certified powerhouse The Alienware M15 R7 has taken root on the shelves, set to interchange the M5 / M6 model at intervals Dell’ remit of mid-range diversion portable computers. It’ got some serious boots to fill – the previous generation was wide thought to be one among the most effective gaming laptop choices on the market, due to their cheap style concerns and specialise in performance over enthusiast features.
With Intel’ latest twelfth generation processors and extra space for RTX 3070 Ti and RTX 3080 Ti graphics cards, the R7 has come back to bring the Alienware M15 expertise we have a tendency to all grasp and love up to 2022′ standards. we have a tendency to place this latest iteration through its paces through fortnight of intensive work and play.
The Alienware M15 R7 carries an equivalent style language because the previous generation, with its plastic body and heavier profile. holler prioritizes part price in these machines, thus you are doing lose a number of the additional sturdy build qualities of the X-range – the Alienware x14, for example, offers a luxury metal and metallic element chassis however will drop your power level significantly for it. meaning the R7 doesn’t feel quite as solid as these more premium devices, however if you’re not coming up with on taking it anyplace with you you’ll appreciate that durable weight.
If you’re trying to find a conveyable machine, though, this isn’t it. The Alienware M15 R7 weighs in at slightly below 6lbs, ANd comes with an fully monstrous power adapter to boot. This issue is big and takes up substantial backpack area as a result. Of course, there’ tons happening under the hood here, and therefore the R7 desires all the juice it will get, but seriously – this brick may be a blight.
You’re still obtaining the classic Alienware RGB brand on the back, and therefore the super slick RGB strip encompassing the ports as well. Similarly, hexangular vents still line the edge on top of the keyboard. Our review unit came in Dark facet of the Moon – again, another fancy manner of claiming black, and during a matte end that felt notably pleasing underneath the hand. i used to be affected with this material’ ability to evade lasting fingerprints, tho’ mud will show up as before long because it lands.
The plastic carriage doesn’t extremely concern me; this is often a luxury complete and if we’ve to drop a number of build pegs to bring the most effective Alienware laptops to an affordable figure then it’ a sacrifice I’m happy to make. However, whereas these are low-cost for Alienware, they’re never budget-minded rigs. Considering the Asus TUF Dash F15 seldom gets on the point of the M15 R7′ beginning prices, and offers a additional metal chassis, the plastic style will feel a touch cheap once set against the broader market. That’ very true considering there’ a major quantity of screen wobble and flexing to be found here, tho’ the hinge does feel sturdy in itself.
Features
SPECS
Processor: Intel Core i7-12700H
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
Memory: 32GB LPDDR5 RAM
Display: 15.6-inch, 360Hz
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Ports: 1x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps, 1x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Port with Powershare, 1x Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.4, and Power Delivery, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ-45 Killer E3100 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, 1x 3.5mm headset jack
Connectivity: Killer Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
OS: Windows 11 Home 64-bit
Weight: 5.93 lbs (2.69 kg)
If you’re looking for an all-in-one machine with no functionality sacrifices, the Alienware M15 R7 certainly isn’t going to disappoint. Packing three USB-Type A 3.2 Gen 1 ports (one capable of 5Gbps, and another built with Powershare on top), a Type-C with Thunderbolt 4 and Power Delivery), and an HDMI 2.1, you’re covered for the latest generation connections here. Not only that but the majority of these ports are located on the back, so anyone with the cable management woes that I do will be greatly appreciative.
I was also particularly taken with the mSeries keyboard. Boasting a slightly taller 1.8mm travel distance, and a distinctly tactile snap, this is a great feeling set of keys. Rather than the skinny butterfly keyboards we’re used to, this is a satisfying experience that makes both gaming and typing comfortable and snappy. A smaller trackpad didn’t get in the way of any work and was responsive during my use as well.
You’re obtaining a group of 2 stereo speakers here, providing notably crisp audio with many volume (which you’ll definitely want if you’re not using one among the most effective diversion headsets – however additional thereon later). Plus, there’ a 360Hz Full HD show up high that tested particularly economical in its motion handling and tear-reduction throughout my testing. whereas lighter colours did seem a touch washed out, compared to the wealthy darks on offer, this matte display performs well even underneath the strain of full daylight.
For the record, you’re conjointly getting a 720p digital camera engineered into the highest bezel, that was nice for everyday work calls during a pinch however by no suggests that one thing I’d be swapping in over a fervent webcam.
