The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →HotHardware’s May 25, 2024, roundup covered Memorial Day discounts on Alienware gaming PCs and Dell desktops and laptops. Its prices are historical promotion prices, not evidence of what these systems cost or whether they are available today. The most useful way to read the roundup now is as a record of the configurations Dell was promoting—and a reminder to compare current listings by specification, not by an old discount claim.
What the 2024 Memorial Day roundup included
The roundup covered premium Alienware gaming systems alongside Dell XPS and G16 PCs. These are not interchangeable options: the Alienware configurations emphasized gaming hardware, while the XPS desktop was presented as a more modest choice for gaming and mainstream content creation. The prices below were reported for the May 2024 promotion and should not be treated as current offers.
| System | Configuration reported | Reported May 2024 price |
|---|---|---|
| Alienware Aurora R15 desktop | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, 32GB DDR5, 2TB SSD | $2,749.99; described as $1,300 off |
| Dell XPS desktop | 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700, GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, 16GB DDR5, 512GB SSD | $1,099.99; optional liquid cooling was an additional $50 |
| Alienware Aurora R16 desktop | 14th Gen Intel Core i9, RTX 4090, 32GB DDR5, 2TB SSD | $2,999.99 |
| Alienware Aurora R16 desktop | Intel Core i9-14900F, RTX 4080 Super, 32GB DDR5, 1TB SSD | $2,399.99 |
| Alienware m18 laptop | AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX, GeForce RTX 4070, 64GB DDR5, 2TB SSD, 18-inch QHD+ (2560 × 1600) 165Hz display | $1,999.99 |
The article also mentioned offers for XPS 16, XPS 17, XPS 14, XPS 13, and G16 laptops. The available details here do not establish their specific configurations or prices, so they cannot be compared reliably with the listed systems.
How to interpret the listed prices and claims
The $1,300 reduction attached to the Aurora R15, and the other prices in the table, describe the promotion reported in the 2024 article. They do not show whether a discount was unusually good against other sellers, whether the same configuration remains in stock, or what an equivalent PC costs now. A past “off” figure is not a current saving.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors#1 Best Overall
- Legend perfected: Modern design with a matte basalt black finish in an optimized chassis with customizable AlienFX lighting zones, including the striking stadium lighting.
- Game changing graphics: Step into the future of gaming and creation with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 graphics, powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture.
- Marathon gaming unlocked: This high-performance technology ensures clean energy is consistently available, unleashing the top-level power of Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor as you game, livestream, and multi-task for hours on end.
- Total command: Alienware Command Center software allows you to create and edit AlienFX lighting across the ecosystem, choose and monitor your performance mode across distinct power states, and create custom gaming profiles for your whole library.
- Dell Services: 1 Year Onsite Service provides support when and where you need it. Dell will come to your home, office, or location of choice, if an issue covered by Limited Hardware Warranty cannot be resolved remotely.
HotHardware also reported Dell’s claims that the Aurora R15 cooling system was “up to 12% quieter and 62% more performant than the previous gen,” and described Dell’s XPS design as “spaciously designed to maximize airflow and reduce noise.” These are Dell-attributed product claims, not independent measurements reported in the roundup.
What matters when comparing a PC today
- Match the workload. For gaming or demanding creative tasks, compare the exact graphics card and processor. For general use or lighter gaming, a less powerful configuration may be more appropriate.
- Compare complete configurations. Memory and SSD capacity differ across the historical examples; a model name alone does not guarantee the same components.
- Account for form factor. A desktop prioritizes a stationary setup, while a laptop such as the m18 combines its components with a display and portability. Compare those trade-offs alongside performance needs.
- Verify the current listing. Check the exact processor, GPU, memory, storage, display where relevant, and final price before comparing systems. Do not use a 2024 promotion price as a present-day benchmark.
Source and date
The configurations and promotion prices above come from Tim Sweezy’s HotHardware article, “Dell Rocks Memorial Day With Great Deals On Alienware And Dell PCs,” published May 25, 2024: HotHardware’s 2024 roundup.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Legend perfected: Modern design with a matte "basalt black" finish in an optimized chassis with customizable AlienFX lighting zones, including the striking stadium lighting.
- Game changing graphics: Step into the future of gaming and creation with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 graphics, powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture.
- Marathon gaming unlocked: This high-performance technology ensures clean energy is consistently available, unleashing the top-level power of Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF processor as you game, livestream, and multi-task for hours on end.
- 240mm heat exchanger: The 240mm heat exchanger, available on the optional CPU liquid cooling, heightens thermal resistance, ensuring temperatures stay consistently low during longer gaming sessions.
- Total command: Alienware Command Center software allows you to create and edit AlienFX lighting across the ecosystem, choose and monitor your performance mode across distinct power states, and create custom gaming profiles for your whole library.
Rank #4
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K 3.2GHz Processor
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 32GB GDDR7
- 64GB DDR5-6400 RAM
- 4TB Solid State Drive
- 2.5GbE LAN; 2x2 Intel Killer WiFi 7 BE1750+Bluetooth 5.4
Rank #3
- Legend perfected: Modern design with a matte "basalt black" finish in an optimized chassis with customizable AlienFX lighting zones, including the striking stadium lighting.
- Game changing graphics: Step into the future of gaming and creation with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060Ti graphics, powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture.
- Marathon gaming unlocked: This high-performance technology ensures clean energy is consistently available, unleashing the top-level power of Intel Core Ultra processor 7 265F as you game, livestream, and multi-task for hours on end.
- Total command: Alienware Command Center software allows you to create and edit AlienFX lighting across the ecosystem, choose and monitor your performance mode across distinct power states, and create custom gaming profiles for your whole library.
- Dell Services: 1 Year Onsite Service provides support when and where you need it. Dell will come to your home, office, or location of choice, if an issue covered by Limited Hardware Warranty cannot be resolved remotely.
Rank #2
- Legend perfected: Modern design with a matte "basalt black" finish in an optimized chassis with customizable AlienFX lighting zones, including the striking stadium lighting.
- Game changing graphics: Step into the future of gaming and creation with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 graphics, powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture.
- Marathon gaming unlocked: This high-performance technology ensures clean energy is consistently available, unleashing the top-level power of Intel Core Ultra 9 processor as you game, livestream, and multi-task for hours on end.
- 240mm heat exchanger: The 240mm heat exchanger, available on the optional CPU liquid cooling, heightens thermal resistance, ensuring temperatures stay consistently low during longer gaming sessions.
- Total command: Alienware Command Center software allows you to create and edit AlienFX lighting across the ecosystem, choose and monitor your performance mode across distinct power states, and create custom gaming profiles for your whole library.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
