Alienware M17x review

The keyboard is one of the best we've ever used on a laptop. Its base feels rock-solid and every key offers good travel and a comfortable, positive action that's reminiscent of a desktop unit. The M17x's size allows for a full-sized number pad to be squeezed in. The trackpad is sensitive and accurate too.

The audio is superb, too, with the M17x boasting some of the loudest speakers we've ever heard on a laptop. Its volume is backed up with good quality: a sub-woofer on the rear delivers thumping bass, and both mid-range sounds and higher notes are reproduced with accuracy and clarity, too.

As usual, Alienware backs up its stylish design with a powerful roster of components, even in this 'budget' model. Its 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 is one of the most powerful mobile processors available and, when partnered with 4GB of DDR3 RAM, scored a superb 1.47 in our benchmarks. It's quicker than the Asus W90, which scored 1.38, but slower than the Alienware M17, which managed 1.59.

Gaming performance is stellar, thanks to the Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M graphics chip. The M17x ran the 1,600 x 1,200 high-quality Crysis benchmark at a playable 27fps, and at 41fps at medium settings and native resolution. Here, the Asus W90 is quicker, but only just. Meanwhile, battery performance is as you'd expect, with the M17x lasting a mere 2hrs 20mins in our light-use test.

Our review sample came with plenty of muscle elsewhere, though. For storage you get a pair of 500GB Seagate Momentus 7200.4 hard disks arranged in a RAID 0 array, and Gigabit Ethernet and draft-n wireless offer the connectivity we'd expect. Every possible port is offered, too, with four USB ports (one of which doubles as an eSATA port) joined by HDMI, FireWire, a well-appointed card reader and even DisplayPort. There's no Blu-ray drive, but you can upgrade at the point of purchase for an extra £86 exc VAT, and a host of other upgrades are available, too.

It's also possible to upgrade the machine yourself if you're more technically minded, with better access to the processor than most laptops.

It's expensive, then, but you're getting a lot of laptop for your money, with great performance, brilliant build quality and stunning design. The W90 may be quicker in games but, thanks to the M17x's all-round prowess and lower price, it's now our favourite gaming desktop replacement.

Please note that, due to fluctuating component prices and availability, this particular configuration of M17x may not always be available for £1,666 exc. VAT. To discuss pricing options and configure your laptop with the broadest range of components possible, please call Alienware UK on 0844 444 4699.

Author: Mike Jennings