1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. Products

Alienware UFO vs. Nintendo Switch: Can a handheld PC challenge Nintendo?

By

The beloved Nintendo Switch took a unique approach to console gaming and hasn’t had much competition since its launch in 2017. At CES 2020, Alienware announced the UFO, a gaming PC that takes a similar approach to portable gaming. You can access all your Steam games in your hands.

The UFO is just a concept, so we don’t have specifics about the device, nor do we know when it will actually launch. Still, we know enough to guess how the UFO will stack up against the Switch.

Recommended Videos

Design

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The UFO clearly takes inspiration from the Switch. It’s a portable system that’s meant for playing on the go — whether that’s on the bus, on a plane, or even just lounging on a couch. However, the look and feel of these systems couldn’t be more different.

The UFO is a tried-and-true Alienware PC, featuring its iconic black-and-white color scheme and rings of glowing lights. Its 8-inch screen is much larger than the Switch’s 6.2-inch screen, with slightly thinner bezels surrounding it.

Meanwhile, the Switch’s simple black finish feels a bit more conservative, with just a dash of color from the Joy-Con controllers. The UFO stands out.

Ahmad Mohammed/Unsplash

The Nintendo Switch was the pioneer in this form factor, effectively bridging the gap between handheld and home console. Its smaller size makes it more portable than the UFO, and it feels a bit lighter too.

But the real magic with both the UFO and the Switch is seamlessly going from a small-screen, portable experience to a large-screen one. Both have kickstands and removable controllers, but the Switch has something the UFO lacks. A dock.

The way the Switch locks into its dock is what makes the system so convenient. No cables to fuss with. No messing with your television or monitor.

The UFO includes a single USB-C port up top for connection. That’s great for those with new monitors, but if you want to connect to an older display or a television, you’ll need a dongle.

Performance and features

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Both the Switch and the UFO feature removable controllers on either side of the tablet, but the Switch’s are more versatile. The Joy-Cons be used on their own as controllers, while the UFO’s require the center puck to be functional.

Fortunately, when you do attach the sides of the UFO’s controller together, it’s a comfortable and familiar way to game. As I remarked in my Alienware UFO hands-on review, it feels more reminiscent of an Xbox gamepad than a Switch controller. That’s a good thing.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

We don’t know a lot about the UFO’s performance. But from what we’ve seen so far, it’s fair to say that it probably has more power at its disposal than the Switch. In our time with the device at CES 2020, games like Mortal Kombat and F1 2019 played smoothly. Clearly, whatever undisclosed hardware Dell is using has some muscle.

The UFO’s fans did become loud, however, while the Switch is rarely audible. Thermals may prove more of a problem for the Alienware UFO than for Nintendo’s less powerful Switch.

What games can you play?

The Alienware UFO is a portable Windows gaming PC. You can even pair a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and use it like a desktop if you want.

That means it can access your entire library of Steam games. You can be playing Rainbow Six: Siege on your PC at home, then hop on a bus and pick up right where you left off on your UFO. Well. If you have internet (there’s no word on a UFO with 4G or 5G connectivity).

Image used with permission by copyright holder

That’s always been the strength of the Switch. Of course, the Switch features a huge selection of first-party games and other titles that fans love and aren’t available on PC.

Either way, the UFO isn’t another platform you have to invest in. For PC gamers who’ve already spent a lot of money on Steam games, that’s great news.

The Switch has a challenger, but how much will it cost?

There are questions surrounding the UFO, ranging from performance to battery life. But the price is the biggest concern. With the Switch at $299 and the Switch Lite at $199, the UFO has a serious hurdle to overcome. Dell hasn’t revealed the price of the UFO, but it says it wants to be competitive.

Obviously, the Switch is the only of the two you can buy right now. That might be true for quite some time, as the Alienware UFO is only a concept.

Follow our live blog for more CES news and announcements.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Luke Larsen
Senior Editor, Computing
Luke Larsen is the Senior editor of computing, managing all content covering laptops, monitors, PC hardware, Macs, and more.
Best Verizon Fios new customer deals: Get 2GB/s internet in your home

Whether you surf the web for work or you subscribe to one of the best live TV streaming services, the experience can be made better with blazing fast internet. Fiber optic internet service is the future, and with Verizon Fios you can get some of the fastest internet service around. This service would pair well with any of the best TVs and home theater setups, but it’s also something to consider if you're into online gamine or do work that requires large file uploads and downloads. We’re currently seeing some of the lowest prices on Fios home internet service we’ve ever seen, with Verizon putting some super impressive deals out there. We’ve rounded up all of the best Verizon Fios deals available right now, and they include low monthly costs, waived setup charges, and a number of freebies like Target gift cards.
2 Gigabit Verizon Fios connection -- $85 per month + free extras
One of the fastest internet speeds you can get, and the fastest speed that Verizon offers, this is the sort of subscription you should grab if all the members of your family are essentially watching 4k content all the time. It's also great for those who want to host their own media server to share with friends or family while not impacting anybody else in the home. You also get a lot of great freebies included here, such as the choice of either a $300 Target gift card or a $350 value Samsung Chromebook Go, which is admittedly an entry-level device, but it's not bad to use for just streaming content. On top of that, you can choose between 2TB of Verizon cloud storage and 12 months of Disney+ with no ads or a MoCA Ethernet Adapter for gaming and a $50 Xbox eGift Card. You could also get both of these if you add an extra $10/month, although it's probably not worth it at that point.

SIGN UP NOW

Read more
Best Buy laptop deals: Cheap laptops starting at $139

With Best Buy almost always among the best places to buy a laptop online, it’s worth checking out what sort of laptop deals the retail giant currently has taking place. It regularly discounts laptop models by top laptop brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and even Apple. We’ve tracked down all of the Best Buy laptop deals worth shopping right now, and you can read more about them below. They include some massive savings on an Acer Chromebook, as well as some discounts on new MacBook Airs. If you’re uncertain what sort of laptop best suit your needs, you can also consult our laptop buying guide.
Acer Chromebook 315 — $139, was $199

The Acer Chromebook 315 is one of the larger Chromebooks you’ll find, as its display comes in at an impressive 15.6 inches. This makes it a great option for people who want some extra screen real estate, but who still like to do their work on the go. The Acer Chromebook 315 has plenty of power for a Chromebook, and is made as much for comfort as functionality. Its slightly larger size will come in handy when doing creative work and an integrated numeric keyboard gives it the feel of working on a desktop. The Acer Chromebook 315 is able to reach up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, meaning you can work on the go all day without needing to take a charger with you.

Read more
The latest Windows update is breaking VPN connections

Microsoft has acknowledged that the Windows security updates for April 2024 (KB5036893 for Windows 11, KB5036892 for Windows 10) are causing disruptions to virtual private network (VPN) connections across various client and server platforms. According to information on the Windows health dashboard, devices running Windows may experience VPN connection failures following the installation of either the April 2024 security update or the April 2024 non-security preview update.

The company has also stated that it is actively investigating user reports regarding these issues and will share more details in the coming days. The impacted Windows versions include Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2008 onward.

Read more