The Alienware name is unavoidable in the gaming laptop world. The company is back at it again with the launch of another innovative gaming laptop. This time, the focus is on delivering a high-performance gaming experience in an ultra-compact form.
The Alienware x14 offers the performance of a larger laptop while keeping its weight and thickness in check. But does this slender new design come with any drawbacks? And is the performance competitive enough to stand up to similar laptops in its price range?
That’s what we are setting out to answer in today’s article. With a full review, including features, specs, and essential pros and cons, we’ll help you decide if this laptop is worth the hype.
Alienware x14: Best Deal Today
Since its release earlier this year, the Alienware x14 has remained relatively stable in price. Still, it can be confusing to pick through all the specs and terminology when shopping for the best deal. We’ve done a little sleuthing to wrap up the best deals for you here:
- emAlienware x14 RTX 3060 + 1TB SSD + 32G RAM - $2299 - Amazon/em
- emAlienware x14 RTX 3060 + 4TB SSD + 32G RAM - $2586 - Amazon/em
Alienware x14: Overview
- 14" FHD screen with 144Hz refresh rate
- Powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7 with multiple cores and threads
- Compact gaming laptop with superior built quality
- Supports HDMI, USB, Wi-FI, Bluetooth connections
The Alienware x14 is the latest in a new generation of gaming laptops aimed at portable performance. Alienware has a long history of designing innovative gaming machines, spanning over two decades, and the new x14 is a testament to the company’s staying power in the PC gaming industry.
The company is touting the new x14 as “the world’s thinnest 14-inch gaming laptop” due to its highly slender profile of just 0.57 inches. Weighing in at just 3.96 pounds, the Alienware x14 definitely sets a new record for how compact a gaming laptop can be.
In addition to the slim form factor, the x14 is impressive in various ways. That’s not to say it is without its drawbacks, and not everyone will find the x14 to be a winner.
Hardcore gamers will be disappointed with the lackluster specs, while gamers on a budget will be limited to the weaker entry-level models. Some buyers, however, may be smitten with the Alienware x14’s unique combination of futuristic design, slim profile, and compact performance.
Release date and price
Alienware announced the new x14 at CES in January 2022. Production models went on sale on February 11, with a starting price of $2299 for the fully upgraded model. You can also buy a stripped-down version with less RAM and storage, starting at $1499.
Specifications
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home or Pro |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-12700H or i5-12500H |
| Display | 14-inch IPS LED |
| Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Refresh Rate | 144hz |
| Graphics | Nvidia RTX 3060, or 3050 |
| Graphics Memory | 6GB GDDR6 |
| RAM | 16GB to 32GB DDR5 |
| Battery | 80 wHr |
| Storage Capacity | 512GB (up to 4TB) |
| Storage Type | NVMe solid-state drive |
| Wireless Functions | WiFi 6e, Intel AX211, and Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Weight | 3.96 pounds |
Alienware x14: Review
Alienware has always pushed the envelope of what is possible with gaming laptops. The company has managed to captivate a generation of PC gamers with its futuristic “Alien” theme designs and extensive configurations. The new Alienware x14 is the company’s latest attempt to introduce a new generation of compact gaming laptops.
Design
Your first impression of the Alienware x14 is its striking appearance and futurist visual design. Based on the larger x15 and x17 models, the x14 takes its design cues from its older brothers, with a slim case offered in a “Lunar Light” white finish. The display is situated slightly forward from the back of the laptop, giving it an offset appearance.
This gives the laptop a taller profile, but you can still easily fit it into a small backpack or laptop case. One significant advantage to this recessed design is that the display moves along a track for a more precise and sturdy hinge. The result is a laptop that doesn’t suffer from the typical “wobbly” hinge some laptops may experience.
One potential drawback to this design is that the ports are all located on the back of the laptop. While this may be an advantage, since you can hide all your cables behind the laptop, it might be an inconvenience not to have side ports. Either way, the lack of side access ports results in a cleaner-looking aesthetic design and a more modern laptop.
The keyboard and trackpad are nothing new and exciting, but they are highly functional. The keys are spacious enough and comfortable to type on, and you can customize them with RGB backlighting. The touchpad is a little smaller, even though it offers standard features like multi-gesture support.
Display
Upon turning on the Alienware x14, you are greeted with the beautiful 400nit IPS LED display. With a resolution of 1920 by 1080, this laptop won’t compete with 4K laptops or larger gaming laptops. But this is acceptable, taking into account the small screen size.
The shining quality of this laptop’s display is the 144hz refresh rate. If you’re a gamer, you already know that getting the best frame rates is a lifelong passion.
One of the greatest joys of gaming PCs is the ability to get substantially higher frame rates the other gaming platforms like consoles and handhelds. That being said, the Alienware x14 delivers a smooth, high FPS gaming experience thanks to its high refresh rate display.
