Top-Notch Gaming Laptops from IBUYPOWER and Alienware

Gamers are a demanding bunch who look for the absolute ultimate performance from their machines. Not satisfied with off the shelf motherboards, cooling fans, power supplies, video cards, and processors, gaming computer manufacturers use top-quality components to design the fastest machines possible. For example, gamers often opt for liquid-cooled CPUs rather than conventional PC cooling fans that move only air.

Dedicated gamers often overclock the CPU chips to squeeze out every bit of performance. And, unlike ordinary PCs that come bundled with a mouse and keyboard, gaming machines usually do not. Instead, gamers demand a specific touch and feel that consumer-grade input devices cannot deliver.

We look at two of the top gaming laptop brands: IBUYPOWER and Alienware.

iBUYPOWER began in 1999 as a shop that built gaming computers. The company gave gamers three ways to buy a PC. They could buy prebuilt gaming PCs, or for more control over the final product, gamers could instruct the company to build a system using specific components. Or a gamer could build a PC using components purchased from the company. Today, iBUYPOWER makes dozens of gaming laptops that range from around $800 to nearly $3,000. The company positions itself as “delivering on its promise to build the best gaming systems for the most discerning gamers.”

The company’s top gaming laptop as of December 2020 is the GX502LXS-XS79, which lists for $2,999.

The company began selling hand-built PCs in 1996 and gained an international following among gamers in the U.S., Japan, Korea, and other parts of Asia. By the mid-2000s, the owners began looking for a partnership with a larger company that could give it the economies of scale only large PC makers could offer. In 2006 Dell purchased Alienware, with Alienware retaining control over product design and marketing. Today, Alienware is known for innovation and first-rate gaming systems.

Its premium gaming laptop is the Alienware m15 R3, which lists for $1,549.99 in its base configuration, and $2,529.99 for the top of the line configuration.

Both IBUYPOWER and Alienware have their followers, but there can be no clear, “best of the best” laptop among gamers. Both vendors publish performance ratings based upon popular games such as Fortnite, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Call of Duty. One avid Fortnite gamer might prefer iBUYPOWER because that laptop outperforms others at Fortnite. In the meantime, a Call of Duty gamer might choose Alienware because it turns in better performance for that game. Add in each gamer’s ability to customize the laptop in countless ways and the effort to name one particular brand or model “the best” is impossible.

When you buy a gaming laptop, you can easily spend four or five times more than an everyday PC user would spend. Keeping that expensive laptop running has to be top of mind for many, especially considering the many negative reports buyers have filed on both companies for poor tech support and customer service.

Despite offering three-year manufacturer warranties, neither company will help you repair the laptop if it’s damaged accidentally. The laptop owner pays out of pocket.

Upsie solves that problem with its comprehensive extended laptop warranty plans for both IBUYPOWER and Alienware laptops. They protect owners where limited manufacturer warranties don’t, including accident protection from drops and spills.

Upsie’s pricing is a small fraction of what others charge. However, Upsie offers local and mail-in repairs from certified technicians, so you can choose which is most convenient for you.

Gamers don’t want to be losers. No matter which laptop you choose, Upsie extended warranties protect your investment to keep you and your laptop up and running, shooting, fragging, and winning.