Ended up canceling the Alienware order- they hadn't started building it yet, so no issues there. Decided to try the new Razer Blade 14 instead. Not just because the specs are better (and it's reviewing really well, too), but because somehow they offered it with any payment plan I wanted to go on with zero interest. Works for me.
This model not only runs more efficiently, but finally has upgradeable ram. It is to my understanding the the Predator Triton 14 doesn't do this and they only have 16GB options on their site, so that's a pass at least for now. One negative I already see is that the Blades have huge power bricks, but people still seem to like lugging them around.
If the Razer doesn't work out, that just leaves Alienware...again. Definitely possible that this is it -because I've tried everything- and that's OK too. If my crazy laptop odyssey just results in swapping out the Steam Deck for the Ally this year, I'm good with it.
This model not only runs more efficiently, but finally has upgradeable ram. It is to my understanding the the Predator Triton 14 doesn't do this and they only have 16GB options on their site, so that's a pass at least for now. One negative I already see is that the Blades have huge power bricks, but people still seem to like lugging them around.
If the Razer doesn't work out, that just leaves Alienware...again. Definitely possible that this is it -because I've tried everything- and that's OK too. If my crazy laptop odyssey just results in swapping out the Steam Deck for the Ally this year, I'm good with it.