Well, well, well… If it isn’t the blue and red rams of my life, with another Alienware article. Except for this time, we’re looking at two different laptops: the 17 inch Alienware m17 R5 and the 17 inch Alienware x17. Hopefully, it will help you decide which 17in Alienware laptop you should buy.
Both of these machines are fighting for the top spot in Alienware’s 17inch lineup. But where do they stand in comparison, and which one should you buy? Let’s find out!
17in Alienware Laptops: Alienware x17 vs Alienware m17 R5 One-on-One
If you’re a 17-inch laptop lover, these two bad boys have to be on your radar. In the blue corner, we have the Alienware x17. In the red corner, we have the Alienware m17 R5. Both of these laptops are packed with high-end components that allow them to run virtual reality games without a hitch. So what differentiates them from each other? Let’s take a look…
The Many Differences
On paper, there doesn’t seem to be much between their specs sheets: both sport an Intel Core i7-7820HK processor, both have an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card, and both are available with either 16GB or 32GB of DDR4 RAM. So what’s the difference?
With the Alienware x17, you get all this at your disposal, but with a slightly more powerful GPU: the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080. This might seem like a big deal on paper, but don’t forget that it is still only running at 1920 x 1080 resolution. This limits its power somewhat compared to the Alienware m17 R5, which has a 3840 x 2160 Ultra-HD 4K screen that takes full advantage of its GTX 1070 GPU. And if you’re really into games, then you’ll definitely want to opt for the 4K screen: it looks absolutely stunning. The m17 R5 ‘s 4K screen is also touch-enabled, giving you even more control over your games and applications.
And speaking of control, that brings us neatly to the keyboard. Both 17in Alienware laptops sport a full-sized backlit keyboard with Alienware’s signature textured finish and customizable lighting zones… But there is one key difference: the Alienware x17 has an optional Numpad for those super precise spreadsheet warriors among you! It’s definitely a nice addition and gives users plenty of choices when buying their laptops. This option isn’t available on the m17 R5.
What About Cooling in 17in Alienware Laptop?
Another thing worth mentioning about these 17-inch beasts is their cooling system. Alienware has been putting all kinds of crazy stuff in their laptops for years now, including an actual space marine… But how much do you actually need in a laptop? It seems Alienware has decided to dial it back with the x17, delivering a far more balanced cooling system that could be genuinely useful when you’re gaming at 4K. Something else worth knowing is that both laptops are ready for Tobii Eye Tracking technology if you really want to get into your games.
The m17 R5 has 6 USB 3.0 ports compared to the x17, which only has four. Another difference between them is how upgradable they are: while the Alienware x17 cannot be upgraded internally, the m17 R5 can, thanks to its single access panel. This makes repairs and upgrades a breeze, though you’ll have to get your screwdriver out.
However, neither of these laptops is exactly cumbersome. The Alienware x17 weighs 5 pounds, while the m17 R5 is slightly lighter at 4.8 pounds. While it might seem like a big difference, both are incredibly portable for 17-inch machines and should be more than enough to take with you on the go or even outside!
A few words on storage
And finally, let’s talk about storage… The Alienware x17 has two M.2 SATA slots that allow users to customize their storage however they see fit. Still, this model doesn’t come with an SSD preinstalled. It has no problem running off of one if you decide to add one during purchase – but it’s the Dell m17 R5 that takes the win here. It comes with an M.2 SSD standard, which means you’ll be able to boot up your computer in no time!
This laptop also has a 500GB 7200RPM HDD included as standard, giving users plenty of space for storing their files and games… But there is one caveat: this storage drive isn’t upgradeable, so if you run out of space, then you’ll need to buy an external hard drive or switch to another model altogether. That said, the Alienware m17 R5 has 8 USB 3.0 ports, twice as many as its competitor. This allows owners to plug in all kinds of accessories like gamepads, headphones, and more without having to worry about running out of space.
This laptop has a large, central hinge with a moveable LED light that glows differently depending on what you’re doing. It’s a great little design feature and adds some personality to the Alienware laptops’ range – but this is another area where both machines are equal: there isn’t one unique colored LED light on either laptop!
m17 R5 17in Alienware Laptop Specs
CPU: Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2.8GHz (Turbo up to 3.9GHz) Quad-Core Processor Chip RAM: 32GB DDR4 2400MHz SDRAM Storage: 512GB SSD (M.2 SATA) + 1TB 7200 RPM HDD Display: 17.3″ Full HD IPS Anti-Glare LED-Backlit Display w/ NVIDIA G-SYNC Graphics Card: 8GB GDDR5 VRAM NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 MaxQ with Optimus Technology Wireless: Killer 1535 802.11ac 2×2 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.1 Lan: Gigabit Ethernet OS: Windows 10 Home Single Language English Dimensions: 16 x 11 x 1 inch Weight: 5 pounds
Price as Configured $2,869
x17 17in Alienware Laptop Specs
CPU: Intel Core i7-7820HK Processor Chip RAM: 32GB DDR4 2400MHz SDRAM Storage: 512GB SSD (M.2) + 1TB 7200RPM HDD Display Screen : 17.3 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Anti-Glare 300-nits Display Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 MaxQ with 8GB GDDR5X Wireless: Killer 1550 802.11ac 2×2 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.1 Lan: Gigabit Ethernet OS Windows 10 Home 64bit English Dimensions : 16 x 12 x 1 inches Weight : 5 pounds
Price as Configured $3499
The Bottom Line
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 and Alienware x17 are extremely high quality, powerful laptops that have everything you could want from a gaming machine. However, there are definitely some differences… For one thing, the m17 R5 has twice as many USB ports… But on the other hand, the Alienware x17 has a built-in SD card reader that the m17 R5 doesn’t have. And while both laptops are incredibly powerful, they use different graphics cards… The Alienware x17 uses an NVIDIA GTX 1080 with 8GB of GDDR5X VRAM, but the Alienware m17 R5 uses an NVIDIA GTX 1070 with 8GB of GDDR5 VRAM.
The major difference between them is their size – the Dell Alienware x17 is technically larger than its competitor by half an inch in every dimension. However, this should be taken into account when making comparisons. While it’s slightly larger, it also comes with more storage and better graphics than the Alienware m17 R5. So if you’re looking for a slightly larger laptop that can do everything and more, then the Alienware x17 is absolutely the best choice. However, if you prefer something a little lighter and easier to carry around – but with roughly equivalent power and storage – then go with the Alienware m17 R5.
That said, it’s also important to look at your budget before making your decision: The Dell Alienware x17 is typically over $2,000, while the Alienware m17 R5 is typically under $1,500. So depending on what you’re looking for in particular (or how much you’re willing to spend), either machine might be better.
In short: which 17in Alienware laptop should you buy? It depends! Are you looking for the newest, most powerful Alienware laptop money can buy? Then go with the Dell Alienware x17 . Are you looking for something smaller and lighter that’s still incredibly powerful but costs less than $2,000? Then go with the Alienware m17 R5 .
Bottom Line of the Bottom Line:
Both are excellent large gaming laptops; it all depends on your preferences. If you want the latest and most powerful, go with the Dell Alienware x17. If you want something smaller but still has comparable power, go with the Alienware m17 R5.
Stay tuned to Techsips for more!
