Alienware M17 R1 vs. Alienware M17 R2

We have comprehensively compared the specifications for the Alienware M17 R1 and Alienware M17 R2 models. The report includes detailed information regarding both models' CPU, memory, storage, battery life, display quality, and other features.

Alienware M17 R1 Pros

Reasons that Alienware M17 R1 is better than Alienware M17 R2.

Supports larger memory

Alienware M17 R1 supports a larger memory capacity than the Alienware M17 R2. It supports up to 32GB versus 16GB of system memory on the Alienware M17 R2.

Max system memory size
Alienware M17 R1
32 GB
Alienware M17 R2
16 GB
Upgradable memory

Alienware M17 R1 comes with two SODIMM slots that allow you to replace or upgrade when needed. On the flip side, you can't upgrade RAM on the Alienware M17 R2 since it has onboard memory.

MemoryAlienware M17 R1Alienware M17 R2
Slots
x2
Onboard
TypeDDR4DDR4

Alienware M17 R2 Pros

Reasons that Alienware M17 R2 is better than Alienware M17 R1.

Significantly faster CPU performance

Intel Core i9-9980HK inside Alienware M17 R2 has a 33% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core i7-9750H inside Alienware M17 R1.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
Alienware M17 R2 - Intel Core i9-9980HK
6,504
Alienware M17 R2 - Intel Core i9-9880H
6,100
Alienware M17 R1 - Intel Core i7-9750H
4,880
Alienware M17 R2 - Intel Core i7-9750H
4,880
Alienware M17 R1 - Intel Core i9-8950HK
4,806
Alienware M17 R1 - Intel Core i7-8750H
4,470
Alienware M17 R2 - Intel Core i5-9300H
3,308
Alienware M17 R1 - Intel Core i5-8300H
3,269

Key Similars

Similar characteristics share between Alienware M17 R1 and Alienware M17 R2.

Uses the same memory type and speed

Both laptops supports the same 2666MHz DDR4 RAM.

Memory type and speed
Alienware M17 R1 - DDR4
2,666 MHz
Alienware M17 R2 - DDR4
2,666 MHz

Prices

Here are the latest price updates and offers for both devices.

Alienware M17 R1 Price
AC adapter 240 Watt Original FWCRC for Alienware Area-51 M17x / M17-R1 / M17X / M17X-R3; Asus G70 / G70S / G70SG; Dell Precision M6400, M6500, M6600
AC adapter 240 Watt Original FWCRC for Alienware Area-51 M17x / M17-R1 / M17X / M17X-R3; Asus G70 / G70S / G70SG; Dell Precision M6400, M6500, M6600
By Dell
$28.99
$32.83 12% OFF
Dell Laptop Charger 330W Watt Barrel 7.4mm tip AC Power Adapter,Alienware M16 M17 R3 M18 X17 R1 R4 AC Adapter
Dell Laptop Charger 330W Watt Barrel 7.4mm tip AC Power Adapter,Alienware M16 M17 R3 M18 X17 R1 R4 AC Adapter
By Dell
$159.99
Ebid Dealz Replacement for 17.3" Black LCD Bezel Front Frame Screen Cover Dell Alienware M17 R1 R2 ALW17M 9HJPW 09HJPW CN-09HJPW
Ebid Dealz Replacement for 17.3" Black LCD Bezel Front Frame Screen Cover Dell Alienware M17 R1 R2 ALW17M 9HJPW 09HJPW CN-09HJPW
By Generic
$21.00
Alienware M17 R2 Price
Alienware X17 R2 VR Ready Gaming Laptop - 17.3-inch FHD 360Hz 1ms Display, Core i7-12700H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070Ti 8GB GDDR6, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6, USB-C, Windows 11 Home - White
Alienware X17 R2 VR Ready Gaming Laptop - 17.3-inch FHD 360Hz 1ms Display, Core i7-12700H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070Ti 8GB GDDR6, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6, USB-C, Windows 11 Home - White
By Alienware
$1,859.99
$2,149.97 13% OFF
Alienware M18 R2 Gaming Laptop - 18 QHD+ 165Hz 3ms Display, Intel Core i9-14900HX, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12 GB GDDR6, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Dark Metallic Moon
Alienware M18 R2 Gaming Laptop - 18 QHD+ 165Hz 3ms Display, Intel Core i9-14900HX, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12 GB GDDR6, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Dark Metallic Moon
By Alienware
$2,799.99
2019 Dell Alienware m17 R2 Laptop 17.3" - Intel Core i7 9th Gen - i7-9750H - Six Core 4.5Ghz - 512GB SSD - 16GB RAM - Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti - 1920x1080 FHD - Windows 10 Home (Renewed)
2019 Dell Alienware m17 R2 Laptop 17.3" - Intel Core i7 9th Gen - i7-9750H - Six Core 4.5Ghz - 512GB SSD - 16GB RAM - Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti - 1920x1080 FHD - Windows 10 Home (Renewed)
By Dell
$1,632.95

