Computex 2019 | Alienware m17 R1 is barely six months old, gets completely refreshed with even thinner Alienware m17 R2

The 2018 15.6-inch Alienware m15 R1 launched half a year earlier than the 17.3-inch Alienware m17 R1. As of Computex 2019, Dell will be aligning both models to the same launch window and refresh cycle for their respective Alienware m15 R2 and Alienware m17 R2 updates. Because of this and the fact that the m17 R1 was so late to the party, the upcoming m17 R2 will be one of the quickest gen-to-gen redesigns we've seen yet from Dell.

The Alienware m17 R2 will be based on the same design language and chassis material as the beefier 17.3-inch Area-51m but in a smaller and thinner package much like on the new Alienware m15 R2. The Alienware m series continues the tradition of catering to gamers who want super-thin laptops in contrast to the original Alienware 15 or 17 series or the Area-51m desktop replacement. CPU, GPU, storage, battery, and RAM specifications for the m17 R2 will be identical to the m15 R2 including up to the Core i9-9980HK processor, RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics, and soldered 8 to 16 GB of DDR4 RAM. Even the keyboard will be identical with per-key RGB lighting and 1.7 mm of key travel. It will, however, feature an integrated NumPad because of the wider volume available. Users will not be able to upgrade the RAM unlike on the original m17 R1.

Display options will be identical to the Area-51m. Unfortunately, this means that the system will be limited to 1080p at 60 Hz or 144 Hz for now with no 4K UHD SKUs until further down the road. Dell will also ship one of three AC adapters (130 W, 180 W, or 240 W) of different sizes depending on the GPU option chosen to improve the portability of the system.

The Alienware m17 R2 will launch simultaneously with the Alienware m15 R2 on July 1st with the same starting price of $1500 USD. See our review on the original Alienware m17 R1 to learn more about what has changed between the two generations.