Alienware X14 R2 and X16 Gaming Laptops Combine Performance and Style

In 2021, Dell rocked the gaming world when the company launched its Alienware X-series product line to address the thin and powerful gaming laptop market. Today, Alienware is coming to CES 2023 with two new additions to the x lineup, the Alienware x16 and the Alienware x14 R2, the successor of the x14.

Both products are equipped with the most powerful CPU and GPU available on the market including the brand-new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40-series Laptops GPU that just launched at CES.

Both have a similar architecture, however, the Alienware x16 weighs 6 lb. and offers more powerful configuration options than its lighter (4.6 lb.) x14 sibling.

Hardware and System Performance

Touted the “world’s most premium gaming laptop” by Dell, the Alienware x16 can be ordered with a 13^th Gen Intel Core i7 13620H, or a Core i7 13700H, or a Core i9 13900HK.

The x14 R2, nicknamed the “world’s thinnest 14” gaming laptop” by Dell, offers only two processor options: Intel Core i5 13420H or Core i7 13620H.

On the graphics side, the x16 offers a selection of five GeForce RTX 40-series options: RTX 4050 6GB GDDR6, RTX 4060 8GB GDDR6, RTX 4070 8GB GDDR6, all with a 140W max GFX power, or RTX 4080 12GB GDDR6, RTX 4090 16GB GDDR6 both with 175W max GFX power.

The Alienware gets only three options to choose from: 3050 6GB GDDR6, 4050 6GB GDDR6 or RTX 4060 8GB GDDR6. Both the RTX 40 options for the X14 R2 are designed for lower power envelops (50W or 80W max GFX power) to fit the thinner, lighter chassis (14.5 mm vs.18.5mm) and cooling performance.

Display

The Alienware x16 features a 16:10 240Hz QHD+ display with 3ms response time and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. For gamers who need a faster refresh rate, they can order the x16 with the 16.0″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200) 480Hz.

The Alienware X14 R2 offers a 14.0″ QHD+ (2560 x 1600) 165Hz display with similar 3ms response time and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. All display configurations support NVIDIA G-SYNC + Advanced Optimus.

Audio: 6 speakers for the Alienware x16

With the x16, for the first time the Alienware team designed a system that embeds 6 speakers in every configuration. The sound system includes two up firing tweeters for audio clarity and a dual woofer configuration for strong bass. Such a powerful audio configuration provides a great backbone for the spatial sound delivered by Dolby Atmos.

Design

The design of both computers’ chassis is based on Alienware’s Legend 3 design language. Both feature a full metal chassis made of anodized aluminum and magnesium alloy.

Alienware X16 with 100 micro-LEDs

The star of the x16 show is the massive touchpad with animated light, which is 15% larger than the touchpad of the x17 R2. Both the keyboard and the rear edge of the laptop feature animated LED lights, and according to Dell, the exclusive AlienFX behaviors such as scanner, loop, and rainbow wave are possible with an array of 100 micro-LEDs

Alienware X14 R2 patent-pending cooling system

Cooling is a critical aspect of any gaming laptop, and Alienware literally starts with a great foundation in the form of a high-performance thermal material called Element 31 (think of it as the “thermal paste”). Sometimes, OEMs don’t get this step right and everything else falters.

The heat is therefore transferred from the chip’s package through the thermal material to a heatsink with a vapor chamber, a proven technology.  From there, Alienware has software that regulates the fans (according to internal sensors) to keep the perfect balance between temperature and noise.

Pricing and Availability

The Alienware x16 will be available in Q1, first launching with high-end configurations with Intel and NVIDIA options at $3,099 (US), and $4,199 (CA).

Additional configurations will come later with the entry model starting at $2,149.99 (US), $2,899.99 (CA). The AMD Options will launch in Q2.

The Alienware x14 will be available in Q1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eliane Fiolet
Categories: Computers
Tags: alienware, CES CES 2023, Dell, Editorspick, Gaming Laptops