Alienware's new mainstream gaming laptop, due out in 2025, is called the “Alienware Aurora” and will replace the previous generation x16 and m16 series laptops. Available in two models: 16 and 16X. Of the two, 16X Aurora I would definitely recommend this model. It has an all-aluminum body, a higher-quality display, and a more powerful processor and GPU. It's also more expensive, but there's a great deal right now that actually brings the price down to only 50 dollars more than the equivalent 16 (non-X) Aurora configuration.
Alienware 16X Aurora RTX 5070 Gaming Laptop for $1,599.99
Gamers should choose the Alienware 16X Aurora model.
The Alienware 16X Aurora is the model that serious gamers should consider over the 16 Aurora, and that's pretty clear when you compare the specs. Just look at all the updates:
- Best Display (2560×1600 240Hz G-Sync vs. 2560×1600 120Hz)
- More powerful processor (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX vs Intel Core 9 270H)
- Higher RTX 5070 TGP rating and therefore better performance (115W TGP vs 85W TGP)
- More premium materials (metal alloy lid and body, not just the lid)
- RGB keyboard vs white backlight
- Thunderbolt 4.0 port
Compared to other Alienware laptops, the 16X Aurora feels less like a gaming laptop. It boasts an elegant, understated design, with no extraneous visual embellishment or unnecessary RGB lighting beyond the keyboard backlight. It is a durable machine with a metal chassis (magnesium alloy), anodized aluminum lid and bottom. Under the hood, the 16X Aurora houses powerful gaming components and a Cryo Chamber cooling system. It's also over $1,000 less than Top-end laptop Alienware 16 Area-51.
Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX – the most powerful processor
The Alienware 16X Aurora laptop is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor with a maximum turbo frequency of 5.4 GHz, 24 cores and a total of 40 MB L2 cache. According to PasmarkThis is Intel's second most powerful mobile processor currently available, and it competes with AMD's Ryzen 9 7945HX3D.
GeForce RTX 5070 is 5-10% better than RTX 4070.
The RTX 5070 mobile GPU performs about 5-10% better than the RTX 4070 it replaces. It's not a huge improvement for the generation, but the RTX 5070 is newer. DLSS 4 technology with multi-frame generationwhich widens the performance gap for games that support it. DLSS 4.0. This GPU pairs well with the display's improved 2560×1600 resolution, and upgrading to the next GPU in the stack (the mobile RTX 5070 Ti) will cost you hundreds more.
Check out our best Alienware deals.
Eric Song is IGN's Business Manager, responsible for finding the best deals in gaming and technology every day. When Eric isn't looking for deals for other people at work, he's looking for deals for himself in his free time.