Razer Blade Pro 2016 or Alienware 17 R4?

I purchased the RBP in December and I am really enjoying it. I have owned Alienware laptops/desktops since 2007. Last week I sold my Area-51 R2 and am without an Alienware machine for the first time since May 2007. I am thinking about selling my RBP and I have a generous offer already. I am also thinking about buying the Alienware 17 R4 if I sell it. What I would like is your opinion on why you think the AW 17r4 is better than the RBP. Anyone care to offer me their opinion?
Thanks.

 

I mean for what? Like the Blade Pro is portable... But that's about it. The Alienware will be higher performing and better cooled (assuming it's pasted properly @iunlock here will do it for you if you want). The Blade Pro is (no offense) kind of awful. The performance is extremely gimped with too small of a power supply and the cpu is pathetic for how expensive it is. (Usually only found in machines under like 1800 dollars.)

The alienware has a great keyboard (though it's cool if you like the RBP one) and is really a great feeling machine. I would switch it.

 

Do you own an Alienware?

 

Well, the RBP can't have the HK unlocked processor; and it's GTX 1080 is crippled by the TDP (so it is only 5% faster than stock GTX 1070 instead of 30% that it should be).

I think selling the RBP is a no brainier; you only loose that interesting keyboard, but the AW keyboard is no slouch. Plus you can actually open up the AW and put your own RAM and SSD options in without voiding RAZER's (non existent) warranty/support.

I would aslo consider the EUROCOM Tornado f5 or EVOC 16L-G 1080. Certainly not pretty, but it is built well, and Power, serviceability and price are unmatchable

 

OP, yes sell the RBP and RUN! LOL...

Like @ThatOldGuy has said, it's a no brainer.

@Galm hit the nail on the head with his post (post #2).

 

No... But I've used the Razer Blade Pro for a couple hours and I've used a bunch of Skylake and a couple Kaby Lake Alienwares.

 

My vote goes towards the Alienware as well.

 

Alienware or Clevo - aesthetics Alienware / max potential performance and upgrades Clevo.

I would not go with Razer laptops.

 

With Razer, you are only paying for their "Engineering Marvel" of how they stuff all of these "high end hardware" into a laptop less than an inch.

But, firstly this is why I personally do not recommend the Razer Blade Pro if you compare it to the Alienware 17 R4 (based on thorough research).
1. Crippled TDP and insufficient power. It is a marketing strategy for Razer to convince the market that they manage to do "the impossible". But, you are overpaying for a GTX 1080 that is throttled down and possibly the CPU as well. The most obvious one is the power brick. Its insufficient.

2. Almost no upgrade path and future proof. Whatever you buy cannot be changed without voiding the warranty. Everything except the M.2 SSDs are soldered. Even if Razer officially adds support for the overpriced Razer Core, it is another bottleneck device since thunderbolt 3 will still bottleneck your GPU greatly even if you use like a Titan X Volta in the future.

3. Keyboard. LinusTechTips - Linus Sebastian: "But what about the keyboard? Well, this may cost me early access to the next Razer product launch, but it has to be said, loud and clear so they learn. Sure, its re programmable in Synapse, has RGB lighting, but this thing is abominable....... ..... You can even hear it; listen to how different these keys sound. There is no hiding behind "optimized for gaming" as it defends this time; this is a bad keyboard."

4. Bad thermal design. The Razer Blade Pro's fans is loud under load (not sure from your POV). Also, it is easy to convince a buyer on the outside that the Razer Blade Pro has a "cutting edge thermal design". Truthfully, it is not as good because of again, the crippled TDP CPU and GPU, since they probably won't produce as much heat as a fully powered GTX 1080.

Alienware on the other hand, even though thicker, is the opposite.

1. Full throttle CPU and GPU. With the GTX 1080 model, you are given a big but beefy power supply (330W) and Alienware's promise is to ensure that their laptops deliver "full throttled performance" unlike other brands (except in unfortunate events such as overheating).

2. Some level of upgrade path. You can upgrade your RAM, HDD and SSDs without voiding your warranty. Their external Alienware Graphics Amplifier is also supported too and is cheaper than the bottleneck Razer Core.

3. Keyboard. Better than Razer.

4. Much better thermal design. Dell has more $$ to invest in good thermal designs. Even though many of us aren't a fan of unified thermal heat pipes, the results proofed otherwise when the Alienware 17 R4 performed really well and its much quieter than the Razer Blade Pro (assuming you have the fixed thermal design, which should be released in the new batch of 17 R4s).

