X-bit labs

Alienware Bids on Small Form-Factor Systems.

Category: Mobile

by Anton Shilov

[ 11/24/2004 | 11:11 PM ]

Alienware, a top maker of premier enthusiast and gaming PCs said it would offer cube-like small form-factor systems to its customers in attempt to grab higher market share in mainstream desktops segment, a part of the market with the highest volumes of sales.

“The Area-51 5300 is the ideal choice for a wide variety of users, from hardcore gamers desiring next-generation power to businesses looking for reliable performance that fits limited spaces,” the company said in its statement.

Alienware's small form-factor PCs resemble typical cube-like systems from manufacturers like Shuttle and Soltek. They are available for Intel Pentium 4 processors only and can run different powerful add-in graphics cards, including ATI RADEON X800 XT and NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra. Intel’s i915G chipset that powers the Area-51 5300 PC brings PCI Express x16 slot for graphics, can support up to 2GB of DDR memory along with Intel’s high definition audio and other multimedia enhancements.

Even though typically small form-factor systems are aimed at consumers, Alienware positions them for more gaming-oriented audience by trying to get some additional performance out of their boxes and allowing customers to equip the Area-51 5300 with the latest graphics cards.

Earlier this year Alienware introduced cost-effective desktops called “Bot”. The PCs were equipped with Intel Celeron D or the Pentium 4 central processing units along with mainboards based on Intel's i915G chipsets with integrated Intel Graphics and Media Accelerator 900 with DirectX 9.0-supporting graphics engine. The Bot’s price begins from $549.

Alienware asks for $999 for an entry-level Area-51 5300.