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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 is often significantly less expensive and boasts a longer battery life, a stronger AMD processor for multitasking, but comes with a less powerful Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card. In contrast, the Dell Alienware X17 R2, while often significantly more expensive, offers superior performance with its powerful Intel i9 processor and Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti graphics card, making it a better fit for intensive 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming tasks. The X17 R2 also has a brighter screen, more RAM for heavy multitasking, and overall higher build and speaker quality. However, the m17 R5 offers better portability with slightly longer battery expectancy and a lower weight. Choose the m17 R5 for cost-efficiency and longer use on a single charge, or the X17 R2 for top gaming and heavy-duty performance at a higher cost and with less battery life. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Dell Alienware m17 R5
- The Dell Alienware m17 R5 has no clear advantages over the Dell Alienware X17 R2.
Advantages of the Dell Alienware X17 R2
- Very good for general use
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.7
8.9
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
480Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 is good.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
8.1
9.1
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is excellent for engineering and design, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 is very good.
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 stands out in engineering and design use for its solid processor and dedicated RTX 3060 graphics, which handle graphically intensive tasks, and its IPS panel provides good color fidelity and viewing angles. Conversely, the Dell Alienware X17 R2, with its more powerful i9 processor, double the RAM, and superior RTX 3080 Ti graphics, offers even better performance for demanding engineering software, enhanced by a screen with higher color accuracy, though at the expense of higher weight and potentially more noise with intense use.
Screen Quality
8.1
8.5
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
480Hz
301.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
367.0 nits
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware m17 R5 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
Considering your needs, the Dell Alienware m17 R5 with its good screen quality is suitable for day-to-day activities and professional engineering work due to its balance of resolution, brightness, and accurate color reproduction. However, those interested in gaming or 3D applications may find the screen lacking, as it does not prioritize the high refresh rates crucial for smooth visuals in fast-paced scenarios. On the other hand, the Dell Alienware X17 R2 steps up with very good screen quality, further enhancing everyday and engineering experiences with superior color depth, but it still falls short for gaming due to the lower refresh rate.
Battery
5.0 Hours
2.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 has 5 hours of battery life. The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has 2 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Poor
Fair
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
7.3 lbs
WEIGHT
6.8 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has only fair portability, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
8.5
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has very good build quality, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,100
$2,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 has a price of $1,100 and the Dell Alienware X17 R2 costs $2,000.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.8
8.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
301.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
367.0 nits
5.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
2.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
5.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware X17 R2 to be very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 is good.
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 is equipped with a capable CPU and ample RAM for general use, also featuring a screen with good color coverage and battery capacity that supports longer unplugged usage, but has poorer portability due to its larger size and weight. On the other hand, the Dell Alienware X17 R2 not only has a more powerful CPU and double the RAM, resulting in better performance for demanding tasks, but also boasts a higher-quality screen and superior heat management, although its battery life is shorter, and it has a slightly lower portability due to its weight, despite being thinner.
Content Creation
7.8
8.3
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware X17 R2 to be very good for content creation, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.4
7.8
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and Dell Alienware m17 R5 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
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How the Dell Alienware m17 R5 and the Dell Alienware X17 R2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m17 R5 | Dell Alienware X17 R2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $2,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | December 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.6'' x 11.8'' x 1.05'' | 15.7'' x 11.8'' x 0.82'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.3 lbs | 6.82 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.64" | 15.72" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.76" | 11.79" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 6800H | Intel i9-12900HK | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 97 Wh | 87 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 480Hz | 480Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 301 nits | 367 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 5.5/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 4 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware m17 R5
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | January 2023
"Overall, the all-AMD system in the Alienware m17 R5 is impressive, especially the graphics performance. However, various driver issues and unnecessary inconsistencies prevent us from truly enjoying such a potent gaming machine. In addition to strong 3D performance, we particularly like the build quality, the fairly bright UHD display with high color space coverage, and the fact that the gamer is often quiet when not under load and also rather quieter than some competitors under load."
Dell Alienware X17 R2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | May 2022
"The Alienware x17 R2 recognizes targets a significantly higher TGP of 175 W for a roughly 30 percent performance boost over laptops running on the ~100 W GeForce RTX 3080 Ti like the Razer Blade 15 or Gigabyte Aero YE5. Similar results can be found through the CPU as well. This single aspect of the Alienware is perhaps the biggest differentiating factor between it and other ultrathin gaming laptops. Of course, the "performance at all cost" approach comes with drawbacks. Power consumption in particular is through the roof and battery life suffers because of it even when on the lowest performance settings."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m17 R5 or the Dell Alienware X17 R2
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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