|
Things have been pretty slow in the world of Steam Machines . Valve announced the initiative and the impending push on its Linux-based Steam OS, but then things went quiet. Alienware decided to take matters into its own hands with the release of the Alien...
![Bottom line](/static/images/reviews-bottomline.png)
Buy it if you want an easy way to get a PC (and the flexibility that comes with) hooked up to your TV. Get an Xbox One or PS4 if you want the best graphics for your money...
|
|
|
Valve's Steam Machine was all the rage at CES 2014 in Las Vegas, but as we enter 2015, the SteamOS gaming platform (and Valve's tantalizing Steam Controller) are still works in progress. SteamOS hasn't been written off, but Dell, which was one of the firs...
![Good](/static/images/reviews-good.png)
Handles games nicely on HDTV, Small footprint, cool chassis, Upgradeable design (for such a small system), Low power consumption; very little noise...
![Bad](/static/images/reviews-bad.png)
Can't compete with larger PCs, Begging For An SSD...
![Bottom line](/static/images/reviews-bottomline.png)
Systems like the Alienware Alpha are designed to bridge the gap between PC and console gaming experiences – and they're attempting this without the SteamOS and new-fangled controller that got everyone stirred last year. There is an audience for the Alienw...
|
|
maximumpc.com Updated: 2016-11-14 19:07:12
|
As great as PC gaming is, let's face it, when it comes to gaming in the living room, consoles have the PC beat. Alienware and the Steam Machines were supposed to change that, but considering Valve delayed its hardware initiative , Alienware decided to rel...
![Good](/static/images/reviews-good.png)
Very portable, brings PC gaming to the living room.
![Bad](/static/images/reviews-bad.png)
Can't upgrade GPU, slow hard drive, only 4GB of RAM, still some bugs to iron out...
|
|
|
We first caught wind on the Alienware Alpha in the lead-up to Valve's Steam Box announcements, prior to the Consumer Electronics Show. If you're unfamiliar with the Alienware Alpha, it is a sleek, small form factor gaming PC, designed specifically for gam...
|
|
|
Known as Steam Machines, Valve told us over a year ago this was going to be their brand new hardware platform, set to arrive sometime in 2014 to rival the new generation game consoles. But the year has come and gone, and due to several delays on Valve's e...
![Good](/static/images/reviews-good.png)
Decent performance provides...
![Bad](/static/images/reviews-bad.png)
5,400RPM hard drive is a big performance bottleneck. Doesn't handle nonSteam games elegantly. Upgrades aren't as great value.
![Bottom line](/static/images/reviews-bottomline.png)
The Alienware Alpha is a good first attempt at the perfect living room gaming PC. The form factor is ideal for this sort of system: compact with a good selection of ports, adjustable RGB LED lighting, and decent cooling with a touch of upgradeability. It'...
|
|
|
US$899 UK £699 AU$1,299 (version tested) Intel core i7 processor Windows 8.1 8GB RAM 2TB HDEvidence has mounted over the last two years that there is a market for the PC-as-console experience, though the size of that market is still hard to measure. While...
![Bottom line](/static/images/reviews-bottomline.png)
Its no replacement for a desktop PC, but if youre looking for an open ended new-gen console replacement, the Alpha ticks most boxes...
|
|
computershopper.com Updated: 2016-11-14 19:07:12
|
That left PC makers who had designed and manufactured custom systems in a tough spot, because unlike fine wine, computer hardware doesn't get better with age. Today, rather than waiting for Valve, Alienware has decided to bring its compact, console-like A...
![Good](/static/images/reviews-good.png)
Good performance for price, Compact shell also allows easy access for (some) upgrades...
![Bad](/static/images/reviews-bad.png)
No solid-state storage makes for slow startup and load times, Graphics aren't upgradable, Limited support for non-native Steam games, No 3.5mm audio jack...
![Bottom line](/static/images/reviews-bottomline.png)
If you're looking for a compact, budget-friendly gaming PC, or something to get your Steam games running on your TV, Alienware's Alpha is packed with potential. But at least until a future software update, you'll have to bust out a mouse to install and l...
|
|
|
The Alienware Alpha is simple, small and almost boring to look at -- a subdued black box that won't draw an iota of attention to your entrainment center. There's a little flair, of course: The machine's power button is formed in the shape of the signature...
![Good](/static/images/reviews-good.png)
Alpha UI creates a solid console illusion, Custom gamepad drivers solve most mouse and keyboard problems, Makes it easy to play PC games on a TV...
