Display, Keyboard and Trackpad

The Alienware 15 comes equipped with a 15.half-dozen-inch brandish that differs in resolution depending on the model you opt for. Base units come with a 1080p IPS LCD at 141 PPI, while peak-terminate models pack a 4K UHD IGZO IPS LCD for 282 PPI; both displays are threescore Hz. There'southward also a mid-tier option bachelor with select models: a 1080p TN panel with G-Sync and a 120 Hz refresh rate, and this is the variant I have with me to review.

Information technology'due south disappointing that the 4K variant does not come equipped with G-Sync, which would help with the lower framerates y'all'll achieve at that panel's native resolution. I'd propose against purchasing the 4K display if you're only opting for a GTX 1060 GPU, however GTX 1070 models should exist fine.

The 1080p TN model I received isn't fantastic from a quality perspective. The display is bright, achieving just over 400 nits in my testing, nonetheless a contrast ratio of simply 800:one, due to poor blackness levels, is below average. Viewing angles are terrible, which is to exist expected of a TN display; y'all'll desire to view this screen from expressionless centre for the all-time experience.

Default color functioning is bad. The display's gamut is a decent 96.viii% sRGB, however colors across the lath are distorted and simply incorrect. The display is not oversaturated, merely a dE2000 value of eight.0 in our custom colour performance tests indicates this console is far off displaying accurate colors. If you value color quality, it'd be a skilful idea to stay away from this display option.

Using CALMAN 5 to calibrate the Alienware 15's brandish I was able to accomplish far better color performance, although this came at the expense of brightness. Pulling dorsum this display'south dE2000 value in our custom exam to nether 1.0 (which is an excellent effect) reduced maximum effulgence to just 352 nits and the contrast ratio to just 680:1.

However, the main benefit to purchasing this display over the bones 1080p IPS model (which presumably boasts superior colors) is its performance in games. Having a 120 Hz refresh rate significantly improves the smoothness and responsiveness of games compared to a basic lx Hz console. The divergence is particularly noticeable in fast-paced games such every bit first-person shooters, where the extra frame charge per unit can help you lot react to enemies more quickly.

M-Sync is besides a meaning factor here, as it eliminates all screen fierce and makes frame rates as low equally 40 FPS feel polish and stutter-free. The GTX 1060 in particular is non always capable of pushing 60 FPS in demanding titles with quality settings maxed out, and this is where beingness able to comfortably play in the 40-60 FPS zone is advantageous.

The keyboard on the Alienware xv is typical of a gaming laptop, opting for standard total-width keys rather than an ultraportable-style chiclet pattern. The layout is decent, with large shift, tab, control and backspace keys, too as full-sized pointer keys. Travel altitude is very good, although the keyboard has a slightly mushy feel from its rubber dome keycaps; luckily you won't detect this while gaming.

On the left of the keyboard are 5 programmable macro keys that will be useful especially for MMO players. The F-keys double equally system part keys, and include useful toggles for things such as enabling/disabling the trackpad, switching between integrated and detached graphics, and changing the AlienFX lighting modes.

The trackpad is small merely serviceable, offering a good tracking and gesture experience, along with solid physical mouse buttons. Yous'll desire to use an actual mouse for most gaming anyway so the trackpad is of little importance here.