Alienware 17 R5 Review

Syed Humza Hussain

9 months ago

Alienware is a brand that’s synonymous with high-end gaming laptops. The Alienware 17 R5 is no exception. It’s a beast of a machine with an impressive set of specifications that make it a powerhouse in the gaming world. In this unbiased review, we’ll dive deep into the Alienware 17 R5 and see how it stacks up against the competition.

Design and Build Quality

The Alienware 17 R5 has a distinctive look that sets it apart from other gaming laptops. It’s a bulky machine that weighs in at 9.7 pounds, so it’s not the most portable option. However, the laptop is built like a tank with a durable chassis that feels solid and sturdy. The lid is made of aluminum and has a textured finish that gives it a premium look.

The keyboard is comfortable to type on and features per-key RGB lighting, which is customizable via Alienware’s Command Center software. The touchpad is responsive and has a smooth surface that makes navigation a breeze. The laptop also features Tobii eye-tracking technology, which allows you to control certain aspects of the computer with your eyes.

Display

The Alienware 17 R5 features a 17.3-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. The screen is bright and vibrant, with excellent color accuracy and contrast. The laptop also features G-Sync technology, which synchronizes the display with the graphics card to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering.

Performance

The Alienware 17 R5 is a performance beast. It’s powered by an Intel Core i7-8750H processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card with 8GB of GDDR5 memory. This combination of hardware delivers exceptional performance, with the laptop handling even the most demanding games and applications with ease.

The laptop also features a 256GB SSD and a 1TB HDD, which provides ample storage for all your games and files. The SSD ensures lightning-fast boot times and load times, while the HDD provides plenty of space for large files and games.

Cooling

One of the biggest challenges with gaming laptops is keeping them cool. The Alienware 17 R5 features a dual-fan cooling system with multiple heat pipes that keep the laptop cool even during intense gaming sessions. The laptop also features Alienware’s Command Center software, which allows you to customize fan speeds and overclocking settings to maximize performance.

Battery Life

The Alienware 17 R5 has a 99Whr battery, which is the maximum allowed by the FAA for air travel. However, with such powerful hardware, it’s no surprise that the laptop’s battery life is not its strongest feature. The laptop lasted just over 3 hours on a single charge during our testing, which is below average for a gaming laptop.

Connectivity

The Alienware 17 R5 features a robust selection of ports, including three USB 3.0 ports, one USB-C port, HDMI 2.0, mini-DisplayPort 1.3, Ethernet, and a headphone jack. The laptop also features Killer Wireless-AC 1435 and Bluetooth 4.1, which provide fast and reliable wireless connectivity.

Price

The Alienware 17 R5 is not a budget laptop. It’s priced at around $2,000, which is a significant investment. However, considering the laptop’s impressive specifications and performance, it’s a fair price for what you’re getting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Alienware 17 R5 is a top-of-the-line gaming laptop that’s built to deliver exceptional performance and a premium gaming experience. With its powerful hardware, impressive cooling system, and customizable RGB lighting, the laptop is sure to impress even the most demanding gamers. While the laptop’s high price tag and below-average battery life may be a turn-off for some, it’s a fair price for what you’re getting in terms of specifications and performance. Overall, the Alienware 17 R5 is a solid choice for anyone who’s serious about gaming and wants a laptop that can keep up with their demands.

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