Skip to main content

Alienware touts new gaming notebooks

Dell’s Alienware division has been making noises about redefining mobile gaming with new notebook models since the first of the year, and while the latest information is mostly just a tease of what’s to come, the company has released some new details—just not much in the way of pricing or availability information. Alienware is rolling out three new gaming notebooks targeting three very different classes of gamer: the M11x offers a highly-portable gaming rig with an 11-inch screen, the M14x steps out a little to a 14-inch display, and the forthcoming M18x will be “most powerful 18-inch gaming laptop in the universe,” according to Dell.

“If you’re a gamer, you’re going to love our new family of laptops, which deliver on the features gamers care most about—uncompromised graphics performance, latency-free wireless HD streaming to HDTVs, and lifelike 3D gaming,” said Alienware general manager Arthur Lewis, in a statement. “We are committed to delivering the best gaming systems for enthusiasts everywhere and we take great pride in helping them ‘pwn,’ no matter where they are in the world.”

Alienware M11x
Image used with permission by copyright holder

First, Alienware is planning to update the existing M11x gaming notebook to sport Nvidia GeForce GT540M mobile graphics and support up to 16 GB of RAM. The systems will still pack a 11.6-inch 1,366 by 78-pixel display, but will offer HDMI 1.4 output to support HDTVs and 7.1 surround sound audio. The systems will also feature second-generation Intel Core processors with Turbo Boost technology, and an option for WiMax 4G wireless broadband.

Alienware M14x
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Alienware’s new M14x will be available with either a 13,66 by 768-pixel display or a 1,600 by 900-pixel display, powered by Nvidia GeForce GT555M graphics with up to 3 GB of dedicated video memory. The M14x will also feature Nvidia Optimus technology to extend battery life when users don’t need full graphics capability, and will support up to 8 GB of RAM. Like the M11x, the system will be available with a 4G WiMax option and second-generation Intel Core processors.

Alienware M18x
Alienware

Finally, Alienware is continuing to tease the M18x desktop-replacement gaming notebook: the system will be based on the new Intel “Huron River” architecture with a factory-overclocked Intel Core i7 processor running at speeds of up to 4 GHz. Living up to its name, it will also feature an 18.4-inch 1080p display, dual graphics options from both Nvidia and AMD (supporting Crossfire X and SLI, respectively), HDMI 1.4 and DisplayPort output, support for up to 32 GB of onboard memory, HDMI input for folks who want to use the 1080p display for other content sources, and options for Wireless HD and 3D output options for external 3D displays.

Recommended Videos

What’s missing from the Alienware announcement? Prices and availability dates. Although the M11x is up on the Alienware site, the specs (and presumably pricing) reflect the earlier model. The M14x seems to have been updated with the new specs, and pricing starts at $1,199; however, the M18x is still “soon to be released,” with no word on pricing or availability.

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Grab this Alienware m16 R2 gaming laptop with RTX 4070 for $400 off
The Alienware m16 R2 on a white desk.

Dell continues its reign of having some of the best gaming laptop deals around with a sizeable $400 off the Alienware m16 R2 gaming laptop right now. Normally costing $1,900, it’s down to just $1,500 right now — it’s the kind of gaming laptop I’m certainly tempted to add to my cart. If you’re in the market for a new and highly portable gaming laptop, keep reading and learn all about what it has to offer.

Why you should buy the Alienware m16 R2 gaming laptop
Alienware is one of the best gaming laptop brands, with its M-series being the most powerful range to choose from. That ethos is reflected in the Alienware m16 R2 gaming laptop, which packs a strong punch for this price. It has an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor along with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. It continues the trend of making us wish that 32GB of RAM was more standard, but otherwise, you can’t really fault this spec for the price.

Read more
I broke HyperX’s new gaming mouse — on purpose
The HyperX Saga Pro with its components taken apart.

I've already gotten my hands on a lot of new tech at CES 2025, and I'm always careful. You never want to break a precious prototype that needs to be handled by hundreds of hands during the course of the week. So, you can imagine my surprise when HyperX put a broken gaming mouse into my hands and told me that it was broken on purpose -- in fact, it was designed that way.

Of course, the HyperX Pulsefire Saga and Saga Pro aren't broken -- though, I understand if the image above gives you pause. This is HyperX's bid at a customizable gaming mouse, providing you a solid foundation to build off of with your own buttons and heel. This is far from the first customizable gaming mouse, but it might be the first one that actually catches on.

Read more
This Alienware gaming laptop is a beast — and it’s $700 off right now
The Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop with Baldur's Gate 3 on the screen.

If you want to get a powerful device from gaming laptop deals, you should be prepared to spend a significant amount of cash. However, you should also be on the lookout for huge discounts, like the Alienware m18 R2 at $700 off from Dell. The machine is still pretty expensive -- down to $3,300 from $4,000 originally -- but it's the type of investment gamers won't regret, as it's one of the best possible PC gaming laptop experiences. You need to hurry with your purchase though, as it would be a shame to miss out on the savings.

Why you should buy the Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop
There's a growing trend of thin and light gaming laptops, but the Alienware m18 R2 goes the opposite direction. Like its predecessor, the Alienware m18, it skips the sleek and slim designs of some of its peers in favor of packing as much power as possible in its body. Inside the Alienware m18 R2 are the 14th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card, and 64GB of RAM. With these specifications, not only can you play the best PC games at their highest settings, but you'll also be prepared for the upcoming PC games of the next few years. It will be a while before you need an upgrade if you have the Alienware m18 R2.

Read more