Alienware x15 R2 review: A gaming laptop stacked with power and personality

The Alienware x15 R2 returns in the identical thrilling design that made the Alienware x15 R1 so distinctive – sharing, amongst different issues, its Lunar White chassis and dazzling RGB Tron Ring lighting. Adding to the flamboyant appears to be like, it packs a deadly {hardware} mixture that delivers efficiency worthy of elite avid gamers, a zippy 12th-gen Intel CPU and RTX 3080 Ti GPU.

Small quirks like its hard-to-reach rear ports and middling battery life are dwarfed by different profitable options like the attractive, buttery easy 15.6-inch QHD show. For $3,350, it doesn’t come low-cost, however when the scales tip so closely in favor of efficiency and magnificence, this laptop computer stays a category act value shopping for.

Alienware x15 R2 specs

Our evaluate unit is packing an Intel Core i7-12700H CPU, an RTX 3080 Ti GPU, 32GB RAM, and 1TB of PCIe NCMe SSD storage. For further spec data, try the record beneath.

• CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H
• RAM: 32GB LPDDR5/5200MHz
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
• Display: 15.6-inch QHD (2560×1440), non-touch, 240Hz refresh price, Advanced Optimus, G-Sync
• Storage: 1TB M.2 PCle NVMe SSD
• Ports: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (with PowerShare), USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, HDMI 2.1, microSD reader, energy adapter, 3.5mm combo jack
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E (802 11ax), Bluetooth 5.2
• Dimensions: 14.16 x 10.92 x 0.49 – 0.63 inches
• Weight: 5.2 lbs
• Color: Lunar Light
• Battery capability: 87 Whr
• Price: $3,350 at Dell

Design and construct

Last yr’s Alienware X15 R1 broke new floor in Dell’s premium pocket book line-up introducing an authentic design that swapped out its aspect ports for a rear port panel. It additionally supplied avid gamers a selection of Intel’s highly effective 11th-gen Tiger Lake processors, which is icing on the cake for these wanting a laptop computer with distinctive appears to be like in addition to efficiency.

The x15 R2 is a chip off the previous block, that includes the identical thrilling design, whereas additionally boasting equal {hardware} upgrades to the tune of Intel’s 12th-gen Alder Lake cellular processors, the newest Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs and quicker DDR5 RAM. I say “exciting design” as a result of the sloping rear port with Tron Ring and unit’s console-like show look otherworldly.

The R2’s twin shade scheme can also be placing. The exterior consists of a Lunar Light (pale gray), which distinguishes it amongst an ocean of predominately matte black gaming laptops. But flip the lid open and matte black is used, and to dramatic impact; it covers the entire floor, from the rounded outer edges to the skinny bezels, guaranteeing the beautiful QHD show actually pops out.

The outer floor can also be conveniently coated in a High Resistance Clear Coat to forestall stains. Both surfaces additionally conceal fingerprints extraordinarily effectively.

Sizing the laptop computer up, the x15 R2 measures 14.16 x 10.92 x 0.63 inches. Comparatively, that makes it bigger, however thinner than the likes of the 2022 Razer Blade 15 (13.98 x 9.25 x 0.67 inches) and the Dell G15 Gaming Laptop (14.07 x 10.74 x 1.2 inches). As Dell’s thinnest 15-inch gaming laptop computer, it slips soundly right into a laptop computer sleeve or a backpack.

The iconic Alienware styling we noticed on the 2021 Alienware x15 R1 additionally returns with vengeance. You’ll discover two RGB-lit alien head logos embedded within the chassis – one which sits atop the keyboard and doubles because the R2’s energy button, and the opposite positioned inches from the outside prime of the lid. These ship a way of mystique that can be effectively appreciated by avid gamers.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Below the panel that frames up in a 16:9 ratio, the phrase “Alienware” is inscribed in acquainted typography, whereas honeycomb formed perforations, which we’ve seen plenty of in gaming laptops this yr, beautify the laptop computer’s base, offering loads of eye-candy from entrance on. They additionally take up residence on its underside as helpful air vents for cooling.

The RGB lighting additionally units the x15 R2 aside, being a little bit extra refined than in some gaming laptops. I bought a kick out of the way it’s used to belie a form of alien intelligence befitting the laptop computer’s extraterrestrial theme.

For instance, the per-key lit keyboard lights up with full RGB colours upon start-up after which turns blue, simply as you’d anticipate the cockpit of some extremely superior alien spacecraft to do. The alien head adorned energy button additionally flashes from blue to yellow if you insert the AC adapter, two good touches that add to the laptop computer’s enchantment.

When it involves construct, the x15 R2’s chassis is constructed from magnesium alloy and feels very strong. Although, barely much less so than one other laptop computer we not too long ago reviewed the 2022 Razer Blade 17, a laptop computer that demonstrated virtually immovable rigidity all through.

This is shocking given the x15 R2’s weight, which is 5.2 kilos, noticeably heavier than the 2022 Razer Blade 15 (4.43 lbs) and the 15.6-inch Acer Nitro 5 (4.77 lbs). Is the X15 R2 flimsy? Not by any means. But its chassis may have been harder.

