Alienware x14 review: The thinnest 14-inch gaming laptop around

Price When Reviewed

$1,999

Best Prices Today: Alienware x14

Want the thinnest 14-inch gaming laptop computer cash should buy? The Alienware x14 is it. It in some way stuffs as much as an Intel Core i7-12700H and RTX 3060 right into a chassis that’s solely a hair thicker than a Dell XPS 13 from 2020. I assume a bag of holding is concerned. But does the magic lengthen to efficiency – or does Alienware run out of mana? 

Alienware x14 specs and options

The Alienware x14’s affords solely a handful of configuration choices. You can select an Intel Core i5-12500H or i7-12700H processor and one among three Nvidia GPUs: the RTX 3050, 3050 Ti, and 3060. Storage runs as much as 4TB and RAM runs as much as 32GB.

• CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H
• Memory: 32GB
• Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 3060
• Display: 14-inch 1080p 144Hz IPS LCD
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Webcam: 720p
• Connectivity: 2x USB-C USB4/Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-A USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x MicroSD card reader, 3.5mm audio jack
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
• Biometrics: IR digicam, Windows Hello suitable
• Battery capability: 80 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 12.65 inches x 10.34 x .57
• Weight: 4.06 kilos
• MSRP: $1,499 base, $1,999 as-tested

Pricing is aggressive. The base Alienware x14 is simply $1,499, which is way lower than Razer’s Blade 14 and just like Asus’ ROG Zephyrus G14. Our assessment unit, configured as proven within the bullet checklist above, was $1,999. That’s no discount, but it surely’s a good value for a compact gaming laptop computer.

Design and construct high quality

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Alienware x14 is a stunner. It harnesses the model’s distinctive Legend design language in a decent, slim design. Every inch of the machine appears rigorously thought of. The x14 has not one of the odd warts or sudden angles that spoil competing machines from Acer and Asus, but it additionally avoids wanting generic. It’s presumably the perfect gaming laptop computer design in the marketplace right this moment. 

The chassis is constructed not simply from plastic and aluminum but in addition chrome steel and a magnesium alloy. Magnesium is a fabric extra generally utilized by Lenovo’s ThinkPad line to supply rigidity with minimal weight. It lends a novel “grippy” really feel that’s in contrast to an aluminum laptop computer. It can really feel a bit odd – chalky, even – however has the good thing about making the laptop computer straightforward to select up and carry.

I seen flex within the show lid. This is one space that doesn’t fairly match the x14’s in any other case luxurious really feel. However, construct high quality is in any other case wonderful with tight panel tolerances and no misaligned elements. The laptop computer’s decrease half resists flex when dealt with from a nook or edge.

The Alienware x14 is extraordinarily skinny. It measures a mere .57 inches thick – just some tenths of an inch thicker than Dell’s outgoing XPS 13. The x14 is noticeably slimmer than the Razer Blade 14 and Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. Weight is available in at about 4 kilos, which is properly under common of a gaming laptop computer. 

Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Matthew Smith

Shaving a gaming laptop computer as skinny as Alienware’s x14 leaves minimal vertical house inside. This forces the laptop computer to embrace a key change with simply 1.2 millimeters of journey which, although not dangerous, is lower than most gaming laptops. The result’s a swift, brief key motion that bottoms with a agency, clicky sensation. It’s pleasurable to make use of however started to really feel tiring after hours utilizing the laptop computer.

The x14’s keyboard is pushed ahead by the audio system and funky vent positioned between it and the show hinge. This leaves little house for the palmrest, which is much extra shallow than typical. My typical typing place left the decrease half of my palms dangling uncomfortably on the laptop computer’s edge. Typing can really feel cramped, particularly for house owners with giant arms. 

A customizable RGB keyboard backlight is included however solely affords one zone, which limits your choices. The backlight is brilliant and most keys seem evenly lit. There’s modest mild leak across the edges of every key. 

Touchpad high quality is harmed by this design selection, too. It’s 4 inches large however solely two inches deep, leaving little house for swiping vertically throughout the touchpad and utilizing Windows’ multi-touch gestures. The touchpad is responsive, at the least, and doesn’t register unintended inputs.

