Alienware turned heads like few others at CES 2022 in January thanks to a product showcase that featured brand new laptops, peripherals, design concepts and their stunning 34” QD-OLED Gaming Display. As is tradition however they’ve staggered out some announcements, particularly pricing and availability, which they’re finally able to shed a little more light on today. You won’t necessarily be able to order everything from their showcase right now but there’s just enough to whet appetites as we leave 2021 behind.
Alienware x14 Laptop
Alienware’s most significant reveal at CES 2022, in partnership with both Intel and NVIDIA, was the new x14 Laptop (UK Link / AUS Link). Engineered to be the thinnest and lightest 14-inch laptop they have ever released, it incorporates both high-performance 12th Gen. 'Alder Lake' Core H-Series processors and GPUs as fast as the GeForce RTX 3060 mobile solution. It’s a light-weight design that will be as comfortable gaming on the move as at home, but shouldn’t weigh you down with a bulky chassis and inefficient cooling.
The crowning achievement of the x14’s design is at first glance a humble one. A patent-pending dual-torque hinge moves the display element forward and back on a track, helping to achieve a maximum Z-height of just 0.57 inches (~14.5mm). Despite its slender proportions the advanced cooling system can incorporate up to Intel’s Core i9-12900H to pack in a dense 14 cores and support for up to 20 independent threads, and that’s alongside NVIDIA’s RTX 3060.
This configuration leverages Alienware’s well-regarded Element 31 Gallium-Silicone-based TIM and vapour chamber cooling to balance thermal load. Independent spin-up/down Smart Fan control helps to maintain comfortable acoustics, and when appropriate the RTX 3060 can dip into 25W of additional power to boost above and beyond the 60W TGP on reference specs.
Other key aspects of the design are the x14’s 1080p 144Hz display which supports both NVIDIA G-SYNC and Dolby Vision, WiFi 6E networking via Intel and Killer NICs, Dolby Atmos certified audio for deeply immersive audio to match the clarity of the display visuals, and the largest possible battery in a chassis of this size (80WHr capacity).
The big news is that Alienware’s x14 can now be purchased worldwide. At the time of writing configuration options vary according to region - for instance Australia / New Zealand has an RTX 3050 Ti option that the UK doesn’t have - and pricing starts from AUD 2,999 / £1,999 (inc. GST / VAT) respectively. So if you’re in need of a new highly mobile platform for a mixture of work and gaming powered by cutting-edge hardware the x14 should absolutely be on your shortlist.
Alienware Tri-Mode Wireless Gaming Mouse (AW720M)
Joining the x14 in worldwide availability this week is Alienware’s AW720 TRI-MODE Wireless gaming mouse (UK Link] / AUS Link). This ambidextrous 8-button design attempts to beat the likes of Logitech and Razer at their own game by offering a sleek, well crafted wireless rodent with excellent performance features and long-lasting battery, despite weighing only 89g.
The AW720 is a versatile tri-mode device, meaning that it supports three distinct connection modes. Low latency 2.4GHz wireless operation with 1000Hz USB polling is ideal for gaming, or alternatively switch to Bluetooth 5.2 for broader device compatibility and lengthier battery life (420 hrs vs 140 hrs). And of course a performance wired mode activates when the charging cable is connected, so you need never be without full use in the thick of battle.
Alienware have jumped on board the latest optical switch trends for the main Left and Right buttons, reducing debounce time and hence improving accuracy. They’re also magnetically sprung which should lead to a tighter and more responsive overall package. The sensor is impressively specced too, boasting native 26,000 DPI sensitivity, 650 IPS max speed and 50G max acceleration.
The design team are also pushing the innovation envelope with magnetically assisted snap-on USB-C charging. The mouse can clip directly into the USB-C dongle extender, getting you back to gaming with a minimum of fuss and charging rapidly to boot. Just 5 minutes plugged in will power the on-board battery for up-to 20 hrs of gaming.
Final aesthetic touches include a Lunar Light and Dark Side of the Moon exterior colour option, AlienFX-powered RGB single zone lighting and a braided USB-C charging cable.
Lunar Light variants of the AW720M are now available in NA, China and EMEA countries from US$149.99 / £119.99 inc. V.A.T. Dark Side of the Moon variants will be available globally from April 19th, and Australia / New Zealand pricing is expected to be AUD 249 / NZD 276 (inc. GST where applicable) respectively.
Later Arrivals
A darling of CES 2022, the Alienware 34 QD-OLED Gaming Display was one of a host of displays unveiled at the event which will leverage Quantum Dot OLED technology when they’re released later this year. Alienware’s implementation is however strongly focussed towards gaming and incorporates features that make most sense in that context.
Quantum Dot technology works by modulating a blue light emitter into red or green light through very small semiconductor ‘dots’ that have extremely precise colour-curves. In utilising self-lit OLEDs rather than more generalised backlit technologies the display has remarkable contrast between light and dark zones, leading to a picture that has vibrant colour reproduction and much more immersive visuals.
The Alienware 34 QD-OLED is a curved 34” ultrawide (3440 x 1440p) 175Hz display with NVIDIA G-SYNC Ultimate certification, ensuring that each refresh of the screen is perfectly synced with an incoming frame for smooth as silk gameplay with no tearing or stuttering. VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 certification and 1000 nits peak brightness will make it as ideal for the foreboding environments of DOOM and colourful landscapes of Fortnite alike.
Other more subtle touches also highlight Alienware’s attention to detail, drawing on Dell’s exceptional pedigree in monitor design. It supports VESA mounting options, has an integrated SuperSpeed USB 3.2 hub, multiple inputs (HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4), a height and tilt-adjustable stand with built-in cable management, and even includes 4-zone RGB aesthetic lighting (powered by AlienFX) as a finishing touch.
Expect the Alienware 34 QD-OLED Gaming Display (AW3423DW) to debut in late March with a newly announced price of AUD 2299 and NZD 2649 (or regional equivalents).
Also coming to all regions this March is the Alienware Tri-Mode Wireless Gaming Headset (AW920H). Inspired by Alienware’s own Legend 2.0 design, this Dolby Atmos-powered stereo headset supports 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.2 and 3.5mm jack connectivity for immersive gaming audio at home or on the go.
Wireless audio is difficult to perfect so it’s no surprise that Alienware’s AW920H starts from strong fundamentals. The battery is capacious, offering up-to 30hrs of operation in 2.4GHz mode or 55hrs when connected via, but the overall weight of the headset is just 320g (lighter than the Corsair HS80 for example). USB-C burst charging is fast, granting up-to 6 hours of gaming from just 15mins hooked up, so even a temporary outage shouldn’t hold you back for long.
Alienware also leverage new trends in AI by integrating noise suppression into the (detachable) microphone. Microphone audio clarity is often a bugbear of wireless headsets so any effort to improve voice legibility is more than welcome. Final aesthetic touches include AlienFX RGB lighting (which can be disabled to maintain high battery life) and the choice of either Lunar Light or Dark Side of the Moon colour schemes.
Lunar Light models of the AW920H are available now in North America, China, UK, France and Germany with an MSRP of US$199 or regional equivalents. Dark Side of the Moon models will be available worldwide from April 19th, and will have an MSRP of US$199 / AUD 378.99 / NZD 419 when they land.
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To learn more about Alienware gaming check out the third Alienware Arena Update, scheduled to go live on Twitch.tv/Alienware at 8pm GMT / 3pm Eastern US / 7am AEDT. With head-to-head battles between guests from all over the world, Q&A. product showcases and more, there’s plenty in store for fans of the brand and gaming as a whole. Can’t make it? Then check out the VOD when it becomes available.
