Alienware Graphics Amplifier Boosts Laptop Gaming Capabilities
Alienware Laptop and External Video Card
A major hurdle in laptop gaming has always been the graphics capabilities. Even when purchase a (currently) top-of-the-line machine, the graphics card will be outdated long before the CPU and memory capacity of the machine is diminished. Previously users were limited in their options to deal with this limited capacity; mostly with lowering the settings on higher-end games.
But never again! Alienware is introducing what they are calling the "Alienware Graphics Amplifier," an interface to connect a full size desktop graphics card to your laptop. Currently this is only available with their new 13" laptop, but it wouldn't surprise us to see them offering this on their other laptops in the future.
Connect multiple external displays to the Alienware Graphics Amplifier along with your favorite peripherals like a mouse, keyboard, gamepad or even an external hard via the four, powered, USB 3.0 ports. With a single cable connection, your Alienware 13 will be amplified into an even more powerful desktop gaming battle station. Alienware Website
Now there are still some side effects to this setup. The main one being that you will either have to lug the Graphics Amplifier along with you or be stuck with the GeForce 860M included with the laptop. The Graphics Amplifier itself also runs $300 and does not include the extra video card needed to take advantage of the setup.
If you are in the market for a gaming laptop, these Alienware offerings are reasonably priced and come with a host of features that make them attractive. They seem to be limited the mobile Core i5 processor family, but they all come standard with an nVidia GeForce 860M video card and are capable of producing 1440p (2560x1440) on a 13" screen. Impressive.
The Alienware Graphics Amplifier boosts the already potent gaming performance of the Alienware 13, providing desktop graphics quality gaming at home while continuing to offer the same high-performing experience that road warriors demand.
“Until now, gamers have had to make some really hard decisions and compromises when they are looking for their next gaming system. Do you choose the raw power and performance of a desktop, or do you need the portability and battery life to game wherever they choose?” Said Frank Azor, General Manager of Alienware. “The Alienware 13 combined with the Alienware Graphics Amplifier enables gamers to choose both, with an amazingly portable and powerful laptop for mobile gaming and then simply plugging into a desktop-class gaming experience when you get home. This is gaming without compromises.”
[...]
Plug-In to Desktop Gaming Performance
The Alienware Graphics Amplifier can be purchased by itself or alongside the Alienware 13 for $299, and users will have their choice of desktop graphics cards from both AMD and NVIDIA as options when purchased with an Alienware 13 laptop. The Alienware Graphics Amplifier connects directly to the Alienware 13 through dedicated PCI Express lanes, so any graphics card will have more than enough bandwidth to drive desktop graphics experiences. The Alienware Graphics Amplifier can house full length, dual-height graphics cards with up to 375 Watts of power. It also features four powered USB 3.0 ports, so gamers can plug in for instant access to their favorite peripherals and output directly to their gaming displays.
