Dell releases several gaming laptops under its Alienware brand every year, but don’t forget the hardware it makes in-house. They include the G15, which is focused on casual gamers and just got its update for 2022.
While the new version is very similar to its predecessor, there are some major improvements under the hood. Chief among these is the move to the Ryzen 6000 series, with a choice of Ryzen 5, 7 or 9 processors available.
This puts the G15 in the first wave of devices powered by the latest AMD processors. Combined with 8, 16, or 32GB of DDR5 RAM and SSDs ranging from 256GB to 2TB, performance should be solid.
But its effectiveness during gameplay will depend on the graphics card you choose. There are four Nvidia-capable RTX 30 series options, ranging from the RTX 3050 on entry models to the RTX 3070 Ti on the higher end. The latter is the most powerful discrete GPU we’ve seen in a G-series laptop to date.
There are three display options here, although all are 15.6-inch LED panels. You can choose from Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 120Hz, Full HD at 165Hz, or QHD (2560 x 1440) at 240Hz. Everything should offer an immersive gaming experience, but brightness can be an issue for some people. Cheaper configurations can only go up to 250 nits, while 400 nits on higher-end models means outside visibility will be an issue.
Gaming performance can still take a hit when battery power is used, but Dell offers a choice here based on how long you’ll be away from the charger. A 56-watt cell is typical of modern laptops, but can be upgraded to 86 watts. Both support fast charging through a conventional 180W or 240W DC outlet.
Photo: Dell
It’s linked by USB-C (for connecting to external monitors), USB-A, and HDMI in the back, but the ports don’t stop there. On the sides, you’ll find two USB-A ports, an Ethernet jack, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. This means there is still plenty of room for large fan grilles, which can also be found above a full-size keyboard with a separate number pad.
However, to make room for all this, the device is relatively bulky. At just 27mm thick and weighing just over 2.5kg as its starting weight, it’s certainly not the most portable 15-inch laptop. But maybe that’s not why you bought it.
The Dell G15 will be available in select countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa from April 21. There’s no information on a release date anywhere else, but we only have US pricing for now. Starting at $899.99 (about £690), it looks like a rival to the budget gaming laptop chart.
Along with the G15, Dell has officially launched the Alienware m15 R5 and m15 R7. Both will cost over $1,500 and are therefore designed for enthusiastic gamers.
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