Alienware M15 Gaming Laptop Review

Until recently, laptop models geared more towards gamers had been too expensive to justify buying, not to mention that their thick chassis did not offer much portability.

Alienware has always been about making bulky laptops with a great build quality, but due to the fierce competition led by brands like Razor Blade whose main goal is to supply consumers with the thinnest gaming laptops on the market, there is no better time than now to rethink this strategy. The 2018 M15 is Alienware’s stab at creating a powerful device in a smaller chassis. Was it a successful attempt, though, or a bust? Here is what we think of it.

Build Quality

Alienware has always been known for their great build quality. Just a few years ago, if you wanted the most durable gaming laptop on the market and did not care about it being bulky, you would go for Alienware. Fortunately, the M15 is a sturdy laptop despite it being thinner and lighter than other Alienware models. It is not as thin as Razor Blade laptops, though.

The base model weighs around 4.7 pounds, which means that it offers great portability. The M15 is fully made from metal (copper alloy and magnesium). When pressure is applied to the chassis, there is not any noticeable flex—a testament to how durable the laptop is.

Design

Alienware laptops have never been the prettiest models on the market. They have always felt as if they are built like tanks, for lack of a better word. The M15, however, is more aesthetically pleasing than Alienware’s older models. It does not have any sharp edges, which makes using it a blast. If you are feeling daring, you can go for the Nebula Red design that features a bright red lid with a black keyboard and bezels.

On the other hand, the Epic Silver model is better suited for those who have a more traditional taste. Although the M15 looks premium on the outside, the material on the keyboard and bezels feel a bit cheap. The keyboard has a somewhat rubberized material that feels comfortable enough for typing but is also a fingerprint magnet.

The glossy plastic finish of the top and bottom bezels takes from the overall aesthetic of the laptop. Despite the side bezels being narrow, the top and bottom ones are too big for our liking, even when compared to 2018’s design standards. It is a minor drawback that most users can get over, though.

Keyboard and Trackpad

Laptops users often have to do without mechanical keyboards that offer long travel distances. This is the case as well with the Alienware M15; it sports a chiclet keyboard that has a 1.44mm travel distance. So, the keys do not feel too mushy or too tactile; most users will find the typing experience pretty satisfying.

Even though some laptop enthusiasts like plugging in a traditional mouse instead of using trackpads, you’d be surprised by how responsive Alienware M15’s one is. It does not have the flashy lighting associated with most Alienware models, but it uses Windows precision drivers. The only complaint the one might have about it is that it looks asymmetrical, considering that it is placed a bit to the left instead of in the middle.