CES 2026: Dell teases new ultra-thin, entry-level Alienware gaming laptops

Dell’s modern Alienware gaming laptops are powerful and good-looking machines, but they have a reputation for being heavy and expensive. This may change soon. At CES 2026 on Monday, the American tech company released a teaser of its upcoming ultra-slim and entry-level gaming laptops to be released later this year.

Mashable saw prototypes of both devices in Dell’s private showroom this week, so I can tell you they exist. However, we couldn’t photograph them and can’t reveal any design details beyond what Dell revealed in its announcement blog post.

The line of laptops is not currently represented in any of the Alienware lineup. Current models include the 16-inch Aurora 16 and 16X, two attractive mid-range options, and the 16- and 18-inch Area-51s, Dell’s great flagship machines. They start at $1,100 to $2,670 respectively; Weight 5.5 to 7.5 pounds; And measure at least 0.89 inches thick.

The 16X Aurora and 16 Area-51 are being updated with anti-glare OLED displays for 2026. Both the 16X Aurora and Area-51 sizes will feature new Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors with Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series graphics.

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According to a blog post from Dell’s PC gaming lead Matt McGowan, the new ultra-slim Alienware laptop will have a sleeker look than other Alienware models and will be available in 14- and 16-inch sizes. It will be about 0.67 inches thick, making it as thin as last year’s 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro.

McGowan said the 16-inch version of the ultra-slim Alienware laptop will be “about 50% smaller in volume than our current 16-inch Area-51.” Its portability comes at the cost of some power, but it “still offers serious gaming potential with Nvidia discrete graphics and the new highly efficient CPU,” he said. Dell has provided an image of it which shows an RGB keyboard and a microSD card slot. We are working on this right now.

In theory, this model sounds like a direct competitor to the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16, which are popular choices for gamers and creatives who prioritize mobility. Lightweight and aesthetically subtle, they are often compared to MacBook Pros.

Dell has revealed even less about its mysterious entry-level Alienware gaming laptop. All we really know for sure is that it will be cheaper than any other model in the Alienware lineup. According to McGovern’s blog post, it “delivers strong gaming performance in a clean design at our most accessible price point yet.” Given the pricing of Dell’s current gaming laptops, it will likely start under $1,000.

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