Alienware 17 R2 - Quick Review

So I received my machine yesterday, and after playing around with it for two days, here is my short summary. I'm comparing it partly to the Alienware 17 "Ranger" (mid-2013), since I know a lot of debate about these new machines has been in comparison to prior Alienware machines.

Specs

Intel Core i7-4710HQ
GTX 970M 3GB
8GB DDR 1600 RAM (2x4)
1TB 5400rpm drive
17.3" 1920x1080 matte LG IPS panel


Pictures

You'll find the full-sized pics here. I'll keep adding them as I get more/better ones.
http://imgur.com/a/DHe9j


Cost

The base model of the Alienware 17 (AW17) retails in Canada for $1,700 + tax. I managed to get it for $1,412 + tax, including a neoprene sleeve, and they agreed to ship me a 240w power supply (not that its really needed with the GTX 970M).

This cost is important to keep in mind for comparisons to other competing systems. A Clevo P670SE with the same specs costs around $1,660 + tax. The ASUS ROG G751JT (with 16GB of RAM and 2TB of HDD) retails for around $1,850. Bottom line is, even the base version of the new AW17 R2 is competitively priced, and even more so when you factor in the build quality and the warranty/support.


Packaging

The packaging the machine comes in is better than any of the competition, yet worse than previous Alienware offerings. When I opened the packaging of the AW17 Ranger, I was still impressed. With the R2, I was like "meh, I've seen better".

Ranger on the left, R2 on the right.



Chassis (looks/styling)

The external look is similar to the previous AW generation. However, it is thinner and lighter. Yay, I guess? However, it is no longer made of actual aluminum. It is plastic. And the new thinner chassis means the lid is thinner, and flimsier. On the AW 17 Ranger, there is practically no flex/give on the display lid. You can press down right in the middle, and it barely budges. Not so with the new AW17. There is noticeable flex.

Similarly, the screen hinge is flimsier. It “wiggles” and bounces a lot more than the previous version. Here's a video where I attempt to demonstrate the flimsier screen hinge. The AW17 R2 is on the left.


Overall, the look is fine, and compared to the competition, the chassis is solid and premium-feeling. But compared to past AW machines, it is a definite step down. Thinner is not better in this regard.

R2 on the left, Ranger on the right.



Display

The matte display panel on the AW17 R2 is the same 17” LG IPS panel found on the new Acer V Nitro and ASUS G751 series. And its pretty good. Good viewing angles, decent colour and contrast, bright enough.

This is one area where the new AW is better than the older versions. This IPS panel is a step up from the matte 1080p TN panels of before.


Noise/temperature

When it comes to component temps, the AW17 does a pretty good job of keeping things running cool. Synthetic stress tests never really pushed the CPU/GPU anywhere close to their thresholds. In fact, an impressive feat is under the XTU stress test, the CPU hit a max of 70. When running combined tests, the CPU ran hotter, due to a shared heatpipe with the GPU (so the CPU absorbs some of the heat off the GPU). To put this in perspective, on my Clevo I would have the CPU run at 93C during the XTU test.

3DMARK
CPU: 77
GPU: 63

IDLE
CPU: 54

Diablo 3
CPU: 76
GPU: 63

XTU Stress Test
CPU: 70

For comparison, here are the results from the AW17 Ranger running the Core i7-4710MQ + R9 M290X. Not an apples-to-apples comparison, but informative, especially in regards to the CPU.

Diablo 3
CPU: 66
GPU: 76

3DMARK
CPU: 79
GPU: 75

XTU Stress Test
CPU: 83

While these temps may be good, the actual chassis itself gets pretty hot. Not warm, hot. The keyboard gets hot all over, but especially towards the middle. The palm rests are cool, as is the trackpad. And of course, the area above the keyboard also gets quite hot. I don’t understand how they went from a design that remained cool all over (The AW 17 Ranger) to this where the keyboard heats up. On the Ranger, only the area above the heatsinks (so just above the keyboard) really got hot.

In terms of noise, it is silent when idle. When under load, the fans speed up, but it is still quieter than the Clevo P650SE, and also quieter than the older AW17 Ranger I compared it to. Specifically, the CPU fan on the Clevo was quite loud, and the Ranger’s GPU fan was much louder than the R2’s.


