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The Alienware 17in laptop is a glorious machine that packs a serious punch. Released in 2013, the Alienware 17 comes packed with AMD Radeon HD R9 M290X graphics and an Intel Core i7-4700MQ processor.
Definitely not the lightest of laptops at 9.15 pounds, the 17.3-inch WLED and Anti Glare screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 more than makes up for its weight. If you are a PC gamer or need a powerful machine for creative work, the Alienware 17 is definitely worth your time and money.
Best Deal Today
- Intel Core i7 processor using TurboBoost
- 32GB RAM and 4TB HDD + 80Gb SSD storage
- Attractive 17.3" screen in HD
- Nvidia Geforce GTX 765M Video card with 2GB DDR5 Ram
- Windows 7 Professional comes pre-installed
Alienware 17in Laptop: Overview
Named for its 17-inch screen size, the Alienware 17 is a behemoth of a machine, but one that’s worth its weight in gold for gamers and creative professionals alike. A closer look reveals Alienware 17-inch laptop had hardware features that were pretty ahead of its time.
“Where?” you might ask. Dell discontinued the production of the Alienware 17 lineup to pave the way for their new thin and light gaming laptops, the Alienware m15 and m17 series. Answering the call for smaller, more powerful laptops that didn’t skimp on features, the m15 and m17 lineup laptops are the heirs apparent to the Alienware 17’s gaming throne.
However, that doesn’t mean that the Alienware 17 is any less of a machine. It’s still a powerful gaming PC that can go toe-to-toe with some of the best laptops on the market today. If you’re looking for a used or refurbished model, the Alienware 17 is worth considering.
Release date and price
Dell released the first generation of the Alienware 17 laptop back in 2013. At the time, it was one of the most expensive gaming laptops, costing $2,699. Since production ceased, the price of the Alienware 17 came down significantly. It’s not uncommon to find models selling for under $1,000.
The base model of the Alienware 17 came with an Intel Core i7-4700MQ processor, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 500GB hard drive. It had NVIDIA GeForce GTX 765M graphics with 2GB VRAM. This model went for $1,499. High rollers who wanted more RAM, storage, and a better graphics card could upgrade to a model with 32GB of RAM, a 1 TB hard drive, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M graphics for $3,849.
Different Models
The Alienware 17 was the first laptop in the company’s lineup to offer 4th generation Intel processors. A refresh of the M17x model, the Alienware 17 featured a completely redesigned chassis. The new design was sleeker and more modern, with an aluminum construction and a backlit keyboard.
Several models of the Alienware 17 lineup are still available for purchase. These models include;
- Alienware 17 R2
- Alienware 17 R3
- Alienware 17 R4
- Alienware 17 R5
The latest models of Alienware’s 17-inch laptops include the M17 R5 and the X17 R2, both released in 2022.
Features
Besides the attention-grabbing 17-inch screen, we appreciate the Alienware 17’s gaming and graphics chops, Thunderbolt 3 support, and overall design. It’s a bit of a beast to lug around, but power users will appreciate the extra screen real estate.
- Design: The Alienware 17 has a sleek and modern design that’s a step up from its predecessor. The anodized aluminum construction makes it feel solid and durable, while the backlit keyboard gives it a premium look and feel. The soft-touch plastic finish on the top of the lid provides the perfect backdrop for the alien head emblem and LED strips that run along the sides of the laptop.
- Audio: The Alienware 17 comes with Klipsch speakers that provide clear and loud audio. The bass is deep and rich, and the highs are crisp and well-defined. The front-mounted speaker grilles give the laptop a gaming-centric look, and the red backlighting adds a touch of style.
- Display: The 17.3-inch display is one of the highlights of the Alienware 17. It has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. The IPS panel offers wide viewing angles and accurate colors. The matte finish reduces glare and fingerprints.
- Ports: Bursting with ports, the Alienware 17 has everything you need to connect to all your devices. The laptop’s left side has two USB 3.0 ports, a security lock, jacks for headphones and a microphone, a Mini DisplayPort, and a port for a power adapter. The right side is home to the Blu-ray player slot, a 9-in-1 card reader, two USB 3.0 ports, and Gigabit Ethernet.
- Webcam: The Alienware 17’s 2.0-megapixel webcam defies the stereotype of webcams on gaming laptops. The Creative Live! Central 3 software lets you record and edit video, and the camera captures clear and sharp 1080p images.
