Alienware M17 R4 vs. Alienware M17 R1: Full specs comparison

We thoroughly analyzed technical specifications for Alienware M17 R4 and Alienware M17 R1 models, including CPU, memory, storage, battery life, display quality, and other features.

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Alienware M17 R4

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Alienware M17 R1

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Alienware M17 R4 Pros

Reasons that Alienware M17 R4 is better than Alienware M17 R1.

Newer manufacturing

2021 vs. 2019

Significantly faster CPU performance

Intel Core i9-10980HK inside Alienware M17 R4 has a 43% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core i7-9750H inside Alienware M17 R1.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
Alienware M17 R4 - Intel Core i9-10980HK
7,013
Alienware M17 R4 - Intel Core i7-10870H
6,596
Alienware M17 R1 - 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 R1 - Intel Core i5-8300H
3,269
Supports faster memory

Alienware M17 R4 supports a faster memory speed than the Alienware M17 R1. It supports up to 2933MHz versus 2666MHz of system memory on the Alienware M17 R1.

Memory type and speed
Alienware M17 R4 - DDR4
2,933 MHz
Alienware M17 R1 - DDR4
2,666 MHz
About 5% lighter

Alienware M17 R4 weighed 5.51 pounds, 5% lighter than the 5.79 pounds Alienware M17 R1.

WeightAlienware M17 R4Alienware M17 R1
Pound
5.51 lbs.
5.79 lbs.
Kilogram
2.50 kg
2.63 kg

Alienware M17 R1 Pros

Reasons that Alienware M17 R1 is better than Alienware M17 R4.

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 R4 since it has onboard memory.

MemoryAlienware M17 R4Alienware M17 R1
Slots
Onboard
x2
TypeDDR4DDR4

Key Similars

Similar characteristics share between Alienware M17 R4 and Alienware M17 R1.

Supports the same maximum memory size of up to 32GB

Both laptops supports up to 32GB of system memory.

Max system memory size
Alienware M17 R4
32 GB
Alienware M17 R1
32 GB

Prices

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

Alienware M17 R4 Price
Alienware m17 R4, 17.3 inch FHD (Full HD) Gaming Laptop - Intel Core i7-10870H, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6, Windows 10 Home - Lunar Light
 Alienware m17 R4, 17.3 inch FHD (Full HD) Gaming Laptop - Intel Core i7-10870H, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6, Windows 10 Home - Lunar Light
By Alienware
$2,399.00
See at Amazon
Dell Alienware m17 R4 Gaming Laptop (2021) | 17.3" FHD | Core i7-2TB SSD - 16GB RAM - RTX 3070 | 8 Cores @ 5 GHz - 10th Gen CPU - 8GB GDDR6 Win 10 Pro (Renewed)
 Dell Alienware m17 R4 Gaming Laptop (2021) | 17.3" FHD | Core i7-2TB SSD - 16GB RAM - RTX 3070 | 8 Cores @ 5 GHz - 10th Gen CPU - 8GB GDDR6 Win 10 Pro (Renewed)
By Dell
$1,659.83
See at Amazon
Dell Alienware m17 R4 Gaming Laptop (2021) | 17.3" FHD | Core i7 - 1TB SSD - 16GB RAM - RTX 3060 | 8 Cores @ 5 GHz - 10th Gen CPU - 12GB GDDR6 Win 11 Pro (Renewed)
 Dell Alienware m17 R4 Gaming Laptop (2021) | 17.3" FHD | Core i7 - 1TB SSD - 16GB RAM - RTX 3060 | 8 Cores @ 5 GHz - 10th Gen CPU - 12GB GDDR6 Win 11 Pro (Renewed)
By Dell
$1,485.99
See at Amazon
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
$32.90 12% OFF
See at Amazon
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
See at Amazon
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
See at Amazon

