I believe that alienware is a very good company for certain things, many gamers believe that it is "The System", mind you 90% of them are simple people who know how to click on a Icon and join a server. I built my custom Video Editing system back in September and after this experience believe that it would have been MUCH better to go with a company that was able to test for the best compatability between parts. Its not because I didn't know what I was doing (I have built over 10 computers for friends and family) but the Matrox x100 card I got didn't like the Radeon 9700 or the "top of the line" P4S8X. I would have paid the extra $$$ to get a system that performed the way it said it would and have the backing of a reputation as Alienware does. If anyone out there bashes alienware for making a profit on selling computers to all the people out there that wouldn't want to risk destroying a $2000+ piece of equipment by putting it together themselves, its like saying that you should make a house yourself because its cheaper. I would buy a alienware system in a second if I didn't have the time to waste on putting together a new system or if I just wanted something that I could plug and play.
Anyway, I say you guys should all ask yourself something, if you were in Alienwares possition would you change your stance? As in would you lower your prices and aim for a larger segment of the population at the expense of your quality and rep? Or would you stay and go for the "rich" population and make some hefty profits and earn the respect of 90% of the gaming comunity who believes that nothing can beat a Alienware system
PS: Just for the record I believe that Building your own system is "cooler" but I hate it when people come on and bash a company because there not marketing torwards you.