Undoubtedly, the Dell Alienware Alpha is one of the best gaming hardware you will ever come across but have you ever realized that the gadget doesn’t fit in your budget? Well, if this is the case, then you must read about its specifications, configurations, and capabilities to understand the power of the tiny, black gaming device. It is agreeable that the gaming gadget costs more than an average PC gaming console, but it offers some of the best gaming and productive features that make it worth giving a try. If you love playing computer games right sitting on your living room’s couch, then read this blog to know more about the Alienware Alpha series.
Technical Specifications and Pricing
It is true that gamers can spend plenty of dollars to get the best gaming device, but a budget consumer may refrain himself from buying pricey equipment. Dell understands the consumer and the market position completely and introduces an advanced gaming PC-cum-console to simply enhance your gaming experience.
The Dell Alienware Alpha series ships in four different configurations, each one having different processors, and variations in RAM and storage capacity. The base model of the device doesn’t include the best CPU for gaming, but its powerful configuration and adequate software inclusions can transform your entire gaming experience. The baseline model of the series costs $499 and includes:
- Windows 8.1 OS
- Intel Core i3-4130T Dual-core CPU
- 4GB RAM
- 500GB 5400RPM hard drive
- Wireless Xbox 360 controller
- Custom 2GB Nvidia GTX graphics card
- Wireless AC + Bluetooth 4.0
- Optical Audio out
- 2x USB 2.0 ports and 2x USB 3.0 ports.
Users may get surprised to know that every model of the series packs the same custom Nvidia GPU. The company also offers easy to upgrade options and offers hard drive space to 1TB with an option of doubling up your system RAM by paying just $150. If you’re a budget consumer, then you can easily go for the base model. Users with a gaming urge to play heavy applications and computer games may experience disappointment with the 4GB of RAM offered with the base model. Fortunately, you can easily upgrade the device and install your additional RAM to enjoy gaming at its best.
Computer Hardware and Software Components
The Alienware Alpha is a 2-inch tall and 7.8-inch wide square device that weighs around just 4.5 pounds. The gaming hardware is considerably smaller than all the leading gaming consoles available in the market, including Wii U, the Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. It’s stylish enough to define its manufacturer and feature the company’s trademark alien head as its power button. The device is also rich in its internals and allows you to upgrade the RAM and CPU components to enjoy the best gaming experience ever. The device is a result of the Valve’s Steam Machine initiative, but its custom built UI makes it one of the best PC gaming consoles in the industry.
Alpha’s console UI, a controller driven interface, allows you to play your favorite PC games right from your couch. The UI is clean, intuitive, and simple to navigate, but the Steam Big Picture mode with a new skin makes your gaming experience worth remembering. The UI not only features the console-like interface, but also supports the Desktop mode for catering your basic computing and productivity requirements.
As soon as the Alpha boots, you can easily tweak its console UI, set up accounts, manage sound and network settings, and even configure custom AlienFX lighting. You can switch between the Console and Desktop mode without powering off your device and performing annoying reboots.
Alpha Gaming Benchmarks 
Sometimes even budget systems can have high standards, and the Alpha series is quite similar to that range. The device promises to offer an average 60fps at 1080p (1920 x 1080.) But the market response and the results of the independent labs presents a clearer, brighter, and more fortunate picture. According to the results of the independent labs, the device produces 65fps on Batman: Arkham Origins, 61fps on BioShock Infinite, 75fps on GRID Autosport, and 63.3fps on Tomb Raider.
Except for a few demanding games, the Alpha is successful in proving itself as a 1080p PC gaming console. Users may need to make some quality compromises, but it is worth managing and a reasonable expectation at this pricing. Buying an Intel Core-i7 CPU and 8GB RAM model allows you to experience a noticeable performance boost, but that doesn’t justify the capabilities of the baseline model.
The Dell Alienware Alpha is changing the entire outlook of the PC gaming, especially local multiplayer. Users can easily switch between the Alienware’s console mentality to PC gaming that works without powering down the system or performing reboots. Most of the tech experts and hard-core gamers claim that the custom built UI of the device is inarguably better than Valve’s Steam OS. All in all, the gaming gadget records some of the finest benchmarks that clearly showcase the efficiency and domain expertise of its manufacturers.
Conclusion
The gaming hardware is one of the best PC gaming consoles that you will ever come across, but it comes with several limitations. The device can easily steam and play your favorite computer games, but its custom-built Nvidia GPU may prove to be an obstacle in the upcoming years. The manufacturer allows you to select the best CPU for gaming to enjoy hassle-free gaming sessions. The series features four different models, having versatile configurations and tech specs to meet your specific requirements. All in all, the Alpha is a brilliant living room console, which allows you to steam or play PC games with great ease and confidence.
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