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- Review count4
- Helpfulness votes51
- First reviewJune 11, 2017
- Last reviewJune 11, 2017
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating5
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- Last answerJune 11, 2017
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jrgunter's Reviews
Boost playtime on your wireless headphones with this Bose SoundSport charging case. Connect compatible headphones to the charger for only 15 minutes and enjoy an additional hour of listening. An LED battery indicator on this Bose SoundSport charging case lets you know where you stand with power for the charger and connected headphones.
Customer Rating
5
Must Have Bose SoundSport Accessory
on June 11, 2017
Posted by: jrgunter
Verified Purchase:Yes
This case is a perfect accessory for the Bose SoundSport headphones, but they could easily house alternate bluetooth headphones provided that they also charge via microUSB (Jaybird, Beats, etc). I use this case to carry my Bose SoundSport headphones in my bag. It provides excellent protection and ensures they are always topped off when I begin to use them at my desk. There is a short microUSB cable inside the case that you plug into the headphones. The case's built-in battery is able to charge the headphones several times before it needs to be recharged. You can charge the case and headphones at the same time and it will prioritize the headphones to full first and then top the case off as well. I have never had battery life anxiety with either the headphones or this case. I simply plug them in weekly-ish and there is no other impact on my life, which I believe is the hallmark feature of good technology. It gets right out of the way and lets you enjoy your music in wireless freedom.
My Best Buy number: 0742043143
My Best Buy number: 0742043143
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Alienware Laptop: Enjoy powerful gaming wherever you go with this Dell Alienware notebook computer. It has 16GB of DDR4 RAM to handle complex video game software, and its quad-core Intel Core i7 chip provides fast processing to keep the action moving. This Dell Alienware notebook computer includes a 1TB hard drive for ample storage of files and documents.
Customer Rating
5
Powerful Laptop with Impressive Build Quality
on June 11, 2017
Posted by: jrgunter
Verified Purchase:Yes
I purchased the Alienware 17 R4 as an open box unit from my local Best Buy. I imagine that someone had buyers remorse and gave it up for something more important such as their rent (it is a somewhat pricey unit).
I consider myself to be a very well informed and particular person when it comes to electronics. I spend hours and hours scouring the internet for reviews from popular websites and YouTube channels just for the fun and entertainment of it all. I don't take the decision lightly. It is with that mindset that I approach this review and recommendation for an Alienware laptop.
Any bit of research of available gaming laptop options will lead you to several separate categories
- "Thin and Light with entry level performance" - GTX 1050/1050Ti (aka HP Omen, Lenovo Y520, Dell Inspiron 7567)
- "Thin and Light with dense performance" - GTX 1060/1070 (aka Razer Blade, MSI Stealth Pro, or Asus ROG Strix GL series)
- "Who cares about size, give me performance!" - GTX 1070/1080 (aka Alienware 17, MSI Dominator, Asus ROG G series)
- "Thin and Light with dense performance" - GTX 1060/1070 (aka Razer Blade, MSI Stealth Pro, or Asus ROG Strix GL series)
- "Who cares about size, give me performance!" - GTX 1070/1080 (aka Alienware 17, MSI Dominator, Asus ROG G series)
After trying to decide what I really wanted for the better part of a year, I settled on the fact that I wanted 1060/1070 performance, but wouldn't be satisfied with a loud/hot, thin and light package over the long term. Fast forward to after I made my purchase and Nvidia announced their new Max-Q system design specifications, which might allow for significant performance increase with adequate thermals and acoustics in upcoming thin and light designs. That is something worth keeping your eyes on.
The reasons I bought the Alienware 17 R4 (other than the great price and immaculate condition of the open box unit):
- i7-7700HQ and GTX 1070 deliver excellent performance.
- Upgradability is 10/10. Support for more RAM, M.2 NVMe PCIe ssds, and even the Alienware Graphics Amplifier or similar Thunderbolt 3 enclosures.
- Build quality is top notch. If you drop it, be afraid for what it hits.
- 99Wh battery (legal limit for portable devices to be brought on planes). Since this unit has Nvidia Optimus and a FHD display panel, you can expect better than average battery life out of it when compared to the competition.
- Aesthetics are very well done and professional without being overly "kid racer."
- You can choose to make it "kid racer" with all the awesome lighting control (or turn it right off and go incognito).
- Thermals and acoustics are under control given the sizable package. I know the thin and lights stay within the design spec of the chips, but I couldn't bring myself to play games with the fans sounding like a jet engine and chips running just below the thermal throttle limit. You can undervolt CPUs which is known to drop temperatures by several degrees if you must have a thin and light unit with 1060/1070 performance. That wasn't my chosen path though.
- Upgradability is 10/10. Support for more RAM, M.2 NVMe PCIe ssds, and even the Alienware Graphics Amplifier or similar Thunderbolt 3 enclosures.
