Nothing is more cutting-edge in 2025 than the best AI PCs from Qualcomm, Intel, AMD, and Apple. Picking a new laptop is already tough, let alone when you want the latest and greatest technology, so I'm here to help you navigate these stormy seas.

I'll be your AI laptop deep-dive instructor as we find the best AI PC for you. As Laptop Mag's resident hardware enthusiast, I've lived and breathed AI PCs for over a year. I've spent hours going over AI PC performance and efficiency benchmarks, and I've reviewed over 30 AI PCs personally, while the Laptop team has reviewed over 100 laptops in this emergent category in our never-ending quest to find the best laptops.

We've seen all of this generation's AI processors from Qualcomm, Intel, AMD, and Apple, so this list presents the best of the best when it comes to AI-powered laptops with options to suit any need. Even if AI isn't part of your daily life today, it would be a mistake to ignore it as you buy a new laptop in 2025 as AI is more prevalent than ever.

If you want to jump straight to our top choices, our pick for the best AI PC overall is the Asus Zenbook S 14 UX5406, which pairs a stunning OLED display with outstanding performance and efficiency thanks to the Intel Core Ultra Series 200V chipset inside. If battery life is your priority, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is your pick, with over 21 hours on our test. And for Apple enthusiasts, the MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) is the way to go for the best combination of value, performance, and longevity.

That's just entering into the shallows of our top picks; here's my promised deep dive into the best AI PCs in 2025.

The Quick List

Here's a quick rundown of our top picks for the best AI PC laptops. You can also follow the links to the full review to learn more about any of the computers on this list.

The best AI PCs in 2025

Best Overall

The Asus Zenbook S 14 (UX5406) rocketed to the top to become our favorite AI PC laptop. This laptop is one of the first to feature an Intel Core Ultra 200V series processor and at just $1,499, you get a fantastic balance of performance, full-day battery life, a stunning 14-inch OLED display, plus enhanced storage and memory. So you can keep open your 57 'emotional support' Chrome tabs while still streaming music and running ChatGPT or Stable Diffusion.

In our review, Madeline Ricchiuto writes, "From its stunning design to its vivid OLED display panel, there’s plenty to appreciate about the Asus Zenbook S 14."

The Asus Zenbook S 14 lasted 13 hours and 51 minutes on our battery life test, so you should have no trouble leaving your charge cable at home while you head to work or to class. The Zenbook also features a scratch-resistant Ceraluminum ultralight chassis and Asus' quality customer support so you don't need to worry about any tech-related meltdowns.

The Zenbook S 14's 3K (2,880 x 1,800) OLED display is vividly colorful, capturing 82% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. at 342 nits of brightness, it can contend with most screen glare.

If you need to save money, Some of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Copilot+ PCs are a bit cheaper. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is one of our favorites of the Copilot+ lineup and starts at just $1,199, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition starts at just $999 and features the same Copilot+ AI features as the Yoga Slim 7x. If you prefer an AI PC with a larger screen, the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Ultra has a stunning 16-inch AMOLED display. The Galaxy Book 4 Ultra also offers excellent battery life and the powerhouse combo of an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor and Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU.

See our full Asus Zenbook S 14 (UX5406) review.

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Best battery life

One of the most highly anticipated features of the Copilot+ AI PC platform was the extended battery life offered by AI optimization combined with Qualcomm's ARM-based Snapdragon X Elite chip, and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 has more than delivered on that promise.

In our review, Stevie Bonifield writes, "Battery life is one area where the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 really shines. It lasted 21 hours and 3 minutes in our battery test, longer than any of its rivals — longer than any laptop we’ve ever tested."

The ThinkPad T14s lasted an astounding 21 hours and 3 minutes on our battery test, outperforming even the MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro, 2024), which lasted 20:46. It also stole the battery life crown from the Dell XPS 13 (9345), which had just claimed the title of laptop with the best battery life in July 2024.

But the ThinkPad T14s offers more than just incredible battery life, as it combines power efficiency with strong CPU performance thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (XIE-78-100) chipset and surprisingly light 2.72-pound chassis.

In fact, the ThinkPad T14s has more powerful multi-core performance than some of our favorite laptops, like the MacBook Air 13 M3 and Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Q425M). On the Geekbench 6 CPU benchmark, the ThinkPad scored an average of 14,486 compared to the MacBook Air's 12,807 or the Zenbook 14's 12,358. The T14s also has better battery life than both, making it the best choice for power and longevity.

So what are the downsides? The ThinkPad T14s suffers from a tired design, sub-par graphics rendering, and an inaccurately calibrated display, which hold it back from taking the top spot in this category. But if you don't plan to use your AI PC for a lot of photo or video work, the ThinkPad T14s more than makes up for its shortcomings in terms of battery life and performance. In fact, with this ThinkPad, you can even dare to leave your charger at home.

See our full Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 review.

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Best budget

AI PCs offer good power efficiency, strong performance, and lightweight designs, even on budget-friendly systems. The Acer Aspire 14 AI benefits from an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor with powerful Intel Arc 130V graphics and a 40 TOPS Intel AI Boost NPU all integrated into the chipset. It also features 16GB of unified memory on-package, a 2TB SSD, and a 14-inch 1920 x 1200 display. Plus, it lasted over 14 hours on the Laptop Mag web surfing battery test and weighs just 3.2 pounds. And you get all that for just $699.

Claire Tabari writes in our review of the Acer Aspire 14 AI, "The Acer Aspire 14 AI shines as a budget laptop, hitting an affordable price point for solid Lunar Lake processing speeds, excellent battery life, a satisfying keyboard, and a sturdy chassis."

Our testing revealed that the Aspire 14 AI "delivered a Geekbench 6 score of 10,043, which is fantastic for a budget laptop." The Aspire 14 also features a swift 1TB SSD, with a transfer rate of 1,746 megabytes per second.

While the Acer Aspire 14 AI's 14 hour and 15 minute battery life average is far from the most impressive on this list, it easily competes with our top AI PC pick overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 (13:51), however, it is almost an hour behind our top Apple pick, the MacBook Air 13 M3 (15:13).

The Acer Aspire 14 AI does have a powerful second-gen Intel AI Boost NPU which offers 40 TOPS of performance. This means it is part of Microsoft's Copilot+ program and gets access to advanced AI features like Live Captions and studio camera effects.

See our full Acer Aspire 14 AI review.

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Best for business

Not everyone wants a 2-in-1 laptop, but the convertible form of the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo makes it a handy, versatile tool. The Summit also features a Microsoft discrete trusted platform module (TPM) 2.0 and Microsoft Pluton security. So its versatile and secure.

Madeline Ricchiuto writes in our review of the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo, "There are plenty of reasons to recommend the Summit 13 AI+ Evo. It offers almost 17 hours of battery life, dependable performance, a bright display, a satisfying keyboard, sturdy hinges, and it comes with 2TB of storage space and a stylus for just $1,599."

MSI has also put the Summit's durability to the test through the MIL-STD-810H durability testing. The Summit 13 AI+ Evo can survive high altitudes, extreme temperatures, and exposure to dust and humidity. Making it the perfect companion for your pitch meeting in the middle of the Sahara Desert.