Color accuracy is another essential factor in display quality, and Alienware has not ignored that in the x14. You get a competitive, photo-quality image with 110% coverage of the sRGB color gamut and 78% DCI-P3. However, for the price, similar laptops like the Razer Blade 14 offer slightly higher levers. Even so, the Alienware x14’s display is pleasing.
Ports and Connectivity
- [ And Greatest] Released in 2022 The Alienware X14 Gaming Laptop is Dell's release in the 14'' Alienware family and comes with all the technology including DDR4 Memory clocked at a whopping 3200MHz...
- [Display & Graphics] This Alienware X14 Gaming Laptop comes with a 14'' Non-Touch Screen with FHD (1920x1080) resolution for stunningly clear visuals and `a Dedicated Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics...
- [High Speed RAM And Enormous Space] The 32GB DDR4 RAM Running @ 3200MHz will let you smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once and a 4TB (4000GB) PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive...
- [Operating System] Windows 11 is Microsoft's Operating System released in 2022 and if you want to downgrade to the older windows 10, you can downgrade with an easy download from Microsoft's...
- [Extra Details] Wifi and Bluetooth come integrated.
As we’ve mentioned previously, all of the ports are located on the back of the laptop. This can be a minor setback if you are used to having access to your ports on the right and left. An advantage is that this design lets you tuck all of your cables neatly behind your laptop.
You’ll find three USB Type-C ports to connect your docking stations, USB monitors, and headsets. Two of these ports are Thunderbolt capable, allowing you to enjoy faster data transfer speeds. In addition to that, you get one USB-A port, an HDMI port, a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot for reading memory cards.
The Alienware x14 has a relatively standard 720p webcam, letting you stay connected through Zoom, Skype, and other video chat services. Internet connectivity is smooth and fluid, with WiFi 6E capability allowing high bandwidth. In addition to that, you get the latest Bluetooth 5.2 standard for connecting headsets, wireless speakers, and other peripherals.
Processor and Graphics
The Alienware x14 has several different processor configurations, depending on your preferences and budget. At the top of the lineup, you get the Intel Core i7-12700H or the 12900H. As two of the latest laptop processors, both of these CPUs are packed with 14 cores and 20 threads.
Based on Intel’s new “Alder Lake” platform, these chips offer competitive gaming and multitasking performance. If you want to stick to the lower end of the price range, you may configure the Alienware x14 with an Intel Core i5-12500H. While not as powerful as the i7, this processor still offers responsive gaming performance with the bonus of a lower price tag.
As for graphics, Alienware offers this system in a few configurations. Most will opt for the high-end choice, which comes loaded with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060.
This GPU offers the best gaming performance out of the batch, with 6GB of DDR6 providing plenty of graphics memory for intensive games. You can opt for the RTX 3050 or 3050Ti model for a lower price.
RAM and Storage
Alienware gives you plenty of options regarding RAM and storage. You can configure your system from the factory to the exact spec you want or pick up a preconfigured option.
While the x14 comes in a 16GB or a 32GB DDR5 RAM configuration, you’ll want to pay special attention to the capacity since it is not upgradeable after purchase. Given that the RAM is soldered directly to the motherboard, you can’t upgrade it later.
You should opt for the 32GB model if your budget allows it. The 32GB configuration also has the added benefit of running at the faster 5200MHz frequency.
Alienware is more accommodating if you want to upgrade your storage. With a universal M.2 interface, you can upgrade your SSD whenever you like. Even so, you might not have to do that right away. The Alienware x14 comes in multiple configurations, with up to 4TB of solid-state storage in the most upgraded model.
Alienware x14: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Highly portable
- Competitive performance
- Plenty of storage capacity
- Great connectivity
Cons:
- High price tag
- The display is only 1080p
Alienware x14: Is It a Buy?
Alienware pushed the envelope yet again with x14, creating one of the thinnest and lightest gaming laptops ever seen. But even with such a solid pedigree, this laptop might not be for everyone.
Buy it if…
You want a compact gaming laptop that can play all your favorite games anywhere you go. If you care about portability above all else, this laptop will deliver a satisfying experience. If your budget allows for the most upgraded model, you will really get the most out of this laptop.
Thanks to the unique combination of specs, efficient thermal design, and lightweight, the Alienware x14 makes a great choice for the gamer who likes to travel. You can easily slip this laptop into a backpack and carry it around all day. Since it weighs as much as a couple of small books, you will hardly notice it.
Don’t buy it if…
You want the best possible gaming laptop. The Alienware x14 does not claim to be the world’s most powerful gaming laptop. It might claim to be the world’s thinnest 14-inch gaming laptop, but its claim to performance is overshadowed by more powerful systems like Intel Core i9 gaming laptops.
Additionally, the Alienware x14 might not be the best bargain if you’re on a strict budget. Plenty of laptops are better if you’re looking for an entry-level system to use for college, business, or basic tasks like programming. Even gamers on a budget can find reasonable gaming laptops under $800.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Sergey Nivens/Shutterstock.com.
