Roll your own Alienware DHS 2 media center PC

What's this? A major equipment manufacturer not designing their own chassis and/or system? Stop the presses, alert the public! Alienware's $1,600 DHS 2 (and ZT's $1,400 QMedia PC, for that matter) is nothing but an "Intel Entertainment PC Bare-bone System for Intel Processors, Model L8D915POMS2N3S" OEM box—buy one for $829 (current going price), drop in the Intel CPU and hard drive of your choice (don't forget to get a copy of XP Media Center Edition 2005) and you're ready to roll deep up in the media center PC game. Perhaps with that six or seven hundred you just saved you'd like to take us out to dinner?

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

[Eric Lampi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

This is nothing new. My Laptop a Sager 5689 is the exact same laptop that both Alienware and Voodoo used about a year ago. I saved $1000 on the same configuration that Alienware sold.

[DirtHerder @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

That's because most of these things are made in the same place.

China (or thereabouts).

[Eric Lampi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

Uhhhh, OK. So what's that have to do with Alienware's pricing?

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

I ordered one from ztgroup.com . The config was 3.0 GHZ, 200GB drive, 1GB Mem, and Windows Media Center 2005, for $1499 with 3 year warranty.

I figure the warranty may make it worth and wouldn't come out much different in price.

It's very solidly made, and it's made in Mexico, not in China. It really does look like a very nice A/V device and nothing like a traditional PC.

[DirtHerder @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

Uhhhh it has to do with major companies not actually manufacturing their own stuff (it's nothing new).

Apparently it's pretty common for many of these companies to simply rebrand OEM stuff. Most of which comes from Asia (usually China).

As for Alienware pricing. Who cares? Some people like paying a lot more for the glowy alien eyes.

[crackhead @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

These things look like our first VCR, circa 1983. Typical ugly crap from the PC world...

[Eric Lampi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

Considering the fact that I originally pointed out that 3 companies used the same laptop (made by Clevo of Taiwan to be specific), I think it's pretty easy to figure out that they don't make it themselves... I guess you missed the point.

As far as Alienware's pricing and who cares? Did you read the article? IT'S ABOUT ALIENWARE'S PRICING OF SOMETHING YOU CAN GET ELSEWHERE FOR LESS!!!! Hello? Anyone home?

Man, go get some coffee and shake out the cobwebs!

[Zak @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

crackhead,
my thoughts exactly. all it needs is a VHS tape to pop out the top.

does anyone make a good looking media case?

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

The box looks better in person. It's completely of metal, not cheap plastic as every other major manufacturer makes them.

Don't think there is any media case out there that comes close.

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

The box looks better in person. It's completely of metal, not cheap plastic as every other major manufacturer makes them.

Don't think there is any media case out there that comes close.

[n3tfury @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

what an absolute waste of money. build your own, ffs.

[Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

I predict in just a few years, anybody will be able to sell generic computers and electronic gadgets online, branded with their own name brand. Kind of like the way CafePress works. You pick your own color scheme, and upload your own graphics and logo, and then visitors to your site can click a link to order an MP3 player that is branded to order with your site's logo, then shipped from a Chinese factory to the customer, and the site owner gets a commission at the end of the quarter.

Would anybody here buy an Engadget-brand MP3 Player? Slashdot? Goatse?

[peBird @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

You think someone would make hardware skins to dress these up a bit - even the Alienware look old school. Someone talk to the Chinese manufacturers.

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

peBird - It's really hard to find industrial designers who will work for 45 cents an hour. Besides, it's not like the products that Alienware hass applied their 'skills' to aren't any less ugly than this [unless you're into the whole mid-90s SCHWA alien look in which case you probably love it].

[crackhead @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

Zak, peBird, and especially Dan

Check out Hush Technologies at http://www.hushtechnologies.net. Their boxes are not only majorly droolworthy, but they are also fanless.

Mmmmmmmmm...silent MythTV boxes

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

n3tfury,

Build my own with a tower case to put in my A/V deck under my 32 inch LCD screen, with the fan noise louder than anything? This is whisper quiet intended to be used in the living room...

That's the point, convergence...

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

peBird,

This is designed by Intel and made in Mexico, nothing to do with the Chinese...

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

For what it's worth, CNET named the Alienware DHS 2 the Next Big Thing at CES:

http://www.cnet.com/4520-10602_1-5619334.html

[Greg @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

#15 - Agree - Got a Hush mini-ITX myself, using it as a music server, and is the best looking thing on my hifi rack. Totally stable. Extremely quiet. The mini-ITX motherboard can be build into anything tho - check out http://www.mini-itx.com

[DirtHerder @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

Geezus Eric Lampi chill out. This isn't the time or place for you to be throwing a little forum tantrum.

And here's a question for you to puzzle over.. who the hell was talking to you in the first place? Sure as hell wasn't me.

Despite what you may think, the world doesn't revolve around you little man.

But of course, if you must sit at your computer comparing penis sizes, by all means, don't let me stop yah.

I've got better things to do , and nothing to prove.

[bobbyk @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

Hello,

Where can I buy this from? I'm tired of waiting for Alienware to release this in the UK.

bobbyk

[Lonny Paul @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

I gave a system hotter than this away last week from Systemax: http://www.computeramerica.com

[Lonny Paul @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

This seems pretty much like you want bobbyk.... http://www.comp-buyer.co.uk/buyer/reviews/55372/systemax-encore-3102.html

[Eric Lampi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

DirtHerder

Yes of course you have nothing to prove. You have a head injury?

[Robert @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM]

Is it quiet? My alienware PC is so loud--even though I bought the acoustic dampening option for $100--that I wear earplugs when using it!