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As we wait with bated breath to see if the AI bubble is going to burst sooner rather than later, both PC gamers and professionals are feeling the pinch with massively inflated RAM and graphics card prices akin to those we saw during the NFT and cryptocurrency bubble. But right now at Dell, you can grab the Alienware 16 Aurora for just under $1,000, making it a cheaper option than trying to upgrade piecemeal.
Also: The best gaming PCs you can buy
The Aurora 16 features an Intel Core Ultra 7 240H processor with a maximum overclock speed of 5.2GHz for graphically intense triple-A games, as well as creative work like 3D modeling and animation. It's also outfitted with an Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, making it a solid choice as both an upgrade to your current setup or a first laptop for teens and older kids.
Read more: How we test laptops at ZDNET
The 16-inch display gives you a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother motion during fast-paced gameplay and cutscenes, as well as 2560 x 1600 resolution for enhanced detailing. It can also recreate up to 100% of the sRGB color spectrum for bolder, more lifelike images, while the integrated blue light filter helps ease eye strain and fatigue during marathon gaming sessions. Integrated Bluetooth connectivity lets you set up wireless peripherals like headsets and mice, while Wi-Fi 7 support gives you faster, more reliable wireless internet speeds for online matches.
The Alienware 16 Aurora also features a sleek, slim design more like its business-class cousins than the heavy and bulky gaming laptops we're used to seeing. Weighing in at just under 5.5 pounds, you can take this laptop just about anywhere without running the risk of wearing yourself out. And with an impressive 10-hour battery life, you can stream and game all day before you even need to think about recharging.
How I rated this deal
While it isn't the steepest discount I've ever seen on an Alienware gaming laptop, getting your hands on a high-end model from one of the top brands in PC gaming for just under $1,000 feels like stealing in an era where RAM and graphics cards are selling for outrageous prices due to the AI bubble. That's why I gave this deal a 4/5 editor's rating.
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