Like the other Copilot+ laptops, the MSI Summit 13 has full-day battery life, solid performance, and a bright, vibrant display. Even if security is not your top priority, you're still getting a solid laptop that lasted 16 hours and 52 minutes on our battery test. On our other lab benchmark tests, the Summit was competitive with the likes of the Asus ExpertBook P5 and HP EliteBook Ultra G1q, with a Geekbench 6 score of 10,895 compared to the ExperBook's 11,259 and the EliteBook's 12,717.

While you could use one of the other Copilot+ or AI PC laptops, like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x or Dell XPS 13 (9350), as a business laptop, MSI offers additional security and durability features alongside a stellar all-around laptop experience.

With a starting price of just $1,499, most other business laptops can't compete.

See our full MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo review.

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Best for AMD fans

This AI powerhouse isn't part of the Copilot+ PC program, but with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, it more than meets the requirements for NPU performance with 50 TOPS of AI processing power. So, if you want a top-of-the-line AI PC and Qualcomm's ARM chip won't work for you, the Asus Zenbook S16 is your best pick.

Rami Tabari writes in our review, "The Asus Zenbook S16 UM5606 has the makings of a great laptop, from its incredible performance and graphics to its long battery life and stellar design."

Of course, the Zenbook does have a few drawbacks, like an unsatisfying keyboard and slower SSD, but it makes up for those shortcomings by surviving an impressive 11 hours and 35 minutes on our battery test. And it starts at just $1,399.

The Zenbook S16 scored above most of its competition on Geekbench 6, with a multicore average of 13,282. That outpaces even the MacBook Air 15 M3's 12,052 average and the Intel Core Ultra-powered Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Q425M), which scored an average of 12,717.

So, if you need a powerful AI PC that runs Windows 11 without needing software emulation, the Zenbook S16 is the most affordable, powerful option.

See our full Asus Zenbook S16 review.

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Best for Apple enthusiasts

We rarely give out 5-star ratings here at Laptop Mag, and the Apple MacBook Air 13 M4 is one of the chosen few. Starting at just $999, with education pricing dropping it to $899, the new 13-inch Air is a laptop we can recommend for just about any purpose. It's affordable, especially by Apple standards, and it features an excellent keyboard, fantastic performance, and outstanding endurance, which makes it a great laptop for just about anyone's needs.

In our review, Sean Riley writes, "The MacBook Air 13-inch M4 feels like the return of the original M1 Air. It's an undeniable value that will give you years of excellent performance, even if you pick up the base model."

With macOS 18, the M4 chips have access to Apple Intelligence, making the MacBook Air 13 M4 one of the most affordable AI PCs on the market, with features similar to those found in Microsoft's Copilot+ PC system, like image and text generation, email summaries, and in-call recording and summaries.

Outside of the fancy new AI features coming to Macs this fall, the MacBook Air M4 boasts the same kind of all-day battery life as the other AI PCs on this list, lasting 15 hours and 42 minutes in our battery life test.

The MacBook Air is more than competitive with other AI PCs when it comes to performance, scoring a Geekbench 6 multicore average of 14,849 which outperforms the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (13,750) and Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (12,908).

Of course, you could choose the MacBook Pro 14 M4 instead. Thanks to its fan-cooled design and larger battery, it has better performance and longer battery life, but it has a much higher starting price: $1,599.

So, if you want to stick with macOS and get the best Apple Intelligence features at an affordable price, the MacBook Air M4 is the way to go.

See our full Apple MacBook Air 13 M4 review.

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Benchmark Comparisons

AI Benchmarks

We run all of our AI PCs through a series of AI-focused benchmarks, including the Geekbench ML and Geekbench AI test suites. However, because of how fast AI and machine learning is evolving, these benchmarks are often difficult to compare between versions.

Geekbench ML does not test the NPU at all, while Geekbench AI will test the NPU using the best AI inference software for that chipset, so it can be difficult to compare NPU results between chipmakers.

Though AI PCs are all identifiable by their integrated NPUs, AI workloads run off all three hardware accelerators, so we try to benchmark the CPU, GPU, and NPU in AI tests rather than just focus on the NPU alone.

But if you're curious as to how our best AI PCs stack up in the AI benchmarking stakes, here's a comprehensive chart of our testing data.

Recent reviews

We review dozens of laptops annually, and while some simply don't have what it takes to make our buying guides, others are still strong options that came up short for one reason or another. Here are some of our most recently reviewed laptops that didn't make the cut, which for this page could simply mean they aren't classified as "AI PCs."

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How to choose the best AI PC

There are several factors you should consider before buying an AI PC.

The benefits of AI laptops are multifaceted, but portability and battery life are some of the more tangible benefits of buying a laptop with a neural processing unit NPU. Courtesy of AI optimization, these laptops are more efficient than their non-AI counterparts, which helps shave off some weight with thinner, smaller batteries that can still last all day on a charge. Most AI PCs we've seen have lasted for more than 10 hours on our battery test, and many of the AI laptops we've reviewed and recommend go well beyond that, some even eclipsing 20 hours of battery life.

On-device AI is another key benefit of the AI PC platform, though we are still in the early days of generative AI, so those features will be upgraded and added as Microsoft, Apple, Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm flesh out their AI platforms. But at a minimum, all of the AI PCs have a dedicated NPU and can tackle on-device AI tasks like AI image and AI text generation. While some have more powerful NPUs than others, all of these AI PCs can run your favorite large language model.

Regarding minimum specs, we recommend a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus, AMD Ryzen 8000 series, Intel Core Ultra 100 series, or Apple M2. You'll also want to go for at least 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD minimum for extra memory and storage for your AI tasks.

Other deciding factors that can make your AI PC life even more successful are the same as most other laptops, including a comfortable keyboard, a sensitive touchpad, and a bright, vivid display. So you can enjoy your laptop for more than just its generative AI capabilities.

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FAQs

What makes a laptop an AI PC?

While there are many definitions for what counts as an AI PC, the one commonality between all laptops and desktops marked as "AI PCs" is the presence of a neural processing unit (NPU) machine learning core.

AI workloads will often use the CPU, GPU, and NPU of a machine, with certain tasks favoring one hardware accelerator over another. But to get the most use out of on-device AI, you'll want a computer with a strong chipset that has CPU, GPU, and NPU cores.

What does an AI PC do?

AI PCs are specialized laptops built to run AI workloads. They also offer great battery life and general performance. All laptops will be AI PCs at some point in the future, but for now, they're a bit more of a niche category. Essentially, any computer with an NPU machine learning processor is an AI PC.

You can use an AI PC to run on-device AI models like GPT-4 or Stable Diffusion. AI PCs can generate AI text and AI images and provide live AI translations or better video filters for your next Zoom meeting. One of the key differentiators is that these tasks are handled, at least in large part, by the NPU, which helps free up the CPU and GPU for other tasks.

You can also use an AI laptop for typical computing tasks like browsing the web, playing games, editing photos and videos, or productivity tasks if this is a work laptop. They're a versatile category of powerful, efficient laptops that fill various needs.