Keyboard

The keyboard has been redesigned, and now features a series of macro keys to the left. This is highly annoying. Each time I go to hit the escape key, I hit the top macro key. Every time. Why would you put a macro key where the Escape key normally is?

The keyboard is very similar to past AW machines, and is overall pretty good. It isn’t as solid as the last generation, and feels more “plasticky”. But it gets the job done.

The same can be said of the track pad. The mouse buttons feature good travel, and the track pad is decently responsive.

Overall, I’ve no real complaints with the keyboard beyond the silly placement of those macro keys to the left of the keyboard. Seriously.

This is one area where the new thinner design is actual beneficial: since the keyboard sits closer to the surface the laptop is on, it puts less stress on your wrists, and typing is a bit more comfortable.

As mentioned, the temperature of the keyboard can get quite hot during game play. I have no actual tools to measure it, so I've included my very scientific graph to illustrate the phenomenon.




Performance

The AW17 R2 performs about where you’d expect given the specs. For a frame of reference, I’ve included the numbers from the Clevo P650SE and ASUS G751JT.

AW17

3DMARK11: P8769
Firestrike: 6451
Sky Diver: 17905
Cloud Gate: 19871
Ice Storm: 80797


Eurocom M5 Pro (Clevo P650SE)

3DMARK11: 8841
Firestrike: 6512
Sky Diver: 17951
Cloud Gate: 18717
Ice Storm:65926

ASUS ROG G751JT

3DMARK11: N/A
Firestrike: 6664
Sky Diver: 19116
Cloud Gate: 20935
Ice Storm: 130303

It has no issues running any of the game I typically play.


Conclusion

So, what’s the verdict? Well, this laptop has a lot going for it. A good display, solid build quality, not too bulky, good performance, and the best support and warranty in the business.

On the other hand, the chassis runs hot, the macro keys on the left are annoying and, most importantly, it isn’t really an Alienware anymore. You cannot upgrade the CPU/GPU down the road, as they’re soldered to the motherboard now. It lacks an optical drive (though to be fair, so do a lot of the other notebooks out there).

So, where does that leave us? It really depends on what your frame of reference is. If you’re comparing it to other current offerings, it is a very good laptop, and in its price range/specs, it is probably the top pick. The build quality and support/warranty are far better than what the competition typically offers, and you can usually negotiate a better deal with Dell, which you usually cannot do with other manufacturers.

When compared to what Alienware machines used to be, its pretty bad. The build quality has taken a drastic turn for the worse. Its mostly plastic now, with no hint of the past premium metal materials. The screen hinge is flimsy, as is the lid. The CPU/GPU are soldered to the motherboard, ruling out upgrading them later on. No optical drive, making this no longer a desktop replacement. And the surface temperatures of the chassis are far hotter than previous AW17 offerings. But, the display is improved over past matte TN panels, and the internal component temperatures are very very good, staying cool when under load.

My opinion? I may end up returning it, for the simple reason of the chassis/surface temps and noise - and those stupid macro keys on the left. Man oh man, those macro keys irritate me. After having used the new ASUS ROG G751, I know what a gaming laptop is capable of, and the G751 stays cool to the touch and dead silent, even under load. All this while maintaining very good CPU/GPU temperatures. And truth be told, the G751’s build quality is as good if not better. It seems Alienware is now an ASUS clone, just with better warranty and support. That being said, if you’re ok with the hot keyboard, you should be quite happy with this machine.

So there you have it folks. It’s a good laptop, but not as good as what Alienware used to make, and there is a laptop out there (the ASUS G751) that, in my opinion, is better (assuming you win the ASUS quality control lottery and get one without any issues).

 

I got mine today as well and still playing around with it. On the G751.....it has a matte screen which I'm not fond of. My friend just bought that some weeks back and for me, I prefer the glossy touchscreen on the AW17 more so but that's just it. And the reason why I went with it in the first place as right now, the options are very limited when it comes to touchscreen IPS panels.

 

Impressive 3dmark for a mobile gpu. Theyve come a long way.
Nice review!

 

Is the keyboard really so hot? My Asus G73JH easily reaches 80°C for the GPU and 70°C for the CPU but the keyboard is never uncomfortable to the touch, the AW17R2 seems to have a great cooling system way better than my laptop, it's weird to read about this issue.

