CES 2020: Alienware Showcases Concept UFO, 8" Handheld For Gaming
by Gavin Bonshor on January 8, 2020 6:00 PM EST
Dell and Alienware have unveiled a new portable gaming machine it is calling Concept UFO. Demonstrated during its Dell Experience press conference at CES 2020, the Alienware Concept UFO is a handheld gaming device which is powered by one of Intel's 10th generation Core processors, with an 8" screen, and detachable controllers.
A lot of speculation has been placed on Alienware's Concept UFO and what the driving force behind the CPU and graphics. Alienware has confirmed that the 8" Concept UFO is using an Intel 10th generation Core processor, although they aren't detailing which model.
When pressed on the graphics performance, Alienware didn't specify but made a very tongue in cheek comment about it using Intel's latest graphics processor. With Intel having demonstrated their first Xe dGPU, the DG1, at this year's show as well, there is some degree of speculation that the Concept UFO could be an Xe concept device. Running counter to that, however, is that there's no indication that DG1 will be shipping in 2020, which would make this a concept device for hardware that won't be ready for another year. Either way, Dell and Alienware are staying mum on the issue for the time being.
As for the design of the Alienware Concept UFO handheld, it's all-white with black buttons and illuminated thumbsticks. One of the most interesting elements is that it features detachable controllers, which are very similar to the Joy-Cons used by Nintendo's Switch handheld game console. On the rear is a kickstand which allows users to place it on a table and game if it were a games console, or use it with the controllers attached to the device like a handheld.
Another interesting feature is that Concept UFO can be attached to an external monitor, although we can confirm that Concept UFO's 8" screen is manufactured by a partner, and not by Dell themselves. Dell refused to comment and go into detail about the exact technical specifications, or who manufactures the panel.
Alienware didn't have much to say when pressed on the official specifications, or if and when it may get past the concept stage into production. It's an interesting concept which, if nothing else, will pique the interest of gamers while showing off Alienware's research and design team as it looks to continue to be at the forefront of PC gaming.
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StevoLincolnite - Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - link
Missed opportunity to go with Ryzen 4000 in my opinion.Drkrieger01 - Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - link
Could be that the 4000's were just too new to start with in a prototype device. Intel also tends to have more technologies to improve power consumption which works better for tiny devices such as this. Agreed on the performance side though, Zen2 with Vega II would be a powerhouse in this tiny unityeeeeman - Thursday, January 9, 2020 - link
What opportunity? AMD is not nearly as good as Intel when it comes to low power. CCX, infinity fabric, all that stuff consumes lots of energy. I think most of the people don't really understand that the architecture AMD has chosen is very scalable, but as we saw better in going higher than going lower in the power envelope.As for the graphics used, given they said it is a 10th gen device we can assume it is not Tigerlake which is a shame. Nevertheless, maybe it is an Ice Lake Y model of some sort. Or even maybe the DG1, but I doubt.
Irata - Thursday, January 9, 2020 - link
I guess we'll have to wait for the first Ryzen 4000 mobile (monolithic die btw) equipped laptops to see if low power is an issue or not.cilvre - Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - link
if they can keep this around 800 dollars i think it will do well. I wish it had an AMD mobile 4000 series chip thoughKorguz - Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - link
$800 ?? no thanks... would be at least $1100 where i am.. way too expensive...Martijn ter Haar - Thursday, January 9, 2020 - link
The Nintendo Switch sells for about €350 here in the Netherlands. And decent laptops with 8 GB memory and a IPS full HD screen are about €550. Since the UFO would be more powerful and versatile than a Switch and the games are cheaper, they could make the price higher than that, but not much higher than an even more versatile laptop with a bigger screen. Of course the special form factor and controller add some value to the UFO, but the smal screen and lack of keyboard subtract from it.I think €500 would be the sweet spot. That's including 20% Dutch VAT, so the US price (without sales tax) would be around $420.
PeachNCream - Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - link
It shares a little common ground with some of those GPD handheld micro laptops with an integrated controller and crosses that with some Nintendo Switch. Not a bad idea really, but if this is a PC platform, there are going to be games (a healthy chunk of them) that need a keyboard and mouse so those other interface devices have to be somewhere in close proximity which makes a clamshell like the GPD a better option than a tablet form factor device with clip on controller pieces.Jon Tseng - Thursday, January 9, 2020 - link
Agreed. I have a GPD Win 2 and the value of having even a fingerboard for all those corner cases is wildly underappreciated.Gemuk - Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - link
For comparison, the SMACH Z with Ryzen Embedded V1605B starts at $700 for 4GB DDR4 + 64GB SSD. Add another $200 to double both. The DRAM is SODIMM and the SSD is M.2 2242 so they are user-upgradeable. You can't detach the controllers but you can always use whatever controllers you prefer instead.As for the Concept UFO, I'd imagine an ICL-Y chip? Something like the 1030G4 with 48EUs or 1030G7 with 64EUs.