What specs do I need for a good AI PC?

While you can run generative AI programs like GPT-4, Stable Diffusion, or Dall-E on older processors, you'll want to opt for a newer, high-end CPU, GPU, and NPU combination if you plan to do a lot of on-device AI.

Different AI programs run through different hardware accelerators, so you'll want to have all-around powerful hardware.

An AMD Ryzen AI 300 processor gets you the most powerful NPU and a solid CPU and integrated GPU. Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series processors offer the best combination of powerful NPU and CPU performance with top-end battery life. The Intel Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake" series gives you a strong NPU with solid CPU and GPU performance for additional AI support and great battery life. The Apple MacBook Air M3 gives you access to the Apple Intelligence AI software suite, alongside Apple's fantastic build quality, performance, and battery life at an affordable price. The M4 is better optimized for AI workloads and will be the superior choice once the M4 chipset hits the MacBook Air line.

If you're using mostly cloud-based AI software, you can use a processor with a less powerful NPU because the cloud server will run the AI model for most of your AI usage. However, in that case, you'll still want a laptop with a decent processor and at least 16GB of RAM to get a timely response.

Do I need a Copilot+ PC to have a good AI PC?

While having a powerful NPU rated to at least 40 TOPS (trillions of operations per second) can make certain AI programs run more smoothly, the requirement for at least 40 TOPS of NPU performance was based on Microsoft Recall. That particular segment of Microsoft's Copilot+ AI suite hasn't fully launched yet, but it is available in Preview Mode for Windows Insiders.

AI PCs can do more than just Microsoft Copilot+. Many other AI workloads, including webcam background blur, AI audio effects, and generative AI can be handled by smaller NPUs or can be run through the CPU or GPU instead of the NPU. So you can still get a quality AI PC experience with a lower-spec NPU than you'll find on Copilot+ PCs.

But if you want an NPU that can last for the next few generations of AI and you want access to every AI feature, you'll want to opt for a Copilot+ PC.

Should you get a discrete GPU for your AI PC?

Depending on the AI you intend to use, you may want a more powerful GPU. However, the integrated graphics tiles on the Ryzen AI 300 series and Intel Core Ultra 200 series are powerful enough for some light gaming and get solid GPU-based AI performance.

Of course, if you're going to be getting into heavy on-device AI that requires high graphics demands, getting a laptop with an Nvidia RTX 40-series or RTX 50-series GPU wouldn't be a bad idea.

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How we test AI PCs

We put each laptop we review through extensive benchmark testing using synthetic and real-world tests before it goes to our reviewers. Our reviewers evaluate each aspect of the laptop, including its performance, battery life, display, speakers, and heat management.

In our benchmark testing, we use a Klein K10 colorimeter to detect the brightness and the sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamut of the laptop's display. For performance testing, we run the laptop through a gauntlet of benchmarks, including Geekbench 6 and 3DMark professional graphics tests. A Geekbench 6 multicore score of 10,000 or higher is needed for AI workloads. While AI PC laptops don't need to be great at gaming, a higher score on 3DMark benchmarks can indicate good image generation capabilities.

With AI PC laptops, we also use machine learning benchmark tests like Geekbench ML, Geekbench AI, UL Procyon Computer Vision, and UL Procyon Image Generation. These tests use real AI workloads and models to test a laptop's AI performance capabilities. Most of these tests can target CPU and GPU performance on AI workloads, but as NPUs are the defining factor of AI PCs, we tend to focus on NPU performance for these benchmarks.

To determine real-world performance, we task the laptop with compressing a 4K video to 1080p resolution and duplicating a 25 GB multimedia file. Our real-world graphics test is the Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm benchmark with medium settings at 1080p and native resolution. On gaming laptops, we run additional benchmarks, including Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Cyberpunk 2077, and Assassin's Creed: Mirage.

We also test the laptop's cooling capabilities by playing a 15-minute 4K video and measuring temperatures in different areas of the laptop, such as the keyboard, touchpad, and underside, to determine whether it is too hot to be safely used on your lap or if it should be relegated to a desktop.

Last but not least, our battery test consists of continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness. For MacBooks and premium Windows 10 or Windows 11 laptops, a runtime of over 9 hours is considered a good result, whereas gaming laptops and workstations that can stay powered longer than 5 hours deserve praise. We expect over 10 hours of battery life with AI PCs, though many AI PC laptops get around 14 hours of battery life.

Following these tests, the laptop is given to our expert reviewers for extensive hands-on testing. Our reviewers will spend days using the laptop as part of their typical workflow to get a sense of the real-world performance and live with the laptop to come away with a thorough understanding of the hardware and software experience. This blended lab testing and hands-on approach allows us to offer you a clear and comprehensive view of every laptop that comes through Laptop Mag.

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Why Trust Laptop Mag

Laptop Mag reviews over a hundred laptops yearly, from paperweight ultralights to everyday workhorses to lumbering gaming notebooks that scorch the frame rates of even the hottest AAA games. We're not just experts in the laptop field, as we go one step further by meticulously testing smartphones, tablets, headphones, PC accessories, software, and even the latest in gaming.

We are 100 percent independent and have decades of experience to help you buy with confidence. Laptop Mag has been testing and reviewing products for three decades and continues to deliver trustworthy reviews you can rely on.

Our experienced team of writers and editors scour the available information about the laptop and put it through its paces to determine which is best for you. But before they start, the testing team subjects each system to a rigorous regimen of synthetic and real-world tests to see how a system handles the type of work and games you’re most likely to throw at it.

Future Publishing, one of the world's largest technology publishers, enforces our editorial trustworthiness. As a company, we have unrivaled experience across every tech sector — and we're the group's specialist for all things mobile tech.

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Update June 27 at 9:47 p.m. ET: Dell continues to slash $300 off the Alienware Area-51 RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Laptop with 32GB of RAM and 2TB SSD.

Alienware's new RTX 50 gaming laptops are seeing first-time discounts during Dell's Summer Upgrade savings event.

One standout deal knocks huge savings off our beloved Area-51 series.

For a limited time, you can get the 2TB model Alienware Area-51 with RTX 5070 Ti GPU for $2,799 from Dell. It normally retails for $3,099, so you're saving $300 on this powerhouse gaming machine.

Browse: Dell's entire sale

This is the lowest price I've seen for this Alienware gaming laptop, which launched in April of this year. If you were hoping for a price break on an RTX 50-series laptop, this is one of the best deals available.

If you seriously want to level up your gameplay, the Alienware 16 Area-51 is the best gaming laptop to buy.

In our Alienware 16 Area-51 review, we rated it 4 out of 5 stars for its powerful performance, bright display, and satisfying mechanical keyboard with smooth touchpad.

While we wish we could've squeezed more playtime from it, we found its solid speakers and cool-looking aesthetic impressive. It's the Editor's Choice Award-winning laptop for competitive gaming.

If you have room in your budget to splurge, you can get the Alienware 16 Area-51 with RTX 5080 graphics for $3,049 ($400 off).

These Alienware gaming laptop deals are only as good as stock permits, so don't hesitate too long!

