*Custom* Alienware M17x Gaming Laptops

The 17.1-inch wide-screen LCD display offers a 1,920x1,200 ,which is what we'd expect from a high-end 17-inch laptop (lessexpensive desktop replacements can have 1,440x900 displays). The screenlooks crisp and bright, and the edge-to-edge glass overlay adds aseamless feel, but it is subject to glare from light sources. We alsowouldn't mind seeing Alienware embrace the trend toward 16:9 displays.

Alienware's Fusion FX lighting and settings control systemreturns--even more over-the-top than ever. You can now set the colorfor the backlit keyboard in four separate zones, meaning you can createa rainbowlike design across the keys. The same software package alsoprovides a fairly comprehensive power control suite, which offers moredetailed options than the basic Windows Vista power settings, as wellas security controls, including facial recognition log-in software.

This new version continues the march toward modern minimalistdesign, with fewer distracting flourishes on the keyboard tray, and aslick edge-to-edge glass overlay on the display. The front edge hasalso gotten an overhaul, with an angled automotive-inspired grille thathelps the overall look from being too slablike. The anodized aluminumcase feels heavy and substantial--but also means you won't be taking iton too many trips outside the house (unless you like lugging aroundalmost 15 pounds of computer equipment).

We've always gotten down on Alienware for its dorm-room-chic designsensibilities, which seemed more like adolescent sci-fi fantasies thananything someone who could actually drop five grand on a laptop wouldbe interested in. The previous M17x made a few steps in the rightdirection, de-emphasizing the brand's iconic glowing alien head designand offering a smart matte black finish.

With an Intel Core 2 Quad Extreme QX9300, dual Nvidia GeForceGTX 280M GPUs, and 1TB of hard-drive space, this is about as powerfulas laptops get without resorting to stuffing actual desktop parts in achassis (as with the ). We often point to less expensive gaming laptops, such as the or the as offering a better bang for your buck, but if you want the very best,and are willing to pay for it, dropping several Gs on the new AlienwareM17x will make you the coolest nerd on your block.

We appreciate the evolved design of the new M17x, which doesaway with some of the dorm-like qualities of past Alienware systems,making for a (slightly) more sophisticated-looking package. Thesomewhat goofy custom lighting system remains, but theautomotive-inspired front-end grille and edge-to-edge glass on thedisplay offset that.

With a brand-new look and some of the highest-end tech available ina laptop, we're semi-surprised that Alienware has kept the M17x namefor its newest 17-inch laptop (even if it loses the X-Files-esque"Area-51" moniker). While the system starts at a reasonable $1,799,you'll need to configure something closer to our $4,849 review unit toreally get the benefit of Alienware's years of experience makinghigh-end gaming PCs.

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