Display, audio

IDG / Matthew Smith

Every Alienware x14 has the identical show: a 1080p, 144Hz, non-touch IPS LCD display screen. It supports Nvidia G-Sync in addition to Advanced Optimus, so it might probably change to the Intel built-in graphics to preserve energy when the Nvidia GPU’s grunt isn’t required.

A traditional 1080p IPS LCD doesn’t sound thrilling in 2022, however the x14’s show is nearly as good because the expertise will get. It has extraordinarily correct shade, a large shade gamut, a brilliant of as much as 420 nits, and an anti-glare coat.  The show is so good it might probably simply be used for picture or video modifying, making the x14 an inexpensive selection for content material creators in want of a extremely moveable cellular workstation. 

Cramming 1080p right into a 14-inch means a pixel density of about 158 pixels per inch. That’s just some pixels wanting a 4K 27-inch monitor. Games look crisp with wonderful element in textures and sharp polygon edges. The solely downside is the show’s lack of distinction, which snaps depth from darkish scenes. However, the x14 does carry out higher than most LCD screens. 

Audio high quality shouldn’t be as spectacular. The audio system present a transparent presentation that hardly ever turns into muddy, however there’s a critical lack of bass. Action scenes and bass-heavy music can sound hole and distant. 

Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The Alienware x14 has a primary 720p webcam. It produces a gentle, uninteresting picture that has critical hassle dealing with low-light or mixed-lighting conditions. Though high-quality for infrequent video calls, you’ll want an exterior webcam to look your greatest.

Audio recording is dealt with by a dual-array microphone. It picks up acceptable audio high quality, although recording will all the time sound extra distant and obscure than with a stand-alone microphone. Low-volume background noise is normally eradicated, however sharp or loud noise will get by.. 

An IR digicam is included and permits Windows Hello facial recognition login. This is a good additional that’s hardly ever discovered on gaming laptops. It’s the quickest and arguably most safe possibility for biometric login.

Connectivity

IDG / Matthew Smith

Though slim, the Alienware x14 affords wonderful bodily connectivity. It contains two USB-C ports that assist Thunderbolt 4, USB4, DisplayPort, and as much as 15 watts of Power Delivery. One extra USB-C port helps USB 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort, and as much as 15 watts of Power Delivery. 

Video output is dealt with over both the USB-C ports or a single HDMI 2.1 output. It’s good to see HDMI 2.1 is included, since this helps take advantage of a HDMI 2.1 monitor or HDTV.

Additional choices embody a single USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port and a MicroSD card reader. The restricted variety of USB-A ports might be a sore level, since many PC gaming peripherals use USB-A. I had to make use of a USB-C hub to attach my flight stick for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

An Ethernet port shouldn’t be included, both, although a bodily Ethernet connection is feasible by a USB-C adapter or USB-C hub. 

The lack of Ethernet is partially excused by the x14’s wonderful Wi-Fi. It helps Wi-Fi 6E which, at brief ranges, can obtain connection speeds above Gigabit Ethernet. You’ll want a high-end Wi-Fi 6E router to take advantage of this function, nonetheless. Bluetooth 5.2 can be out there. 

Performance

The base Alienware x14 ships with an Intel Core i5-12500H processor and Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU, however my assessment pattern was upgraded to a Core i7-12700H processor with RTX 3060 GPU. This improve provides a slightly modest $500 to the value. My pattern was additionally geared up with a 1TB strong state drive and 32GB of RAM.

IDG / Matthew Smith

My efficiency assessments started with PCMark 10, an artificial check that relies upon closely on processor efficiency however is extra balanced between single-core and multi-core efficiency than another assessments. 

The Alienware x14 does properly right here, hitting a rating of 6,981. This is behind the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 with the most recent AMD Ryzen 6900HS processor, however forward of the Razer Blade 14 with outgoing Ryzen 9 5900HX. The x14 simply beats the bigger, cheaper Acer Nitro 5 with Core i5-12500H.

