Customer Ratings & Reviews

This is a great laptop overall, but this really should have been released as at least a 144hz screen for the asking price. My previous laptop, also an Alienware 13R with OLED screen, has much better resolution, and obviously much better black levels by far and viewing angles. This screen is only 1920x1080, which would be ok, but includes a fairly powerful RTX 2070 Max-Q mobile processor, capable of way over 60 frames per second at the laptop resolution for most games. So if you game off the actual laptop screen, you will see screen tearing, as the display only runs at 60hz (60hz, basically means it can only display about 60 frames per second). This really isn’t all that bad, as just about all games have a function called “V-Sync” and it will bascially cap your video card from passing 60fps, and keep away that screen tearing. I understand they were trying to keep the price down on this laptop offering, but this is really a shame, as there are other manufacturers of exact same CPU, and GPU configurations that do have higher refresh rate monitors, and at least one of them, at a higher resolution to boot.

This is a very good gaming system for the amount I paid for it. I was mostly a console gamer and brought this system because I hate lugging my console around when I travel. This us a good alternative to doing that as well as I have a computer to do productive things as well. This computer runs every game I have thrown at it. The only thing I don't like is the alienware control center, only because there seems to be an overclocking control update every time I try to use it. I like the fact that all my games are accessible in one place but the constant updates are a pain sometimes. Then once the updates are downloaded, they don't always install correctly. Just something I noticed. All in all a great system. I also use a Microsoft one controller with the system which is great because i do like the controller better than the keyboard and mouse when playing.

It's so nice to have a system where I can jack up every setting in any game and it plays flawlessly. My only real complaint is this thing runs very hot, and the fans sound like a jet engine running. When I touch the top of it, above the keyboard, it's almost too hot to keep my fingers on it. Supposedly this is normal, though, according to Dell. It's hot on the bottom, too, and as result, I can't use it for long in my lap. I have to use a desk or table or my legs start burning. No regrets, though. I bought it to replace my big tower and it's proven a worthy replacement. I lucked out and got it a few days before the price went up $600, too, which is another plus. If I had it to do over, I might opt to order straight from Dell. I didn't know till after the fact that Best Buy sells dumbed down versions of things.

This laptop is really good. It runs everything 1080 60 frames. No problem. It does run really hot. But I have not Had to undervolt due to performance issues

Run games on high settings pretty much all the way around. It's remarkably thinner and lighter than the previous generation 17" Alienware and it looks great. I can actually take this laptop with me on a daily basis, which I couldn't do with the previous gen 17" Alienware. It does fit in a standard 17" laptop bag too, but I'd look at getting an 18" bag for comfort. In my experience this laptop runs cool, not hot, as some people have stated in other reviews, even when gaming. I haven't noticed the keyboard getting too hot either. Temps and fans and such are customizable via the AW command center. I have to say, however, that the command center is a crappy piece of software, especially compared to the command center version that ships with the older R13. I'm not sure what AW was thinking, but this is a minor detail I can overlook. The Best Buy model of this laptop has a 1080p 60hz panel. It is brilliant and very acceptable for gaming. I think you can now order a panel with 120hz refresh rate. For me this isn't a big deal. I haven't had even one time where I noticed the refresh rate to be a problem. If you're into hard core gaming you might notice a little lag here and there, but I think even that would have to be in the most demanding situations. A really good keyboard is important to me in a laptop since I type a lot. The keyboard on this laptop is good, but not great. I do sometimes experience double strikes when typing and that is annoying. This said, the keyboard is better than most laptop keyboards and is certainly much better than the toy keyboard Apple put on the most recent Macbook "Pro". The 60w battery has been fine for me. I understand if you don't get the model with a mechanical hard drive or remove it after purchase, there's room for a battery upgraded from 60w to 90w battery. The chassis is solid, fans are acceptably quiet even on high settings, and many of the internals are expandable with easy access to them. This is a very satisfying laptop. Great build, great looks, fun experience using it. Most importantly everything works. I've had other brands, but AW keeps building these great machines I don't want to pass up.

