More Alienware Coverage

Alienware to offer Threadripper 2 CPUs in new Area-51 buildsAlienware 17 R5 reviewAlienware Area-51 R5 reviewThis processor runs hot, but the m15 can handle the heat. Internal temperatures do rise and the system will occasionally throttle to keep cool. That’s not a problem exclusive to the m15, but the Blade’s vapor chamber cooling system is a bit more effective. Fortunately, exterior temperatures stay low, especially around the most-used areas of the keyboard deck while gaming. The fans are loud, but never kicked on unnecessarily.

　　Storage performance was excellent, at least on our review unit. It used a Toshiba NVMe SSD that blitzes through write and read speeds. Just make sure you buy the best drive option. Our model, priced barely north of $2,000, came with 512GB of storage, but the $1,380 base model ships standard with a slow, spinning hard disk drive. Upgrading to solid state is a must-have no matter the version you buy.

　　

All the gaming power you’ll need

Did Alienware cut back gaming performance for the smaller chassis? Nope. The m15 is a serious performer. It might not stand out in performance, but remember, this laptop is more affordable than its competitors.

　　Across the board, gaming performance is in line with a similarly-configured Razer Blade. In fact, it’s nearly identical in games like Civilization VI and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. Gameplay is smooth and responsive in 1080p with settings maxed. We did see a jump in performance in Battlefield 1, where the m15 passed laptops like the Digital Storm Equinox and Razer Blade with a crisp 93 FPS (frames per second) on Ultra. Even new, demanding games like Battlefield V played smoothly, achieving an average of 72 FPS.

　　Our model came with fast 144Hz 1080p display, and the 1070 Max-Q is powerful enough to push most games over 60 FPS. That means you can take advantage of the screen’s potential. It’s best in a game like Fortnite, where you can break over 100 frames per second.

　　Dan Baker/Digital TrendsIf you do happen to have a 1440p screen around, you’ll see some decent framerates there, too. Battlefield 1 managed an impressive 71 FPS on the m15, and that’s with settings at Ultra. Outside of an extremely demanding game like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (which is still playable, but at around 37 FPS), you should expect to stay over 60 FPS in most modern games.

　　

Improved battery life, but still not great

Thin-and-light gaming laptops don’t just need to be light. They also need good battery life. The Alienware m15 is a dramatic improvement over previous Alienware laptops, and it holds up well to its competitors.

　　You can expect around four or five hours, depending on use. In our light web browsing test, the m15 lasted just over five and a half hours, which is better than the Razer Blade and double that of larger gaming laptops. Unfortunately, it didn’t do as well in our video loop test, where the Blade beats it with over seven and half hours. The m15 lasted only four hours and 44 minutes. As usual, gaming on battery will chew through a charge. Expect about an hour of life, perhaps less.

　　Our review unit came with a 90 watt-hour battery, which is where all that extra juice comes from. If you get the base model or the 4K screen, your battery life will sink.

　　While the Alienware m15 does well for a gaming laptop, it’s a long way off more conventional systems. The XPS 15, which comes with a GTX 1050 Ti, will last over twice as long as the m15, though it has a similar processor and display.

　　

Our Take

The Alienware m15 is a great evolution on its predecessor. It’s smaller, more attractive, and plenty powerful. Games look and play fantastic thanks to the high-quality components, efficient cooling, and impressive 144Hz screen. The look, feel, and portability of the device, however, do leave room for improvement, especially if you want something that can do more than game.

　　

Are there any alternatives?

If you’re looking for the ultimate thin-and-light gaming laptop, the Razer Blade is a better option. It costs a bit more, but the design and overall portability more than make up for it.

　　Meanwhile, if you want something cheaper that’ll offer equally good hardware, the Asus Zephyrus S will save you a couple hundred bucks for a very similar build.

　　

How long will it last?

The m15 should last you a few years. We’re expecting to see next-gen Nvidia mobile graphics soon, but the 1070 Max-Q is plenty powerful for most games in the meantime. The build is also robust, meaning it can take quite a bit of wear and tear.

　　A standard one-year warranty is provided. That’s the same as most competitors. The hardware service warranty does include on-site or in-home service after a problem has been diagnosed remotely.

　　

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Alienware m15 isn’t all that thin and light, but its performance makes up for any shortcomings there. This is a solid, well-rounded gaming laptop that’s also more portable than most.