The best
Razer Blade Pro
It's impossible to talk about 17-inch laptops without including Razer's epic Blade Pro. While out of reach for many due to its high price, this is as close to the ultimate laptop as you can get right now.
The latest refresh brings an overclockable Core i7 processor, a GTX 1080 GPU, 4K touch display, RAID 0 storage and as much connectivity as you could possibly ever want. All wrapped up in a stylish, and surprisingly thin metal body. The only drawback is that it keeps going out of stock.
But you can now also get most of the same experience in a less expensive package thanks to a 1080p display and GTX 1060 GPU. That there's something for different budgets helps tip it over the edge.
Bottom line: The best 17-inch laptop right now, whichever version you go for.
One more thing: The low profile mechanical keyboard takes time to get used to, but it's a dream when you are.
Why the Razer Blade Pro is the best 17-inch laptop
The Razer Blade Pro was launched as the ultimate laptop, cramming everything inside it just because Razer could do it. But while there is ultimate power inside a stylish, fairly portable 17-inch laptop, the high price put it out of reach for many.
The more affordable model makes it hard to resist the Blade Pro.
Now, Razer has a two-prong approach to the Razer Blade Pro, with the $2,000 1080p, GTX 1060 version. For the most part it's the same Blade Pro: Same looks, same keyboard, same right-aligned trackpad. But the reduction in the display and the GPU inside means a fairly heavy discount over its fully specced sibling.
It means that the Blade Pro is now competing on both price and performance with other laptops, and it makes it hard to resist. Its all metal body, mechanical keyboard and stealthy black appearance remain as enticing as ever. Only now, you might not have to sell your house to buy one.
Feature packed
Alienware 17
Long popular with gamers and creative professionals alike, Alienware's latest big laptop is definitely its best yet. It loses some thickness by dropping the optical drive, but has so much power and connectivity it's hard to know where to begin.
The options go up to a GTX 1080 GPU with G-Sync display, all with the latest generation Intel Core i7 processors, including unlocked versions for overclocking. It's larger and more expensive than the ASUS at equivalent spec, but it does have a party trick in the form of Tobii eye tracking technology. Prices start at a reasonable $1,400.
Bottom line: Powerful and packed with options to get exactly the laptop you want.
One more thing: Go hands-free with the integrated Tobii eye tracking technology.
Solid choice
ASUS ROG Strix GL702
ASUS took the archetypical 17-inch gaming laptop beast and hit it with a shrinkray. Well, not that, but they did rip out the bulky optical drive and literally trim the excess around the laptop to bring it down in size.
And that's without any scrimping on the hardware, too. With a G-Sync display, GTX 1060 and Core i7 processor, the Strix GL702 is well equipped, well priced and well sized.
Bottom line: Probably the most portable high-end 17-inch laptop ever made.
One more thing: With prices from $1,700 the GL702 also represents remarkably good value.
The best
Razer Blade Pro
It's impossible to talk about 17-inch laptops without including Razer's epic Blade Pro. While out of reach for many due to its high price, this is as close to the ultimate laptop as you can get right now.
The latest refresh brings an overclockable Core i7 processor, a GTX 1080 GPU, 4K touch display, RAID 0 storage and as much connectivity as you could possibly ever want. All wrapped up in a stylish, and surprisingly thin metal body. The only drawback is that it keeps going out of stock.
But you can now also get most of the same experience in a less expensive package thanks to a 1080p display and GTX 1060 GPU. That there's something for different budgets helps tip it over the edge.
Bottom line: The best 17-inch laptop right now, whichever version you go for.
One more thing: The low profile mechanical keyboard takes time to get used to, but it's a dream when you are.
Updated January 8, 2018: The Razer Blade Pro is our new top pick thanks to the recent arrival of a more affordable model.