Razer and Alienware are two of the biggest names in PC gaming, especially when it comes to laptops. For what it’s worth, neither is in the business of budget-friendly laptops. Instead, each company has a wide selection of midrange and high-end notebooks that can run the latest titles with little to no difficulty.
The Razer Blade Stealth and Alienware x17 and m17 are similar in that they’re each manufacturer’s most novel gaming laptops. When compared to each other, however, they’re essentially polar opposites. If you want an immersive gaming experience and don’t mind a large and heavy laptop, get the Alienware x17 R2 or m17 R5. If you’re looking for the ultimate in portable gameplay, there’s no better choice than the Razer Blade Stealth.
Razer’s smallest and lightest notebook PC is not your typical gaming laptop. Most are bulky, thick and loud, generating tons of heat and offering a large screen for immersive visuals. In contrast, the Stealth is as compact as anything, even boasting the Ultrabook certification along with advanced technologies such as Thunderbolt 4.
To fit into such a small and light package, the Stealth does make a few sacrifices. Its GTX 1650 Ti graphics processing unit works well at the screen’s 1080p resolution, but it will struggle to reach the maximum possible frame rate of 120 FPS in the most resource-intensive titles.
The combination of a GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics processor and 11th-generation Intel CPU with a high-end Xe GPU makes for a highly efficient machine when you’re not gaming. When you are playing, the 120-hertz display delivers a remarkably smooth experience.
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The premium OLED panel on this version doesn’t actually add much to the gaming experience, particularly in well-lit rooms. Where it shines is in watching other media, especially movies. Plus, it sports a touchscreen that Windows can make better use of than ever before.
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Alienware was one of the first mainstream manufacturers of dedicated gaming laptops and quickly developed a great reputation. After a decade of increasing success, it was bought out by Dell, which still owns it to this day.
It makes far more than just laptops. Alienware is also well-known for its acclaimed monitors, particularly the AW3423DW, the first-ever monitor with OLED and quantum dot technology. For the most part, you’ll find the same kind of high quality across Alienware’s entire product lineup.
There are two current 17-inch Alienware laptops, the x17 R2 and m17 R5. The x17 series is the more high-end option, although the m17 lags behind only slightly and is a high-performing option in its own right.
It gives you the option of configuring just about the most powerful gaming laptop in existence, albeit at a high cost. If you’re willing to make the investment, it’s hard to find a single fault with this high-end machine.
While it’s not quite as expensive as the x17, it offers nearly the same kind of premium hardware options.
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If you want a highly portable laptop that you can work, travel and play games with, the Razer Blade Stealth is a novel and excellent choice. But if you’re looking for the best possible performance and don’t mind spending a decent amount on something large and heavy, you can’t beat either of Alienware’s 17-inch models.
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Chris Thomas writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