 

Thanks a lot for this review and the pictures.
I'm still wondering if I should go for the Asus G751, because of its Blu-Ray Drive and perfect cooling system, but I fear the Wi-Fi, screen bleeding and subwoofer issues. I also prefer the overall design of Alienware and the warranty is way better.
Plus, you cannot change the color of the Asus keyboard, which is a bit annoying for me.

It is really hard to decide

 

My G73SW got that hot as your JH, the keyboard would get hot for me sometimes.

But it's nice to see the review of this Ramzay. I'll agree with certain points of it, but I think if people want a laptop with good support, skip Alienware. Their staff actually don't care in the slightest about you at all, they just want you to hang up so they never deal with you again. Agents at Alienware/Dell have promised so many times to call me, but never do. They lie to me saying they call, but I never have voicemails or missed calls. Tech support never called back after promising to contact me. This is your premium support.

Fool me once by thinking I have better support than Asus, Fool me twice by getting me to pay to extend it to a second year. This sort of crap belongs elsewhere.

 

Yes, the keyboard is quite hot, which is surprising. I have a G75VX, and I had a G751JT for a week, and while the CPU/GPU ran a bit hotter, the chassis and keyboard remained cool to the touch at all times.

With the R2 it seems they've kept the components cool at the expense of the chassis/keyboard. I'm not sure why/how.

 

The subwoofer/speaker issue has been apparently fixed with a driver update from Realtek. The screen bleeding is hit or miss, as is the wifi. As I've mentioned, I would only recommend the ASUS G751 if you can buy it locally with an extended warranty and you can get a generous return period. You don't ever want to have to deal with ASUS directly for warranty or service. It would be nice if you could change the keyboard colour on the ASUS.

 

It is still the best support in the business. I guess part of it comes down to personal experience, but I've never had an issue with Dell support. They've fixed many things for me with past laptops and with this order, they've applied all the coupons I requested, sent me free stuff, shipped a 240w power supply...

Over all, one cannot objectively say their support is bad because of one person's bad experiences. All indications are that Dell support still beats the pants off of anybody else's. You hear many stories of people getting replacement parts shipped to their houses, tech support dispatched the next day to their house, quick repairs...Sure there are bad stories too, but overall, Dell remains your best bet for support.

I find the issue with Dell is it depends on which CSR you get. Their official support/warranty policy is very generous, but it comes down to the individual you are dealing with to apply it. If you get the right person, they'll fix all your issues in a matter of minutes. If you get the wrong one, you'll be wishing you never called. I just keep calling back til I get the right guy.

Compare this to ASUS, whose policy isn't nearly as generous as Dell's, and their CSRs aren't nearly as empowered to make deals and offer assistance. That's the big difference - Dell can provide excellent service (depending on which rep you get) while ASUS simply won't, regardless of who you get as a rep on the phone.

If you want horror stories, go read up on the ASUS ROG forums.

 

I have experienced ASUS's crap support and I've experienced Alienware's crap support too. I'd consider Asus to be worse by a small margin. I guess no matter how crappy something is, if something even crappier exists, then that thing is still the "best among the field of ****" so it gets the title of best.

 

It's all relative right?

I guess my point is that with Dell you have the possibility of all your issues being solved to your satisfaction (depending on who you get as a CSR on the phone). This doesn't mean it always will be, but it's a possibility.Not so with ASUS. They simply cannot provide you the same level of support Dell can, even if they want to.

But at the end of the day, a bad experience is a bad experience, and it will forever sour your view of the brand. I'm not dismissing your bad experience - you clearly were not pleased with the way you were treated, and Dell should be ashamed.

 

The return period of the reseller in my country is 15 days, that's why it is more... risky !
Can I ask you, what do you think about the Intel AC7260 on the Asus G751 compared to the Killer 1525 on the AW17 ?

 

The Killer is better. I've had it in both this AW and the Clevo P650SE. A much better card. Rock solid connection.

The ROG G751 I had for a week had difficulty connecting to the wifi network. It's a known issue with the G751.

 

I just played some Diablo 3 on my G75VX. The CPU topped out at 67C, the GPU at 70C. The keyboard and chassis remained cool. The GTX 670MX is a 75W card. The noise levels were FAR quieter than the AW 17 R2.

