Identifying your system model doesn’t have to be complicated.
Looking to download the latest drivers for your Alienware laptop, upgrade a component, or just brag on the message boards about your sweet gaming rig, but can’t seem to find your model number?
Never fear, we’ve got you covered.
Although the model and revision number of your Alienware computer might not be apparent at first glance, Microsoft and Dell (the parent company of Alienware since 2006) fortunately provide several ways to ascertain the exact model number of your coveted machine.
Below are the best methods for doing just that.
Which Alienware Laptop Do I Have? (12 Ways To Tell)
1. Look For The Model Number On The Device
No doubt you’ve tried this already or else you wouldn’t be reading this article, but looking the device over is still the best place to start.
In favor of design, the full model number of your Alienware laptop may not be branded anywhere obvious as is the case with the x17 and x15 models.
Nevertheless, you’ll notice a giant stylized “17” or “15” emblazoned on the top cover respective of your model.
Again, this is just your starting point.
If you know the size of your screen (measured diagonally) then you already have a jump on identifying your device.
All Alienware laptop identifiers include the screen size somewhere in the full model number.
For more detailed information, flip the computer over and look for the service tag label which should include the service tag and model number.
2. Check The BIOS
If you don’t get a definitive answer from the computer case, check the laptop’s firmware, also known as the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System).
Turn on the computer (or reboot it if it’s already on) and press F2 when you see the Alienware splash screen.
Doing so will send you to the BIOS settings program, also called the “Setup”.
BIOS versions differ among Alienware laptops, but look for the “Main” or “System Information” page.
Once there, look for “Product Name” to identify the model of your device.
On this page, you will also see the service tag of your computer, which is useful if you need to find drivers or contact Dell support (see below).
If you still don’t get the answer you’re looking for here, write down the model of your CPU and discrete graphics card.
These two items will also be listed in the BIOS, likely on the same page as the service tag and product name.
We’ll use the information later in this guide.
3. Use The Command Line
Boot your laptop back into Windows.
The OS provides several methods for retrieving the model number strewn across various locations.
First, we’ll use the command line.
Hold down the Windows key (usually the second key to the left of the space bar) and press the “R” key to bring up the Run dialog box.
Type “cmd” (without the quotation marks) and press Enter to bring up the command prompt window.
In the command prompt, type the following command, followed by pressing the Enter key:
wmic computersystem get model
The response should be your computer model.
You can also use another command that leverages wmic:
wmic csproduct get name
Both of these should yield your computer model.
4. Use PowerShell
Maybe you’re more of a PowerShell person.
It is the future, right?
No worries.
We’ve got you covered.
Open the run dialog box once again, and this time, type “powershell” and press Enter to open up the PowerShell command line interface.
At the prompt, type the following command and then press Enter:
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ComputerSystem
The output of this command will display multiple pieces of information, but you should see the model and manufacturer of the computer in the far right two columns.
5. Run DxDiag
If you own Alienware, you’re probably familiar with DxDiag.
If not, you might want to introduce yourself to this useful tool.
DxDiag, short for DirectX Diagnostics, is a Windows utility that helps troubleshoot and collect information about sound and video devices on your computer.
The tool also displays system information, which is what we’re after here.
Click on the Start button in the lower-left corner of the screen or open the run dialog box again and type “dxdiag” to bring up the utility.
You might notice a slight delay while the utility collects system information and scans for problems.
Once DxDiag loads, pretty much all you can do is view the information or save it (assuming no problems are present), but all we’re looking for is the system model, which you’ll find on the “System” tab.
6. Try The System Information Applet
A nifty little program called System Information resides on every Windows operating system since the late ’90s.
Also known as MSINFO32, System Information does just what it sounds like: displays information about the hardware, drivers, environment variables, and other helpful information about your computer.
Again, all we’re after here is the system model, but it might behoove you to stash away this little applet for future use when you need more detailed information about your laptop.
To launch the program, use one of these methods.
Click on the Start button and then start typing “system information.”
You should see the program show up in the search results pretty quickly.
Another method is by browsing to the executable in Windows explorer.
MSINFO32.exe lives in the system32 folder in your %windir% directory.
For most Windows installations, this path is c:\windows, but you can simply type %windir% in the address bar of Windows Explorer and press enter if you’re not sure.
Once there, open up the System32 directory and you’ll find msinfo32.exe inside.
Last, we can use the run line as we did with DxDiag above.
In the run box, type “msinfo32” (without the quotation marks) and then press enter. System Information will launch.
The software should open up to the System Summary page, but if not, click on the link on the left pane to display the basic info about your computer.
On the right-hand side, look for “System Model” to see which Alienware laptop you have.
7. Check The Registry
Yet another option at your disposal is the Windows Registry.
The registry lists innumerable data about the operating system, installed software, and hardware, which includes the computer model.
The registry records the system model in multiple places, but for simplicity’s sake, we’ll list just one.
To view the contents of the registry, you’ll need to open Registry Editor.
As a word of caution, don’t actually edit any of the contents of the registry unless you know what you’re doing.
You can corrupt software and cause OS instability even to the point where your computer will no longer boot.
With Registry Editor here we’ll just view the contents so you can find out exactly which model you have.
Open the Run dialog box again and type “regedit” (without the quotation marks) and then press enter to launch Registry Editor.
Alternatively, you can open your Windows search function and start typing “regedit” to search.
You’ll see the program show up in the results as you type.
If you’re really curious, the Registry Editor executable resides in the %windir% folder.
Look for the file called “regedit.exe”.
Once launched, use the left pane to navigate to the appropriate key location.
If you’ve used regedit before, the software will remember the last location you were working in, so you’ll need to compress any open folders using the twirl down on the left side.
