Dell buys Alienware: confirmed

Rich Brown Former Senior Editorial Director - Home and Wellness

Rich was the editorial lead for CNET's Home and Wellness sections, based in Louisville, Kentucky. Before moving to Louisville in 2013, Rich ran CNET's desktop computer review section for 10 years in New York City. He has worked as a tech journalist since 1994, covering everything from 3D printing to Z-Wave smart locks.

Expertise Smart home | Windows PCs | Cooking (sometimes) | Woodworking tools (getting there...)

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Rich Brown

March 22, 2006 2:49 p.m. PT

Area-51

Dell is still withholding official comment, but the news from Alienware's PR department is that it has indeed been purchased by the world's largest computer maker. The official confirmation appeared on earlier this afternoon. The story is that Dell will hold the controlling rights to Alienware, and Alienware's CEO will now report to Dell's CFO. Alienware will continue to offer AMD chips, and it will continue to cater to hard-core gamers.

This is a smart move for Dell. It gives the company an answer for when people ask about AMD, and it doesn't really damage Dell's relationship with Intel. We wouldn't say that Alienware makes the best high-end PCs (we find it amusing that the two companies whose high-end tower cases we dislike the most have joined forces), but its Area-51 and Aurora systems are consistently competitive in high-end roundups. Its brand is also likely the most recognizable of all the smaller PC vendors. What this means for the future of Dell's XPS line of higher-end desktops and laptops remains unclear.

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