An impressive machine built for high-definition gaming and VR applications.

Alienware is a brand that needs no introduction within the gaming community. The company has been creating some of the most powerful gaming computers and its name practically became synonymous with gaming. Alienware 17 R5 is the fifth generation of the brand’s famous 17-inch laptop and it was released in 2018. Find out more about this device in our review below. Want more options? Take a look at our post on the best Alienware laptop models to choose from.

Design

Alienware 17 R5 flaunts the brand’s signature futuristic, high-end design that many gamers would recognize. It looks sleek and attractive, with lighting strips on the sides of the enclosures and the lid, with additional customizable lighting on the lid logo, touchpad, and the keyboard. Its 16.7 x 13.1 x 1.18-inch dimensions and 9.74 lbs. weight doesn’t make it very light and portable, but it wasn’t designed to fulfill these purposes. Alienware 17 R5 is more of a desktop replacement system than a light gaming laptop you would carry around.

The laptop has a hinge-forward design that makes the whole system looks slimmer. Due to this, most of its ports are also located in the back. There you’ll find Thunderbolt 3, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI 2.0, Ethernet, a power port and the port for the Alienware Graphics Amplifier. On the right side you get a single USB 3.0 port. On the left, an additional USB 3.0 port, USB Type-C port, headphone jack, and a microphone.

The keyboard with customizable backlighting is comfortable to use. The touchpad is also a nice addition and it runs smoothly thanks to Windows Precision Touchpad support.

Display

High-quality screen is a must-have for an immersive gaming experience, and Alienware doesn’t disappoint when it comes to laptop displays. The 17-inch display panel features a 1440p display resolution, which is uncommon for such high refresh rate. A pleasant gaming experience is guaranteed with such specifications. The matte, anti-glare display delivers crisp and vivid colors with ample viewing angles. Alienware 17 R5 certainly has one of the brightest displays among gaming laptops.

Other Features

Thanks to the hinge-forward design, there’s more room for a larger and more effective speaker room. The audio output has been improved significantly, delivering a clearer and more dramatic gaming experience. The laptop has a VR-ready system that passes the Oculus Ready and Vive Optimized certifications. This would allow you to experience the latest VR content the way it was meant to be seen.

Alienware 17 R5 also features an updated version of the Alienware Command Center. For a while, this feature has been a one-stop shop for customizing the lighting on your keyboard, programming macros, power management settings, and creating desktop shortcuts. The new version still does all of the above and more. New upgrade includes a Library: an easy-to-use interface links all system settings with a gaming library, making it simple to access gaming information.

Furthermore, there’s new AlienFX hardware and software that lets users save new themes, assign them to games, and edit peripheral settings.

Alienware 17 R5: How Much is it Worth?

If you currently own Alienware 17 R5 laptop and want to sell it, Gadget Salvation will offer you the best value. For example:

• For a fully functional Alienware 17 R5 Series Intel Core i9 8th Gen. CPU NVIDIA GTX 1080 in flawless condition you will get $766.
• For a fully functional Alienware 17 R5 Series Intel Core i7 8th Gen. CPU NVIDIA GTX 1070 in flawless condition you can receive $565.

Conclusion

Alienware 17 R5 delivers exceptional gaming performance, has a gorgeous display, and has a good balance of quality and everyday usability. It’s the kind of gaming workhorse that’s absolutely worth the investment and will last for many years. But if you want to do Alienware trade in before upgrading to the newest model, Gadget Salvation can help!