This new generation of AW15/17 is not so overpriced. Probably due to BGA processor or price competition with other brand. But with that quality and after sale service of Alienware, the price could be reasonable enough. Plus, you could get discount roughly a 10% from them, if you ask for it through sales agent live chat.

Even though, a lot of ignorant buyers still buy it. What they see probably are just i7, GTX 9XX and that price.

I would recommand you either Clevo (Illegear/Aftershock) or Alienware in the term of build quality and cooling system.

Choosing Clevo is better if you like to overlock or upgrade your CPU and GPU in future.
Else, Alienware is better.

Please take note on the difference between i7-4710MQ & i7-4710HQ.

MQ = PGA - CPUs are inserted into a socket which means they can potentially be upgraded in the future.
HQ = BGA - CPUs are soldered directly into the motherboard (embedded) which makes them extremely difficult / impossible to replace the CPUs without proper equipment.

Only good about HQ is cheaper and slimmer. You would see all slim gaming laptop are only using HQ.