Alienware x17 Review: The Almost Perfect Gaming Laptop
I almost titled this blog post “The Best Gaming Laptop Money Can Buy.” But I just can’t do it. It’s infuriating—because in so many ways, the Alienware x17 is exceptional: the cooling, the screen, the keyboard, the chassis. Everything except one massive oversight that holds this beast back from true greatness.
Let’s dive into it.
🔍 First Impressions: Familiar, But Flawed
Side-by-side, the x17 doesn’t look all that different from its predecessor, the m17. But the first signs of concern popped up quickly:
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The numpad is gone, which isn’t ideal for a laptop trying to replace your desktop.
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The trackpad has shrunk, making it less usable despite a premium feel.
At first glance, it felt like Alienware was taking a step backwards—until I noticed something interesting.
🌬️ Cooling That Redefines What’s Possible
While installing software on both machines, the m17’s fans roared to life. Meanwhile, the x17 remained whisper quiet. That’s when I realized: Alienware wasn’t regressing—they were refining.
This machine is packed with vents, meticulously engineered to cool a 165W RTX 3080 in a slim chassis—without sounding like a jet engine. And remarkably, even under load, the eight-core Intel i7 CPU never touches 100°C.
Alienware has achieved what few brands can: extreme power, managed thermals, and acoustic comfort.
🧠 The Performance Paradox
With all this cooling, the x17 should outperform rivals like the Lenovo Legion 7 with identical specs. But in real-world gaming benchmarks, performance was... a mixed bag.
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Sometimes, the Legion 7 won.
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Even more baffling: the x17 couldn’t consistently outperform the older m17.
And at $3,600, that’s a hard pill to swallow.
🚫 The MUX Switch Problem
Here’s where it all goes wrong—and it’s such a small thing.
Most gaming laptops include a MUX switch to let the discrete GPU communicate directly with the screen. Without it, the GPU signal gets routed through the CPU’s integrated graphics (iGPU), causing a 5–10% performance hit.
Alienware included a MUX switch on only one model of the x17: the 1080p 360Hz version. If you opt for the gorgeous 4K panel or the 165Hz display, you don’t get a MUX switch. Which means, despite top-tier hardware, you lose performance for no good reason.
To test it, I ran games on an external monitor—boom, 5–10% performance gain. The MUX switch works. The hardware is capable. Dell just chose not to include it in most configs.
And on a $3,600 machine, that’s unacceptable.
🧱 Build Quality & Keyboard
Now let’s talk about what Alienware did get right—because there’s a lot to admire.
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The magnesium alloy chassis is rock solid.
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The finish feels silky smooth (though it’s a fingerprint magnet).
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The optional Cherry mechanical keyboard is absolutely fantastic. Tactile, well-supported, and actually a joy to type or game on.
It’s the first laptop mechanical keyboard that doesn’t feel like a gimmick. If you’re spending this much, it’s a no-brainer upgrade.
🖱️ Trackpad & Display
The trackpad is glass-topped, has RGB, and feels good—but it’s too small. Likely a compromise to accommodate the cooling solution. Usable, but outclassed by competitors like the Zephyrus M16.
The display, however, is a home run. I reviewed the 4K 120Hz panel, and it’s stunning. Immersive, color-rich, and ideal for high-fidelity gaming—if your GPU can keep up. Thankfully, the RTX 3080 here mostly does.
Just remember: no MUX switch means performance isn't as high as it could be.
🔊 Audio & I/O
Unfortunately, the speakers don’t impress. Alienware re-used older, weaker audio hardware instead of upgrading. If sound matters to you, look elsewhere—or use headphones.
As for I/O, the port selection is solid. But the rear ports are hard to see and access. Lenovo solves this brilliantly with backlit labels, and it’s something Alienware should consider adopting.
🛠️ Teardown & Upgradeability
Opening the x17 is refreshingly simple:
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8 Phillips screws and the bottom panel lifts off.
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You get access to:
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2 RAM slots
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2 M.2 SSD slots
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87Wh battery (good for ~5 hours)
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No soldered RAM. Easy upgrades. Love to see it.
Inside, the cooling system is monstrous—four fans, vapor chambers, and even airflow optimization around VRMs and RAM. It’s clear that Alienware engineered the thermal solution with serious attention to detail.
Which makes the lack of a MUX switch even more frustrating. They clearly care about performance and thermals—so why limit it with a design choice like this?
💭 Final Thoughts: So Close, Yet So Far
In nearly every way, the Alienware x17 is a masterpiece:
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Incredible thermals
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Premium build
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Exceptional keyboard
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Jaw-dropping display
But it’s held back by a single, fixable issue—the lack of a MUX switch in most models. That 5–10% performance gap may not seem like much, but when you’re paying top dollar, every frame counts.
And what’s worse? Some competitors—with lower prices and AMD CPUs—do include a MUX switch. They might just outperform the x17.
So if you’re eyeing the x17, know this: you’re buying near-perfection. But also know that someone out there, probably with a cheaper laptop, is quietly running the same games 10% faster.
🛒 Bonus Tip
If you're shopping for hardware, check out Micro Center—they’ve got great deals and offer a free 240GB SSD for new in-store customers. Details are in the promo link.
Still undecided? Check out my full review of the Zephyrus G15 — it’s not quite as powerful, but much easier to live with every day.
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