Alienware x15 R2, x17 R2 gaming laptops pack 12th Gen Intel CPUs into thin bodies

Laptop Alienware X17 R2 Nonlit Touchpad Gallery 4
Laptop Alienware X17 R2 Nonlit Touchpad Gallery 4 (Image credit: Dell)

What you need to know

  • The Alienware x15 R2 and Alienware x17 R2 are now available through Dell's website.
  • The new gaming laptops run on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series laptop graphics and 12th Gen Intel processors.
  • The Alienware x15 R2 starts at $2,200, and the Alienware x17 R2 is available starting at $2,450.

The first wave of Dell's new Alienware gaming laptops is now available through the company's website. The Alienware x15 R2 (from $2,200) and Alienware x17 R2 (from $2,450) run on 12th Gen Intel Core processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series graphics. Both devices feature Alienware Cryo-tech cooling to keep the internals of the laptops at healthy temperatures.

Despite their powerful internals, the gaming laptops are quite thin. The x17, which is the thicker of the new devices, maxes out at 0.82 inches (20.9 mm).

Based on their specs and designs, the Alienware x15 R2 and x17 R2 look like they'll compete with the best gaming laptops.

Alienware x15 R2

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CategoryAlienware x15 R2
Display15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) 165Hz 3ms with ComfortView Plus, NVIDIA G-SYNC and Advanced Optimus
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) 360Hz 1ms with ComfortView Plus, NVIDIA G-SYNC and Advanced Optimus
15.6" QHD (2560 x 1440) 240Hz 2ms with ComfortView Plus, NVIDIA G-SYNC and Advanced Optimus
ProcessorIntel Core i7 12700H (14-Core/20-Thread, 24MB L3 Cache, up to 4.7GHz Max Turbo Frequency)
Intel Core i9 12900H (14-Cores/20-Thread, 24MB L3 Cache, up to 5.0GHz Max Turbo Frequency)
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series Laptop Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series Laptop Graphics
Memory16GB Dual-Channel LP-DDR5 5200MHz
32GB Dual-Channel LP-DDR5 5200MHz
Storage256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
512GB RAID 0 (2x 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD)
1TB RAID 0 (2x 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD)
2TB RAID 0 (2x 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD) 4TB RAID 0 (2x 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD)
Front CameraAlienware HD (1280 x 720)
SecurityWindows Hello
Connectivity2.5Gbps Ethernet NIC via included Type-C to RJ-45 port dongle (Standard) Killer Wi-Fi 6 (6E* Pre-certified) AX1675 802.11ax 2x2 Wireless LAN and Bluetooth 5.2
Ports(1x) Power/DC-in Port Right (1x), Global headset jack, (1x) Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port with PowerShare, (1x) Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 2 Port with Power Delivery (5V/3A), (1x) Type-C Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4.0 Gen 2 Port, with Power Delivery (5V/3A) (1x), microSD Card Slot, (1x) HDMI 2.1 Output Port
AudioDolby Atmos
Battery87 Whr
DimensionsFrom 0.626 x 10.9 x 14.2 inches (15.9 x 277.3 x 360 mm)
WeightStarting 5.15 lbs (2.34 kg)
ColorsLunar light

Alienware x17 R2

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CategoryAlienware x15 R2
Display17.3" FHD (1920 x 1080) 165Hz 3ms with ComfortView Plus, NVIDIA G-SYNC and Advanced Optimus
17.3" FHD (1920 x 1080) 360Hz 1ms with ComfortView Plus, NVIDIA G-SYNC and Advanced Optimus
17.3" UHD (3840 x 2160) 120Hz 4ms with ComfortView Plus, NVIDIA G-SYNC and Advanced Optimus
ProcessorIntel Core i7 12700H (14-Core/20-Thread, 24MB L3 Cache, up to 4.7GHz Max Turbo Frequency)
Intel Core i9 12900HK (14-Cores/20-Thread, 24MB L3 Cache, up to 5.0GHz Max Turbo Frequency)
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series Laptop Graphics
NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 30 Series Laptop Graphics
Memory16GB Dual-Channel DDR5 4800MHz 32GB Dual-Channel DDR5 4800MHz
Storage256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
512GB RAID 0 (2x 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD)
1TB RAID 0 (2x 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD)
2TB RAID 0 (2x 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD) 4TB RAID 0 (2x 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD)
Front CameraAlienware HD (1280 x 720)
SecurityWindows Hello
ConnectivityKiller E3100 2.5G Ethernet NIC Killer Wi-Fi 6 (6E* Pre-certified) AX1675 802.11ax 2x2 Wireless LAN and Bluetooth 5.2
Ports(1x) Power/DC-in Port Right, (1x) Global headset jack, (1x) Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port with PowerShare, (1x) Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 2 Port with Power Delivery (5V/3A), (1x) Type-C Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4.0 Gen 2 Port with Power Delivery (5V/3A), (1x) MicroSD Card Slot, (1x) HDMI 2.1 Output Port
AudioDolby Atmos
Battery87 Whr
DimensionsFrom 0.823 x 11.79 x 15.72 inches (20.9 x 299.6 x 399.2 mm)
WeightStarting 6.54 lbs (2.96 kg)
ColorsLunar light

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Dell's other new gaming laptops, including the Alienware x14, will launch later this year. The Alienware m15 R7 will start shipping on February 1, 2022.

The first generation Alienware x15 and x17 are still available on Dell's website. Make sure you buy an Alienware x15 R2 or x17 R2 if you'd like one of the latest gaming laptops from Dell.

Dell Alienware x15 R2

<a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100624765-12578053?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https:/www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/alienware-x15-r2-gaming-laptop/spd/alienware-x15-r2-laptop/wnr2x15cto10s" data-link-merchant="dell.com"" data-original-url="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/100048247/type/dlg/sid/UUwpUdUnU90323/https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/alienware-x15-r2-gaming-laptop/spd/alienware-x15-r2-laptop/wnr2x15cto10s"> Dell Alienware x15 R2

This powerful gaming laptop runs on a 12th Gen Intel Core processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series laptop graphics.

Dell Alienware x17 R2

<a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100624765-12578053?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https:/www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/alienware-x17-r2-gaming-laptop/spd/alienware-x17-r2-laptop/wnr2x17cto10s" data-link-merchant="dell.com"" data-original-url="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/100048247/type/dlg/sid/UUwpUdUnU90323/https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/alienware-x17-r2-gaming-laptop/spd/alienware-x17-r2-laptop/wnr2x17cto10s"> Dell Alienware x17 R2

Inside, this gaming laptop runs on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series laptop graphics and the latest CPU from Intel. Despite its power, the laptop is quite thin.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com.