Alienware 15 review: First budget gaming laptop after 30 years delivers solid value
Alienware has launched its first budget gaming laptop, the Alienware 15, starting at $1,000. It offers good performance and a rich port selection, but the display and webcam are weak points.
Alienware, known for high-end gaming PCs, has finally released its first budget laptop – the Alienware 15. After 30 years in the business, the company aimed to create a more affordable device, starting at $1,000.
Design and build
The Alienware 15 is made of black plastic and lacks RGB lighting found on pricier models. It has a white backlit keyboard with a numpad, decent for both gaming and productivity. The touchpad is medium-sized but slightly mushy. Port selection is rich: two USB-A 3.2, two USB-C (one with power delivery and DisplayPort 1.4), HDMI 2.1, a 3.5mm audio jack, and Ethernet.
Display and webcam
The 15.3-inch LCD display has a 1920x1200 resolution and 165Hz refresh rate. At 300 nits, it's fine indoors, but color coverage is weak – only 62.5% sRGB, making images look washed out. No display upgrade is available. The 720p webcam at 30fps is adequate for video calls but not for streaming.
Performance
The review unit had an Intel Core 7 240H CPU, RTX 5050 GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with Ultra RT, it hit 45fps; with Ultra no RT, 78fps. Control ran at 96fps on Epic settings. Fans get loud under load, so headphones are recommended. The laptop is not lap-friendly due to bottom vents.
Battery
The 70Wh battery (upgraded) lasted 8 hours 4 minutes on PCMark 10 Modern Office test, which is solid for a budget gaming laptop.
Conclusion
The Alienware 15 is a compelling option amid rising gaming hardware prices. Its shortcomings – display and camera – are less critical at this price point. Consider upgrading the CPU and battery for better value.
