New Alienware Laptop at E3 2013 Now Available to Order
In a much-belated move timed with E3, Dell announced the entire Alienware laptop lineup is being refreshed with the introduction of Intel’s 4th generation Haswell CPUs. This is a relatively big deal, considering the M14x, M17x, and M18x (yes, there’s an 18-inch laptop out there) haven’t been redesigned since their release back in 2009.
Each of these machines can and will set you back a pretty penny, but given Alienwares are never cheap, if you’re in the market for one, you’re unlikely to be surprised by the pricetag.
Alienware 14
The “smallest” of the new laptops, the Alienware 14 replaces the older M14x series (which received processor updates through Ivy Bridge). Now packed with a Core i7-4700MQ and a mid-range GeForce GT 750M in the base configuration, the Alienware M14 is probably one of few 14-inch laptops on the market that can actually game (the new Lenovo IdeaPad Y410p being another big name example).
Alienware 14 – Core i7-4700MQ, GeForce GT 750M, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD – $1,149 after coupon (Use coupon code BHW1L0MX0D?MCX for $50 off)
While the base config may not impress you much, for an additional $150 you can upgrade to a full HD 1080p screen plus optional faster GTX 765M GPU, although this will set you back $1,699 after coupon. According to many reviews, the $150 panel upgrade is well worth it, considering you’ll be getting a 300-nit IPS panel. Built with a reinforced magnesium alloy frame, the new Alienware 14 is decisively sturdy and strong to the touch.
Alienware 17
With 3 inches added to the display panel, the much bigger Alienware 17 is the refreshed successor to the older M17x gaming laptop. Like the smaller 14, you’ll find Haswell-based Quad Core i7 and Nvidia GPUs. For the base config, you get the much more powerful 765M, and you’ll be also be able to upgrade to the higher-end GTX 770M.
Alienware 17 Core i7-4700MQ, HD+ 900p, GeForce GTX 765M, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD – $1,449 after coupon (Use coupon code BHW1L0MX0D?MCX for $50 off)
The standard panel on the Alienware 17 is the “HD+ 900p” display, though you can always upgrade to the FHD 1080p panel for $150. Other interesting little details on all the new Alienware laptops are the colored LEDs that fill the chassis and change tone/color based on the programs and games you run. (For even more LED goodness, the excellent touchpad lights up too.)
Alienware 18
If you think the 17.3-inch is as big as it gets, you don’t know your Alienware machines. With an even thicker, heftier frame, the 18.4-inch Alienware 18 comes with even more power in its belly. This is probably as “desktop replacement” as you can get.
Alienware 18 Core i7-4700MQ, Full HD 1080p display, GeForce GTX 765M, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD – $2,049 after coupon (Use coupon code BHW1L0MX0D?MCX for $50 off)
The most notable Alienware 18 feature would be the DUAL Graphics Nvidia SLI setup that comes standard on all configs, from the fast mid-range GTX 765M to the GTX 770M, all the way to the ridiculously high-end GTX 780M. Of course, none of this comes cheaply. The base model comes in at $2,099, with higher performance models running all the way to a whooping $5,199.
Yep. The price of a used car.
Of course, there’s that $50 coupon we’ve been mentioning, but honestly, at a $6,000 price point, does it even matter?
(A: Fine, it’s worth it. After all, you can add another game to your Steam library with the money you save.)