Here are some of the Alienware gaming laptops

Last Updated on October 25, 2023

How we picked

For this guide, we have looked at several Alienware laptops, compared them, and picked the ones we thought were the best. These laptops have been chosen based on specs like processors, graphics cards, and other important aspects. We’re constantly updating our guides with new products, so check back here again soon.

PROS

• NVIDIA RTX 4080 GPU
• Intel Core i9-13900HK processor
• 240Hz refresh rate

If you want the best overall Alienware laptop, then the Alienware X16 R1 is a solid choice, and we think that it should be one of the best 16-inch gaming laptops.

To start with, the laptop comes with an Intel Core i9-13900HK processor, which should be sufficient for running demanding video games as well as resource-intensive applications effortlessly.

Plus, the laptop has NVIDIA RTX 4080 with 12GB VRAM, which is one of the latest GPUs – so you can expect smooth graphics with high picture quality for your AAA games.

For cooling, the laptop has vents on both sides that release warm air, and then it takes in cool air through the vents on the top of the keyboard – so you can expect the laptop to maintain optimal temperatures when your laptop is under load.

On the outside, the laptop sports a 16-inch display, which offers slightly more screen space than a 15.6-inch gaming laptop. The display comes with a QHD+ resolution, so you can expect high picture quality.

For smooth gameplay, you get a 240Hz refresh rate, which should be more than sufficient for serious gaming. Plus, the laptop is compatible with NVIDIA G-Sync, so you should be able to get a stutter-free gaming experience.

Unlike many other gaming laptops, this one has 32GB LPDDR5 RAM, which, you can say, is similar to DDR5 RAM but consumes low power.

The Alienware x17 R2 is another laptop that was released in 2023, and we think it checks a lot of boxes for most people.

The laptop has a 12th-generation Core i9 processor that can boost up to 5 GHz, which should handle most demanding tasks effortlessly. The CPU is paired with a 16GB RTX 3080 Ti GPU, which should be powerful enough to run most AAA games.

Further, you get 32GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD in the base model, which should be sufficient for most people. And in case you want more, you can choose to upgrade the configuration.

As far as the display is concerned, you get a 17.3-inch FHD screen, so you can expect clear visuals. The screen has 300 nits of brightness, which is in line with other similar laptops. Plus, you get a 480Hz refresh rate, which is a lot more than what some of the best gaming laptops offer.

Coming to battery life, the laptop has an 87-Wh battery, which should last about 4 to 6 hours, depending on your usage.

PROS

• Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU
• 12GB RX 6850M XT GPU
• 360Hz refresh rate

If you want a value-for-money Alienware laptop, then you should consider checking out the Alienware M17, which we think is a good contender for one of the best 17-inch laptops.

The laptop comes packed with the Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU that has eight cores and 16 threads and can run at 4.90 GHz. Gamers won’t have any issues with this CPU, especially as it’s paired with a 12GB RX 6850M XT. To give you a better idea, this CPU and GPU can be considered equivalent to the i9-12900H and the RTX 3080Ti.

This unit has a 17.3-inch screen with a full HD resolution, which should deliver clear visuals for gaming. Plus, you get a refresh rate of 360 Hz, so you should be able to get a tear-free gaming experience. For better security, the laptop has the Windows Hello feature, so users can unlock their laptops with face recognition.

With that being said, one drawback is the laptop’s weight – which is around 7.3 pounds. However, considering that this laptop costs slightly less than $2000, the Alienware M17 does pack some impressive features.

PROS

• Ryzen 9-7945HX processor
• Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU
• 18-inch QHD display

Alienware released this laptop at the 2023 International CES held in Las Vegas to primarily positive reactions, and with good reasons.

The M18 is powered by a Ryzen 9-7945HX processor with a maximum clock speed of 5.4 GHz, which should handle intensive tasks well. Plus, you get a 16GB Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, which, much like some of the best RTX 4090 gaming laptops, should make playing demanding games easy.

Along with this, the M18 comes equipped with 64GB DDR4 RAM and 4TB SSD, which should be more than sufficient for you to cut down on processing times and provide enough storage space. Plus, you also get a second 512GB SSD slot in case you want to expand storage.

In terms of display, Alienware hooked this laptop up with an 18-inch screen with QHD+ resolution, which, much like some of the best 18-inch laptops, should deliver clear, vivid visuals. A 165 Hz refresh rate also adds to this unit’s appeal, as the graphics are more responsive. The laptop comes with a 290 nits brightness, which is not the most out there, but should be enough users.

As far as connectivity is concerned, you get three USB A 3.2, three USB 3.0, one ThunderBolt port, and one HDMI port, among others.

5

How to pick the best Alienware gaming laptop

CPU

Alienware laptops come with Intel or Ryzen processors – and the choice here depends on your preference. As these laptops are usually high-end, they have the latest processors. For instance, the 2023 Alienware M18 comes with Ryzen 9-7945HX, which is comparable to some of the best Intel 13th gen laptops. 

GPU

As Alienware laptops are aimed at gamers, many options come with powerful GPUs that can handle demanding games. For example, the latest iteration of Alienware m16 comes with the NVIDIA RTX 4000 series graphics card. 

With that being said, you can opt for a previous version that comes with RTX 3000 series GPU, if that suits your requirements. 

Display

When it comes to display, you should pick a size first, as Alienware laptops are available in 14-inch, 16-inch, and 18-inch versions. Depending on your use and preference, you can pick a size. 

Further, Alienware laptops come in various resolutions – 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Now, the “right” resolution will depend on your budget and requirements, but a 4K resolution will give you four times sharper visuals than an FHD display.

Our Verdict