Dell Readies Alienware 13 Gaming Laptop for Fall

This November Dell is set to let loose a new Alienware-branded gaming machine, a thin and light notebook dubbed Alienware 13. As its name suggests, the upcoming laptop packs a 13-inch display which, depending on configuration, can have a native resolution of (only) 1366 x 768, 1920 x 1080, or 2560 x 1440 pixels.

The Alienware 13 will also feature an ultra-low voltage Intel processor, a GeForce GTX 860M graphics card, up to 16 GB of RAM, up to two SSDs (HDD options will also be available), Qualcomm Killer 802.11ac WiFi, a TACTX keyboard, and Klipsch audio. No word on pricing yet but since it's Alienware, one might want to start saving already.



Source: Engadget

 

Indeed, already preparing for the non-shocking shocking price.

 

Why is this running a ULV Intel processor when the likes of Clevo, MSI & gigabyte are all able to fit full bore quad core i7's in (what appears to be) a similar thickness chassis?!

 

simple. the clevo w230ss is 20% thicker compared to the alienware, is loud, and runs very hot with that cpu (clevo can say anything they want, but 98c is TOO hot for a cpu). also, that clevo's runtimes are abysmal comared to the msi or gigabyte products, especially on that large of a bettery.

the msi model, Im assuming you are talking about the ge40, and the gigabyte model, the p34gv2, both have serious overheating problems, and msi ships too small of an AC adapter, pulling power from the battery to fuel the gpu during heavy load. both are also 14 inch, not 13 inch.

I, for one, am quite looking forward to the new alienware. slimmer than the clevo, and with the ulv cpu, (and dual fans instead of one fan like the competiton) no overheating problems like msi or gigabyte. besides, a ulv cpu, when under cpu load only, is enough to drive the 860m. most games are gpu dependant anyway, only mmos or battlefield 4 would be slowed down on this thing with a ulv i7 (assuming they use a 15w model, not a 28 w). lenovo does this too, in their y40 laptops, and it works quite well.
This alienware 13 is making the same tradeoff that the excellent alienware x11 laptops made, using a slower cpu that is good enough for gaming, to sustain better battery life and thermals. the m11x was well made and fit a niche, one that this will hopefully fill as well.

 

Alienware have the biggest problem with charging for a logo in terms of the windows PC markets than any others (similar to Razer). I find that this one starting with an 860m is a good start though this round because in the past I have seen way to many Alienware machines with very low end GPU's charging the price of a full fledged gaming desktop or Clevo/Sager High gaming notebook.

13inch gaming notebook like that actually looks to be pretty interesting but the ULV processor is not something I would be as interested in on that model. I would much prefer the low end full i7 or even i5 over the ULV processor for a gaming notebook regardless (Guess ill have to see a review before I fully make up my mind on this machine). I doubt this machine is going to be anywhere priced well though so we can assume a very high 4 figure price (Probably 1300+ depending).

Still the design of these recent Alienwares look really sleek.

 

Alienware for Alien Pricing.

 

It may depend on the ulv cpu. if dell uses one of the 28 watt models, like the i7-4558u, then under load it should reach clock rates similar, if not identical to, 37 watt core i5 cpus. if dell goes with a i7 4500u though...then yeah, that would be a pretty bad bottleneck.

 

I think many are missing the point of this laptop. They don't include the higher wattage component because its not intended for gaming or computing powerhouse usage. Think about it, they offer the 1440p display with the 860m gpu. Are you really going to be able to play games with that gpu at 1440p with crushing graphics? No. You're not. This laptop is for people who need longer battery life for productivity and portability. Its not for hardcore gaming. Its for gaming, productivity, and portability. Its probably not the laptop for a lot of people. But, for someone who plays games on occasion but needs a computer to go to class or work this might be a good fit. For those who need the higher end cpu part they make the alienware 14.