Most hardcore gamers couldn't care less about how a gaming laptop looks. Give them the fastest processor and most powerful 3D graphics card and let them get on with the show. While most gaming laptop manufacturers would agree (they would buy the bulkiest bare-bone chassis from a Taiwanese factory and customize it with their own parts), Alienware is the one company that goes against the grain. The Alienware M17x ($4,850 direct) is now the benchmark of gaming laptop designs, as its frame is completely covered in aluminum metals—a look reminiscent of an all-terrain vehicle. Even after focusing much of its attention on design, Alienware didn't forget about its processing roots: An Intel Extreme Quad core processor and the ability to switch between a low-powered and a ridiculously powerful Nvidia graphics card deliver a gaming punch like no other. Yeah, it'll cost you a bundle, but we're still giving it the Editors' Choice in the gaming category.
Alienware Corp
http://www.alienware.com
- Price as Tested: $4,850.00 Direct
- Type: Gaming, Media
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
- Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9300
- Processor Speed: 2.53 GHz
- RAM: 8 GB
- Weight: 17 lb
- Screen Size Type: widescreen
- Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 280M GTX
- Storage Capacity: 1000 GB
- Networking Options: 802.11n
- Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW DL with Blu-Ray
