Company Updates

Alienware + HTC + Valve. Vive La Difference!

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Virtual reality (VR) is rocketing into the next sphere in 2016, and there’s no better way to power that thrust than Alienware’s Vive Optimized PC’s. Today we’re excited to help amplify the announcement of the consumer edition of HTC’s Vive virtual reality system in partnership with Valve’s SteamVR game platform. For a premium VR experience, there’s no better way to prepare for the journey.

“Of all the virtual reality headsets out there, the HTC Vive feels most like what science fiction visionaries promised us in the ‘80s and ‘90s,” said Adi Robertson on The Verge.

Pre-order now and you’ll be at the front of the line to receive your system when the Vive hardware comes out in April. Get ready to have your world expanded, because HTC & Valve plan to deliver a full-room VR experience with a sleek-looking Vive set-up that “builds upon the innovative features that were introduced into the Vive Pre."

When you preorder, you’ll get the headset, two wireless controllers, and two base stations enabling 360° room-scale motion-tracking. To take your VR experience to the next level, the Area-51 is a top pick to power this premium VR experience, with its iconic industrial design and its long standing reputation for exceptional performance and quality.

Why is Area-51 perfect for Vive? Long a fan favorite as Alienware’s flagship performance PC, it’s won its way into the hearts of gamers with its massive performance, unique customization options, iconic triad design, quiet operating modes and world-class quality, making the Area-51 the most popular Alienware system for gaming events and tournaments around the world.

If you’re looking for a smaller, more affordable PC, the Alienware X51 features a new custom liquid CPU cooling solution reducing noise output, and pushes the latest 6th-gen Intel Core i5K and i7K unlocked processors to peak performance. Gamers can experience the X51’s impressive Nvidia GTX 970 graphics and can now enjoy 4k gaming when connected to the Alienware Graphics Amplifier and a 4k display (each sold separately), supporting discrete GPUs options up to the Nvidia GeForce GTX Titan X. Also now with Windows 10 and DirectX 12, the latest Alienware X51 can power even more realistic graphics and smooth gameplay, especially during VR experiences.

Along with our partnership with Oculus, we know that this new generation of VR gear from HTC and Valve opens a door to a brave new world.

“While I was certainly excited to have some alone time with the HTC Vive — it’s consistently wowed us with demos over the past year — I wasn’t expecting such an emotional response,” said engadget’s Devindra Hardawar after spending time with the HTC Vive Pre.

But with all doors, there may be a squeak or two. Our mission at Alienware is to deliver the most turnkey VR experiences that make it easy for gamers and enthusiasts alike to jump in and enjoy.  Vive Optimized PC’s are another step in that direction.  Vive Optimized means that your PC configuration has been tested and meets the threshold for a great VR experience.  Additionally, extra testing will allow us to find the bugs and pitfalls first and let customers know what to avoid and how to quickly troubleshoot and support you. At Alienware, we’ve always been focused on our community, your experience and, most importantly, your feedback. From pre-order through delivery and beyond, we want to know your thoughts. After all, virtual reality is only as good as the real world behind it.

So get ready to say “Vive La Difference!” If you aren’t a member of Alienware Arena, sign up and make sure you don’t miss anything! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @Alienware and be sure to sign on and watch our Twitter stream for the latest updates.

About the Author: Frank Azor

Frank Azor, an Alienware co-founder, now oversees XPS, Dell’s premium consumer brand and Dell gaming, which includes Alienware and Inspiron Gaming. Celebrating 20 years as the leader in PC gaming systems, Alienware sets the standard for premium gaming PCs and innovation, and Inspiron Gaming provides high performance gaming systems at an affordable cost that give gamers a competitive advantage at every level of play. Under his leadership, Dell’s XPS brand has risen to the top in innovation, design and performance, while becoming the most-award winning product-line in Dell history. Frank joined Alienware as a quality engineer and later held executive roles in sales and marketing before creating the Alienware Product Group organization in 2003-after helping to pioneer the industry’s first high-performance gaming notebook, the Area-51M. Later that year, he was credited with the successful launch of Alienware’s first self-designed desktop case (Predator) which immediately made industry headlines and has defined the look of Alienware’s products ever since. Prior to Dell’s acquisition of Alienware in 2006, Frank held the positions of Senior Vice-President of Product Group and Marketing and Executive Vice-President managing the global executive leadership team and reporting directly to the President and CEO. Shortly after helping lead Alienware’s successful integration into Dell, Frank assumed the role of worldwide general manager for the Alienware business unit. Under Frank’s leadership, Alienware’s brand has become the worldwide leader in its industry and has earned hundreds of awards for its products including multiple best of CES product awards. As of 2017, Frank holds 16 patents granted under his name and has been named a milestone inventor by Dell. In 2014, Frank’s role was expanded to include global responsibility for Dell’s XPS business unit, one of the company’s most innovative and valued brands. Since assuming responsibility for the XPS business unit for Dell, Frank instituted a new product and business strategy that led to the successful introduction of the highly acclaimed XPS 13 notebook which has won more than 300 awards since its introduction at CES 2015 and has been deemed the best notebook on the market from numerous outlets including Forbes, Wall Street Journal and CNET. On top of the product accomplishments, Frank’s leadership has reinstated rapid growth for Dell’s XPS business. In 2017, Frank assumed responsibility for launching and managing Dell’s Inspiron Gaming line of powerful yet budget friendly gaming PCs. Inspiron Gaming systems have quickly become a favorite among players and reviewers desiring top graphics performance under $1000 USD. The systems have received many awards including a Computex d&i Gold winner and several Best Gaming PCs of CES awards. Frank sits on the advisory board for Miami Dade College’s MAGIC program where he has led the creation of a Dell-backed scholarship fund to help both high school and college students learn skills and earn degrees in computer graphics design, animation and game development. Frank has also served as a volunteer judge for the FIRST robotics south Florida regional competition since 2013 (www.usfirst.org) an organization founded by Dean Kamen that has provided students with more than $50 million in college scholarships in 2017 alone. Frank lives in Palmetto Bay, FL USA near Alienware’s headquarters with his wife, their 2 sons and their pet dachshund. Frank is currently playing Overwatch with his oldest son who is also an avid Minecraft player. Frank’s most anticipated games for 2017 exist in Virtual Reality where Frank has been immersed for years – and of course – powered by award-winning VR-ready PCs from Alienware and XPS.