Dang it Dell, you did it AGAIN!!... Alienware X17 Review
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Check out Micro Center’s Business Solutions here: micro.center So close. Alienware was so close to making the perfect gaming laptop with the X17 but right at the end they fumbled. Buy Alienware X17 On Best Buy (PAID LINK): geni.us Buy Lenovo Legion 7 On Amazon (PAID LINK): geni.us On Best Buy (PAID LINK): geni.us On Newegg (PAID LINK): geni.us Buy ASUS Zephyrus M16 On Amazon (PAID LINK): geni.us On Best Buy (PAID LINK): geni.us On Newegg (PAID LINK): geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com ►GET MERCH: lttstore.com ►SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com ►LTX EXPO: ltxexpo.com AFFILIATES & REFERRALS --------------------------------------------------- ►Affiliates, Sponsors & Referrals: lmg.gg ►Check out our podcast gear: kit.co ►Private Internet Access VPN: lmg.gg ►Our Official Charging Partner Anker: lmg.gg ►Secretlabs Gaming Chairs: lmg.gg ►MK Keyboards: lmg.gg ►Nerd or Die Stream Overlays: lmg.gg ►Green Man Gaming lmg.gg ►Amazon Prime: lmg.gg ►Audible Free Trial: lmg.gg ►Our Gear on Amazon: geni.us FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv FOLLOW OUR OTHER CHANNELS --------------------------------------------------- Mac Address: lmg.gg Techquickie: lmg.gg TechLinked: lmg.gg ShortCircuit: lmg.gg LMG Clips: lmg.gg Channel Super Fun: lmg.gg Carpool Critics: lmg.gg MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 0:43 What's New 2:15 Benchmarks 2:42 The Problem 4:25 Fit & Finish 5:15 Trackpad 5:28 Screen 6:15 Speakers 6:32 Inputs 6:56 Teardown 9:17 Conclusion 10:45 Outro
The Alienware X17 review starts by setting up an expectation of near perfection, noting exceptional cooling, display quality, keyboard feel, and build rigidity, but immediately pointing to a single major flaw that undermines the whole package. The host contrasts the X17 with the outgoing M17, highlighting the lack of a numpad and a smaller trackpad as practical drawbacks, and then pivots to the laptop's robust cooling system that keeps the RTX 3080 and CPU temperatures well below panic thresholds despite the machine's slim profile. He emphasizes that the overall gaming experience is sublime, with performance that can outpace rivals under certain conditions, yet he also stresses that the price tag should be justified by observable performance gains. A deep dive into the MUX switch reveals how routing the discrete GPU through the integrated graphics path can sap 5 to 10 percent of performance, particularly on certain panels, and explains why this matters for both raw frames and features like G-SYNC. The reviewer concludes that while the X17 nails many aspects, including chassis quality, keyboard, and cooling, the absence of a native MUX switch on most configurations holds it back from being unequivocally the best, especially when a BIOS update later enables the feature and changes the balance of power and value.
Topics · Technology · Computing · Consumer Electronics · Gadgets
Questions answered
- What is the main flaw of the Alienware X17 highlighted in the review?
- The main flaw is the absence of a native MUX switch in most configurations, which leads to a 5 to 10 percent performance penalty because the discrete GPU data path is routed through the integrated graphics path.
- How does the MUX switch update affect performance on the X17?
- When enabled, the MUX switch bypasses the integrated graphics path, delivering roughly 5 to 10 percent higher performance on relevant panels and enabling better use of G-SYNC on certain configurations.
- What are some standout hardware features of the X17 discussed in the teardown?
- Highlights include a robust cooling system with four fans and multiple heat pipes, a magnesium chassis, a high quality optional Cherry mechanical keyboard, and accessible RAM and SSD upgradability via two DIMM slots and two M.2 slots.