Subtlety has never been Alienware’s strong suit, but with this iteration of the brand’s 17-inch gaming laptop, it’s what you don’t see that deserves the biggest praise. This time around, the Alienware 17($2, 299 as configured, starting at$1, 499) has Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 980M GPU under the hood, giving the system a serious graphics boost.
But if Nvidia’s top mobile GPU doesn’t satisfy your frame-rate lust, you can unlock even more power with Alienware’s optional graphics amplifier, which, when paired with a desktop GPU, unlocks a whole new level of kick-ass.
Design
I’ve now reviewed the Alienware 17 four times, but still get a thrill when I see that extraterrestrial-inspired logo. A pair of LED strips and the backlit alien head emblem add a spark of fun to the otherwise stately gray anodized lid with black plastic trim.
Tracing my fingers along the three intersecting lines on the lid while contemplating my place in the universe is almost cathartic, but fun really begins upon opening the notebook. From there, I’m greeted by an interior awash in black soft-touch finish, and illuminated by a keyboard and touchpad glowing an otherworldly blue. A pair of lights running along the bottom front lip of the notebook enhances the effect.