That singular USB-A port did prove a problem when I attempted to integrate the x14 into my existing setup. The Alienware x14 features all of its ports at the back of the rig, with one charging USB-C port and two additional USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI out, one USB-A, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. However, once you're spending over $2,000 those specs start to look a little suspect - especially considering the matte cover that makes this rig so useable in so many different lighting environments also leaves colors a little dampened. At $1,500 this is no biggie, and the screen actually offers some nice value in its anti-glare texture if you're browsing at this price point. All Alienware x14 laptops (yes, even the $2,199.99 configuration) ship with the same 1080p 144Hz display. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of the display. It's still a nice feature to find in one of Alienware's more conservatively priced machines and will satisfy all ends of this rig's price spectrum. However, it did take a lot more to reach those heights. More demanding runs like Doom Eternal and Red Dead Redemption certainly saw those temperatures climb in the same way we would expect to see in any 14-inch gaming laptop.

The vapor chamber cooling and Smart Fan control under the hood certainly go a long way to keeping this rig from dangerous temperatures, but once past the point of no return you're still going to be shifting this machine around to stay comfortable. One of the biggest features commonly associated with the Alienware x14 is that new cooling system. Ports: 1x USB Type-A, 1x USB Type-C, 2x USB Type-C / Thunderbolt, 3.5mm, microSD There's a lot of space behind the screen, which means it's far longer than other machines - taking up more space than my 15.6-inch Asus TUF Dash F15 on the desk. That leaves you with plenty more room under the hood (and that classic slimline design) but does also mean that the overall system is deeper as a result. The dual-torque hinge at the back of the rig allows the screen to move by sliding back and forth within the chassis. That slimline design is partly achieved by removing the need for a full hinge. That's in line with the rest of the market, so don't expect to be throwing this machine around one-handed. You've still got to fit all those components in, though, so the X14 still weighs in at around 4lbs (1.8kg), give or take for your configuration. Measuring at 0.57-inches (14.4mm), this rig sits particularly well in profile and feels almost impossible in person. However, this is the thinnest gaming laptop I've ever used.

The Alienware x14 offers that same sleek design as its larger x15 and x17 siblings.

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