Alienware’s patent matte black finish—the same as on the Area-51 m17x—and illuminated keyboard make the M17 the looker at any LAN party. The lid of the M17 is slightly more ostentatious, as it sports Alienware’s ribbed Skullcap case design. At 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.7 inches and weighing in at 9.5 pounds, the M17 is roughly the same size as the m17x, but a pound lighter. Regardless, it’s not a notebook you’ll want to carry around frequently.