In general, you’ll see five main “HKEY”s beneath “Computer”.
Locate “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” and use the twirl down buttons to navigate to the following folder:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\BIOS
Make sure to click on the “BIOS” directory in the left pane and then look in the right to find the “SystemProductName” key.
You’ll find the system model in the “Data” column.
8. Check Dell’s Support Website
If none of these Windows options work, the next best bet is to visit Dell’s support website.
As you probably know, Alienware is a subsidiary of Dell Technologies, and therefore, support for all Alienware runs through Dell.
Visit https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us.
The company changes its website quite often, but as of this writing, here’s the quickest way to identify your model once there.
Look for a “Search Support” option, usually near the top of the page.
Just beneath that, you’ll see an empty field.
Enter your computer’s service tag there.
The service tag is Dell’s version of a serial number.
It is a seven-digit alphanumeric identifier unique to every computer sold by Dell Technologies, including Alienware.
If you don’t know what your service tag identifier is, you can find it out pretty easily.
Just as there are many ways to ascertain your system model, options abound for locating the service tag.
The quickest way is to flip over the laptop and look for the label with the identifier.
If you can’t find it there, use the instructions from step 2 to reenter the BIOS.
You’ll see the service tag in the “Main” or “System Information” screen depending on your model and BIOS version.
If either of the previous two options fails you, launch the command prompt again (see step 3 above) and type this command, followed by pressing the Enter key:
wmic csproduct get identifyingnumber
The command output will list your service tag identifier.
Once you’ve acquired this information, enter it into the field on Dell’s support site and click the “Search” button.
The resultant screen will list your system model.
9. Use One Of Dell’s Tools
Dell Technologies provides some helpful tools for monitoring and updating your Alienware laptop.
The first is called SupportAssist.
SupportAssist comes preinstalled on many computers, so you might already have the software installed on your Alienware laptop.
In your Windows search field, begin typing “supportassist” to search your list of apps, or you can browse your list of apps in the start menu until you find SupportAssist.
If it’s not there, follow this link to download and install the utility: https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/supportassistforpcs/cp/supportassistforpcs
What exactly does SupportAssist do?
The software has multiple functions including searching for driver updates, scanning hardware for potential issues, and file cleanup among other things.
SupportAssist also purports to optimize network and system performance on your computer.
All of these functions are great, but where do you find the system model?
Near the top right corner of the window, you’ll see your service tag identifier.
Hover your mouse over the service tag, and the software will reveal more information about your computer, including the model number.
The second tool is similar but with some stripped-down functionality.
It is called Alienware Update, and the utility only performs driver and BIOS updates.
Why does Dell provide two utilities with overlapping functionality?
Alienware Update (and its cousin, Dell Update) is for users who want an easy driver update solution without the bloat and invasiveness of SupportAssist.
SupportAssist, on the other hand, is designed to be a full-featured utility to help users diagnose and solve common problems with their PCs.
Unless you’ve taken the time to download Alienware Update previously, you probably won’t have the software on your PC, but the install is quick and easy.
Note: sometimes it is necessary to reboot your computer after installing, so make sure you’re ready to do so, if necessary, before you start downloading the software.
Go to https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=NX4X3 and scroll down to the middle of the page to find the download button.
Once installed, run the software from the Start menu.
The system model is prominently displayed on the left-hand side of the screen.
10. Ask In One Of These Forums
Another option is to ask for help in a forum.
At least two active and helpful message boards for Alienware users exist.
The first is called Alienware Arena, and the site is full of enthusiastic Alienware aficionados.
To post a comment or start a new thread, visit https://alienwarearena.com/forums.
You’ll need to create a user account before posting the first time.
The second forum is a Dell community page.
You will find a site just for Alienware laptops here: https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware/bd-p/Alienware-laptops.
What’s cool about this site is that actual Dell employees monitor and respond to postings quite often.
Again, you’ll need to create an account if you don’t already have one.
Come equipped with your processor and GPU specs, as these are often vital in pinning down the exact model and revision of your laptop.
You can get these from the BIOS in step 2 above.
As with all forums, be sure you’re posting in the proper threads, and you adhere to all community rules.
Patience and manners also go a long way.
11. Look At This Wikipedia Page
Although no Wikipedia page is perfect, the Alienware article is quite good, listing just about every model manufactured.
Again, come armed with your GPU and CPU, since these specifics can help narrow down exactly which model you have.
12. Contact Dell Support
If all else fails, your next best bet is to contact Dell support directly.
If you’re like us, you might dread contacting multinational technology companies’ support channels, but the experience needn’t be a horror story of phone tree hell.
Visit https://www.dell.com/support/incidents-online/en-us/ContactUs/Dynamic?spestate?ref=contactus for your support options.
Choose from among email, chat, or telephone methods.
Pick your poison, but we prefer chat as it is a good blend of immediacy, which you lose with email, and specificity, which you might lose via telephone if the person on the other end speaks with an accent.
In addition, you can be doing other things in between messages from the support contact rather than staying glued to the telephone.
Whichever method you choose, save yourself some time by recording your service tag identifier in advance.
The technician will ask you for that number.
Finding Your Alienware Model Number Doesn’t Have To Be Complicated
As you can see, between the hardware, firmware, operating system, and beyond, a plethora of options exist for identifying the exact system model and revision number for your Alienware laptop.
Although style considerations sometimes obscure the model on the surface, you shouldn’t have to have a computer science degree to identify your computer’s model.
Using the steps above, you should have no problems obtaining the information you need.
If you do have trouble, do yourself a favor and record the system model somewhere you can retrieve it with ease the next time you need it.
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