Alienware is talked about widely in the gaming community. As a subsidiary of Dell, it is known for its futuristic design, uncompromising performance, and high-quality materials.
Alienware was initially found in 1996, and products are still sold today. Although Alienware is mostly supported by gamers, many are also completely against the brand.
Why are some all for Alienware, but others are not? The powerful system may be strong in some areas, but lacking in others that may be important to another consumer.
This article will explore the truth about Alienware, cover some of its hardware, and if the brand is still worth buying in 2022.
Are Alienware Desktops Worth It?
There is no doubt that Alienware devices are some of the best on the market. But what about desktops specifically?
There are many benefits that come with the high price tag commanded on Alienware desktops. Alienware uses high-end processors like Intel’s Core i7 and i9 or Ryzen 9 to give gamers the fastest and smoothest gaming performance possible.
They are also multi-threaded, very customizable, and can easily be overclocked. Aside from that, all of their desktops have a huge amount of RAM, up to 128 GB. That makes them suitable for activities beyond gaming, such as heavy rendering or programming.
As far as cooling, there were some issues with the earlier models. However, with their latest desktops, the cooling systems inside of their computers are top-tier. As a result, you will rarely have to worry about your rig overheating, as they marginally improved the airflow inside the chassis and even offer liquid cooling with their PCs.
The Alienware Aurora R14, their best and most-advanced gaming PC released on the company’s 25th birthday (October 2021), is still considered one of the best gaming systems on the market today.
What’s nice about their PCs is that you can adjust the same exact PCs for virtually any budget. You can opt for a $1400 build with less performance, or you can get a fully decked out build with 4TB of storage, 128GB of RAM, and the latest, most-advanced graphics cards and CPUs.
Overall, we’d say that the Alienware desktops are definitely worth the money–for specific users, however. If you’re a fan of the aesthetics and can’t be bothered to build the rig yourself, then Alienware PCs are an excellent option, even compared to the tough competition.
On the other hand, even if their PCs represent a solid value, we’d recommend you to build your own PC if you have the time and the skills–You’ll save more money, have an easier time upgrading your PC, and can go for your own aesthetic.
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Are Alienware Laptops Worth It?
Finding a high-quality gaming laptop can be just as difficult, if not harder, than finding a high-quality desktop. There is so much more to consider when choosing a device, and it may not always be easy.
Alienware laptops are practically known for being lightning fast and highly responsive, as well as for their attractive aesthetics. They are fantastic for demanding gamers that are looking for a matching replacement for their desktop PC.
Their high-end laptops, the X15 and X17 models, only come with high-refreshing displays, ranging from 165hz to 360hz, high-performing GPUs, with the RTX 3060 being the weakest card, and a high amount of RAM, with no less than 16GB. This makes them perfect for high-end gaming.
And so, for lighter tasks and lighter gaming, like checking emails and surfing the web, and an occasional game of league of legends, we would not recommend buying an Alienware laptop. You’ll never take full advantage of the raw power.
Cooling-wise, Alienware laptops seem to follow the same path as their desktop PCs. Gamers used to, and still are, complaining about the cooling system being too loud and the GPU temperatures getting too high, which results in the chassis being hot to touch as well.
Again, their latest models seem to be better in terms of cooling efficiency; however, the laptops still get hot and loud during heavy use. A cooling pad is definitely recommended.
And finally, the last drawback is portability. Alienware laptops have a bulkier design and make the device much less portable compared to other gaming laptop brands. Often, they may not fit into a regular laptop sleeve in a backpack and will need an individual case for portability.
In terms of the overall value, we think that Alienware laptops are worth it. Yes, you can buy a cheaper, similarly performing laptop. However, almost no other brand offers the same mix of aesthetics, performance, and display quality for demanding gamers. The closest would be laptops from the ROG line-up.
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Are Alienware Peripherals Worth It?
Alienware devices, like desktops and laptops, are usually considered worthy of their high price tag. But what about their peripherals, like their keyboards, mice, monitors, and headsets?
Surprisingly, their peripherals are a bit of a mixed bag. For example, their monitors and keyboards are fantastic, and easily one of the best you can buy on the market. It’s a bit of a different story with their mice and headsets. While they’re not bad by any standard, they are far from being the best.
For those wanting a longer answer, we explore whether you should also invest in Alienware peripherals or if you are better off looking elsewhere.
Keyboards
Many other computer brands create amazing desktops and laptops, but overlook the detail and design of an amazing keyboard to go with it. Unlike them, Alienware has worked hard to avoid this mistake.
New Alienware keyboards generally cost over $100, but we believe the price on this peripheral is justified. This is because their keyboards are designed with intricate detail and give users the best experiences possible using the CherryMX mechanical switches.
