If you’re searching for a gaming laptop that stands out, the Alienware m15 R2 might have caught your eye. This machine, launched in 2019, was considered a premium gaming beast with a futuristic design, high-end specs, and AlienFX RGB lighting that made it look straight out of a sci-fi movie.

However, four years have passed, and new gaming laptops have hit the market. The question is: Can the Alienware m15 R2 still keep up? Does it still deliver the performance gamers need, or is it showing its age?

Having extensively tested this thin yet powerful laptop, I will break down everything you need to know—performance, cooling, design, battery life, and gaming experience. This review will not sugarcoat anything. If the laptop has issues, you’ll know about them.

Quick Specs Overview – What’s Inside the Alienware m15 R2?

Before getting into the details, let’s look at the core specifications of the m15 R2.

FeatureAlienware m15 R2

Processor Intel Core i7-9750H / i9-9980HK

Graphics (GPU) NVIDIA RTX 2060 / RTX 2070 Max-Q / RTX 2080 Max-Q

Memory (RAM) 16GB / 32GB DDR4 (non-upgradeable)

Storage 512GB / 1TB SSD (Upgradeable)

Display 15.6” FHD 144Hz / OLED 4K 60Hz

Battery Life 3-5 hours (Gaming), 6-7 hours (Casual Use)

Weight ~4.75 lbs (2.15 kg)

Keyboard AlienFX Per-Key RGB Lighting

Cooling System Cryo-Tech 3.0 with Vapor Chamber

Design & Build – A Gaming Laptop That Looks Out of This World

Alienware laptops are known for their futuristic and premium designs, and the m15 R2 is no exception. When you open the lid, you realize this is not just another gaming laptop—it’s a statement piece.

The chassis is made of magnesium alloy, giving it a sturdy, high-end feel. Unlike older Alienware bulky models, the m15 R2 is thin and lightweight for a gaming laptop, making it much easier to carry around.

It comes in two color variants:

• Lunar Light (White)
• Dark Side of the Moon (Black)

The RGB lighting is customizable using AlienFX, which allows you to change colors for each key, the Alienware logo, and the rear lighting strip. This adds a cool visual element, especially in low-light gaming setups.

Pros of the Design

✔ Premium build with a sleek design

✔ Thin and lightweight compared to older Alienware models

✔ Customizable RGB lighting

Cons of the Design

✖ No user-upgradeable RAM (soldered to the motherboard)

✖ The hinge design feels a bit stiff

✖ Fingerprints are visible on the black variant

The m15 R2 still holds up in terms of design. It feels like a high-end gaming laptop, but the non-upgradeable RAM disappoints those who like future-proofing their devices.

Performance – Can It Still Handle Today’s Games?

The performance of a gaming laptop is everything, so I ran multiple games on the RTX 2070 Max-Q version of the m15 R2. Here’s what I found:

GameFPS on High Settings (RTX 2070 Model)

Cyberpunk 2077 45-55 FPS

Call of Duty: Warzone 90-100 FPS

Red Dead Redemption 2 55-65 FPS

GTA V 100+ FPS

Valorant 200+ FPS

Apex Legends 110-120 FPS

How It Handles Modern Games

• AAA Titles: Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2 still run well, but you may need to lower some settings to maintain smooth performance.
• Esports Games: Games like Valorant, Apex Legends, and Warzone run great, delivering 90-200+ FPS, depending on the settings.
• Ray Tracing: Performance drops significantly if you enable ray tracing, so don’t expect smooth gameplay with ray tracing enabled in high settings.

Performance Verdict

The m15 R2 still holds its ground in 2024. It can handle most modern games, but newer laptops with RTX 30 and 40 series GPUs will do better if you’re looking for absolute top-tier performance.

Cooling System – Can It Handle the Heat?

Gaming laptops naturally get hot, but cooling is crucial. Alienware uses its Cryo-Tech cooling system, which includes a vapor chamber for heat dissipation.

How Well Does It Cool?

✔ Fans work efficiently under moderate gaming.

✔ The keyboard doesn’t get too hot, but the area above it does.

✖ Fans get LOUD under heavy loads.

✖ Long gaming sessions lead to noticeable heat buildup.

If you’re gaming for long periods, a cooling pad is recommended to keep temperatures in check.

Battery Life – Not the Best, But Expected for a Gaming Laptop

The battery life on the m15 R2 is average at best. Here’s what you can expect:

• Casual use (browsing, Netflix, writing, YouTube): 6-7 hours
• Gaming on battery: 3-4 hours max
• Performance on battery: Expect lower FPS and reduced GPU power

This is pretty standard for a gaming laptop, but this isn’t the best option it isn’t the best option if you want long battery life.

Final Verdict – Should You Still Buy the Alienware m15 R2 in 2024?

The Alienware m15 R2 is still a solid gaming laptop, but it depends on what you’re looking for.

✅ Reasons to Buy It

✔ Fantastic design and premium build

✔ Good performance for most games

✔ RGB lighting and AlienFX customization

✔ Thin and lightweight for a gaming laptop

❌ Reasons to Skip It

✖ No upgradeable RAM

✖ Gets hot under heavy loads

✖ Newer laptops have better battery life and GPUs

⭐ Final Rating: 8/10

If you find a good deal on a refurbished unit, the m15 R2 is still worth considering. However, if you want a future-proof laptop, I recommend checking out newer Alienware models like the m15 R4 or x15.

Would you still buy the Alienware m15 R2 today? Let me know your thoughts! 🎮🔥

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