One important feature gives the Alienware 18 the edge over the Raider 18 as a work machine, and it’s something the Alienware m16 R2 also had: Stealth Mode. By pressing F7 on the keyboard, Stealth Mode converts the keyboard’s RGB lighting into plain white. It even turns off the touchpad’s backlighting for a more subtle look that fits better in an office setting.
Many recent gaming laptops possess robust cooling systems, but none are as effective as the Cyro-Chamber on the Alienware 18. It’s a chamber located on the bottom of the computer that draws in air to cool down key areas while also propping up the laptop to promote better airflow.
What’s really cool (pun intended) is that you can actually see the fans at work. There’s a glass panel over it where you can see the laptop’s internals. Don’t worry about it breaking since it’s made out of Gorilla Glass.
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In addition to the Cyro-Chamber, the computer has four fans targeting “aggressive hotspots”, seven copper heat pipes, “encapsulated gallium-silicon” over the processor, and six heat vents around the side and back. Having all these cooling components on one laptop seems excessive, but they are vital to enjoying this device.
If you’re looking for a lighter option, I suggest checking out the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i. It houses similar hardware and weighs just 5.67 pounds. The MSI Raider 18 HX is another solid option that comes with a 4K display.