Performance
ALIENWARE M15 R7 BENCHMARKS
Fire Strike: 24,894
Time Spy: 10,722
PC Mark 10: 7,623
Cinebench: (Multi) – 15,897
Crystal Disk Mark: 6501.56 MB/s read; 5705.88 MB/s write
The Division 2: High – 124fps; Ultra – 97fps
Metro Exodus: High – 98fps; RTX – 72fps
Red Dead Redemption 2: High – 79fps; Ultra – 76fps
Total War: Three Kingdoms: High – 120fps; Ultra – 83fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: High – 148fps; Highest – 129fps
This is where your sacrifices in building materials pay off. The Alienware M15 R7 can fly. With our test unit’s i7-12700H processor and RTX 3070 Ti GPU, we were easily benching well over 60fps on the highest settings across all titles played. Even stress testing this system with a heavy Red Dead Redemption 2 run still yielded incredible results – 76fps on average with Ultra textures and every slider set to max. That’s the kind of performance that bests even the RTX 3080 Ti Razer Blade 15, with an i9 processor at the helm no less.
Fire Strike GPU scores also beat out last year’s M5 model, with an incredible 24,894 score offering up significant advantages over the 22,883 figure supplied by an RTX 3080 build of the previous generation. Not only that, but this CPU can certainly keep up. That 7,623 PC Mark 10 score and 15,897 Cinebench core score both easily pitch this machine among the most powerful on the market. In practice, that translates as super slick performance across both productivity and gaming. This rig didn’t bat an eye at even my heaviest Cities Skylines save files, or a densely packed Planet Coaster map.
quicker action titles ran while not a hitch, therewith 360Hz refresh rate show acting because the cherry on the spectacularly powerful cake. Everything was soaring across the screen, additional action-packed sequences ne’er caused stutters or fragmentation, and that i never felt just like the M7 was operating to catch up with itself. The on-screen performance was flawless… with headphones.
All that power needs to come back from somewhere, and provision of these unbelievable figures may be a set of parts that require to stay cool. The fans used for this job like to create a racket. This is, while not doubt, one among the loudest diversion laptops I’ve ever discharged up, with fans revving up to earsplitting volumes at the drop of a hat. i used to be generally Sabbatum on Windows eleven settings menus, just for the fans to kick in at full pelt for ostensibly no reason.
Of course, that’ however you’re obtaining such smart performance. There was solely ever some minor thermal choking during this hardware once pushed to its hardcore rendering limits, and, in general, everything stayed laudably cool. Fan noise on a diversion portable computer may be a tiny value to purchase for|obtain|get|procure|get hold of} a cushty and still extraordinarily sleek experience.
The Alienware M15 R7 is a certified powerhouse, and if you’re married to the present} brand’ skilled engineering and distinctive aesthetic, it’ the most effective price for money at intervals the current range. We’d conjointly advocate anyone on the lookout for the most recent twelfth generation Intel processors and a Ti version of Nvidia’ latest GPUs explore the seriously monstrous performance on provide here – this R7 extremely will draw the most effective out of those parts. Still, with our configuration coming back in at over $2,000 / £2,000, the M15 R7 isn’t progressing to be for everyone.
Those when an inexpensive Alienware portable computer is also comfortable dropping down a notch and taking aim at the previous generation Alienware M15 R5 whereas it’ still around. costs on this machine are falling notably quickly right now, with base configurations even knock on the $1,000 / £1,000 door.
If you’re going for pure component value at all-time low value worth paying, we’d advocate taking a glance at the magnoliopsid genus Nitro 5. you’ll put together these rigs up to twelfth generation Intel processors now, and you’ve still got Ti choices receptive you.
I used the Alienware M15 R7 as my daily driver for everyday diversion and as my work machine for a number of days, over a amount of 2 weeks. I completed a full run of Rise of the topographic point Raider, and used Apex Legends, Planet Coaster, and Cities Skylines for casual play, whereas pushing hardware and GPU to their limits across Red Dead Redemption 2, railway Exodus, The Division 2, Total War: 3 Kingdoms, and Shadow of the topographic point Raider.
We’re conjointly miscalculation up all the most effective Razer portable computers if you’re trying to urge a watch in on the competition, or explore the most recent low-cost diversion laptop deals for extra savings.
