2017 Alienware 15 R3 (Kaby Lake) Review

Lisa Gade reviews the updated version of the Alienware 15 R3, refreshed with Intel 7th generation Kaby Lake CPUs and improved cooling for lower temperatures vs. the Skylake model. We look at the model with the Core i7-7700HQ, NVIDIA GTX 1070 8GB GDDR5, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB 7200 RPM HDD and a 512 GB PCIe NVMe SSD. There’s an option for the Core i7-7820HK overclockable CPU with this refresh, and you can get the Alienware 15 with your choice of NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti, GTX 1060 and our GTX 1070.

The laptop is available with 1080p IPS, 1080p TN 120Hz and 4K IGZO displays. It has a multi-zone backlit (AlienFX) TactX keyboard and backlit trackpad. Killer WiFi and ethernet are standard. Pricing starts at $1,200 and our model sells for around $2,100.

[EagleEyeHunts]

I just cannot express how much I love my 2017 Alienware 17 R4. People love to hate on Alienware ever since it merged with Dell, but I think that the growing pains of that merger are mostly over and we are getting some incredible laptops again. When I had my 2016 MSI Stealth Pro, I used to laugh at Alienware laptops and thought they looked ugly and bulky like some cartoonish gargoyle. But in person you realize what you are actually getting is the M1 Abrams tank of gaming laptops complete with a disco light show should you want it. These are SOLID and I mean SOLID gaming laptops. They are definitely not for carrying around all day, but are perfect for someone like me who takes it back and forth from home to work and sometimes coffee shops when I am in the mood to publicly broadcast my nerdy pride!

[vladthemonster]

The irony of Dell ... the company that offers the smallest and biggest bezels :D

[DuudeWhatDoesMineSay]

1995 called, they wanted their bezels back.

[checkitimawesome]

I love mine, honestly, you get over the bezels in the first day, and, ironically, I love the extra space at the bottom, hear me out, it raises the actual screen up a few more centimeters than most others do, and that actually eases my neck while using this while laying down, or reclining. Of course this thing is huge, it's Alienware, but it's built like a tank, accidently dropped mine from about four(ish) feet, not even a scratch, and no damage to components either!

[joshuabales]

how does it feel beating all the old school big/famous electronics media outlets, like CNET, etc, being one of the best and most viewed reviewers, and so quickly? it's impressive. Congratulations. You deserve it, you are really pleasant and to the point

[ryman]

people are complaining about the bezel but in person the whole laptop is beautiful, the bezel won't bother you

[williamt]

Their 17 R4 w/ Kaby Lake 7700HQ + 1060 runs so cool. GPU maxes out at 62°C under heavy load

[reirei]

I have this and personally for me the bezels does not bother me at all.. I think because the screen is the same size as other 15 inch laptops, but idk. I was worried when I wanted to buy it but now using it its no problem

[albertabdul-barrwang]

Still using mine and it is smooth as butter!

[Gaboteleki]

My new laptop died after 2 weeks, i had this till 2020 after i packed it well and set on my storage, now i use it again one of the most best laptop in my life, i watched the video again because doesnt remember what storage type have on it.
I love your videos, it help me a lot decide which laptop should i buy

[mazeedalam]

I saw this video 2 weeks ago. Configured and ordered mine on Dell.com. THANKS Its a beast and your suggestion on having the 'Killer Wifi Chip' was awesome. I can immediately feel the difference over speeds on my Surface Pro 3. Even got $350 off from Dell Sales team -Again a suggestion Lisa had made.

Could not be happier.

[alexlichi]

Love this keyboards. Why all ultrabooks don't have keyboards like this

[Zayralover]

Love your reviews :). And LOVE my Alienware 17R4. After a little thermal pasting and underclocking, the laptop performs like a CHAMP, with average CPU temperatures over a 2hr gaming session rarely going above 55-59 celcius when gaming (2K - Skyrim SE with MODS galore, Doom, Andromeda, and Tomb Raider (Rise of ))

[perativeX]

I bought one of these on black friday then re-sold it on ebay after the sales ended for the same price i bought it. It's a really nice laptop and has great spec. It's quiet enough and runs at decent temps. The downside is that its weight makes it far less portable than i'd have liked it to be (which is the reason i sold it). I already have a decent desktop that is heavy, don't need a laptop to be the same. I have high hopes for EVGA's upcoming SC15 laptop. Hopefully that will pack a punch and be more portable.

[moaydmadrid]

Thanks for this helpful review. I need your help to know which is the best choice of the displays that Alienware offer for the 15R3 which are FHD-IPS 60Hz, FHD-TN 120Hz, or 4K-IPS in terms of gaming and accuracy of color and how beautiful photos can be viewed???

Thanks

[debendragurung]

Is that the thickest bezel in history of anything bezel ever?

[lkc]

I like your honest opinion about the TN. That's exactly what I experienced and being the sole reason I returned for. Eventually settled with the IPS version. TN is absolutely "game-breaking". The expensive graphic card running 120FPS doesn't mean A THING if the monitor displaying those frames is shit.

[ElwoodPDowd]

4:40 - Getting to the fans on my Asus gaming laptop is an absolute nightmare, to the point where I'm just dealing with the noise and kind of keeping my fingers crossed. Can't even really clean them. Nice that they're right there on this model. Yes, I am jealous.

[Dhrazor]

I think we can all agree that they should make the bezels a little thicker...

[jllb]

Loove your reviews! they made me decide for the AW15R3 i7-7820HK GTX1070, My temps when gaming after undervolting the CPU are 68 C for the CPU and 60 c FOR GPU, I wanna do the termal repaste so I can safely overclock the CPU