Specifications
| Size | 17.9 x 12.9 x 2.26-2.23 inches |
| Weight | 9.15 Pounds |
| Screen type/size | 17.3 Inches |
| Video output | Full HD (1080p) |
| Audio output | Speaker Peak: 2W, Subwoofer Peak; 2.5W |
| Card slot type | 9-1 card reader |
| Speakers (if applicable) | 2 Klipsch speakers |
| Internal battery type | 8-cell battery |
| Operating system (if applicable) | Windows 10 and Windows 11 |
| Memory (if applicable) | Supported configuration: 8GB, 12GB, and 16 GB |
| Storage | 500GB HDD |
| Battery life | 3 hours 36 minutes |
| Charging time | 2 hours |
| Warranty (if applicable) | One year limited hardware warranty |
Alienware 17in Laptop Review
Reading about the Alienware 17-inch laptop, a gaming-centric 17-inch laptop with plenty of power and an impressive design, it’s hard not to feel the urge to splurge on this premium machine. A hands-on look at this laptop reveals a powerful and portable machine with a design sure to turn heads. But it’s not without its flaws.
Size and Weight
Before anything else, let’s talk about its weight and portability, or the lack thereof. At 9.15 pounds and 17.9 x 12.9 x 2.26-2.23 inches, the Alienware 17 is a beast of a machine. It’s not impossible to carry around, but you definitely won’t want to take it with you on your morning commute. The good news is that the weight is distributed evenly, and the machine feels sturdy.
General Performance and Graphics
The never-ending AMD vs. NVIDIA debate aside, the Alienware 17 comes with an AMD Radeon HD M290X graphics card. Although not the best on the market, it’s still a solid card that can handle most games on medium to high settings. A benchmark using 3DMark Fire Strike revealed a score of 4,727, which is about 1,000 units higher than the Asus G750JX.
The 1080p screen is another impressive feature. The image quality is clear and sharp, and the 17.3-inch size gives you plenty of room to enjoy the action. As for general performance, the quad-core Intel Core i7-4700MQ CPU and 16GB of RAM don’t have trouble multitasking. You can open several tabs in your browser, stream a video, and play a game simultaneously without experiencing any lag.
The 500GB hard drive is also a plus, giving you plenty of storage space for your games, photos, and videos. You can always upgrade to a 1TB drive if you need more space.
Battery Performance
With great features comes great battery drainage, and the Alienware 17 is no exception. It’s a gaming laptop, so don’t expect any miracles. The Alienware gives about 3 hours and 36 minutes of battery life when playing a locally stored video on a loop.
That’s not bad, considering its size, but it’s still shorter than the desktop replacement average. The Asus G750JX lasts about 4 hours 57 minutes, while the MSI GT70 dies after 5 hours and 18 minutes.
Heat
The Alienware 17 gets slightly hot under the collar when gaming, but it never gets too uncomfortable to use. Some games, like “Battlefield 4”, cause the touchpad to get warmer than usual (about 86 degrees Fahrenheit), but it’s nothing a little cooldown time can’t fix. The bottom of the laptop can get a little toasty as well.
Because the Alienware 17 is a gaming laptop, you can expect it to make some noise. When playing videos on a loop, the fans are practically silent. But when gaming, the fan noise can get pretty loud.
- Intel Core i7 processor using TurboBoost
- 32GB RAM and 4TB HDD + 80Gb SSD storage
- Attractive 17.3" screen in HD
- Nvidia Geforce GTX 765M Video card with 2GB DDR5 Ram
- Windows 7 Professional comes pre-installed
Alienware 17in Laptop: Pros and Cons
Below are the main pros and Cons of the Alienware 17 laptop.
Pros
- Great gaming performance
- Sturdy build quality
- Comfortable keyboard
- Excellent 1080p display
- Wide viewing angles
- Flashy design
Cons
- Noisy fans
- Runs hot
- Poor battery life
- Expensive (for a 2013 model)
Alienware 17in Laptop: Is It a Buy?
The perfect gaming experience doesn’t come cheap. But compared to newer models, the Alienware 17 is a bit of a bargain. It’s still an excellent machine that can handle most games in high settings. But is it worth the price tag?
Buy It If…
- You’re a collector and want a piece of gaming history.
- 2013 was an excellent year for gaming laptops, and the Alienware 17 was one of the best. If you’re a fan of the brand or want a machine that can withstand the test of time, this is it. A collector’s item, for sure.
- You want a laptop that’s built like a tank
The Alienware 17 is one of the most solid laptops we’ve ever reviewed. It’s not the lightest machine out there, but it does feel sturdy. An excellent choice if you’re looking for a machine that can take a beating.
Don’t Buy It If…
- You’re looking for the best gaming laptop
- The Alienware 17 is a great machine, but better options exist. If you’re looking for the best, you might want to check out some of the newer models on the market. Consider the Alienware M17-R5, for example.
- You want a lightweight machine
The Alienware 17 is on the heavy side. It might not be the best idea to carry it around in your backpack all day. A lighter machine like the Razer Blade Pro 17 is a better option.