Today's best Alienware 16 Area-51 deal

There’s no excuse anymore; gaming laptops need to step up their game if they want to land in my shopping cart. The best gaming laptops offer excellent gaming performance and displays, but I’m adding one more thing to my must-have list: a mechanical keyboard.

I recently reviewed the Alienware 16 Area-51, and it reinforced the idea that no gaming laptop should be without a mechanical keyboard, especially a premium one. They’re objectively better than membrane keyboards — just ask my fingers.

This needs to be the next big transition for gaming laptops, just like when phones ditched physical keyboards for touchscreens. And let me tell you why we might not be so far away from that future.

The mechanical keyboard revolution

The Alienware 16 Area-51’s CherryMX mechanical keyboard made it oh-so-satisfying to dash across the field in Marvel Rivals as Magik and swoop up a jabroni in my combo. Each keystroke sounded clicky and felt punchy.

I won’t stop screaming about mechanical keyboards until they are in every gaming laptop, and we can critique them for the types of switches they use rather than just complimenting their existence. I hope that future isn’t far away. After all, we’ve already seen mechanical keyboards in varying budget categories.

I was shocked when I saw a mechanical keyboard in the Dell G16 (7620), which at the time cost $949. The existence of that one gaming laptop is all the reason I need to criticize every premium gaming laptop that doesn’t offer a mechanical keyboard. And the Area-51 isn’t the first Alienware with a mechanical keyboard. Last year’s Alienware x16 R2 had one too.

Unfortunately, the Dell G16 is somewhat bulky at 1.01 inches thick. The Area-51 is similar, measuring 0.85~1.12 inches. So you might be thinking that the thickness of a gaming laptop certainly makes an impact on whether a mechanical keyboard is possible. But that’s not exactly the case. As I just mentioned, the Alienware x16 R2 also featured a mechanical keyboard, and it measured 0.7 inches thick.

So, in theory, no gaming laptop should be excused, including a monster like the MSI Raider 18 HX AI that comes in at 0.94~1.26 inches. Sure, its keyboard is bouncy, but it’s no mechanical keyboard. It’s weird because last year’s MSI Titan HX featured a mechanical keyboard, although that laptop was a chunky 1.3 inches thick.

Now, the Razer Blade 16 might be too thin to support a mechanical keyboard at 0.59~0.69 inches. But like a Bond villain or Batman, I’ll accept nothing less than the best from my wonderful little toys, especially if I’m paying several thousand dollars.

I can’t say what the exact cost is for adding a mechanical keyboard to a gaming laptop, but when configuring the Dell G16 and even the Alienware Area-51, the former adds $100, while the latter costs only an additional $50. That’s a massive bonus for a low price and well worth the bump unless you’re opting for one of the best gaming keyboards.

If you’re not grabbing a peripheral and you plan on emptying your wallet for a gaming laptop, make sure you get one with a mechanical keyboard. The issue isn’t just that a mechanical is better than a membrane; it’s that there are some really terrible membrane keyboards out there. You don’t want to be stuck with a dollar-store keyboard on a $ 4,000+ gaming laptop.

Sure, opting for a peripheral is always the better option, but unless you’re getting a desktop replacement, it defeats the whole purpose of portability in your gaming laptop. Do you really want to lug around a keyboard on top of a gaming laptop and a gaming mouse?

As I said, the Alienware 16 Area-51 has now reinforced what is best for a gaming laptop. After experiencing at least three other gaming laptops with a mechanical keyboard, I am putting my proverbial foot down. You won’t see a gaming laptop in my shopping cart unless it’s rocking a mechanical keyboard… and a gorgeous OLED display (but that’s a rant for another day).

MORE FROM LAPTOP MAG

• The Alienware 16 Area-51 is one of the cheapest RTX 5080 gaming laptops — and it’s near-perfect
• Microsoft wants to win the handheld gaming war by no longer making one
• If you have $29, every laptop is a gaming laptop

I wouldn’t call any RTX 50-series gaming laptop cheap, but Alienware, of all brands, comes knocking with its flagship Area-51 at an alluring price point for all of its premium qualities.

For a whopping $3,249 (yes, that’s competitive in this market [insert cry GIF here]), the Alienware 16 Area-51 packs a punch with its Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, supported by a bright 16-inch display, a punchy mechanical keyboard, and solid audio.

While its flaws are limited, they’re still flaws. The battery life could be better, the display could be OLED, and the touchpad isn’t tall enough. However, its pros make a strong case for the Alienware 16 Area-51 as one of the best gaming laptops, and it looks like a straight-up spaceship. But let’s see if it’s right for you.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Specs and benchmarks

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Price and configurations

Forget about a new car; you need that down payment for the Alienware 16 Area-51. The model we reviewed costs $3,249 and is outfitted with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 16GB GPU, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240Hz, LED display, and CherryMX mechanical keyboard.

You can start at $2,849, dropping to an RTX 5070 Ti, upgrading to a 2TB SSD, and ditching the mechanical keyboard. However, I don’t recommend this model. If you’re already paying close to $3K, you might as well get the better-performing RTX 5080.

There’s also the RTX 5090 model, which costs $3,649. It also comes with 64GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD.

The biggest issue I have with the configurations is that there are no display options outside of upgrading the webcam (which costs the same price between them, so you should get the 4K model). It would have been nice to see an OLED variant, especially since the color in this LED panel is lacking (but I’ll delve into that more later).

Overall, the Alienware 16 Area-51 is expensive, but surprisingly, it’s more affordable than other RTX 50 series gaming laptops we’ve seen on the market.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Design

I am in love with this design. It’s been said before, even I have said it, but damn does this thing look like it’s about to blast the thrusters and head to outer space. From the curved edges to the sci-fi-esque vents, the Alienware 16 Area-51 stays true to its namesake.

I’ll admit, however, I’m not a fan of the Liquid Teal color; it just doesn’t look nice. I would’ve preferred white or another lighter color. Despite that, the black on the hinge contrasts quite well with it, and opening up the lid activates the RGB light bar embedded within the hinge, producing an aurora-esque diffused light. It looks pretty sick. (The Alienware logo lights up, too.)

The interior gives off a similar vibe thanks to the numerous vents surrounding the keyboard, not to mention the RGB lighting in the keyboard, touchpad, and fans at the top of the deck. It’s straight up Christmas in here. The bezels on the display are relatively thin, with the webcam on top, but I’m disappointed that there isn’t a privacy shutter.

Another slick design feature is the underside — it features a glass window into the internals with the RGB-lit fans.

Despite the Alienware 16 Area-51 resembling a spaceship, it’s tough to call it portable at 7.13 pounds and 14.37 x 11.41 x 0.85~1.12 inches. Here’s how it compares:

• HP Omen Max 16: 5.92 pounds, 14.04 x 10.59 x 0.9~0.98 inches
• Razer Blade 16 (2025): 4.6 pounds, 13.98 x 9.86 x 0.59~0.69 inches
• Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 (RTX 5080): 5.5 pounds, 14.05 x 10 x 0.91~1.18 inches

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Ports

To maintain its spaceship aesthetic, most of the ports on the Alienware 16 Area-51 are located on the back, with the exception of the SD card slot and headphone jack on the left. Overall, you should have everything you need here.

