Alienware Reveals 13" Laptop: One-Inch Thick and More Powerful Than Its 14"

The big messaging push for this upcoming system is that the form factor doesn't sacrifice performance for size. While not naming specific competitors, an Alienware representative said, "There are slimmer notebooks out there, but they'll rely on some tactics that might actually compromise performance just to reach a more significant level of thinness. We decided we're going to maintain a system that gives the graphics card and the CPU the greatest amount of power possible without throttling performance."

Regarding the system's "full-throttle design," he clarified, "You can tax the CPU and the graphics card both completely. There's two fans, there's two thermal solutions, and they all run independently from one another."

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On the accessories front, Alienware will also begin bundling Klipsch wireless headset options with their notebooks. And while talking about the 13, Alienware reps mentioned that even more peripheral mice and keyboard peripherals from Roccat will feature compatibility with Alienware FX, the company's integrated lighting system.

Full tech specs for the Alienware 13 follow:

• Nvidia 860 GTX GPU
• Intel Core i Processors
• Up to 16GB DDR3
• Supports up to two SSD (or one regular hard drive)
• Wireless 802.11ac tech from Killer
• Audio powered by Klipsch
• Supports Windows 8.1, 8.1 Pro, and 7 Pro
• Battery life: "Targeting 7-8 hours while streaming with wi-fi and an SSD drive."
• 1-inch thin
• Just under 4.5 lbs

And options for the 13" LCD screen will include:

• HD 1366 x 768
  • 200 nits, TN-panel, 45% color gamut
• FHD 1920 x 1080
  • 350 nits, IPS-panel, 72% color gamut
• QHD w/touch, 2560 x 1440
  • 400 nits, IPS-panel, 72% color gamut

The system is set to launch this November, and while the official price point isn't decided yet, a rep said regarding the 13's cost: "To give you some idea, our 14-inch sells for $1099."