Alienware
 | |
| Subsidiary of Dell | |
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founders |
Nelson Gonzalez Alex Aguila |
| Headquarters |
14591 SW 120th ST Miami, Florida |
Key people |
Aron Fiedler, Alex Aguila Frank Azor Arthur Lewis Fran jimenez Jorge Flores |
| Products |
Desktops Notebooks Peripherals PC Gaming Consoles |
Number of employees | 490[1] |
| Parent | Dell |
| Website | alienware.com |
Alienware is an American computer hardware subsidiary of Dell, Inc.[2] Their hardware is designed for gaming purposes and has changed in physical appearance over the years. Alienware was founded in 1996 by Nelson Gonzalez and Alex Aguila.
Alienware's corporate headquarters is located in The Hammocks, Florida, near Miami.[3][4]
History
Overview
Alienware headquarters in The Hammocks, Florida
Established in 1996 by Nelson Gonzalez and Alex Aguila, Alienware assembles desktops, notebooks, workstations, and PC gaming consoles.[5] According to employees, the Alienware name was chosen because of the founders' fondness for the hit television series The X-Files, hence the theme to their products, with names such as Area-51, Hangar 18 and Aurora.[6]
Acquisition and current status
Starting 2002, Dell considered buying Alienware, but didn't begin the purchase process until March 22, 2006, when it agreed to buy the company.[7] The new subsidiary maintains its autonomy in terms of design and marketing. However, Alienware's access to Dell's supply chain, purchasing power, and economies of scale lower its operating costs.[8]
Initially, Dell maintained its competing XPS line of gaming PCs, often selling computers with similar specifications. The XPS line may have hurt Alienware's market share within its market segment.[9] Due to corporate restructuring in the spring of 2008, the XPS brand was scaled down, and the Desktop line was eliminated leaving only the XPS Notebooks.[10] Product development of gaming PCs was consolidated with Dell's gaming division, with Alienware becoming Dell's premier gaming brand.[11] On June 2, 2009, The M17x was introduced as the First Alienware/Dell branded system. Alienware now represents the non premium performance space in Dell’s consumer family of products.[12] This launch also expands Alienware’s global reach from six to 45 countries.
Competitors
Alienware primarily competed against custom boutique PC builders such as Eurocom, Origin PC, Falcon Northwest, Velocity Micro, AVADirect, Maingear, and Puget Systems. More recently, the company focuses on mainstream products competing against Asus, HP, and Acer.
Computer systems models (after acquisition by Dell)
Windows OS-based consoles
Starting in 2014, Alienware announced that it will be releasing a series of Video game console that aim to compete with the Sony PlayStation series and the Microsoft Xbox.[13] The first version in this series, the Alpha, will run Windows 8.1.[14] The operating system and ability to play PC games is what separates the Alpha from the Xbox.[13]
Graphics amplifier
The Graphics Amplifier enables an Alienware laptop to run a full secondary desktop GPU.
Laptops
18 Inch
- M18x (Discontinued) - Introduced in 2011, it is considered a replacement for the original M17x design, but with a bigger chassis and screen up to 18.4 inches, and special keyboard macros. It features Dual-GPU Support, and up to 32 GB of DDR3-1600 MHz RAM.
- M18x-R2 (Discontinued) - 2012 revision of the M18x; updated with Intel Ivybridge Processors, Double Nvidia 600 Series or AMD 7xxxM Series GPUs, up to 32 GB of DDR3-1600 MHz, and optional overclock.
- Alienware 18 - 2013 refresh of the M18x; updated with Intel Haswell Processors, Double Nvidia 700M Series GPUs, and up to 32 GB of DDR3L-1600 MHz RAM, and 1TB Raid0 configured SSD along with facelift with new design. Marketed as "Alienware 18" but listed in some countries as "M18XR3 Viking".[15]
- Alienware 18 - 2014/2015 Updated version of the Alienware 18 or "M18x R3"; updated with Intel Haswell micro architecture processors, Double Nvidia 800m Series, up to 32 GB of DDR3-1600 MHz, and optional overclock.
