Alienware 17 R5

Dimensions

The R5 measures 1.18 by 16.7 by 13.1 inches (HWD) and weighs 9.77 pounds, identical to the previous model.

Design

Though the 17 R4 was certainly big and heavy, I liked the design. Clearly Alienware did as well, because it's back for the R5.

Chassis Lighting

The side lights look futuristic and sleek, and the accent lighting is a nice touch that makes the laptop look high tech.

Lid Logo

Along with the side lights and keyboard, the alien head logo glows with customizable lighting too.

Back Ports

Most of the connections are located around back, including a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3, an Ethernet jack, an HDMI port, a mini-DisplayPort connection, and a proprietary port for connecting to the Alienware Graphics Amplifier eGPU box.

Left Ports

The left side holds a USB-C port, a USB 3.0 port, and the audio jacks.

Right Ports

The right side holds just one USB 3.0 port.

About Our Expert

Matthew Buzzi

Principal Writer, Hardware

My Experience

I’ve been a consumer PC expert at PCMag for 10 years, and I love PC gaming. I've played games on my computer for as long as I can remember, which eventually (as it does for many) led me to build and upgrade my own desktops to this day. Through my years at PCMag, I've tested and reviewed many, many dozens of laptops and desktops, and I am always happy to recommend a PC for your needs and budget.

The Technology I Use

The single piece of technology I use the most (by far!) is my self-built desktop. I spend a lot of my time gaming (and now, working) on this system, and I’m likely to continue upgrading it in some form forever. As it relates to my work at PCMag, it’s a vital window into keeping up to date with components, performance, and the latest titles. On the smartphone front, I’m a full-time Android user.

I’m always eyeing my next GPU upgrade, but the consistent part of my gaming setup has been a 165Hz 1440p monitor; I think this remains the sweet spot for the time being. A dual-monitor setup has been essential for work and play; my second screen is either a productivity monitor, playing videos for entertainment, or being used for console gaming, depending on the time of day.

Speaking of which, I may be primarily a PC gamer, but (like any good gaming enthusiast without enough discipline) I also own a PlayStation 5, an Xbox Series S, a Steam Deck, and a Nintendo Switch 2. The PS5 and Xbox are hooked up to a living-room television for a more laid-back couch experience; I've found Gamepass to be especially handy for cooperative play and for taking my saved-game files from my desk to my couch through the cloud.

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