Alienware 16X Aurora (AC16251) Gaming Laptop Review
Summary: The Alienware 16X Aurora (AC16251) is a true gaming laptop that easily plays the latest AAA titles and although it won't break a sweat, it does heat up.
4.5
Alien power!
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-range gaming laptop straight out of the box, the Alienware 16X Aurora (AC16251) sits firmly in the upper echelon, boasting the latest PC technology to take your gaming on the go. Matching its high-end specifications is Alienware’s signature aesthetic, which really stands out from its competitors. Also, depending on your budget, Dell offers a variety of configurations from $3,349 AUD (October 2025).
Our review unit is powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 9 275HX running at 2.7GHz, paired with 32GB of memory and NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5070, a powerhouse combination that delivers desktop‑class responsiveness in a portable form with a high price of $4197 AUD (October 2025). Everyday multitasking is effortless and whether you’re running the latest AAA titles, streaming gameplay or editing high‑resolution video, the system handles it outstandingly well. Further, the RTX 5070 complements the CPU well, offering smooth frame rates at 1440p and even holding its own at 4K in many modern games. With ray tracing and DLSS 3 support, the laptop also carries a degree of future‑proofing — particularly DLSS, which provides a notable performance boost.
Alienware has also equipped the 16X with a 240Hz WQXGA display that boasts wide color coverage. The result is vibrant colors and fluid motion that elevate both competitive gaming and cinematic single-player experiences. It’s one of the better laptop screens I’ve reviewed, adding significantly to the immersion factor — whether you’re gaming or streaming the latest films on Disney+ or Netflix. Although audio is okay for a laptop, you will need headphones or external speakers to maximise the Realtek AL3204 Audio Controller.
Full Tech Specs
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Processor: Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 275HX (36MB cache, 24 cores, 2.1 to 5.4 GHz P-Core)
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Operating System: Windows 11 Home
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Video Card: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5070, 8 GB GDDR7
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Display: 16″, WQXGA, 240Hz, 100% DCI-P3, ComfortView Plus, G-SYNC
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Memory: 32GB, 2x16GB, DDR5, 5600 MT/s
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Storage: 2 TB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD
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Microsoft Office: Activate Your Microsoft 365 For A 30 Day Trial
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Security Software: McAfee + Premium 1-year
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Hardware Support Services Upgrades: Alienware Care Next Business Day Onsite Service, 12 Month(s)
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Keyboard: 1-Zone AlienFX RGB Keyboard, English US
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Ports:
2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) ports
1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C® port with Power Delivery
1 Thunderbolt™ 4 (40 Gbps) port with DisplayPort™ 2.1
1 HDMI 2.1 port with Discrete Graphics Controller Direct Output
1 universal audio jack (RCA, 3.5 mm)
1 RJ45 ethernet port (1 Gbps)
1 power-adapter port -
Dimensions & Weight:
Height (rear): 23.40 mm (0.92 in.)
Height (front): 19.20 mm (0.76 in.)
Depth: 265.43 mm (10.45 in.)
Width: 356.98 mm (14.05 in.)
Starting weight: 2.57 kg (5.66 lb)
Maximum weight: 2.61 kg (5.76 lb)
180W power adapter: 0.58 kg (1.25 lb)
280W power adapter: 0.95 kg (2.10 lb) -
Touchpad: Multi-touch gesture Premium Precision touchpad with integrated scrolling
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Camera: 1080p at 30 fps, FHD RGB-IR HDR camera, Dual-array microphones
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Audio and Speakers: Stereo speakers, Realtek AL3204 Audio Controller, 2 W x 2 = 4 W total
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Chassis: Interstellar Indigo
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Wireless: MediaTek Wi-Fi 7 MT7925, 2×2, 802.11be, MU-MIMO, Bluetooth® wireless card
Unboxing
When you open it up, the attention to detail continues with a customizable RGB backlit keyboard that not only looks great in low‑light environments but also provides a tactile, responsive typing experience that is perfect for gaming. The lighting can be tailored per key or zone, allowing you to match your setup’s aesthetic or highlight key bindings for specific games. Also, if Windows 11 Home Edition is not for you, there is also the option of upgrading to Windows 11 Professional but from a gaming perspective, this is a moot point unless you want those additional management and security features.
Gaming
Given the specifications, the Alienware 16X Aurora (AC16251) plays games like a desktop. Titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Starfield run with ray tracing enabled boasted playable frame rates, while shooters such as Doom: The Dark Ages and Counter‑Strike 2 easily take advantage of the 240Hz refresh rate. Also, the latest game in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, Shadows, nicely highlights the power of this system, particularly from a graphics perspective. Starfield, an open-world sci-fi game ran like a treat in both 1080p and 1440p which also showcased the clarity of this display, including its colour palette.
Performance Snapshot (Average FPS, Ultra Settings)
| Game | 1080p (Full HD) | 1440p (QHD) |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | ~95 FPS (DLSS) / ~70 native | ~70 FPS (DLSS) / ~50 native |
| Starfield | ~80 FPS | ~60 FPS |
| Doom the Dark Ages | ~90 FPS | ~75 FPS |
| Counter‑Strike 2 | ~ 150 FPS | ~120 FPS |
| Assassin’s Creed Shadows | ~60 FPS | ~55 FPS |
Under heavy loads during gaming, the side exhausts push out noticeable heat and the fans ramp up audibly but it’s not a deal‑breaker. This is normal for most gaming laptops and during regular Windows usage, surfing the net or watching films, the AC16251 is very quiet. However, with the Ultra 9 processor and RTX 5070 under the hood, this is a system designed to be plugged in for peak performance. With everyday use, you can expect around four to five hours before reaching for the charger. Once you fire up a demanding game, that figure drops significantly, often closer to two hours depending on the title and settings.
My one biggest gripe with the AC16251 is the lack of a 4K webcam
Final Thoughts
The Alienware 16X Aurora (AC16251) is a premium gaming laptop that blends performance, design and display quality with noticeable aesthetics. Although it’s not the lightest or quietest machine (particularly when the load ramps up), this is generally not an issue for gamers or content creators who want a system that can handle demanding workloads and want a portable desktop experience. One gripe with the AC16251 is the lack of a 4K webcam that would have been great for those users wanting to stream their gaming on platforms such as Twitch but hey, you can connect an external camera if needed. Needless to say, it’s hard not to look past this system, however, just be warned that all this performance does come at a cost.
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