• 2x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
• 1x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
• 2x Thunderbolt 5 ports (for configurations with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti and above)
• 1x HDMI 2.1
• 1x SD-card slot
• 1x 3.5mm headphone jack

If you really need more ports, check out our best USB Type-C hubs and best laptop docking stations pages.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Battery life

I didn’t expect the Alienware 16 Area-51 to offer great battery life, considering how much of a chunky monkey it is, but I’m still a bit disappointed.

On the Laptop Mag battery test, which sets the laptop to continuously surf the web over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness, the Alienware 16 Area-51 lasted 4 hours and 10 minutes. That’s not bad per se, but the Aorus Master lasted a whole hour longer, and the Razer Blade lasted over three hours longer.

There’s a similar trend on the PCMark 10 Gaming battery life test, where the Area-51 lasted 1 hour and 50 minutes, while the Razer Blade and Aorus Master lasted 40 to 60 minutes longer, respectively.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Display

Displays designed for video games are precious to me, and if I’m paying over $3K for a gaming laptop, it better be pretty. Unfortunately, the Alienware 16 Area-51’s 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240Hz, LED display falls a bit short. It’s plenty bright, more than its competition, and nearly as bright as the M4 MacBook Pros. However, the color is severely lacking for the price, and that’s likely due to the LED panel, whereas its top rivals use OLED.

I hopped into an expedition in Elden Ring Nightreign and bodied those nightmare Flame Chariots. While their flames were bright, and everything looked lively, the lack of boldness took me out of it a little. I think the issue is that the LED panel feels like I’m looking at a screen, whereas OLED feels like looking through a window. I’ll say this, however: I didn’t have any trouble navigating the shadowy mines.

I watched the trailer for the currently bombing Lilo & Stitch film, and the night shots were clear, which is nice because I didn’t need to squint. And although the day shots were really bright, those Hawaiian waters didn’t look as bold as I wanted them to.

According to our colorimeter, the Area-51 doesn’t meet the 100% DCI-P3 color coverage that Dell claims it does (falling to 81.6%). However, it does break its claimed 500-nit display brightness.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Keyboard and touchpad

Nothing is more satisfying than a mechanical keyboard in a gaming laptop. It still feels like a dream that laptops like the Alienware 16 Area-51 are rocking a CherryMX mechanical keyboard. This baby is clicky and punchy; bodying fools in Marvel Rivals felt as smooth as ever.

I knocked out 83 words per minute on the 10fastfingers.com typing test, which is above my usual 81-wpm average. Moving to each key felt effortless, thanks to that mechanical bounce.

The 4.4 x 2.5-inch touchpad is not only colorful, but it's also glass, so it’s silky smooth to the touch. It also features a mid-depth, sharp click, which is satisfying to navigate with. My only gripe is that I wish the touchpad were taller because it makes it more challenging to select a wide area.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Audio

With two tweeters (treble) and two woofers (bass), the Alienware 16 Area-51’s top and bottom-firing speakers made me feel like I jumped right into the thick of combat. Although the music performance could have been better.

Dashing across Limveld in Nightreign, oppressive but present strings played in the background while the Depraved Perfumer tried to murder me. I dodged and sliced through them, and got that satisfying slash sound effect when I made impact. When I popped my ultimate ability off, it sounded a bit more muted than I would’ve liked, but the overall environmental sound effects played well together. It got occasionally muddy when larger bosses started chomping at me.

Jumping into my long-lasting hyperfixation, I listened to “Wouldn’t You Like” from Epic: The Musical. The stringed instruments sounded gentle and full, and when Hermes came in, I enjoyed his soft vocals, but I realized they were maybe a bit too soft. The vocals didn’t hit the crispness I expected. While I could distinguish most of the instruments from one another, there was some muddiness, and the percussion got snuffed a bit.

But overall, it’s a strong set of speakers compared with the mediocrity we usually find in even the most expensive gaming laptops. You adjust the audio via Dolby Access, with presets for Game (which I used for gaming), Music (used for music), Movie, Voice, and Dynamic (which I experimented with but wasn’t a fan of).

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Gaming and graphics

Packed into the Area-51’s thick chassis is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU with 16GB of VRAM. This monster doesn't need to worry about slimming down for portability’s sake, so it even crushes RTX 5090 gaming laptops on some tests.

Trying our luck with the Gaping Jaw again, my comrades and I leapt into its chaotic purple lightning storms, and the Area-51 easily maxed out the cap at 60 frames per second on max settings at native resolution.

Up against the RTX 5080 in the Aorus Master and the RTX 5090 in the Razer Blade and Omen Max, the Area-51 either matched or took the crown on three major gaming benchmarks. So the Area-51 is better than the rest at playing Assassin's Creed Mirage, Black Myth: Wukong, and Far Cry 6.

While the Area-51 may not have taken the lead on the rest of the gaming benchmarks, it got pretty darn close across the board. You won't be disappointed with this level of performance. And keep in mind that our benchmarks don't account for DLSS 4, so if you want to get into multi-frame generation magic, you can expect a significant increase in frames.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Performance and heat

Don't think Alienware forgot about overall performance. The Area-51 is toting the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor with 32GB of RAM, and it's one heck of a powerhouse. It didn't flinch when I opened a couple dozen Google Chrome tabs and a handful of YouTube videos while Nightreign downloaded in the background.

The Alienware 16 Area-51 absolutely dominated its competition on the Geekbench 6 overall performance test and our HandBrake benchmark, which requires it to transcode a 4K video to 1080p.

However, the Area-51 lagged a bit behind on SSD speeds, coming in third on our 25GB file transfer test, but since it’s above 1 GBps, it should be good for most things.

Now, even though the Area-51 is rocking fans all over the place, it still gets a bit spicy while gaming. We clocked it at 118.7 degrees Fahrenheit between the F8 and F9 keys, which is way above our 95-degree comfort threshold. Yet, it might be safe to sit it in your lap. How? The underside only reached 93.1 degrees. However, I’d proceed with caution since the underside features a glass window, which might burn if it gets too hot.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): AI features

With an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, the Area-51 supports an NPU with 13 peak TOPS (trillion operations per second). With that, you can access your usual Copilot software, like Windows Studio Effects, Cocreate, and Live Captions. Apart from potential performance gain, there isn’t any Dell or Alienware-branded software with unique AI capabilities.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Webcam

Like most laptop webcams, even the Alienware 16 Area-51’s 4K shooter isn’t great.

Despite that, the webcam handles colors decently well. My blue shirt and the ensemble of colorful outfits of the My Hero Academia crew behind me popped in the image. However, its resolution didn’t keep my face and hair from looking fuzzy. And the poor contrast overexposed the window and ceiling. If you plan on streaming, I recommend checking out one of the best webcams.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Software and warranty

The software you’ll be using the most will be the Alienware Command Center, which features settings for performance, keyboard and chassis lighting, game aggregation, and a quick link to the Dolby Access app. There’s also Dell SupportAssist, which handles your drivers, hardware scans, and warranty.

