Hardware

First look: Alienware Aurora m9700 notebook

By // August 28, 2006, 4:11 AM PST // markwkaelin

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    An initial look at the Alienware Aurora m9700 notebook. A full review is forthcoming.

    The shipping box was disappointing --- where is the Alienware logo.

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    Ah there it is! This box has a carrying handle on it which came in handy the first time I had to carry home the notebook and all the pieces with me.

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    The thin box inside the box even has the logo on it. I feel better now - this is an Alienware.

    I wonder what's in here.

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    Perhaps a better question would have been, what's not in here.

    The Aurora m9700 comes with the Windows Media Center so there is a remote control. There are connecting wires for a fax/modem, TV, Audio, and Bluetooth Audio.

    There is also a very large power brick for AC power.

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    I'm a big fan of Alienware style. The Aurora m9700 is definitely a head-turner.

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    Some other perks were included in the box: a T-shirt, mouse pad, and a Reviewer's Guide.

    I have one of the mouse pads --- it is a very good surface for game mousing.

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    Lots of connections in the rear: S-video in and out, audio in, coaxial, Modem connection, DVI and VGA out, and a lone USB port.

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    On the right side we have standard headphone and microphone jacks along with a volume control. There are also jacks for surround sound speaker systems and another USB port. The red light is the optical port.

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    The front is where the DVD/CD burner combo drive is located. The drive can burn DVDs at 8X.

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    The left side is packed with connections and slots. The Ethernet port is here, two USB connections, Firewire, and two memory card slots.

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    I wanted to show you how black the LCD screen looks, but it was so black it actually reflected the camera like a mirror. An interesting effect.

    You'll have to trust me --- the screen is pitch black.

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    The keyboard is full size and even has a number pad --- a feature I find very useful. At first glance the keyboard seems to be a little too far towards the back, but it is not as bad as first thought it would be.

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    There is room for two hard drives as you can see from this bottoms up view. There is also a subwoofer up in the left corner.

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    Even after it's turned on, the screen is mysteriously black. Alien technology I suppose.

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    The screen after initial start up. The blissfully wonderful feeling of no desktop clutter.

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    A quick look at the installed software. What no AOL, no MSN, no Earthlink, no Microsoft Works, no Norton anti-virus. You mean I can just start using my new notebook --- what an absolutely alien idea.

    Check out the company line on the Alienware Aurora m9700 for more information.

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An initial look at the Alienware Aurora m9700 notebook. A full review is forthcoming.

The shipping box was disappointing --- where is the Alienware logo.

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By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.