Alienware is undoubtedly Dell’s top gaming brand, and it has been around as long as home gaming laptops. The company makes some of the best Windows home laptops for gamers. Over the years, Alienware has released many powerful gaming PCs, and the 2021 model continues that tradition. If you’re looking for an Alienware laptop, the m17 R4 is our top recommendation.

Now, let’s get to the specifications! The Alienware m17 R4 runs Windows 10 Home and features a 17.3-inch display with a 1920×1080 resolution. It’s powered by a Core i7 processor and comes with 16GB of RAM.

The Alienware m17 R4

packs 256GB of SSD storage. The laptop features graphics powered by the Nvidia GeForce. The RTX 3060 offers plenty of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type A), an HDMI port, a multi-card slot, a headphone/mic combo jack, and RJ45 (LAN) ports. Battery life is disappointing, and adding extras like a 360Hz screen increases the cost. However, the overall design remains top-quality, and the options are abundant. These features make the M17 R4 our favorite large-screen premium gaming laptop, earning it an Editors’ Choice award. At first glance, the M17 R4 might seem similar to the R3, but its interstellar elegance sets it apart. The battleship within the family, this gaming laptop uses the company’s Legend design to make a definitive statement almost like its predecessor.

The bulk of the laptop is made from magnesium alloy and colored in Lunar Light, a surgical white with subtle pearlescence. Alienware also offers this laptop in Dark Side of the Moon, Combat, and Ashen Black—interesting names, right? The lip of the lid is lined in black, complementing the Lunar Light finish and enhancing the laptop’s overall appearance. The iconic alien head and light strip lining the black rear vent emit an otherworldly turquoise glow, drawing viewers in for a closer look.

The biggest external change is the keyboard. Let’s dive into that. First, note that the mechanical keyboard isn’t standard equipment—it’s an optional upgrade. If you’re skeptical or think a low-profile mechanical keyboard might be a contradiction, we understand. It doesn’t offer the same typing experience as a desktop mechanical keyboard, but it does feature deeper key travel and more complex switches with increased feedback. Some compromises were inevitable due to the laptop’s design, but the M17 R4 keyboard exceeded expectations. Alienware developed it in partnership with Cherry MX, the leader in mechanical key switches. Instead of using their popular Blue or Red switches, the keyboard features new switches designed specifically for this low-profile layout. The texture is a blend of a desktop mechanical keyboard and the pseudo-mechanical solutions some laptops use to mimic the feel of real keys.