The Alienware Alpha, the not-Steam-box, is set to launch next month, with four different versions estimated to ship on December 12th.
“It’s unique,” said Alienware’s Frank Azor when we took a look a couple of months ago. “Very few companies will be able to provide something like this due to the amount of engineering, development and thoughtfulness we’ve had to put in.”
The cheapest version will set you back £449/$550, with an i3 processor, 4GB RAM and a 500GB hard drive. The fanciest version comes with an i7, 8GB RAM and a 2TB hard drive. Every version has the same GPU, a now out of date GTX860M.
While some things, like the processor, are upgradable, you will be stuck with the GPU forever.
As well as shipping with Alienware’s own console-like UI that lets users launch Steam, adjust core settings and manage power options, it comes bundled with a few games: Anomaly: Warzone Earth, Awesomenauts, Magicka, Metro: Last Light, PAYDAY 2 and Strike Suit Zero, along with exclusive in-game items and a couple of demos.
Are any of you lovely lot considering plonking this down in your living room?