Alienware 13+ Graphics Amplifier Review
One of the main issue with gaming laptops are inherent limitations that come with the form factor.
You simply can't pack as powerful hardware as you would in a desktop gaming PC given the constraint in thickness,portability, and cooling. PC manufacturers have try to satisfy the constraints,
using newer low powered CPUs and building attractive thinner chassis for gaming machine.
But that could not give portability like ultrabook and performance like desktop.
But Alienware 13+ is such an interesting laptop, it could also connect with the optional accessory called the Graphics Amplifier.The Amplifier is a box that houses a standard desktop graphics card and power supply. When it’s plugged in, the laptop's internal graphics are disabled in favor of the external GPU, and suddenly you have a system that's gaming with desktop-class power.
The Graphics Amplifier addresses two key complaints: you get essentially the same power as a typical gaming desktop, and a level of upgradeability previously not possible. As it houses a full-sized GPU, the Amplifier isn’t as portable as the laptop itself. So the idea is that you can carry around the Alienware 13 to your LAN parties and events, while still getting a decent amount of gaming performance, and when you get back to your desk at home, it can be plugged in to the Amplifier for a healthy speed boost.
The
Alienware 13 is available as a standalone product. The 13-inch laptop comes in a
range of configurations, starting with a modest 1366 x 768 display, Intel Core
i5-4210U processor, Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M graphics, 8 GB of RAM and a 500GB
hybrid hard drive
for $999. The top-end $1,900 model will upgrade you to the
latest Broadwell Core i7-5500U CPU, 16 GB of RAM, a QHD display, and a 512 GB
M.2 solid state drive.
You simply can't pack as powerful hardware as you would in a desktop gaming PC given the constraint in thickness,portability, and cooling. PC manufacturers have try to satisfy the constraints,
using newer low powered CPUs and building attractive thinner chassis for gaming machine.
But that could not give portability like ultrabook and performance like desktop.
But Alienware 13+ is such an interesting laptop, it could also connect with the optional accessory called the Graphics Amplifier.The Amplifier is a box that houses a standard desktop graphics card and power supply. When it’s plugged in, the laptop's internal graphics are disabled in favor of the external GPU, and suddenly you have a system that's gaming with desktop-class power.
The Graphics Amplifier addresses two key complaints: you get essentially the same power as a typical gaming desktop, and a level of upgradeability previously not possible. As it houses a full-sized GPU, the Amplifier isn’t as portable as the laptop itself. So the idea is that you can carry around the Alienware 13 to your LAN parties and events, while still getting a decent amount of gaming performance, and when you get back to your desk at home, it can be plugged in to the Amplifier for a healthy speed boost.
for $999. The top-end $1,900 model will upgrade you to the
latest Broadwell Core i7-5500U CPU, 16 GB of RAM, a QHD display, and a 512 GB
M.2 solid state drive.