Introducing the New Alienware Alpha

Ever since Dell acquired Alienware, they have been pushing out high performance systems at a high price tag. Compared to other computers at the same price, Alienware has acquired a bad reputation for overpriced systems. This is now an especially large problem with the increased demand for custom computer parts from gaming enthusiasts. Both gaming desktops and laptops are becoming more mainstream and more affordable, but what happens when both of them are combined?

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-alpha/pd?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&fl=p&~ck=mn

The new Dell Alienware Alpha delivers a full desktop gaming experience with the look of a console. In fact, they even include an Xbox 360 wireless controller for racing and indie games for large screen gaming. What makes this so special? For the first time in years, Dell has created a system that is cheaper to buy in one piece compared to purchasing separate parts and building a custom system.

The Alpha comes with a few different configurations, including a base model at 500 dollars. This includes an Intel i3 processor, custom Nvidia GTX 860m graphics chip, 4gb of RAM, and a 500GB HDD. Unlike consoles, this is a computer and can be upgraded to play games better. The CPU can be swapped out for an i5 or i7, and the RAM can be upgraded to 8GB by adding another stick. This allows users to customize their system from the inside to benefit gaming performance, not just looks.

A similar system can be built by purchasing parts individually and would provide greater upgrade paths, but the Alpha comes in a small form-factor that is hard to match. This is also a good purchase for people looking to upgrade from an old console (PS4, XBox1) but do not want to learn how to build a computer.