- Build quality is top notch. If you drop it, be afraid for what it hits.
- 99Wh battery (legal limit for portable devices to be brought on planes). Since this unit has Nvidia Optimus and a FHD display panel, you can expect better than average battery life out of it when compared to the competition.
- Aesthetics are very well done and professional without being overly "kid racer."
- You can choose to make it "kid racer" with all the awesome lighting control (or turn it right off and go incognito).
- Thermals and acoustics are under control given the sizable package. I know the thin and lights stay within the design spec of the chips, but I couldn't bring myself to play games with the fans sounding like a jet engine and chips running just below the thermal throttle limit. You can undervolt CPUs which is known to drop temperatures by several degrees if you must have a thin and light unit with 1060/1070 performance. That wasn't my chosen path though.
Things I considered as cons but that didn't sway me from the purchase:
- It's a heavy unit and not incredibly mobile. This is a desktop replacement unit and I came to terms with that with my decision to buy. I am fortunate to have other computers, including another laptop (Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga) that is my portable companion for work travel and general browsing. This Alienware laptop is solely meant to travel to friends houses for gaming fun or remain on a desk at home for stationary use. Granted, I have used it on my lap while browsing online and it was perfectly functional. Hours of that might strengthen your legs though (fringe benefit?).
- The screen on my model is the FHD IPS panel from Chi Mei. Dell also offers QHD and UHD options from AUO if you build to order and Best Buy has some SKUs with those panels as well. If I had to do it again, I would really like the QHD panel given the 120Hz refresh rate and G-Sync capability. I have a 144hz G-Sync panel for my gaming desktop and it really is a dramatically improved experience. It is hard to go back to a standard 60hz panel after you have seen the light. I have tried to get in touch with Dell and procure the parts to convert my unit to the QHD panel, but the parts have so far been out of stock. Rest assured that it is possible though with relatively minimal effort. Forums can show you the way and you of course proceed at your own risk.
- The internal deck and wrist rest surface has a rubberized coating. This coating, while soft and supple, retains the oils from your hands/arms and displays them for the world to see. Being a bit of a perfectionist, I keep a cloth and cleaning solution nearby to wipe it down when I'm done. Otherwise, the use of brushed aluminum and matte plastic is tasteful and inspires confidence.
- The screen on my model is the FHD IPS panel from Chi Mei. Dell also offers QHD and UHD options from AUO if you build to order and Best Buy has some SKUs with those panels as well. If I had to do it again, I would really like the QHD panel given the 120Hz refresh rate and G-Sync capability. I have a 144hz G-Sync panel for my gaming desktop and it really is a dramatically improved experience. It is hard to go back to a standard 60hz panel after you have seen the light. I have tried to get in touch with Dell and procure the parts to convert my unit to the QHD panel, but the parts have so far been out of stock. Rest assured that it is possible though with relatively minimal effort. Forums can show you the way and you of course proceed at your own risk.
- The internal deck and wrist rest surface has a rubberized coating. This coating, while soft and supple, retains the oils from your hands/arms and displays them for the world to see. Being a bit of a perfectionist, I keep a cloth and cleaning solution nearby to wipe it down when I'm done. Otherwise, the use of brushed aluminum and matte plastic is tasteful and inspires confidence.
In conclusion, I don't think you can really go wrong with this unit, provided you are decided on the type of laptop you want. The Alienware 17 R4 competes with the best of them with regard to performance and price. I would argue that it is leading the class with regard to build quality and that is very impressive.
My Best Buy number: 0742043143
My Best Buy number: 0742043143
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
44of 87voted this as helpful.
Lay out this Razer Goliathus Mobile Stealth Edition mouse pad. It's only 0.05" thick, making it easy to tote in a closed laptop, and the top ensures quick movement of your mouse in all directions. This Razer Goliathus Mobile Stealth Edition mouse pad has a micro texture for optimal performance with laser and optical mice.
Customer Rating
5
Portable and functional pad at a great price
on June 11, 2017
Posted by: jrgunter
Verified Purchase:Yes
I purchased this mouse pad to pair with my mobile gaming setup and use with my Razer DeathAdder mouse. I was looking for a small and affordable pad and this fit the bill perfectly. In this product category, there is plenty of competition and the prices often only vary by a few dollars. This means that cost isn't going to sway your decision. They are all perfectly functional and affordable products. In this market segment, it's increasingly about aesthetics and brand loyalty. If you like Razer products and use their mice, it's a natural evolution that you may also want to brand match your mouse pad. That is what it came down to for me. If I was using a SteelSeries Rival mouse, I would have bought their mousepad for a few dollars more. The choice is yours!