Keyboard and trackpad

The x15 R2’s Alienware X Series keyboard has all of the hallmarks of a premium gaming keyboard. It sports activities per-key RGB Alien FX backlighting that may be custom-made within the Alienware Command Center app. The keys, which characteristic giant keycaps and a decent 1.5mm journey, really feel gentle to faucet and reply shortly. Dell has included N-Key Rollover and Anti-ghosting applied sciences for improved accuracy within the warmth of battle.

The keyboard format is a fragile stability of give and take, in that it omits a numpad however provides full sized arrow keys that make skipping by menus quite a bit simpler. You’ll additionally discover standalone audio keys, together with mute, microphone and quantity keys that simplify management of media. However, half sized perform keys could take a little bit getting used to for those who’re a heavy consumer.

Dominic Bayley / iDG

The backlighting appears to be like excellent, however all that spectacular illumination is reserved for the first symbols on keys solely. This means secondary symbols could be a little troublesome to see in low gentle circumstances.

Below the keyboard sits one of many smallest trackpads I’ve used. It measures simply 4.2 x 2.5 inches. Admittedly, trackpad sizes are a deeply private choice, however I’ve at all times discovered giant ones to be a little bit gradual in video games the place I’m not utilizing a mouse. The R2’s diminutive trackpad, nevertheless, permits your finger to traverse the complete size quite a bit faster. It additionally feels silky easy to the contact, so it will get full marks from this reviewer.

Display

Dell presents three flavors for the x15 R2’s show, two with FHD 1080p resolutions and both 165Hz or 360Hz refresh charges or a QHD 1440p show with 240Hz refresh price. All three choices sport Nvidia G-Sync and Advanced Optimus applied sciences.

With the show bench set excessive this yr by the Razer Blade 15’s OLED panel, I used to be significantly to see how our evaluate unit’s QHD 240Hz one would form up. Thankfully, the 100 p.c DCI-P3 IPS panel regarded and carried out a deal with in video games, producing vibrant wealthy colours, with surprisingly crisp element in pictures in addition to textual content.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Armed with Nvidia G-Sync, a 2ms response and the 240Hz refresh price, it nearly obliterated any stuttering, and enter lag, delivering buttery easy animation in video games like Far Cry 5 and Cyberpunk 2077.

A peak brightness score of 400 nits additionally offered wonderful distinction, displaying up deep blacks and full bodied gray tones that I used to be blissful to indicate off in group gaming periods – and that may absolutely be an asset in a content material creation context.

ComfortView Plus know-how is one other neat addition to the x15 R2’s panel that offered a little bit additional consolation for my eyes throughout lengthy play periods. It’s a built-in, always-on know-how that reduces blue gentle emissions. I by no means seen it working within the background, however I did discover my eyes have been rather less blurry after enjoying.

Webcam and audio

Gaming notebooks aren’t recognized for the standard of their cameras. The x15 R2 HD 720p Windows Hello IR suitable digital camera, nevertheless, does a passable job reproducing what’s in entrance of it.

It handles dimly lit rooms a little bit higher than overhead lights that may distort pictures a little bit and produce glary halo results. I discovered this completely acceptable for gaming chats the place I used to be largely in a dimly lit rooms anyway.

Testing the x15 R2’s audio system revealed a comparatively clear, crisp audio that was altogether shocking contemplating the laptop computer’s pencil skinny 0.63-inch chassis. They additionally dealt with bass notes remarkably effectively. Unlike the R1, the x15 R2 packs a secret weapon within the type of Dolby Atmos spatial audio know-how, that delivers a noticeable immersive high quality to sound.

Connectivity

The x15 R2 ticks off no less than one port for every of your diversified I/O wants, together with USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and Thunderbolt 4 ports. Although, with so many gadgets to plug into my laptop computer today – mouse, headphones and others – I did discover myself wishing I had one other USB- C port at my fingertips.

This was simply fastened by plugging in a USB-C Hub. The x15 R2’s Type-C USB will also be become an Ethernet port with the conveniently equipped USB-C to RJ45 adapter, so you may nonetheless get the quickest connection, if nothing however the most effective will do.

Like the R1, the x15 R2’s ports are housed in a panel in the back of the laptop computer. One benefit of that is you may discreetly conceal unpleasant cords or dongles. Although, a small peeve is you’ll must bodily get up and lean over the again of your laptop computer, or spin it round to face you to plug something in. Even then, the R2’s Tron Ring RGB gentle casts a darkish shadow, making them troublesome to see and not using a lamp.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Still, I appreciated how the rear configuration lent itself to a desktop-like setup permitting me to connect a number of gadgets and never have to fret about them cluttering up my desk. The x15 R2 additionally helps the newest Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 applied sciences, placing it proper up there with the quickest gaming laptops of this yr for connectivity.

Performance

Testing the laptop computer’s efficiency proved it had loads of energy to match its distinctive appears to be like. My $3350 evaluate unit got here with a 14 Core, 20 Thread Intel 12th-gen i7-12700H CPU – the identical as within the $2,150 base unit.