Availability

Alienware M17 R1Alienware M17 R2
Released20192019
Release Date
  • Announced at CES 2019
  • Available on January 29, 2019
  • Announced at Computex 2019
  • Available on June 11, 2019
PricingStarting at $1,649.99Starting at $1,499.99
Generations

Exterior

Alienware M17 R1Alienware M17 R2
Dimensions16.1 x 11.52 x 0.727 - 0.91 in (362 x 292.5 x 18.5 - 23 mm)
  • Width: 16.1 in. (362 mm)
  • Depth: 11.52 in. (292.5 mm)
  • Height: 0.727 - 0.91 in. (18.5 - 23 mm)
15.74 x 11.59 x 0.73 - 0.77 in (399.80 x 294.30 x 18.60 - 19.50 mm)
  • Width: 15.74 in. (399.80 mm)
  • Depth: 11.59 in. (294.30 mm)
  • Height: 0.73 - 0.77 in. (18.60 - 19.50 mm)
WeightStarting at 5.79 Lbs (2.63 Kg)Starting at 5.80 lb (2.63 kg)
Colors
  • Epic Silver
  • Nebula Red
  • Lunar Light
  • Dark Side of the Moon
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • Keyboard
    • Alienware AlienFX mSeries keyboard with anti-ghosting technology
    • 1.4mm key travel, programmable macro keys, alphanumeric keys
  • Touchpad
    • 4.13 x 2.56 in (105 mm x 65 mm) All-points addressable (APA) trackpad.
  • Keyboard
    • Alienware mSeries keyboard with per-key RGB LED AlienFX lighting
    • Includes anti-ghosting and N-key rollover technology
    • 1.7 mm key travel and alphanumeric keys
    • 0.2 mm-dish concave key design
  • Touchpad
    • Size: 4.13” x 3.15” (105 mm x 80 mm)
    • Premium Precision-Point glass touchpad

Display

Alienware M17 R1Alienware M17 R2
Size17.3 Inches17.3 Inches
InfoFull HD with 60Hz refresh rate
  • 1920 x 1080, 127 PPI, 35ms response time, 300 nits, 16:9, 72% color gamut, 500:1 contrast ratio, Anti-glare, 8W max power consumption.
Ultra HD with 60Hz refresh rate
  • 3180 x 2160, 255 PPI, 400 nits, 16:9, 800:1 contrast ratio, 100% sRGB color gamut, Anti-glare, 14W max power consumption
All options
  • Wide Viewing Angles on all displays with 85 degrees viewing from all directions
Full HD with 60Hz refresh rate
  • 1920 x 1080, 127 PPI, 25ms response time, 300 nits, 16:9, 72% NTSC color gamut, 700:1 contrast ratio, Anti-glare, 8W max power consumption.
Full HD with 144Hz refresh rate
  • 1920 x 1080, 127 PPI, 9ms response time, 300 nits, 16:9, 72% NTSC color gamut, 800:1 contrast ratio, Anti-glare, 8.5W max power consumption.
  • Eyesafe® Display Tech + Tobii Eyetracking
All options
  • Wide Viewing Angles on all displays with 85 degrees viewing from all directions

Ports

Alienware M17 R1Alienware M17 R2
Alienware M17 R1 Ports
Image Source: Dell
  • 1 x Power/DC-in Jack
  • 1 x RJ-45 Killer Networks e2500 Gigabit Ethernet Port
  • 2 x Type-A SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Port
  • 1 x Type-A SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Port with PowerShare technology
  • 1 x Thunderbolt™ 3 Port (USB Type-C™ with support for SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps, 40Gbps Thunderbolt, and DisplayPort)
  • 1 x Alienware Graphics Amplifier Port
  • 1 x HDMI 2.0 Output
  • 1 x Mini-Display Port 1.3 (certified) Output
  • 1 x Audio Out 1/8" Ports (Compatible with inline mic headset)
  • 1 x Wedge-shaped lock slot (cable and lock sold separately)
Alienware M17 R2 Ports
Image Source: Dell
  • 1 x Power/DC-in Port
  • 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet port
  • 2 x Type-A USB 3.1 Gen 1 port
  • 1 x Type-A USB 3.1 Gen 1 port with PowerShare technology
  • 1 x Thunderbolt™ 3 Port (USB Type-C™ with support for USB 3.1 Gen 2 10Gbps, 40Gbps Thunderbolt™, and DisplayPort 1.2)
  • 1 x Alienware Graphics Amplifier Port
  • 1 x HDMI 2.0b Output Port
  • 1 x Mini-Display Port 1.4 (certified) Output Port
  • 1 x Audio Out 1/8" Ports (Compatible with inline mic headset)
  • 1 x Wedge-shaped lock slot (cable and lock sold separately)

