Alienware Alpha series got introduced as the Steam Box by the company, but now the picture is quite different from the past. Undoubtedly, a lot of gaming laptop reviews may impress you to buy notebooks for playing your favorite computer games, but Alpha is far different from those. The gaming hardware by Alienware incorporates some best tech specs that make the device a master of its properties. Many of you may get confused by reading the Alpha reviews and think that what exactly is the gaming gadget and what all it can do? Well, in answer to the same, the company replies that the device is a small mini-PC operating on Windows 8. Additionally, the gadget incorporates gaming CPU capabilities and a custom SteamOS that help in launching Steam games right from your living room.
What is Dell Alpha and What All it Can do?
The Alpha console-cum-gaming PC comes with Xbox 360 controller that can help you to perform basic functions within the game and also navigate you through the Alpha UI. The company doesn’t claim its Steam player as a Steam Machine or SteamOS device, but it is also not a PC. The device delivers performance and behaves like that of a normal gaming PC console. It is true that the company would not like it being called a ‘Console.’ It happens because the company describes it as a device that carries capabilities of a mini PC with mouse-free support.
The gaming hardware allows you to play your favorite games and aims at bringing Steam entertainment right in your living rooms. The device incorporates the 10-foot UI, which you can access and navigate by right sitting on your sofa. The gadget can give a new direction to your Home Theatre PC and it tries to blur the lines between consoles and gaming PCs.
Undoubtedly, the popular gaming consoles like the Playstation 4 and Xbox One can allow you to play your favorite computer games, but they don’t have capabilities of Mini PCs. Here comes the question- “Is the Alienware Alpha a console or PC?” The Alienware specs disclose that the Alpha shares some common specifications of the leading game consoles. But its Word processing capabilities, video editing support, and Internet browsing features restrict it from being called a console.
Is Dell Alpha a Steam Box?
You can’t really specify whether the Alienware Alpha is a console or a PC, but you can use its capabilities to fulfill your gaming or productivity requirements. Well, calling your Alpha as a console or a PC is entirely your decision, but how the end consumers will differentiate the product? Undoubtedly, the prime aim of the gaming device is to bring the Steam gaming support right in your living rooms, but the Alienware specs also open the gate for a small productive companion.
Since the gadget features capabilities of both gaming console and desktop PC, it becomes difficult to conclude about its exact make and purpose. The Steam Box allows a user to play games in a different room by either adopting the native phenomenon or by using the in-home streaming support. The Alpha offers the base model at a price of $499.99, making it one of the cheapest and budget-friendly gaming PC console along with desktop computing capabilities. In the base model, you will get the 4th gen Core i3 processor, 8GB RAM, 2GB NVIDIA 860M GPU, 500 GB system storage, and Windows 8.1 OS. It is a unique gaming hardware that not only steams your favorite computer games, but also helps you in completing important computing tasks with ease.
Console Compared to Alienware Alpha
| Parameter | Traditional Console | Alienware’s Alpha |
| Ecosystem | Closed | Windows Support |
| Controller | Controller friendly | Limited controllers supported |
| Usage | Anywhere | Anywhere |
| Upgradable | Non-upgradable | Upgradable |
| Game Support | All system games | Not All PC games |
| User Interface | Specially designed UI | Custom-made UI and Steam Big Picture |
| Cost | Cheaper than gaming PCs | Expensive than any leading console |
Conclusion
It is true that most of the tech experts consider the Dell Alpha as a gaming console, but it is a combination of both computing worlds. The device doesn’t incorporate a powerful gaming CPU in its base model range, but it performs extremely well while playing heavy games. The gaming laptop reviews often reveal gaming gadgets with costly price tags, but the Alpha ships at an affordable price. All in all, the Alienware specs define it as a gaming gadget that features the capabilities of a desktop PC.
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