For the first time in nearly two decades, Alienware is launching an Aurora class of gaming laptops.
With versatility top of mind, these laptops adapt to any environment, said Matt McGowan, general manager of Alienware, in a press briefing. From intense gaming sessions to deadline-fueled commutes and airport layovers, wherever you are, Aurora laptops seamlessly shift between work and play, he said.
This is the first time Alienware is launching a game laptop with the Aurora name since 2006. The launch marks the next step in streamlining the Alienware portfolio to make it easier for you to choose the right gaming machine. Moving forward, you’ll see two distinct tiers across Alienware desktops and laptops:
- Area-51: Our flagship tier designed for those who demand maximum performance and
premium features in a durable, robust design. - Aurora: Our versatility tier offering strong performance within a sleek, streamlined form
factor.
At CES 2025, Dell’s Alienware division introduced Alienware 30 (AW30), a brand-new design language inspired by extraterrestrial phenomena. Making first contact with the new Alienware Area-51 laptops and
Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED Monitor, AW30 takes its next form in Aurora laptops.
“This is in the spirit of simplifying the Alienware product line,” McGowan said. “It operates more in the mid-range.” The Alienware Area 51 laptop is the high-end of the product line.
A new design language
“Today, we talk about Aurora, which is positioned for a different type of customer,” said McGowan, who noted Alienware has been designing gaming hardware for more than 30 years. During that time, Alienware’s design language evolved, and now it’s serving multiple generations of gamers. And so Alienware has put a ton of research — with thousands of slides produced — for the new designs.
“We’re getting into a new era of product and so visually, you’re going to see us demonstrate that across different product tiers in very different ways, but they’re all going to have that language,” he said.
He noted that the company is seeing a lot new user a lot of new users come into the PC space.
“A lot of lot of users that have never gained on a on a PC,” he said. “I’d say that COVID was a huge driver for this. We saw people take to PC gaming at a rate faster than we’ve ever seen. And the industry has grown. And quite frankly, we haven’t seen those users move away from PC gaming.”
But now that means there are different categories of player on gaming PCs. Alienware’s role is to be the “interface to the game” for players, McGowan said.
“Our objective is to provide you with the most immersive, immersive experience. Our objective is not to get in the way of of your gaming experience,” he said. “We actually want that to be as fluid as possible. So we use technology to make sure that you are immersed in the game.”
While the Area 51 brand targets the enthusiast core, Alienware will support new users with the Aurora.
“One of them we call the everyday escapist. These are people that are new to PC gaming. These are people that want to express themselves individually. They’re typically more youthful. They are there for fun. They play to be with their friends. They play as a as a place to belong,” McGowan said.
He added, “That’s where the Aurora laptop is going to be anchored.”
Low-profile, high-performance
Blending ergonomic and thermal advancements, Aurora combines comfort and performance in a sleek, understated profile. It transitions effortlessly across environments, maintaining both versatility and a polished appearance, all with a touch of sci-fi inspiration. Cloaked in a stunning Interstellar Indigo satin finish and adorned with an iridescent badge, Aurora captures the mystery of the inky night sky.
Portability is achieved by shedding the rear thermal shelf, helping Aurora more easily slide into a backpack. Now, the thermal package is found beneath the device, and strategically takes advantage of unused space where a tall rear foot would normally be located.
Coined Cryo Chamber, this solution helps maximize airflow intake and expel heat efficiently through strategically placed vents. Credit is due to the four exhaust vents, three copper heat pipes, air in takes above the keyboard (and in the Cryo-chamber itself), and dual ultra-thin blade fans that make up Aurora’s Cryo-Chamber design.
The new 16-inch QHD+ display is designed to impress. Gamers will enjoy incredibly smooth, responsive
gameplay with up to a 240Hz refresh rate, vibrant clarity at 500 nits of brightness, and the added precision of Nvidia G-Sync support. Whether it’s fast-paced esports or immersive RPGs, this display delivers a premium experience across the board.