The design of the keyboards tends to be slick and angular, with both a shimmer and matte look to them with an LED underlight — it’s easy to say that the keyboard is simply stunning.
The switches on the keyboard are of premium quality, so typing is smooth, quick, and easy. The symbols, numbers, and letters are also etched into the keyboard so they are easy to see in low-light environments.
Admittedly, Alienware isn’t an expert when it comes to keyboards, and they haven’t released one in a while. But, they really didn’t skimp out on anything, and the few keyboards they offer are one of the best we’ve used. Especially the AW510K model, which even comes with a competitive price tag.
Overall, with an Alienware keyboard, you get excellent and solid performance for the price you pay.
Mice
When it comes to Alienware peripherals, the mice are a bit of a letdown. Sure, they work great, but are they worth $100 each?
Not really. The design of the mouse is different from most, and it resembles a torpedo from the top down. This has made it harder to use than other gaming and office mice.
Depending on the size of your hand, the feel of the mouse can range from perfect to painful. They also tend to be heavier than other mice.
On the other hand, Alienware mice have built-in dongle storage. They also have a great sensor and battery life; this is not necessarily worth the price, though.
Logitech mice generally have a much better and more comfortable design, more options for customization, and are cheaper than Alienware mice. There are plenty of different types and shapes for people of all needs.
However, this may change with their freshly released AW720M, which suspiciously resembles the G PRO X from Logitech, one of the best-selling mice ever. But we’re yet to test their new release. And until we do, we feel like you’ll be better off looking elsewhere for a gaming mouse.
Monitors
Alienware monitors are probably their best product when it comes to performance and value. They offer stunning visuals, color-accurate display, and high performance for fast-paced, competitive games.
And as such, they are best for gamers that are seriously invested in having the best experience possible.
Similar to their other lines of products, they don’t offer a lot of options. But in the case of monitors, what they offer is top-notch.
Even despite the low number of monitors, virtually anyone is able to pick one that will suit their needs.
Looking for an ultra-wide monitor for cinematic games? Alienware has got you with their 34-inch, high-resolution AW3420DW.
Need uncompromising performance to gain an edge over opponents in competitive games? Look no further than the AW2521H, one of the fastest gaming monitors available right now.
Want the best of both worlds? Something to game on and use for creative activities, such as video and photo editing? Pick up the AW2721D, a 27-inch monitor with 1440p resolution, 240hz refresh rate, and 100% coverage of the sRGB color gamut.
On top of that, apart from the good performance, Alienware monitors generally offer great build quality, plenty of connectivity with multiple USB ports, and good adjustability.
It seems like this part of the article was sponsored by Alienware, but that’s not the case. We’ve had an opportunity to test most of their monitors, and there truly isn’t anything we would consider a significant drawback or a dealbreaker. Even the price feels right.
And so, if you’re wondering if Alienware monitors are worth the money, they 100% are.
Headsets
Last but not least, we’re going to discuss the value of Alienware gaming headsets. And with their slim line-up of four headsets, we will keep it short.
Alienware headsets are at a similar spot as their gaming mice. They are not bad, but companies that specialize in making headsets will blow them out of the water.
Alienware headsets, like their other products, are made from premium quality and offer a unique and futuristic design. Comfort is also not an issue, but in terms of audio and microphone quality, they’re just average.
That was the case until recently. Their newly released AW920H is, despite what we expected, an excellent gaming headset. It’s got everything–it’s comfortable, sounds exceptionally well, is wireless with a 50+ hours battery life, and looks just amazing.
The only drawback is the price. As a new release, you may be able to find it at a discounted price, but Dell has them on their website listed for $199. And that’s a tough pill to swallow, especially talking about a gaming headset.
If you asked us before the release of the AW920H if Alienware headsets are worth your money, the answer would most likely be no; you are much better off looking elsewhere. However, the AW920H is, by all means, an excellent gaming headset. And despite the premium price rag, it’s well worth the money.
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In Conclusion
The worth of Alienware depends heavily on the gamer’s budget, what they will use the device for, and which additional devices they choose. Because of their higher price tag, Alienware devices are best suited for extremely serious, dedicated, and professional gamers.
While some hardware, like laptops and desktops, may be worth the high price, consumers may be better off using cheaper peripherals (keyboards, mice, headsets) with similar quality and performance.
There is one exception, and that’s monitors. Alienware monitors are easily the top 3 when it comes to high-end, competitive gaming. And along with their laptops and gaming PCs, represent a great value in today’s market.
Overall, Alienware has done an amazing job at establishing itself as a leading name in the gaming world, and they have plans to continue to improve and develop far into the future.
What is your experience with Alienware? Do you have a different view on the brand? Let us know! Also, if you have a question or need a hand with anything, feel free to use the comment section below. We love hearing from you!
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