The new mobile gaming kings: Alienware debuts 14, 17 and 18 laptops

Alienware has refreshed its mobile range
Alienware has refreshed its mobile range

Alienware has revamped its range of gaming laptops with new designs, new graphics and Intel's latest-generation Haswell Core processors.

The three new models are simply called the Alienware 14, Alienware 17 and Alienware 18 (relating to their respective screen sizes) and feature a new angular design across the range.

Alienware reckons it's inspired by "jet engines and stealth bombers", though we're not really sure of the connection there aside from the fact all three laptops are black and they're mostly metal. Indeed, over 60 percent of the main mechanical components are metallic including the anodised aluminium shell and the magnesium alloy body.

There are no half measures in terms of specification – each model sports full voltage, quad-core latest-generation Intel Core i7 processors as well as dedicated Nvidia GeForce 700 series graphics. For those wanting the very best performance, the Alienware 18 features Nvidia SLI dual graphics as standard while there's an overclocked Core i7 option with a top speed of 4.3GHz

How the three models stack up for size

How the three models stack up for size

High bandwidth DDR3L memory is also used, which has lower voltage requirements to increase battery life.

Storage is also plentiful, with support for up to three storage drives on the Alienware 14, and up to four storage drives on the Alienware 17 and 18.

The Alienware 14 in action

The Alienware 14 in action

The laptops all feature Ethernet technology by Qualcomm's Killer networks as well as Klipsch speakers and Dolby Home Theater v4 audio. You can choose between Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 8 as the operating system.

Alienware has introduced several other new enhancements based on feedback including a metal plate behind the soft keyboard to improve typing, while the Alienware 14 features an anti-glare wide-angle LCD display – all three laptops have HD displays and the Alienware 17 can be specified with a 3D screen.

There are a huge number of lighting combinations you can have

There are a huge number of lighting combinations you can have

And, as you'd expect from Alienware, you can customise all of the lighting across the case. We were told how many lighting combinations you can have, but we've forgotten how many it was as it was so big. Millions.

The Alienware 14 starts at £1,099 (USD $1712, AUD $1,820), with availability of the Alienware 17 and 18 set to follow.

We'll have hands on reviews of all three laptops later today on TechRadar, but in the meantime find out more about Intel's latest-generation Haswell processors.

Contributor

Dan (Twitter, Google+) is TechRadar's Former Deputy Editor and is now in charge at our sister site T3.com. Covering all things computing, internet and mobile he's a seasoned regular at major tech shows such as CES, IFA and Mobile World Congress. Dan has also been a tech expert for many outlets including BBC Radio 4, 5Live and the World Service, The Sun and ITV News.