The Aurora 16X comes with Intel’s new Core Ultra 9 275HX, offering strong single and multi-core performance on par with other high-end gaming laptops. By contrast, the Aurora 16 uses Intel’s Core 7 240H—a rehashed two-year-old chip that runs hot and lags behind modern alternatives.
Both laptops max out at an RTX 5070, but competitors at this price often include a 5070 Ti, which delivers a noticeable boost. The 16X holds its own in gaming benchmarks, while the 16 trails badly, especially with its weaker RTX 5060.
Pros
- Good CPU and GPU performance
- Sturdy build
- Nice screen that covers a wide color gamut with an optional OLED screen that is even better
- MUX switch
- Two full-sized M.2 SSD slots
- IR for Windows Hello
Cons
- Quite Heavy
- Dated design
- Quiet speakers
- Clunky trackpad
Pros
- Two full-sized M.2 SSD slots
- MUX switch
- Sturdy build
- Long-lasting battery life in light use
Cons
- Outdated CPU that performs below average for gaming laptops
- IPS panel has poor color accuracy and some ghosting
- Clunky trackpad
- Quiet speakers
- Quite Heavy
Gaming Experience
In titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Final Fantasy XIV, the 16X performs well, even beating some similarly spec'd rivals. However, its limited 8GB VRAM makes demanding games like Monster Hunter Wilds struggle at Ultra settings. The standard Aurora 16 fares worse, with inconsistent frame pacing and low 1% lows.
Display & Build
Despite sharing a similar chassis, the displays separate these two machines. The 16X features a bright 500+ nit, 240Hz panel with near-complete DCI-P3 coverage, while the 16 has a dimmer 360-nit, 120Hz screen with poor color accuracy and even ghosting. Both are solidly built but heavier than competitors like the Strix G16 or Legion Pro 5i.
Battery & Thermals
The surprise winner in battery life is the Aurora 16, lasting up to 10 hours in video playback, which is among the best we’ve seen in a gaming laptop. The 16X, while more powerful, only manages about 6 hours. Thermals and fan noise are average on both, though the 16X can get particularly loud under load.
Verdict
Between the two, the Aurora 16X is the clear winner—it offers a modern CPU, a far better display, and competitive performance. The regular Aurora 16, on the other hand, feels outdated and overpriced, only redeeming itself with excellent battery life.
That said, before buying either, you should consider alternatives like the Asus Strix G16 or Lenovo Legion 5i, which often come with better cooling and even RTX 5070 Ti options for a similar price.
Pros
- Very comfortable keyboard
- Excellent OLED display
- Compact and portable
- Well built
- Fast current gen CPU
- Powerful GPU (full wattage)
- Pricing is very competitive
Cons
- Ports are far forward and may get in your way
- Speakers aren't great
- No fingerprint reader or facial recognition
- No Advanced Optimus
Pros
- AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor is fantastic
- Excellent GPU performance due to high wattage
- While gaming doesn't get overly warm or hot
- Upgradeable memory
Cons
- Thick laptop
- Slippery palm rest material
- Expensive when not on sale
- Blows warm air on the back left and right of the laptop
Recommendation:
- Get the Aurora 16X if you’re set on Alienware in this budget range.
- Skip the Aurora 16 unless you find it under $1,000. We've put the cheapest configuration below.
Pros
- Two full-sized M.2 SSD slots
- MUX switch
- Sturdy build
- Long-lasting battery life in light use
Cons
- Outdated CPU that performs below average for gaming laptops
- IPS panel has poor color accuracy and some ghosting
- Clunky trackpad
- Quiet speakers
- Quite Heavy
