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Reading Time: 5 minutesOf all the Alienware laptops that I’ve tested in the past few years (and there have been many), the super slender form factor of the new Alienware x14 is easily my favorite.
With a height of just 14.5mm (0.57 inches), it’s impressively thin, and when paired with an updated take on Alienware’s Legend 2.0 design, the result is an absolutely stunning device.
Despite its size, the x14 is powerful, with 12th-Gen Intel processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics, capable of playing triple-A games at high frame rates on its built-in 1080p display.
If you’re looking for a highly portable gaming laptop that can double up as a capable productivity machine on the go, the x14 is a great choice. However, the lack of ultra-high end graphics options, like an RTX 3070/3080, may push more demanding gamers to opt for larger models in the range.
Alienware x14 Snapshot
Alienware targets ultimate portability with the world’s thinnest 14-inch gaming laptop, with fast processors and graphics and cutting-edge cooling.
Selling Points:
- Impressively thin chassis
- Stunning design and excellent use of materials
- Great performance for a laptop this thin
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Runs very hot when pushed hard
- Lack of top-of-the-line graphics options
- Lack of higher screen resolution options
Features/Specs
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7 12700HCPU (up to 4.7GHz)
- 32GBs GDDR5 RAM (5200MHz)
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 (up to 75w)
- 2TB NVMe SSD
- 1080p 144Hz G-Sync display
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Windows 11 included
Starting Price: $1,649.99
Price as Tested: $2,299.99
The Alienware x14 is Portable Gaming at its Best
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The Alienware x14 is the first 14-inch Alienware laptop in several years, and it’s arrival is a welcomed one. One of the highlights of x14 ownership is how portable it is. I throw the laptop in my bag, along with the equally compact 130W USB-C charger, and effectively forget it’s even there.
Where I usually think twice about bringing a gaming laptop with me on trips out of town, the ease of carrying the x14 has opened the door to taking a powerful gaming laptop with me wherever I go. I regularly visit friends for long sessions of gaming (and beer drinking, as you do), and the x14 has made it much easier to come equipped with my own gaming station, ready for bouts of Forza Horizon 5 or Halo Infinite multiplayer.
Credit: Alienware
However, this extreme portability isn’t without its compromises. Alienware has engineered a cutting edge vapor chamber cooling system for the x14, which manages to keep the graphics card cool enough to perform consistently over long periods of gaming. But CPU temperatures are more volatile, with readings as high as 100 degrees Celsius occurring during my testing.
This doesn’t appear to affect performance in the short term, but such high processor temps might be a concern to those who plan on getting several years of reliable use out of their $2,300 investment.
The x14 also lacks the very highest graphics card options, with the RTX 3060 serving as the top model. If you want a laptop equipped with a more powerful RTX 3070 or 3080, you’re forced to opt for larger models, like this similarly priced Alienware m15, or 14-inch laptops from Razer.
Credit: Alienware
That’s not to say the x14 isn’t a powerful little laptop. I managed to eek out a 3DMark Time Spy score of 7551, which makes this laptop fast enough to play cutting-edge games like Battlefield V at over 80fps at 1080p.
Forza Horizon screams along at well over 70fps with graphics set to the Ultra preset, and it looks glorious on the built-in display. Speaking of which, the 1080p resolution may sound modest in the era of 4K TVs, but at 14 inches diagonally, this is the perfect resolution to balance sharp visuals with manageable performance. A 1440p option would be nice, but running games at that resolution would drop frame rates and increase the overall load on an already toasty system.
Luckily, nothing else about the display is modest. The 144Hz refresh rate and G-Sync compatibility enables high refresh-rate gaming with silky smooth visuals, ideal for competitive shooters and racing games. This level of performance, along with a high quality gaming mouse, such as the Alienware Tri-Mode Wireless Mouse I tested with this laptop, let’s you really play at your best.
Meanwhile, Dolby Vision and a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut means it also makes for an excellent media or productivity display on the go.
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This premium display pairs well with the overall high-quality design of the x14. I have been a self-professed fan of Alienware’s Legend 2.0 design in the past, and I think that the latest revision of this Luna Light aesthetic is absolutely stunning.
The thin screen bezels, matte white exterior and bright AlienFX RGB lighting are all excellent, and the soft-touch palm rests on the lower deck give the entire device a premium feel you don’t typically expect from gaming laptops.
Final Thoughts: Is the Alienware x14 Worth It?
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Excellent portability and premium build quality are the standout features of the Alienware x14. It’s a thin and light laptop slim enough to disappear in your bag without fuss, while also being capable of triple-A gaming at high frame rates on its gorgeous display.
If you’re looking for a laptop with the most extreme gaming performance, the lack of RTX 3070/3080 options on the x14 forces you to consider more suitable options such as the Alienware m15, or Razer Blade 14. But if you like to carry your laptop often, and portability is a priority, the x14 might be your best option.
Mike Jackson
Mike Jackson has been writing for high-profile publications for 16 years, primarily in the video game industry, but also covering tech. Mike is an obsessed video game hoarder with hundreds of games spanning a 30-year collection. An entire room in his house is dedicated to Super Mario, and he thinks the Nintendo Switch is “the best invention in human history.” Counseling may be necessary.