Which is a big part of my issue with the new AW17. Why is it louder and the chassis hotter than older laptops?

 

Thanks, that's all I wanted to know !

Maybe the slimmer chassis makes the heat dissipation more difficult ?

 

It definitely does. I mean, the machine keeps the CPU/GPU very cool. However, it does so at the expense of the chassis/keyboard. I'd rather the components be a few degrees hotter, if it meant the keyboard remained cool under load.

 

As an Asus owner I have to say that their support is TERRIBLE, I asked them to replace my 5870M because of high temperatures and some driver crashes with Flash Player: they send me back the notebook without changing the GPU, without even repasting it, they replaced instead the keyboard that was just perfect (?!) and after all the laptop chassis was full of scrathes (maybe most irritating thing at all). I strongly encourage you to operate outside of their tech support.

Speaking again about Asus G751JY (that was my choice before deciding to finally get an AW17R2 - no ordered yet), yesterday I found out that they also give you GTX 980M on the so-called Asus G750JY wich I personally prefer in terms of design: black color and normal keyboard (no red backlit) without useless keys like record, Steam etc. Said this I don't know if G750JY's cooling system with GTX 980M onboard is efficient like the G751JY. If both models have the same temperatures I'll choose for the G750JY instantly.

 

The G750 has a larger and more capable cooling system than the G751.

 

If you are sure of this G750JY will be definitely a win both for design and performances, I forgot also to mention that it comes with a 8gb GTX 980M if this can make a difference for your needs.

 

Sorry...laptop noob here for gaming. How do I test for temps while gaming?

I've been gaming exclusively 4hrs+ since yesterday (Skyrim, BF4 and now COD-AW) and never really found the heat/noise to be a distraction but then this is my first gaming laptop so I don't have any comparison either.

BTW, the 970M is a far underrated card and overshadowed by the 980M, imo, considering the $400 jump in price on the latter. So far, the above games I'm playing are running like butter at 1080p/max settings.

The Killer Wifi is rock solid ....Haven't experienced a single wifi drop in both COD/BF4 since I got this laptop and getting a decent 144M connection from my router which is like 15 feet away from the laptop and zero issues with multiplayer.

 

You can use HWINFO for monitoring temps.

There are other laptops that are hotter (the Razer Blade, some MSI models). But the fact that past AW machines, as well as ASUS ROG machines keep the components cool, while also maintaining the chassis/keyboard cool means this AW17 R2 is a step backwards.

 

The 970M is a capable chip and it runs cool, you can use programs like GPU-Z and msi afterburner to monitor temperatures.

 

Appreciate the review. I disagree with a few points, but overall it is pretty accurate.

If anyone wants any agreement / disagreement to the review, I have this exact model and here are my thoughts:

1 - Lid is definitely flexy. Mine does the exact same bounce shown in the video. However, I don't find this to be important based on my uses - take it into consideration if you travel a lot.

2 - The screen is a huge win, I agree. This is why I give leeway on point #1 - If they have to swap in a plastic lid to give me an awesome base screen, I'll trade any day. Sure, it's nice to have both but honestly unless the hinge starts cracking / getting loose or the lid starts cracking, it really is just a nice to have.

3 - The left side macro keys are definitely annoying. I don't know how or why they would be useful myself, but I have the same problem with the ESC key. Outside of that though, I really do love the keyboard. Nice responsive keys, low flex, feel nice, etc.

4 - Heat... Yes the keyboard does get warm during gameplay but it really isn't all that bad. I definitely don't think any parts of it are hot, but it does get warm enough to have my finger tips sweat a little. Compared to my M14x R2, it's a decent improvement, but still noticeable.

5 - Noise... maybe I'm easy going but I don't think it gets too loud at all. I had the AW 14 when it first released and felt that was too noisy, this one is not bad. Yes you can hear it, but with even a little sound coming out the speakers I have trouble noticing it.

 

I guess it's a matter of perspective. Coming from the AW17 Ranger (which I used right next to it) the heat produced by the keyboard and chassis definitely noticeable. Hot. I know this because the Ranger is cool. No heat whatsoever on the keyboard. Same thing with the ASUS ROG - the entire machine remains cool to the touch. The fact the R2 produces any heat at all on the chassis/keyboard is unacceptable.

