CES 2020 – Alienware Concept UFO: we tried this intriguing portable PC-console inspired by the Switch

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Visibly seduced by the design of the Nintendo Switch, the manufacturer Alienware decided to offer its own vision of the portable console, but with a PC base. He thus presented at CES 2020 his UFO concept, which we tried.

Alienware has made a name for itself with its computers designed for gaming. If some laptops of the brand are compact enough, they remain computers and it is not really practical to play with them without placing them somewhere to use a controller. or a mouse. In this, the UFO Concept presented at CES 2020 is quite distinct from the usual Alienware production, hence its name which can effectively – and in a very colorful way – make one think of a UFO. However, in absolute terms, it is not really an unidentified object for us, since we readily identify it with a famous portable console: the Nintendo Switch!

A Full HD laptop in a large Switch body

Difficult indeed not to see the resemblance between the two devices. With its detachable joysticks fixing on the edges and being able to join to form only one, as well as its screen of 8 inches (20 cm diagonal) in 16:10 format, with a definition of 1900 x 1200 px (against 1280 x 720 px on Switch), the UFO Concept looks like a large format Switch.

However, the difference is in the components used. ARM chip point here, but a good old Intel x86 processor, 10th generation, with Iris Pro graphics circuit. This is all that we know about the configuration used, Alienware not wishing to communicate on the technical characteristics of its UFO. We just know a few details about its connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C and Thunderbolt to allow display on an external screen. Support for keyboards and mice is also provided.

Windows 10 games, within reason

Nothing surprising, however, being a Windows 10 PC. We can therefore operate any PC game, provided it is not too greedy in graphics resources. Indeed, the very compact format of the device implies some concessions, and one suspects that it is not a question of turning a title like Red Dead Redemption 2 in native definition with high graphics on such a machine – for that, it will still be necessary to use for a while towards the cloud gaming, with services like Stadia. Especially since the ventilation is already present and that the autonomy of the device does not seem to be its strong point (about 2 hours according to the manufacturer).

Good services for a simple concept

Do not shy away from our pleasure, since the game experience we had at the show, as short as it was, still convinced us. The two games we were able to try (F1 2019 and World War Z) thus turned out to be fairly fluid despite a rather good graphic level. The very bright screen also highlights this rendering that we are not used to seeing on a portable console. However, there should be a direct comparison element to really assess the image quality. Inevitably, compared to a Switch with more limited power, the graphics are more flattering.

The console is pleasant in hands, and even if its all plastic construction is not very flattering, the finishes are good and the whole proves convincing for a simple concept which is not intended to be marketed in the state. The use of plastic makes it possible in any case to obtain a fairly light product in view of its size. In terms of controls, no complaints, the buttons are well positioned and we appreciated the haptic feedback which somewhat reminds of the HD vibrations of the Joy-Con of the Switch. Too bad that Alienware did not take advantage of it to integrate analog triggers.

In dock mode, we also remain impressed, and the controller once assembled in a single gamepad is well proportioned and pleasant to use.

Towards a commercial version?

Although this UFO Concept is not intended to be launched as is, we suspect that Alienware will carefully collect user comments on the show and assess the enthusiasm around its product to possibly work on a marketable version. Provided however that this concept is commercially viable, because it would necessarily cost much more than a Nintendo Switch (300 € approximately). But after all, the manufacturer GPD has proven with its small portable console computers that there is a market for this type of device.

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