Alienware M17x R3 Laptop Review (Core i7 2630QM / 256GB SSD)

We tested the Alienware panel with a Playstation 3 hooked into it, as well as with a range of High Definition movies and games. We used a La Cie measurement gun for some of the readings.

The LED panel supplied with this particular laptop is exceptionally good and it excelled with high quality 1080p movies. Our colour image and grayscale testing showed that it was able to resolve a fantastic amount of detail, and even some very subtle changes with media. Banding was noticeable, but at the better scale of the spectrum. Focusing quality is very good although backlighting inconsistency is apparent at the corners. To the naked eye it is hard to notice, but our measurement tools were able to show some fluctuation. Text was well resolved, with even fine text maintaining definition across the scale.

Offset viewing is very good, both horizontally and vertically, although the glare from the gloss screen can be slightly distracting with a light behind the viewer. Its a compromise necessary for rich, bright and vibrant media material however. We noticed no ghosting or artifacting when playing games such as Call Of Duty and when watching BluRay discs such as Avatar. We recorded a rating of around 400 cd/m2 at full brightness which is more than acceptable for a screen this size.

We used Displaymate to test the panel and were more than impressed with the overall image quality. The Gamut range in GamutVision was well above average, falling in line with what our eyes told us. Colour reproduction is excellent, although there is a slight pink tinge to neutral gray which can be tuned out with software settings. This is slightly more pronounced at the bottom left and right of the screen. The gamut however helps to ensure that realistic images are displayed, especially when watching high quality source material from the Playstation 3 over HDMI.

White purity shows minor shift between 5% and 17% across the width with higher corruption at the panel edges. This is a very good result and whites tend to look clear and pure when watching high definition media. Until the screen is calibrated, we did notice a slight pink tinge, but it was easily removed. Many people will probably not notice this under normal conditions.

Black definition is stellar, with only minor leaks on all edges of the panel ruining the overall result. It looks worse in this technical data image, however under real world conditions it is barely noticeable to the naked eye. Generally in the past we have found that screens on Alienware laptops have a leak from the bottom of the screen, trailing upwards by around 15%. This is one of the better Alienware screens we have tested to date and right up there with the best Apple panels we have seen.

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