The Area-51 comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Bottom line

The Alienware 16 Area-51 is a near-perfect gaming laptop, boasting incredible performance, a bright 16-inch display, a great keyboard, strong speakers, and a beautiful design. But its display can’t beat OLED, and we’ve seen much better battery life numbers elsewhere.

A gaming laptop that supports both an OLED panel and significantly better battery life is the Razer Blade 16, although you’ll need to pay about $1,000 more to get it.

I’ll pray to Cthulhu for an OLED variant of the Alienware 16 Area-51 in the future, although right now, this gaming laptop is easily one of the best we’ve seen this year, and its price point makes it all the more compelling.

Alienware's 2025 monitor lineup is slowly filling out.

We've seen the 27-inch 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) earlier this Spring, and now we have the refreshed flagship 34-inch curved QD-OLED.

The Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED (AW3425DW) features the new AW30 design, a 240Hz refresh rate, a 3440 x 1440p resolution, and a 1800R curve for complete immersion.

And it's only $799.

But is it worth your money? Let's take a deeper look at those specs.

What's new with the 34-inch Curved QD-OLED?

Unlike the previous version (AW3423DW), the new 34 QD-OLED has a higher 240Hz refresh rate. The previous model was just 175Hz. It's also got a faster response time at 0.03ms gray-to-gray (GTG), as the previous model featured a 0.1ms GTG response time.

Alienware has also updated the ports to include HDMI 2.1 FRL (fixed rate link) for better audio-video signals.

The AW3425DW also features AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, plus VESA AdaptiveSync. So no matter what hardware you're using, you've got the best possible refresh rate synchronization between your computer's GPU and the 34-inch monitor. The previous model only featured Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate.

Additionally, this year's 34-inch curved flagship monitor comes with the flashy new AW30 design language, with the opalescent blue colorway, 360-degree ventilation, plus better ergonomics and space efficiency.

So there's some serious updates with this new model. The question is: the price.

Is $799 too expensive for a 1440p monitor?

Alienware has two very similar 34-inch curved monitors. The new Alienware AW3425DW and the AW3425DWM. Both are 3440 x 1440p resolution monitors featuring the new AW30 design.

The key differences between those two monitors is display panel type, refresh rate, and response time. The $399 AW3425DWM monitor is a VA (Vertical Alignment) type panel with a 180Hz refresh rate and a 2ms GTG peak response rate. So it's a pretty solid gaming monitor for those on a budget. VA display panels display deep blacks and feature high contrast ratios.

However, the $799 AW3425DW is a QD-OLED panel which is better for immersive, HDR gameplay with accurate colors, higher peak brightness, and an infinite contrast ratio. So it's a more premium viewing experience, and thus come with a more premium price tag.

Personally, I always tend to go for the higher-spec tech because it means I'll need to upgrade less often. But if you don't have a spare $799 and want a quality Alienware 34-inch monitor, you've at least got options. The AW3425DWM is currently on sale for just $369, making it an even better bargain.

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Alienware has made high-quality gaming products for most of the company’s history. So, we tend to have high expectations for Alienware’s products, from desktops and laptops to keyboards and monitors.

Alienware’s latest 27-inch 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) gaming monitor doesn't break from that history, featuring the world’s highest pixels per inch in any OLED or QD-OLED monitor. We first saw this monitor at CES 2025, but it only started shipping last month. This 27-inch gaming monitor features a vibrant, glossy QD-OLED panel with a smooth 240Hz refresh rate, a gorgeous redesign with an opalescent blue colorway, sturdy hinges, and bright HDR.

While the QD-OLED panel’s SDR brightness could be better, the only thing really holding the Alienware 27 4K monitor back is its relatively high price tag. But will that keep it from becoming one of the best monitors or best gaming monitors?

Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) gaming monitor: Specs and benchmarks

Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) gaming monitor: Price and configurations

Monitors rarely come in multiple configurations, and the Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) is no exception. For $899, you get a 27-inch, 3840 x 2160, 240Hz QD-OLED display with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync support and a 0.03ms response time.

Alienware does offer other gaming monitor options, including last year’s 27-inch 2K QD-OLED (AW2725DF) with a 360Hz refresh rate for the same price of $899. Alternatively, you could size up to the 32-inch 4K QD-OLED (AW3225QF) with a 240Hz refresh rate for $1,199.

All three Alienware QD-OLED monitors are available now through Dell.

While the AW2725Q is a bit pricey, it’s not exactly out of the ordinary considering Alienware’s usual pricing. If anything, the price of the 27 4K just calls the 2K model’s price tag into question. Sure, the AW2725DF 2K model offers a higher 360Hz refresh rate, but the fact that both monitors cost $899 just makes the 4K 240Hz version feel like a bargain.

Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) gaming monitor: Setup

Alienware didn’t get too fancy with the setup of this 27-inch 4K monitor. The box includes the stand base, armature, and display panel as three separate parts. The arm screws into the bottom of the base with a built-in screw, and the display panel features a standard VESA mount.

Out of the box setup should take about 15 to 20 minutes between physically setting up the monitor and going through the setup process to get it connected to your gaming PC.

Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) gaming monitor: Design

Alienware updated the design language for its monitors to fit in with the new AW30 aesthetic. The new Alienware design first debuted at CES, focused around the new Area-51 laptops, with a new colorway that mimics the aurora. While the design is a nod to Alienware’s 30th anniversary, the math is a little off. Alienware turns 30 in October 2026.

That aside, the new rounded detailing on the base and armature of the 27-inch monitor combined with the opalescent AW30 colorway is a striking choice for a gaming monitor. It’s a nice switch from Alienware’s previous design, which featured sharper edges and either white or black colorways.

Alienware also opted to use sustainable materials in the design of the monitor, including 83% post-consumer recycled plastic, 100% recycled aluminum, and 10% recycled steel. Even the packaging is sustainable, made of 100% renewable and recyclable materials.

The 27-inch 4K QD-OLED display also features a -5 to 21-degree tilt angle, with a 20-degree swivel on either side, and a 90-degree pivot angle. So you can tilt it, or set it up as a horizontal or vertical display, whichever suits your gaming needs best.

The armature’s swivel action is smooth and sturdy, so the panel doesn’t shake easily. This is ideal for gaming sessions, as it means the monitor will stay stable even if you’re smashing your action keys during high-intensity gaming.

Additionally, this Alienware monitor is relatively small and light, measuring 24 x 15.98~20.32 x 8.27 inches and weighing 14.97 pounds, with the stand included. This is on the lighter side compared to other QD-OLED gaming monitors like:

• Alienware 27 2K QD-OLED (AW2725DF): 24 x 16~20.3 x 9.6 inches, 21 pounds
• MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD: 24 x 21 x 8.1 inches, 13.4 pounds
• ASRock Phantom Gaming PG34: 31.9 x 22.9 x 13.1 inches, 29.8 pounds

Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) gaming monitor: Ports

Gamers generally need a lot of ports. Between additional monitors, keyboard, mouse, headset, webcam, gamepad, flight stick, or driving wheel and peddles, gamers tend to use more accessories with their hardware setup than most.

