Alienware has gone a step further in its family of gaming laptops and created the Alienware x15 and x17 with a clear objective: to make them especially thin without compromising performance.
Their configurations are spectacular and allow access to the latest Intel and NVIDIA, but there are other elements of interest such as its cooling system, its Cherry MX keyboard, and its backlit trackpad.
Alienware X15 and X17 technical details
| Alienware X15 | Alienware X17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 15.6″ Full HD, 165 Hz, 300 nits 15.6″QHD, 240 Hz, 400 nits, G-Sync | 17.3″ Full HD, 360 Hz 17.3″ 4K UHD, 120 Hz, 500 nits |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-11800H Up to Intel Core i9-11900H | Intel Core i7-11800H Up to Intel Core i9-11980HK |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Up to GeForce RTX 3080 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Up to GeForce RTX 3080 |
| RAM | Up to 32GB 3,200MHz DDR4 | Up to 64GB 3,466MHz DDR4 |
| Storage | Up to 2TB NVMe SSD Two M.2 slots to expand | Up to 2TB NVMe SSD Two M.2 slots to expand |
| Ports | 1 x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1) 1 x USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2) 1 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) 1 x HDMI 2.1 MicroSD reader Power connector Headphone jack | 2 x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1) 1 x USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2) 1 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) 1 x HDMI 2.11 x Mini Display Port 1 x RJ45 (2.5GbE) MicroSD reader Power connector Headphone jack |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Battery | 87 Wh | 87 Wh |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home / Pro | Windows 10 Home / Pro |
| Others | Webcam 720p (Windows Hello) Backlit trackpad X-Series keyboard | Webcam 720p (Windows Hello) Backlit trackpad Cherry MX mechanical keyboard option |
| Dimensions and Weight | 15.9mm 2.26 kg | 399.23 x 299.49 x 20.9 mm 3.02 kg |
| Price | From $ 1,999 | From $ 2,099 |
The Alienware X15 is so slim that it doesn’t look like a gaming computer
Gamer-oriented laptops are slimming down. Razer has made that effort with its eye-catching Razer Blade 15 Advanced, and Alienware -a Dell subsidiary- has managed to shave a few millimeters off its already more than attractive m15 and m17 without sacrificing performance.
The Alienware X15 has a chassis that is only 15.9 mm thick and starts with a base configuration that many would already like as a top configuration.
Thus, it starts with the latest generation Core i7-11800H (but can be swapped for a Core i9-11900H), up to 32 GB of DDR4 RAM at 3,200 MHz (which cannot be upgraded) and up to 4 TB divided between the standard drive and two other M.2 slots that can be used to enjoy a lot of storage capacity.
In terms of graphics, the base is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (90 W maximum power) but can be upgraded to the 8 GB RTX 3080 (and 110 W maximum power). The 15.6″ display can be either the 165 Hz Full HD version or a flashier 240 Hz, 400 nits QHD one.
The 87 Wh battery accompanies a decent port offering, although in this model we don’t have an RJ45 slot for Ethernet connections natively, an almost forgivable oversight considering the thickness of the equipment. Fortunately, wireless connectivity is perfectly covered thanks to Wi-Fi 6E support.
Alienware X17: growing in power makes the machine (a bit) bigger
Things go even further with the Alienware X17, which starts from the same basic configuration but can count on the Intel Core i9-11980HK processor that poses that clear commitment to maximum power.
This device is not only larger due to the diagonal of its 17.3-inch screen: it is also noticeably thicker at 20.9 mm. What is clear is that it is a heavy device: at least 3.02 kg, which means that its attractive design cannot hide the fact that it is not exactly a featherweight.
It is logical because inside you can configure the equipment with up to 64 GB of DDR4 RAM at 3,466 MHz, up to 4 TB of storage, and above all graphics options that can reach the RTX 3080 of 16 GB (not 8 GB) with a power reserved for that graphics of 165 W, which gives much room for maneuver when putting those graphics cores at frequencies that will reach 1,710 MHz for the 1,365 MHz of the RTX 3080 in the X15.
Connectivity delivers even better news, and to all the ports on the X15 are added a mini DisplayPort and also an RJ45 port with support for 2.5GbE networking.
Focus on cooling, keyboard, and trackpad
This type of ultra-thin chassis for gaming equipment is a challenge when it comes to cooling the equipment, and this company has had to investigate new materials. They indicate how they have used five new techniques that have already applied for a patent.
The Alienware Cryo-Tech technology makes use of the so-called Element 31, a thermal paste in which gallium seems to have a lot to say. This technology allows better heat dispersion and, according to Alienware, improves thermal resistance by 25%.
This technology is joined by no less than four fans that ensure that the airflow always favors that the computer is at appropriate temperatures to work at maximum power for as long as possible.
In the Alienware x17 model, there is an option to include a Cherry MX mechanical keyboard with low-profile keys that nevertheless promise a 3.5 mm travel.
Another striking element is the backlit trackpad that can be controlled from the Alienware panel, which will be another striking element of the design of this device that certainly takes care of every detail.
Pricing and availability of the Alienware X15 and X17
Alienware indicates that the new Alienware X15 and X17 will be available starting today, June 1, in the United States.
The price of these devices starts at $1,999 for the Alienware X15 and $2,099 for the Alienware X17.