This laptop is worth every penny. I am upgrading from an Asus ROG 502, and I love the ROG series, but my eye sight isn't what it used to be, and the 15 in screen was starting to get to me. I saw this m17 Alienware on sale at BestBuy, and managed to find an even greater deal on it as an open box item - plus bought it in NH so no sales tax! I'm very happy with this laptop so far. Worth every penny.

I'm certainly not a stranger to laptops in various configurations, but this is my first true "gaming" laptop. And as the title says, this thing is a beast of a machine! First off, with such a powerful laptop - it does need a cooling pad. Do *not* think you can use this on your lap. Or you will roast, and you (and your laptop) will not achieve optimal performance. A desk or flat surface would be best. Kind of disappointed that the display is 60hz in such an expensive machine, but that really is the only negative I can come up with so far. I am glad that windows 10 was already pretty much caught up in updates, so there wasn't a whole lot to do there. Which, in all previous laptop purchases became a chore. Connectivity is awesome with its MIMO AC wifi, bluetooth and gigabit connectivity. Everything I've thrown at it runs flawlessly. However, for more intensive games battery life will suffer. But, since you will have this on a desk anyway - keep it plugged in and you are good to go. Storage options are also impressive. I wasn't aware that this models SSD was actually an NVME drive. Which in various other laptops and PC's I own are becoming an absolute must (for me). So that's something I won't have to worry about upgrading to in the future, which is nice. The build quality is what you would expect from DELL/Alienware. It has very nice aesthetics, while at the same time feeling very solid and secure. I will add to this review the more I use it, as these are my first impressions. But again, I am HIGHLY impressed so far!! If you are in the market for a true gaming laptop, this baby is the one for you!

it's fast and it does not over heat. Glad I got this one on sale. It was a great buy easy to configure, easy to use.

This was a great purchase. This laptop performs smooth, super fast and has no issues with high speed computing at all.

This computer has some amazing speed! I got it for motion graphics and video editing, and the Nvidia GPU far surpasses my expectations.

I initially purchased a different brand and had to return it because even the Geek Squad couldn't fix it. The Alienware laptop had everything I wanted; it was just a little bigger than I wanted. I had owned an Alienware desktop and knew the quality so decided to go for it. It's been a gem. It's easy to use and plays my games without any pauses or freezes. It also does anything else I want: business apps, social media, etc. Glad I landed on this one.

A little heavy but who cares! Great graphics. Great processing speeds Definitely worth the money.

I was one of those people that refuse to pay high dollar for a computer just for the name. I picked up this laptop while it was on sale and I have been impressed with it so far. I wanted something I could game well with when away from home and my desktop. It runs FF14 like a champ on high settings. I like the color customization for the keys. I haven't played with everything this thing has to offer but I have loved it so far.

It has a lot of horsepower for a laptop. Also very slim. Most gaming laptops are very bulky.

good graphics. apps open quickly and am able to run multiple programs at the same time

Alienware is a premium brand, so owning this laptop makes a statement as soon as people look at that iconic logo. The fact that the m17 is also so stylishly designed means it's certain to turn heads wherever you go. This laptop is meant to have a laptop cooling pad. I would recommend the “Thermaltake Massive 20 RGB” to go along this laptop. It so phenomenal on so many levels.

I bought this computer for my son as a graduation gift and he absolutely loves it. The Trend Micro Internet Security has kept it virus and malware free. After many downloads and what I would call questionable downloads too. Lol Had Geek Squad install the Trend and it was so easy. Just dropped it off right after purchasing it to ensure the laptop was protected from day one.

Replaced an older Alienware 15R2 and did a lot of research. Everything in the research led me toward MSI, but we found such a great deal on this Alienware that we couldn’t pass on it. Added another 500gb M.2 drive and we now have more than enough storage for all our gaming needs. No lag on the video card or processor. Could not be happier with our choice.

Excellent graphics and huge screen. Helps to have a very immersive experience

good for gaming but gets hot so get a cooler pad to go with it, video is 4k to monitor, awesome quality video with no frames dropped, gaming at over 60FPS without lag get two thumbs up, only bad thing is too many window updates that stop actual work tasks from being completed.