Alienware gaming laptops are built to incite envy. Their designs, which resemble a coat of armor with gill-like ridges, topped off by the signature alien head logo, are sleek and otherworldly.

Alienware's m15 and m17 designs are proven hits, combining sleek style with top-end power, but the X Series emphasizes portability. The x17 (and x15, which we'll be reviewing soon) features similar ...