Dell Alienware M14x review

A 14in display might not be the first choice for a gaming laptop, but the pin-sharp 1,600×900 resolution looks fantastic. Colours were incredibly vivid and contrast was excellent. Our only criticism was the incredibly glossy screen; at certain angles, it looked more like a mirror than a laptop display, with reflections making it difficult to see anything at all. Thankfully, there’s enough screen tilt that this should only be a problem in very bright light.

The screen isn’t Full HD, but 720p video looked excellent. If you want to play 1080p footage, you’ll need to connect an external display using either the Mini Displayport or HDMI outputs. The stereo speakers are acceptable for watching catch-up TV, but like almost all laptop speakers they lack bass; to get the best audio in films and games you’ll need to use a pair of headphones.

Aside from its very high price and potentially over-the-top design, there’s very little not to like about the M14x. It has explosive performance, a stunning screen and surprisingly capable battery life; if you’ve got the money and want a laptop that can run almost anything you can throw at it, this is a great choice.