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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.
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.