Rob Townsend at Alienware said the new color for the laptop is dubbed “interstellar indigo,” a very dark blue that reminds you of a dark night sky. You can turn down the RGB lights and play on a subway, dialing down the conspicuousness of the machine.
The laptop is designed for ease of use, with an accessible way to open. Townsend said the Alienware 16 Aurora uses up to 115 watts of power, with an Intel Core (Series 2) up to i9, and Nvidia RTX GPUs. They include options for 3050, 4050, 5060 or 5070 GPUs.
By contrast, the Alienware 16X Aurora uses up to 155 watts of power. It uses an Intel Core Ultra (Series 2), up to Ultra 9 for a processor. It also has Nvidia RTX 5060 and 5070 GPUs. It has a QHD+ 240Hz 500 nit screen with advanced Optimus and G-Sync. The laptop weighs 5.9 pounds and its height at the rear is 0.89 inches. At the front, the height is 0.3 inches.
Alienware also has a 34-inch gaming monitor on the market as well.
While lighting is a core element of the gaming aesthetic, we recognize the need to tone things down when appropriate. After a strong debut last year, we’re bringing Stealth Mode to Aurora. This handy feature was inspired by customers who found lighting effects to be distracting in certain spaces, like a library, café or classroom. Now a quick tap of the dedicated Stealth Mode button (F7 shortcut) turns the keyboard backlighting white and shifts Performance Mode to Quiet Mode, which subdues fan noise and extends battery life.
Beyond gaming, Aurora laptops are designed to make browsing, traveling and daily tasks effortless and enjoyable. Here are some subtle design elements that promote greater comfort during everyday use-cases and long gameplay sessions.
The company said fluid contours make the laptop more comfortable to hold and carry. Pillowed palm rest results in a more comfortable typing experience. Open laptop with one-hand thanks to chamfered front edge. And rear port placement improves cable management and provides more space for seamless mouse movement.
A day in the life with an Aurora Laptop
The Alienware Aurora isn’t just a gaming laptop; Alienware said it’s your all-day, everyday companion, seamlessly adapting to your needs wherever you go. Powered by up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs, multiply performance with Nvidia DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash further creativity with Nvidia Studio.
Aurora offers flexible GPU configurations—choose from GeForce RTX 30, 40, or 50 Series Laptop GPUs—alongside high-performance Intel processors and high-speed memory cards, so it can handle everything life throws your way.
Picture this
Morning: You’re heading to class or the office, your Alienware Aurora tucked neatly in your bag. In the lecture hall or meeting room, activate Stealth Mode for a quiet, distraction-free experience and extend battery life. Take notes, deliver presentations, tackle research projects and juggle intensive applications, all at the same time. The crisp keyboard, full size numpad and responsive trackpad make even the most mundane tasks a breeze.
Afternoon: The workday/school day is done, and it’s time to head over to a friend’s place for some serious gaming. Unleash the Aurora’s full potential: disable Stealth Mode, watch the AlienFX lighting ignite, and feel the machine kick into Performance Mode as you dive into your favorite games. The system’s comprehensive array of ports allows you to connect your mouse, keyboard, headset and external displays with ease, transforming Aurora into a portable battle station. Manage all your Alienware peripherals, RGB lighting, game library and more using the Alienware Command Center app.
Evening: Back at home, unwind and stream your favorite shows or catch up on social media, all on the same versatile machine. The vibrant 16:10 QHD+ display, combined with the immersive soundscape of Dolby Atmos, creates a truly captivating experience.
Two distinct flavors
Within the all-new Aurora laptop class, we’re offering two options: the Alienware Aurora 16 is the entry model while gamers seeking a more feature-rich experience can scale up to the Alienware 16X Aurora. The starting price is $1,149.
Select configurations of Alienware Aurora Laptops will launch in North America on May 8, 2025 starting at $1,149 (US). Additional models will arrive soon after. Join Alienware at PAX East in Boston next weekend. (May 8th – May 11th) Booth #12019.
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