Alienware is back with its out-of-this-world styling and performance, with the return of the Alienware Area-51 gaming desktop and powerful Alienware 13 gaming notebook. Complementing the gaming powerhouses is the new Alienware Graphics Amplifier, bringing desktop graphics performance at home, and desktop-beating mobile gaming performance on the Alienware 13.
Alienware 13: Desktop-beating portable gaming
The Alienware 13 packs an Intel Core i5 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M with 2GB of dedicated GDDR5 graphics memory. All this power is squeezed into a redesigned chassis, constructed with aerospace-inspired carbon fibre composite surfaces.
It measures just 1-inch thick, and weighs in at 4.5 pounds, inspired by Alienware’s EPIC premium industrial design language. It”s Alienware’s thinnest notebook ever, 40% thinner than the previous generation Alienware 14.
For the first time ever, you can select between a 2560×1440 QHD resolution display with an optional touchscreen.
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Area-51: Return of the Legend
First revealed at PAX East, the Alienware Area-51 flagship desktop is customisable with prices starting from RM6,999.
Every Area-51 comes loaded with Intel’s latest six or eight core Haswell-E Core i7 K-series processor (factory overclocked, yay), liquid cooling, with graphics options from both AMD or NVIDIA, DDR4 memory, Killer Gigabit Ethernet, Intel 802.11ac dual band WiFi and Windows 8.1.
The iconic new Triad industrial design language improves desktop gaming experience with focus on optimised thermal management and ergonomics.
Area-51 brings functional design enabling easy access to front and rear ports, an open and comfortable chassis design for future upgrades, with components meticulously laid out to optimise airflow for exceptional heat dissipation.
Upgrade options:
- Intel Core i7-5960X Unlocked 8-Core Processor Overclocked to 4.0GHz with Turbo Boost
- Graphics Options include Triple AMD Radeon 290X, Triple NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 and even Dual NVIDIA GeForces Titan Z Graphics for Quad-GPU gaming
- 32GB** of Quad Channel DDR4 at 2133MHz
- 512GB** SATA 6Gb/s SSD main drive with a 4TB SATA 6Gb/s HDD Storage Drive
- Killer Gigabit Ethernet NIC
- Intel 802.11ac dual-band Wireless, WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0
- Windows 8.1 Pro (64 Bit)
Alienware Graphics Amplifier: Gaming on steroids
Combining the new Alienware 13 with the Graphics Amplifier means no compromises gaming performance whether on the go, or at home. The Alienware Graphics Amplifier boosts already potent performance of the Alienware 13.
You’ll have a selection of desktop graphic cards from AMD and NVIDIA as options when purchased alongside the Alienware 13.
The Alienware Graphics Amplifier connects directly to the notebook’s dedicated PCI Express lanes, delivering desktop-level graphics experiences. The amplifier can house a full-length, dual-height graphics card with up to 375W of power.
It also features four USB 3.0 ports.
Alienware Command Center 4.0: Ultimate Control
The new enhanced Alienware Command Center version 4.0 now features detailed performance monitoring and tracking tools including single-click widgets that display vital information about components such as CPU, GPU, memory and motherboard.
Existing features like AlienFX for customised interactive lighting is also controlled via the Alienware Command Center.
Alienware Command Center 4.0 features custom tools for different systems including tutorial and ability to track Graphics Amplifier connectivity and Alienware 13 status.
Match made in heaven? Alienware and ROCCAT
Alienware has announced a collaboration with world-class PC gaming peripheral maker ROCCAT Studios — fusing Alienware’s signature customisation with ROCCAT’s most innvovative peripherals like Kone XTD, Isku FX and advanced Tyon gaming mouse.
Alienware also enables ROCCAT devices to features interactive and immersive lighting events for more than 85 games.
Pricing and availability
The Alienware 13 retails from RM3,999 (US$1,197). The legendary Alienware Area-51 is priced from RM6,999 (US$2,095) onwards.
The Alienware Graphics Amplifier can be purchased by itself or alongside the Alienware 13 for RM1,009 (US$329).
All products are available from dell.com.my with retail availability in the coming weeks.
Initial impressions
Whether you’re an Alienware fan or otherwise, there’s no denying there’s no brand out there that’s quite as brash or bold. Call it out-of-this-world styling and industrial design. There’s also no denying that Alienware brings true blue performance to gamers, and with the new Alienware 13, you’ll again get desktop-beating gaming performance on a notebook. At RM3,999, the Alienware 13 is quite a bargain for a branded gaming notebook, and this could very well be everyone’s first Alienware product at home.
Pushing that even further is the flagship Area-51 desktop that has impressive gaming power out of the box, yet gives you flexibility to further customise. Sure, it’s pricey, but if you have deep pockets, you’ll have a trick-looking gaming desktop with ultimate gaming performance to boot.
The Alienware Graphics Amplifier isn’t a new concept, externally powered CPU/GPUs have existed for years. However, there’s no package quite like the Alienware 13 and the Graphics Amplifier.