My Best Buy number: 0742043143
My Best Buy number: 0742043143
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
Carry gear securely inside this versatile Alienware Vindicator backpack. A durable reinforced base resists weather and water while being sturdy enough to hold a 17.3-inch laptop, tablet, magazines and USB devices in separate compartments. The padded shoulder strap of this Alienware Vindicator backpack makes it comfortable to tote around campus.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect companion for the Alienware 17 R4
on June 11, 2017
Posted by: jrgunter
Verified Purchase:Yes
I purchased this backpack to transport my Alienware 17R4 laptop and the associated gear I carry with it. The backpack is well made and fits very nicely with the laptop for a cohesive aesthetic. There are 3 major compartments within the bag and those are further segregated with pockets and dividers for all of your smaller gear. There is a pouch inside the bag meant to contain your power supply and that works nicely, eliminating that wire clutter. I current have my Alienware 17 R4 laptop and power supply, Razer DeathAdder mouse, and Sennheiser GAME Zero headset case in the bag and it isn't even beginning to fill the available space. I feel I could comfortably carry another sizable laptop, a tablet such as iPad, as well as several more mice and headsets in an organized setup. More reasonably though, you might wish to use some of the extra space to carry a change of clothes and toiletries in the likely event you will gaming at a friends house well into the morning with your complete gaming travel package.
I was a bit hesitant at first to buy a Alienware branded bag to house my expensive gaming gear given that it tends to advertise you are hauling some desirable goods. That is a choice you will have to make for yourself when considering where you plan to travel with it. Personally, I am going to friends houses where I don't anticipate being among thieves. Having this tailor made solution for hauling my gaming gear was worth it to me and I really do love the way it looks. It's got function in spades, with a bonus of being very stylish as well. I picked the bag up on sale for around $87 which I think is perfectly fair for what you are getting. The target demographic is very much owners of large Alienware laptops, so it likely won't be for everyone.
My Best Buy number: 0742043143
My Best Buy number: 0742043143
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
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jrgunter's Answers
Alienware Laptop: Enjoy powerful gaming wherever you go with this Dell Alienware notebook computer. It has 16GB of DDR4 RAM to handle complex video game software, and its quad-core Intel Core i7 chip provides fast processing to keep the action moving. This Dell Alienware notebook computer includes a 1TB hard drive for ample storage of files and documents.
What is the interface for additional M.2? PCI-E x4 or SATA III?
There are two full size M.2 slots and they both support PCIe NVMe drives. There is also a half height M.2 slot, but I assume it is only SATA III speeds given that I know of no PCIe NVMe ones that would fit it. There is also, of course, a 2.5" drive bay to round out your storage options and that is SATA III as well. The stock 2 .5"HDD is reasonable for game storage, but enthusiasts who ask questions about drive interfaces will likely desire full SSD storage for the blazing fast speeds it will bring. This is my plan for mine. Happy shopping!
6 years, 10 months ago
by
jrgunter
Lay out this Razer Goliathus Mobile Stealth Edition mouse pad. It's only 0.05" thick, making it easy to tote in a closed laptop, and the top ensures quick movement of your mouse in all directions. This Razer Goliathus Mobile Stealth Edition mouse pad has a micro texture for optimal performance with laser and optical mice.
Carry gear securely inside this versatile Alienware Vindicator backpack. A durable reinforced base resists weather and water while being sturdy enough to hold a 17.3-inch laptop, tablet, magazines and USB devices in separate compartments. The padded shoulder strap of this Alienware Vindicator backpack makes it comfortable to tote around campus.
Does anyone have the Alienware 17 R4 laptop and use this back pack? Bought laptop for daughter, she is using two bags for school. Would be nice if this worked and also room for a few books. Thanks for your answer. :)
Chris,
This bag comfortably houses the Alienware 17 R4 with room for a sizable amount of ancillary gear. I would say you could easily haul 4-5 books along with the laptop. Keep in mind though that you will be approaching a pretty heavy weight with such a loadout. Coming from someone who carried a lot of weight in college on a daily basis, her back would not thank her after 4 years of such treatment. As long as the secondary bag contents aren't crazy heavy, you certainly have the volume to fit them in this bag along with the laptop gear. I use the bag exclusively for hauling my laptop, mouse, and gaming headset and find it quite pleasant. With that loadout, it's a black hole of empty space waiting to be filled!
This bag comfortably houses the Alienware 17 R4 with room for a sizable amount of ancillary gear. I would say you could easily haul 4-5 books along with the laptop. Keep in mind though that you will be approaching a pretty heavy weight with such a loadout. Coming from someone who carried a lot of weight in college on a daily basis, her back would not thank her after 4 years of such treatment. As long as the secondary bag contents aren't crazy heavy, you certainly have the volume to fit them in this bag along with the laptop gear. I use the bag exclusively for hauling my laptop, mouse, and gaming headset and find it quite pleasant. With that loadout, it's a black hole of empty space waiting to be filled!
6 years, 10 months ago
by
jrgunter