History
Alienware headquarters in The Hammocks, Florida
Established in 1996 through Nelson Gonzalez and Alex Aguila, Alienware assembles desktops, notebooks, and workstations. 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, Hangar18 and Aurora.Acquisition and current status
Starting in 2002, Dell considered buying Alienware, but did not take any action until March 22, 2006, when it agreed to purchase the company.The new subsidiary maintained its autonomy in terms of design and marketing. However, Alienware's access to Dell's supply chain, purchasing power, and economies of scale would lower its operating costs.
Initially, Dell maintained its competing XPS line of gaming PCs, often selling computers with the same specifications. The XPS line may have hurt Alienware's market share within its market segment. Due to corporate restructuring in the spring of 2008, the XPS brand was scaled down.[citation needed] Product development of gaming PCs was consolidated with Dell's gaming division, with Alienware becoming Dell's premier gaming brand. On June 2, 2009, The M17x was introduced as the First Alienware/Dell branded system. Alienware now represents the premium performance space in Dell’s consumer family of products.This launch also expands Alienware’s global reach from six to 45 countries.
On March 25, 2009, Alienware stated that it was considering closing its manufacturing bases in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland, and in Miami, Florida.Computer systems models (after Dell acquisition)
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 inches, and special keyboard macros. It features Dual-GPU Support, and up to 32 GB of RAM.
M18x-R2- 2012 revision of the M18x,updated with Intel Ivybridge Processors and Nvidia 6 Series GPUs, and up to 32 GB of RAM
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.
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 - 2012 Revision of the M17x, updated with Intel Ivybridge Processors and Nvidia 6 Series GPUs.
15 Inch
M15x (Discontinued) - Introduced in 2009
M15x-R2 (Discontinued) - 2010 Revision of the M15x, adding support for Intel i5 and i7 processors.
14 Inch
M14x (Discontinued) - Introduced in 2011 as a replacement for the M15x, with single GPU and support for Intel i5 and i7 processors.
M14x-R2- 2012 revision of the M14x,updated with Intel Ivybridge Processors and Nvidia GeForce 600 Series and Bluray slot drive.
11.6 Inch
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 SU7200 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 GTX 550M with 1GB video memory.
Desktops
Aurora
All Aurora Model Desktops since 2009 use different versions of Intel's MicroATX Motherboards. All Area 51 Model Desktops use different versions of Intel's Full ATX Motherboards
The Aurora R1: This model is 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 Nehalem quad core and hexacore). In order of model number: 920, 930, 940, 950, 960, 965 Extreme, 970 (six core), 975X, 980 (six core), 980X (six core), 990X (six core) and the 995X (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 and an 875 watt Power Supply Unit. Power Supply and Motherboard supports both SLI and CrossfireX.
The Aurora R2: 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: 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: 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.
Aurora ALX
ALX (R1) 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 Extreme, 970 (six core), 975X, 980 (six core), 980X (six core), 990X (six core) and the 995X (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.
ALX (R4) This This is the second Revision of the Aurora ALX. It is based on Intel's X79 platform (LGA 2011 socket). This model shares identical hardware with the Aurora 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 ALX (X79 platform) offers 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(Discontinued) This model is based on the intel's X58 platform (LGA 1366 Socket). This model shared the 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, 965 Extreme, 970 (six core), 975X, 980 (six core), 980X (six core), 990X (six core) and the 995X (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 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 Venting, too-less/wireless Hard Drive Bays, internal Theater lighting and an array of external LEDs.
Area-51 ALX(Discontinued) This model is based on the intel's X58 platform (LGA 1366 Socket). This model shared identical hardware with the Area 51. Processors included Core i7 only (first generation Nehalem). In order of model number: 920, 930, 940, 950, 960, 965 Extreme, 970 (six core), 975X, 980 (six core), 980X (six core), 990X (six core) and the 995X (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 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 Venting, too-less/wireless Hard Drive Bays, internal Theater lighting, an array of external LEDs and an Anodized Aluminum Chassis (all other Alienware desktop models to date were built with a plastic chassis).
Other
X51 This model is Alienware's first small form factor gaming computer. It is based on Intel's H61 platform (LGA 1155 socket). The motherboard's form factor is Mini ITX. Processors include intel's Core i series dual core and quad core processors only (second generation Sandy Bridge i3, i5 and i7). In order of model number: i3 2120 (dual core), i5 2320 (quad core) and the i7 2600 (quad core). Alienware cleverly designed a PCIe adapter to house full size Dedicated Graphics cards, offering two Nvidia models; The GT 545 and GTX 555. Power Supply options include a 240 watt External Power Supply Unit and an 330 watt External Power Supply Unit. This was the first upgrade-able Small Form factor Gaming PC to hit the PC market. It also offers an Array of External LED lighting.
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