17 Inch
- M17x (Discontinued) - Introduced in 2009, it is the first laptop released by Alienware after the company was bought by Dell. The name and some of the design is based on the Alienware 17 inch laptop, the Alienware M17.
- M17x-R2 (Discontinued) - 2010 Revision of the M17x, adding support for Intel i5 and i7 processors, double MXM3.0b graphic cards.
- M17x-R3 (Discontinued) - 2011 Revision of the M17x, changes from aluminium chassis to a simplified plastic design, 3D Ready through a 120 Hz screen. Removes Dual-GPU capability.
- M17x-R4 (Discontinued) - 2012 Revision of the M17x, updated with Intel Ivybridge Processors and Nvidia 6 Series GPUs or the ATI 7970m.
- Alienware 17 (Discontinued) - 2013 refresh of the M17x, updated with Intel Haswell Processors and Nvidia 7 Series GPUs or the ATI 8970m with new facelift and body design. Marketed as "Alienware 17" but listed in some countries and order details as "M17XR5 Ranger".
- Alienware 17-R2 - 2015 Revision of the Alienware 17, updated with Nvidia GeForce 900 Series. Features FHD matte display or FHD touch display. A port on the rear for Graphics Amplifier.
15 Inch
- M15x (Discontinued) - Introduced in 2009
- M15x-R2 (Discontinued) - 2010 Revision of the M15x, adding support for Intel i5 and i7 processors.
- Alienware 15 - 2015 refresh of the M15x, updated with Intel Haswell Processors and Nvidia GeForce 900 Series. Features FHD matte display or UHD touch display. A port on the rear for Graphics Amplifier.
14 Inch
Alienware M14x
- M14x (Discontinued) - Introduced in 2011 as a replacement for the M15x, with single GPU and support for Intel i5 and i7 processors.
- M14x-R2 (Discontinued) - 2012 revision of the M14x, updated with Intel Ivybridge Processors and Nvidia GeForce 600 Series and Blu-ray slot drive.
- Alienware 14 (Discontinued) - 2013 refresh of the M14x, updated with Intel Haswell Processors and Nvidia GeForce 700 Series and Blu-ray slot drive with new facelift and body design. It also features an IPS display. Marketed as "Alienware 14" but listed in some countries and order details as "M14XR3".
13 Inch
- Alienware 13 - Introduced in 2014 as a replacement for the M11x, with only a single Nvidia Geforce GTX 860 GPU and ULV Intel i5 or i7 processors. Features HD or FHD matte display's or QHD touch display. A port on the rear for Graphics Amplifier.
11.6 Inch [16]
- M11x (Discontinued) - First introduced in early 2010, it is the smallest-size gaming laptop from Alienware. It came equipped with two Penryn-core processors, a Pentium SU4100 at the entry-level and a Core 2 Duo SU7300 at the high-end. Driving the 11.6 inch screen are two video processors, a GMA 4500MHD integrated and NVIDIA's discrete GeForce GT 335M with its own 1GB of DDR3 RAM.
- M11x-R2 (Discontinued) - Late 2010 revision of the M11x; the first to use Intel's ultra-low-voltage Arrandale Core i5 and i7 processors. The revision also added a rubberized "soft-touch" exterior to the design. The same GT 335M is used for video; however, NVIDIA's Optimus technology has been added to automatically switch between it and the still-used GMA 4500MHD.
- M11x-R3 (Discontinued) - 2011 revision of the M11x; added support for the second generation of Intel's Mobility series Core i5 and i7 processors and was the first to include an i3 in its lineup. It also received a standardized 500GB 7200rpm hard drive as well as the standard-for-M11x-line dual-GPU setup combining NVIDIA's discrete GeForce GT 540M for higher-end gaming and Intel's integrated HD Graphics 3000 for older gaming and application use. By the end of 2011, a second revision of the motherboard design used on the R3 series was made available on a limited amount of laptops. This second version used the more powerful Nvidia GF108 chipset, the GT 550M with 1GB video memory.
