CES 2023 Hands-On: Alienware x16, New 16-Inch Flagship, Amps Up the Power, RGB Bling

The X Series is Alienware’s family of thin gaming laptops, and the newest flagship member is the Alienware x16, a powerful but still-slim laptop announced at CES 2023.

With this model, Dell is taking some learnings from both its powerful M Series laptops and its thinner X Series ones. Since this is a 16-inch laptop, performance will be a major focus, but portability is also a factor, seeing as it’s still an X Series machine. We were able to go hands-on with the laptop at a CES preview event (see the video above!), and you can also read our impressions below.

A New-Look X Series: Check Out That Touchpad

The x16 weighs six pounds—which is not light, even for a gaming laptop, but it’s mobile enough when you need to carry it. And it measures seven-tenths of an inch thick, which is pretty slim for this class of gaming machine. In contrast, the existing x14 weighs 3.96 pounds and is half an inch thick, if you want portability.

(Credit: Kyle Cobian)

This new-look, silver styling is present on several of Alienware’s 2023 products, and it’s the way forward for its revamped design language, which Alienware and Dell call “Legend.” It’s not as much of a standout as the white color option from the last generation, but it is a slick and premium appearance. The laptop feels sturdy and well-made, with new rounded edges and a nanobead-blasted aluminum exterior.

(Credit: Kyle Cobian)

Of course, you more likely noticed the eye-catching animated touchpad, which is exclusive to the x16 model in the Alienware line. While Alienware has offered touchpads that glowed in one color before, the one on the x16 emits customizable multi-color lighting and effects. Likewise, the keyboard features per-key AlienFX backlighting.

Better Body Lighting, Too

Likewise, the rear-ring lighting is exclusive to the X16, as well. Now, you’ve probably seen the same ring array on other Alienware systems, so it’s not the design or shape that’s new, but the technology here is.

(Credit: Kyle Cobian)

This light array uses 100 micro-LEDs to seamlessly blend 50 small light zones. It looks like one continuous loop of color transitions and effects, which is different from the lighting used in existing Alienware laptops. It’s definitely a head-turner in person, and it may look similar to the previous versions at a glance, but you can quickly notice the improved animations and transitions as colors flow together.

Component Check-In: The Best of 2023 to Come

Of course, a gaming laptop isn’t complete without the internal components to back it up. The specifics will have to wait, but the x16 will make use of the latest 2023 CPUs and GPUs from Intel and Nvidia when it releases in the first quarter and will launch with AMD options in Q2.

To give an idea of its power, the x16 has a graphics power maximum of 175 watts. The x16 will launch with the high-end Intel and Nvidia parts for $3,099, and an entry-level model will follow for $2,149. Those AMD-version prices aren’t yet known.

(Credit: Kyle Cobian)

Some of the laptop’s chassis design is meant to assist with performance, too: The bottom panel has one ringed foot, which elevates the laptop off the desk or table for improved airflow underneath it. The efficient voltage regulation used in previous laptops is also employed here, capable of up to 12-phase GPU regulation for sustaining higher performance over longer periods without throttling.

Finally, Alienware’s Element 31 gallium-silicon thermal material combines with a vapor chamber to keep the laptop as cool as possible while gaming—available in select configurations.

Check back shortly for a full review when units become available, and we can put the components and thermals to the test.