Alienware x14: Top Option for Portable Gaming

The smallest Alienware is an ‘Alder Lake’ powerhouse

- MATTHEW BUZZI

It’s safe to say gaming laptops with 14-inch screens are in vogue. Multiple manufacturers are now offering downsized versions of the most popular 15-inch and 17-inch designs. Among them is the new Alienware x14 (starts at $1,649.99; $2,299.99 as tested), a new size for the X Series that takes its design cues from the larger Alienware x15 and x17. The slim and compact design makes much more sense at 14 inches than it did at larger screen sizes, though, resulting in a truly portable laptop that has reason to be especially trim.

The internal power backs up the concept: The brand-new Intel Core i7 “Alder Lake” processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU in our model deliver a full-fledged gaming experience, comparable to or better than competing laptops.

You can still get more power per dollar in a larger laptop, but if you know that your gaming rig will be a frequent travel companion, then the Alienware x14 is a top option.

A NATURAL FIT: X SERIES DESIGN AT 14 INCHES

First, a little background on why this downsize is appealing. Alienware’s X Series spun off from the M Series line, taking the Alienware m15 and m17 base design, tweaking the look, and making them even thinner. The result is the x15 and x17. The x14 is a new size in both lines—there is no pre-existing 14-inch M Series laptop, instead just applying the X Series design to a smaller size.