Desktops
Aurora
- The Aurora R1 (Discontinued) - This models was based on the Intel's X58 platform (LGA 1366 Socket). It shared identical hardware with the Aurora ALX R1. Processors included Core i7 only (first generation Nehelam quad core and hexacore). In order of model number: 920, 930, 940, 950, 960, 965, 975 (quad core), 980X (six core), 990X (six core). Sealed liquid cooling units for the processors came factory installed. The X58 platform also uses Intel Xeon Processors but none were used in the Aurora. The R1 used triple channel Memory and had Dedicated Graphics Card options from AMD's HD 5000 series line as well as Nvidia's GT and GTX 400 and 500 series line. Power Supply options included a 525 watt Power Supply Unit, 875 watt Power Supply Unit and a 1000W Power Supply Unit. Power Supply and Motherboard supports both SLI and CrossfireX.
- The Aurora R2 (Discontinued) - This was the second revision of the Aurora, and the first Alienware Desktop to be sold in retail chains such as Best Buy. It was based on Intel's P55 platform (LGA 1156 Socket). Processors included Core i5 and i7(first generation Lynnfield quad core only). In order of model number: i5 750, i5 760, i7 860, i7 870, i7 875 and i7 880. Sealed liquid cooling units for the processors came factory installed. The R2 used dual channel Memory and had Dedicated Graphics Card options from AMD's HD 5000 series line as well as Nvidia's GT and GTX 400 and 500 series line. Power Supply options included a 525 watt Power Supply Unit and an 875 watt Power Supply Unit. Power Supply and Motherboard supports both SLI and CrossfireX.
- The Aurora R3 (Discontinued) - This was the third Revision of the Aurora. It was based on Intel's P67 platform (LGA 1155 Socket). Processors included Core i5 and i7 processors only(second Generation quad core Sandy Bridge). In order of model number: i5 2300, i5 2400, i5 2500, i5 2500K, i7 2600, i7 2600K. Sealed liquid cooling units for the processors came factory installed. The R3 used Dual Channel Memory and had Dedicated Graphics Card options from AMD's HD 5000 series and HD 6000 series line as well as Nvidia's GT and GTX 400 series and 500 series line. Power Supply options included a 525 watt Power Supply Unit and an 875 watt Power Supply Unit. Power Supply and Motherboard supports both SLI and CrossfireX.
- The Aurora R4 (Discontinued) - This is the fourth Revision of the Aurora. It is based on Intel's X79 platform (LGA 2011 socket). This model shares identical hardware with the Aurora ALX (R4). Processors include Core i7 processors only (third generation quad core and hexacore Sandy Bridge Extreme). In order of model number: i7 3820, i7 3930K (six core) and i7 3960X (six core). Sealed liquid cooling units for the processors came factory installed. The R4 is the first to use Quad Channel Memory and has Dedicated Graphics Card options from AMD's HD 6000 series and HD 7000 series line as well as Nvidia's GTX 500 series line. Nvidia's GTX 600 series line will be added later this year. Power Supply options included a 525 watt Power Supply Unit and an 875 watt Power Supply Unit. Power Supply and Motherboard supports both SLI and CrossfireX. -Note: The optional ALX chassis offers Thermal Controlled Venting, tool-less/wireless Hard Drive Bays, internal Theater lighting and an extra array of external LEDs. Coupled with the TactX Keyboard and Mouse it offered up to 25 billion lighting color combinations.
Aurora ALX
- ALX (R1) (Discontinued) - This model is based on the intel's X58 platform (LGA 1366 Socket). This model shared the identical hardware with the Aurora R1. Processors included Core i7 only (first generation Nehalem). In order of model number: 920, 930, 940, 950, 960, 965, 975 (quad core), 980X (six core), 990X (six core). Sealed liquid cooling units for the processors came factory installed. The X58 platform also uses Intel Xeon Processors but none were used in the Aurora. The R1 used triple channel Memory and had Graphics Card options from AMD's HD 5000 series line as well as Nvidia's GT and GTX 400 and 500 series line. Power Supply options included a 525 watt Power Supply Unit and an 875 watt Power Supply Unit. Power Supply and Motherboard supports both SLI and CrossfireX. -Note: The ALX (X58 platform) was offered from the beginning alongside the Aurora R1, R2 and R3. It offered Thermal Controlled Venting, too-less/wireless Hard Drive Bays, internal Theater lighting and an extra array of external LEDs. Coupled with the TactX Keyboard and Mouse it offered up to 25 billion lighting color combinations.
