Dell, the world's biggest personal computer maker, on Wednesday announced the first aqcuisition of a PC rival in its 22-year history, with a deal to buy Alienware, a maker of souped-up computer systems for gaming enthusiasts and other power users.

Alienware, known as a provider of high-performance, "bleeding-edge" computer systems, will operate as an independent unit within Dell, retaining separate development, marketing and customer service operations.

Van Baker, an analyst at Gartner, said the move was uncharacteristic of Dell, which has built its business by selling mass-market PCs directly to customers over the telephone and internet.

"This is a bit of a different spin from them," said Mr Baker. "They are not buyuing volume, but what it does give them is a very profitable PC line. We're talking $3,500 to $4,000 PCs in a segment of the market that is always willing to pay top dollar for the best possible performance."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11965865/from/RS.4/ (full article)

 

They aren't going to use Dell's top quality customer support?

 

The Aliens will not stand for this!!!!!

 

the dell xps pc's can be made the same if not crazier than alienware computers wonder why not just absorb them instead of keeping the identity

 

Too late, the Aliens have already been abducted by Indians and Michael Dell.....

 

speaking of which

http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/03/22/dell_xps600_renegade/

 

I think anyone who is that dedicated into gaming should just build their own and save 25%

 

kinda figured this was coming... a month ago or so someone mentioned how alienwares site looked just like dells site.. maybe that explains why

 

Hmm...if you can't beat'em, buy'em.

 

yea its been in the "buzz" for a couple months now...

apparently nobody really took Dell too seriously when they tried getting into the "Extreme Gamer" segment... I wonder how much they bought em for.

 

Or more!

I've seen so called extreme systems for 50% more than what I can build it for (including legal OS and software)

So much markup for "gaming computers"

 

great, now when you pay a shitload for your alienware machine and call tech support, you wont be able to understand anything the person says...