When it comes to high-powered gaming laptops, Alienware and Razer lead the class, as the x15 and Blade 14 demonstrate. Because they are similarly priced and boast broadly comparable specs, we’re left with one crucial question: Which is the best? To work that out, here’s a closer look at these two behemoths of laptop gaming.
Alienware x15 Versus Razer Blade 14
Both the
Alienware x15 and
Razer Blade 14 are costly propositions, each priced over $2,000. That’s before any optional extras are specified, too. Fully loaded, it’s possible to spend an extra $1,000 or more. In total, the choice between Alienware’s x15 or Razer’s Blade 14 could be a decision worth upwards of $3,000.
To get a true feel for these high-powered gaming laptops, it’s best to compare the two in their most affordable guises.
Price
The best-selling Alienware x15 starts at $2,099.99. Of course, even in “entry-level” guise, it’s an immensely powerful machine. However, those looking for even higher levels of performance can shell out for
Dell-owned Alienware’s top-spec standard configuration, priced at $3,029.99. Additional upgrades can then see this price increase further still.
Meanwhile, Razer’s Blade 14 starts at $2,199.99. Razer offers the Blade 14 in two main configurations. The costlier of the two gets an upgraded graphics card among a couple of other tweaks and costs just a penny under $2,800. Although it is less customizable than the x15, it’s still possible to spend more by adding various extras, including a $180 130-watt USB-C
GaN charger.
Size
As the names suggest, the Alienware x15 does get an extra inch over the Razer Blade 14. For some, the importance of this size difference will be negligible. At the same time, when compared side-by-side, it’s definitely noticeable, so it’s worth bearing in mind. Either way, both options have displays with 165Hz refresh rates by default.
Elsewhere, the x15 is slightly heavier than the Blade 14 at around five pounds versus the smaller machine’s 3.92-pound weight. However, thickness-wise, there’s almost no difference when the two laptops are closed. As one might expect, the larger of them is then around an inch wider and two inches longer.
Specification
In their standard configurations, there are numerous similarities between the Alienware x15 and Razer Blade 14. Given their comparable starting prices, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. That said, there are at least one or two important distinctions, including their
differing processors.
Alienware x15 specifications:
- 11th Generation Intel Core i7 processor
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
- Windows 11 Home
- 256GB SSD
- 16GB RAM
Razer Blade 14 specifications:
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070
- Windows 10 Home
- 1TB SSD
- 16GB RAM
As you can see, the Razer Blade 14 gets a slightly better graphics card by default. It also receives a significantly larger solid-state drive. And while the Alienware x15 ships with Windows 11 Home preinstalled, the Razer Blade 14’s Windows 10 Home operating system is easily upgraded with a simple software download.
It’s the smaller 14-inch device that’s the stronger of the two in terms of performance. So, what it lacks slightly in size, it more than makes up for with a better graphics card and additional storage. The marginally cheaper Alienware x15 can easily be made to match, although it very quickly becomes a much more expensive machine at that point.
Meanwhile, like the pair’s differing sizes, whether an individual would prefer an Intel or AMD chip will likely come down to personal preference in most cases.
Other Selling Points of the Alienware x15 and Razer Blade 14
Further to their core specs, the Alienware x15 and Razer Blade 14 each get various selling points of their own. In the case of the x15, these include the addition of cutting-edge cooling and quad fan technologies, tailored power, a premium AlienFX keyboard with corresponding lighting enhancements, boundary-breaking connectivity, and more.
On the other hand, the Blade 14 gets vapor chamber cooling with 88 fan blades, Razer Chroma RGB per-key lighting, built-in anti-ghosting technology, a precision glass touchpad, and similarly impressive so-called ultra-connectivity.
Are any of these points even close to as important as either device’s performance figures? That’s debatable. Where the decision between the two is a close-run thing, however, a premium keyboard or vapor chamber cooling could be precisely what seals the deal one way or the other.
Best Extended Warranties for the Alienware x15 and Razer Blade 14
Both the Alienware x15 and Razer Blade 14 need to be paired with an extended warranty to protect them from defects and accidental damage. Accordingly,
Upsie offers the
best gaming laptop warranty solutions to protect laptops from damage. Upsie offers warranties for the x15 from Alienware and Razer’s Blade 14, as well as alternatives, including the cheaper
Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition.
Upsie’s warranties cost up to 70 percent less than warranties from competitors, ensuring that customers get the most out of their coverage.
In addition, Upsie’s warranties offer comprehensive coverage, featuring insurance against manufacturer defects, mechanical faults, power failures, and more. All of Upsie’s laptop warranties also include accidental damage protection. As a result, Upsie safeguards customers’ precious gaming rigs in the event of drops, spills, and other unfortunate mishaps.
Best of all, Upsie is committed to providing extended warranties that are comprehensive, affordable, and easy to understand.
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