I suggest you sell your Razer Blade Pro as soon as possible, because, the value of it, drops much faster than an Alienware.

Razer is pretty good at convincing people to buy their products, but if you dig in, horrible truths will arise.

 

For performance the Alienware 17r4 or the MSI GT73VR TITAN PRO 4K-479. Ultimately the RBP's only plus is looks and portability and most gaming laptops sit in one spot the majority of the time.

In terms of noise I assume the msi and Alienware machines are probably close.

 

You make some eye opening points. However one that I cannot agree with is the keyboard. The RBP keyboard is amazing and like none I have ever had before. Yes the Alienware laptops have solid keyboards. However for placement and tactile feedback I thoroughly enjoy the RBP, superior to any laptop keyboard that I have ever used (about 30 over the past 10 years). Plus the Alienware is a finger print magnet and over time the "oils" do not "wash away". The same cannot be said of the RBP as I clean it off every week and it looks brand new. I do like having a numeric keypad as well, such as the 17 has, however having the touchpad on the right side is not only unique but much more user friendly as I can actually place my wrists on the bottom of the computer while typing, much more comfortably than on regular laptops. Oh and the touch pad is just as good as the MacBook Pro's (new version) as I own one and enjoy the experience equally with both. Gaming, this is not a concern but everything else, well I rarely if ever used the pad on all my Alienware laptops, until I got the MBP and now the RBP.

Yet all the other points you make are not insignificant. I think either way I will have a fine looking, excellent gaming and everyday using piece of Kit. The Alienware will probably last longer and perform marginally better, though I may get a 1070 so that is a push. I do travel to work with my RBP every single day so there is that portability win. I like Dell's support and have only heard horror stories with Razer, though so far not needed that. I like the singularly uniqueness of the RBP, a big reason why I buy the machines I buy is indeed for the looks or style if you will. I just sold my Area-51 r2 and purchased the HP Omen X and wow is that a sharp and unique looking desktop. So I think I will let the price I can get for the RBP determine my decision. Well that and the fact that I am still a huge Alienware fanboy and only a large Razer fanboy, lol .

Bottom line is I find it hard to part with this amazing machine. I went to Best Buy on Saturday and played with the 17 they had on display. It was well used as in a few months similar to how long I have owned the RBP and seemed duller and smaller than the RBP. It didn't make me want it... But then see people unboxing the 17 r4 on YouTube and I am drawn to it lol. Does the Gsync 120Mz provide anything special that would warrant putting down the $ for it?

 

to each his own but i don't know how "unique" RBP looks... its just a black macbook with an ugly logo.

I haven't tried the the RBP though, but I assumed the keyboard was better because it's mechanical... surprised to see some say it's bad... thought it was one of the big draws of the machine.

 

As for the keyboard, it's cool and all, but Razer's quality control is getting me in question. Also, this is based off someone's review. He mentioned that even the keys sound different.

I had a few Razer peripherals 2 years ago. A deathadder 2013, Razer Tiamat 7.1, Razer Blackwidow Chroma, Razer Firefly and Razer Mamba TE Chroma.

Sadly, my deathadder starting peeling off, Tiamat subwoofer started to have static when these are barely used, in less than a year when not used.

As for the Chroma, Firefly and TE chroma, they keep on failing and disconnecting every few mins to a few hours, disrupting the gameplay.

I got fed up with Razer's quality that I switched to Logitech G. Expensive and broken peripheral.

For Alienware being a fingerprint magnet, you can use a cloth to clean it. I use a hard cloth for my 18 and it cleans fine, just make sure it's regularly cleaned.

The thing is you just created a thread here to ask all of our personal opinions on AW versus RBP. If you disagree with us, then it's not worth your time spending on this thread; you are basically starting an argument here.

If you feel that the RBP suits you better for your lifestyle, then stick to it. There is no need for you to even ask us if you already have your mind set for it.

 

Hey Jasper, didn't mean to touch a raw nerve. I really am reading all the comments and I did expect that this being an Alienware forum the comments would be in favor of the AW 17. I do not disagree with the concerns people have about Razer. It is just something about this RBP that has really caught my fancy even though I want to say "sell it" and then buy a loaded AW 17 as i have had nothing but excellent experiences with Dell and Alienware, since 2004. Try not to be offended if I don't agree with everything said here. Just know that I value all of the input given here.
Thanks.

