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Alienware 15 R4: A Bulky Gaming Laptop That Crushes High-Level Play

When it comes to gaming laptops, balancing power and portability is a constant battle—and the Alienware 15 R4 picks a clear side: raw performance. Starting at $1,299.99 (and $1,849.99 for our tested model), this machine leans into its strengths with an overclocked full-size NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 GPU (8GB GDDR5) and a bright G-Sync display. It tears through top-tier games at max settings: Middle-earth: Shadow of War hits 75-80 fps at 1080p Ultra (no screen tearing, thanks to G-Sync), Rise of the Tomb Raider hits 72 fps (blasting past the 58-fps premium average), and it even nabs a perfect 11/11 on SteamVR tests—ideal for Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. The tradeoff? It’s bulky: at 7.8 pounds and 15.3x12x1 inches, it’s way heavier than slimmer rivals like the 4.2-pound MSI GS65 Stealth Thin or 4.6-pound Razer Blade 15. But that heft has perks: easy upgrades and a comfortable keyboard with deep key travel.

Design-wise, the Alienware 15 R4 stays true to its roots—for better or worse. It keeps the iconic “spaceship” aesthetic, now in a sleeker black finish (though still chunky next to modern thin-and-light gaming laptops). The 15.6-inch 1080p display is vibrant, but its massive bezels stand out even by gaming laptop standards. RGB lighting adds flair: 13 customizable options, from the alien-shaped power button to the touchpad, plus programmable macro keys on the traditional-style keyboard. The deck’s soft-touch material feels great on wrists during long sessions, and ports are abundant: USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, Ethernet, and a dedicated graphics amp port (thanks to a forward-shifted hinge) cover all your needs.

Under the hood, daily use is smooth—16GB of RAM, a 256GB PCIe SSD, and 1TB HDD handle 25 Chrome tabs (plus 1080p streaming) without a hitch. But sustained performance tells a mixed story: 10 runs of the Metro: Last Light benchmark averaged 61.2 fps, with the CPU hitting 95°C (203°F) and GPU at 76°C (169°F)—hot, but manageable. The bigger letdown is productivity: its 8th Gen Core i7-8750H lags behind competitors in benchmarks, even if daily tasks feel snappy. For gamers who prioritize max settings and VR readiness over portability or productivity, the Alienware 15 R4 is a beast. But if you need something slim or work-focused, look elsewhere.

Dell Alienware 15 R4 Specifications

Display	15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS (60Hz, G-Sync) 30N65 0HPJGK For Dell Alienware 15 R4 FHD Full LCD Laptop Assembly Gray 9VDCM 0YS02X 0Y502X For Dell Alienware 15 R4 FHD Full LCD Screen Assembly Gray
Processor	Intel Core i7-8750H
Graphics	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 (8GB GDDR5)
Memory	16GB DDR4-2400MHz
Storage	256GB PCIe m.2
Camera	FHD webcam
Networking	Killer 1435 802.11ac 2x2 Wi-Fi, Ethernet jack
Battery	Optional 99Whr, 68Whr standard
Operating system	Windows 10 Home
Colours	Gray
Weight	7.8 pounds