Alienware updates gaming laptops and releases new accessories
Dell subsidiary Alienware is releasing updates to its m16, x16 and m18 gaming laptops. Additionally, the company is showing off a few new accessories. These are a keyboard with its own linear switches and a mouse for e-athletes.
The Alienware m16 R2, x16 R2 and m18 R2 follow the m16, x16 and m18 that Dell presented in early 2023. The three laptops are equipped with new Intel processors, in the case of the Alienware m18 a Core i7 or Core i9 from the 14th Gen HX series, and in the case of the m16 and x16 a Core Ultra 7 or 9 from the Meteor Lake-H -series. The video card is from the Nvidia RTX 4000 series, just like the laptops from early 2023. No R2 laptops with AMD processors or video cards have been announced yet.
Alienware m16 R2
The Alienware m16 R2 has changed the most compared to its predecessor. Alienware says the case has become 15 percent smaller. Nevertheless, there is still a maximum of an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 in the system with 115W TGP. This is possible thanks to a redesigned cooling system with two extra thin fans and four heat pipes. What may also help is the switch from a desktop-class HX processor with 55W TDP in the previous model to a slightly more economical 45W CPU from the new Core Ultra series.
Another new feature is the Stealth Mode, which turns off the RGB lighting on the housing at the touch of a button, turns the RGB key lighting white and switches the fans to silent mode. The device can optionally be equipped with WiFi 7. In the US, the laptop will be released on January 11 for at least $1,600; Prices and availability in the Benelux are not yet known.
| Core Ultra 7 155H or Core Ultra 9 185H |
| Nvidia RTX 4050, 4060 or 4070 (115W tgp) |
| 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB DDR5-5600 (2 SODIMMs) |
| 512GB to 4TB (1 SSD) or 2TB to 8TB (2 SSDs) |
| 16″, ips 2560×1600, 240Hz, 100% sRGB |
Alienware x16 R2
The Alienware x16 R2 is a thinner version of the m16 R2, with an aluminum and magnesium housing. Despite the use of that light metal, the x16 R2 is slightly heavier. It also contains heavier hardware: in addition to the same Core Ultra processors, a maximum of an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 with 175W TGP, in that variant equipped with vapor chamber cooling. RTX 4060 and 4070 versions with 140W TGP have traditional heat pipes.
Just like the m16 R2, this laptop fits two SSDs, but the RAM up to 32GB cannot be replaced. The laptop can also be equipped with a mechanical keyboard with per-key RGB lighting. The image panel has the same resolution and refresh rate as that of the m16 R2, but with a larger DCI-P3 color range. The x16 R2 will be available for purchase in the US from January 11 from $3,000, but the entry-level model will follow later for $2,000. It is not yet known when both variants will be released in the Benelux and at what price.
| Core Ultra 7 155H or Core Ultra 9 185H |
| Nvidia RTX 4060 or 4070 (140W TGP), 4080 or 4090 (175W TGP) |
| 16GB or 32GB lpddr5x (soldered) |
| 512GB to 4TB (1 SSD) or 2TB to 8TB (2 SSDs) |
| 16″, ips 2560×1600, 240Hz, 100% DCI-P3 |
Alienware m18 R2
The Alienware m18 R2 is the largest laptop in the Alienware range, with a 14th Gen HX-series processor, unlike the smaller devices. That is a maximum of the Core i9-14900HX with 24 computing cores. Nvidia’s fastest RTX 4090 is also optionally available, this time limited to 150W. Processor and video card at the same time can consume 270W, which is discharged by a cooling system consisting of four fans and a redesigned vapor chamber.
The laptop contains two DDR5 SODIMMs and there is room for four M.2 SSDs. Other options include Wi-Fi 7, a mechanical keyboard with per-key RGB lighting and two different screen panels: a 16:10 panel with 2560×1600 pixels and 165Hz refresh rate, or a 1920×1200 screen that refreshes at 480Hz. Both IPS screens could display the entire DCI-P3 color range. In the US, configurations with RTX 4060 or 4070 will first be available from January 11 for at least $1,900; RTX 4080 and 4090 variants will follow later. It is not yet known when and in which configurations the laptop will be released in the Benelux.
| Core i7-14650HX, Core i7-14700HX, Core i9-14900HX |
| Nvidia RTX 4060 or 4070 (115W TGP), 4080 or 4090 (150W TGP) |
| 16, 32, or 64GB DDR5-4800 |
| 512GB to 4TB (1 SSD) or 2TB to 8TB (2 SSDs) |
| 18″, IPS, 2560×1600, 165Hz, 100% DCI-P3 / 18″, IPS, 1920×1200, 480Hz, 100% DCI-P3 |
Alienware Pro Mouse and Pro Wireless Keyboard
In addition to the laptops, Alienware will be introducing the Pro Mouse and the Pro Wireless Keyboard during the CES fair. The Pro Mouse is a wireless gaming mouse intended for e-sports. The symmetrically shaped mouse has two side buttons on the left, an aluminum scroll wheel, and weighs 60 grams. According to the manufacturer, five minutes of charging should be good for six hours of play; After fully charged, the mouse should continue to work for 120 hours. The included dongle can be stored in the mouse. Users can also connect a two-meter long USB cable to the mouse.
The Pro Wireless Keyboard is, as the name suggests, a wireless keyboard with a 75 percent size. Underneath the PBT plastic keys, there are hot-swappable linear Alienware switches with an actuation force of 40 grams, where the RGB lighting must be clearly visible through the transparent switch housing. The keyboard can work via Bluetooth, a 2.4GHz connection or wired. Wireless over 2.4GHz, Dell promises a battery life of 72 hours with RGB lighting enabled.
From January 11, mouse and keyboard will be available in black or white in Europe. The Pro Mouse costs 170 euros, the Pro Wireless Keyboard 220 euros.