Alienware M17 Laptop Review

However, choose the premium M17 package and you will possess a gaming laptop that is powered by the latest Intel quad-core Q9100 processor - four processor cores running at 2.26GHz – and includes 4GB of DDR3 memory, 160GB hard drive and two ATI HD 3870 graphics cards. As a result, the M17 is able to display any of the latest gaming titles at the highest setting, on the highest resolution, with ease!

The laptop is also armed with a 17-inch LCD widescreen display with a full-HD resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, which makes it great for viewing the latest blockbusters. Other features packed underneath the alien-sculpted hood include a PC Card and SDHC card slots, three USB 2.0 ports, VGA, FireWire, and ethernet jacks.

Alienware M17: Raw Gaming Power

Unfortunately, it measures in at an enormous 4.5 by 39.7 by 29.9cm and weighing a full 5kg, pretty much the same parameters as the M17x, however both the M17 and the M17x are not laptops for carrying around on a regular basis. In addition to its bulky design, the battery life is poor (2 hours maximum to be precise), but that's to be expected from a gaming laptop.

However, the major downside with the M17 laptop is the price. Dell’s Alienware machines are premium-performance packages that come with premium prices and the M17 is no exception. Before Dell decided to discontinue the Alienware M17 prices start at £1,110 and can easily top £2,000 once all the added extras have been thrown in – the Q9100 quad-core processor alone carries £648 premium. However, due to Dell discontinuing the Alienware M17 you can pick up one of these off the Alienware outlet store on eBay for around £900, of course that would be bottom of the range.

The Alienware M17 laptop is a fantastic piece of kit that is defiantly worth forking out for if you’re a games-obsessed fanatic. With ultra fast speed, brilliant graphics, plenty of memory and a beautiful HD resolution LCD display it delivers where it matters. Add to this a range of high-end customisation options and you have the ultimate gaming laptop.

he beauty of Alienware laptops is that you can spec them to your budget. Backlit keyboards, built-in TV tuners, Blu-ray drives; if you’ve got the cash, Alienware will gladly help you spend it. Either way, as a powerful gaming machine the M17 really is very tempting indeed.