And with the Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED, even the most accessory-hungry gamer should have more than enough ports:

• 1 DisplayPort 1.4 (Supports up to 3840 x 2160, 240Hz, HDR)
• 2 HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 3840 x 2160, 240Hz, HDR, FRL, VRR)
• 1 USB 5Gbps Type-B upstream
• 3 USB 5Gbps Type-A downstream
• 1 USB-C 5GBps downstream (power delivery up to 15W)

If that’s somehow not enough ports on a single monitor for your gaming setup, we’d recommend cutting some cords. Or if you truly cannot part with a wired accessory, at least go for one of the best USB-C hubs or docking stations rather than daisy chain your gear.

Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) gaming monitor: Display

Alienware’s new 27 4K QD-OLED is one of the first monitors featuring the latest 27-inch 4K gaming QD-OLED panel that was all over the CES show floor this year. It’s also the first one we have gotten our hands on here at Laptop Mag, and the display doesn’t disappoint.

As a QD-OLED panel, the Alienware 27 offers a higher pixel density than standard OLED models, with 166 pixels per inch, and it features that OLED infinite contrast ratio and supports 1.07 billion colors. Needless to say, we expected plenty of vibrancy from the Alienware and it delivered.

After watching a number of 4K videos and playing Avowed and Monster Hunter Wilds on the Alienware QD-OLED, switching back to my usual 4K IPS monitor was a serious downgrade. While the difference between the Alienware’s enhanced pixel per inch QD-OLED panel and a standard OLED is difficult to spot, going from an LCD or IPS display and the QD-OLED is a major upgrade.

I ran around the opening area of Avowed in my test save, and the tutorial beach zone has rarely ever looked more vibrant. Between the Garryck’s vivid blue fur to the bright coral formations on the beach, the Alienware 27’s QD-OLED panel popped like a fever dream. The colors seemed super saturated with lush detailing. While Avowed still looks like a video game, it does feel more like a proper living world on this display.

Alienware rates the 27-inch 4K QD-OLED panel as covering 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut with Vesa Certified DisplayHDR True Black 400. Our lab testing exceeded those numbers, with the display measuring 119.4% DCI-P3 gamut coverage and a peak HDR brightness of 423 nits. This was significantly brighter than the peak HDR brightness of other gaming monitors like the MSI Optix MAG274 or ASRock Phantom Gaming PG34.

The one display feature that was a bit of a letdown was the overall SDR brightness. While the Alienware 27 is certainly bright enough to be visible in most environments at 238 nits, especially with a matte OLED panel, it is dimmer than most other gaming monitors and could be an issue in direct sunlight. But in the Laptop Mag office, I had no problem seeing the screen with perfect clarity, even on lowered brightness settings.

Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) gaming monitor: Gaming and graphics

With a 4K max resolution and 240Hz refresh rate, gaming on the Alienware 27-inch 4K QD-OLED is a genuine pleasure. Sure, not everyone games in 4K and it is difficult to hit 240 fps frame rates in many modern games without graphics upscaling tech. But if you have a more recent discrete GPU capable of super sampling and frame generation, you can come close to 200 fps in 4K, even with demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Monster Hunter Wilds.

While the Alienware’s QD-OLED display looks great with all content, it is a gaming monitor and so gaming performance is key. Not only did Avowed look fantastic in 4K, the Alienware’s 240Hz refresh rate kept the performance reactive but smooth.

While not necessary in an RPG like Avowed, it was still a nice touch that came in handy for Cyberpunk 2077 and Monster Hunter. I had no frame delays or lag, even while running both games off a laptop GPU at 4K resolution. In fact, if I didn’t have the Razer Blade 16 (2025) open on the desk next to me, I would have sworn it was a desktop powering the Alienware; the performance was so flawless. While that is a credit to the Razer’s RTX 5090, it’s also indicative of just how slick the Alienware 27’s 240Hz OLED appears.

Just make sure you’ve got hardware powerful enough to support a smooth gaming experience at a high resolution, like one of the best gaming laptops, or a game console.

Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) gaming monitor: Audio

Like most gaming monitors, there are no speakers on the Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED. There is also no 3.5mm audio combo jack either. Instead, Alienware opted for an eARC connection on one of the two HDMI ports, allowing you to set up a home theater system with Dolby Atmos speakers.

If you need quality audio to keep up with your teammates and get the most out of a horror game’s jumpscare sound effects, we’d recommend a pair of the best wireless headphones or a set of the best computer speakers.

Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) gaming monitor: Settings and configuration

There are nine preset display modes for the Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED. Several of these display modes are set for specific game types, optimizing for refresh rate, responsiveness, high contrast, or vibrant colors.

The standard mode is the best of all worlds, but if you’d like increased contrast to help with a MOBA like League of Legends, there is a MOBA/RTS mode. You can also opt for Alienvision, which can give you an on-screen crosshair, increased visibility, or extreme contrast in the center of the display. This can help with games that have poor in-game reticle settings or poor visibility.

I stuck to either the Standard mode, FPS mode (reduces brightness and vibrancy a bit for faster responsiveness), or RPG mode (slightly higher brightness and vibrancy for more cinematic gaming experiences). I tended not to enable Alienvision, as I don’t play many poorly-lit shooters or MOBAs, but it could come in handy even with non-shooters like Monster Hunter Wilds.

Bottom line

The Alienware 27-inch 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) is a gorgeous gaming monitor. It sports a vibrant QD-OLED display with solid HDR support, a smooth 240Hz refresh rate, and a gorgeous redesign in the company’s 30th anniversary AW30 opalescent blue colorway.

Of course, whether or not you can take full advantage of the Alienware depends on your gaming setup. If you’re using an older or mid-range graphics card, a 4K 240Hz monitor is probably not worth the price.

But if you’re gaming with a powerful GPU, the 4K/240Hz threshold is getting more achievable as technology advances. So, depending on your gaming rig or how future-proof you want your monitor to be, the Alienware AW2725Q is a solid choice. And at $899, it's more worthwhile to get this new 4K panel than the older 2K 360Hz model.

However, if you’re a budget conscious gamer who would prefer playing at 1080p, it might be worth holding off until Samsung’s 500Hz QD-OLED panel hits the shelves.

Over the last 15 years, mobile gaming has exploded. On our phones, we can now frag with the best of them, and the visual realism is improving year by year. (If you have not played Alien: Isolation on an iPhone, it’s worth checking out.)

That said, I define mobile gaming differently than most. For me, it means grabbing a high-end gaming laptop and heading to a friend’s house — forget using a phone or tablet. I prefer the most intense graphics realism and sound quality available, the feeling of being transported to another realm. I’m not a competitive gamer; I’m here for the story, the visuals, and the sound — similar to a theatrical experience.

Recently, I’ve been using an Alienware X16 R2 gaming laptop for my mobile adventures. I play ultra-realistic games like Senua's Saga: Hellblade II without worrying about battery life. Playing the game in the backseat of a car, at the library, or Starbucks feels like total freedom. I’m a little bored with online shooters, having played my share of the Doom and Quake games long ago. Instead, I aim to stay engrossed in the visual presentation and story.

