Today, I am going to write a quick review of Dell Alienware gaming Laptop 15″ R4.
Dell’s Alienware series is the most powerful and expensive product in Desktop and Laptop area.
However, it is possible to use it as Customac as well?
In this review, I will review the product and compare to real Macbook pro’s top of the line.
The Customac’s beauty is that you can catch the both Mac and Windows OS in a computer.
My most uses for Windows is Gaming and for Mac is Media editing.
I have been possessing Macbook Pro 2010 Mid still good to use for internet surfing. However, those are not very good for gaming or other use like editing videos. Current top of the line’s Macbook Pro still is sufficient for Windows OS in Bootcamp comparing to real Windows.
So, I bought one of the best laptop in Dell, Alienware 15″ R4 to build a Customac on it.
See the spec of this small monster machine.
Product details
As you see the pictures, this laptop looks really cool and simple design. It has one TB3 Display port and another TB3 USB port.
Therefore, this also compatible with LG 5k Ultrafine monitor. But you need to use some Nvidia graphics patch for 5K. That is off the topic so I am not gonna explain it here.
The macOS High Sierra is installed in this laptop with Macbook pro’s Smbios. It was simple and not any problem occurred. The only thing you need to prepare is bios setting.
Use AHCI mode one and secure boot off. I recommend no use legacy mode boot which makes the display resolution very ugly.
See more pictures of the installation progress.
The installation is very very easy and smoothly. I used the iMac18,3’s EFI and changed Smbios only. Oh, additional PS2 keyboard kext is needed for keyboard and trackpad working during the installation or you could use other USB keyboard and mouse. Anyways, you need that kext later as well.
This laptop has no fingerprint secure function so just ignore it once it shows up. After setting all initiation of macOS High Sierra, download Clover Configurator and copy the EFI to your main SSD.
Yet, your Wifi and Bluetooth is not working, and for those are working, we need to exchange it for Broadcom card. I can find it on older Mac or buy it from an online shop. Ethernet should be working well.
DSDT or SSDT must be modified for all laptop’s functions are working well, for example, battery, brightness, audio, etc.
The last thing, install the Nvidia Graphics Driver for GTX 1080.
Since this laptop is one of the top of the line in Dell, also this laptop has much better CPU and GPU than current Macbook pro, the prices are not compatible. Actually, Dell’s price is a little bit more expensive than Apple. But 4k display and better performance CPU and GPU, plus Mac and Windows are working well. Those are unbeatable advantages to Apple could not have.
Unfortunately, building the DSDT and SSDT is quite painful if you do not know how to do. However, once you have gotten all these, it is the best laptop ever in these days.
For more information to make a perfect Customac with this Dell Alienware laptop, use this guide.
Last modified: June 2, 2018
