to worry about cost of marketing, and they do not have to worry about legal issues either. This applies to any industry as well... if it's possible to build it yourself then it's going to be cheaper. This is one of the main reasons consumers opt for a DYI route, but it's obviously not for everyone.

I know their laptops are very competitive, I spent months before i bought my M14x looking at the alternatives from the other companies such as Asus, MSI and Saeger yet i still thought the M14x was very good value for money, that's why I specifically left their laptops out and said their desktops are overpriced.

I'm not sure why you've brought up Software that comes with the systems, doesn't really have much of a point. Yes, it's good they don't come with bloatware and trials but i do a fresh re-install whenever someone buys a laptop/desktop from a vendor so this doesn't effect me.

Hate? What hate are you going on about. I think Alienware are a fantastic brand with even better build quality HOWEVER the fact still remains in my eyes that they are overpriced. This has nothing to do with beating my chest or that i can build my own machine. There are many far cheaper companies out there that sell pre-built machines that out perform Alienware for a fraction of the price.
I'm not expecting them to sell at a lost, they are a company to make money first and foremost but that doesn't mean i can't criticise them for being too expensive.

They are the boutique of the gaming world. Weather you want to admit it or not you are paying an extra premium simply because of the name Alienware (and the flashy lights) on the product. I accepted that when i bought my Alienware product but it doesn't change the facts.

[Inzane2050]

Building a PC is really easy. Just slide the cards into the appropriate slots, connect the appropriate power connectors, and place the CPU on the slot (use small booklet if you are slightly confused at best). I built my first computer when I was 11. It is all as simple as fitting the square block in the square hole and the round block in the round hole, etcetera, etcetera.

[BoyBettaKnow]

Exactly, it's pretty much impossible to mess up seeing as if something isn't designed to go into a certain port it just won't fit in there. You've got to be a special kind of person to completely mess up a build.

[Cybertox]

Im not the one who wastes his time for searching parts and then getting them together. Im going to buy the most expensive x51 with the best performance no matter how better performance i will get if i build my own with other parts. I dont like checking all the parts, if they are compatible and reading reviews about them. All i want is get a decent pc and start playing games on ultra. If you still like building computers and waste time for that go play lego.

[gangsta_795]

I don't see how that is wasting time. I am a student and I'm gonna have 3 months off in the summer. Why wouldn't I spend this time researching parts so that I can get complete value for my money ,enjoying myself in the process and increase my knowledge?

[Cybertox]

I don't see how that is wasting time. I am a student and I'm gonna have 3 months off in the summer. Why wouldn't I spend this time researching parts so that I can get complete value for my money ,enjoying myself in the process and increase my knowledge?

You are a student.
You enjoy doing that.
You are ready to waste time on that.

Thats my answer. All i want is playing games on ultra at 60 fps. Probably i need a more powerful computer for that but im fine with the x51.

[gangsta_795]

You are a student.
You enjoy doing that.
You are ready to waste time on that.

Thats my answer. All i want is playing games on ultra at 60 fps. Probably i need a more powerful computer for that but im fine with the x51.

I'm sure there are other members here who agree with me.

You don't have time to go around looking for parts? Justified.

Also, how is it wasting time if I enjoy it?

You enjoy playing video games.
You waste time playing video games. (:

[jj03]

i is perfect for me tho...i don't have the time to piss about sourcing partd from everywhere..nursing takes up alot of my time...so when my old alienware area 51 desktop kicks it, i will more than likely buy from them again...

The dude abides....

[Inzane2050]

Im not the one who wastes his time for searching parts and then getting them together. Im going to buy the most expensive x51 with the best performance no matter how better performance i will get if i build my own with other parts. I dont like checking all the parts, if they are compatible and reading reviews about them. All i want is get a decent pc and start playing games on ultra. If you still like building computers and waste time for that go play lego.

Yet you are the kind of person to waste $600 on PC peripherals. That's the difference between you and I.

Anways, it says on the shopping page of the mobo at the top of short specs list says "Intel Core i7 LGA1366" and then you go to the CPU section and limit your search to "LGA1366" and Viola! The only real compatibility issue you needed to solve is now gone.

[Cybertox]

Ofcourse a lot of members on this forum would like to build their own computers by searching parts and then compiling them but most of pc customers dont do this, customers just go in a shop and buy a computer. Dont forget that not everybody is like you gangsta, not all like wasting time for searching parts or playing videogames. Dont forget people that not everybody is like you.

[Inzane2050]

Actually most PC gamers do shop for the individual parts. I never met a PC gamer who did not build his computer. It is very easy to do; if you choose to waste an extra $300 buying pre-built PC, then your laziness just cost you $300 that you had earned laboring at your job. Most PC gamers are smarter than that and we either build a new PC or simply update with a new GPU to put in. When it comes to something as expensive as a PC, people will indeed go out of their way to buy all these parts individually, not that it was much trouble to begin with.

[Cybertox]

Im not negating that i wont upgrade. Upgrading is a nice feature on pc. Probably after one year i will upgrade my gpu on the x51.

[keefy]

Rewiring a house is easy.

[Inzane2050]

Rewiring a house is easy.

Rewiring a house is not easy actually. Not really comparable with the ease of putting a computer together either, I want to point out.

[keefy]

10k posts.

[BoyBettaKnow]

Im not the one who wastes his time for searching parts and then getting them together. Im going to buy the most expensive x51 with the best performance no matter how better performance i will get if i build my own with other parts. I dont like checking all the parts, if they are compatible and reading reviews about them. All i want is get a decent pc and start playing games on ultra. If you still like building computers and waste time for that go play lego.

You keep saying wasting time, how is it a waste of time? Maybe, to you, it's a waste of time but it doesn't actually take long to find the components you need. Because you don't like/can't check the parts thats only your own fault. But as they said - You are the target audience, not someone else who can/wants to build their own.

That said, you won't be playing too much on ultra but i hope your happy with your purchase at the end of the day.

Actually most PC gamers do shop for the individual parts. I never met a PC gamer who did not build his computer. It is very easy to do; if you choose to waste an extra $300 buying pre-built PC, then your laziness just cost you $300 that you had earned laboring at your job. Most PC gamers are smarter than that and we either build a new PC or simply update with a new GPU to put in. When it comes to something as expensive as a PC, people will indeed go out of their way to buy all these parts individually, not that it was much trouble to begin with.

Don't be silly, thats wasting time
Some people have the money they want to spend on getting someone else to do it for them. Personally i'd rather do it myself and spend the money i would've paid someone else on better components but hey ho. I guess it's a console mentality vs PC mentality.

Rewiring a house is easy.

Yeah good point, i guess anything is easy when you know what to do (I can plumb in a bathroom and central heating system - Booyah). All you'd need to do is watch a video on youtube or just follow the instructions that come with whatever your buying and it's pretty straight forward.

Either way, Alienware themselves said this isn't aimed at those who can build their own machine so i guess some of us are expecting something that it's not.