Theyre undoubtedly nostalgic machines for some folks, but not me.
Instead, I look at them less with reverence and more with wistfulness.
Those laptops dont look good, but they feel good.
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i has a fine keyboard, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the Legion Y920’s mechanical keys.Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
TheLenovo Legion Y920is a far more recent machine.
TheAlienware Area-51 m5550first hit store shelves in 2006.
It sported an Intel Core 2 Duo and a Nvidia GeForce Go 7600.
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
For context, Gizmodo had been around for just four years at that point.
I was 12 years old at the time.
Specifically, theLenovo Legion Pro 7i 16and theAlienware m16 R2boasted a good feel and solid performance attheir price.
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
Side-by-side, you could tell how much more subdued modern models appear than their older counterparts.
The blaring Legion logo and sloped sides on the Y920 seem extreme to modern standards.
Back then, that was considered restrained.
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
Just look at theAlienware 13from 2017 with its large, beaked frame.
Both companies were known for some truly outlandish laptop designs, especially the desktop replacement variety.
The Area-51 and the similar Aurora m9700 are peak Alienware at its most outlandish.
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
That plastic shell looks like it broke off the set ofJ.J.
Those pointless black ribs dont actually help you hold it up.
And its a heavy sucker too.
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
The m5550 is 6.94 pounds.
The latest 16-inch Alienware without that thermal shelf weighs 5.62.
Thats a lot of pounds to have all those extra, now-defunct ports.
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
The goal of any laptop designer is inherently one of compromise.
you oughta pack as much power as possible in a limited frame and still keep it cool and portable.
The 17-inch Y920 weighs 9.76 pounds.
Alienwaresbig 18-inch m18 r2 clocks in at 9.3 pounds.
It wouldnt turn on, not the least because its power button was missing.
Sadly, well likely never see that alien logo glow again.
The Legion Y920 was similarly dead.
But when you use them, you realize just why these laptops were so popular in the first place.
Its keyboard still types like a dream.
Perhaps we should remind Alienware about them17 R4 with those cherry switches?
The palm rests alone are comfortable and anti-slip in such a way modern machines dont dare to.
What hasnt changed is the pricing structure of these laptops.
The Y920 cost $2,700 when it first launched.
That 2006 Alienware laptop was $2,800.
Meanwhile, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 starts at $3,220.
Is it worse now?
No, not necessarily.
Some might look at them with nostalgia.
Others might think the old look is garish.
Perhaps we should look to the past for a laptop keyboard that doesnt feel like a sea of sponges.
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