Alienware x14 hands-on review: Thinnest Alienware ever has serious RTX 30 power
Our Verdict
The Alienware x14 is a slick and powerful gaming laptop that's great for virtually users looking for a device that'south both powerful and portable.
For
- Powerful 12th gen Intel Core processor
- Slick, futuristic design
- Impressive functioning-enhancing features
- Vibrant 14-inch display
Against
- Toll may be steep for some
- Full HD is only display option
Tom's Guide Verdict
The Alienware x14 is a slick and powerful gaming laptop that'south great for almost users looking for a device that'southward both powerful and portable.
Pros
- +
Powerful 12th gen Intel Core processor
- +
Slick, futuristic design
- +
Impressive functioning-enhancing features
- +
Vibrant xiv-inch brandish
Cons
- -
Price may be steep for some
- -
Full HD is only brandish option
The Alienware x14 (from $1,799) is a sparse and powerful gaming laptop designed for gamers on the get. Though all configurations pack a beefy RTX xxx-series card, this sub-4-pound laptop won't completely destroy your checking account.
Other features include a 12th gen Intel Core processor, long battery life (according to Dell), and a slick 14-inch total Hd display. Though information technology isn't the most powerful gaming laptop you can find, it's hard to argue confronting the Alienware x14's relatively affordable price and portability.
Nosotros only had a brief hands-on experience with the Alienware x14 just found it impressive. In fact, this auto could air current upwardly on our best gaming laptop list. Hither are our initial impressions.
Alienware x14: Specs
| Price | from $1,799 |
| Display | 14.0 inches (Full HD 144Hz 7ms with ComfortView Plus, Nvidia Thousand-Sync and Avant-garde Optimus) |
| CPU | Intel Core i7 12700H, Intel Core 17 12900H |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 (4GB), 3050 Ti (4GB), 3060 (6GB) |
| RAM | 16GB, 32GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Ports | 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB Type-C), 1 USB 3.2 (USB-C), 1 Type-A USB 3.2, 1 HDMI 2.one, Micro-SD 5.2 UHS-Two, global headset jack |
| Size | 12.66 10 10.34 x 0.57 inches |
| Weight | Starting at iii.96 pounds |
Alienware x14: Release date and price
The Alienware x14 is expected to release quondam in the showtime quarter of 2022 at a starting cost of $1,799. The base model features a 12th gen Intel Core i7 12700H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 (4GB GDDR6) graphics card, 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage.
You can upgrade up to a twelfth gen Intel Cadre i7 12900H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 (6GB GDDR6) GPU, 32GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage. There are no upgrade options for the display.
Alienware x14: Design
The Alienware x14 has the slick, semi-futuristic design the X-Series is known for. Constructed with CNC aluminum and magnesium alloy parts, the laptop has a starting weight of iii.96 pounds. At 12.half-dozen x 10.3 x 0.57 inches, it has a relatively large footprint but is still small enough to comfortably acquit effectually. Lunar Light is the only bachelor chassis color.
Dell says the Alienware x14 is the thinnest Alienware laptop notwithstanding. It achieves this thinness because of its dual-torque element swivel that creates infinite within the system itself. This allows the laptop to achieve a 0.57-inch maximum z-top combined with a maximum graphics ability of 85W. Dell says that, without the hinge, the x14 would either be thicker or less powerful.
Alienware x14: Keyboard and touchpad
This laptop introduces Alienware's X-Series sparse keyboard with a i.5mm fundamental travel and includes Due north-Cardinal Rollover technology besides as Anti-ghosting engineering science. The low key travel time is crucial when playing competitive multiplayer games. I institute the keyboard suitable for typing, though I'd like to get more hands-on time to test how it fares with regular usage. But for gaming, the keyboard seems rock solid.
The touchpad felt smooth and responsive. Only considering my brief fourth dimension with the x14, I don't want to render a verdict on the touchpad at this time. Like the keyboard, it'due south reasonably adequate for gaming.
Alienware x14: Display
The Alienware x14 features a fourteen-inch Full Hard disk (1920 x 1080) 144Hz brandish with a 7ms response time. Other features include ComfortView Plus, Nvidia One thousand-Sync and Advance Optimus. The FHD panel has a brightness of upwards to 400-nits and displays 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. All configurations come with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos certification.
I found the HDR-capable display bright and vibrant in person. The resolution maxing out at 1080p could be seen as a negative but it suits the 14-inch screen size. And because Dell wants to market this every bit an affordable gaming laptop, we can forgive it for not having 4K or OLED options. The screen's depression response time should allow games to appear smooth even during moments of heavy activity. The Nvidia M-Sync feature will also ensure a polish gaming feel.
Alienware x14: Ports
The Alienware x14 is no slouch when it comes to ports. You'll find two Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB Type-C), a USB 3.2 gen 2 power (USB-C) and a Type-A USB three.two Gen 1 port. There is likewise an HDMI 2.1 output port, a microSD card slot and headset jack.
With that many ports, you'll exist able to connect to various external devices, which is ever of import for a gaming laptop.
Alienware x14: Performance
You lot'll get two processor options with the Alienware x14. The starting model comes with a twelfth gen Intel Core 12700H (14-Core/twenty-Thread, 24MB L3 Cashe, upwardly to 4.7GHz max turbo efficiency) CPU. You tin can likewise opt for a 12th gen i7 12900H (14-Cadre/20-Thread, 24MB L3 Cashe, up to 5.0GHz max turbo efficiency) CPU. Either processor volition give you lot a boost over 11th gen CPUs.
Retentiveness-wise, you'll find 16GB of LP-DDR5 4800MHz RAM with the RTX 3050 and 3050 Ti configurations and 16GB LP-DDR5 5200MHz with 3060 configurations. You can upgrade upward to 32GB of RAM.
Configurations packing an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 are engineered with Dell's exclusive Element 31 thermal interface material. Made of a Gallium-Silicone matrix and vapor chamber cooling technology, these features – along with Smart Fan control technology – volition enable the Alienware x14 to accomplish high functioning.
Information technology will be interesting to come across how the Alienware x14 stacks upwards to other gaming laptops we've reviewed when we can run it through our litany of benchmark tests. Simply given the power under the hood, this should be a performant device.
Alienware x14: Battery life and charging
The Alienware x14 comes with an 80 WHr lithium-ion bombardment. The X-Series also includes Alienware's HyperEfficient Voltage Regulation technology. This tech is capable of upwardly to 12-, 8-, and 7-phase graphics voltage regulation. This will ensure high performance over long gaming sessions.
We'll meet how long the battery lasts when we're able to test the Alienware x14 ourselves.
Alienware x14: Outlook
The Alienware x14 looks like a groovy gaming laptop for those who want solid performance from a portable device. Though not exactly cheap at a starting toll of $1,799, it is relatively affordable for a machine of its kind.
We're impressed by its slick design, well-baked xiv-inch display and the number of available configurations. 12th gen CPUs and RTX 30-series GPUs are what nosotros wait to be the standard for 2022 laptops and information technology'south good that the Alienware x14 features both out of the box. Alienware'south sectional suite of ability-saving and functioning-enhancing features should also brand this laptop terminal long on charge.
Based on what I've seen, the Alienware x14 has the potential to be one of the best gaming laptops of 2022. Nosotros'll see if this is true in one case nosotros spend more time with it.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/alienware-x14
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