Alienware Alienware Alienware - 16X Aurora - 16" 2.5K Gaming Laptop - Review
The Alienware 16X Aurora delivers insane CPU performance and a gorgeous 240Hz display for serious gamers. Just be ready for its bulky size and questionable reliability scores.
Overview
The Alienware 16X Aurora is a gaming laptop that doesn't mess around. It's built for power, packing a top-tier Intel 24-core CPU and an RTX 5060 GPU into a chassis that's all about performance. This thing is a desktop replacement that happens to be portable, not the other way around.
You get a killer 240Hz screen, a ton of ports, and 32GB of RAM right out of the box. It's clearly designed for gamers and creators who need raw horsepower and don't want to compromise. Just know that 'compact' and 'lightweight' aren't in its vocabulary.
Performance
The 24-core Intel 275HX CPU is a monster, landing in the 95th percentile. It'll handle any game or creative workload you throw at it without breaking a sweat. Paired with the RTX 5060, gaming at the native 2.5K resolution is smooth, especially on that fast 240Hz panel. The main limitation is the GPU's 8GB of VRAM, which might hold you back in future games with maxed-out textures. And that 1TB SSD is just okay for a machine at this price.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong port (99th percentile) 99th
- Strong cpu (95th percentile) 95th
- Strong ram (91th percentile) 91th
- Strong screen (84th percentile) 84th
Cons
- Below average reliability (3th percentile) 3th
- Below average compact (10th percentile) 10th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
| Cores | 24 |
| Frequency | 2.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 36 MB |
Graphics
| GPU | RTX 5060 |
| Type | discrete |
| VRAM | 8 GB |
| VRAM Type | GDDR7 |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 32 GB |
| RAM Generation | DDR5 |
| Storage 1 | 1000 GB |
| Storage 1 Type | SSD |
Display
| Size | 16" |
| Resolution | 2560 (QHD) |
| Panel | VA |
| Refresh Rate | 240 Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits |
Connectivity
| USB Ports | 4 |
| Thunderbolt | 1 |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Ethernet | Yes |
Physical
| Weight | 2.7 kg / 5.9 lbs |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
Value & Pricing
At $1800, you're paying for top-shelf CPU power, a great screen, and that Alienware build. It's a fair price for the specs, but it's not a steal. You're making a clear trade: you get insane performance and connectivity, but you give up portability and, according to the data, some long-term reliability. If you need a powerful desktop alternative that can move, it's worth it. If you travel a lot, look elsewhere.
vs Competition
Compared to the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i or MSI Vector 16, the Alienware often wins on pure CPU power and port selection. However, those competitors might offer better GPU options or slightly more portable designs. The Apple MacBook Pro is in another league for battery life, creator apps, and portability, but you lose gaming flexibility and pay a huge premium. The Asus Zenbook Duo is for a totally different, multi-tasking user. For a pure Windows gaming powerhouse, the Aurora 16X holds its own, but check if rivals have a better GPU deal.
Verdict
Buy this if you want a no-compromise gaming and creation machine that will mostly live on your desk. The CPU and screen are its superpowers. Avoid it if you need to carry your laptop daily, are worried about long-term reliability, or think you'll need more than 8GB of VRAM for future games. It's a specialist tool, not a general-purpose laptop.