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Dell could be planning 120 Hz or 144 Hz panel options for the Alienware m17 gaming laptop

The Alienware m17 gaming laptop currently only has 60-Hz panel options. (Source: Dell)
The Alienware m17 gaming laptop currently only has 60-Hz panel options. (Source: Dell)
There is a possibility that Dell could be considering incorporating a 120 Hz or 144 Hz panel with the Alienware m17 laptop at some point in the future, although nothing concrete has been confirmed (or denied). The topic was raised when Dell’s Frank Azor asked a concerned gamer on Twitter what they would miss about the Alienware R4 series.

Update: There is a spec sheet for the Alienware m17 that mentions a 17.3-inch QHD (2560x1440) 120 Hz Anti-Glare TN display option. So it seems at least a 120 Hz panel will eventually make an appearance.

There’s no denying the new Alienware m15 and m17 devices are quite impressive. The engineers at Dell and its subsidiary Alienware have managed to stuff high-end components into thinner and lighter cases, thus enabling true mobile gaming. As we already reported, the m15 and m17 are effectively replacing the Alienware 15 and 17 series, with the Alienware Area-51m serving as a desktop replacement. But there have been some concerns raised in regard to the panel choices with the m17.

A Twitter user asked Alienware’s co-founder, Frank Azor, if the still-remaining stocks of the Alienware 15 and 17 laptops will be given an RTX option. Azor answered in the negative, reminding the questioner that those series are being phased out. He then asked the fellow tweeter what they would miss from them the most, the answer being “1440p at 120 Hz.” Azor mentioned the m15 and m17 have 120 Hz panel options, but it seems the executive’s mind was elsewhere at the time, as only the m15 has options over 60 Hz in the configurator at the moment, with a 144 Hz display offered in the choices.

Azor then proceeded to ask Umar Khan, the Alienware Community Product Specialist, when 120 Hz or 144 Hz panels would be available for the m17. This was the response: “As of right now I do not have confirmation or dates for the 120 Hz and 144 Hz m17. Working on it still.” That could be interpreted as Dell is planning on offering more than just the 60 Hz panel options that the m17 configurations currently list – at least there was no outright negative reply (see update above).

However, currently there is a choice for gamers who want an Alienware laptop that offers a 17.3-inch screen and a panel with a refresh rate over 60 Hz. The Alienware Area-51m has 144-Hz panel options, but it is bigger and much heavier than the m17: 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) versus the latter’s mobile-friendly 5.79 lbs (2.63 kg).

Source(s)

Twitter (account for Frank Azor)

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2019 01 > Dell could be planning 120 Hz or 144 Hz panel options for the Alienware m17 gaming laptop
Daniel R Deakin, 2019-01-22 (Update: 2019-01-23)