![Bad](/static/images/reviews-bad.png)
Painfully long load times, Overprotective console mode blocks some games from running, Driver issues can cause trouble with some titles...
![Bottom line](/static/images/reviews-bottomline.png)
If you absolutely have to have a Steam Machine right now, you're not going to do better than the Alienware Alpha. Still, it's a mere stepping stone towards bigger, better and more complete PC game consoles...
|
|
|
The concept of a gaming PC console is attractive. Case in point: the buzz created by the Steam Machine/Steam OS concept from 2014's Consumer Electronics Show. The Alienware Alpha ($549) is one of the many compact gaming desktop concepts that came out of C...
![Good](/static/images/reviews-good.png)
Solid gaming performance. Good connectivity. 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Includes wireless Xbox 360 controller. Compact chassis.
![Bad](/static/images/reviews-bad.png)
Loading games is more difficult than on a gaming console. GPU can't be upgraded. Lacks DVI and VGA ports. No keyboard or mouse included...
![Bottom line](/static/images/reviews-bottomline.png)
Although it's a good budget-price gaming rig, the Alienware Alpha isn't the Steam Machine you've been waiting for...
|
|
|
Say hello to the gateway drug of PC gaming. Alienware, known for kick-ass laptops and desktops, is turning its attention to console players with the new Alpha. But what is the Alpha exactly? At its core, it’s a small desktop gaming PC, but, thanks to an i...
![Good](/static/images/reviews-good.png)
Smal, portable desig, Runs quiet when gamin, Growing game library has more than, 500 title, Solid graphics performance...
![Bad](/static/images/reviews-bad.png)
More expensive than traditional game console, Entering text in console mode is tediou, Slow hard driv, Takes too long to boot Alpha UI...
![Bottom line](/static/images/reviews-bottomline.png)
Combining the UI of a gaming console with the power of a PC, the Alienware Alpha is a force to be reckoned with. Say hello to the gateway drug of PC gaming. Alienware, known for kick-ass laptops and desktops, is turning its attention to console...
|
|
|
Hardware has a shelf life like a gallon of milk. If it sits on the store shelf too long, it ends up getting poured down the drain.That's ultimately the ugly story behind Alienware's Alpha game console. The Alpha was always intended to run Valve's much hyp...
![Good](/static/images/reviews-good.png)
Surprisingly quiet under gaming loads, It's amazingly well price for the size and gaming performance you get...
![Bad](/static/images/reviews-bad.png)
Still not the perfect PC game console experience, Could use a slightly higher performance GPU...
![Bottom line](/static/images/reviews-bottomline.png)
Alienware's Alpha isn't the console killer people hoped it would be but its merits still make it a worthy gaming computer and perhaps the best deal going in small PCs today...
|
|
|
The Alienware Alpha sounds awesome. Its smaller and more powerful than the PS4 and Xbox One. It doubles as an actual Windows PC! But be warned: its not as easy to use as a game console, not as foolproof. Its not nearly the slam dunk I was hoping it wou...
![Good](/static/images/reviews-good.png)
It's powerful for the price. Small, too! Easy to drop it in a bag and carry to a friend's house. Fantastic for LAN parties. The customizable lighting is kind of cool. Five USB 3.0 ports (one for USB dongles, hidden under a panel) gives me plenty of connec...
![Bad](/static/images/reviews-bad.png)
That blasted 5400rpm hard drive. Not a single one of Alienware's pricier configs has a faster storage option. I asked, Advertisement, Advertisement, No recovery partition means you can't easily swap out that drive unless you plan to clone it yourself. If...
![Bottom line](/static/images/reviews-bottomline.png)
Do you want a game console? Then buy a game console instead. The Alpha proves there are way too many things that need to be fixed—not just by Alienware, but game developers and Valve and Microsoft too—before a Windows box will be anywhere near as easy as...
|
|
|
In recent years, we often had just a couple of choices when it comes to buying a game console for our living room, it is either a Playstation 4, a Xbox One or a Nintendo Wii U. And the reason I haven't bought one since the Playstation One is because I pre...
![Good](/static/images/reviews-good.png)
Compact Design, Include all necessary connections and peripherals, Offers higher resolution, Good performance for most games released in 2014, Affordable price...
![Bad](/static/images/reviews-bad.png)
Low frame rate on high settings, Outdated GPU, The Alienware Alpha pricing varies from $549 to $899 depending on the configuration. This is really a good choice if you want to enjoy a huge game catalog on Steam like me, therefore, I totally recommend the...
|
|