Alienware 13 news: 13-inch VR-ready laptop hits the market

A promotional image for Alienware 13Dell/Alienware

The latest Alienware 13 is the world's first VR-ready laptop in the 13-inch arena, and it is now available for purchase. The gaming device comes with a powerful processor and one of the latest desktop-class NVIDIA GTX 10-series video graphics card.

The Dell-owned gaming brand has unveiled the revamped laptop last September, and the said laptop is now ready to take part of the action. The laptop series is now highly capable of driving the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive with VR (virtual reality) contents.

The Alienware 13 gaming laptop has four pre-made models available. The base model starts at $1,119.99 and comes with an Intel Core i5-6300HQ CPU, 8 GB DDR4 RAM, 13.3-inch HD display, and a 180 GB SSD. The highest model starts at $2,099.99 and features an Intel Core i7-6700HQ CPU, 16 GBDDR4 RAM, 13.3-inch QHD OLED display, and 512 GB SSD. All models come with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060, equipped with 6 GB GDDR5 VRAM and Windows 19 64-bit Home Edition.

The two in-between models differ mainly on the amount of memory, display, and storage options. However, the four main models can still be modified and can have up to 32 GB RAM, 1 TB single SSD or two 1 TB SSDs, a higher model of its Killer WiFi and Bluetooth adaptor, as well as an option to upgrade to the Pro version of its operating system. The latest laptop can easily command a $3,375 price tag with all the hardware upgrades alone.

Outside, the lid and the underbelly are made out of aluminum for support and better heat management, while the rest is made out of plastic. Its chassis has been redesigned, and it now incorporates the "hinge forward" design that allows it to have more rear ports, enhanced cooling due to larger fans that can be installed, and a better audio system. The laptop tips the scale at 5.5 pounds, PC Gamer added.

The latest gaming machine also includes a Windows Hello compatible webcam and Tobii eye tracking software, an upgraded Alienware TactX keyboard, Killer Wireless and Wired, Thunderbolt Type-C port, and AlienFX lighting. It also comes with a mini-DisplayPort 1.2 output, HDMI 2.0 output, Alienware Graphics Amplifier Port, Noble Lock port and headphone/microphone combo port.