Alienware X15 R2 review: gaming laptop delivers on performance and style

With its distinctive design, good performance, and plenty of RAM, the Alienware X15 R2 is a good choice for work and play.

An Alienware X15 R2 gaming laptop on a wooden table
(Image: © Future / Ian Evenden)

Our Verdict

A 15-inch gaming laptop makes for a powerful and versatile machine, and Alienware’s new X15 R2 is both of those things, along with being well-made and pleasing to look at – if you can put up with the RGB lighting. The choice of components and plenty of RAM ensures games and other demanding tasks are dealt with smartly, but the short battery life means this is a laptop best used at home.

For

  • Powerful
  • Fairly thin
  • Good connectivity

Against

  • More expensive than some competitors
  • Poor battery life
  • Small trackpad

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Alienware X15 r2: Key specs

CPU: Intel Core i7 12700H
RAM: 32GB DDR5
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080Ti
Storage: 1TB SSD
Screen: 15.6in 1080p 165Hz
OS: Windows 11 Pro
Connectivity: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, 1 Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, 1x audio jack, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Micro SD card reader
Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions: 15.90 x 359.70 x 277.33 mm
Weight: 2.27 kg

Dell’s thinnest gaming laptop from the Alienware sub-brand, the Alienware X15 R2 is a slender but dense slab of metal and plastic built around a 15-inch, 1080p screen that’s not touch sensitive.

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The Verdict
8

out of 10

Alienware X15 R2

A 15-inch gaming laptop makes for a powerful and versatile machine, and Alienware’s new X15 R2 is both of those things, along with being well-made and pleasing to look at – if you can put up with the RGB lighting. The choice of components and plenty of RAM ensures games and other demanding tasks are dealt with smartly, but the short battery life means this is a laptop best used at home.

Ian Evenden

Ian Evenden has been a journalist for over 20 years, starting in the days of QuarkXpress 4 and Photoshop 5. He now mainly works in Creative Cloud and Google Docs, but can always find a use for a powerful laptop or two. When not sweating over page layout or photo editing, you can find him peering at the stars or growing vegetables.

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