Internal Specs

Alienware M17 R1Alienware M17 R2
Processor
  1. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8300H
    4 cores, 8 threads, 2.30 → 4.00 GHz, 8MB SmartCache, 45W
  2. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8750H
    6 cores, 12 threads, 2.20 → 4.10 GHz, 9MB SmartCache, 45W
  3. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-8950HK
    6 cores, 12 threads, 2.90 → 4.80 GHz, 12MB SmartCache, 45W
  4. 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-9750H
    6 cores, 12 threads, 2.60 → 4.50 GHz, 12MB SmartCache, 45W
  1. 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-9300H
    4 cores, 8 threads, 2.40 → 4.10 GHz, 8MB SmartCache, 45W
  2. 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-9750H
    6 cores, 12 threads, 2.60 → 4.50 GHz, 12MB SmartCache, 45W
  3. 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-9880H
    8 cores, 16 threads, 2.30 → 4.80 GHz, 16MB SmartCache, 45W
  4. 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-9980HK
    8 cores, 16 threads, 2.40 → 5.00 GHz, 16MB SmartCache, 45W
Integrated Graphics
  1. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8300H
    Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1000 MHz
  2. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8750H
    Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1100 MHz
  3. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-8950HK
    Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1200 MHz
  4. 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-9750H
    Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1150 MHz
  1. 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-9300H
    Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1050 MHz
  2. 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-9750H
    Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1150 MHz
  3. 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-9880H
    Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1200 MHz
  4. 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-9980HK
    Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1250 MHz
Memory
  • 8 GB 16 GB 32 GB
    2666 MHz Dual-channel DDR4 RAM.
    2 x SODIMM Slots.
  • 8 GB 16 GB
    2666 MHz Dual-channel DDR4 RAM.
    Onboard memory.
Discrete Graphics
  • NVIDIA® GeForce GTX® 1050 Ti (4GB GDDR5)
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2060 (6GB GDDR6) OC Ready
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2070 (8GB GDDR6) with Max-Q Design
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2080 (8GB GDDR6) with Max-Q Design
  • NVIDIA® GeForce GTX® 1650 (4GB GDDR5)
  • NVIDIA® GeForce GTX® 1660 Ti (6GB GDDR6)
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2060 (6GB GDDR6) OC Ready
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2070 (8GB GDDR6) with Max-Q Design
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2080 (8GB GDDR6) with Max-Q Design
StorageSingle Storage Configurations
  • 256 GB PCIe M.2 SSD
  • 512 GB PCIe M.2 SSD
  • 512 GB Intel Optane M.2 SSD
  • 1 TB PCIe M.2 SSD
Dual Storage Configurations
  • 128GB PCIe M.2 SSD + 1TB (+8GB SSHD) Hybrid Drive
  • 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD + 1TB (+8GB SSHD) Hybrid Drive
  • 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD + 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD
  • 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD + 1TB (+8GB SSHD) Hybrid Drive
  • 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD + 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD
  • 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD + 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD
Single Storage Configurations
  • 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD
  • 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD
  • 512GB Intel Optane M.2 SSD
  • 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD
  • 2TB PCIe M.2 SSD
Dual Storage Configurations
  • 512GB RAID0 (2x 256GB PCIe M.2 SSDs)
  • 1TB RAID0 (2x 512GB PCIe M.2 SSDs)
  • 512GB Intel Optane M2 SSD + 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD
  • 2TB RAID0 (2x 1TB PCIe M.2 SSDs)
  • 4TB RAID0 (2x 2TB PCIe M.2 SSDs)

Connectivity

Alienware M17 R1Alienware M17 R2
Wi-Fi
  • Qualcomm QCA61x4A (DW1820)
    Dual Band 2.4 GHz/5 GHz up to 867 Mbps, WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac.
  • Rivet Killer 1550
    Dual Band 2.4 GHz/5 GHz up to 1733 Mbps, WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac.
  • Rivet Killer WiFi 6 AX1650
    Dual Band 2.4 GHz/5 GHz up to 2400 Mbps, WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax.
  • Intel® Dual-Band Wireless AC 8265
    • Dual Band 2.4 GHz/5 GHz up to 867 Mbps, WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac.
  • Rivet Killer WiFi 6 AX1650w
    • Dual Band 2.4 GHz/5 GHz up to 2400 Mbps, WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax.
Bluetooth
  • Qualcomm QCA61x4A (DW1820) › Bluetooth 4.2
  • Rivet Killer 1550 › Bluetooth 5.0
  • Rivet Killer AX1650 › Bluetooth 5.1
  • Intel® Dual-Band Wireless AC 8265
    • Bluetooth 4.2
  • Rivet Killer 1650w
    • Bluetooth 5
Ethernet
  • Killer E2500 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller
  • Killer E2600 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller
    • 10/100/1000 Mbps
  • Killer E3000 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller
    • 10/100/1000/25000 Mbps

