Posted 10/22/2009 at 07:11:05am

if the upgrade version needs an existing copy of vista how can i install it on a brand new hard drive?  does it just need a valid vista key-code, meaning i can pull my existing hard drives, insert new ones, install win7 from upgrade-disks, type in my old vista code, type in my new win7 code?

Posted 10/16/2009 at 08:56:03pm

step 1. plug in external HD (500gb; $109), drag-and-drop music/movie collection, photos, savegames, unplug external HD1-2 hours

step 2, insert OS disk, reboot or follow onscreen instructions or whatever (it will be obvious when you put the disk in) to install windows 7

step 3, plug in external HD, move media back onto computer into appropriate locations...

... real hard...

Posted 10/14/2009 at 01:55:39pm

really?

like, seriously...

non-tech copyright stupidity and software copyright DRM stupidity are different battles in the same war, totally related...

...i like this column

Posted 04/27/2009 at 01:40:59am

i would reccomend playing this one on console.  it doesnt crash...

Posted 04/27/2009 at 12:07:22am

i quote the review:

As configured, this Alienware M17 doesn’t serve any particular mission well: It’s too heavy for frequent road trips, it’s not powerful enough for hardcore gaming, and without a TV tuner or Blu-ray drive, it’s not much of a media system. (end quote)

AS CONFIGURED, though.  A TV tuner, a blu-ray drive, a better CPU, and even more RAM can be had as one of the M17's many options on www.alienware.com.

 I recently purchased an M17 with 4GB ram, a core 2 quad (Q9000) CPU, a blu-ray drive, an HD screen, and 2x250GB drives in a RAID 0. I am confident it will perform much better then the configuration maximumPC used for this review.

 what is dumb thou is what the heck was Alienware, a company that appeals to gamers craving power and cutting edge tech, thinking submitting a notebook configured this modestly for review? what did they think was going to happen lol.If you are going to get an M17 plan on spending ~$2,800 to configure it properly.

but that is no reason to lash out at the good people of MaximumPC.