It's not that you're easy going - it's that you've never had a silent gaming laptop. The AW17 Ranger produced more noise, so in that sense, this R2 is better. But compared to other machines (such as my ASUS ROG G75VX, and the G751JT I tried) it is very loud. Those machines are pretty much dead silent, even under load. And I can definitely notice the noise, even with the speakers on.

Overall, my point is this - the R2 isn't bad at all in terms of chassis/keyboard temperature and noise, as many other machines out there are worse. However, given the past AW machines, as well as the ASUS ROG machines, it could be much better. While you may be able to "deal with it" or it may not be "too bad", this is an Alienware - you shouldn't be having to put up with any of this in the first place.

Alienware is supposed to be a brand for people who are seeking no compromise. There are plenty of other, cheaper, alternatives for people who can put up with a hot chassis, or noisy fans. That's what ASUS/Acer/Clevo/MSI is for. Although, as I mentioned, I believe the ASUS ROG G751 to be a superior machine in almost all aspects (though their warranty/support sucks).

 

I'm not sure what makes you think I've NEVER had a silent gaming laptop, but I just don't think the noise is all that bad. Sure if the fans were spinning up in the middle of a class or something where I was taking notes, then I agree. But if I'm gaming... I shouldn't be in a situation where the noise is a problem.

Overall it isn't my decision to tell a user looking through reviews what their preferences are. Rather, I describe how the laptop operates to the best of my ability so they can make their own choice. Unfortunately with the way you're wording your responses, your intention seems to try to make this decision for the reader. Just because you think it is loud because other laptops are more quiet or silent, doesn't really mean for every user they will share your opinion.

To give an opposite scenario, let's say the AW 17 R2 made 50db in noise at all times, but every other laptop available was 55db or more. Does that make the AW 17 R2 quiet? I'd argue that it doesn't. The important piece of information is that it makes 50db sounds at all times, the reader can decide if that is too loud or not. This is why I tried to describe that yes it makes audible noises, but with some sound coming out it is hard to hear it. I'm trying to give something the user can try to relate to.

Ideally, I'd find an instrument that can take these readings for me for both loudness & temperature. I don't need a reviewer telling me what I shouldn't have to put up with as you just stated. In fact, I just bolded all parts of your reply where you're just crossing the line, and trying to tell ME my preferences, when really they're yours.

 

I agree that assuming you'd never had a silent laptop was crossing the line - I really don't know what laptops you've had, and as such shouldn't have put that there.

On everything else, I certainly wasn't crossing the line. Some parts are opinion, but there's nothing wrong with me expressing them is there? And that part about Alienware being "no compromise and that we shouldn't have to put up with any of that"? That isn't opinion - it's pretty much straight from the Alienware product description. I fail to see how reciting what the brand is about and its mission statement is me forcing my preferences on you.

Here are some snippets taken directly from the Alienware website:
"Roaring graphics. Massive screen. The Alienware 17 is the gamer's choice for ultimate power and thrilling performance."
"Introducing the new Alienware 17, the gamers choice for power and performance."
"Gamer inspired for maximum performance."

There are a bunch of others too, both past and present. The point is - Alienware itself is stating it is a no-compromise brand, so no - I wasn't crossing the line.

I do my best to be as objective as possible in the actual review, though obviously my personal preferences and opinion will seep in there. But in subsequent comments, I fail to see why I cannot state my preferences and opinions. And stating those in no way represents me forcing them on anyone. I compare the noise and heat to other laptops to try and give a frame of reference, as I don't own any instruments to measure surface temperature or noise levels.

I hope you realize that when I used the term "you" I was using it in the general term - "you" as in "you and me" or "us". It wasn't me calling you out directly. I apologize if it came across that way.

 

I feel like for the most part - intense gaming is going to make just about any system noisy (outside of a very expensive liquid cooled desktop setup).
I also kind of get what ramzay is trying to say - and here is the problem - i remember when alienware came out and they were super expensive and the best when it came to performance. In my opinion - alienware has slipped from that mark - maybe intentionally to try and grab more market share. (by appealing to more of the general population and not us enthusiasts - a small portion of the population).
While i do think its a shame - i still think that from this review posted while - it was a solid review explaining the trade offs with the system - it seems to still perform quite well and its relatively affordable - that is what the brand alienware is now - alienware has trade offs to keep price down clearly.
Reality.

