Alienware has announced release dates and pricing information for its latest batch of gaming laptops. The big news today is that the new Dell G15, Alienware M15 R7 and Alienware M17 R5 are now available. Notably, each configuration will feature AMD’s 6000-series processors (paired by default with Nvidia’s RTX 30-series graphics cards) and fast DDR5 RAM, among other impressive specs. An Intel-based version could be released later in 2022.
The most affordable option in the lineup is the 2022 Dell G15 iteration (pictured above), which returns to its speckled Alienware-esque design. It starts at $899.99 and comes with a 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, AMD’s Ryzen 5 6600H six-core processor, an Nvidia RTX 3050, 8GB of 4,800MHz DDR5 RAM (up to 32GB), and 256GB of NVMe M. 2 solid state drives. In terms of processing and graphics, this model can go up to AMD’s Ryzen 6 6900HX and RTX 3070 Ti, respectively, with QHD 240Hz displays.
All models of the G15 have a similar port layout, including an HDMI 2.1 port, three USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, a USB-C Gen 3.2 port with DisplayPort alt-mode, a headphone port, and an Ethernet jack . While models with the RTX 3060 and above will feature faster 2.5Gbps Ethernet jacks, others will feature slower bandwidth models.
The model’s aesthetics also change little from year to year.
If you want a more attractive design that can deliver more power than the G15 (and you don’t mind paying more), you might be tempted by the 15.6-inch Alienware M15 R7 starting at $1,499.99 or the 17.3-inch M17 starting at $1,499.99. R5 Interest $1,599.99. While not quite as thin as Alienware’s pricier X-Series gaming laptops, they retain many of the same design features—just in a heavier chassis (note that the larger size allows for more power).
Regardless of the model, you can opt for a 1080p display that offers Nvidia’s G-Sync adaptive sync and a 165Hz refresh rate. In the M15 R7, you can upgrade to a QHD 240Hz panel using G-Sync, while the M17 R5 offers up to 4K 120Hz panels using AMD’s FreeSync Premium. Processor configurations start with AMD’s Ryzen 7 6800H and go all the way up to the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX. The M17 R5 can even go higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX, which is currently the top chip in AMD’s ballpark.
As for GPU choices, the base for both laptops includes the RTX 3050 Ti on the bottom rung of the M15 with 90W of maximum graphics power, while the M17 R5 uses the same chip to get 95W of power. Upgraded configurations include the RTX 3060 (140W on both machines), the RTX 3070 Ti (150W on both), or a 16GB variant of the RTX 3080 Ti on top, with a maximum graphics power of 140W. (The M17 R5 has a higher power cap of 155W.)
Top view of the Alienware M17 R5.Image: Alien
During CES 2022, Alienware announced the M17 R5 Ryzen Edition laptop, which can be configured with AMD’s latest high-end processors and mobile graphics chips. It’s a model that can run the aforementioned Ryzen 9 6980HX. And, on the graphics side, it can get an AMD Radeon RX 6700M 10GB card with 125W max graphics power or a Radeon RX 6850M XT 12GB card with an impressive 165W max graphics power.
The base models of the M15 and M17 only include 8GB of 4,800MHz DDR5 RAM, but through their two SO-DIMM slots, the M15 and M17 support up to 64GB. As for storage, the smaller model has only one storage option, starting with a 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD and going up to 2TB. Or, if you opt for an RTX 3060 or higher, you’ll have dual storage options that support up to 4TB of storage.
Alienware also determines which ports you’ll get with the GPU inside. All models have a headphone jack, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports on the right, a power port on the back, an HDMI 2.1 port, and another USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port. The base model of the RTX 3050 Ti includes a 1Gbps Ethernet jack (as opposed to a 2.5Gbps port on higher tiers) and a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port with 15W PD and DisplayPort 1.4 capability. Higher-tier machines have a USB-C USB4 port. (Alienware says actual USB4 support for the port will come this summer.)
From front to back, these machines certainly haven’t changed much.
A few small details I’ve noticed with these new machines is that, unfortunately, the webcam is still 720p, while several competitors in the gaming space have jumped to 1080p. And, at least in the case of the M17 R5, there’s an option for a small 240W charger built with GaN technology, which generally yields higher power efficiency than other chargers while being smaller. Alienware hasn’t shown what it will look like, so we don’t know if it’s smaller or more efficient.
