Alienware 17 R4 Setup and Specifications
This document provides setup instructions and detailed specifications for the Alienware 17 R4 laptop.
1. Set up your computer
Connect the power adapter and press the power button.
Set up the Virtual Reality (VR) headset—optional
ⓘ NOTE: The VR headset is sold separately.
ⓘ NOTE: If you are using Alienware Graphics Amplifier with your computer, see Alienware Graphics Amplifier.
HTC Vive
- Download and run the setup tools for your VR headset at www.dell.com/VRsupport.
- Connect the HDMI cable of the HTC Vive headset to the back of your computer.
- Connect the USB cable from the Vive hub to the USB 3.1 Gen 1 port at the right side of your computer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
Oculus Rift
- Download and run the setup tools for your VR headset at www.dell.com/VRsupport.
- Connect the HDMI cable of the Oculus Rift headset to the back of your computer.
- Connect the Oculus Rift headset to the USB Type-A port at the right side of your computer.
- Connect the Oculus Rift tracker to the USB Type-A port at the left side of your computer.
5. Connect a USB Type-C to Type-A dongle to the Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) port at the back of your computer.
6. Connect the XBOX controller to the USB Type-A port on the USB dongle.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
Oculus Rift with touch
- Download and run the setup tools for your VR headset at www.dell.com/VRsupport.
- Connect the HDMI cable of the Oculus Rift headset to the back of your computer.
- Connect the Oculus Rift headset to the USB Type-A port at the right side of your computer.
- Connect a USB Type-C to Type-A dongle to the Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) port on the back of your computer.
- Connect the Oculus Rift tracker to the USB Type-A port at the left side of your computer.
- Connect a USB Type-C to Type-A dongle to the USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type-C) port at the left side of your computer.
- Connect the XBOX controller to the USB Type-A port on the USB dongle.
- Connect the Oculus Rift tracker for Touch to the USB Type-A port on the dongle.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
Alienware Graphics Amplifier
Alienware Graphics Amplifier enables you to connect an external graphics card to your computer.
When using the Virtual Reality (VR) headset, connect the HDMI cable to the graphics card installed on your Alienware Graphics Amplifier. The USB cables from the VR headset can be connected either to your computer or your Alienware Graphics Amplifier.
ⓘ NOTE: The USB dongle is not required, if you are connecting the USB 3.0 cables on your VR headset to the USB 3.0 Type-A port on your Alienware Graphics Amplifier.
For more information about Alienware Graphics Amplifier, see Alienware Graphics Amplifier User's Guide at www.dell.com/support.
2. Views
Base
1. Power button (Alienhead)
Press to turn on the computer if it is turned off, in sleep state, or in hibernate state.
Press to put the computer in sleep state if it is turned on.
Press and hold for 4 seconds to force shut-down the computer.
ⓘ NOTE: You can customize the power-button behavior in Power Options.
2. Macro keys
Run pre-defined Macros.
Define the macro keys using the Alienware Command Center.
Display (with Tobii Aware)
1. Left microphone
Provides digital sound input for audio recording and voice calls.
2. Infrared emitter
Emits infrared light, which enables the infrared camera to sense depth and track motion.
ⓘ NOTE: The infrared emitter blinks to detect the user's presence. To stop the emitter from blinking, turn off the Tobii Aware. For more information about the Tobii Aware, see Tobii Aware.
3. Infrared camera
Enhances security when paired with Windows Hello face authentication.
4. Camera
Enables you to video chat, capture photos, and record videos.
5. Camera-status light
Turns on when the camera is in use.
6. Right microphone
Provides digital sound input for audio recording and voice calls.
7. Service Tag label
The Service Tag is a unique alphanumeric identifier that enables Dell service technicians to identify the hardware components in your computer and access warranty information.
Display (with Tobii Eye Tracker)
1. Left microphone
Provides digital sound input for audio recording and voice calls.
2. Camera
Enables you to video chat, capture photos, and record videos.
3. Camera-status light
Turns on when the camera is in use.
4. Right microphone
Provides digital sound input for audio recording and voice calls.
5. Tobii Eye Tracker
Application that enables you to interact with your computer using your eyes.
6. Service Tag label
The Service Tag is a unique alphanumeric identifier that enables Dell service technicians to identify the hardware components in your computer and access warranty information.
Back
1. Network port (with lights)
Connect an Ethernet (RJ45) cable from a router or a broadband modem for network or Internet access. The two lights next to the connector indicate the connectivity status and network activity.
2. Mini DisplayPort
Connect to a TV or another DisplayPort-in enabled device. Provides video and audio output.
3. HDMI port
Connect to a TV or another HDMI-in enabled device. Provides video and audio output.
4. Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) port
Supports USB 3.1 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.2, Thunderbolt 3 and also enables you to connect to an external display using a display adapter. Provides data transfer rates up to 10 Gbps for USB 3.1 Gen 2 and up to 40 Gbps for Thunderbolt 3.
ⓘ NOTE: A USB Type-C to DisplayPort adapter (sold separately) is required to connect a DisplayPort device.