 

Definitely the AW17R4. Better performance, equal build quality, better price, and can use the hardware inside to its full potential.

But you might need to repaste it. But the RBP2016 cannot be saved even by a repaste. The PSU is just too small to let the hardware run wild. The proprietary connector prevents users from using better PSU's.

Also on the long run if you have a hardware problem, AW spareparts are easy to come by. Razer spareparts on the other hand are scarce and very difficult to find. Especially new.

 

I decided to stay with the RBP2016 for now as I am really enjoying it and love the looks. I am not worried about letting the hardware "run wild" or that the 1080 is "gimped" as I don't play the high end games. It handles the games I do play so very well and it is so very comfortable to type on, I love the tactile feedback of the keyboard. The screen is easily the most beautiful I have had of all my laptops. I am thinking that later on this year I might look at the AW 13 and sell my MBP, maybe. Thanks all for the input, it just wasn't enough for me to part with this marvelous laptop. So I am going green err staying green? Oh well see you around and enjoy your Alienware laptops

 

Did anybody else get the vibe he may have been an employee of Razer :O ahaha

 

dont compare a hand gun with a machine gun
respectively

 

I see you've Origin PC for some high end gaming as well, so Razer will be perfect for extreme portability. Yes you're losing some 30-40% performance in 1080. But its fine as long as you don't have any problem with it. Where do you live? In the US?

 

Nah, gap is not that big - 1080 in the RBP is about 20% slower than most 1080s post OC and 15% slower at stock/GPU-Boost only. The RBP 1080 is basically a 1070 in everything but core count and name.

 

Yes I live in the US and I sold my Origin PC to buy my new gaming desktop.

 

I have nothing to contribute.... Just that I never really looked at the RBP until moments ago....

That computer is stupid expensive for what it is....

and what is it? a gimped computer w/ sub par hardware that with thermal throttle and die earlier than anything else due to cooking the crap out of the hardware...

can argue all day about heat and such but physics is physics.... there is NO WAY that thing isn't going to cook itself or throttle down to the performance of a much cheaper machine.

I feel like you buy that to just say that you can have a gtx1080.... thats so gimped its probably running like the gtx965 in the xps.

Why not just grab an xps15 9550 at that point. likely close performance after taking all things into consideration and far cheaper. Also had one for a short while before deciding on the AW 17.... gorgeous machine. However... still too thin.

What happened to form follows function?!?! You want high specs in a machine that will perform and wont cook? It NEEDS to be big enough to disperse that.... Function follows Form now because everyone wants it thin and light and then wonders why their machines are throttling and dying.

 

Here is what we need.

I would love if there was a modern case available much like the very old very first "compact" computers.

Where the screen folds up and there is an angled keyboard under it. And behind that a massive case. Not a laptop but a full atx case about the size of a brief case that I can move around without 50 cables. Fully upgradable. But still possible to, perhaps uncomfortably, set on my lap while on the couch.

Not a portable machine... But rather a mobile machine.

 

Been available from MSI and Clevo for years now. Currently (MSI) Eurocom Tornado f5 and EVOC 16L-G and Clevo P870D are top contenders. Don't get the propped up keyboard though, put something under the back if that is a must

 

I wasn't referencing something like those. Still too expensive to make worth upgrading - the top contender to the AW 17r4 I bought was going to be the p870dm2, but with the cost of components it still wasn't viable; and, thats assuming something doesn't happen such as a switch to Pascal leaving you in the dust. Can't upgrade the mobo... May as well just buy another computer. Something that can handle an atx form factor.

Think along the lines of the GRiDCASE 1550sx or Panasonic Exec Partner.

Very large. No longer a laptop. Just a computer you can take with you, move from room to room, possibly even put on your lap while sitting on the couch. Not nearly as comfortably as a laptop. But also something that isn't disposable. Full upgrade capabilities.

 

In a similar dilemma, considering RBP v2 with i7-7820HK vs. AW 17 R4 7820HK.

I don't game much, mostly CAD and Octane Render (requires Nvidia GPU). Since I travel frequently, RBP def wins on portability.

However, the Tron-like design of AW laptops have grown on me. Better QC and upgradability are also pluses.

Blazertrek50, no regrets so far?

 

That touchpad is in such an awkward position and just because of that I would never consider the RBP.