Specs Comparison

Availability

Alienware M17 R4Alienware M17 R1
Released20212019
Release Date
  • Announced on January 12, 2021 (CES 2021)
  • Available on January 26, 2021
  • Announced at CES 2019
  • Available on January 29, 2019
PricingStarting at $2,149.99Starting at $1,649.99
Generations

Exterior

Alienware M17 R4Alienware M17 R1
Dimensions15.74” x 11.585” x 0.6618 - 0.87 - 0.8154” (399.8 mm x 294.26 mm x 16.9 - 22 - 20.71 mm)16.1 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)
WeightStarting at 5.51 lbs (2.50 kg) up to 6.55 lbs (2.97 kg)Starting at 5.79 Lbs (2.63 Kg)
Colors
  • Dark Side of the Moon with High Endurance Clear Coat
  • Lunar Light with High Endurance Clear Coat
  • Epic Silver
  • Nebula Red
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • Keyboard
    • Alienware mSeries 4-Zone AlienFX RGB keyboard.
    • Alienware mSeries keyboard with per-key RGB LED.
  • AlienFX lighting
  • Includes anti-ghosting and N-key rollover technology
  • 1.7mm key travel
  • 0.2mm-dish concave key design
  • 4.13 x 2.36 in (105 mm x 80 mm) precision touchpad with multi-touch gesture support.
  • 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.

Display

Alienware M17 R4Alienware M17 R1
Size17.3 Inches17.3 Inches
Info
  • 17.3” FHD with 144Hz 
    1920 x 1080 127 PPI 7ms response time 300 nits 16:9 72% NTSC NVIDIA G-SYNC Technology 600:1 contrast ratio Anti-glare WVA
  • 17.3” FHD with 360Hz
    1920 x 1080 127 PPI tms response time 300 nits 16:9 100% sRGB color gamut NVIDIA G-SYNC Technology 700:1 Anti-glare WVA
  • 17.3” UHD with 60Hz
    3840 x 2160 255 PPI 25ms response time 500 nits 16:9 100% Adobe RGB 1 200:1 contrast ratio 12W max Tobii Eyetracking technology WVA
Full 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

Ports

Alienware M17 R4Alienware M17 R1
Alienware M17 R4 Ports
Image Source: Dell
  • 1 x Thunderbolt™ 3 Port
    Supports USB Type-C™ with support for USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps, 40Gbps Thunderbolt, and DisplayPort 1.2.
  • 2 x Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port
  • 1 x Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1 port with PowerShare technology
  • 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet port
  • 1 x Alienware Graphics Amplifier Port
  • 1 x HDMI 2.1
    Supports up to 4K@120Hz display out.
  • 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)
  • 1 x microSD 5.1, UHD-II HD312 Card Reader
  • 1 x Power/DC-in Port
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)

Internal Specs

Alienware M17 R4Alienware M17 R1
Processor
  1. 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-10870H
    8 cores, 16 threads, 2.20 → 5.00 GHz, 16MB SmartCache, 45W
  2. 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-10980HK
    8 cores, 16 threads, 2.40 → 5.30 GHz, 16MB SmartCache, 45W
  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
Integrated Graphics
  1. 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-10870H
    Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1200 MHz
  2. 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-10980HK
    Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1250 MHz
  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
Memory
8 GB 16 GB 32 GB
2933 MHz Dual-channel DDR4 RAM.
  • 8 GB 16 GB 32 GB
    2666 MHz Dual-channel DDR4 RAM.
    2 x SODIMM Slots.
Discrete GraphicsNVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3000 series
  • 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
StorageAvailable Slots
  • One M.2 2230 slot (Up to 512GB)
  • Two M.2 2230/2280 slots (Up to 2TB each)
Single Drive
  • 256 GB PCIe M.2 SSD
  • 512 GB PCIe M.2 SSD
  • 1 TB PCIe M.2 SSD
  • 2 TB PCIe M.2 SSD
RAID-0
  • 512GB (2x256 PCIe M.2 SSD) RAID0
  • 1TB (2x 512 PCIe M.2 SSD) RAID0
  • 2TB (2x 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD) RAID0
  • 4TB (2x 2TB PCIe M.2 SSD) RAID0
RAID-0 Plus
  • 1TB (2x 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD) RAID0 [Boot] + 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD [Storage]
  • 2TB (2x 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD) RAID0 [Boot] + 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD [Storage]
  • 4TB (2x 2TB PCIe M.2 SSD) RAID0 [Boot] + 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD [Storage]
Single 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

