Alienware 16 Aurora is actually sleeker and longer-lasting than the pricier 16X Aurora

The 16-inch Alienware Aurora series comes in two flavors: 16X Aurora and 16 Aurora. The former ships with an insanely fast Arrow Lake-HX CPU alongside RTX 5070 graphics and a 1600p 240 Hz display while the latter is a less expensive version with an older Raptor Lake CPU, slower RTX 5060 graphics, and 1600p 120 Hz display to save on costs. The cut corners are noticeable, but two in particular are actually advantageous for the 16 Aurora.

The first change relates to the dimensions of the 16 Aurora as the model is about 8 millimeters thinner for a sleeker look despite it costing hundreds of dollars less. They still weigh about the same, however, and so the less expensive model even feels denser than its pricier 16X version.

The second advantage relates to power consumption. Since the 16 Aurora utilizes slower and less demanding components, it only requires a 180 W AC adapter while benefitting from longer battery life. In comparison, the 16X Aurora ships with a 280 W AC adapter and lasts for a few hours shorter when under identical WLAN browsing conditions.

The 16X Aurora may be the faster machine, but casual gamers or students who want a more balanced gaming laptop for both traveling and playing may find the 16 Aurora to be the better option. We recommend checking out our reviews on the 16X Aurora and 16 Aurora to learn more about each model.