For GPU, it traded out the bottom unit’s vanilla RTX 3060 GPU for a beefier “enthusiast class” Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti, granting it an additional 3584 Nvidia CUDA Cores. Since its launch again in January 12, 2021, this cellular GPU has confirmed itself an impressive performer in PCWorld testing, particularly when paired up with Intel 12th -gen CPUs that make the most of Intel’s new hybrid structure. A 1TB strong state drive and 32GBs DDR5 RAM rounded off the x15 R2’s performance-based specs.

For charting my benchmark outcomes I pulled comparisons from a steady of gaming laptops that included the Razer Blade 17 and MSI GE76 Raider each of which characteristic the identical RTX 3080 Ti GPUs however sportier Intel 12th-gen CPUs. I additionally included the Gigabyte Aorus 17, whose an identical Intel Core i7-12700H and GeForce RTX 3080 Ti CPU/GPU mixture allowed me to match apples with apples.

My efficiency testing begun with Maxon’s Cinebench R20 benchmarks. In the Cinebench multi-threaded benchmark which assessments all of the cores of our laptop computer’s CPU, the x15 R2 positioned an in depth second behind our present quickest comparability laptop computer, the mighty MSI GE76 Raider, proving it has loads of CPU energy to tear by high-end video games and CPU-demanding duties like video enhancing and encoding.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Where operating easy packages and apps is worried, the x15 R2’s Intel i7-12700H additionally delivered ample dollops of energy, as proven by its high-end rating of 680 within the Cinebench R20 single-threaded benchmark chart beneath.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Next up, I ran the HandBrake 0.9.9 benchmark, a take a look at that gauges the laptop computer’s means to manage thermals earlier than it must throttle efficiency. Here our laptop computer outpaced the likes of the Razer Blade 17 and even completed forward of the Gigabyte Aorus 17, a wonderful consequence contemplating the additional thermal headroom these 17-inch laptops get pleasure from compared to some smaller laptops.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Gaming perfomrance

In our most graphically demanding gaming benchmark that measures efficiency within the first-person shooter Metro Exodus, the Alienware x15 R2 managed a median body price of 48 frames per second, which was not too far off the tempo of the Razer Blade 17, and comfortably forward of the Gigabyte Aorus 17.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Looking now on the chart for the Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark, the x15 R2 as soon as once more scored nearer to the highest of our chart. Although, this time the Gigabyte Aorus 17 got here up trumps, it’s quicker i7-12800H CPU doubtless gaining the higher hand on this older, extra CPU-skewed take a look at.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

To summarize our testing outcomes: Bar two of our benchmarks, the x15 R2 beat the laptop computer that the majority intently matched its {hardware} specs – the Gigabyte Aorus 17. It additionally stored tempo with {hardware} stacked laptops just like the Razer Blade 17, proving it has sufficient energy to ship the form of high-end gaming expertise avid gamers need in 2022.

We anticipated the x15 R2’s 3080 Ti GPU would step as much as the duty in graphically demanding video games, however we have been pleasantly stunned by how effectively its mid-range 12th-gen CPU pulled up in CPU assessments and amongst a difficult discipline of comparisons nonetheless.

Our evaluate unit’s robust efficiency was doubtless egged alongside by its 32GB subsequent era DDR5/5200MHz RAM. This RAM gives twice the bandwidth and density of the slower DDR4 RAM in most of our comparisons, which interprets into quicker processing for memory-based purposes like high-end gaming. However, because it comes soldered onto the x15 R2’s motherboard, you’ll need to guarantee you’ve gotten the correct quantity onboard from the get-go.

For efficiency diehards, Dell additionally presents an improve to Intel i9-12900H for simply $100 extra – a CPU rated to ship barely quicker clock speeds than the i7-12700H. But judging by our configuration’s efforts, you gained’t essentially must drop the additional money to get pleasure from efficiency proper up there with the quickest laptops we’ve reviewed this yr.

Battery life

The Alienware x15 R2 comes with a 6 Cell 87 Whr Lithium-Ion battery, a good capability in a 15-inch gaming laptop computer. Still, it lasted simply 5 hours and 40 minutes in our light-weight battery take a look at that looped a 4K Hollywood film repeatedly till our evaluate unit ran out of juice.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Unfortunately, this places the x15 R2’s battery efficiency within the decrease echelons of our efficiency group – nearer to that of the Razer Blade 17 than the longer-lasting MSI GE76 Raider. The takeaway? You can anticipate roughly 3 hours battery life when gaming unplugged, which isn’t one thing to rejoice.

Conclusion

The Alienware x15 R2 will get full marks for the all-important three P’s: efficiency, image high quality and persona. It includes a zippy Intel i7-12700H CPU and Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti GPU {hardware} pairing, stunning QHD show, and a design that guarantees to by no means turn into boring. This makes it a strong possibility for these in search of a extremely versatile and highly effective gaming laptop computer that pulls out all of the stops to impress.