Battery

Alienware M17 R1Alienware M17 R2
Size
  • 4-cell smart lithium-ion (60 Wh)
  • 6-cell smart lithium-ion (90Wh)
6-cell lithium-ion polymer (76Wh)
Power Supply
  • 130W (19.50 VDC/6.70A)
  • 180W (19.50 VDC/9.23A)
* Support Hybrid Power
  • E4 130W (19.50 VDC/6.70A)
  • E4 180W (19.50 VDC/9.23A)
  • E4 240W (19.50 VDC/12.31A)
* Support Hybrid Power

Software

Alienware M17 R1Alienware M17 R2
OS
Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro
Upgradable to Windows 11
Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro
Upgradable to Windows 11
Built-in Apps
  • Alienware Command Center
  • Microsoft Office 365 (30-day trial)
  • Alienware Command Center
  • Alienware Adrenalin
  • Alienware Mobile Connect
  • Microsoft Office 365 (30-day trial)

Camera & Audio

Alienware M17 R1Alienware M17 R2
Camera
  • Front-facing camera
    Alienware FHD (1920x1080 resolution) camera.
  • Front-facing camera
    Alienware FHD (1920x1080 resolution) camera.
Audio
  • Audio
    • Realtek ALC3281-CG controller
    • 2.0 Speaker configuration
    • 7.1 Digital Audio out using HDMI out connection
    • Alienware Sound Center and Audio Recon software
  • Microphone
    • Dual-array microphones in the camera assembly
  • Audio
    • Realtek ALC3281-CG controller
    • 2.0 Speaker configuration
    • 7.1 Digital Audio out using HDMI out connection
    • Alienware Sound Center via Alienware Command Center
  • Microphone
    • Dual-array microphones in the camera assembly

Misc

Alienware M17 R1Alienware M17 R2
Sensors-
  • Tobii Eye Tracking (Optional)
Security
  • Wedge-shaped lock slot
  • Wedge-shaped lock slot
Warranty1 Year Hardware Service with Onsite/In-Home Service After Remote Diagnosis-
MoreCHASIS
  • Exterior Chassis Materials
    • Magnesium Alloy
  • Thermal
    • Cryo-Tech v2.0 Cooling Technology
    • Dual-Intake, Dual-Exhaust Airflow Design
    • High-Voltage Driving Fans
    • Load-balancing Heat Pipes
    • Copper Fin Stacks
    • Thermal Controls
    • Whisper-quiet operation
CHASIS
  • AlienFX Lighting Zones
    • Programmable with up to 16.8 million distinct colors
  • Exterior Chassis Materials
    • Magnesium Alloy exterior shell
    • Copper Alloy thermal structures
  • Customized Features
    • AlienFX Lighting Detail
    • Programmable with up to 16.8 million distinct colors
    • Alienware Command Center
    • AlienFX Lighting Technology
    • Game Library with auto-tune game profile functionality
    • Fusion (Includes support for Overclock, Thermal, Power, Audio, and Audio Recon profiles)
  • Thermal
    • Cryo-Tech v3.0 Cooling Technology
    • Dual-Intake, Dual-Exhaust Airflow Design
    • High-Voltage Driving Fans
    • Load-balancing Heat Pipes
    • Dense Copper Fin Stacks
    • Dynamics Thermal Controls

Key Features

Alienware M17 R1Alienware M17 R2
At Glance
Released in Early
2019
16:9 4K UHD
17.3”
2160p 60Hz
Weight
5.79 lb
2.63 kg
Up to
Intel Core i7-9750H
6C/12T, 2.60 → 4.50 GHz
Geekbench 5
1,044
Single Core
Geekbench 5
4,880
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® UHD Graphics 630
24 Execution Units, 350 → 1150 MHz
Upgradable up to
32GB
2666 MHz DDR4
Alienware M17 R1 Ports
Nvidia GeForce
RTX 2080
8GB GDDR6 with Max-Q
Released in Mid
2019
16:9 FHD
17.3”
1080p 144Hz
Weight
5.80 lb
2.63 kg
Up to
Intel Core i9-9980HK
8C/16T, 2.40 → 5.00 GHz
Geekbench 5
1,114
Single Core
Geekbench 5
6,504
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® UHD Graphics 630
24 Execution Units, 350 → 1250 MHz
Configurable up to
16GB
2666 MHz DDR4
Alienware M17 R2 Ports
Nvidia GeForce
RTX 2080
8GB GDDR6 with Max-Q

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