Alienware x14 overview: A conveyable gaming laptop computer that does not suck | Engadget

For years, Alienware eschewed thin-and-light gaming laptops, opting as an alternative to make barely bulkier techniques with extra reasonably priced pricing. But all that modified final yr with the introduction of its X-series notebooks. And now, Alienware is pushing its quest for sleekness even additional with the brand new x14, the corporate’s thinnest and lightest gaming laptop computer but. To add much more rum to the punch, the x14 can also be one of many first gaming laptops obtainable that includes Intel’s newest Twelfth-gen cell CPUs. And whereas the x14 isn’t with out its quirks, the result’s a machine that makes me want Alienware had gotten into transportable gaming rigs years in the past.

Design

Sporting Alienware’s Legend 2.0 design language, the x14 is indubitably a hanging system, although in the end you will have to resolve how a lot you fancy its sci-fi aesthetics. What’s not in query is the laptop computer’s thinness, which stands at simply 0.57 inches thick whereas weighing barely greater than 4 kilos. That’s even thinner and nearly a pound lighter than the x15 (0.63 inches and 5 kilos), whereas making Alienware’s extra mainstream M15 R7 appear nearly bloated (0.8 inches and 5.3 kilos).

Now I’m not usually the kind to lust after a number of ounces or tenths of an inch getting shaved off a tool, however on the x14, each little discount issues. That’s as a result of whereas most gaming laptops do not even come near becoming in my on a regular basis messenger bag that’s not meant to stash something bigger than a 13-inch ultraportable, the x14 truly suits, if simply barely.

That means I’m more likely to deliver this factor with me on journeys, which is form of the entire level of a thin-and-light gaming pocket book. Don’t get me mistaken, I recognize beastly 17-inch gaming rigs, however when my again begins to harm on the mere considered carrying one round, in observe these techniques typically operate extra like cell desktops than any kind of travel-friendly gaming machine.

The important innovation on the x14 is Alienware’s new dual-torque which provides power and stability to the laptop computer’s show, whereas as soon as once more lowering weight and thickness in comparison with earlier X-series machines. And, as you’d count on from Alienware, the x14 comes with customizable RGB lighting on its lid and keyboard. That mentioned, in comparison with its bigger siblings you do lose the additional RGB gentle ring that will usually define the system’s rear ports. (Fun truth: That pill-like form is definitely referred to as a stadium.) Inside, there is a pretty soft-touch end on x14’s wrist relaxation, which can really feel a bit cramped for individuals with bigger fingers.

Display and sound

On the x14 there’s just one show choice, and it is a good one. The 144Hz 1,920 x 1,080 display is lots sharp, whereas help for NVIDIA’s G-Sync helps forestall display tearing whereas gaming. But the factor that impressed me most is the way in which colours pop. At first, I nearly mistook the x14’s show for an OLED panel. And whereas its black ranges aren’t fairly deep sufficient for that, thanks partly to help for Dolby Vision HDR, colours look wealthy and vibrant no matter whether or not you are gaming or watching a film. And with a examined brightness of just below 400 nits, the x14’s display seems to be good in each dim and sun-filled rooms (although attempting to recreation exterior in direct daylight continues to be a problem).

Dolby tech can also be obtainable on the x14’s audio system because of help for Dolby Atmos, which provides an additional dimension to audio by way of the usage of further peak channels. Unfortunately, I felt just like the x14’s audio sounded a bit distant, regardless of its upward-firing audio system being positioned proper behind the laptop computer’s keyboard. And despite the fact that the x14 had no points turning up the amount, it is nearly an excessive amount of of a superb factor, as a result of in sure conditions you possibly can hear the x14’s chassis rattle when the audio system are set above 80 %.

Performance

While the x14 is not fairly as highly effective as its bigger siblings and does not have the area to accommodate beefier GPUs, Alienware’s thinnest gaming laptop computer nonetheless punches effectively above its weight. I used to be in a position to simply hit 60 fps on excessive settings in a lot of AAA video games like Halo Infinite, and you’ll push issues even larger for those who do not thoughts twiddling with a recreation’s graphics settings. And for individuals extra targeted on getting a aggressive benefit, maxing out the x14’s 144Hz show is a cinch in titles like CS:GO on decrease settings (which is what you’d in all probability use anyway).

In Shadow of the Tomb Raider on the best settings, the x14 averaged 102 frames per second, with related leads to Far Cry 5 of 96 fps on Ultra. And whereas the x14 posted a barely decrease common body charge of 55 fps in Metro Exodus on extremely, reducing the sport’s texture settings a contact was greater than sufficient to spice up body charges firmly again above 60 fps.

