The cheapest Alienware gaming laptop on the market just got Black Friday'd

Alienware 16X Aurora gaming laptop open on a wooden desk with blue backlighting
(Image credit: Future)

Dell's official Black Friday deals are here, and among them come a whole host of discounts hitting the brand's cheapest gaming laptop. The Alienware 16 Aurora sits right at the bottom of the price range, making it a perfect entry level machine for both work and lighter games. It's also less than $1,000 for an RTX 50-Series configuration this week - much cheaper than the best gaming laptops on the market will be.

If you want to get really technical, the cheapest Black Friday Alienware deal is actually on an RTX 4050 configuration (now $899.99, was $1,099.99) but that's far from the best deal on the site. If you really want to spend as little as possible, I'd stick to the new generation - for only $100 more you can pick up an RTX 5050 spec for $999.99 (was $1,199.99).

Alienware 16 Aurora RTX 5050 gaming laptop | $1,199.99 $999.99 at DellSave $200 -

Alienware 16 Aurora RTX 5050 gaming laptop | $1,199.99 $999.99 at Dell
Save $200 - This is an entry level configuration, so should only be picked up by those looking to spend as little as possible on an RTX 50-Series device. Still, it's one of Dell's lowest Alienware gaming laptop prices in the store's early Black Friday deals.

<p><em><strong>Specs: <em>Intel Core 7 240H | RTX 5050 | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD | 120Hz QHD+ display

I'd actually recommend most players start their search at an RTX 5060, though. This GPU will see you through FHD gameplay, even in some more demanding games, far easier - and can see you running lighter titles well in QHD resolutions as well. Considering the Alienware 16 Aurora is available in this spec for as little as $1,099.99 it could be worth the step up.

Alienware 16 Aurora (RTX 5060) | $1,349.99 $1,099.99 at DellSave $250 -

Alienware 16 Aurora (RTX 5060) | $1,349.99 $1,099.99 at Dell
Save $250 - This is actually one of the cheapest RTX 5060 gaming laptops I've seen on the shelves - and I rarely get to say that about an Alienware. You're picking up the budget-minded 16 Aurora model here, but still scoring a solid FHD (and lighter QHD) GPU.

<p><em><strong>Specs: <em>Intel Core 7 240H | RTX 5060 | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD | 120Hz QHD+ display

Should you buy the Alienware 16 Aurora?

Side view of Alienware 16X Aurora gaming laptop on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The Alienware 16 Aurora really does sit at the bottom of Dell's pile. However, early Black Friday gaming laptop deals aren't getting this cheap on any other Dell models. I generally tend to recommend the Alienware 16X Aurora model over the base device - you get a better display and slightly better headroom in terms of RAM and GPU pairings.

With only $100 off an RTX 5060 configuration (and it still sitting at $1,449.99), the 16X Aurora isn't exactly hitting these budget-friendly vibes.

Ultimately, if you're after an everyday laptop that can also run your favorite games the Aurora will see you through nicely. If, however, you've got more to invest in a high-end system that will tackle QHD resolutions at high settings it's time to look a little further up the price scale.

The Alienware 16 Area-51 is at the opposite end of the spectrum. It also starts at $2,199.99 this week (that's with a $550 discount in Dell's early Black Friday sale by the way). Still, if you're looking to push heavier titles at higher framerates, the boost to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and 32GB RAM will certainly help you out there.

I'm running you through all the best Alienware laptops I've had my hands on so far, as well as the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Razer laptops for some different flavor profiles as well.

Tabitha Baker
Managing Editor - Hardware

Managing Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I've written for Tom’s Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That Video Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i'm focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards, headsets and mice that come with them), PS5, and trying to find the perfect projector. 

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