5. External graphics port
Connect an Alienware Graphics Amplifier to enhance the graphics performance.
6. Power-adapter port
Connect a power adapter to provide power to your computer and charge the battery.
Left
1. Security-cable slot (for Noble locks)
Connect a security cable to prevent unauthorized movement of your computer.
2. USB 3.0 (Type-C) port
Connect peripherals such as external storage devices and printers. Provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps. Supports Power Delivery that enables two-way power supply between devices. Provides up to 15 W power output that enables faster charging.
3. USB 3.0 port with PowerShare
Connect peripherals such as external storage devices and printers. Provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps. PowerShare enables you to charge your USB devices even when your computer is turned off.
ⓘ NOTE: If the charge on your computer's battery is less than 10 percent, you must connect the power adapter to charge your computer, and USB devices connected to the PowerShare port.
ⓘ NOTE: If a USB device is connected to the PowerShare port before the computer is turned off or in hibernate state, you must disconnect and connect it again to enable charging.
4. Microphone/headphone port (configurable)
Connect an external microphone for sound input or headphones for sound output.
5. Headset port
Connect headphones or a headset (headphone and microphone combo).
Right
1. USB 3.1 Gen 1 port
Connect peripherals such as external storage devices and printers. Provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps.
3. Specifications
Dimensions and weight
System information
| Processor | 6th Generation Intel Core i7/i7k 7th Generation Intel Core i7/i7k ⓘ NOTE: If your computer is shipped with an Intel Core i7k processor, you can overclock the processing speed beyond the standard specifications. |
| Chipset | Intel CM236 Intel CM238 |
Memory
| Slots | Two SODIMM slots |
| Type | DDR4 |
| Speed | 2133 MHz, 2400 MHz, and 2667 MHz |
| Configurations supported | 8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB |
Ports and connectors
External:
| Network | One RJ-45 port |
| USB | One USB 3.0 port One USB 3.0 port with PowerShare One USB 3.0 (Type-C) port Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) port |
| Audio/Video | One HDMI 2.0 port One microphone/headphone port (configurable) One headset port One Mini DisplayPort 1.2 One external graphics port |
Internal:
| Expansion slots | One 2.5" hard drive SATA 3.0 connector |
| M.2 | One M.2 2242 card slot for SSD Two M.2 2280 card slots for SSD One M.2 2230 card slot for WiFi/Bluetooth combo card |
Communications
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet controller integrated on system board |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11ac Bluetooth 4.1 Miracast |
Audio
| Controller | Realtek ALC 3266 |
| Speakers | Stereo |
| Speaker output | Average: 4 W Peak: 5 W |
| Subwoofer output | Average: 2 W Peak: 2.5 W |
| Microphone | Digital-array microphones |
| Volume controls | Media-control shortcut keys |
Storage
Your computer supports one hard drive and three solid-state drives.
| Hard drive | One 2.5-inch drive |
| Solid-state drive (SSD) | Two full-size M.2 PCIe/SATA drives One half-size M.2 PCIe/SATA drive |
Keyboard
| Type | Backlit keyboard |
| Shortcut keys | Some keys on your keyboard have two symbols on them. These keys can be used to type alternate characters or to perform secondary functions. To type the alternate character, press Shift and the desired key. To perform secondary functions, press Fn and the desired key. ⓘ NOTE: You can define the primary behavior of the function keys (F1-F12) by changing Function Key Behavior in BIOS setup program. Keyboard shortcuts |
Camera
| Resolution | Still image: 2.07 megapixels Video: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) at 30 fps (maximum) |
| Diagonal viewing angle | 74 degrees |
Touch pad
| Resolution | Horizontal: 1727 Vertical: 1092 |
| Dimensions | Height: 56 mm (2.20 in) Width: 100 mm (3.94 in) |
Battery
| Type | 4-cell "smart" lithium-ion (68 WHr) 6-cell "smart" lithium-ion (99 WHr) |
| Weight (maximum) | 0.32 kg (0.71 lb) 0.42 kg (0.93 lb) |
| Voltage | 15.20 VDC 11.40 VDC |
| Life span (approximate) | 300 discharge/charge cycles |
| Temperature range: Operating | 0°C to 35°C (32°F to 95°F) |
| Temperature range: Storage | -20°C to 60°C (−4°F to 140°F) |
| Coin-cell battery | CR-2032 |
| Dimensions: | Height: 13.50 mm (0.53 in) Width: 259.60 mm (10.22 in) Depth: 89.20 mm (3.51 in) |
| Operating time | Varies depending on operating conditions and can significantly reduce under certain power-intensive conditions. |
Video
| Controller | Integrated: Intel HD Graphics 530, Intel HD Graphics 630 Discrete: AMD Radeon RX 470, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 |