Connectivity

Alienware M17 R4Alienware M17 R1
Wi-Fi
  • Rivet Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650i
    Dual Band 2.4 GHz/5 GHz up to 2400 Mbps, WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax.
  • 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.
Bluetooth
  • Rivet Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650i › Bluetooth 5.1
  • Qualcomm QCA61x4A (DW1820) › Bluetooth 4.2
  • Rivet Killer 1550 › Bluetooth 5.0
  • Rivet Killer AX1650 › Bluetooth 5.1
Ethernet
  • Killer™ Ethernet E3100X PCI-e Gigabit ethernet controller
    Transfer rate: 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps
  • Killer E2500 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller

Battery

Alienware M17 R4Alienware M17 R1
Size86 WHr, 6-cell smart lithium-ion with Alienware Battery Defender
  • 4-cell smart lithium-ion (60 Wh)
  • 6-cell smart lithium-ion (90Wh)
Power Supply
  • 240W power adapter
  • 330W power adapter
  • 130W (19.50 VDC/6.70A)
  • 180W (19.50 VDC/9.23A)
* Support Hybrid Power

Software

Alienware M17 R4Alienware M17 R1
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
    Supports AlienFX lighting, Game
    Library with auto-tune game profile functionality.
  • Alienware Adrenalin
  • Alienware Mobile Connect
  • Microsoft Office 365 (30-day trial)
  • Alienware Command Center
  • Microsoft Office 365 (30-day trial)

Camera & Audio

Alienware M17 R4Alienware M17 R1
CameraFront-facing camera
Alienware FHD (1920x1080 resolution) camera.
  • Front-facing camera
    Alienware FHD (1920x1080 resolution) camera.
Audio
  • Controller: Realtek ALC3281-CG
    • 7.1 Digital Audio out using HDMI out connection
    • Alienware Sound Center via Alienware Command Center
  • Speakers:
    • 2-Way (Woofer/Tweeter) Stereo Speaker Design
    • Includes Discrete Smart Amp Woofer technology
  • Microphone:
    • Digital-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 and Audio Recon software
  • Microphone
    • Dual-array microphones in the camera assembly

Misc

Alienware M17 R4Alienware M17 R1
Sensors
  • Tobii Eyetracking technology (optional)
-
Security
  • Wedge-shaped lock slot
  • Trusted Protection Module
  • Wedge-shaped lock slot
Warranty-1 Year Hardware Service with Onsite/In-Home Service After Remote Diagnosis
MoreCHASIS
  • Based on Alienware's Legend industrial design language
  • Engineered with Alienware's Advanced Cryo-Tech Cooling technology
  • Engineered with HyperEfficient Voltage Regulation
  • Constructed with a Magnesium Alloy exterior shell and copper alloy thermal components
CHASIS
  • 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

Key Features

Alienware M17 R4Alienware M17 R1
At Glance
Released in Early
2021
16:9 FHD
17.3”
1080p 360Hz
Weight
5.51 lb
2.50 kg
Up to
Intel Core i9-10980HK
8C/16T, 2.40 → 5.30 GHz
Geekbench 5
1,223
Single Core
Geekbench 5
7,013
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® UHD Graphics 630
24 Execution Units, 350 → 1250 MHz
Configurable up to
32GB
2933 MHz DDR4
Alienware M17 R4 Ports
Nvidia GeForce
RTX 3080
8GB GDDR6
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

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