Remarkably, regardless of restricted area inside for cooling, Alienware’s proprietary Element 31 thermal paste and vapor chamber (which solely come on techniques with RTX 3060 graphics) did a superb job of stopping throttling from changing into a significant concern. The draw back is that the x14’s followers are fairly aggressive, typically spinning up the moment you launch a recreation, whereas producing a considerably high-pitched whine which you can’t actually escape except you placed on some headphones. Thankfully, Alienware’s Command Center app helps a lot of thermal profiles together with a Quiet setting to assist scale back fan noise, although relying on the sport, that may trigger your body charge to dip a bit.

Keyboard, touchpad and ports

Trying to cram a full-size keyboard with media controls on a 14-inch laptop computer is at all times a little bit of a problem, and whereas the x14 usually makes good use of area, it ain’t excellent. The operate keys are half-sized, and even the x14’s keycaps are a contact smaller than what you’d get on Dell’s non-gaming techniques like an XPS 15.

It’s an analogous scenario for issues just like the Windows key, the Function button, and the Shift key, all of that are smaller than regular. And for many who use the Delete key rather a lot, be careful, as a result of it is just a little too near the laptop computer’s energy button for my liking. On the flip facet, I do recognize the additional row of media management keys on the best, which incorporates an at all times helpful mic mute button. In quick, I would not go as far to say the x14’s keyboard is a dealbreaker, it simply requires extra adjustment time than typical.

As for the touchpad, at 4.5 x 2.15 inches it is undoubtedly on the small facet. Though on gaming laptops, having a much less roomy touchpad is a little more forgivable because the overwhelming majority of players sometimes choose to make use of an exterior mouse, even once they’re utilizing the laptop computer’s built-in keyboard.

Meanwhile, in terms of connectivity, Alienware undoubtedly did not skimp on ports. The x14 options three USB-C connections (two of which help Thunderbolt 4), one USB 3.2 Type-A socket, HDMI 2.1, a combo audio jack, and even a microSD card slot. While I’d have favored to see an Ethernet jack too, my solely actual gripe with the x14’s ports is that they’re positioned round again. Putting all of the ports within the rear of the system helps minimize down on muddle, however while you simply need to rapidly insert one thing like a thumb drive, spinning the laptop computer round to take action feels clunky (particularly in case you have every other peripherals plugged in).

Note: Just do not count on a lot from the x14’s 720p webcam. It’s high-quality in a pinch, however the pretty low decision mixed with mediocre picture high quality means you will seemingly need to use an exterior digital camera for those who plan to indicate your face whereas livestreaming.

Battery life and charging

The x14’s battery life varies a ton relying on how you utilize it. If you are simply looking the online or streaming video, the x14’s battery life will not fairly final by way of a full workday, but it surely’s greater than serviceable. On our native video rundown check, the x14 lasted simply wanting eight hours. The larger concern is that in case you have any goals of gaming with out plugging in, you would possibly need to squash these now. I discovered that whereas enjoying Teamfight Tactics (which is not a demanding recreation), the x14 conked out after about an hour and quarter-hour.

That mentioned, I do need to credit score Alienware for equipping the x14 with a 130-watt USB-C energy cable as an alternative of a proprietary charger like so many gaming laptops. Because the x14’s energy cable is USB-C, you should use it to cost different USB-C gadgets like a telephone or pill, doubtlessly lowering the variety of cords it’s essential carry round whereas touring, Alternatively, you possibly can use a common USB-PD charger as an alternative, although you will need to be sure that charger has the required energy output and an acceptable cable to correctly juice up the x14, as lots of Dell’s techniques could be choosy about USB-C charging for those who’re utilizing outdated or out of spec equipment.

Configurations

The x14 begins at $1,650 for an Intel Core i7-12700 CPU, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of NVMe storage and an NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU, with absolutely loaded techniques like our overview unit topping out at round $2,300 with 32GB of RAM, 2TB of storage and an NVIDIA RTX 3060. In my opinion, the candy spot is round $1,800, which will get you 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage and an RTX 3060. Though I ought to point out that when you can improve storage post-purchase, you will not have the ability to improve your RAM because it’s soldered onto the laptop computer’s motherboard.

Wrap-up

The x14 may not be fairly as highly effective as its larger siblings, however given its much more transportable dimensions, there’s rather a lot to love. When in comparison with a $1,800 x14 with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and an RTX 3060, a equally geared up x15 prices simply $50 much less. The important trade-offs being rather less thermal headroom, a extra cramped keyboard and a barely slower 144Hz display (as an alternative of 165Hz on the x15). That’s not rather a lot to sacrifice for an much more travel-friendly thin-and-light design.

However, for those who do not want a brand new gaming laptop computer proper now, the sensible transfer could be to attend a month or two for a few of Alienware’s opponents to launch up to date techniques for 2022. Both Razer and ASUS are popping out with refreshed variations of their 14-inch gaming laptops later this spring, and as soon as these turn into obtainable, we’ll have a a lot better thought of how the x14 fares in opposition to its greatest rivals. But for those who just like the x14’s mixture of fashion and sleekness, this can be a slick gaming laptop computer that’s made to maneuver.