| Memory | Shared system memory 6 GB GDDR5 8 GB GDDR5 8 GB GDDR5X |
Power adapter
| Type | 180 W 240 W 330 W |
| Input voltage | 100 VAC-240 VAC |
| Input frequency | 50 Hz-60 Hz |
| Input current (maximum) | 2.34 A/2.50 A 3.50 A 4.40 A |
| Output current (continuous) | 9.23 A 12.30 A 16.92 A |
| Rated output voltage | 19.50 VDC |
| Temperature range: Operating | 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) |
| Temperature range: Storage | -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F) |
Display
| Type | 17.3-inch FHD (optional Tobii Eye-tracking) 17.3-inch QHD (with Tobii Eye-tracking) 17.3-inch UHD (with Tobii Eye-tracking) |
| G-Sync support | Optional No No |
| Resolution (maximum) | 1920 x 1080 2560 x 1440 3840 x 2160 |
| Viewing angle (Left/Right/Up/Down) | 89/89/89/89 degrees 70/70/60/60 degrees 89/89/89/89 degrees |
| Pixel pitch | 0.1989 mm 0.14925 mm 0.0995 mm |
| Height (excluding bezel) | 214.81 mm (8.46 in) 214.92 mm (8.46 in) 214.94 mm (8.46 in) |
| Width (excluding bezel) | 381.89 mm (15.04 in) 382.08 mm (15.04 in) 382.12 mm (15.04 in) |
| Diagonal (excluding bezel) | 439.42 mm (17.30 in) 439.42 mm (17.30 in) 439.42 mm (17.30 in) |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz 120 Hz 60 Hz |
| Controls | Brightness can be controlled using shortcut keys |
Computer environment
Airborne contaminant level: G2 or lower as defined by ISA-S71.04-1985
| Temperature range | Operating: 5°C to 35°C (41°F to 95°F) Storage: -40°C to 65°C (-40°F to 149°F) |
| Relative humidity (maximum) | Operating: 10% to 90% (non-condensing) Storage: 0% to 95% (non-condensing) |
| Vibration (maximum) | 0.26 GRMS |
| Shock (maximum)* | 40 G for 2 ms with a change in velocity of 20 in/s (51 cm/s)† 105 G for 2 ms with a change in velocity of 52.5 in/s (133 cm/s)‡ |
| Altitude (maximum) | Operating: -15.20 m to 3048 m (-50 ft to 10,000 ft) Storage: -15.20 m to 10,668 m (-50 ft to 35,000 ft) |
* Measured using a random vibration spectrum that simulates user environment.
† Measured using a 2 ms half-sine pulse when the hard drive is in use.
‡ Measured using a 2 ms half-sine pulse when the hard-drive head is in parked position.
4. Tobii Aware
Tobii Aware application enables the infrared sensors on your computer to manage power, security, and Alien FX lighting.
Features
| Dim brightness | Reduces screen brightness when you are not in front of it. |
| Turn off screen | Turns off the screen when you are not in front of it. |
| Sleep mode | Sends your computer to sleep before Windows power plan when you are not in front of the screen. |
| Turn off lights | Turns off the computer lights when you are not in front of the screen. |
| Windows Hello | Enables you to login to your computer without the login id or password when paired with Windows Hello face authentication. |
| Alien FX lighting | Enables Alien FX lighting feature when you are in front of your screen. |
Enabling or disabling Tobii Aware
- Select the Eye detection indicator on the activity field in Windows.
- Toggle the On/Off switch located on the top. Default: On
- Save the settings and exit.
5. Keyboard shortcuts
| Keys | Description |
| FN + F1 | Disconnect Alienware Graphics Amplifier |
| FN + F2 | Disable/enable wireless |
| FN + F3 | Mute audio |
| FN + F4 | Decrease volume |
| FN + F5 | Increase volume |
| FN + F7 | Toggle integrated/discrete graphics |
| FN + F8 | Switch to external display |
| FN + F9 | Decrease brightness |
| FN + F10 | Increase brightness |
| FN + F11 | Disable/enable touch pad |
| FN + F12 | Disable/enable AlienFX |
List of Macro keys
Macro keys
ⓘ NOTE: You can configure modes and assign multiple tasks for the macro keys on the keyboard.
6. Getting help and contacting Alienware
Self-help resources
You can get information and help on Alienware products and services using these online self-help resources:
| Self-help resources | Resource location |
| Information about Alienware products and services | www.alienware.com |
| Tips | In Windows search, type Contact Support, and press Enter. |
| Contact Support | www.dell.com/support/windows www.dell.com/support/linux |
| Online help for operating system | www.alienware.com/gamingservices |
| Troubleshooting information, user manuals, setup instructions, product specifications, technical help blogs, drivers, software updates, and so on | www.dell.com/VRsupport |
| VR Support | www.youtube.com/alienwareservices |
| Videos providing step-by-step instructions to service your computer |
Contacting Alienware
To contact Alienware for sales, technical support, or customer service issues, see www.alienware.com.
ⓘ NOTE: Availability varies by country/region and product, and some services may not be available in your country/region.
ⓘ NOTE: If you do not have an active internet connection, you can find contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog.
Alienware Gaming | Dell USA
Support Home | Dell US