 

Thanks man for this review. +rep for you.

 

Yeah like I first stated, I think your review was pretty spot on, just some parts I didn't agree with. Overall as long as you make it clear it is your opinion, I have nothing to argue with as you have every right to it. I don't see those same things from the advertisement nor do I view them as requirements myself.

 

Hi Ramzay,

Thank you for a great review.
I'm thinking of buying myself an AW17 and the best discount they gave me was 7%. How did you manage to get 17% discount and a neoprene sleeve?

 

Lots of calling, talking, negotiating. Patience is the key. You will eventually find a rep willing to give you a better deal.

 

Thanks mate, I'm not in a rush so I can make few calls, if I finally decide to buy it, as I've just got an advice not to buy it.

 

I'll send you a PM on how to get a better deal from another laptop company, if you want info on other companies.

 

You can make air cooled systems quiet too, you just need huge slabs of metal. It won't be very portable though

 

"The base model of the Alienware 17 (AW17) retails in Canada for $1,700 + tax. I managed to get it for $1,412 + tax, including a neoprene sleeve, and they agreed to ship me a 240w power supply (not that its really needed with the GTX 970M)."
How did you get that price?

 

MPP discount, coupons, and lots of calling and haggling.

 

Speaking of surface temperatures, what about tearing down the keyboard and putting for example some aluminum foil? Don't know if it's a dumb solution guys, I'm not MacGyver, just guessing.

Still waiting for my AW17 to arrive and already paranoid about this issue.

 

I wouldn't be paranoid about it. It is hotter than previous AW machines and ROG laptops, but cooler than thin laptops like the MSI and Aorus. It's not hot to the point you can't touch the keyboard.

I was just startled that the palm rests are so cool, then you move your hands to the keyboard and some parts are warm/hot.

In other words, I'm just disappointed that the chassis/keyboard gets hotter than the last generation of AW machines. But it is by no means unusable.

 

Do you plan on pushing the 970M much?

 

Who was that question directed at?

 

Yourself

 

I'm not going to push it in this laptop, since the keyboard is already hot enough as it is. While the GPU temps can handle some O/C, the keyboard/chassis cannot.

I might be picking up a used AW17 R1 (Ranger) today. If I get that, I'll upgrade the GTX 880M to the GTX 970M, and then I'll see how far I can push it.

 

I thought it was for you Ramzay, if I was wrong I'm going to answer to Meaker: I ordered AW17 with GTX 980M and hopefully I'm getting the 240w PSU from Dell the next week.

My plan is to use stock BIOS + 240w PSU and not OC'ing the GPU.

Updating BIOS seems risky and useless: talking with another forum-user with 980M, i7 4980 and stock 180w PSU he told me that FPS drops still happens frequently with BC4 and also CoD:AW (wich is way less demanding then Battlefield).

 

Well, all that BIOS update does is fix a bug that was preventing the system from drawing on the battery during power demand surges. That kind of technology seems potentially buggy, and is a poor substitute for a proper PSU.

 

Personally I prefer to prevent my system from drawing on the battery, I want to use 240w PSU for performance and battery for less demanding operations.

In order to obtain this I need to not update the stock BIOS right? Just for clarification.

 

Yes, that is my understanding. I personally wouldn't update the BIOS, as while that "may" fix the performance issue, it will do so by draining the battery whenever the GPU requires more power than the 180w PSU can supply.

Which is just silly. This is a gaming laptop, not a slim, green ultrabook.

 

That's the point, I totally agree, we don't care about pollution, world energy consumption or bulky PSU that requires too much room for a backpack, we are here for the best performing hardware you can get on a mobile platform.

Speaking of the buggy BIOS A02 there is an important update posted by @neinet

Seems that we should discourage users from this forum to upgrade their BIOS until this new A03 comes out (if they still want this ECO-monstrosity) or this AWs brick-massacre will continue.

 

I got offered a 2% discount on the reg price today. I'll try agan tomorrow.

 

It's funny, cause I don't feel the heat problem at all. Maybe I have frosty fingers?

 

When the laptop is under load, you don't feel the keyboard getting warm/hot?