Tech_Advisor_-_November_2019

82 TECH ADVISOR • NOVEMBER 2019

GAMING SPECIAL

and different spec options available, though naturally

tends to cost a little more.

In terms of other manufacturers, the closest

comparison is probably the similarly sized Razer Blade

15, though that starts from a steeper £1,699. There’s

also the slightly thicker Gigabyte Aero 15X v8, but

again, that more at £2,399, or the Asus ROG Strix Scar

II, which is also slightly thicker but tends to run a bit

cheaper than the Alienware at similar specs.

Either way, Dell has priced this model competitively

• it’s not cheap by any means, but if you want
  a light(ish) gaming laptop this might be one of
  the most cost-effective ways to do it, which isn’t
  something you can often say about Alienware.

Design

So just how light is it? The base weight (it will vary a

bit by specs) is 2.16kg. By comparison, the regular

Alienware 15 weighs in at 3.49kg, so more than a third

of that weight has been shaved off. This is actually even

lighter than the Alienware 13, which is 2.6kg and is

a testament to just how much more comfortable this

thing is to carry round.

The m15 is also smaller across the board,

measuring 363x275x17.9mm, compared to its bigger

brother at 389x305x25.4mm. The difference in height

is especially noticeable, and probably where most

of the weight loss comes from, but reduced screen

bezels and a redesigned heating system make the

whole laptop feel substantially more streamlined.

There’s still a lot of bezel below and especially

above the screen, which is a shame compared to the

82 TECH ADVISOR • NOVEMBER 2019

GAMING SPECIAL

anddifferentspecoptionsavailable,thoughnaturally

tendsto cost a little more.

In terms of other manufacturers, the closest

comparison is probably the similarly sized Razer Blade

15, though that starts from a steeper £1,699. There’s

also the slightly thicker Gigabyte Aero 15X v8, but

again, that more at £2,399, or the Asus ROG Strix Scar

II, which is also slightly thicker but tends to run a bit

cheaper than the Alienware at similar specs.

Either way, Dell has priced this model competitively

• it’s not cheap by any means, but if you want
  a light(ish)gaminglaptopthismightbeoneof
  themostcost-effectivewaystodoit,whichisn’t
  somethingyou can often say about Alienware.

Design

So just how light is it? The base weight (it will vary a

bit by specs) is 2.16kg. By comparison, the regular

Alienware 15 weighs in at 3.49kg, so more than a third

ofthatweighthasbeenshavedoff.Thisis actuallyeven

lighterthantheAlienware13,whichis 2.6kgandis

a testament to just how much more comfortable this

thing is to carry round.

Them15is alsosmalleracrosstheboard,

measuring363x275x17.9mm, compared to its bigger

brotherat389x305x25.4mm.Thedifferencein height

isespecially noticeable, and probably where most

oftheweightlosscomesfrom,butreducedscreen

bezelsand a redesigned heating system make the

whole laptop feel substantially more streamlined.

There’s still a lot of bezel below and especially

above the screen, which is a shame compared to the