Area-51
- Area-51 R1 (Discontinued) - This model is based on the intel x58 platform (LGA 1366 Socket). This model shared identical hardware with the Area 51 ALX. Processors included Core i7 only (first generation Nehalem). In order of model number: 920, 930, 940, 950, 960, 975 (quad core), 980X (six core), 990X (six core). Sealed liquid cooling units for the processors came factory installed. The X58 platform also uses Intel Xeon Processors but none were used in the Area 51. The Area 51 used triple channel Memory and had Graphics Card options from AMD's HD 5000/6000 series line as well as Nvidia's GT and GTX 400 and 500 series line. Power Supply options included a 1000 watt Power Supply Unit and an 1100 watt Power Supply Unit. Power Supply and Motherboard supports both SLI and CrossfireX. -Note: The Area 51 was offered from the beginning alongside the Aurora R1, R2, R3 and the Aurora ALX (R1). It offered Thermal-Controlled Active-Venting, tooless Hard Drive Bays, internal Theater lighting and an array of external LEDs. Area-51 was offered in either semi-gloss black or lunar shadow (silver) finishes, with a non-motorised front push-panel. Command Center software and AlienFx features are offered via a discrete master i/o daughterboard.
- Area-51 ALX R1 (Discontinued) - Alienware's most expensive desktop to date ($5000–$7000 US fully equipped), ALX offered every available option as the standard model (see above); ALX is distinguished from the standard model by its matte black anodized aluminum chassis, and motorised front odd panel powered by a dedicated ALX-specific master i/o daughterboard.
- Area-51 R2 - unveiled late Aug 2014 - available Oct 2014; newly redesigned Triad chassis; Intel x99 Chipset, support for newest Intel Haswell-E cpu's (skt LGA 2011-v3); 2133mhZ DDR4 memory; 1.5 kW power supply; support for tri/quad graphics; liquid cpu cooling and the return of Command Center 4.0 with AlienFx/overclocking features via fi/o daughterboard.
X51
- R1/R2 This model is equipped in 4th Gen Intel® Core™ processors and NVIDIA® GTX 760 Ti graphics cards. The hard drive is 256GB SSD 6Gbit/s MAIN plus 1TB 7200RPM Storage.
Video game console hybrids
Alienware Alpha
- Alienware Alpha is a line of PC-console hybrids introduced in 2014. It contains a custom-built NVIDIA Graphics card; a Core i3, i5, or i7 Intel Processor, depending on what model is purchased, up to 8 gigabytes of RAM; and between 500 gigabytes and 2 terabytes of hard drive space.
See also
References
- ↑ Hoovers (retrieved on 3/24/11)
- ↑ Has Alienware been acquired by Dell?
- ↑ "Empire: Total War Online Contest." Alienware. Retrieved on January 9, 2010.
- ↑ "The Hammocks CDP, Florida." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on January 9, 2010.
- ↑
- ↑ Pain, John (March 13, 2006). "Alienware racks up gamers, and millions". The Associated Press (USA Today). Retrieved 2008-05-27.
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ Shaun, McGlaun (2008-05-13). "Report: Dell Axes XPS Line in favour of Alienware Gaming PCs". Daily Tech. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
- ↑ Scheck, Justin (May 13, 2008). "Dell Tries to Revive Its Game PCs". Wall Street Journal.
- ↑ Dell Desktop Computers and PCs, Dell.com
- ↑ 13.0 13.1
- ↑
- ↑ "Product details: Dell Alienware M18XR3 Viking Bærbar (n00aw843)". Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- ↑ M11x Discontinued
External links
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