 

RBP with 7820HK would throttle most of the time if you're pushing the envelope to 4GHz. For CAD, you are better off with a workstation GPU esp. quadro or firepro.

 

Never true. Those GPU's are the biggest scam ever. You pay 2 to 3 times the price for about 15% extra "workstation" performance over their equivalent GTX chip.

I.E. the last gen Qudro M5000M is the same chip as the GTX 980M but cost $1100 more

 

Yep, but ASIC quality will be better because its damn expensive. Nice income generator.

 

I use Sketchup, Solidworks and Octane. The only game I really play is GTA 5. The benefit of a quadro/firepro over GTX1080 is prob not worth the premium, and not being able to play some games.

I just read this, http://laptopmedia.com/news/the-ali...best-one-you-can-get-from-a-gamers-standpoint. I know IPS is better for viewing angle and color accuracy. But the QHD 120hz is hard to pass up. So has anyone tried to use the QHD (ideally 2nd gen) on AW 17 R4 for design / illustration work?

 

I do not trust this site, there are a lot of hidden advertising and not true information, in all reviews they claim that the production of acers the best
I read them before

If you want 4k IPS but want to save some cash$, you can buy fullhd aw17r4 and 4k screen on ebay for 100$ and change it

 

Keep in mind if you do choose this route, don't get a Gsync screen with the Alienware initial purchase if the replacement screen won't have GSYNC also. Because I am pretty sure from things I have read, that the Gsync can't be undone, it uses a special motherboard. So if you would go with a GSync FHD and then to non-Gsync 4K, you wouldn't be able to use optimus and the battery life would still be meh compared to Alienware w/non-Gsync + optimus

 

It's probably been answered a bunch of times by now but basically you'd go with razer blade pro if 1) thinness is of top priority and 2) individual RGB keys is another top priority. If performance and temps are your priorities then it's a no brainer to pick the alienware 17. Sure it's not macbook thin but it's pretty darn thin for something that offers a 1080 (not including aorus although you can look into the aorus since that's about same thickness as blade pro and also offers a 1080).

Also, don't forget the alienwares offer the QHD 120hz screen which the razer blade pro does not. Keep in mind windows doesn't really scale super res that well (yes even windows 10) so while 4K looks great, you're most likely to forget the 1440p vs 4K res during actual gameplay. Plus the alienware comes with a properly sized AC adapter that gives the system enough juice to do what it needs. Need additional storage via 2.5" bay? Razer is missing that also. No option of a cheap 2tb data storage (4tb for me since I'm using the SSD, which is also not an option for razer).

Quite honestly with the price and specs, the razer blade pro is not a very good buy in terms of dollar to value vs the alienware 17 R4. But if you got the money, then by all means get what you feel makes you happier.

As for your more recent question regarding the QHD for design/illustration, that' probably wouldn't be the best choice as the QHD screen looks kind of washed out in terms of color and you gotta offset it with playing with the vibrance settings in nvidia control panel to offset. If you want that fuller RGB coverage, then you'd want to stick with the IPS panels. For everything else the QHD screen shines when it comes to movement, even as small as moving your mouse around.

 

@zergslayer69: Do you think 17 will feel bigger & heavier than 15, considering the fact that there is lot of metal in current AW than in previous model?

 

for the extra performance etc i would go with the 17 it's minimal, its in a really nice chassis and the weight adds to the build feel !

 

Anyone seen this benchmark with the Razer Blade Pro 7820HK + GTX 1080 http://www.3dmark.com/fs/11920094?

Comparing to the AW 15 R3 and AW 17 R4, that's a big difference.
http://www.3dmark.com/compare/fs/11920094/fs/12230787/fs/12213850#

 

the razer trashbook joke is so tdp constrained, why would you even consider it?

 

Junk/scrap artist looking for the next project...lol

The new 7820HK RBP 17 starts at $4K, $1000+ more than comparable spec laptops, for 15%-30% less performance, damn, that premium even makes MacBook fans cringe.

 

You'll have to refer to the tech specs on the Alienware site. The 17 will obviously be bigger in dimension but I believe thickness is barely noticeable. If you're sporting an Alienware extreme ease in portability isn't your priority however that's not to say it's a 17 pound behemoth. For the power you're packing it's pretty darn "light". I use the Alienware backpack (vindicator 2.0 I think) and it's pretty comfy with the system in it.