Alienware 17 Pro Reviews

Side by side, the massive Alienware 18 we reviewed alongside this 17-inch model is the more impressive, and more expensive system. But the (slightly) more modest Alienware 17 is probably the winner in terms of practicality for most shoppers, cramming nearly all the same features, and much of the performance, into a thinner, lighter body.

Gaming notebooks polarize opinions. Some think they are expensive, do not make a lot of sense, and are not fit for travel in the first place. Others like the usability: a notebook is inherently more portable than a desktop and perfect for LAN parties. The truth is, like so often, somewhere in the middle. There is no question that nobody will mistake the Alienware 17 for an Ultrabook. Those who need to travel a lot should definitely consider a much smaller and lighter notebook. If space at home is at a premium, however, a notebook has its advantages, as it can just be stored in a drawer after a gaming session. The Alienware 17 certainly fits the bill, as it is a well-equipped, superbly constructed desktop replacement The Alienware 17 is not overly portable given the considerable weight of 4.4 kg (9.7 pounds, without the power adapter). The high power consumption also restricts the time that can be spent away from an outlet. The notebook does its job extremely well as a desktop replacement, however. The design is well thought-out, as the port placement and ease of maintenance show. All components are easy to access, which should make upgrading down the line possible, should the hardware not be sufficient any longer. The lighting effects are a matter of taste, but probably appreciated by the target audience.

Surprise: Dell's legacy as an OEM and Alienware's gaming cred still make for an awesome combination -- both the Alienware 14 and 17 rank among the best gaming laptops we've reviewed this year. Excellent build quality, killer components and excellent performance have left us with little to complain about. Those looking for faults can find them in the pair's comparatively short battery life and overall thickness, but in the scope of the greater presentation, neither feels like a deal-breaking blemish. It can be shockingly expensive if configured to the nines, however. In the end, we can say the new Alienware lineup is a strong follow-up to the last generation, with plenty of power for those who want it, and a fresh, modern design. That glowing trackpad is still a little weird, though.

The Alienware 17 continues its tradition of all-around excellence in portable performance. There's almost nothing to dislike about this fifth-generation variant. The exterior has been redesigned with a slightly more mature appearance, better overall build quality thanks to the inclusion of more metal components, and a new take on the AlienFX lighting system. System performance is outstanding with the fourth-gen Intel Core i7 processor and top-of-the-line Nvidia GTX 780M graphics card. The keyboard, touchpad, speakers and display are all top-notch. The cooling system is relatively quiet and the five-plus hour battery life is stellar for a notebook as large and powerful as this one.

Just under three hours of unplugged life is too brief for most laptop categories, but it's pretty good for a 17-inch, heavyweight gaming rig. The Alienware outlasted its competitors in our video rundown test, besting the MSI by 55 minutes. All told, with the Alienware 17 you get serious gaming and productivity performance, better-than-average battery life, and the latest Intel and Nvdia components, along with the awesome build quality and cool lighting effects that define the Alienware brand. Its $2,799 price tag isn't cheap, but it's more affordable than over-the-top, dual-GPU systems like the Origin EON17-SLX (or, for that matter, the new Alienware 18). We'll go further: The 17-inch Alienware is the gaming laptop that other gaming laptops are compared to. The new refresh comes just in time to preserve that status, and keep Alienware at the top of mobile gamers' short lists.

The Alienware 17 is a little pricey, but it's a powerful imposing gaming rig that can be taken from room to room or to a friend's house. It will serve you well on the game grid.