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Intel Core i7-12700H leaps forward in Cinebench R20, squeaking out a slight win over the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and simply beating the older Razer Blade 14. This is a really sturdy consequence general, and signifies the Alienware x14 is properly geared up to deal with demanding productiveness functions. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

Handbrake turns in one other strong consequence for the Alienware x14 and flexes the muscle mass of Intel’s new Core i7-12700H processor with six efficiency cores and eight environment friendly cores. The x14’s skinny design appears no impediment for efficiency in multi-threaded workloads. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

Our first graphics check, 3DMark Time Spy, produces a much less favorable consequence for Alienware. The x14’s ultimate rating of 7,615 isn’t dangerous however does come behind the Acer Nitro 5, a bigger however cheaper laptop computer with the RTX 3060 GPU. It’s additionally behind Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14, each of which we examined with extra highly effective GPU choices not out there to th Alienware. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

Our first real-world gaming laptop computer, Rise of the Tomb Raider, reached a median of 103 frames per second at 1080p decision with element at Very High. This is an efficient consequence, squeezing out a small victory over the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14. It’s potential this represents a processor bottleneck that retains the Asus and Razer programs from benefiting from their superior GPUs. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

We finish on Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition, a particularly demanding benchmark even with Ray Tracing set to its lowest “normal” preset. The Alienware x14 does handle to hit a median above 30 frames per second, however finds itself behind the extra highly effective Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14.

On the entire, the Alienware x14 delivers good efficiency for a laptop computer of its measurement. It’s typically behind the quickest small laptops, however that is mitigated by the x14’s honest pricing. You’d be arduous pressed to see higher outcomes from a 14-inch laptop computer bought at $2,000. The x14 additionally does properly in processor assessments, which can attraction to content material creators who want a quick however compact laptop computer.

Battery life

A big 80 watt-hour battery is crammed within the Alienware x14’s small body. This helps the laptop computer deal with its demanding {hardware}, however battery life stays lower than prolonged in taxing conditions. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

Our commonplace battery life check, which loops a 4K video of Tears of Steel with the show set to a brightness of 200 nits, ate by the battery in three hours and 46 minutes. This is best than many video games laptops with related {hardware} however nonetheless not excellent general.

However, real-world outcomes can range considerably relying on how the laptop computer is used. A demanding 3D sport can simply drain the battery in underneath two hours, however searching the online might lengthen battery life to 5 or 6 hours. The inclusion of Nvidia Advanced Optimus, which might change off the discrete GPU when it’s not wanted, helps lengthen battery life in light-load conditions. 

Fan noise and thermals

Cramming highly effective {hardware} right into a slim gaming laptop computer isn’t straightforward. Reducing measurement means much less house to unfold out a thermal load and fewer airflow. Alienware combats this with vapor-chamber cooling and a gallium-silicone thermal interface, but it surely’s not sufficient.

The Alienware x14’s fan is a continuing companion at its default settings and, at excessive load, turns into a whirlwind of noise and warmth. This isn’t the loudest fan ever however its high-pitched character is tough to disregard. 

Alienware’s bundled software program has a number of thermal modes together with a Quiet setting. It does scale back fan noise. With Quiet on, the fan is commonly arduous to listen to at idle. Demanding hundreds result in plenty of fan noise, but it surely’s tolerable. However, Quiet mode takes a piece out of efficiency. The RTX 3060 performs extra like an RTX 3050 when Quiet mode is on. CPU efficiency is even worse off, minimize roughly in half in comparison with Balanced mode.

This is suitable when taking part in older video games, however gamers trying to get pleasure from Metro Exodus with ray-tracing (or any demanding sport) might want to put up with noise. 

Conclusion

The Alienware’s x14 is the world’s thinnest 14-inch gaming laptop computer. This is a blessing and a curse. Though moveable and modern, the x14 can’t brush apart the basic physics downside of a laptop computer this small. It’s loud, runs scorching, and performs no higher than a finances gaming laptop computer with a 15-inch show and RTX 3060 GPU.

Still, the x14 is an admirable performer given its measurement and specs. On paper the x14 needs to be blown away by options with extra highly effective GPUs, just like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14, however real-world outcomes place the Alienware near its competitors. The x14 can be correctly priced, with the bottom mannequin undercutting the Razer Blade 14 by $500.

It all comes all the way down to this: do you want a skinny 14-inch gaming laptop computer? If so, the Alienware x14 is a good selection, but when not, go for a 15-inch mannequin.