My new Alienware Aurora DDR is friggin awesome! I know its not THAT much , but I just recieved 10591 3DMarks using 3DMark2001 SE (not pro edition), and that score is with a few programs installed, such as RCTW and AOL Instant Messanger...I am so happy! RCTW runs perfectly, and the anti-aliasing works great. Just in case you didn't read the other post , here are the specs (I love showing off!)

Alienware Aurora DDR
Dragn Full Tower Conspiracy Blue Case
ASUS A7N266-C DDR
AMD XP 2200+
256MB DDR 2100 RAM (2 sticks)
GeForce 4 Ti 4600
Samsung 16x DVD-ROM
Seagate Barracuda 40GB 7200RPM HDD
SoundBlaster Live 5.1
1.44MB Floppy Drive
Microsoft Windows XP Home
KoolMax Cooling System
1YR 24/7 onsite warranty
340W Power Supply

Mousepad
Manuals in a binder
Alienware Tee Shirt

The whole thing set me back $1567, and this is with no speakers, mouse, keyboard, monitor, ethernet card, or modem. I didnt need an ethernet card because I am using a wireless network, therefore using a special PCI card.

One gripe I had was that when I ordered, I was supposed to be recieving a MSI motherboard WITH onboard LAN. Originally I ordered an LAN card for $40 more, but when I found out about the onboard lan, I canceled that component. But, they shipped a different one, therefore, I have no standard LAN. So if for some reason wireless stops working, I have no internet.

Honestly, I love this thing. Its beautiful, sleek, and fast.

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--Daniel--

Nice! Ive been personally flirting with the idea of getting the Area-51M Laptop for "school"...

I would be very interested to hear what happenes if you were to question them about the MOBO.... I wonder how helpful they would be...

I would definately call & find out why you didnt get the motherboard you ordered. Also I would get them to send a new one before you send the old one back (If they do that)

But, If its not a big deal to you then dont worry about it

:P

Either way you probably have the coolest looking PC on your block (or in your whole damn town).

Congratz

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MSI 875P NEO-LSR Mainboard - Intel P4C 3.0Ghz (800Mhz FSB) - 2 x OCZ PC4000 512MB DIMMs - 4 x WD800JB 80GB/8MB Cache (RAID 0+1) - SB Audigy Platinum eX - ATi Radeon 9800 Pro AIW - Sony Trinitron 19" - Windows Server 2003 Enterprise

Haha very true.

I don't think its too big of a deal...the only real differences are that the MSI has onboard audio and LAN. Since I am using a SoundBlaster Live 5.1, I dont need the onboard audio, and since I'm using wireless LAN, I dont need the LAN. However, what I did like is that Alienware provided me with what seems like an extra audio card...but I am not sure why...why would they do that?

I might call them just to find out why they did switch motherboards. Considering I might switch to using cables for LAN, they should have provided what I ordered.

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--Daniel--

The Area 51m is sweet, but I dont like it for 2 reasons. One, its almost 10 pounds with battery. And two, the battery has a very short life. Of course, it's because it is mainly for LAN parties, and so you don't have to bring the whole desktop along....but I think Alienware should have worked some more on battery life.

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--Daniel--

The Alienware 51m is not manufactuered by Alienware, rather a company called Sager (and resold to distributers all over the 'net).

Alienware basically just recases these beasts, and installs their own software. I have a friend who purchased two of the 51m's when they first were released--he loves it, and is perfect for his needs.

http://www.sagernotebook.com/pages/...systems.html#56

Now then, if you look at the 5620 and 5650 series, you will see that these are exactly the same notbooks as Alienware sell, minus all of the pretty coloured cases. (Not to mention about a $800 less [if you purchase from a secondary source--direct will only save you about $700]).

BTW: I just ordered my own 5620-
P4 2.2GHZ
512MB PC2100 DDR
Radeon 7500 64MB DDR
UXGA 1600 X 1200 15" LCD
40GB HDD
8X DVD/CDRW Combo Drive & Floppy
56K/Ethernet
WinXP Pro
Battery & Case

All of this shipped to my doorstep for a measly $2050
From Alienware: $2808 + shipping.

Once I get this machine, I am definatly going to be posting all over about how it is working out for me. Since I will be going to school in Boston and live in NY, I will be taking the 1 hour shuttles (there are two every hour in both directions) home, I will be traveling with this 10 pound beast. Yes, I was concerned about the weight being a problem, but then I decided to purchase one of the Targus Sport Backpacks (which is supposidly to be the best option for the Sager notebooks).

And about the battery, it has a 1.5 hour life (at its worst I have heard). However you can though a second in the Floppy bay and it suposidly lasts around 2.5-3 hours. Which isn't bad because I am coming from my old IBM Thinkpad were the battery would die at exactly 1.5 hours, always [it was rather odd].

-mass

I know my Sony R505 laptop only gives me 1.5-2 hours battery, which is horrible.

Hmm...so the Area 51m is really a different laptop...thats good to know...thanks!

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--Daniel--