Dell updates Alienware gaming laptops with Intel’s Arrow Lake-HX Refresh CPUs — 16-inch models receive OLED display and GPU upgrades
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Dell, which makes some of the best gaming laptops, has unveiled upgraded Alienware 18 Area-51, 16 Area-51, and 16X Aurora gaming laptops powered by Intel's latest Arrow Lake-HX Refresh processors. The 16-inch models add premium anti-glare OLED panels, while the 16X Aurora specifically receives a graphics boost courtesy of the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti.
The Alienware 18 Area-51 was already Dell's mobile gaming juggernaut, and now the device gets even more processing muscle. The new processor options include the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus and the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.
The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus boasts 20 cores with boost speeds up to 5.3 GHz, positioned between the Core Ultra 7 265HX and Core Ultra 7 275HX models. Meanwhile, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the flagship SKU in the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh lineup. It brings 24 cores to the table with a boost clock speed up to 5.5 GHz for unmatched gaming power.
Article continues belowIn terms of discrete graphics, you can pick from a GeForce RTX 5060 up to the GeForce RTX 5090 on the Alienware 18 Area-51. The device uses standard SO-DIMM slots and can accept up to 64GB (2x32GB) of DDR5-6400 memory. Storage options include 2TB PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 5.0 SSDs .There is also an option to equip it with up to 12TB (3 x 4TB) in a RAID 0 array.
Alienware 18 And Alienware 16 Specifications
The Alienware 16 Area-51 is a more compact gaming powerhouse for those who prefer portability without sacrificing top-tier performance. It comes with a more manageable screen size than the Alienware 18 Area-51, but doesn't compromise on power. It features the same cutting-edge Arrow Lake-HX Refresh processor upgrades and specifications as the larger Alienware 18 Area-51 model. The greatest upgrade of all in the Alienware 16 Area-51 is the OLED panel with an anti-glare coating.
The resolution and refresh rate haven't changed, as they're still 2560 x 1600 and 240 Hz, respectively. However, the OLED screen ushers in significant upgrades over the previously offered LCD screen. For one, it has improved visual quality while reducing the response time to 0.2 ms, compared to the LCD version's 3 ms. The OLED screen has also increased the peak brightness from 500 nits to 620 nits.
The Core Ultra 2 270HX Plus and Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus upgrade options are also available with the Alienware 16X Aurora. In addition, you can not outfit the gaming laptop with a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti when it previously maxed out at the GeForce RTX 5070. Memory capacity is similar to the Alienware 18 Area-51 and Alienware 15 Area-51, with slightly lower supported data rates limited to DDR5-5600. For storage, consumers can pick between a 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB drive, but are limited to PCIe 4.0 on the non-GeForce RTX 5070 Ti models.
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The Alienware 16X Aurora receives the same OLED panel as the Alienware 16 Area-51. Gamers can enjoy vibrant gameplay on the 2560 x 1600 screen with a 240 Hz refresh rate, 0.2 ms response time, and a maximum brightness of 620 nits when needed.
The renovated Alienware 18 Area-51, 16 Area-51, and 16X Aurora gaming laptops will be available on Dell's online store.
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Zhiye Liu is a news editor, memory reviewer, and SSD tester at Tom’s Hardware. Although he loves everything that’s hardware, he has a soft spot for CPUs, GPUs, and RAM.
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