Here’s a typical scenario: I recently played the entire Indiana Jones and the Great Circle game on Alienware X16 without ever plugging in the laptop. The story is fantastic, and the voice-acting is about the best ever. Here’s how I accomplished that, with some technical details that might surprise you.

Where to start with the Alienware X16 R2

The good news about the Alienware X16 is that it automatically adjusts several performance-related variables. This is a built-in feature: When you fire up a game like Hellblade II or Flight Simulator 2024, the computer identifies the system processes required for high performance and maxes out the GPU settings.

The laptop uses the Alienware Command Center (AWCC). You can manually adjust the AWCC for balanced power or a low power draw. The automatic adjustments work fine for the most part, but that’s just the beginning. You can go much further by tweaking settings to save battery life. Adjusting several options in Windows 11 allowed me to add about a third more battery life during my testing.

Let’s start with the one that impacted me most significantly. I tend to play video games for about 20 or 30 minutes, then I need a break. I’ll refill my coffee or chat with a colleague. As a journalist, I might need to do a quick interview. I just want to let the laptop sit idle, which consumes battery power.

There’s a much better way to take breaks. I now press Alt + F4, which opens the Shut Down Windows dialog box. You can then put the laptop to sleep or shut it down entirely.

If I’m gaming for six hours, I can make the laptop last longer simply because it’s not running when I take breaks. It’s simple math: The X16 is supposed to last seven hours per charge, but I used it all day because I used sleep mode during breaks. It meant the laptop was drawing minimal power while in sleep mode.

You might think that’s cheating, but it’s a wise practice. The alternative is what I usually do: I let the laptop sit idle, using up more battery.

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The other major tweak I made on the X16 is to lower the screen refresh rate. Now, this compromise is at least worth considering, especially if you can’t tell the difference. On a Windows laptop, go to the Start menu then Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings. Select 60Hz as the refresh rate. Start a game and check if you notice any difference. (Refresh rate determines how many images are “refreshed” per second; a higher number like 240Hz means more fluid visuals.)

It’s also worth lowering the refresh rate when browsing the web or posting on social media, and only cranking up the refresh rate for games.

Other advanced tricks and tips

Of course, you can change several other settings to save on battery life. I’ve found that putting my laptop on sleep mode made the most significant difference, because the computer was not running. My experience is that letting a laptop sit idle makes it seem like it does not last as long or meet the stated specifications.

Here’s one other tweak: Expert gamers might already know this, but using dark mode on a laptop can squeeze out a little more juice. It’s because the laptop does not have to work as hard to show black. For dark mode, go to Settings > Personalization > Colors. Under Choose your mode, select Dark. It won’t matter when you are playing games, but will help if you are configuring settings, downloading patches, or checking email.

Windows lets you create a power plan as well. These settings are found by going to the Control Panel > Hardware and Sound; select Power Options and click Create a power plan. I suggest creating a power plan for Gaming and one for Work. It’s all pretty straightforward, and you can select the plan you want to use. For example, you can set performance to only 50% for the Work power plan to save power.

A few more tweaks are also worth a shot -- lowering the brightness on your laptop will save power for an entire day, although I tend to skip this one. I like a bright and clear display for gaming. Like changing the refresh rate only for productivity work, consider lowering the brightness when not playing games. Every laptop is different, but there’s typically a hotkey to raise and lower brightness.

Using these tips together could save as much as 30% in battery life, especially if you can live with the lower refresh rate setting and dimming the screen.

Mobile gaming, or laptop gaming, is much more enjoyable without a cord. I spent more time killing aliens and less time fishing around for a cord and finding a place to plug in for the day.

I've been browsing through the Dell weekend sale right now and it's chock full of good stuff. Obviously, our main focus is on the huge range of laptops, but there are also some discounts on monitors and accessories.

Dell's laptop range is extensive, with something to suit almost every use case. Their Inspiron laptops put work and efficiency at the forefront, the XPS line-up is there for premium users who want an amazing all-rounder, and Alienware has all the gamers covered with some beastly mobile battlestations.

Here's our roundup of the top 16 most popular deals in the Dell sale at time of writing.

Dell sale — The Quick List

• Dell Inspiron 15: Was $379 Now $279
• Dell Inspiron 15: Was $549 Now $399
• Dell Inspiron 15: Was $599 Now $449
• Dell New XPS 13: Was $1999 Now $1699
• Dell XPS 13: Was $1499 Now $1199
• Alienware m18 R2: Was $3999 Now $3399
• Alienware m18 R2: Was $2299 Now $1999
• Dell Ultrasharp 27-inch 4K monitor: Was $639 Now $599
• Dell 32-inch curved gaming monitor: Was $329 Now $229
• Alienware keyboard and mouse combo: Was $179 Now $159
• Dell Speakerphone: Was $79 Now $73
• Dell 24-inch monitor: Was $119 Now $99
• Dell Inspiron 14 Plus: Was $1099 Now $799
• Dell Inspiron 16: Was $1299 Now $999
• Dell Lattitude 5550: Was $1299 Now $1119
• Dell Lattitude 3550: Was $1059 Now $909

Since its launch in 2024, the Alienware m16 R2 gaming laptop has earned high-score review ratings for performance.

While it may be overshadowed by this year's forthcoming RTX 50 gaming laptops, its powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 GPU is no slouch. In short, the Alienware m16 R2 still holds its own against the best laptops for gaming in 2025.

For a limited time, you can get the Alienware m16 R2 with RTX 4070 GPU for $1,499 at Dell. It normally costs $1,899 so that's a staggering $400 in savings. I track deals all year round and seeing an RTX 4070 Alienware gaming laptop under $1,500 is like finding a rare Pokémon. In terms of new year gaming laptop deals, this is one of the best I've found so far.

If you're financially stretched, consider the Alienware with RTX 4060 GPU for $1,299 ($300 off).

Browse: Dell's entire sale

Although Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards will outfit the next generation of gaming laptops to be released in 2025, RTX 40 rigs still have plenty of life left to give. While gamers wait with bated breath for RTX 5070 laptops, you can score a sweet discount on last year's RTX 4070 machines.

At $400 off, the Alienware m16 R2 is worth considering if you want to level up your gaming experience for less.

Check out Dell's New Year deals on gaming laptops and an overview of Alienware m16 R2 below.

Best Alienware m16 R2 gaming laptop deal

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In the world of tech, the event that kickstarts the year is often the one that defines it, and that honor annually falls to CES (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show) — an exhibition hailed as everything from the world's largest gadget show to the most powerful tech event in the world.

The Laptop Mag team reported directly from Las Vegas, Nevada for the duration of the show's January 7 to January 10 span. It's from here that we captured the computing reveals in consumer tech.

Welcome to Laptop Mag's CES 2025 special issue, offering you a recap of all of the highlights from Las Vegas, Nevada, and a showcase of our hand-picked Laptop Laurel winners across 25 categories.

CES 2025: Laptop Laurels

Throughout this year's showcase, we awarded products that truly stand out from the crowd with our Laptop Laurels — Laptop Mag's very own seal of approval for the best tech on show at CES 2025. Check out the winners below.